In honor of VARTA receiving the Innovation of the Year award for its CoinPower lithium ion cell, we took the opportunity to conduct a short interview with Herbert Schein, CEO of VARTA Microbattery GmbH.
Wearable Technologies (WT): In September, Varta’s CoinPower was voted Innovation of the Year 2011. What is special about this small sized Li-Ion cell? For what use was it developed?
Herbert Schein: CoinPower is a lithium ion cell with a 30 percent higher energy density in comparison to those of our Asian competitors. This was largely achieved via an innovative and revolutionary closure and sealing technology, which made more room for storage material. With a weight of little more than one gram, the cell is ideal for wearable Bluetooth devices and audio headsets. Medical technology can also make good use of CoinPower, insulin pumps and communications technologies, for instance.
WT: Which Varta products are especially suitable for use in Wearable Technologies and wearable systems? What sizes are available and what is their average battery life?
Herbert Schein: VARTA Microbattery offers many energy solutions for use in wearable technologies. Our portfolio of products ranges from lithium primary coin cells with a diameter of 12 to 24 mm, to rechargeable NiMH coin cells with a diameter of 6 to 25 mm, to our newest, the Li-Ion CoinPower cells starting at 12 mm in diameter. You can find more detailed information at our website. In general, the only limitations come from the various demands of the areas in which the batteries are used. The battery life depends on what it is being used to run and how often that device is used – battery life can range from days to many years.
WT: What can we expect in the way of future battery technology?
Herbert Schein: New materials make for new possibilities. The trend is toward even smaller batteries with even greater energy. New possibilities especially for the wearable technologies industry will include printed batteries.
WT: What is your favorite Wearable Technologies product?
Herbert Schein: At VARTA Microbattery, we think Bluetooth headsets are the greatest, because they just belong to today’s lifestyle. Of course, we think our innovation, the CoinPower cells, are the optimal energy source for these and reliably power the Bluetooth function.
