Gunner wrote:

CW might find this interesting (the bit about 10 years' shelf life is
noteworthy here)

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/...419846519.html

Panasonic builds record-breaking battery
January 16, 2008 - 11:09AM

Japan's Panasonic has created the world's longest lasting alkaline
battery, according to Guinness World Records.

Panasonic promises its new Evolta battery cell - whose name is derived
from evolution and voltage - will keep gadgets running 20 percent longer
than offerings from rivals Duracell and Energizer, as well as its own
upscale Oxyride batteries.

Guinness certified Evolta in a Tokyo ceremony Tuesday as "the longest
lasting AA alkaline battery cell," based on testing under guidelines set
by the industry's International Electrotechnical Commission.

The battery also has a 10 year shelf life, making it suitable to store
in preparation for disasters. Other batteries have about five to seven
years of shelf life, according to Panasonic officials.

Evolta goes on sale in April in Japan, and is planned for overseas
markets later this year, according to Matsu****a Electric Industrial,
which makes Panasonic brand products.

The batteries will cost about 590 yen ($6.30) for a pack of four in
Japan, or about 15 percent higher than regular batteries and 3 percent
higher than Oxyride. Prices in the US and elsewhere aren't yet decided.

Matsu****a, set to become Panasonic in October, plans a major marketing
drive for Evolta. It still has a minimal share of the U.S. market in
batteries, and hopes to raise that with Evolta. Matsu****a has sold 700
million Oxyride batteries worldwide so far.

AP

Great, if it's from Panasonic a.k.a. Matsu****a, about 33% will have
failed before you even open the package and another 33% will fail within
a week. The remaining 33% will work properly, but you'll be so disgusted
with the lack of QC that you'll never use a Matsu****a product again.