The new type of battery uses our body’s movement in order to create electrical energy.
In a time dominated by portable devices, coming up with the best battery that can maintain a balance between power output and increased lifespan can be a tricky business. But it would seem the answer to our riddle will come sooner than anticipated. Motion-powered batteries are around the corner, and their applications are far too numerous to count.
In the past, there have been numerous attempts to devise portable power device that are capable of prolonging a device functionality. Back in December, Sony boasted that they are on the verge of developing their first working prototype of sulphur batteries, which are considered to be far superior to the common lithium-ion batteries.
Another example of devices capable of producing and storing electricity was a project which involved the transformation of urine into electrical energy, via an electrochemical process started by a bacteria. The device was supposed to fit in one’s socks. The only limitation was that the user actually had to urinate in order to charge his phone.
Looking to other vistas, it would seem that the researchers from MIT have figured out how to produce a new type of battery. According to their statements, the difficulty which arises when someone devises an energy storing device using mechanical power is that the end product tends to produce a small current output with short pulses.
Allegedly, the new type of battery will be able to harvest the energy from an individual’s movement and transform it into electrical energy. This means that if you have such a battery, all you have to do in order to recharge it is to take a quick stroll around the block.
Motion-powered batteries are around the corner and it would seem that they will still use the lithium-ion concept. This new type of battery can be worn around the arm on the leg.
So, how does the battery actually work? Ju Li, a professor at MIT, who is also the leading author of this study, had the courtesy of explaining the process. The battery is composed of two layers of lithium alloy foils. Between the two sheets of lithium alloy, there is a thin sheet of electrolytes.
When the user performs any type of movement, the lithium sheets compress, thus letting lithium ions through the porous polymer band composed of electrolytes. Such a device will come in handy if you want to recharge your phone or your tablet.
As promising as this project would seem, the team has quite a lot of work to do before the device can be used to power any device.
Photo credits:www.wikipedia.org
