Batteries with perforations may improve wearability more than cotton.

The flexible battery pouch filled with strategically placed holes is more breathable than cotton. This may be the ideal power supply for wearable sports and fitness devices built directly in clothing.

“This is especially convenient for athletes wearing electronic devices for a long time. It is a smart clothing for similar applications that require both fitness tracking, medical monitoring devices, and reliable performance.” Say. LIN XU At Yale University.

To design a new battery, XU and his colleagues have created a long rectangular hole pattern on a pouch cell battery. This is a type of lithium battery similar to a flat bundle with a limited bending ability. The simulation shows whether the arrangement of a rectangular hole is stretched or folded 180 degrees compared to the pattern of alternative holes including square and circles.

“One task was to maintain enough active materials to keep the battery energy density high. Masu. “It was necessary to balance mechanical elasticity and electric performance.”

If you stretch 10 % or fold, the design of a strong battery can resist physical stress and withstand power bulbs. Stretching and folding experiments were executed 100 times, respectively. Tests with temperature and humidity showed that the battery was twice as breathable as cotton.

As a practical demonstration for possible use, researchers have woven the battery into a white coat and tested the performance while the wearer was running around. The holes can quickly disrupt the heat of the battery, so they do not feel pain or sweat on the wearer's skin.

Since the battery still requires more wear tests, researchers plan to test their performance on commercial health monitoring devices and sports equipment.

We are also investigating ways to optimize production. Automated manufacturing must provide consistent holes and sealing to avoid the leaks and shorts of battery pouches.