Ilika PLC (LON:IKA) is targeting the Internet of Things (IoT) with its new Stereax M250 solid state battery range.
As anyone who has ever run out of juice on their smartphone knows, connected devices are a constant drain on batteries, making energy efficiency a key selling point, while the device makers also put a premium on lightweight batteries.
Ilika's Stereax battery range will address those concerns with smaller, higher energy-dense batteries, with what it calls a “fit and forget” design that enables IoT sensors to be fitted without further maintenance, and without the need to change batteries.
Solid state batteries are key to IoT since they can be used in conjunction with all the current energy harvesting technologies while being able to match the energy needs for IoT devices, Ilika said.
Many IoT devices need power in short bursts to collect and transmit data, while being able to operate in a wide range of environment temperatures. Relative to standard lithium ion batteries, solid state batteries have lower leakage currents – they are one tenth of the size - and longer life spans of up to 10 years, which is four times longer than; they can also be integrated with other electronic components, thus keeping the size of the end device to a minimum.
Charlene Marini, vice president of segment marketing at ARM Holdings PLC (LON:ARM), the British company whose chip designs dominate the handheld communication devices market, said “self-sufficiency is critical” for IoT devices, as they are often deployed in hard to reach places.
“Ilika’s Stereax batteries can help as the technology will enable ‘leave for life’ IoT devices capable of producing data over extended periods with minimal maintenance. This is where the IoT starts to shed the power tether that could restrain its spread into new and exciting off-grid applications,” Marini suggested.
Ilika Stereax batteries use patented materials and processes enabling superior energy density per battery footprint, offering up to a 40% improvement on current solid state solutions, and increased temperature range support to over 100°C, which is 30°C higher than existing solid state products.
Ilika’s batteries do not contain any free lithium, which makes them more moisture resistant, the company noted.
“Building on our R&D heritage in materials science, Ilika has been developing a range of materials that have enabled us to tailor battery designs that meet the specific needs of IoT” said Graeme Purdy, Ilika's chief executive officer.
“For IoT devices to gain wide adoption they need to be able to be fitted then forgotten about, Ilika Stereax battery technology is a key to turning this into a reality,” he added.