Swedish scientists have created a revolutionary “toothpaste-like” battery that can be moulded into any shape, potentially transforming the development of wearable devices, medical gadgets, and robots.
Previous efforts to make stretchable batteries involved rubbery composites or sliding connections, but these designs often resulted in thicker electrodes, increasing rigidity as the battery size grew.
Researchers from Linkoping University have overcome this issue by using conductive plastics and lignin, a sustainable byproduct from paper production, to create a flexible battery.
Aiman Rahmanudin, co-author of the study published in Science, stated, “We’ve solved this problem, and we’re the first to show that battery capacity isn’t affected by rigidity.” He also mentioned, “The material has a texture similar to toothpaste, and it can be shaped into any form using a 3D printer, paving the way for new technologies.”
So far, stretchable batteries have mostly relied on rare and environmentally harmful materials. But scientists at Linköping University have found a greener alternative. “Our battery uses conjugated polymers and lignin—materials that are widely available and sustainable,” explained Mohsen Mohammadi, the lead researcher.
Their prototype can be stretched to twice its length and still perform efficiently, even after 500 charge-discharge cycles. This flexibility opens the door for new possibilities in wearable tech and soft robotics.
The study notes that the battery’s soft, fluid-like texture allows it to take any shape, making it ideal for next-gen devices that require flexibility.
While the current version only delivers 1 volt, less than 8% of a standard car battery, the researchers are optimistic. They believe that using common metals like zinc or manganese could help boost its power while keeping the flexibility intact.
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