Researchers in Sweden have developed a soft, flexible battery that can be formed into any shape.
Described as having a texture “a bit like toothpaste,” this new approach to batteries could have a huge impact if it ever becomes a mass-market product.
Currently, most batteries are solid and take up a lot of space within electronics, whether that’s a smartphone, smartwatch, laptop, or something else. But with a malleable battery that can take any shape, and potentially even be 3D printed, it opens up the possibility to shape batteries as needed and maybe even reduce how much space they take up inside electronics.
This isn’t the first attempt at a soft battery, though it does differ in major ways. Unlike other attempts that used mechanical features or rare materials that can be environmentally harmful to process, the researchers were able to convert electrodes into a liquid form.
To do this, researchers used a combination of plastics that can conduct electricity, called conjugated polymers, and lignin. Lignin is actually a waste product from paper production. By repurposing it, the battery is actually a more sustainable option.
The battery can be recharged over 500 times, even if it’s stretched to twice its original length. However, the researchers acknowledged there’s room to improve performance as the concept only has a voltage of 0.9 volts. For comparison, most AA batteries operate between 1.2 and 1.5 volts, while smartphone batteries are about 3.7 volts.
Still, the new battery tech is promising and could mark a significant change electronics are designed.
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