10 Patent Highlights in Emerging Battery Technology Innovations

The global battery market is projected to experience substantial growth, with a forecasted compound annual growth rate of 12%, doubling from $119B in 2022 to an estimated $297B by 2030, according to a Research and Markets report from July 2023. Innovations targeting improvements in lithium-ion batteries focused on alternative metals have boosted patent applications.

Promising trends in the battery sector's future are evident in patent filings, as revealed by the third annual edition of "Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report 2023" from Appleyard Lees. This report delves into patent filings related to critical environmental issues, particularly emphasizing advancements in battery technologies.

David Walsh, partner and patent attorney at Appleyard Lees, said: “The multiple applications for batteries continue to drive demand for improvements in energy density, battery lifespan, charging speed, and alternative utility. Innovation is aiming to satisfy consumer preference for batteries made of sustainable materials to power next-generation technologies.”

Notably, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) emerged as a prolific material for polymer electrolytes in battery cells, along with the rise of complex copolymers like poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP). Countries such as South Korea, Japan, and the US, housing companies like LG, Samsung, Toyota, Panasonic, and Zeon are prominent in driving innovation in this field.

While redox flow battery technology experienced a peak in patent filings in 2018, a 30% decline occurred in 2021. Despite its potential scalability for large energy sources such as solar and wind, redox flow battery technology remains in its early stages. Noteworthy innovations in carbon electrodes to reduce cell resistance are evident in recent patent filings.

David Walsh concluded, “Strong upward trends in patent filings across all developing battery technologies confirm that interest and investment are growing year-on-year. This will hopefully, in time, lead to next-generation materials and engineering solutions able to challenge the status quo and offer solutions to the limitations of Li-ion batteries.”

Robust increases in patent filings across all battery emerging technologies affirm a continual year-on-year growth in interest and investment. Patent filings can be an important harbinger of a coming technology shift. Let’s look at the patent activity and associated development trends related to emerging technologies such as polymer electrolyte batteries, lithium-ion alternatives, and redox flow batteries.