Patent Application Trends Of Next Generation Batteries

"Net zero emissions" is a buzz word and a challenge every country is facing. In our newsletter of December 2020, we introduced an excerpt of the joint article by IAC and EPO, "EPO-IEA study: rapid rise in battery innovation playing key role in clean energy transition". As of 2021, Japan has set up a goal of zero net emissions by 2050. The use of renewable energy and electric vehicles is indispensable for realizing a carbon-free society, and the development of rechargeable battery technology is getting more attention. This article focuses on and analyzes four types of next-generation rechargeable batteries (which use materials other than lithium): potassium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, magnesium batteries and calcium-ion batteries, with regard to their patent applications to the JPO.