PowerGenix Selects MillenWorks’ Battery Management System

Tustin, Calif. – JUNE 6, 2012 — MillenWorks, a strategic business of Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that San Diego-based PowerGenix has selected MillenWorks’ Battery Management System (BMS) for use in its high-power, rechargeable Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) batteries. 

MillenWorks’ proprietary BMS system is being incorporated into a PowerGenix battery used in automotive applications. The system includes a microcontroller for performing calculations to maintain battery charge performance and monitor cell behavior. In addition, MillenWorks is supporting PowerGenix with vehicle integration expertise for start-stop systems, including vehicle retrofit, data analysis and testing.

"We are excited about this new relationship with PowerGenix,” said MillenWorks Director of Commercial OEM Michael Reagan. “The MillenWorks BMS is rapidly deployable and suitable for a variety of chemistries, and PowerGenix’s NiZn technology is very promising for micro-hybrid applications. Our engineering team is proud to be involved with a new technology enabler for passenger cars.”

PowerGenix CEO Dan Squiller said the capabilities and configurability of MillenWorks’ BMS, integrated into the PowerGenix NiZn-based micro-hybrid system, reduces automotive OEMs’ qualification testing risk and shortens the testing process. "We evaluated a number of BMS providers inside and outside the United States, and MillenWorks offered a flexible platform that met our aggressive schedule and production cost requirements. We’ve found MillenWorks’ technical team to be both knowledgeable and responsive,” explained Squiller.  

MillenWorks launched its battery management system earlier this year as a rapidly deployable technology platform targeted for lithium ion chemistry. Ideal for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or grid storage systems, the MillenWorks BMS monitors battery cell performance to achieve optimum performance and life, while safely managing and operating the system. This is accomplished by actively integrating multiple data points, including cell voltages, temperature and current, into advanced algorithms that are tailored to cell chemistry and application.

With the recent movement toward electrification, vehicle OEMs are increasingly calling on MillenWorks to be an extension of their engineering departments. MillenWorks built its first hybrid electric vehicle in 1996, and for more than 30 years has been developing advanced vehicle concepts.  During the past 15 years its engineers have performed vehicle electrification projects for transportation and defense applications, including ePowertrain integration and battery pack development.

About MillenWorks

MillenWorks is a strategic business of Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems. Founded by international racing legend Rod Millen, MillenWorks is an engineering development and manufacturing company that tackles the most difficult challenges of advanced powertrain, suspension and energy storage for customers in the transportation, defense, motorsports and theme park industries. MillenWorks' technology portfolio includes more than 30 years of development in a wide range of on-road and off-road vehicles, hybrid electric drive systems, electronic controls, and semi-active suspension systems. More information is available at www.millenworks.com. 

About Textron Marine & Land Systems

Textron Marine & Land Systems designs, produces and supports advanced wheeled combat vehicles and cutting-edge maritime craft used by U.S. and international armed forces, as well as civilian entities around the globe. Its family of Armored Security Vehicles offers enhanced survivability and highly mobile combat security vehicles with unmatched capabilities. Textron Marine & Land Systems’ innovative turret technology and related subsystems also deliver outstanding performance and reliability. Its strategic business, MillenWorks, operates an Engineering Center of Excellence with a reputation as a highly sought-after solution center, which designs and develops advanced mobility solutions for demanding on- and off-road applications. Textron Marine & Land Systems is an operating unit of Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textronmarineandland.com.

About Textron Systems

Textron Systems has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., the company is known for its unmanned aircraft systems, advanced marine craft, armored vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, precision smart weapons, piston engines, test and training systems, and total life cycle sustainment and operational services. Textron Systems includes AAI Logistics & Technical Services, AAI Test & Training, AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Advanced Systems, Aerosonde, ESL Defence, Lycoming Engines, Medical Numerics, MillenWorks, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.   

About PowerGenix

PowerGenix has developed and patented a high-power and low-cost Nickel-Zinc battery for hybrid electric vehicles, industrial products, and stationary storage applications. PowerGenix Nickel-Zinc batteries outperform lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in a smaller and lighter form-factor, and avoid the high cost and safety issues associated with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries – providing a highly recyclable, lead-free alternative to existing technologies in the multi-billion dollar rechargeable battery market. For more information, visit www.powergenix.com.

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