Today we will have a look into the core of wearables and will talk to Andy Crump, VP West Coast Sales at Ascent Batteries International, about their customized shaped batteries and his opinion on how the market will evolve. If you want to talk to Andy and the Ascent Batteries team in person, you can also meet them at the WT | Wearable Technologies Conference 2016 USA in San Francisco on July 12-13.
Can you tell us what Ascent Batteries is about?
Ascent Batteries is a battery engineering and design company with support both in North America and in China. We specialize in small and customized shaped batteries for the Wearable, Consumer electronics, and Industrial markets. We offer both standard and customized rectangular as well as fully customized shaped batteries with high charge & discharge capabilities. In addition we have expertise in highly customized battery packs with vertically integrated electronic and plastic design and manufacturing in house.
What makes Lithium-Polymer rechargeable batteries so suitable for wearables?
Lithium Polymer is an excellent battery solution for the wearable market as it is extremely safe and can be highly customized into unique shapes and sizes.
How will the battery market develop in the future? What changes do we have to expect?
The battery market will continue to improve in energy density, though slower than what people might hope. There are new technologies in development, but will take time for them to be cost effective for mass production. It will be interesting to see how energy harvesting will have an effect on product development, allowing customers to use even smaller batteries. Flexible batteries continue to find new opportunities in wearable applications, though energy densities are relatively low so applications are limited.
What is your favorite wearable device?
Nike Fuelband.
We presented some energy harvesting solutions at our WT | Wearable Technologies Conference in San Francisco last year and a flexible, foldable battery at the 10th birthday of our event series in Munich this January.
