Embed battery into ... paper

US scientists have invented a paper battery, extremely light and can be rolled up, used as a device to enhance power storage capacity for the electronics generation in the future.

The way the paper battery generates electricity is no different from the current lithium-ion battery technology, only that all of its components are "embedded" into a special, very flexible and stable paper.

The model of the paper battery is quite small, just enough to hold between the thumb and index finger, but it still manages to generate 2.5 volts of electricity, enough to run a small fan or light a fan. a light.

However, according to the authors, battery power can "upgrade" an easy way to operate any mobile electronic device.

" You can stack paper layers on each other to enhance the current generated, " said Robert Linhardt, a professor of biochemistry at New York's Renssealer Polytechnic Institute, a member of the research team.

" We tested with 10 layers of batteries, but there's no rule that you can't use up to 500 batteries at the same time. They can roll or fold into any shape, fit into any space. Which design you want is endless ".

High integration

With the manufacturer looking for ways to cram more features into the device (even though the device size is getting smaller and smaller), the pressure on shrinking the internal components of the device is also increasing. . In many cases, the main battery is the most bulky and the most difficult to shrink.

To find the way out, Professor Robert's team did not use tiny carbon or nanotubes as electrodes like regular lithium-ion batteries. Instead, they use ionic liquids as electrodes. The membrane between two main electrodes is cellulose or paper.

" This is a highly integrated device. The electrode is fully embedded in the paper. The end result is a device with a shape, weight and appearance that is just like paper ."

Paper batteries can operate normally at temperatures of 100 degrees Celsius and -30 degrees. In addition to hand calculators, cell phones and digital cameras, paper batteries are also ideal for cars, light aircraft and even canoes thanks to its ultra-light weight.

The materials used in sample batteries are not expensive, but experts are still looking for ways to deliver paper batteries to mass production at the lowest prices. They hope to be able to print paper batteries with a system like newspapers and magazines today.

Trong Cam