KU Leuven develops fibre-shaped batteries for flexible textiles
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a new method for creating fibre-shaped batteries that can be integrated into textiles. Their innovation addresses long-standing challenges in flexible electronics and was recently published in Science Advances.
Traditional batteries are rigid, limiting their use in the growing realm of flexible electronics. Fibre-shaped batteries offer a promising solution, but until now, making them longer has significantly reduced their performance.
"On the one hand, the capacity of a fibre battery is currently limited," says Professor Jan Fransaer, a materials technology expert at KU Leuven. "On the other hand, when current batteries are twisted or bent, the contact between the anode and cathode is lost. This breaks the contact with the electrolyte, causing the battery to stop working."
The KU Leuven team has overcome these hurdles by developing a technique known as the synchronous twisting method. This involves twisting the fibre components in a way that ensures a stable arrangement and evenly distributes current, even under physical stress.
"We tested it a thousand times, and the battery continues to work," Fransaer says.
This advancement enabled the researchers to weave a fibre battery into the fabric of a tote bag, which they demonstrated could charge a smartphone. "The potential is very big," Fransaer says. "The batteries can be woven or embroidered into pieces of fabric. Our battery is 1m long, but in the best case, you could go up to 10 metres. If other materials are used, you could even go hundreds of meters."
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