Tiny solid state battery for instant IoT power

Iten, a company based in France, has made significant strides in battery technology by developing a surface mount solid-state battery that boasts the ability to discharge almost instantly, catering to the needs of wireless IoT applications. This innovative battery has a discharge rate of 200C, which is 200 times its capacity, making it 100 times faster than conventional lithium-ion batteries. Such rapid discharge capabilities make it ideal for providing the energy required by wireless sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem.

The practical implications of this technology are vast. For instance, a 150 μAh model with an 18 mm² footprint can deliver a peak current of 30mA for 50ms, enabling it to power wireless transmissions effectively. Iten has introduced a range of battery cells under the name Powency, specifically designed to offer instant power delivery for various applications such as asset tracking, smart homes, smart agriculture, metering, remote controls, and wireless sensors.

• Iten starts production of solid-state batteries
• Production boost for surface mount solid-state battery

These battery cells utilize nanomaterials to create a fully ceramic electrode with a patented mesoporous structure, significantly enhancing their specific surface area without the need for materials like cobalt or solvents. As a result, these batteries exhibit a longer cycle life compared to lithium-ion batteries, enduring up to 250 cycles at 100% depth of discharge at 70°C. Additionally, they recharge rapidly, typically reaching 80% capacity in just 6 minutes. This feature allows for a hybrid architecture where a primary battery or energy harvesting source can quickly replenish the cell for subsequent transmissions.

One of the standout features of Powency batteries is their ability to operate efficiently at low temperatures, a common challenge faced by traditional lithium-ion cells. Even at -20°C, these batteries retain at least 50% of their capacity, whereas conventional Li-ion batteries typically lose 80-90% of their capacity under similar conditions.

The Iten factory in Dardilly, Lyon, is gearing up for high-volume production of these cutting-edge cells in the latter half of this year. The production line is capable of manufacturing 30 million cells annually, with plans in place to establish an even larger capacity plant by 2028. Vincent Cobée, the chief executive of Iten, expressed his enthusiasm about the breakthrough solid-state battery technology, emphasizing how it is reshaping energy management in electronic devices and addressing critical challenges in the IoT sector.

Looking ahead, Iten is not only focusing on IoT applications but also venturing into the development of the next generation of SMD solid-state batteries tailored for wearables, consumer electronics, and healthcare devices. By leveraging its expertise in nanomaterials and maintaining control over the manufacturing process, Iten aims to create customized battery designs that cater to the specific requirements of diverse applications.