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This week, GM has officially opened the laboratory of 3000 square meters of the battery in the technical center in Warren on Wednesday. Laboratory responsible for analysis of cells and battery packs for the Volt plug-in hybrid vehicles, says the company will continue to follow, although the new bankruptcy.

Lab's new battery is part of the strategy of its own battery, as the core itself. In fact, a battery of laboratory space for the development of internal combustion engine.

If the GM engineers to develop the battery from the vehicle, one of the main outstanding issues, such as a battery that is permanently displayed. Laboratory, the technician's inspection of the packaging under extreme conditions, to determine if the last time for the entire period of the car.

Fritz Henderson, GM CEO new, with laboratory volts and a new direction for the vehicle manufacturer. Henderson, the laboratory is "important for our future" and said "the new GM is a leader in this technology, if it failed. The Volt, a vehicle, the battery is 40 miles with the gas or power to the ethanol fueled generator for the expansion of the driving range, planned for production at the end of next year.

Since working in the company, including a battery for the first generation of tension, is also developing batteries for the second and third generation vehicle, the assessment of different materials to cells and batteries store more energy, keep them the most.

Laboratory consists of two parts: one for evaluation of the battery cell from a different vendor and evaluate the performance of the battery - the cell's electrical and cooling systems and heating of the cells remain in the optimal temperature range. The battery pack of lithium-ion type cells, which is characterized by extreme temperature eliminated.

In the laboratory, and the loaded pack is revealed, but with the high and low temperatures and extreme humidity. Engineers can also simulate different elevation, with the container in barometric space. Thus, engineers simulate hot humid conditions, or sea-coast in the dry and cold mountain. You can also simulate the land with machinery, the vibration of the battery. Increasing the temperature, the speed of aging battery materials for confirmation of a battery of ten years from about two years the value of the test. In addition to a battery of laboratory package is being tested in real vehicles, both on the road and in the controlled environment of a wind funnel. For now, more than 100 are under consideration battery