Stretchable battery could safely power wearable devices

A research team from Stanford University has developed a battery that relies on a plastic to store power more than flammable material used in conventional batteries.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, indicates the stretchable battery will be able to safely power wearable devices. The polymer developed in this case is solid and stretchable rather than a gooey material which may be more prone to leaks.

Chemical engineer Zhenan Bao, who developed the device along with materiali scientist YI Cui, said: "Until now, we haven''t had a power source that could stretch and bend the way our bodies do, so that we can design electronics that people can comfortably wear.

"One potential application for such a device would be to power stretchable sensors designed to stick to the skin to monitor heart rate and other vital signs.”

In lab tests, the experimental battery maintained a constant power output even when squeezed, folded and stretched to nearly twice its original length.

The prototype is thumbnail-sized and stores roughly half as much energy, ounce for ounce, as a comparably sized conventional battery.