Future trends in the battery industry

There are unexpected parallels between diamonds and batteries. Diamond is formed under extremely high pressure and is the world's most valuable gemstone. Likewise, battery technology is developing under increased pressure from end users and manufacturers, while remaining one of the most valuable components in electronic devices.

Three top trends are shaping the way that batteries are being developed. Safety concerns are leading battery manufacturers to re-think their active materials and cell construction techniques. The increase in wearable devices is driving the trend for batteries with increased power density and the growing battery grey market is making battery manufacturers conscious of end-user safety.

Safety concerns

Recent battery scandals have caused concern about the safety of Li-ion batteries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently restricted certain smartphones on their flights, which were at risk of exploding. Design flaws in the battery caused the separator between the positive and negative tabs to breakdown. This meant that the battery short-circuited, overheated and in some cases caught fire.

Following this controversy, researchers at Stanford University suggested a way to introduce flame retardant material into Li-ion batteries to prevent fires caused by overheating.

Electronic device Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) need to ensure that the batteries they are purchasing meet the latest international standards for safety and performance – this means checking that requirements are met both at a cell and a battery level. Suppliers of batteries should work under strict design control because a seemingly trivial design change can have damaging consequences further down the supply chain, if the change has not been properly validated.  

Wearable devices

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) saw an abundance of wearable health and fitness devices. From sleep tracking headphones to an infrared thermometer with a smartphone app, the wearable device market is continuing to grow. As a consequence, battery manufacturers now face the challenge of making smaller batteries that deliver longer runtimes.

To meet this demand, scientists have recently created what has been dubbed the bendy battery, a flexible battery containing aluminium and graphite foam, surrounded by liquid salt. The battery has attracted a lot of interest from manufacturers for its lightweight design and potential for use in powering flexible displays. However, there is still a long way to go, as the bendy battery currently only delivers half the voltage of a lithium-ion battery.

The grey market

The use of batteries for life-critical devices, whether in the medical or military sector, means there are increasing safety and security concerns. This is combined with the global rise in counterfeiting and the battery grey market, with imports of counterfeit goods accounting for almost 2.5 per cent of global imports.

Counterfeit batteries pose a risk of overheating or catching fire, as well as not delivering a reliable performance. To counter this, Accutronics’ smart batteries feature algorithmic security, meaning that if a counterfeit battery is inserted into the host device, it can display a warning message or shut down completely. Counterfeit batteries often look identical to branded batteries, so OEMs must look for security features such as this to protect their devices from battery counterfeiting.

The demand for more energy dense yet smaller batteries means that the battery market is looking for ways to stay ahead of the needs of device OEMs. Also shaped by concerns over counterfeiting and the grey market, battery manufacturers are looking to innovate sustainably and safely. It is clear that this pressure is creating a diamond of the global battery market, which is expected to be worth over $17 billion by 2021.

Electronic Security Devices

Electronic security devices are products used for our own safety and also security and protection of our valuables and surroundings, including our cars, houses, bank accounts, shops, businesses etc. With advancement in technology, new gadgets are being developed which help in enhancing security of our surroundings. The different types of electronic security devices are access control products, alarms, buzzers, CCTV, metal detectors, motion detectors, air teasers, stun guns, personal alarms, sirens etc. Electronic security devices must have an appropriate sensitivity level that will allow detection but is not triggered unnecessarily. Hence, it is always advisable to buy electronic security devices from established electronic security devices manufacturers & suppliers. Also, before selecting any electronic security device it is important to take into consideration the size of the area to cover and the number of devices that will be required. 

Electronic security industry encompasses the hundreds of thousands of electronic security devices manufacturers & suppliers involved in the manufacturing, distribution, marketing and installation of electronic security products. The market for the electronic security devices has been growing steadily at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 11.1% since 1996 and reached US$18.75 billion in 2006. Some major factors which have initiated a substantial growth in the electronic security industry have been increase in crime, terrorism and perceived threats. However, apart from these factors bearing negative dimensions, there are some positive reasons also such as economic growth and the continuous innovations in security technology.

Access Control Products

Access control products are highly technological advanced systems that assist in securing a place from the risks of theft, bomb and other weapons. Electronic Access Control products market is one of the fastest growing sector of the global security industry. USA is the largest electronic access control market in the world and it is estimated to account for US$2.2 billion by the end of 2007. Europe is the second largest market for these products followed by Asia-Pacific. According to an estimate by Global Industry Analysts Inc, the global market for electronic access control devices will reach US$6.1 billion by 2010. Some of the devices used for this purpose are;

» Access Control Readers | » Access Control Terminals | » Biometric Access Control Systems | » Door Security Devices | » Electronic Locks | » Intercom Systems | » Security Scanners 

Alarms

Alarms are devices that are used to make people alert about a problem or situation by making a loud noise. They are generally used for warning about a burglary, fire or forced intrusion. These alarm systems work through sensors fitted in them. The sensors detect motion through PIR (passive infrared) or opening of a door or window. After detecting motion the sensors trigger a signal and make loud noise. Technology wise the different types of alarms are: Wired Intruder Alarms, Wireless Intruder Alarms, Magnetic Alarms, Motion Detection Alarms, Loop Alarm and PIR Alarms.

