26 Feb 2013 | Sheng Xu, Yihui Zhang, Jiung Cho, Juhwan Lee, Xian Huang, Lin Jia, Jonathan A. Fan, Yewang Su, Jessica Su, Huigang Zhang, Huanyu Cheng, Bingwei Lu, Cunjiang Yu, Chi Chuang, Tae-il Kim, Taeseup Song, Kazuyo Shigeta, Sen Kang, Canan Dagdeviren, Ivan Petrov, Paul V. Braun, Yonggang Huang, Ungyu Paik, John A. Rogers
This paper introduces a novel design for stretchable lithium-ion batteries that can be integrated with wireless recharging systems. The batteries use thin, low modulus silicone elastomers as substrates and feature segmented active materials and self-similar serpentine interconnects, enabling reversible stretchability up to 300% while maintaining capacity densities of ~1.1 mAh cm\(^{-2}\). The self-similar serpentine interconnects, which are designed to accommodate large strains, ensure low interconnect resistances and high stretchability. The battery can be charged wirelessly without physical contact, making it suitable for applications such as wearable electronics and soft robotics. The design also includes a stretchable, inductive coil for wireless power transmission, allowing for convenient charging. The electrochemical and mechanical properties of the battery are detailed, showing excellent performance under various conditions, including biaxial stretching, folding, and twisting. The wireless charging system, integrated monolithically with the battery, operates efficiently at a frequency of 44.5 MHz, providing sufficient power to operate commercial light-emitting diodes. The overall design offers a significant advancement in stretchable energy storage technology, with potential applications in a wide range of flexible and wearable devices.This paper introduces a novel design for stretchable lithium-ion batteries that can be integrated with wireless recharging systems. The batteries use thin, low modulus silicone elastomers as substrates and feature segmented active materials and self-similar serpentine interconnects, enabling reversible stretchability up to 300% while maintaining capacity densities of ~1.1 mAh cm\(^{-2}\). The self-similar serpentine interconnects, which are designed to accommodate large strains, ensure low interconnect resistances and high stretchability. The battery can be charged wirelessly without physical contact, making it suitable for applications such as wearable electronics and soft robotics. The design also includes a stretchable, inductive coil for wireless power transmission, allowing for convenient charging. The electrochemical and mechanical properties of the battery are detailed, showing excellent performance under various conditions, including biaxial stretching, folding, and twisting. The wireless charging system, integrated monolithically with the battery, operates efficiently at a frequency of 44.5 MHz, providing sufficient power to operate commercial light-emitting diodes. The overall design offers a significant advancement in stretchable energy storage technology, with potential applications in a wide range of flexible and wearable devices.