Lithium-ion battery electrode made of Li-Fe phosphate.

A lithium-ion battery electrode material made from nanopartides of lithium iron phosphate modified with trace metals has reportedly been developed by A 1 23 Systems, Cambridge, Mass. The resulting batteries are unlikely to catch fire, even if crushed in an accident. Called Monophosphate lithium ion batteries, they are also much more durable than conventional lithium-ion batteries: A 1 23 predicts that they will last longer than the typical lifetime of a car, about 15 years.

The A 1 23 batteries for GM's Volt store enough energy for 40 miles of driving, enough to cover daily commutes. (On longer trips, the small gasoline engine would kick in to recharge the battery, extending the range to more than 400 miles.)

GM plans to sell the vehicles for around $30,000 to $35,000. In addition to being safer than other lithium-ion batteries, A1 23's operate at a lower temperature, which makes it simpler to pack hundreds of them together into a large battery pack. Versions of A1 23's batteries can deliver as much power as nickel-metal hydride batteries at one-fifth the weight, For more information: Yet-Ming Chiang, A123 Systems, Watertown, MA 02472; www.a1 23systems.com.