This could transform the wearable technology landscape, enabling durable, flexible energy solutions for smart textiles and medical devices.
Researchers from China’s Jilin University have unveiled a design for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for wearable technology and flexible electronics. These batteries are not only soft and stretchable but can also heal themselves after being severed, paving the way for durable energy solutions in next-generation devices.
The team achieved this by developing an “all-in-one” battery configuration. The design integrates the electrolyte and electrodes through the dynamic imine bonds present in both. This ensures the battery’s stretchability and self-healing properties while addressing the delamination issues that typically arise during stretching.
The technology employs dynamic covalent polymers crosslinked by imine bonds, serving as electrolyte and electrode binders. The result is a highly flexible battery capable of elongating up to 220% of its original length without breaking. In addition to its stretchability, the battery showcases self-healing capabilities. During tests, prototypes that were cut in half were rejoined, healing themselves at room temperature. The restored batteries retained an average discharge capacity of 126.4mAh/g⁻¹ and successfully powered an LED.
This dual functionality of stretchability and self-repair is a significant advancement for the wearable tech industry. It offers potential applications in smart textiles, flexible medical devices, and other dynamic environments where traditional batteries fail.The team’s work could be a step forward in creating robust, long-lasting energy solutions tailored to the demands of future technologies.
The approach solves existing challenges in flexible battery development and opens avenues for integrating such batteries into everyday devices, ensuring durability and performance under extreme conditions. This innovation could become a cornerstone in the evolution of wearable and flexible electronics with further refinement.
