Stonington - Yardney Technical Products Inc., planning to expand its manufacturing business beyond the high-tech batteries that have won praise from the Department of Defense and NASA, has announced the purchase of equipment that could help it develop a niche in the commercial marketplace.

A Yardney spokesman said the Pawcatuck company is not yet ready to announce a specific use for the new equipment, which arrived on site from Imara Corp., a Menlo Park, Calif., firm, within the past two weeks.

But it is no secret that Yardney has been looking to expand into the car-battery business at a time when electric and hybrid automobiles are expected to be the next big thing.

"We intend to bring our experience to the electric vehicle market eventually," said Kris Johanessen, director of business development, in a statement.

"But right now we are preparing for significant increases in our existing product line to better serve our customers."

"We have been looking to increase our production line capability for some time now," added Vince Yevoli, president and chief operating officer of Yardney, in a statement. "The availability of this state of the art equipment comes at a fortunate time for our company."

Yevoli added that the purchase of production equipment comes as "some very large potential opportunities" are presenting themselves.

Johanessen, in a phone interview, said it was too early to announce what those business opportunities might entail.

The company said in a press release that the new equipment will boost production of its aerospace-grade rechargeable lithium ion cells and batteries.

Yardney batteries have powered several Mars Rovers that have withstood temperatures as low as minus-50 degrees Celcius. The company also has manufactured batteries for the B-2 bomber, Global Hawk RQ-4, UCAS-D and BAMS aircraft as well as for mini-subs, satellites, rockets and torpedoes.

l.howard@theday.com