Contemporary technological breakthroughs span a wide range, from macrostructures like the CERN particle accelerator, which has led to discoveries of elusive particles such as the Higgs boson, to feats of miniaturization like the camera the size of a grain of salt we recently discussed.
While microchip production has advanced to nanometer scales, the batteries powering future microcomputers are still lacking. A new foldable battery, resembling origami and the size of a speck of dust, aims to change this. It could potentially power microscopic devices circulating in our veins.
A battery that can be rolled up like a roller shutter
Traditional battery manufacturing involves “wet chemistry,” using chemical solutions to conduct electricity. However, in the microscopic realm, liquid use becomes impractical. Researchers at the Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany have developed a new approach to create a 0.04 mm2 microbattery.
This innovative prototype consists of two microchip layers with printed positive and negative solid electrode films. A solid electrolyte with conductive properties is placed between the layers. To increase the energy-generating surface area, micro-origami techniques cause the substances on these thin sheets to roll up into a cylindrically rolled-up shutter structure, similar to Tesla’s cylindrical batteries.
The next challenge: integrating microprocessors
Although not comparable to nuclear fusion reactor figures, researchers believe this battery technology, using microchip foils, could integrate microprocessors on the same scale. The rechargeable nanobattery could power today’s miniature microprocessors for ten hours, while processors requiring more energy density would need higher capacity batteries.
This prototype has not yet reached production but could potentially be manufactured at a reduced cost once the process is optimized. It could pave the way for a new generation of high-power microbatteries.
Alternative batteries: from paper to wireless power
Aside from extreme miniaturization, recent battery technologies have surprised us. For example, batteries printed on paper activated by moisture are flexible and biodegradable. Another innovative battery incorporates wireless charging using the same radio frequency spectrum as Bluetooth.
A noteworthy battery based on circular economy principles uses eggshells, leveraging the calcite in this organic material to produce an electrode for the first time. For more information on renewable energy and technological innovations, subscribe to our newsletter.
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