Exeger and NGK have a strategic partnership to strengthen their product ecosystem and expand into new markets by offering manufacturers maintenance-free IoT devices through providing low-power solutions and devices with prolonged or infinite battery life.
Inside the Partnership
Exeger and NGK have formed a strategic partnership to strengthen their product ecosystem and expand into new markets by offering manufacturers maintenance-free IoT devices through providing low-power solutions and devices with prolonged or infinite battery life.
Announced in early 2022, the collaboration brings together Exeger’s Powerfoyle solar cells and NGK’s EnerCera, a lithium-ion rechargeable battery with long life and high capacity, ideal for low-power applications. EnerCera batteries can withstand more charging cycles than other lithium-ion batteries, which makes it unique and a good fit with Powerfoyle.
“With features such as low resistance, high capacity, and long life, EnerCera batteries are an ideal energy storage device for IoT devices combined with energy harvesting because it can efficiently charge the small power from indoor light PV cells store it for long periods of time and provide high enough output to power MCUs (Micro Controller Units) and sensors. Combined with Powerfoyle technology, we will promote the development and popularization of maintenance-free IoT devices.”
Iwao Ohwada, Vice President, General Manager, Advanced Device Components Div., Electronics Business Group, NGK
By combining these complementary technologies, the companies deliver powerful, self-sustaining energy solutions for IoT and other electronic devices, such as electronic shelf labels, sensors, and remote controls. This collaboration marks a step forward in achieving a future of maintenance-free electronics, where devices can operate efficiently with minimal human intervention, powered by ambient light and supported by reliable energy storage.
Building on the collaboration, Exeger joined forces with NGK, Tachibana Electronic Solutions, and Semtech to co-develop a groundbreaking indoor/outdoor position tracker. This partnership brings together each company’s unique expertise to create a maintenance-free, ultra-thin, and compact device designed to advance the future of IoT tracking solutions.
The tracker integrates Exeger’s Powerfoyle solar cells with NGK’s ultra-thin and compact EnerCera® lithium-ion rechargeable battery to form a powerful self-sustaining energy system. It operates an ultra-thin board based on the Zero Carbon LoRa® Evaluation Board circuit board sold by Tachibana, using Semtech’s LoRa® connectivity IC and the LoRa Edge LR1110.
Thanks to this seamless integration of technologies, the tracker eliminates the need for manual charging or battery replacements. In addition to accurate positioning, it can record environmental data such as temperature, humidity, and impact, transmitting everything via LoRa® to the cloud for real-time analysis. With a profile of just six millimeters, it is ideal for applications in logistics, wearables, and other space-constrained use cases.
About NGK Insulators
NGK Insulators Ltd. (NGK), based in Nagoya, Japan, has been a leader in ceramic technology since 1919. Its innovations address social and environmental challenges across sectors like mobility, energy, IT and industry, with operations in over 20 countries.
NGK offers advanced energy storage solutions, including the large-scale NAS battery and the company EnerCera lithium-ion battery. Committed to sustainability, NGK continues to develop products that support modern infrastructure while protecting the environment.