Analyzing the Growing Demand for Flexible Batteries from Smart Wearable and Medical Device Manufacturing Businesses

Highlights

• Introduction
• Advantages of flexible battery systems
• The growth of the industry in North America

 

Flexible batteries, as the name suggests, are energy storage devices that are conformable and flexible, thus helping them maintain their characteristic shape even when bent or twisted. These batteries are fabricated into different shapes and sizes which makes it possible to use them in different applications. Typically, lithium cobalt oxide is used as a cathode while lithium titanate or graphite is used as anodes in these bendable batteries. Unlike traditional batteries, these flexible energy storage devices make use of gel electrolytes, solid-state electrolytes, or polymer electrolytes for efficient movement of the electrons. Due to these features and components, they are well-suited for a variety of modern applications.

Flexible batteries: A quick look at the rising popularity of innovative energy storage solutions

The flexible battery industry has witnessed some amazing growth in the past few years owing to the growing applicability of these energy storage devices in various modern electronic devices and machines. Smart wearables like smartwatches and fitness trackers are some of the most common areas of application for bendable batteries. Since these electronic devices come in different shapes and sizes, they prefer the use of flexible energy storage systems for their power supply.

In recent times, many advanced medical devices such as implantable devices and drug delivery systems have been developed that feature flexible batteries. Along with this, the advent of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things has led to the development of sophisticated consumer electronic goods. Home and industrial automation products and environmental monitoring systems have also been hugely in demand in the past few years. All these devices have started using bendable energy storage systems as they offer design flexibility to the device manufacturer.

Over the past few years, battery manufacturing companies have invested hugely in developing state-of-the-art energy storage systems. The main focus area has been developing lightweight batteries, especially for wearable devices wherein the weight of the device is the biggest concern. At the same time, however, certain manufacturers are also channeling their resources to the production of flexible batteries to be used in heavy electric vehicles such as buses and trucks. For instance, in June 2023, Forsee Power, a leading sustainable battery solutions developer, announced the launch of FLEX PLUS, a value-added battery system, designed for heavy electric vehicles. Available in two power variants, 52 kWh and 56 kWh, the battery series is perfect for hydrogen fuel cells or hybrid vehicles.

As said earlier, some of the bendable batteries use solid-state electrolytes for the effective transport of electrons. Additionally, chemical engineering studies have shown that as compared to the liquid electrolyte used in traditional energy storage systems, solid-state electrolytes offer a greater degree of protection, thus preventing the possibility of the battery from exploding due to overheating.

Understanding the growing expanse of the industry in North America

While the flexible battery industry has achieved huge success globally, the landscape has particularly made huge inroads in the North America region. Consumer electronic goods manufacturing companies such as Apple Inc., Molex, Blue Spark Technologies, etc., have been continuously investing in R&D activities to design and launch different types of bendable batteries, thus playing a key role in the expansion of the industry in North America.

Furthermore, the growing proliferation of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things and home and industrial automation has led to the deployment of smart interconnected devices in both residential and commercial spaces. Since interconnected devices mostly use flexible energy storage solutions, the flexible battery landscape has been directly impacted by this trend. Moreover, the rising popularity of wearable technology across countries like the US, Canada, and Mexico is predicted to bring in new opportunities for growth in the North America region in the coming period.

To sum it up, the growing applicability of flexible batteries in different kinds of consumer electronic goods such as smart wearables and medical devices is expected to increase the revenue share of the industry in the near future. Moreover, the increasing adoption of smart technologies such as the Internet of Things for the development of interconnected devices is anticipated to augment the growth rate of the landscape in the next few years. 

For tips and suggestions on how businesses can increase their revenue share in the industry, feel free to contact us.

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