ReVolt Technology LLC, a manufacturer of rechargeable zinc-air batteries, will locate its U.S. headquarters in Portland, Oregon. A company statement says the Switzerland-headquartered company plans to hire 75 local employees during the battery development phase and up to 175 more during pilot and production phases. ReVolt is applying for $30 million in federal funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate the commercialization of its product, which the company says delivers more than twice the energy of conventional rechargeable designs such as lithium-ion batteries. "In applying for government research funding, ReVolt is answering these agencies' call for innovative technologies driving energy independence and U.S. leadership in advanced battery designs underpinning the next generation of vehicles, networked devices, and power grids," says James P. McDougall, CEO of ReVolt Technology. "There is a tremendous, mutually beneficial opportunity in Portland's clean-tech sector and clean energy stimulus programs to fast-track our proven technology and production goals if we are among innovators selected for research funding." The Portland Business Journal quotes a company adviser as saying ReVolt will open its headquarters whether or not it receives the government funding; the Journal also says the company is still looking for a suitable location in Portland but hopes to be in place by December 1.