Apple supplier TDK says battery breakthrough can deliver higher performance for wearable devices
What are the main features of TDK’s new battery technology that contribute to its safety?
The main features of TDK's new battery technology that contribute to its safety include the use of oxide-based solid electrolytes. According to the company, these solid electrolytes make the batteries "extremely safe." This is a significant improvement over traditional lithium-ion batteries, which use flammable, organic-solvent electrolytes that carry the risk of leakage and fire. By using stable, nonflammable, and solid electrolytes, TDK's solid-state batteries eliminate these safety risks, making them a safer and more reliable energy storage solution for various applications, including wearable devices that come into direct contact with the human body36.
What specific material has TDK developed for its solid-state batteries?
TDK has developed a material for its solid-state batteries that is based on oxide-based solid electrolytes. This material is considered to be extremely safe and allows for significantly higher performance in wearable devices. The innovation has an estimated energy density of 1,000 Watt hours per liter (Wh/l), which is approximately 100 times greater than the energy density of TDK's conventional mass-produced solid-state battery5.
What are the potential applications of TDK’s new battery technology in wearable devices?
TDK's new battery technology has the potential to significantly enhance the performance of wearable devices. The main applications of this technology in wearable devices include:
- Wireless Earphones: The new solid-state batteries can provide longer operating times and contribute to the miniaturization of these devices.
- Hearing Aids: The smaller size of the batteries and their higher capacitance can lead to smaller hearing aids with potentially longer operating times4.
- Smartwatches: The higher energy density of these batteries can lead to smartwatches with longer battery life and potentially smaller designs.
In addition to these, TDK's technology aims to replace existing coin cell batteries used in portable devices, in compliance with European Union battery regulations3. This could lead to safer and more efficient energy storage solutions for a wide range of devices5.