The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in solid-state batteries is driven by factors like energy density, longevity, and safety, and growing importance of technologies such as high-performance computing and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve battery lifespan and charging speed. In the last three years alone, there have been over 720,000 patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Batteries in automotive: solid-state batteries. 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.
Solid-state batteries is a key innovation area in batteries
Solid-state batteries are a type of rechargeable battery in which both the cathode and anode are made of solid-state materials, including solid electrolytes. Solid-state batteries are preferred over conventional batteries due to their higher energy density, longer cycle life, and inherent safety features.
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 1605+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of solid-state batteries.
Key players in solid-state batteries – 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 solid-state batteries
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Murata Manufacturing is one of the top patent filers in solid-state batteries. The company has developed a new electrolyte for electric vehicles (EVs). The composite material, made of lithium salt, solid polymer, and ceramic filler, offers stability, non-flammability, and a wider electrochemical window. This could lead to improved performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness, potentially accelerating EV adoption. Some other key patent filers in this space include BASF and Zeon.
In terms of application diversity, BASF leads the pack, while Zeon and TDK stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical held the top position, followed by Johnson & Johnson and Sofibol.
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.
