Maxell's Wireless-Charging Solid-State Module Targets Replacement of Single-Use Batteries

Maxell Unveils a Solid-State Wireless-Charging Power Module

According to НВ — Техно: Japan-based Maxell has developed a fully solid-state module that supports wireless charging and fits the standard ½AA form factor. This design directly addresses the common industrial need to reduce maintenance visits to remote or enclosed equipment. Engineered for industrial machinery, utility meters, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the power source is positioned as an alternative to conventional ER-style disposable lithium batteries.

Measuring 14.5 mm in diameter and 25.2 mm in height, the module delivers a nominal voltage of 3.6 V. An integrated wireless-charging circuit plus a boost converter allow the cell to be recharged inside a sealed housing. Maxell has also prepared two variants of the module:

• one rated for operation up to 125 °C;
• the other capable of withstanding temperatures as high as 150 °C.

Use Cases and Collaboration with House Foods

Potential use cases include temperature data loggers for food sterilization in commercial autoclaves. To evaluate the technical and economic benefits, Maxell is working with House Foods Corporation, testing the modules across actual production operations. No commercial launch date for the module has been announced yet.

The technology could substantially cut the frequency of battery changes in hard-to-reach locations, marking a meaningful improvement in the efficiency and ease of managing industrial equipment and IoT deployments.

Bringing wireless charging into industrial power modules could be a major step toward lowering maintenance costs and improving equipment reliability. Given the rapid adoption of IoT technology, Maxell's new product may see broad deployment across sectors that require continuous, safe power sources.

The cooperation with House Foods Corporation underscores Maxell’s commitment to validating and adopting new technologies in real-world manufacturing settings.