12-20-09

Congress Gives Final Approval to $6.4 Million for Primet R & D Programs in 2010 Defense Budget

December 20, 2009 | Ithaca, NY | At a December 17th press conference in Binghamton, NY, US Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY-22) announced final House approval of $25 million in federal funding for technology companies in New York’s Southern Tier, including $6.4 million for Primet. The $25 million is part of the final version of the $636.3 billion 2010 Defense Appropriations bill, which was passed by the House on December 16th. The Senate passed the bill on December 19th, and the President signed it the same day.
 
Primet will use a portion of its appropriation to develop an advanced high performance lithium ion battery for military applications, one that meets the military’s need for a rechargeable battery that is smaller, lighter, safer, and longer-lasting than any lithium batteries available on the market today.
 
The other portion of the appropriation will fund advanced battery development work by a consortium consisting of Primet, Applied Materials, Cornell University and Binghamton University (part of the SUNY system).  The consortium’s goal is to develop novel approaches for cost-effective high performance domestic battery technology and manufacturing systems that can serve both military and commercial markets. Potential commercial applications for the Lithium-ion batteries produced from these capabilities include vehicle electrification and storage of solar and other forms of renewable energy. Both applications have a critical need for high performing electrical energy storage devices.
 
Primet CEO Larry Thomas attended the press conference at which Representative Hinchey made the announcement. Afterwards, Mr. Thomas met with the Congressman who expressed his excitement for Primet’s R & D programs, its role in helping to position New York State as a leader in the global alternative energy market, and the steps the company has taken to help revitalize the economy of upstate New York by partnering with local firms for the design and construction of key pieces of capital equipment.
 
Representative Hinchey is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, where he serves on several key subcommittees including the Subcommittee on Defense.
 
Read more:
 
http://www.wbng.com/news/local/79565427.html
 
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20091220/NEWS01/912200375/
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