A flexible battery is a super-fast chargeable battery, taking as little as 30 seconds for a full charge. It is a polymer based organic battery. This new technology combines the advantages of both traditional batteries and capacitors by offering both energy storage capability and high power output, with greater results.
It uses a new plastic polymer rather than metal as its cathode. The organic radical polymer used in the battery is in a gel state which conducts electric current throughout the surface. It is this gel-like structure of the plastic which gives the battery its flexibility. From the intense speed of the organic radical polymer electrode reaction, the salts travel through the polymer with ease and encounter little resistance, charging is accomplished in a record time of 30 seconds.
The uses for this new technology are endless. In size, it is smaller than an iPod Nano and 200 nanometres thick. Due to its small size and its low weight, it will greatly increase the portability and mobility of all devices today from cellular phones to laptops. All transportable devices which currently use a battery can be further miniaturized and will find its weight reduced. In most laptops today, the heaviest part of the computer remains the battery. For example, replacing this component by its comparatively weightless counterpart will further increase portability of laptops. Another physical characteristic is its pliant ability and flexibility, from which the name comes from, which implies it is not fragile, an essential characteristic for all portable devices which are often dropped and tossed around. Finally, all batteries today are a threat to the environment if they are disposed of with common household garbage and left to decompose in the soil. Special recycling programs have been created to collect used batteries. However, what differentiates flexible batteries from common batteries is that they are not made of destructive metal, but rather plastic. Its constitution makes it environmentally friendly and easily recyclable.
In conclusion, the convenient size and weight of the polymer battery, its flexibility, as well as its non-destructive nature makes it possible to use in infinite situations, bettering our everyday life. Up to date, its lifecycle is of 1000 charges, however due to its convenient size and weight it is not a problem for individuals to carry recharges on them. Furthermore, one must keep in mind that this technology is still being developed, which implies even more advancements will be made. A great future can be expected for this new procedure!
References:
-physorg.com, "NEC Develops New Ultra-Thin, Flexible Battery Boasting Super-Fast Charging Capability," available at http://www.physorg.com/news8853.html
-rsc.org, "Flexible battery power," available at http://www.rsc.org/AboutUs/News/PressReleases/2007/flexiblebatterypower.asp
-wikipedia.org, "Polymer-based battery," available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer-based_battery
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