Dracula Technologies is set to unveil the LAYER Vault at CES in Las Vegas, marking a significant development in energy autonomy for IoT electronics. This innovative technology is a first in its field, seamlessly integrating low-light organic photovoltaic (OPV) energy harvesting with electrical storage on a single flexible film. LAYER Vault offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional batteries, enabling energy-autonomy for IoT and ultra-low-power products. This development represents a considerable achievement for Original Equipment Manufacturers, device makers, integrators, and IoT solution providers by simplifying design processes and reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
The move towards eliminating batteries from products is driven by environmental challenges and the high costs of battery replacement. Manufacturers face integration, operational scale, and regulation challenges, all contributing to substantial costs. This issue is particularly relevant for real estate companies and building service firms, focusing on the longevity of devices and reducing overall TCO for devices like presence sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors.
Brice Cruchon, CEO and founder of Dracula Technologies, stated, “At Dracula Technologies, we’re committed to replacing battery-based electronics with a sustainable energy source. LAYER Vault is a practical solution for eco-friendly energy autonomy, proving valuable in IoT deployments where removing batteries is key for success.” He added, “With our new Green MicroPower Factory, the largest in Europe, equipped with inkjet printing technology, we’re positioned to produce up to 150 million cm² of OPV devices annually for high-volume IoT customers.”
Dracula Technologies’ organic photovoltaic technology complements sensors based on the LoRa communication protocol, known for its long-range and low-power features. Semtech Corporation, a partner and investor in Dracula Technologies, is a provider of high-performance semiconductors, IoT systems, and Cloud connectivity services. Robert Comanescu, Semtech’s Senior Director of Wireless ICs Marketing and Applications, shared his enthusiasm: “This breakthrough aligns with the low power key customer benefit of LoRa technology, and we’re excited to see innovative IoT products combining LAYER Vault and Semtech’s wireless connectivity chips, contributing to a more sustainable planet.”
LAYER Vault, produced with OPV inkjet technology, excels in low-light conditions and offers an unlimited energy supply and storage using organic materials, avoiding rare earths or toxic materials. This reduces reliance on conventional batteries and circumvents related regulations. The energy storage layer complements Dracula Technologies’ OPV harvesting line, creating a dual-function product. Tailored for ultra-low-power devices, it effectively powers LPWAN devices in sectors like ESL, Remote Controls, Indoor Industrial IoT, Smart Asset Tracking, and Indoor Consumer IoT.
According to EnABLES, a European Union-funded Research Infrastructure project, around 78 million batteries could be discarded daily by 2025 if the lifespan of IoT device power sources isn’t improved. With approximately one billion IoT devices expected worldwide by 2025, all requiring power, the project aims to eradicate the need for battery replacements, focusing on Energy Harvesting solutions and reducing device power consumption.
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