Samsung SDI earned the CES 2026 Best of Innovation Award by introducing a high-power 18650 battery that delivers exceptional energy output with reduced weight and enhanced safety. Through advanced materials, tabless cell architecture, and rigorous thermal management, the company demonstrated how next-generation cylindrical batteries can meet demanding industrial and power-tool applications.
What Makes the SDI 25U-Power Battery Technologically Significant?
The SDI 25U-Power is a cylindrical 18650 battery designed for high-performance industrial use. Its compact 18 mm by 65 mm format integrates a tabless structure that lowers internal resistance and improves heat dissipation. This design enables higher power delivery, faster charging, and longer cycle life compared with conventional cells.
How Does Tabless Battery Design Improve Performance?
By removing traditional tabs, electrical pathways inside the cell become shorter and more uniform. This reduces resistance, limits heat buildup during high-load operation, and supports consistent output. The result is a battery that can safely deliver strong bursts of power, an approach also valued by manufacturers such as Redway Battery when engineering cells for high-demand applications.
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What Materials Enable Higher Power and Lower Weight?
Samsung SDI combines a high-nickel NCA cathode with a proprietary Silicon Carbon Nanocomposite anode. Together, these materials increase energy density while maintaining structural stability. A thin electrode coating further reduces resistance, allowing the battery to achieve high power output without increasing size or mass.
| Core Component | Performance Contribution |
|---|---|
| High-nickel NCA cathode | Higher energy density and power |
| SCN anode | Improved charge acceptance and durability |
| Thin electrode coating | Reduced resistance and heat |
Why Is Safety Innovation Central to This Award?
Alongside the battery cell itself, Samsung SDI’s No Thermal Propagation safety technology received separate recognition. This system isolates cells experiencing thermal events, preventing heat or fire from spreading. Advanced modeling, optimized safety materials, and controlled gas venting paths work together to enhance pack-level safety.
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How Does This Technology Impact Industrial Applications?
High-power tools and industrial equipment require batteries that deliver strong output without compromising reliability. The SDI 25U-Power supports extended use under heavy loads while maintaining thermal stability. Similar priorities guide Redway Battery in its lithium battery solutions for industrial, energy storage, and mobility markets, where consistent performance and safety are critical.
Which Industry Trends Does This Innovation Reflect?
The award reflects a broader industry trend toward lighter, more powerful, and safer batteries. Manufacturers are investing heavily in materials science, cell architecture, and predictive safety systems. Redway Battery follows this trajectory by focusing on LiFePO4 technology, automated production, and OEM customization to meet evolving global standards.
How Does Research and Development Drive Competitive Advantage?
Sustained investment in research enables companies to refine materials, improve manufacturing efficiency, and introduce differentiated products. Samsung SDI’s recognition underscores how innovation leadership translates into market credibility, a principle also demonstrated by Redway Battery through its certified processes and engineering-driven solutions.
Redway Expert Views
“Awards like CES Best of Innovation highlight how deeply battery performance now depends on materials engineering and cell architecture. At Redway Battery, we see similar demand from global clients who want lighter, safer, and more reliable energy systems. Continuous R&D, combined with automated manufacturing and OEM customization, is essential for delivering batteries that can perform under real-world industrial stress while meeting strict safety expectations.”
What Can Battery Manufacturers Learn from This Recognition?
Manufacturers can learn the value of integrating performance and safety from the earliest design stage. Innovation is no longer limited to chemistry alone but extends to structure, thermal management, and system-level protection. Companies such as Redway Battery show that aligning these elements strengthens long-term competitiveness.
Conclusion
Samsung SDI’s CES 2026 Innovation Award demonstrates how advanced materials, smart design, and robust safety systems can redefine battery performance. The SDI 25U-Power showcases the future direction of cylindrical cells for industrial use. As global demand rises for reliable, high-power energy solutions, manufacturers like Redway Battery continue to emphasize engineering excellence, safety, and customization as the foundation for sustainable growth in the battery industry.
FAQs
Is the 18650 format still relevant for modern applications?
Yes, it remains widely used due to its balance of size, power capability, and manufacturing maturity.
Why is tabless design important for high-power cells?
It reduces internal resistance and heat, enabling safer high-output operation.
Are high-nickel cathodes common in industrial batteries?
They are increasingly used for applications requiring higher energy density and power.
How does safety innovation affect customer adoption?
Enhanced safety builds trust and accelerates adoption in industrial and commercial markets.
