16/12/2024

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have unveiled a breakthrough in materials science: soft, stretchable “jelly batteries.” These flexible batteries, inspired by electric eels, have potential applications in wearable devices, soft robotics, and even biomedical implants, such as drug delivery systems for conditions like epilepsy.

Image: A pair of hands holding a flexible, colorful strip made of jelly-like segments in red, blue, and green, representing the jelly batteries; Copyright: University of Cambridge

The developed soft, stretchable ‘jelly batteries’ can be used in different areas of application.

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The design of these jelly batteries mimics the electrocytes. The batteries are made from hydrogels, which are 3D polymer networks containing over 60 percent water, as the core material. By charging the hydrogels and layering them using sticky, Lego-like structures, the team created batteries capable of conducting electricity and stretching up to ten times their original length without compromising performance.

Key features

Ion-Based Conductivity: Unlike traditional electronics that rely on metallic components and electrons, these batteries use ions as charge carriers.

Reversible Bonds: Strong adhesion between layers is achieved through molecular "handcuffs" called cucurbiturils, ensuring durability and conductivity even under stress.

Applications in medicine and beyond

The properties of these jelly batteries make them promising candidates for biomedical applications. “We can customise the mechanical properties of the hydrogels so they match human tissue,” said Prof. Oren Scherman, Director of the Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, who led the research in collaboration with Prof. George Malliaras from the Department of Engineering. This compatibility reduces the risk of implant rejection or scar tissue formation.