Spray-On Battery Could Slip Power Into Tighter Spaces
By Rachelle Dragani
TechNewsWorld
06/29/12 5:00 AM PT
Designers of mobile devices often have to work around bulky lithium-ion batteries, some of which take up the lion's share of space inside a given gadget. Researchers at Rice University, though, have developed a battery that can be painted onto a surface. The technology still requires more development before it's commercially viable, but if it's sufficiently improved it could also be used in applications like solar cells.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a paint that works as a battery, and it could change the way batteries are produced and reduce energy storage restrictions.
The paint-on battery is similar in material balance to traditional lithium-ion batteries. It has five layers -- a positive and a negative current collector, a cathode, an anode and an ion-conducting separator in the middle.
But unlike typical lithium batteries, a perfected paint-on version wouldn't carry the same restrictions in design that traditional batteries do. Each layer is sprayed on rather than pieced together.
As consumer electronic products such as smartphones and tablets get smaller and thinner, engineers struggle to fit a long-lasting, traditional battery into tighter spaces. A painted battery could alleviate those design restrictions.
Additionally, as scientists explore alternative forms of energy and look to add batteries to new technologies such as solar panels or textiles, a versatile, spray-on battery has the potential to eliminate further design frustrations.
"Paintable batteries have the capability of direct and seamless integration with objects," Neelam Singh, lead author on the study, told TechNewsWorld.
Researchers tested the paint layers on ceramics, glass and stainless steel on a variety of shaped surfaces to see how they would react to the different structures.
By Rachelle Dragani
TechNewsWorld
06/29/12 5:00 AM PT
Designers of mobile devices often have to work around bulky lithium-ion batteries, some of which take up the lion's share of space inside a given gadget. Researchers at Rice University, though, have developed a battery that can be painted onto a surface. The technology still requires more development before it's commercially viable, but if it's sufficiently improved it could also be used in applications like solar cells.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a paint that works as a battery, and it could change the way batteries are produced and reduce energy storage restrictions.
The paint-on battery is similar in material balance to traditional lithium-ion batteries. It has five layers -- a positive and a negative current collector, a cathode, an anode and an ion-conducting separator in the middle.
But unlike typical lithium batteries, a perfected paint-on version wouldn't carry the same restrictions in design that traditional batteries do. Each layer is sprayed on rather than pieced together.
As consumer electronic products such as smartphones and tablets get smaller and thinner, engineers struggle to fit a long-lasting, traditional battery into tighter spaces. A painted battery could alleviate those design restrictions.
Additionally, as scientists explore alternative forms of energy and look to add batteries to new technologies such as solar panels or textiles, a versatile, spray-on battery has the potential to eliminate further design frustrations.
"Paintable batteries have the capability of direct and seamless integration with objects," Neelam Singh, lead author on the study, told TechNewsWorld.
Researchers tested the paint layers on ceramics, glass and stainless steel on a variety of shaped surfaces to see how they would react to the different structures.
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