Portability and Mobility Needs Are Increasingly Influencing the Characteristics of Rechargeable Battery Cells
frost.com
By Dora Fong
The growing numbers of portable information technology and telecommunication devices are making portability a driving force
of the specified requirements for rechargeable battery cells. Portability is increasing in end-use applications as the workforce
becomes more mobile. Workers who are increasingly "on the road" for work-related business, must maintain the same
productivity levels as they do in the office. The convenience of staying productive while mobile has impacted the growing
demand for rechargeable batteries. The ability to put together a report on a portable computer, schedule meetings via wireless
phone while flying or commuting on the train maintains a high level of productivity while out of the office.
The increased mobility of the workforce is a major driver for portability; it also fuels the growing trend towards smaller, more
compact products. Computing devices such as laptops, personal digital assistants, and handheld personal computers, are not
only becoming faster in their processing capabilities but are shrinking in size and shape. This smaller form factor has a great
impact on the battery market because cells must accommodate these devices as well as provide the same or possibly greater
energy capacity than before. The result of this has been the introduction of newer battery cell sizes such as the AAAA cells and
the design, development, and mass production, of Li-Polymer.
Currently, Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) chemistry is the growing trend for mobile communication markets. With the advent of
Li-Polymer and other new chemistries in 1999, and the decreasing price of Li-Ion, Li-Ion has become the preferred OEM
choice for most of the newer releases of laptops, HPCs, and cellular phones. Li-Ion batteries have a higher energy density,
higher voltage of 3.7, and lighter weight, than those with NiCd and NiMH chemistries. Theses characteristics made the
development of compact application products possible and have become the deciding factors in choosing the most efficient
chemistry for portable applications that are smaller, lighter, and more compact.
April 1999
IRG # 27
A/T Code: 408
© 1999 Frost & Sullivan. All Rights Reserved.
E-mail newsletters@frost.com to discuss this article or other research issues.
Related Reports
7056-27: World Lithium Batteries Markets
5772-27: World Rechargable Batteries in the Mobile Communications Markets
5111-27: World Lithium Battery Market
5585-27: World Markets for Rechargeable Batteries for Portable Applications
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Selecting the Right Product to Manufacture is Vital in Rechargeable Batteries for Mobile
Communication Devices
By Dora Fong
Frost & Sullivan's upcoming study on rechargeable batteries for the world mobile communications industry has the following
application segments:
Laptop computers
Personal digital assistants
Handheld personal computers
Cellular phones
Cordless phones
The rechargeable battery manufacturers in both the information technology (IT) and the telecommunication application markets
are facing major challenges. The newer products entering both these markets are becoming both smaller and thinner. This
decreased form factor has a major impact on battery requirements, challenging battery vendors to adapt to them. Market
success for vendors hinges on being constantly aware of the upcoming design needs of the original equipment manufacturer
(OEM) customer. Maintaining a collaborative relationship with OEMs is a basic requirement for staying one step ahead of the
competition.
With numerous types of portable products constantly entering the market, battery manufacturers have the opportunity to select
what they deem to be the most efficient, effective battery chemistry, and cell size and form, for them to manufacture. Selecting
the best product and strategy is vital in this market. It is absolutely essential that the company leverage its strengths when
developing chemistries and cell sizes, in order to make a profitable product that can be brought to market within the "window of
opportunity". Failure to select the correct product is most likely to result in profit losses and a reduced market share.
There are many factors to be considered when deciding on the best product in which to invest time and resources.
Manufacturers must consider both current and upcoming chemistries in the battery industry. They also must select the
application markets that are best suited for mass production, as well as those for which they already have sufficient resources
allocated. For example, vendors in this have opted to maintain current strategy, to enhance existing technology, and to begin
mass production of new technology (Li-Polymer and disposable Zinc-Air batteries).
After a decision is made as to what chemistry to use, a manufacture must choose the most appropriate cell size and shape:
prismatic, cylindrical, button, or various others. This decision will be largely based on the size and shape of the application the
battery is intended to power.
Addressing pre-production issues such as these prepares vendors to position their products appropriately. Ultimately, the
consequences of these decisions will be what makes the difference between the success of one manufacturer and the failure of
another. For more information on the world markets for batteries used in mobile communication applications, refer to Frost &
Sullivan's report #5772-27.
March 1999
IRG # 27
A/T Code: 408
© 1999 Frost & Sullivan. All Rights Reserved.
E-mail newsletters@frost.com to discuss this article or other research issues.
Related Reports
5585-27: U.S. DC and Synchronous Integral Horsepower Motor Markets
5111-27: World Lithium Battery Market |
