Researchers at Nanjing University of Telecommunications in China have developed a new lithium-ion battery with remarkable flexibility, capable of extend up to 5000% of its original length without losing charging capacity.
The commonly known batteries are rigid and not very versatile in terms of shape. However, the evolution requires increasingly adaptable componentscapable of powering devices such as rollable smartphones, flexible displays and wearable monitors.
The elastic battery could be a revolution for the adaptability of batteries.
In response to these needs, a team of researchers, led by Professor Wen-Yong Lai, has developed a technology that makes each component of the battery elastic, turning batteries into fully moldable objects and long-lasting.
The process implemented includes the application of a thin layer of conductive pasteconsisting of silver nanowires, carbon black, and lithium-based cathode and anode materials, on a plate.
On top of this layer, comes then Polydimethylsiloxane applieda highly flexible material used for the production of contact lenses.
Subsequently, scientists added a highly conductive liquid based on lithium salt and other components necessary to form a stretchable polymer.
With exposure to light, This compound was transformed into a solid elastic film capable of transporting lithium ions and maintaining high extensibility.
Despite the impressive expansion potential, the new technology also features significant performance improvements, increasing the average charge capacity by up to six times compared to common averages when using a liquid electrolyte. Capacity stability during charge and discharge cycles was also shown to be superior.
Research, published in ACS journalhas demonstrated further advantages with the realization of prototypes using solid electrolytesobserving a greater consistency of operation even after 1000 charge and discharge cycles.
In the first 30 cycles of use, the performance of the solidified electrolyte has reduced by only 1%a significantly better result than the 16% drop recorded by systems using liquid electrolytes.
Although there is still room for improvement, the success of this study opens new frontiers for the integration of flexible batteries into modern electronic devices, realizing previously only imagined possibilities.
Nanjing’s innovative malleable battery could soon become a pillar for the new era of flexible electronics.
Source: www.tomshw.it
