A Necessity not a Luxury
As we’ve all seen and experienced over recent years, batteries and battery technology have become a key requirement and no longer a luxury in helping us in our day to day lives. From the wireless charging batteries in our mobile devices to batteries in electric transport (scooters, bikes, cars and buses) batteries can be found everywhere, including the batteries to charge the batteries in our devices. External power banks allow us the freedom to never go without power in our essential devices.
Battery Tech and Jones & Partners
Jones & Partners have a history of working on a wide range of battery projects across a large span of different use cases. As a studio, we are aware of how portable power has transformed the way in which society interacts with electricity. Whether the product supports a mobile working environment, or provides energy to technology on the move, the design process is always extremely user centred. Our combined understanding of electronic technologies and experience design allows us to combine these disciplines into a considered and commercially successful product.
We have been on the scene of electronics design in power for some time now, initially developing QI charging battery packs for AirCharge and achieving Apple Certification for part of their range.
The rise of battery integrated products within the workplace has also grown rapidly. Companies are striving to accommodate their employees with a mixture of working environments amid the hybrid work trends.
This comes with the consideration of how to keep their workstations charged no matter where they are. Now, mobile, rechargeable batteries are everywhere and essential to our productivity.
Smaller, Faster, Better, Stronger
With the advancements of battery technology, portable powered products are becoming ever more refined. Energy density has dramatically improved, allowing more watt hours per kg (the amount of energy that can be discharged per battery unit). Power density has also improved, this is how much energy the battery can provide per unit of mass (the amount of power that can be stored per battery unit). These two attributes effectively create more efficient, smaller, and lighter batteries which provide greater options when it comes to specifying power integrated products.
What does the future for portable power look like? We can’t be sure, but with the emergence of solid-state batteries being just around the corner, the future looks bright. Solid-state technology uses solid ceramic material instead of liquid electrolytes to carry electric current, also making the batteries lighter, faster to charge, and eventually cheaper. It thought they could cut the CO2 footprints of their products by around 40%. Their higher energy density means that far less materials will be required, and if sustainably sourced technologies and materials are used alongside them, this creates huge gains in the emissions space.
Legislation and Hopefully Ethics
MEPs and EU governments are currently discussing the final proposal for the EU Batteries Regulation, which would require lithium to be sourced responsibly, protecting human rights and the environment. It will also require battery recycling. This will force change, in hopefully the right, and ethical way.
We as a studio are excited for what the future holds. With our experience and knowledge, we have a deep understanding of what works now and what is just around the corner - and we can’t wait to put the power in your hands.
Creative and Innovative Product Solutions Since the Year 2000.
