Ovshinsky is compared to Edison as a prolific inventor… He hold patents on NiMH batteries. His solar cells power the MIR space station.
Good question on Cobasys and the restrictions on next-gen batteries by the patents held within the company.!:-) The batteries that have become so critical in the next generation of batteries, electric cars, etc. are subject to patents by Ovshinsky (and the Cobasys company).
Cobasys is a 50/50 joint venture with Chevron/Texico and Ovonics. Ovonics has the Stan Ovshinsky inventions and GM now has a big ownership stake in that company.
So let’s see, a BIG oil and a BIG auto have a BIG stake in the very batteries that make an electric car viable.
Look at “Patent encumbrances” at Wikipedia. The discussion on “Who Killed the Electric Car?” seem far truer than I ever imagined. This whole topic requires a lot more reading. But before picking up the thread again, I want to watch the movie.
Anybody out there have big ideas (substantiated by facts, I hope) on the issue.
Keywords: electric car, EV, oil, auto, battery, patent, patent encumbrances, inventor,
See similar blog over in www.SustainZine.com.