Alta Devices today provided a glimpse of the future of mobile power with the announcement of reference designs for the world’s lightest, and highest energy density, flexible military charging mats. The smallest of these chargers, which convert light into electricity, weighs just 4 ounces, has dimensions that are slightly larger than a sheet of paper, and can provide significant power to a soldier in the field without the need for an alternative fuel source.

The technology that makes these military chargers possible will also be introduced in unmanned systems, consumer electronics, automobiles, and a variety of industrial, remote power applications. “We have come to rely on mobile machines and devices that always need a source of power whether it be the grid, batteries, or fuel,” said Chris Norris, president and CEO of Alta Devices. “But in the next decade, we will come to expect mobile power that is transparently available at all times.” (For more information, see www.altadevices.com/applications-remote-power.php)

Alta’s new military charger designs give a picture of how that world may look: according to the Army Research Laboratory, a soldier’s load can weigh 100 pounds, over a third of which are batteries. Alta’s technology can reduce that battery weight by 70 percent, saving approximately 25 pounds of pack weight. This reduction allows troops to stay nimble and extend their mission without the need to be resupplied.

(For more information about Alta Devices new military charger reference designs, see editors’ note and www.altadevices.com/pdfs/charging_mat.pdf).

In addition to being adopted by the military to improve the effectiveness of soldiers, Alta’s mobile power technology is targeted at manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles to increase flight times, at industrial suppliers in the mining and exploration markets to provide remote power, at consumer electronics makers to minimize the need to recharge, and at the automotive industry to provide supplemental power or to increase range in vehicles of all types. (For more information about each of these markets, see www.altadevices.com/applications-overview.php)

“There are nearly limitless opportunities for always-available mobile power,” said Norris. “We are initially targeting applications where the need is well understood and the opportunity is substantial. Over time, we see huge markets being enabled by this kind of mobile power.”

About Alta Devices

Alta Devices is (EM)POWERING THE UNPLUGGED WORLD™ by delivering the world’s most efficient, thin and flexible mobile power technology. Converting light into electricity, Alta's technology extends the energy source of a system, and in many cases, completely cuts the traditional power cord. The solution can be completely integrated into the final system, and is ideal for use in unmanned systems, consumer electronics, automotive, remote exploration, or anywhere size, weight, and mobility matter. Alta Devices holds world records for energy conversion efficiency³, and has received funding from, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, August Capital, Crosslink Capital, AIMCo, GE, Dow, and others. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA.

Editors, note:

1. Additional Information about Alta Devices Military Charger Designs: Several charging mat designs are available now from Alta: The 10-watt charging mat is approximately the dimensions of a sheet of paper when it is unfolded and weighs 4.1 ounces. The 20-watt mat weighs only 10 ounces, and generates up to 120 watt-hours of energy per day. Both of these designs can be folded for easy storage and transport. Each design includes specification on size, weight, and power generated in various conditions. The designs are compliant to MIL-810-G specifications for temperature, humidity, shock and other environmental stresses. The mats can be married to any type of battery charging connector.

2. All trademarks and registered trademarks are those of their respective companies.

3. Single junction solar cell and module records under one sun as validated by NREL.