Ultra-low-power design: harvesting & storage for tags & sensor nodes

Solid-state batteries can give BLE labels a technical advantage by combining high energy density with high power density in an ultra-thin, flexible form factor.

This is relevant because BLE labels need short, strong current peaks during transmission, while still achieving long overall runtime. BTRY’s solid-state battery technology can support these power pulses and remain suitable for low-energy, long-life operation.

The technology is also well suited for combination with energy harvesting solutions. Harvested energy can support or recharge the system, while the battery provides power when communication events require higher current.

With an ultra-flat design of only 0.1 mm and a flexible structure, the batteries fit well into smart labels, wearables, medical devices, and other thin IoT devices.

Solid electrolytes can also improve safety by reducing the risk of leakage or overheating. Target markets include IoT, MedTech, and consumer electronics, with strong potential in rechargeable BLE labels, LoRaWAN trackers, and compact energy-harvesting devices.

As Bluetooth LE expands toward billions of connected devices, energy harvesting and Ambient IoT are becoming essential for sustainable, battery-free systems. This session explores how miniaturization, open standards, and ecosystem collaboration can reduce battery dependence while enabling scalable applications in retail, healthcare, and smart environments.

OPV harvesting makes smart labels and IOT independent of battery replacements — but only if the light profile, energy storage, chip, and transmission interval are properly aligned. Dracula Technologies will present the latest advances in low‑light organic photovoltaic (OPV) energy harvesting that enable smart labels and IoT functions to operate without batteries.

This session will show how energy‑autonomous systems can unlock richer consumer experiences, support real‑time product information and improve sustainability by eliminating disposable power sources. 

Takeaways:

• Why OPV is particularly relevant for indoor and low-light scenarios

• What design limitations exist for battery-free BLE/RFID labels

• How OPV, energy buffers, and communication intervals work together

• Which applications become possible in logistics, retail, healthcare, and smart packaging

Chipless RFID: Operating Principles, Current State of Research, and Remaining Challenges

How can objects be identified without a silicon chip? Chipless RFID uses electromagnetic signatures instead of integrated circuits—an approach with enormous potential for mass identification. The presentation explains the physical principle, compares the technology with classic RFID and optical identification, and shows where research and development stand today. The focus is on key hurdles such as data density, susceptibility to interference, and the lack of standards, as well as current approaches from industry and research.