» Burglar Alarms | » Fire Alarms | » Magnetic Alarms | » PIR Alarms | » Personal Alarms | » Track Alarms | » Wireless Intruder Alarms 

Buzzers

A buzzer is an electronic signaling device commonly used in cars, trucks, microwave ovens or game shows. Buzzers also work in the same manner as an alarm works. They are generally equipped with sensors or switches connected to a control unit. 

The work of the control unit is to identify the button, which was pushed, or the lapse of the preset time. After identification it sounds a warning tone which is in the form of buzzing or beeping sound. Earlier electromechanical buzzers were used but nowadays ceramic-based piezoelectric buzzers have become more popular. The different types of buzzers are classified on the basis of their technology as electric buzzers, magnetic buzzers, piezoelectric buzzers and piezo buzzers. While buying a buzzer people always keep in mind the number of sensors present in the buzzer and how easily it can be installed.

» Electromagnetic Buzzers | » Piezo Buzzers 

Cctv

A CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) is a very effective security device that is used to transmit a signal to a limited set of monitors through a video camera. CCTV is most commonly used as a security device in various commercial and private establishments like retail shops, banks, and casinos. It is also used in various other sensitive areas like airports, military installations and government establishments. CCTV systems use sophisticated technologies like night vision, motion detectors and computer-assisted operation. The major brands producing CCTV are Bosch, Sony, GE, ADT security systems, Matsushita Electric (Panasonic), Honeywell and Siemens. The global CCTV video surveillance market was worth US$5.7 billion in 2007 according to the latest report published by Global Industry Analysts, Incorporated.For operating a CCTV, a wide range of accessories required includes:

» Cctv Accessories | » Cctv Cameras | » Cctv Components | » Cctv Systems 

Detection Systems

The detection systems are electronic devices that are used to protect any area by detecting a moving object in a particular field or to differentiate between weapons and other metallic objects. 

These devices are generally used at the gateways or entrances of government buildings, parks, airports, railway stations, and other high security areas. They use a variety of sensors for detection like electronic sensors, passive infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors and microwave sensors. These detection systems are generally categorized on the basis of the sensing technology used in them like:

» Glass Break Detectors | » Light Curtains | » Metal Detectors | » Motion Detectors 

Personal Security Products

Personal security products are those equipments that are used for self-protection especially in situations when immediate help is not accessible. They work either by triggering an alarm or by giving electric shock to the attacker, which temporarily disables the person. These devices are generally available in very small sizes and are thus very easy to carry and sometimes extremely loud. The various types of personal security devices are categorized on the basis of their application like:

» Pepper Spray | » Stun Guns 

Sirens are electronic devices that make loud sound to alert people about any danger like fire, tornado, air raids, military operations etc. Emergency vehicles like police, ambulance and fire trucks also use sirens. These sirens have circuits like oscillators, modulators and amplifiers to play a siren tone through external speakers. The most common siren tones are: Wail, Pierce, Yell, Priority and Phaser. Sirens are differentiated on the basis of their usage as:

» Air-horns | » Electronic Sirens | » Emergency Sirens | » Motor Sirens 

Telephone Security Products

Telephone security devices are a type of personal security device. These are basically used to protect a user from his phone getting tapped and other types of security attacks. Also these are used to save a mobile phone from potential virus attacks and other cyber malfunctions. Mobile phone security products and Wired telephone security products are the two types of telephone security products. Further, these can be divided in categories like; Voice Changers, Phone Line Scrambler, Wire Tap Detection & Nullifiers, Phone Recording Devices etc.

