NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR AND ENERGIZER POWER SYSTEMS AGREE TO DEVELOP ADVANCED INTELLIGENT BATTERY TECHNOLOGY

SANTA CLARA, CA., October 24, 1995 - National Semiconductor Corporation and Energizer Power Systems, a division of Eveready Battery Company, Inc., announced today that they have signed a formal agreement to jointly develop intelligent battery solutions for rechargeable nickel-based battery chemistries. Although the two companies have worked closely since May 1994 on specific charge-control and fuel gauge designs, this current agreement expands the cooperative venture and sets the stage for integrating a wide range of battery chemistries from Energizer Power Systems with a series of new integrated circuits from National Semiconductor. The systems will encompass a variety of controls for intelligent battery-power packs including charge control, fuel gauging and protection circuits.

"The demand for longer battery life and shorter charge cycles has taken on a new urgency due to the increased use of portable equipment in critical business applications," said Mark Levi, National's vice president of analog marketing. "Although battery types and their behavior are changing rapidly to meet the needs of new portable product designs, the basic electronic solutions under joint development are adaptable across the board."

"Accuracy, flexibility and ease of design are key to intelligent battery system architectures for our customers," noted Mark Raudabaugh, Energizer's vice president of marketing. "The ability to adapt quickly to fast-moving markets with comprehensive intelligent packs is key to our success, and National has demonstrated that they can work with us to meet those deadlines," he added.

Based in Gainesville, FL, Energizer Power Systems offers the industry's broadest selection of primary and rechargeable products. Energizer Power Systems sets the industry standard in technical support, applications engineering and battery design capabilities.

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