The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in lithium-ion (Li-ion) secondary battery is driven by the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and portable electronics, and growing importance of technologies such as silicon anodes, solid-state electrolytes, lithium-sulfur batteries, and graphene-based batteries. In the last three years alone, there have been over 1.7 million patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Batteries in automotive: Li-ion secondary battery. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over one million patents to analyze innovation intensity for the automotive industry, there are 300+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Li-ion secondary battery is a key innovation area in batteries
A Li-ion secondary battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses lithium ions to store and release energy. It consists of a positive electrode or cathode, a negative electrode or anode, and an electrolyte. During charging, lithium ions are extracted from the positive electrode and move through the electrolyte to the negative electrode, where they are stored. During discharging, the lithium ions move back to the positive electrode, releasing energy.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 30+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of Li-ion secondary battery.
Key players in Li-ion secondary battery – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to Li-ion secondary battery
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
LG is one of the leading patent filers in Li-ion secondary battery technology. The company has been granted patent for a new battery with longer lifespan, improved safety, and higher energy density. The battery is expected to be used in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. Some other key patent filers in this space include Nissan Motor and Toyota Motor.
In terms of application diversity, Aquion Energy leads the pack, while Nissan Motor and Toshiba stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Energizer held the top position, followed by Albemarle and Aquion Energy.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
