Designed batteries that can be bent

Modern electronics manufacturers are increasingly began to pay attention to flexible displays. By the way, how do you feel about this kind of gadgets? Write your opinion in our chat in the Telegram. In any case, with a bending display devices such as Samsung Galaxy Fold, even longer if you want to buy. It is difficult to say whether this technology is the future development of mobile and not just technology, but any device in need of power supplies. The "gold standard" in this case are the lithium-ion batteries, which, as we know, not at all useful for cranking out. But it seems that a solution was found, because the team of researchers from Zurich created a rechargeable battery that can be bent repeatedly.

Flexible devices require an equally flexible batteries. Otherwise, this technology is almost does not make sense

How is a flexible battery

According to Sciencedaily publication, discovery belongs to scientists from the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH). We have developed a prototype of a flexible thin film battery, which can bend, stretch and twist even without interrupting the power supply. What makes this new battery special is its electrolyte. Electrolyte - is that part of the battery, through which lithium ions move when the battery is charged or discharged.

As of today, no one used exclusively flexible components to create a lithium-ion battery ", - says one of the leading authors of the ETH Professor Markus Niderberger.

Here is the prototype of a flexible battery

The cathode and anode of the battery (positive and negative contacts) are made of a flexible polymer made based on conductive carbon. It also serves as an outer shell. The inside is lined with a layer of silver battery plates, superimposed as tiling.

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Due to the fact that these plates are located "overlap", a loss of contact between portions of the battery does not occur even if the structure is stretched or twisted. Well, as the electrolyte, researchers used a special gel. Experts also emphasized that this gel is more environmentally friendly than commercial analogs used in conventional batteries.

The new gel electrolyte contains water with a high concentration of lithium salt, which not only facilitates the flow of lithium ions between the cathode and anode during charge or discharge of the battery, but also keeps it from the electrochemical decomposition. This makes the battery more resistant to ignition and less toxic.

According to scientists, to optimize the operation of the new flexible battery more research is needed before it will be possible to consider the commercial application of the technology. After all, at this stage, flexible lithium-ion battery - it's only a prototype. First of all, a team of experts will need to increase the amount of electrode material that it can hold, which will affect the final container.

After all these "indecencies" battery without problems continues

As long as it remains an open question to what extent it is possible to increase the thickness of the battery cells and the amount of internal storage charge without loss of power and flexibility. There are many nuances and scientists need to find a "perfect balance" between all the components in order to manufacture flexible battery was justified not only in economic terms but also in terms of functionality.