All-solid-state batteries | Adoption case studies

		Maxell's All-solid-state Battery "PSB401010H" Adopted for the Wireless Cooking Temperature Sensor Device "NICK" Jointly Developed by CO-WORKS and YOSHINOYA
		Started Demonstration Experiment for Visualizing the Cooking Process in Beef Cooker has Started at Selected YOSHINOYA Restaurants

The wireless cooking temperature sensor device "NICK"
using all-solid-state batteries

The Maxell’s all-solid-state battery "PSB401010H"
mounted on the circuit board (enlarged view)

The ceramic-packaged all-solid-state battery "PSB401010H" of Maxell, Ltd. has been adopted in the wireless cooking temperature sensor device "NICK" jointly developed by CO-WORKS Co., Ltd. and　YOSHINOYA CO., LTD. The "NICK" is equipped with a temperature sensor, a communication module, all-solid-state batteries and a power receiving coil, capable of measuring and visualizing the temperature of ingredients in cooking equipment within a range of up to 100 deg. C. A　demonstration　experiment using the "NICK" has recently started at selected YOSHINOYA restaurants.

In restaurants such as YOSHINOYA, various initiatives are underway to maintain and enhance food quality, including the management of cooking data and the optimization of the processes. The "NICK", jointly developed by CO-WORKS and YOSHINOYA, is a commercialized product of the solution "Beef Cooker ZENRYOKU Sensing^∗1" which won the open innovation program "Gyu-don Tech (Beef Bowl Tech)" hosted by YOSHINOYA. The device is being developed with the aim of sharing cooking data among restaurants and optimizing cooking skills and processes, which enables users to maintain high quality and provide stable products.

In order to measure temperature in the high-temperature range close to 100 deg. C, most conventional portable temperature sensors with communication functions have been designed with only the temperature sensor part encased in a probe (a needle component for insertion into the measured part), while the other main unit (including the battery and the electronic board) is separated from the sensor to mitigate the effects of high temperatures, which has led to limitations on installation locations.

Particularly, batteries may experience deterioration due to chemical reactions when exposed to high-temperature environments, such as 100 deg. C. Therefore, it is necessary to place the main unit of the device away from the temperature sensing component, in a cooler area. This requirement has restricted the design flexibility of the device. By adopting Maxell's rechargeable all-solid-state battery, the PSB401010H, as the device's power source, the operating temperature range has expanded, allowing for use in high-temperature environments, as the battery features high heat resistance^∗2. Furthermore, by integrating the temperature measurement sensor with the main unit, the device can now be placed more conveniently than the separated types, which we believe will contribute to increased convenience for restaurant staff utilizing the device.

The content of this web page is based on Maxell’s news release published on January 16, 2025.
The names of the companies and products mentioned in this news release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Beef Cooker ZENRYOKU Sensing: Name of the solution of sensing cooking condition in the beef cooker
High heat resistance: It is possible to discharge up to +125 deg. C. The heat resistance is high compared to that of general lithium-ion batteries.