Scientists in Sweden have invented a new “toothpaste-texture” type battery that can take any shape which could potentially change the way the next-generation wearable gadgets, medical devices and robots are developed.
Previous attempts to manufacture stretchable batteries have been based on developing rubbery composite materials that can be stretched out or connections that slide on each other. However, in most instances, a large battery with more active materials meant thicker electrodes which contributed to higher rigidity.
Researchers at Linkoping University set out to solve this problem and came up with a novel solution. The scientists based their malleable battery on conductive plastics and lignin, a sustainable byproduct from paper production.
“Here, we’ve solved that problem, and we’re the first to show that capacity is independent of rigidity,” said Aiman Rahmanudin, co-author of the study, published in the journal Science.
“The texture is a bit like toothpaste. The material can, for instance, be used in a 3D printer to shape the battery as you please. This opens up for a new type of technology,” he added.
Scientists in Sweden have invented a new “toothpaste-texture” type battery that can take any shape which could potentially change the way the next-generation wearable gadgets, medical devices and robots are developed.
Previous attempts to manufacture stretchable batteries have been based on developing rubbery composite materials that can be stretched out or connections that slide on each other. However, in most instances, a large battery with more active materials meant thicker electrodes which contributed to higher rigidity.
Researchers at Linkoping University set out to solve this problem and came up with a novel solution. The scientists based their malleable battery on conductive plastics and lignin, a sustainable byproduct from paper production.
“Here, we’ve solved that problem, and we’re the first to show that capacity is independent of rigidity,” said Aiman Rahmanudin, co-author of the study, published in the journal Science.
“The texture is a bit like toothpaste. The material can, for instance, be used in a 3D printer to shape the battery as you please. This opens up for a new type of technology,” he added.