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Flexible material allows free molding and expands possibilities for wearable electronics, sensors and device design
Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have developed a soft, flexible battery that can be molded into any shape. It has been successfully used to power a red LED, working both in its natural state and when twisted or stretched. innovation could pave the way for new formats in portable and wearable electronics.
A solution for the future of technology
Batteries are essential for many modern devices, including cell phones, pacemakers, laptops and health sensors. However, the rigidity of traditional batteries prevents devices from shrinking further. This limits the design and convenience of increasingly smaller devices.
With the advancement of technology, it is expected that one trillion devices will be connected to the internet in the next few years. Many of these will be soft robots, smart clothing and wearable devices.
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For this to work well, these technologies need to operate without disrupting users’ daily lives. That’s why flexible batteries that can adapt to different shapes can be essential.
Battery with liquid electrodes
The Swedish innovation uses liquid electrodes instead of solid ones. This allows the battery to have a more fluid and adaptable structure. Aiman Rahmanuddin, assistant professor at the university, explained that “batteries are the largest component of all electronics. Today, they are solid and quite bulky. But with a soft and adaptable battery, there are no design limitations. It can be integrated into electronics in completely different ways and adapted to the user.. "
Previous attempts to create this type of battery used liquid metals such as gallium, which served as the anode. However, this material had the risk of solidifying during use, which made its practical application difficult.
Use of sustainable materials
To overcome these challenges, researchers at the university’s Organic Electronics Laboratory used conjugated polymers and lignin. Lignin is a byproduct of the paper industry, making the material more sustainable.
Rahmanuddin explained that polymers, such as PEDOT and PACA, were synthesized in the lab, with a focus on avoiding scarce or hazardous metals.
According to Mohsen Mohammadi, a postdoctoral researcher who also participated in the project, the use of lignin contributes to a more circular model of production. “By reusing a byproduct like lignin into a high-value commodity, such as a battery material, we contribute to a more circular model. Therefore, it is a sustainable alternative.”, He stated.
The texture of the battery has been described as similar to toothpaste. This means that it can be 3D printed to take on any shape required. Flexibility is one of the design’s great strengths.
Flexible battery endurance and performance
The tests showed that the flexible battery was charged and discharged 500 times without loss of performance. In addition, it was stretched to twice its size and continued to function normally. This resistance is important for applications in wearable devices, which require durability and adaptation to the human body.
Despite the good results, the battery still has an important limitation: its current voltage is only 0,9 volts. To make it more useful in various applications, the researchers are now working on ways to increase this voltage.
Next steps in research
The team is exploring adding new components to improve battery performance. One option is using metals such as zinc or manganese.
According to Rahmanuddin, these metals are abundant in the Earth's crust and can operate in non-toxic aqueous electrolytes, making them suitable for wearable electronics.
Development of the new battery is ongoing, but early results indicate that it could represent a significant change in the way we use and design electronic devices.
The combination of flexibility, strength and sustainable materials highlights the potential of flexible batteries for different sectors.
With information from Interesting Engineering.
