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Ultra-Thin and Compact Lithium-ion rechargeable battery “EnerCera battery” series

About “EnerCera battery”

“EnerCera battery” Series

The EnerCera battery is an ultra-thin and ultra small Li-ion rechargeable battery. A semi-solid-state battery developed using NGK’s original crystal oriented ceramic plate as electrodes, EnerCera achieves features that were difficult to incorporate together in existing Li-ion rechargeable batteries, such as high capacity, high output, high heat resistance, and long lifetime.

Due to its low internal resistance, EnerCera batteries can store incredibly small amounts of electricity and output large amounts of power when required, making them the ideal power source for environmental power generation (energy harvesting) and wireless power transfer (WPT). These technologies can be combined with EnerCera to create power supply systems for maintenance-free IoT devices that rely only on natural energy sources and which can be used repeatedly.

EnerCera can function as an energy storage device that offers the advantages of both a capacitor and a Li-ion rechargeable battery, thereby contributing to the implementation of self-sustaining IoT systems in society.

EnerCera is a battery for IoT to realize “maintenance-free”.

Key EnerCera technologies

EnerCera batteries are ultra-thin and compact lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that offer high heat resistance, safety (high reliability), high output, and long lifetime. The keys to imparting these properties were NGK’s crystal oriented ceramic electrode and semi-solid state battery technology developed in-house.

Crystal oriented ceramic electrode

Conventional Li-ion batteries use electrode active material powder, a conductivity aid, and an organic binder to bind them together to form the material for making electrodes. However, in this structure, the organic binder reacts with the electrolyte in high-temperature environments, resulting in reduced bonding strength and loss of electronic conductivity. As a result, conventional Li-ion batteries suffered from the disadvantages of having low heat resistance and being prone to degradation of battery performance.
Drawing on its proprietary ceramic sintering technologies, NGK developed the crystal oriented ceramic electrode, which allows sophisticated control of crystal orientation. The adoption of this crystal oriented ceramic electrode as the cathode for the EnerCera allows the lithium ions in the active material to travel faster, making it possible to create a high output battery with low resistance and high energy density. Furthermore, since EnerCera does not use an organic binder, it exhibits superior heat resistance even in high temperature environments. Combined, these features have enabled the success of EnerCera as an ultra-thin, ultra-small rechargeable battery with highly efficient power storage and output capabilities and heat resistance.

Semi-solid state battery

The EnerCera battery is a semi-solid state battery produced by infusing very small amounts of electrolyte into multilayer ceramic battery material. Since it contains no organic materials, and its ceramic plate is composed of only sintered electrode materials with trace amounts of electrolyte infused, EnerCera is a safe Li-ion rechargeable battery that has minimal risk of overheating, catching fire, and exploding.

A diagram comparing the structure of NGK EnerCera Pouch and conventional Li-ion batteries. NGK's EnerCera pouch features proprietary technology with crystal oriented ceramic electrode and semi-solid state battery, offering high energy density, low resistance, high thermal resistance, and long life expectancy.
Structural comparison of NGK EnerCera Coin and conventional Li-ion batteries

Features of EnerCera

Can be recharged and used even when over-discharged

  • Less susceptible to performance degradation, even in the case of self-discharge voltage drop
  • Maintains same performance prior to over-discharge when recharged again

Capable of storing tiny amounts of electrical power

  • Low resistance and low self-discharge
  • Ideal for environmental power generation applications, including solar cells and wireless power supply
  • Reduces the time required for recharging and battery replacement

Long lifetime, resistant to floating aging

  • Less deterioration due to floating
  • Optimal power source solution for applications that require constant high voltage in the fully charged state, such as backup and environmental power generation systems

Ultra-thin, ultra-small, yet high capacity

  • Battery capacity is approximately 1.5 to 2 times that of commercially available rechargeable batteries of the same dimensions.
  • Can be used in limited spaces

High output suitable for a wide range of wireless communications

  • High current output with less than half the resistance compared to commercial batteries of the same dimensions
  • Supplies current of several tens to several hundred of milliamps to support a wide range of wireless communications

