Tech & Sci
18:23, 13-Aug-2017
Chinese scientists working on batteries powered by tears
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A new kind of flexible batteries that can run on "safer" saltwater has been successfully developed by Chinese scientists, making wearable and medical devices less risky in case of battery leakage.
The electrifying new finding by scientists from Shanghai-based Fudan University was published earlier this week in the journal Chem.
"In order to meet the safety requirement of wearable and medical devices, we aim to develop less harmful batteries for a long time," said Wang Yonggang, the research team leader.
Wang pointed out that the lightweight batteries could be folded in about 50 times, reducing the leakage risk of electrolytes－the substance in which electric current is carried by the movement of ions.
At the same time, the new flexible batteries are powered by relatively harmless liquids such as saltwater or normal saline solutions. Compared to traditional flexible batteries powered by strong acidic substances or toxic chemicals, the electrolytes of the new batteries will not hurt people if they leak.
Saltwater such as tears could be used to power batteries. /VCG Photo
Saltwater such as tears could be used to power batteries. /VCG Photo
Traditional electrolyte solutions are corrosive, flammable and even toxic. When a wearable device is broken and its battery leaks, the harmful chemicals have the ability to cause damage to the wearer.
According to Wang, scientists experimented with various types of electrolyte solutions. Besides normal saline solutions, sodium sulfate, which is mainly used for the manufacture of detergents, is also one of the good choices.
In addition, the new batteries come in two different forms, said Wang. One looks like a strip of tape and the other is composed of two tiny threads made of carbon nanotubes.