Researchers are receiving the media spotlight as they have developed the first-ever flexible paper lithium-ion batteries, energy storage units that can be bent like paper and made from wood.
The research was jointly conducted by Dr. Lee Sun-Young of the Korea Forest Research Institute (KFRI), part of the Korea Forest Service, and Professor Lee Sang-Young of the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). This is the first time in the world for researchers to develop such a novel technology that uses cellulose extracted from trees.
The flexible paper lithium-ion batteries are made by using electrodes and nanopaper separator membranes made from tree cellulose. Nanopaper is a new type of porous and flexible paper that reduces the cellulose to nanoparticle size. This "paper" can replace the existing separator membrane which divides the positive and negative terminals of a lithium-ion battery, which are currently mostly made from plastic.
Flexible paper lithium-ion batteries can function as batteries even when their shape is changed by external pressure. In the future, the technology could be applied to roll-up displays or to wearable electronic devices.
Dr. Lee Sun-Young of the Korea Forest Research Institute
Dr. Lee of the KFRI said, “The nanopaper separator membranes are made from natural resources, from trees. It can replace the existing lithium-ion batteries that use plastic separator membranes. This technology lets us take the first step toward the 'dream technology' of paper lithium-ion batteries.”
Professor Lee of UNIST said, “Flexible paper lithium-ion batteries reduce the risk of explosion or ignition which is caused by the change of the original shape of the battery. This battery can function better with more capacity and better ion and electron conductivity.”
The research results were published in the online edition of the international science journal Nano Letters on September 16.
The online edition of Nano Letters introduces the research results that looked into flexible paper lithium-ion batteries, on September 16.
By Yoon Sojung Korea.net Staff Writer Images courtesy of the KFRI arete@korea.kr