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[crx_rogus]

Does anyone have any views on NiMH vs. NiZn? The latter's described as about 1/3rd again more power dense mass-wise vs. NiMH, and the cell voltage is 1.6V vs. 1.2 for NiMH (4:3). The new NiZn AAs at least are rated 1.5AH vs. up about 2.4Ah for some NiMH AAs, but 1.5/2.4 x 1.6/1.2 = 83% of a 2.4Ah NiMH's Wh, assuming equivalent voltage discharge slopes. Can't guess if NiZn Ah ratings will climb as supermarket-grade NiMH AA capacities have, since HEV cells and supermarket-grade cells do not really compare.

I wouldn't bring up AAs here if it wasn't for the fact that:
1) NiZn is supposedly more tolerant of high sustained charge and discharge rates
2) apparently the company making the NiZn cells has already modified a MkII Prius to use high-capacity prismatic versions
3) they're another nickel-based chemistry, so I'm wondering if they have the same rugged and non-linear characteristics of other nickel-based batteries

I also wonder what exotic other elements the cells rely on, as nickel and zinc are not exactly elements Bolivia or China have a future near-monopoly on.

Just curious, seems interesting.