Printed electronics still use conventional sources of power but this may change in the future with the newly developed printable batteries printed onto a surface with "nanotube ink" from the chemicals used in an ordinary battery.
Professor George Gruner and his team of researchers from University of California Los Angeles have developed printable batteries which are less than a millimetre thick. They are made by depositing a layer of nanotubes in the form of "nanotube ink" onto a surface. The layer acts as the charge collector, which removes current from the battery. A layer of nanotube ink is then mixed with manganese oxide powder and electrolytes, which carries charge within the cell and is applied on top acting as the cathode. Finally, a piece of zinc foil is applied, which acts as the anode.
"The batteries are similar to conventional batteries, with the electrically conducting nanoscale networks replacing conventional metals and electrodes," New Scientist quoted Gruner as saying.
Although the batteries were only tested at low power Gruner says his research team is working to increase power output and to demonstrate suitability of the designs for industrial production. The devices can be fabricated using a roll-to-roll or inkjet printing process, the essentials of what can be described as "printed power."
Possible applications include powering disposable devices, such as long-range RFID tags or small displays, the researchers say.
Professor Gruner is also Chief Technical Officer of Unidym Inc a company he funded in 2005 which focuses on nano-structured materials applications for flexible/transparent electronics. His awards include the Guggenheim and Alexander von Humboldt award, together with the "Technology Pioneer Award", given by the World Economic Forum. Dr. Gruner is the inventor of over 30 patents and applications.
Source: Unidym
The new technique has been described in the journal Applied Physics Letters. (ANI)
Source top image: Professor Gruner
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