Energy Ink™ Moisture Dock enters final testing ahead of Q4 2026 demonstration
Strategic Elements (ASX: SOR) has announced that final testing has commenced on its breath-activated Moisture Dock demonstrator, which is designed to showcase its Energy Ink™ moisture-energy technology. The full system demonstration is planned for Q4 2026, subject to successful final testing.
In the planned demonstration, electricity generated by a custom Energy Ink™ cell pack within the Dock will charge a removable lithium-ion battery. This will occur without mains electricity, an external power supply or solar power.
The battery will then power a commercially available Nokia feature phone for a one-minute call, which the company describes as a simple, recognisable proof point that energy has been transferred.
The Nokia call traces back to a staged program targeting a breath-powered phone call, launched after prototype cells delivered more than 1,000% more energy from a single breath than ambient moisture-only systems.
Energy Ink™ is being developed by 100%-owned Australian Advanced Materials Pty Ltd, in collaboration with a materials science team at the University of New South Wales and other research and development partners.
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How the demonstration will work
The Moisture Dock is designed to show Energy Ink™ moving from a laboratory concept toward a visible demonstration of energy transfer. The sequence is deliberately simple.
Four-step demonstration sequence
- A discharged removable lithium-ion battery is inserted into the Moisture Dock.
- Breath is introduced into the Dock’s sealed chamber to establish the moisture conditions that activate the Energy Ink™ cell pack.
- Electricity generated by the cell pack passes through commercial e-peas power-management electronics to charge the battery.
- The battery is removed from the Dock and fitted to a Nokia feature phone, which is then switched on and used to make a one-minute voice call.
Trademark note
Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation. Strategic Elements has no affiliation with Nokia Corporation or HMD Global.
Engineered moisture explained
Energy Ink™ output depends on how wet the cells are. The Dock therefore controls moisture conditions, with the aim of making electrical output more predictable, a principle the company calls “engineered moisture”.
The Dock is an engineering demonstration platform, not a consumer charging product. Breath is introduced into a sealed chamber to establish the required conditions.
The same principle may be investigated in other settings where moisture is available in a defined or repeatable way. The announcement lists the following as illustrative examples for potential future investigation only:
- Skin contact or sweat in wearable patches
- Liquid droplets applied to packaging or diagnostic tests
- Buildings with controlled internal humidity
Final Dock design and engineering progress
Development work has completed the Dock’s breath-capture and moisture-management hardware, integrated it with the Energy Ink™ cell pack, and simplified the energy-transfer architecture. The design addressed the challenges of capturing and accumulating ultra-low-power output, managing losses through the circuitry, and enabling energy transfer into the removable battery.
| Design feature | What was done | Investor relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Breath-capture and moisture-management hardware | Development work completed and integrated with the Energy Ink™ cell pack | Supports the controlled moisture conditions the demonstration relies on |
| Intermediate supercapacitor | Eliminated, so electricity passes directly through the power-management circuit into the removable battery | Reduces component count |
| Modular cell pack and battery module | Designed to be interchangeable | Allows different configurations to be evaluated without redesigning the complete unit |
The Dock uses a prototype Energy Ink™ cell pack incorporating graphene oxide-based and metallic powder inks. Once the cells are fully wet and activated:
- The moisture-driven mechanism establishes most of the cell voltage.
- The metallic material supplies most of the current and is consumed during operation.
Further work is required to assess manufacturing processes and scale-up of the prototype inks. Potential partners may be sought to support material selection and co-development, or the adaptation of existing materials and manufacturing technologies.
Battery-free program and what comes next
In parallel with the Dock, the company is progressing a separate battery-free materials program targeting thin, flexible electronic formats. The program is evaluating alternative Energy Ink™ cell architectures, commercial and emerging materials, and potential collaboration opportunities, with a focus on stable, non-consumable battery-free systems.
Conventional batteries can add thickness, complicate assembly and introduce maintenance and disposal requirements. Evolving regulations for battery removal, replacement and recycling are expected to encourage manufacturers to investigate alternatives to conventional coin-cell batteries.
Battery-free technology could potentially support sound, lighting, displays, sensing, authentication and communication. The applications achievable will depend on the electrical output, operating duration and power requirements of the selected electronic components.
Timing
The full system demonstration is planned for Q4 2026, subject to successful final testing.
Further information on the Battery-Free Energy Ink™ Program will be released as appropriate. The announcement does not disclose financial figures or commercial agreements.
Strategic Elements is a registered Pooled Development Fund that provides patient capital to Australian innovation through wholly owned operating ventures. Its current operating ventures also include Stealth Technologies Pty Ltd, developer of the EdgeiQ operational intelligence and physical AI technology.
The structure provides eligible shareholders with tax concessions including tax-free capital gains and dividends. Investors should consider obtaining independent taxation advice.
For readers wanting to see how the other operating venture is progressing, our full explainer on the EdgeiQ gold producer pilot covers the $225,000 first commercial order and the 12-month underground mining trial in Western Australia.
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