Researchers have created an ultra-thin, high-performance, flexible battery which could be used in smartphones and wearable products.
The effort was made by researchers at Rice University in Houston, Texas, and was achieved by generating high performance electrodes using a 900 nanometer fluoride nickel layer as a substrate in which 5 nanometer nanometers were etched.
They then enclosed the electrodes in an electrolyte made of potassium hydroxide in polyvinyl alcohol.
According to the Rice scientists, the device it has the ability to behave like a battery, although its structure resembles that of a super-capacitor.
In particular, it can be charged and discharged very quickly, such as a super capacitor, or it can be charged at a slower rate by offering slow discharge, behaving like a battery.
The device has a thickness of one centimeter of an inch and was measured to be able to maintain 76% of its original capacity after 10.000 charges-discharges and 1.000 bends. Energy efficiency was measured at 384 Wh / kg, while power output was measured at 112 kW / kg.
The specific technology it could be used in wearable devices, due to its low weight and compact dimensions, but also in flexible electronic devices, such as future smartwatches and smartphones.
Rice researchers are already in discussions with several Companies, who showed interest in introducing this technology into mass production. The study was published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Source: naftemporiki.gr
