Flexible Batteries Are Unleashing the Power of Smart Wearables
David Yeung, Co-Founder & CEO, Lionrock Batteries Limited
David Yeung, Co-Founder & CEO, Lionrock Batteries Limited
Instead of a rigid device, a chest-mount heart rate monitor can become a soft strap. Activity-tracking socks can avoid its bangle (which holds its battery). A soft strap will do. Smartshirts become possible. A 1mm thin bendable battery can be hidden completely under the collar.
There are less than 10 companies around the world, making flexible rechargeable batteries. They are using different technologies, ranging from a solid electrolyte to enhanced internal structure or package methods. Their stages of development vary from early-stage proof of concept to production pilot. Lionrock is using its unique nanofiber-structure technology to achieve its high energy density, safe, repeatedly bendable, and high charge/discharge C-rate properties. Lionrock is in pilot production stage.
Features of Lionrock flexible batteries
Lionrock flexible batteries are basically lithium-Ion batteries built with unique nanofiber structure. They use typical lithium ion battery chemistry. Hence the advantage of high energy density of Lithium ion battery is maintained.
The unique nanofiber structure inside the batteries can maintain a stable and safe battery structure. Even when the battery is deformed or bending, it can maintain constant and stable output power. There are also safety demonstrations showing the batteries are not hazardous when they are cut or pierced.
The battery allows bending to 25mm radius for 500 cycles. This curvature can comfortably fit around the human wrist as well as most body parts.
Another key feature of Lionrock batteries is it can support discharge current. Due to the high porosity of the nanofiber layer, the electric ion flow within the battery is more efficient than conventional Lithium batteries. It can support up to 2C discharging. Thus a tiny health band with a 150mAh flexible battery can feasibly support direct mobile communication.
High efficiency of Lionrock batteries also reduces battery deterioration and extends cycle life. It can achieve 1000 charge/discharge cycles and maintain over 80% capacity, versus typical 500 cycles industry standard.
Facilitate market adoption of flexible batteries
Flexible battery technology is picking up among the wearable industries. Through presenting and exhibiting at different events like IDTechEx, CES, WT (Wearable Technologies), CompuTEX, etc, Lion rock sees the industry evolving from discovering flexible battery 2 years ago to now searching for the right flexible battery. However, friction to adopting new technology is common. The industry sees re-designing a product to adopt flexible batteries a big decision.
Lionrock proactively reduces friction by providing trial samples and quick and low-cost customizing service. It’s pilot production line was set up to facilitate small quantity, quick turn-around sample making. Lionrock chose to use the common lithium battery chemistry -- though their technology also works with some advanced chemistry –to ease industry adoption. Their battery with the3.7V operating voltage saves the headache for electronics engineer from re-designing a system for the battery.
“Market adoption is our current priority. We keep researching new battery technologies for next-generation wearables in parallel,” said David Yeung.
Through its friction reducing measures, Lionrock achieved its initial success since its establishment in 2017. There are already customers from over 10 countries having projects trying their flexible batteries. Applications-in-trial includes watch strap, smart in-sole, pet collar, smart wallet, helmet, smart cards, and more.
‘Flexible batteries are fascinating because they are opening up creativity in wearables and IoT. We are excited that a renown sports brand re-activated R&D on smart apparel upon seeing our batteries. A medical company explored stick-on biometric sensor with us. New ideas are not just from traditional electronics tech companies. There are a lot of cross-industries inspirations beyond our imagination. We want to be enablers to these fascinating ideas. Hopefully, they are all “Lionrock inside”!’
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