In today’s world, sustainability and innovation are synonymous. i4 Electronics are at the forefront of developing sustainable, battery free methods that incorporate energy harvesting designs power portable devices.
Integrating batteryless, energy harvesting designs and technology into devices offers many advantages for both product owners and users. Gone are the hassles of buying, monitoring, replacing, or recharging batteries, along with the associated costs and dangers.
Why choose batteryless technology?
Rapid advancements in portable and wireless technology has led to a significant increase in battery production, and therefore disposal, often done improperly. Traditional battery-powered devices also pose challenges to users, who must frequently replace or recharge batteries, keep track of their lifespan, and ensure their proper recycling. Additionally, modern compact batteries come with risks such as overheating and swelling.
Batteryless designs can effectively mitigate these issues. By harvesting energy from local sources – such as solar power, kinetic energy, vibrations, radio frequencies (RF), and temperature differences – it becomes possible for devices to function without relying on traditional batteries. The energy harvesting approach is hugely beneficial for electronic device designs, simplifying the user journey and significantly decreasing the products carbon footprint associated with both production and disposal.
The impact of battery disposal is often overlooked, though we are glad to see it becoming increasingly scrutinised by both legislation and consumers. The marketing appeal of a sustainable design is considerable. A battery-free device that is both user friendly and eco-conscious can command a higher market price.
The regulations surrounding batteries are set to evolve. It is expected that future legislation will impose stricter controls on battery use in portable devices. By adopting a batteryless design early, companies can position themselves ahead of this regulatory shift, ensuring they are compliant and competitively positioned for both the current and future market.
What are we doing at i4 Electronics?
Our in-house electronics team have been researching, developing, and applying various energy harvesting methods into functional demonstration devices. The research has covered a broad spectrum of energy sources – solar, kinetic, vibration, RF and thermal energy.
The demonstrator devices include controls and switches, remote sensors, wearables, and GPS trackers, all powered by harvested energy. Recently we obtained the patent for a batteryless remote control mechanism (view patent here). Unlike conventional remotes that drain battery power whist idol, our design only harvests and deploys energy when necessary. A simple button press captures the required energy to send a signal, completely eliminating the need for batteries.
How energy harvesting can work for you
At i4 Electronics, we have the expertise to bring your product concepts to life using batteryless energy harvesting technology. Our phased approach is adaptable to your product’s unique requirements and timeframe. We’ll ensure that the most suitable energy source, or combination of sources, is utilised within the product’s operating environment.
Our team, process and facility are geared to accelerate your product development, providing a quality service with a fast turnaround. We achieve this with our comprehensive portfolio of reference designs, established relationships with reliable suppliers, and working with our network of trusted partners.
If you’ve got a new product or idea you would like to develop, book a call to speak to one of our experienced engineers to discuss the next steps towards accelerating your product development.
To have a look at a selection of previous projects, please have a look at our portfolio of case studies.
