Without the shape of a battery dictating the design of a cell phone or laptop, we could see many differently shaped electronics. That’s the theory at least, and one under investigation by Christopher Reyes and Benjamin Wiley, two researchers working on the development of 3D printed lithium-ion batteries.
Leading the research, Reyes and Wiley, both of Duke University’s Department of Chemistry, have additional resources from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University.
The hope is that just by using an inexpensive 3D printer, it’ll be possible to create lithium-ion batteries in any shape or size. By also 3D printing the electronic devices too, we could theoretically end up with a range of interesting gadgets.
But, before such fantastically impractical concepts as star-shaped cellphones can be realized, the researchers have to overcome a large barrier to make 3D printing batteries possible: the material. Polymers commomly used in fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers, such as PLA, are not ionic conductors…
Increasing the Ionic Conductivity of PLA
With the end goal of printing batteries on inexpensive commercially available 3D printers, the researchers turned their attention to making PLA a viable material.
On its own, PLA has a low ionic conductivity — not ideal for being a battery. The researchers addressed this conundrum by infusing it with an electrolyte solution. Furthermore they also added graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes — electrically conductive materials — to the compound in a bid to increase the printed battery’s overall electrical conductivity.
Despite the material modifications necessary to create a viable medium for the battery, the printer itself required no modification.
As a resulto f this work, the team has already been able to print an LED bangle braceletwith integrated lithium-ion battery. Impressively, the battery could power an LED for about one minute.
Of course, there is a long way to go before this product is ready for market. But, the researchers are continuing to increase the capacity of the battery. One idea for how to do this is to replace the PLA materials with 3D printable pastes.
Source: American Chemical Society
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