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. 

Zirconium electrode batteries is a key innovation area in batteries 

Zirconium‐based materials are emerging as potential candidates for developing the next generation of electric batteries. The first application of Zirconium sulphide (ZrS2) was as a potential lithium-ion battery electrode material. The electrochemical reactions of ZrS2 at various discharge depths were studied along with the structural changes of ZrS2 electrodes under various voltage windows. Reversible Li ion insertion and extraction was demonstrated by ZrS2 electrodes.

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 110 companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of zirconium electrode batteries. 

Key players in zirconium electrode 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 zirconium electrode batteries

Panasonic is the top patent filer in zirconium electrode batteries. The company focuses on identifying and assembling individual membrane electrodes that use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. QuantumScape, Samsung, Toshiba, and Toyota Motor are some of the other leading patent filers in the zirconium electrode batteries innovation space.

In terms of application diversity, QuantumScape held the top position, while Sachem and 6K stood in second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, QuantumScape leads the pack, followed by Sachem and 6K.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.

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.