The two companies will work to combine ONiO's advanced microcontrollers with Exeger’s Powerfoyle technology, driving forward the development of sustainable, low-maintenance electronics for our daily lives. Using the unique solar cell technology that converts all forms of light into electrical energy from Exeger, ONiO will make possible to have connected devices that do not need a battery and will run continuously only from light.
The collaboration between the Norwegian company and the Swedish solar cell pioneer is signaled as a significant step towards a sustainable future for consumer electronics and all types of connected devices. ONiO says it will focus on developing devices that can draw power from any light source, whether natural outdoor or ambient indoor. Through the integration of Powerfoyle, devices operate with complete autonomy, while remaining 100% batteryless in order to help eliminate the alarming impact that disposable battery waste has on the environment.
"Selecting Powerfoyle as the preferred solar cell technology for ONiO was based on three clear advantages. Powerfoyle has world leading efficiency when integrated into products. Combined with best-in-class integration possibilities makes it the clear choice for product integration. World-leading companies have chosen Exeger as an exclusive solar cell supplier, giving ONiO a unique commercial opportunity through this partnership," states Kjetil Meisal, CEO of ONiO. "This partnership is about pioneering technology and championing a green revolution where devices are powered endlessly by clean energy — completely bypassing the need for traditional batteries."
In recent evaluations alongside Exeger, ONiO has demonstrated a groundbreaking advantage over today's state-of-the-art technologies. ONiO.zero microcontrollers power up in just a few seconds, significantly outpacing the tens of minutes required by current leading technologies. This rapid activation, particularly in low-light scenarios, perfectly complements Exeger's Powerfoyle technology, renowned for its seamless transition between indoor and outdoor lighting environments. This synergy signals a new frontier in the world of IoT devices, and ushers in the next generation of efficient, batteryless devices that are not just ready for immediate operation but also redefine the benchmarks for cold-start capabilities.
Powerfoyle Indoor Efficiency
A new datasheet for Powerfoyle Indoor recently released by Exeger shows a 20% boost in efficiency when used with lower ambient indoor light levels to charge devices. This is the result of higher quality solar cells produced at Exeger's second factory, Stockholm II, one of Europe's largest solar cell factories in terms of annual production capacity when fully ramped up (2,5 million square meters per year).
According to Exeger, which is continuously investing in the industrialization of its two factories, better machines, improved processes, and higher production capacity yields have allowed the production of higher quality solar cells, resulting in a 20% boost in efficiency.
This is essential for products that will operate continuously indoors with low light levels, such as remote controls. Since launching in 2022, Powerfoyle Indoor has been integrated into Ohsung Electronics, Omni Remotes, and Tech4Home remote controls with more products being revealed during 2024.
"Our ongoing commitment to industrialization, innovation and sustainability has enabled this great achievement of enhancing the efficiency of our solar cell by 20% since its commercialization. The research and development teams are in constant pursuit of excellence and continuously innovate on the chemistry and components of the cell. This exciting development reaffirms our dedication to providing customers with clean, endless energy for a brighter and more sustainable future," says Dr. Henrik Lindström, CTO at Exeger.
The added efficiency can be used to produce smaller Powerfoyle solar cells with the same efficiency as before, boosting the environmental benefits even further. With 20% more power available, manufacturers can offer increased functionality in their devices, while the increased efficiency also opens up self-charging as an attractive option for even more products.
In addition to Powerfoyle Indoor, Exeger also offers Powerfoyle Hybrid. This was the first commercial platform and is designed to be integrated into products that benefit from using both indoor and outdoor light for charging, such as the recently launched self-powered Bluetooth speaker, Urbanista Malibu. Both versions of Powerfoyle can be seamlessly integrated into customer products thanks to the customizable features ranging from free-form shape, textures, thickness, and finish.
In 2023 alone, Exeger signed partnership deals with several world-renowned brands, including 3M, TP Vision (the company responsible for design, manufacturing, and sales of Philips branded TV and audio products), the world’s largest computer peripherals manufacturer, and one of the top 5 brands globally.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has recently signed a loan agreement of up to 35 million Euros with the Swedish company. The operation is backed by InvestEU, the financing instrument designed for EU policy priorities between 2021 and 2027. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute to EU policy goals.
www.onio.com
www.exeger.com
