China - Recent

Storyline:
Chinese scientists develop paper-thin batteries for electronic devices

[Voice_over]

It looks like a sheet of black paper, but actually, it's a paper-thin battery, developed by Chinese scientists from Northwestern Polytechnical University.

The paper-based electrode is made of cellulose carbon nanotubes and other active materials and is expected to be used on next-gen wearable devices and phones.

Researchers combined traditional papermaking and battery technology to create a product with excellent electrochemical properties, and that is extremely flexible and thin.

[Sound_bite]

Bi Jingxuan, PHD student, Institute of Flexible Electronics, Northwestern Polytechnical University:

"The material we use include the cellulose materials commonly used in traditional papermaking and some conductive and active materials used in the battery industry, such as graphite or silicon carbon as anode and lithium iron phosphate as positive electrodes. By combining them with some traditional paper-making skills, we made a paper-like electrode."

[Sound_bite]

Ai Wei, Professor, Institute of Flexible Electronics, Northwestern Polytechnical University:

"The flexible paper-based batteries feature high flexibility and bendability, which will promote the innovation of new electronic products. For example, by combining it with the existing flexible display technology, it will promote the development of foldable mobile phones and bendable electronic devices."

[Voice_over]

According to the research team, it will be fairly straightforward to mass produce the paper-based electrodes since the paper making industry is already firmly established.

Researchers say compared to traditional batteries, the new thin and flexible batteries will ultimately be more cost-effective, and eco-friendly.

[Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]