The demand for autonomous devices in IoT and related applications has been increasing. However, for engineers and designers developing maintenance-free power sources, there remain challenges of the long list of requirements in storage, discharge, and installation. More specifically, these challenges include achieving low internal resistance, small self-discharge, constant voltage charge, remaining durable in a fully charged state, long cycle life, large discharge current, stable voltage, no heat generation, a wide operating temperature range as well as a compact size
Recently, a solution that can clear this list has emerged. Through constant development and improvement, NGK’s EnerCera batteries have achieved the requirements to become a viable power source for maintenance-free solutions.
EnerCera battery has the unique characteristics of both Lithium‐ion rechargeable batteries and capacitors. EnerCera is in smart tags and smart cards, as well as sensor-equipped wearable devices. Progress is being made on sample evaluations at over six hundred companies worldwide. At electronica 2022, the company introduced some collaboration showcases of their EnerCera batteries together with partners.
NGK is actively working on collaboration for various applications in which EnerCera can potentially add new value, such as through its product design or the realization of maintenance-free. As NGK Europe’s Vice President, Dr. Stefan Fischer commented: “NGK Europe is working with our partners in implementing such technologies into innovative applications to create new value for our society.” These new collaborations were highlighted at electronica 2022.
Enabling maintenance-free IoT applications through WPT
NGK’s collaboration cases using EnerCera combined with WPT (Wireless Power Transfer) show a wide range of potential applications. These included smart logistics sensor tags developed with Panasonic Corporation, sensor remote controllers for smarts home with SMK Corporation, WPT receiver development kit with Torex semiconductor and Ossia Inc., and many more.
