Industry Analysis Case Study

Mobile Information Technology and Communication Devices: The Energy Crisis

OR

Abstract:
Mobile information and communication devices are instrumental in fulfilling the modern day needs of flexibility, mobility, communication and convergence. Conceding to the customer demands for more sophistication and convenience, the mobile device manufacturers are incorporating advanced features resulting in the emergence of mobile phones with camera, music player and colour screen, laptops and notebook computers with powerful microprocessors. But the technology of rechargeable batteries, required to power these features, is not progressing equally, thus creating a power gap. The insufficient power supply is gradually emerging as the Achilles' heel in the progress of the communications industry. The delay in development of other viable alternatives to meet this power gap is further worsening the situation, posing the threat of an energy crisis for the future that could lead to stagnation of advancements in mobile devices.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To highlight the technological advancements in the mobile information and communication devices, the evolution of rechargeable batteries that power the mobile devices, and the reasons for an impending energy crisis
• # To discuss the viable measures to deal with the impending energy crisis.

Keywords : Mobile communication electronic devices; Mobile information technology devices; Energy sources for electronic devices; Battery technologies; Rechargeable batteries; Nickel metal cadmium batteries; Industry Analysis Case Study; Lithium ion polymer batteries; Fuel cell technology; Power-hungry mobile devices; New generation portable devices; Portable power sources; 3G (third generation) and 4G (fourth generation) communication technologies; Advanced features in electronics; Power gap and energy crisis; Battery technology innovation