Direct-write Printed Flexible Batteries

Details

Event

2010-11-30

Speakers

Abhinav Gaikwad
Gregory Whiting
Brent Krusor
Ana Arias
Event

Direct-write Printed Flexible Batteries

Energy storage is required for many applications of flexible, printed electronics, and the ability to easily customize the power source is potentially useful. This is particularly true for disposable, mobile applications where flexibility is required. For these applications small capacities may be needed, but high driving voltages (~20 V) are often required due to the relatively thick, low k dielectric layers typically used in printed field-effect transistors. Since DC-to-DC up-conversion is presently non-trivial to achieve with printed electronics, in order to source these voltages many cells must be connected together in series. Using currently available products this would often lead to either a large footprint (if connected laterally) or result in a loss of flexibility (if cells are stacked vertically). As such, it is beneficial to tailor the battery properties, providing the necessary size, voltage and capacity for a particular application. Here, we show a method to achieve this using direct-write printing of batteries onto flexible substrates. A pressurized liquid dispensing system is used to drive a viscous solution through a fine needle in order to deposit the battery materials (current collector, electrodes and electrolyte). Using inks made from suspensions of metal(oxide) particles with polymer binders, an example of a printed zinc-manganese dioxide alkaline battery is shown.

Additional information

Focus Areas

Our work is centered around a series of Focus Areas that we believe are the future of science and technology.

FIND OUT MORE
Licensing & Commercialization Opportunities

We’re continually developing new technologies, many of which are available for Commercialization.

FIND OUT MORE
News

PARC scientists and staffers are active members and contributors to the science and technology communities.

FIND OUT MORE