Chinese scientists have developed bendable batteries

Beijing. June 6. Silkroadnews - Chinese scientists reported they invented bendable lithium-sulfur batteries, laying the foundation for creation of flexible smart devices, China Daily wrote.
Traditional batteries are produced by pouring liquid electrolytes into solid electrodes, but a new method allows electrolytes to be placed in ultra-thin metal layers to form three-dimensional networks in fabric-like materials.
According to Zhang Hongzhang, a researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, bendable batteries based on this new approach can increase the initial specific discharge capacity up to 1600 mAh, which is five times more than most commercial lithium batteries on the market.
Zhang said these batteries should be more stable and resilient, and when used in smart devices, such as mobile phones, they could be twisted and bent while still storing a large amount of charge.
“These batteries are light and have high energy density. The means of making them is cost effective and can be applied for mass production in the future,” Zhang said.