Experts at Nanyang Technological University have developed a new type of battery that can provide continuous power even when bent or twisted.
Currently, there are biodegradable disposable electronic devices, such as environmental sensors. However, the batteries used to power them still pose ecological problems. This is why a team of experts at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) has created a new paper battery that is completely biodegradable, as reported by New Atlas on December 14.
Research team with three versions of paper batteries. (Photo: Nanyang Technological University).
The 4 cm x 4 cm battery version can power a small electric fan for 45 minutes. The current produced is uninterrupted even when it is bent, twisted, or even cut.
At the center of the battery is a cellulose paper sheet, supplemented with hydrogel to fill the gaps between the cellulose fibers. This sheet acts as a separator between the two electrodes, anode and cathode, printed on both sides of the paper. The conductive ink used for the anode mainly consists of zinc and carbon black, while manganese and nickel are used for the cathode ink.
Once the electrode printing process is complete, the team immerses the entire battery in an electrolyte and then coats both electrodes with a thin layer of gold to enhance conductivity. The final product is about 0.4 mm thick and is decomposed by microorganisms within just one month after being buried in the ground.
“As decomposition occurs, the electrode materials are released into the environment. Nickel or manganese used in the cathode maintains its form as oxide or hydroxide, which is close to its natural mineral form. Meanwhile, zinc in the anode will undergo natural oxidation to form non-toxic hydroxide. This indicates that the new battery has the potential to become a more sustainable alternative to current battery types,” said Professor Fan Hongjin, co-author of the study alongside Associate Professor Lee Seok Woo.
In addition to use in disposable electronic devices, paper batteries can also be utilized for flexible electronics and smart fabrics. The research by the team at Nanyang Technological University was published in the journal Advanced Science.
