Researchers at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in Korea have developed an imprintable and bendable lithium-ion battery that they claim is the world's first, and could hasten the introduction of flexible smartphones that leverage flexible display technology, such as Samsung's Youm flexible OLED.
Samsung first demonstrated this display technology at CES 2013 as the next step in the evolution of mobile-device displays. The battery could also potentially be used in other flexible devices that debuted at the show, such as a wristwatch and a tablet.
Researchers at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in Korea have developed, what they claim to be, the world's first imprintable and bendable lithium-ion battery. The move should hasten the adoption of mobile devices with flexible displays, such as Samsung’s Youm flexible OLED, and potentially other flexible devices that are beginning to emerge.
Ulsan researchers had help on the technology from Professor John A. Rogers of the University of Illinois, researchers Young-Gi Lee and Gwangman Kim of Korea's Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, and researcher Eunhae Gil of Kangwon National University. Rogers was also part of the team that developed a breakthrough in transient electronics, or electronics that dissolve inside the body.
The key to the flexible battery technology lies in nanomaterials that can be applied to any surface to create fluid-like polymer electrolytes that are solid, not liquid, according to Ulsan researchers. This is in contrast to typical device lithium-ion batteries, which use liquefied electrolytes that are put in square-shaped cases. Researchers say this also makes the flexible battery more stable and less prone to overheating.
"Conventional lithium-ion batteries that use liquefied electrolytes had problems with safety as the film that separates the electrolytes may melt under heat, in which case the positive and negative may come in contact, causing an explosion," Lee told the Korean newspaper. "Because the new battery uses flexible but solid materials, and not liquids, it can be expected to show a much higher level of stability than conventional rechargeable batteries."
This potential explosiveness of the materials in lithium-ion batteries -- which in the past received attention because of exploding mobile devices -- has been in the news again recently in the case of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has had several instances of liquid leaking lithium-ion batteries. The problems have grounded Boeing's next-generation jumbo jet until they are investigated and resolved.
This is an interesting breakthrough in terms of mobile devices and paves the way for the next wave of displays, which will add flexibility to the already impressive innovation that exists. While I don't think this is quite such a revolutionary technology as the touchscreen, it will, once commercialized, have an impact on the future design of phones and tablets.
Elizabeth, I think it will go beyond phones and tablets. In the past year Design News has reported on various fabrics and clothing with embedded electronics. A flexible battery seems a perfect power source for smart clothing.
Duh, I didn't even think of that, TJ, but of course! And I actually reported on some of these electronic-embedded fabrics etc. It didn't occur to me at the time this would be a good application, but you're right, it certainly would make these types of things much more comfortable to wear by eliminating the need for a hard, bulky battery.
There are a lot of apps for a bendable battery aside from displays and touch screens, and they somewhat parallel the apps for bendable displays themselves: smart fabrics, wearable electronics, conformable signage, for example.
Ann, you are right. Wearable & portable electronic devices may be more benefitable because the devices become handier and hence easy to carry either in pouch or hand bag. How about the durability or life time of such cells/battery when it becomes bendable?
Mydesign, good point about durability. I don't know about the battery technology, since that's somewhat newer, but I began covering flexible electronics about 15 years ago in the technology's early days. That tech is pretty well established--just hasn't been visible until now since many of its earlier uses were inside consumer and other devices: like sport watches, for instance, and other small devices containing electronics. That's how we got circuit boards inside the small stuff. Point is, I think a) the durability problems have been pretty well solved by now for flex circuits, and b) they mostly go into short-lived products.
Ann, if they are targeting only short-lived products then its fine, otherwise durability is a major concern. I personally feels that such advantages has to pass to all level of electronic application, irrespective of it's a short/long lived products.
Liz, the flexible batteries would be great for some of the wearable medical systems you wrote about. An electronic patch on the arm or shoulder would definitely benefit from having a flexible battery.
Yes, Charles, exactly. That was what I was thinking as well. Anything close to the body should be flexible, as having a hard battery would just make it more uncomfortable to wear.
Great post Elizabeth. Also, I can see real application to RFID devices that are gaining greater use as complements and replacements for barcodes systems. These devices are dropping in costs and improving in effectiveness. Flexible battery technology is important and I would not be surprised if some form of commercialization is around the corner.
Thanks, bobjengr. I didn't think of that, either, but RFID is definitely another application of this technology as it increases in use. That is another technology that has been simmering for years and has taken a bit of time to catch on but you're right, it seems to be making real moves now.
Couple this with the flexible solar panels and LEDs that are in development and you could have a tent with pre-installed lighting and convenience outlets!
Watashi, I think that's a brilliant idea. I've heard about flexible signage and using flexible solar panels on windows, and now we have flexible batteries, but combining them all together into a flexible, foldable, stowable tent sounds great.
"I think that's a brilliant idea. I've heard about flexible signage and using flexible solar panels on windows, and now we have flexible batteries, but combining them all together into a flexible, foldable, stowable tent sounds great."
