InnovationLab acquires flexible solid state printed battery technology
German printed electronics specialist InnovationLab has acquired a range of solid state printable battery technology from a development partner.
The TAeTTOOz technology was developed by chemicals giant Evonik in Essen jointly with InnovationLab and launched back in March. Typical applications are set to include low-cost IoT sensor labels for packaging and stock management, wireless industrial sensor technologies, and self-powered signage solutions.
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TAeTTOOz is based on redox-active polymers and can be processed using conventional printing methods to produce thin, flexible battery cells, which enable electrical energy to be stored without the need for metals or metallic compounds. Cells based on TAeTTOOz technology do not require liquid electrolyte to function, which inherently eliminates the risk of leakage and any resultant hazards.
The battery is not charged during production, so no extra handling precautions are needed, and it can be produced on standard printing presses. As the battery does not hold any voltage before its first charge, follow-up processes like picking and placing of components are possible, without the risk of damaging the components by overvoltage.
The technology can also be used with energy harvesting components to create self-powered signage, packaging and other innovative devices. For example, the technology has already been successfully applied in conjunction with printed organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells.
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“We are very excited to now be offering our customers printed, polymer-based, rechargeable batteries as the next game-changing component in the field of printed electronics,” said Dr. Janusz Schinke, Head of Printed Electronics at InnovationLab. “Our material and printing experts have worked closely with Evonik on developing this technology for several years.
Innovation Lab will work with Heidelberg Printed Electronics as the manufacturing partner for mass production.
“We have an existing portfolio of active customer projects that, thanks to TAeTTOOz, will continue to expand both in scope and number,” said Schinke.
“This industrialization phase will see Evonik providing TAeTTOOz technology to our long-term partner InnovationLab. InnovationLab’s strong industry-leading position and its ‘one-stop shop’ philosophy, combined with TAeTTOOz and printed electronics capability, will enable it to offer an impressive array of unique, customized solutions,” said Dr. Michael Korrell, Head of New Growth Area Energy Storage at Evonik.
Founded in 2008, InnovationLab is a one-stop shop for printed electronics, with a focus on flexible pressure sensors, as well as temperature, moisture and gas sensors, and the capability to design and produce fully integrated hardware/software systems.