Ideal batteries for wearable devices

  • Extremely low risk of overheating, catching fire, or exploding
  • Optimal power source for wearable devices used in direct contact with the human body

With its thickness of 0.45 mm and bending resistance, EnerCera Pouch fits curved surfaces, making it an ideal solution as a thin sensor tag for logistics applications. The EnerCera Coin semi-solid state battery exhibits outstanding heat resistance with a capacity retention rate of more than 80% after 1,000 hours at 105°C in a fully charged state—conditions under which batteries are most vulnerable to degradation. This allows use in reflow soldering and other high-temperature processes, contributing to cost reductions in mass production processes.

Lineup

Wide operating temperature range for use as a power source for chilled transport and outdoor IoT devices

EnerCera batteries are available in two types: EnerCera Pouch, an ultra-thin product with thickness of 0.45 mm and good bending resistance, and EnerCera Coin, a coin-shaped product with thickness of 1.3 to 2 mm suitable for mounting on circuit boards.
EnerCera Pouch products are available in three types—a high power type, a high heat resistance type, and a fast charging type—to accommodate a wide range of device designs. Both EnerCera Pouch and EnerCera Coin are available as ET Series products that exhibit high environmental resistance. Some models allow use even at temperatures as low as −40°C, while other models offer excellent float charging resistance, making them ideal for use in backup power supply systems. These products are ideal for applications involving cold chain temperature monitoring and as power sources for IoT devices installed outdoors.

Model Number EC382704P-T EC382704P-Hr ET382704P-H ET2016C-R ET1210C-H
Appearance EC382704P-T EC382704P-Hr ET382704P-H ET2016C-R ET1210C-H
Dimensions/Diameter
(Without terminals)
38mm×27mm 20mm 12.5mm
Thickness
(With terminals)
0.45mm 2.05mm 1.3mm
Nominal Capacity 27mAh (4.3V)
24mAh (4.2V)
20mAh 20mAh 25mAh 4mAh
Nominal Voltage 3.8V 2.3V
Charge Charging Method Constant Current (CC) – Constant Voltage (CV) charging Constant Voltage (CV) charging (No current control required)
Charging Voltage 4.3V
4.2V
4.2V 2.7V
Standard Charge Current 13.5mA (4.3V)
12.0mA (4.2V)
10mA -
Discharge End Voltage 3.0V 1.5V
Standard Discharge Current*1 27mA (4.3V)
24mA (4.2V)
10mA 40mA 2.5mA 0.8mA
(Ref.) Peak Discharge Current*2 560mA 130mA 300mA 60mA 20mA
Bendability Conforming to ISO 14443-1 standard
No deterioration after bending and torsion tests
-
Operation Temperature Discharge: -20℃∼45℃
(Charge: 0℃∼45℃)
Discharge: -20℃∼60℃
(Charge: 0℃∼60℃)
-40℃∼70℃ -20℃*5∼105℃
Features High Power High heat resistance*3 Fast charging*4 Reflow soldering unapplicable
[Applicable type under development]
Reflow soldering applicable*6

*1 Current with which nominal capacity can be used.
*2 Voltage drop is less than 0.5V with continuous discharge for 0.1 sec. (at 25℃)
*3 Compatible with hot lamination for IC card manufacturing.
*4 Can be charged from 0% to 80% capacity in 14min.
*5 From -40°C to 105°C for RTC backup applications.
*6 Recommended conditions Max.240°C × 1 time Please contact us for details.

IEC62133 certified.
Contents may be changed without notice.

Whitepaper by Reuters Events:
Innovative Technologies Enabling Digital Transformation

This whitepaper features technology insights and real-world case-studies from a diverse set of industries including; Logistics, Healthcare, Smart Cities, Wearables and more, including:

  • NGK INSULATORS: Powering and empowering the IoT
  • SMK Corporation: Harvesting energy to beat the IoT battery drain
  • Ricoh USA, Inc. Group: Power for sensors in new worlds of operation

Innovative Technologies Enabling Digital Transformation

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