Low cost stretchable, washable batteries could enable rapid adoption of smart wearables, such as communication and health monitoring systems, into our daily lives.
Advantages
- Rechargeable, stretchable, washable, portable
- Safe and comfortable to be used in flexible wearable electronics
- Simple to fabricate
- Capable of being used as bending and stress sensors
- Low-cost and non-toxic materials
- Adaptable structure to different ion pairs – Available: Zn/MnO2, In Development: Li/Li+
Technology │ In an era of advanced computing and global connectivity, if wearable devices are to provide the range of comfort and flexibility users expect, they will require functional energy storage devices that are capable of undergoing various mechanical deformations. Molecular Mechatronics lab researchers have now revealed noteworthy advances on that front. Taking advantage of polymer material properties, the team has developed simple and scalable methods for fabrication of washable and stretchable batteries. Providing safety and comfort, these batteries can be integrated into smart wearables and a variety of flexible electronics, while maintaining their energy capacity levels throughout multiple stretch – strain cycles. Further advances are underway to enhance the mechanical and chemical performance of the developed technology.
Development Stage │ 
Current Work │ 
Table: Specifications for the Washable Stretchable Zn/MnO2 battery
