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Thursday 23 July 2015

July 23, 2015
(Image: BonnyJodwin)

5 Mobile Power Technologies To Watch

Advances in smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and even Internet of Things devices have failed to adequately address one core problem: power. Here are seven up-and-coming technologies that may power our future.

(Image: BonnyJodwin)
It seems like everywhere you look, people are crazy about the idea of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the huge potential it has for our world. But beyond the difficulties of actually connecting and securing the billions of new devices and sensors that are expected to come online, there remains one huge hurdle: power.
We have enough trouble providing our laptops, smartphones, andsmartwatches with enough power to make it though a single day. Often, we spend countless hours each day trying to figure out how to squeeze a bit more life out of our devices, or we are on the hunt to find that elusive power outlet at the airport terminal. And now we're suddenly expected to believe that the number of wireless and portable devices, sensors, and other mobile IoT components won't run into similar complications? I highly doubt it.
In order for wearables, IoT, and the next generation of mobile devices to really take off, battery and wireless power technologies must take a massive step forward. There are several power technologies that we should all be keeping a close eye on. On one end of the spectrum, we have new advancements in lithium-ion batteries that should be available in the near future. Other technologies, such as solar power and hydrogen fuel cells have been around for a very long time, but haven't been able to succeed due to various technical and cost limitations. But key advancements are removing many of those obstacles. Last, we're seeing progress around wireless power technologies that may be keys to an IoT breakthrough.
Check out the power technologies we think hold the most promise. If there's a technology that you've got your eye on that's not on our list, please share it with us in the comments section below.

LG Hexagonal Battery The single biggest challenge facing small devices such as smartwatches is that they often won't last a full 24 hours between charging. For many people (including myself) this is a deal breaker. LG reportedly has developed a hexagonal battery specifically designed for wearable tech such as smartwatches. The new battery is said to increase smartwatch battery life by up to 25%. That may not sound like a huge improvement, but it's a technology that we will be seeing more of in the very near future. (Image: LG)

LG Hexagonal Battery

The single biggest challenge facing small devices such as smartwatches is that they often won't last a full 24 hours between charging. For many people (including myself) this is a deal breaker. LG reportedly has developed ahexagonal battery specifically designed for wearable tech such as smartwatches. The new battery is said to increase smartwatch battery life by up to 25%. That may not sound like a huge improvement, but it's a technology that we will be seeing more of in the very near future.

Samsung Lithium-Ion Battery Breakthrough Recent news from Samsung is that it made a revolutionary breakthrough in lithium-ion batteries that will double life out of the same sized battery. The new development was discovered using silicon and a special carbide-free graphene that Samsung researchers developed in their lab. The problem is, lab-grown graphene may be difficult to manufacture in bulk. But this is certainly one technology that looks promising. (Image: Samsung)

Samsung Lithium-Ion Battery Breakthrough

Recent news from Samsung is that it made a revolutionary breakthrough in lithium-ion batteries that will double life out of the same sized battery. The new development was discovered using silicon and a special carbide-free graphene that Samsung researchers developed in their lab. The problem is, lab-grown graphene may be difficult to manufacture in bulk. But this is certainly one technology that looks promising

ARM Cordio Reduces Consumption Since battery improvements have been minor over the past decade, electronics manufacturers have sought to reduce the amount of power needed to run a wireless device or sensor. UK chip maker ARM recently acquired two low-power wireless research firms to help reduce wireless power consumption on IoT devices. Its latest product, known as Cordio, will create sub-volt Bluetooth radios that consume up to 60% less power than current Bluetooth radios used today. (Image: ARM)

ARM Cordio Reduces Consumption

Since battery improvements have been minor over the past decade, electronics manufacturers have sought to reduce the amount of power needed to run a wireless device or sensor. UK chip maker ARM recently acquired two low-power wireless research firms to help reduce wireless power consumption on IoT devices. Its latest product, known as Cordio, will create sub-volt Bluetooth radios that consume up to 60% less power than current Bluetooth radios used today.

Flexible Batteries Wearable technologies, including smart clothing and electronic medical patches, are expected to be a big part of the Internet of Things. Much of their success will rely on the ability for smart clothing manufacturers to make the technology invisible. From a power perspective, the ability to leverage batteries that flex and conform will be key. (Image: ClkerFreeVectorImages)

Flexible Batteries

Wearable technologies, including smart clothing and electronic medical patches, are expected to be a big part of the Internet of Things. Much of their success will rely on the ability for smart clothing manufacturers to make the technology invisible. From a power perspective, the ability to leverage batteries that flex and conform will be key.


Solar Power (Really) The concept of leveraging the sun to power our portable devices has been around for decades. The problem is that it's simply too difficult to harness and store enough of the sun's energy to power anything much larger than a calculator. But if there is one company that can figure out how to finally get solar to work for IoT devices, it just might be Tesla Motors. According to a recent Harvard Business Review article, Tesla is continuing its vast R&D efforts into solar collection and storage for homes and businesses. And eventually these technologies should trickle down to smaller IoT devices. (Image: Tumbenhaur)

Solar Power (Really)

The concept of leveraging the sun to power our portable devices has been around for decades. The problem is that it's simply too difficult to harness and store enough of the sun's energy to power anything much larger than a calculator. But if there is one company that can figure out how to finally get solar to work for IoT devices, it just might be Tesla Motors. According to a recent Harvard Business Review article, Tesla is continuing its vast R&D efforts into solar collection and storage for homes and businesses. And eventually these technologies should trickle down to smaller IoT devices.
- July 23, 2015