Radio Frequency Identification Technology for Logistics, Tagging and EPC

Eco-friendly battery-powered RFID

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Printed electronic technology such as RFID antennas and tags are predicted to revolutionize sectors of the portable electronics industry, reports Electronic Products & Technology. To process applications, many RFID draw on thin, flexible carbon-zinc batteries, as a primary power source. The batteries are not rechargeable, but they are relatively low in cost and safely disposable.

Conventional button or coin cell batteries contain lithium, mercury or other potentially hazardous chemicals. However, the thin printed batteries used in powering RFID make use a lead-free, carbon-zinc. They contain no toxic substances and meet full compliance of the European Union’s Restrictions on Hazardous Substances Directive.


RFID-enabled time and temperature monitoring systems are being increasingly used in the food industry as a means to ensure consumer safety, maintain quality control and reduce waste. One such system now on the market uses a sensor probe and battery-powered “smart” card to ensure cold chain compliance across the supply chain.

Similar systems are also useful for distributors of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, as an increasing number of new drugs being developed require strict temperature control to maintain their efficacy.

Battery-assisted passive RFID is said to extend read ranges and memory capabilities, as well as increase tag readability and accuracy - especially in applications that involve liquids and metals.

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The Basque National Health System has launched a neonatal security system designed to monitor and protect new-born infants using RFID technology.

When a pregnant woman is admitted to hospital, she is provided a tag with a unique identification which can be read in all the maternity zones. When the baby is born, an RFID tag specially designed for the new born is fitted to its ankle. The device monitors the infant 24 hours a day, detecting unauthorized movements, registering entries and exits to and from and enabling immediate location information.

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VingCard Elsafe announced new enhancements to the electronics and lock control units of its best-in-class RFID locking systems specifically designed for applications hospitality, hotel and resort security.

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SICK Group, a producer of sensors and sensor solutions for industrial applications, announced a range of new RFID readers and labels designed for identification in the automotive industry.

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Texas Instruments (TI) introduced a pair of encapsulated RFID mini-transponders designed for applications in animal tagging and asset tracking.

The 12mm TRPGR30TGC and TRPGP40TGC mini-transponders were developed to enable users a battery-free solution for embedding RFID tags into smaller objects across a broader range of applications. These transponders come ready-to-use and are 100 percent backwards compatible with all of TI’s RFID software and readers including power modules, control modules and micro readers.

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DigitalPersona has announced the launch a solution designed for use in battery-powered mobile biometric identification devices. The new solution, part of DigitalPersona’s U.are.U line called U.are.U 5100 series of fingerprint modules and sensors.

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VeriTeQ announced its plans to offer the FDA-cleared VeriChip microchip, a rice grain-sized passive RFID microchip, for the identification of breast implants and other medical devices.

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