Apple’s iPhone display glass partner Corning gets into Ensurge’s next-gen battery tech
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In a move that I think will turn out to be extremely relevant to next-generation connected devices, Apple’s long-term glass partner, Corning, has announced a Joint Development Agreement with advanced micro battery tech company, Ensurge.
The intention is to commercialize ultra-high energy density solid-state microbatteries for the edge AI, industrial, and IoT markets – which is a pretty wide field that can easily include Apple products, potentially including visionOS glasses.
What it does?
The effort is particularly important for:
- IoT devices across all applications, from smart eyeglasses and AV/VR headsets to remotely deployed battery-powered IoT sensor nodes. These are currently constrained by the fixed sizes and limited capacity and charging speed of traditional Li-ion batteries, as well as the safety issues of having flammable liquid electrolyte.
- As AI processing moves from the cloud into edge products, these battery performance and safety benefits will become even more valuable, as well as the Ensurge battery’s unique approach to powering wireless connectivity through high-discharge pulses.
The agreements establish a framework for the two companies to integrate Corning’s Ribbon Ceramic materials and process technology with Ensurge’s solid-state microbattery architecture.
What they said
“Ensurge and Corning share a drive for excellence in innovation and manufacturing,” said Ron Verkleeren, Senior Vice President, Corning Emerging Innovations Group. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with Ensurge to help advance microbattery technology.”
“Collaborating with an industry pioneer like Corning represents an important strategic milestone for Ensurge,” said Shauna McIntyre, CEO of Ensurge. “Together, we’re applying Corning’s materials science leadership to Ensurge’s solid-state microbattery platform, creating a foundation for transformative advances that will power the next generation of smart devices.”
Based in San Jose, California, Ensurge pioneered thin-film batteries produced on high-precision roll-to-roll production lines. “These innovations enable new possibilities in form-factor-constrained applications across consumer, medical, and industrial markets,” the company said.
What it cost
Corning’s contribution includes process and manufacturing excellence, alongside deep materials science expertise. The companies hope working together will enable them to scale and commercialize their take on battery tech.
Corning shall provide up to $5m in engineering and other Corning resources to Ensurge, the costs of which shall be convertible into new shares in Ensurge. Corning has the option to invest an additional $10m in its new partner.
It is of course too early to speculate on what this might mean for Apple, but it can’t be ignored that the computer company is now looking to introduce new hardware specifications, including folding devices and glasses, and these may well benefit from advanced tech capable of being put into different shapes and sizes with lower risk of accident.
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