California-based ZPower announced earlier this year that it was ready to offer consumers an alternative to the traditional lithium-ion batteries found in most electrical devices made over the past ten years or so.  These new batteries, consisting of a silver-zinc compound, which would offer up to 40% more useful lifespan and give devices with these new batteries the ability to have a longer-lasting, more reliable charge.  Is the silver-zinc battery technology the next wave of the future in the tech sector or is it just a half step in a long line of technological advances that lead to other, more profound, and ultimately more influential products?

ZPower has hinted that Apple may be thinking of using their silver-zinc battery technology in their MacBooks beginning at the end of 2009.  This leaves me to wonder if eventually the silver-zinc batteries will be found in such devices as Ipods, Iphones, and Itouch’s.  This would translate to a major victory for the environmental movement, since, unlike Lithium-Ion batteries, the silver-zinc variety would never overheat or meltdown in the way that the older batteries sometimes do.  The silver-zinc batteries are far more reliable and physically stable, and up to 85% of the materials contained in these new batteries can be recycled quite easily.  The amount of material in a lithium-ion battery that can be recycled is far less.  So far, Apple has not implemented the ZPower battery technology, but this action may occur as a new generation of notebook computers hits the scene in early 2010. 

The downside of the silver-zinc variety of batteries is the fact that they would be non-removable, something that may professionals who rely on Mac products and their ability to swap out batteries if one dies, are not entirely comfortable with.  Having a battery that cannot be removed without taking the device apart would severely limit the lifespan of these products for many people.  Although, many people also purchase new products every 12 to 24 months, so the usability and lifespan of products containing the silver-zinc battery technology may not be as big an issue as once thought.  If the new battery technology can be justified as being necessary, in an age where the average lifespan of a computer is less that two years, ZPower and their silver-zinc batteries will likely become one of the most important technological breakthroughs of the past five years, giving consumers and investors new hope that development of products that are both more efficient and eco-friendly is not a mutually-exclusive idea. 

What does this all mean for investors?  Whether or not the silver-zinc battery is implemented in the new line of Mac products starting late 2009 or early 2010 is still up in the air.  The real impact would be a positive shift away from non-recyclable resources and batteries that lose their charge after only 12 months of use.  The new battery technology would likely give a boost to investors who had portfolios that reflect the shift from older, non-renewable technology to the new, green, eco-friendly variety.  Precious metals investors, especially those with silver-heavy positions will likely benefit as well.  Silver’s value as a commodity will increase exponentially if the white metal is used in Mac products.  It will be interesting to follow Apple and ZPower in the coming 12 months to see exactly what will result from all the rumors and hype surrounding this new battery technology.