Described as a groundbreaking technology, it combines low-light Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) energy harvesting and electrical storage on a single flexible film. According to the company, LAYER Vault could help to revolutionise the electronics industry by providing a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional batteries, enabling unprecedented energy-autonomy for IoT and ultra-low-power products.
This technology marks a significant milestone for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), device makers, integrators and IoT solution providers, simplifying design processes and reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Many electronic device manufacturers are looking to eliminate batteries from their product design due to both environmental challenges and time-consuming battery replacement costs. The primary challenges when it comes to deploying large-scale battery-powered operations and solutions can be summarised in terms of integration, operational scale, and regulation, each of which can incur substantial costs.
This situation is particularly pressing for real estate companies and building servicing firms, as they grapple with the challenge of ensuring the longevity of devices and the need to reduce the overall TCO for devices like presence sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors.
Commenting Brice Cruchon, CEO and founder of Dracula Technologies, said, “We're dedicated to revolutionising battery-based electronics with a 100% sustainable energy source. LAYER Vault provides a genuine solution for eco-friendly energy autonomy, already proving its worth in IoT deployments where eliminating batteries is crucial for large-scale success.
“With our new Green MicroPower Factory, the largest in Europe, a fully automated facility equipped with inkjet printing technology, we are set to produce up to 150 million cm² of OPV devices annually and positioned to serve high-volume IoT customers.”
Dracula Technologies' organic photovoltaic technology complements sensors based on the LoRa communication protocol which has become the de facto wireless platform for the IoT.
Developed by Semtech LoRa provides long-range capabilities and low-power features. Semtech is a strategic partner and investor in Dracula Technologies.
LAYER Vault is a patented solution produced with OPV inkjet technology, tailored for ultra-low-power electronics, and designed for low-light conditions (sub 500 lux). It offers an unlimited, 100% energy supply and storage based on organic materials without using rare earths or toxic materials. This very innovative product will reduce the reliance on conventional batteries and circumventing related production and use regulations.
The energy storage layer in LAYER Vault complements Dracula Technologies' existing OPV harvesting product line, transforming it into a 2-in-1 product. The OPV LAYER harvests ambient light for low-power devices, while the energy storage layer ensures autonomy by storing energy for power consumption during periods without ambient light.