» Telephone Transmitters 

Vehicle Security Products

The electronic devices used for ensuring the safety of vehicles are known as vehicle security devices. These devices are used for various purposes like locking the vehicle or locating the vehicles etc. These devices are generally automatic and remote control driven. These high tech devices are extremely helpful in preventing the vehicles and its other expensive parts from being stolen and they also help the police to locate the stolen vehicles easily. Usually sensors are installed in the vehicle, which are connected to a device on which the user can be immediately intimated about any intrusion with the vehicle. The various types of vehicle security products are:

» Central Locking Systems | » Flashers Warning Lights | » GPS Security Systems | » Immobilizer Systems | » Keyless Entry Systems | » Linear Actuators | » Remote Alarms | » Remote Locks 

Future Trends In Electrical & Electronics Industry

The worldwide electrical and electronics industry is the most flourishing and extremely diversified sector consisting of numerous electronics company, electronics engineers, electrical engineers, electricians, scientists and researchers. This sector has been growing at a rapid pace with human friendly innovations, inventions and technology trends. Morever, an ever-increasing customer inclination towards electronics products and services is driving electronic companies to come up with better innovations and inventions. The main emphasis of these technology trends is to derive unmatched efficiency that too with greatly reduced size of the existing apparatus. The following list is an attempt to enlist all such future trends and innovations. However, it is only a part of a long list of modern innovations and future trends which will make our world so hi-tech that is beyond our imagination. As a matter of note, this list of future trends will keep on being updated along the course of time.

 

Dielectric Susceptibility of a Material:

The finding of the dielectric susceptibility has provided enough chances to the engineers to make some ultra-equipped and highly sensitive technological and electronic devices. This discovery is a result of the effect of electric field on a nanostructure of lead zirconate. This specific feature of any material is supposed to be a boon for nanostructures. The importance of this innovation has been widely hailed as it has opened up many doors of making tiny but effective electronic devices.

 

Detection Systems Based on Quantum-entanglement Effect:

Entanglement, a unique feature of quantum physics, is well set to be used in future detection and imaging systems. It is said to be more efficient and accurate than those of many detection system available these days. This mechanism could work spreading entangled beams of light on any object. This could make a very detailed, fair and accurate image of the object being detected. This mechanism is supposed to work on the same principle which is applied to detect planes at airforce stations and airports.

 

Cell-sized Batteries:

These microbatteries could be only half the size of a human cell. Interestingly, these would be made of viruses. This rare innovation is set to provide us a relief from heavy 9-volts batteries and other models. This technology involves the use of microcontact printing. This printing fabricates and position microbattery electrodes. Further, it is probably the first use of virus in this field. These batteries could be used in a series of fields such as computers, cell phones and medical equipments which are implantable.

 

Precise Pattern Micro-chip:

This innovation is supposed to bring microchip technology at its peak. This system works when some molecules are made to assemble themselves into precise patterns. A self-assembling molecular system which is called block copolymers was known for many years. This system was not very effective as it could produce a molecular-orders or patterns in a very limited way via self-assembling. Thus to make it more equipped and advanced, this "limited self-assembly" was made to combine with conventional lithographic chip-making technology. These lithographic patterns cause a tight-hold over self-assembling molecules. Thus they become more structured.

 

High-Power Solar Concentrators:

As the initial research has proved to be fruitful, there are chances that in coming years we will see a sort of solar concentrator, which would be more efficient than the contemporary solar concentrators. The most striking part of this innovation is that it brings huge amount of solar light to the solar cells that too without tracking the sun. Though it showed only 92 percent of stability during the research, it is supposed to guarantee a 100 percent stability till it arrives in the market.

 

Smart Optical Microchips:

Days are not far way when we could see a microchip not running by electricity but by light itself. This microchip is set to utilize a complete and unorthodox functional system. This chip may be capable of being adjusted to the "amount of bandwidth available in an optical network." Also this chip may " automatically process signals flowing through fiber-optic networks, without using any electrical power."

 

New Analog Circuits:

These much optimized and latest analog circuits may one day eliminate all the operational amplifiers. However, it is said that it would be as useful as the existing operational amplifier-based circuits. The scientists call these analog circuits as comparator-based switched capacitor (CBSC) circuits. They are said to be more user-friendly and power efficient as they are well equipped to handle voltages in a much better way. This is being termed as something which can give a new dimension to the consumer electronics.

 

III-V Compound Semiconductors:

These are the latest in the line of semiconductors. These semiconductors, specified as composite materials, can squeeze the size of existing transistors to an unbelievable smaller size, so far heard only. The electrons travel many times faster in these composite materials than they could travel in silicon. Indium gallium arsenide, or InGaAs is one of those composite materials which allow the electrons to move at their fastest. The size of an InGaAs transistor is not more than 60 nanometers and it is capable of carrying 2.5 times more current than the conventional silicon transistors.

 

Wireless Energy Transmitter:

The wireless energy transmitter would be able to recharge laptops, cellphones and other small devices without coming in actual physical contact of these devices. Amazingly, they would recharge such things from few meters away. The installation of only one such device would enough to supply power to almost all the laptops and cellphones being used in the home. It works by surrounding the devices making a non-radioactive electromagnetic field instead of transmitting electromagnetic waves. The interesting aspect of this device is that it reabsorbs the energy remains unused by the devices.