The KIMM research team led by Dr. Bongkyun Jang and Dr. Seungmin Hyun at the Department of Nano-Mechanics has developed a battery with high safety and stretchability by mimicking the design of the scales and flexible joints found in the structure of snake scales. Upon zooming in on the battery, one can see that it consists of a hexagonal battery and flexible electrical interconnections. The stretchable structure is realized by the flexible interconnections that can freely fold and unfold.
CREDIT: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM)
Stretchable battery technology mimicking snake scales has been developed by the research team at the KIMM Department of Nano-Mechanics. The research results have been published online in the prestigious journal Soft Robotics
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), an institute under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Science and ICT, has developed a flexible, stretchable battery that bends and stretches like a snake. This new battery is expected to have a wide range of uses, such as in energy storage technology and disaster situations, by applying it to various types of devices, from soft robots to wearable devices.
The KIMM research team, led by Senior Researcher Dr. Bongkyun Jang and Principal Researcher Dr. Seungmin Hyun at the Department of Nano-Mechanics, developed a stretchable battery structure whose safety and stretchability are based on the structure of snake scales. On August 16th, the team’s findings were published online in Soft Robotics, a prestigious journal in the field of soft robotics.
* Title: Bioinspired, Shape-Morphing Scale Battery for Untethered Soft Robots
As was described with the boa constrictor that swallowed the elephant in the novella The Little Prince, a snake’s individual scales, while rigid, can fold together to protect against external impact. They also possess structural characteristics that allow them to be highly stretchable and move flexibly.
The KIMM research team developed the highly stretchable battery with an excellent stability and performance by fabricating the mechanical meta structure mimicking a snake’s scale. Unlike conventional wearable devices, in which the device’s frame and the battery are combined in a tight formation, this new technology enables flexible movement by connecting several small, hard batteries in a scale-like structure.
To ensure the battery’s safety, the research team also minimizes deformation of the materials composing battery by optimal design of the scale-like structure. Also, the shape of each battery cell was optimized to achieve high capacity per a unit size.
Designing the shape of the battery cell and the connective components were the key aspects of this technological achievement. Small, hexagonal battery cells, resembling a snake scale were connected with polymer and copper material that use a hinge mechanism to fold and unfold. This design also facilitates economical mass-production, because the battery can be made by cutting and folding flexible electrodes with a manufacturing process inspired by the art of origami.
This new technology can be implemented in energy storage devices found in wearable soft robots for humans, which require soft and flexible energy storage devices, or for those found in rehabilitation medical devices for the elderly and the sick who need physical assistance. In addition, these batteries are expected to be useful as power supply devices for soft robots that are used on site during disasters to help conduct rescue missions. Thanks to their ability to move flexibly and freely change shape, robots equipped with these batteries can be used to access narrow spaces blocked off by obstacles during such disaster situations.
In the future, the KIMM research team hopes to develop technology that can increase the storage capacity of soft energy storage devices. The team also hopes to develop multi-functional soft robots that combine artificial muscles with soft robot actuation technology.
Dr. Bongkyun Jang stated that, by applying the structure and design of snake scales, the KIMM research team developed a battery that is not only safe to use, but also retains its flexibility and stretchability. He also added that, down the road, he and his team aim to continue conducting follow-up research and development, so that this technology can be used for rehabilitation medical care and disaster relief and help ensure the health and safety of the general public.
Original Article: KIMM develops a flexible, stretchable battery capable of moving smoothly like snake scales
More from: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Flexible stretchable battery
- Ultra-high density battery vests give next-gen soldiers twice the energyon May 12, 2024 at 1:00 am
Amprius began shipping its remarkable silicone-anode batteries in 2022, laying claim to the world's highest-density battery cells along the way. It's now focusing attention on a unique use case: a ...
- The 8 Best RV Solar Panels Bring Sustainable Power Wherever You Roamon May 10, 2024 at 2:49 pm
A great RV solar panel, whether foldable or fixed on the roof, needs to deliver effective energy production and feature a rugged design that can handle dust and rain. If you’re packing up and hitting ...
- Data reveals big milestones for California's wind, water and solar power productionon May 1, 2024 at 1:40 am
Renewable energy sources have been consistently meeting the state grid's power demands for the past couple of months.
- Here’s how a Prince George’s Co. facility is making better, safer batterieson April 29, 2024 at 11:11 am
It might not be a stretch to say ... s known as a solid state battery — with a key component made out of ceramic. But while the material might be the same thing used to make your dinner dishes, it’s ...
- Flexible Battery Market To Surpass 1042.05 Million By 2031 Owing To Rising Demand In Wearables And Smart Deviceson April 24, 2024 at 6:47 pm
The increasing demand for smart cards, a staple in telecommunication, banking, and transportation sectors for payment applications, is fueling the growth of the flexible battery market.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Flexible stretchable battery
[google_news title=”” keyword=”flexible stretchable battery” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Stretchable battery
- DeWalt's battery-powered pressure washer is my favorite cleaning toolon May 12, 2024 at 1:00 am
While not as powerful as corded models, DeWalt's battery-powered pressure washer is way more portable and still retained enough power to give my stuff a deep clean.
- Samsung Galaxy A35 vs. Google Pixel 7a: Choosing your next mid-range phoneon May 11, 2024 at 1:00 pm
The Samsung Galaxy A35 is part of the company’s popular Galaxy A-series, which has produced many excellent midrange and budget smartphones. Google’s Pixel A-series has also done great in the midrange ...
- Purdue engineers designing country’s first road to charge EVs on the moveon May 11, 2024 at 3:55 am
A quarter-mile stretch of U.S. 231 which passes in front of an INDOT facility near West Lafayette will by next year be ready to host experiments to test a patent-pending ...
- E-Bike Battery Ignites Fire at Mackinac Island Dorm, One Hospitalized, 30 Displacedon May 10, 2024 at 1:56 pm
An e-bike battery caused a fire in an employee dorm on Mackinac Island, injuring one and displacing 30 residents.
- Battery Park Resilience Project Breaks Groundon May 10, 2024 at 5:00 am
New York City broke ground this week on a coastal resilience project that will protect Battery Park and the adjacent area from future storm surges, reports Vanessa Murdock for CBS News.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Stretchable battery
[google_news title=”” keyword=”stretchable battery” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]