The 2023 global patent report from patent attorneys Appleyard Lees explores advances in more nascent technologies such as polymer electrolyte batteries, lithium-ion alternatives and redox flow batteries.
Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report said among the five polymers most popular for production of polymer electrolytes in modern battery cells, innovation is most prolific in:
- polyacrylonitrile (PAN)
- the complex copolymers, poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) – or PVDF-HFP.
South Korea, Japan and the US are hosting the most innovation via companies including LG, Samsung, Toyota, Panasonic and Zeon, the report noted.
Appleyard Lees partner and patent attorney, David Walsh, 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.”
It said innovations designed to improve upon lithium-ion batteries are focused on alternative metals.
Patent applications have spiked for sodium and zinc-related battery technology, based on claims of faster charging, longer lifecycle and reduced cost. It said Japanese companies are at the fore of this innovation.
Patent filings in 2021 for redox flow battery technology fell 30% against the 2018 peak. It said although the technology remains relatively embryonic, innovation such as improving carbon electrodes to decrease cell resistance in flow batteries is prominent in the latest patent filings.