Ann, great idea. But I think humans won't be that much flexible because of strong backbone (grin). Now the question is whether we need a flexible device or tiny, hand devices?
Yes, Mydesign, that is always the question--whether we NEED any of these new-fangled devices. Well, as someone of the "less is more" persuasion, I would say we don't really NEED many things, especially new gadgets that will probably be quite expensive and end up in a pile with all the other gadgets we have. But will we want them and buy them? Probably. And are they cool and interesting to think about as we marvel over the cleverless of the design and the people working these devices? Most definitely.
Elizebeth, I would like to prefer an All – in – one device, which is more compactable and handy. Such all in one device can avoid the usage of many independent devices for each functionality.
Good point, I think I am with you there and am finding this out by having too many devices! I have both an iPad and a smartphone, and I find I use my smartphone much more and my iPad hardly at all, since I can do mostly the same things with my smartphone anyway. All in one is probably the best way to go, and the smaller and more flexible, the better.
Elizabeth, exactly. I think most of the peoples have a similar thought. Even am using my IPad rarely in house or office. Much of the usages are while travelling either to browse or watch movies.
Yes, I do know some people who swear by their iPads, but for me, the most helpful application I found was iBooks (because of my love of reading--I liked that I could have books on my device). But then the device for some reason is incompatible with my home WiFi network here in Portugal (and I'm not exactly techie enough to figure out how! Have had similar problems with Apple products and WiFi in Europe)...so I can't even download books! Quite an expensive toy not to be using it..
"for me, the most helpful application I found was iBooks (because of my love of reading--I liked that I could have books on my device)"
Elizabeth, then you has to use it. Eventhough I have the same Toshiba utility-e book reader, still I hadn't used it because I don't have habit of reading books
I do use it, Mydesign, when I can actually download books! I just have a big problem with my iPad not connecting to my Internet at home...but sometimes it works. I will troubleshoot and see if I can make it happen...thanks for the nudge! :)
"I do use it, Mydesign, when I can actually download books! I just have a big problem with my iPad not connecting to my Internet at home...but sometimes it works. "
Elizabeth, I think the issue is with your service provider. Either it may exceed the data quota or an issue with bandwidth.
Well I thought you might want to know, Mydesign...all it took was a simple rebooting of my iPad to get it to like the wireless network. So I am now able to use it with my WiFi! I remember always being snarky when an IT person at a company would tell me to "reboot" when I had a computer problem at work...however, it sometimes is the simplest fix that gets things working properly again.
Smart clothing would stay charged via body movement.
Batteries in you shoe soles could power everything you carry - flashlight, iPod, phone, for as long as you care to walk. The infantry could really benefit from this.
Batteries in your car springs would get energy from the bumps in the road.
Flags flapping in the breeze could sing thier own anthems.
You said "How?" didn't you? The word that spoils dreams!
Ann, now we have both the technologies, for flexible devices (flexible battery, screen etc) and tiny devices (small and wearable). So what I meant is which one is preferable for human advancement.
Elizabeth, it seems that now a day's all inventions are happening in a similar direction to bent the existing technology. Last month we read about foldable screen and now about batteries. Hope this will lead to a technology to bendable devices, so that we can bend and keep the device in our wallet or hand bag.
Interesting observation, and you're right. It seems for awhile that device design was going in the direction of thinner, smaller and more sleek. Now that a lot of companies have got that down, it's time to make them flexible. I look forward to see where this trend will take us.
True, Mydesign. I spent years (and still do sometimes) hauling around my bulky laptop on my back, to the detriment of my back, of course! Really look forward to the day when I can fold it up and tuck it away. More flexible material is much lighter as well.
Elizabeth, yes you are right. Now the question is when we can expect it or in reality. I think some of the latest offerings like thin client laptops can pave the way for that.
Wearable Li-ion batteries, that's cool, but won't be so cool if they overheat and light your heated jacket on fire! Laptops, Chevy Volt, airplanes, etc. are pretty good indicators that Li-ion has its drawbacks. Now, imagine, someone's kid gets burned, even a little bit while wearing his cool LED jacket, or the coat room burns up during a night out. Dunno...I think that Li-ion tecnology will have a ways to go yet before we can ubiquitously start putting it into flammable, wearable goods. Try putitng a 9V dry cell in your pocket with a bit of change...yeowch!
Just wondering if anyone knows about any significant work being done with the miniaturization of battery technology? Obvious product designs are managing energy usage like never before, and there is an emphasis on efficiency. I would think that smaller sizes would be a way to help achieve the goal of making mobile devices more portable wearable.
Good question, Al. Maybe one of readers knows of miniaturization work. I do know that all electronics manufacturers are knocking themselves out to reduce MCU current consumption, and therby reduce the number of batteries that are needed. I'm constantly hearing about devices that get taken down from two or three coin cells to a single coin cell.
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