Lithium-ion is the most prolific battery technology for energy storage in use today. From smartphones to Tesla cars, it is the gold standard in the industry right now.
Now, in a breakthrough that will further improve the lithium-ion battery technology, researchers at MIT have developed an ultra-long fiber-like rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The fiber battery could be woven into fabrics.
The new flexible battery opens a host of deployment possibilities
As a proof of concept, the engineers created an astonishing staggering 460 feet (140 meters) long battery. This is the world’s longest flexible fiber battery.
It could stretch much farther
Researchers say that the technology demonstrates that it’s possible to make a kilometer long highly durable fiber battery. It can charge smartwatches or phones, with an energy storage capacity of 123 milliamp-hours.
Ultra-long fiber batteries could be used in a wide variety of self-contained electronic devices that could be worn and washed like ordinary clothes. This technology could even be used to make 3D-printed batteries in almost any shape.
The fiber battery continues to power an LED even after partial cutting indicating that the fiber battery system is free from electrolyte loss and from short-circuiting.
