InnovationLab and Evonik partner for printed rechargeable batteries
Printed electronics specialist, InnovationLab has partnered with chemical company, Evoknik to develop the fully printed, flexible, rechargeable, solid-state batteries. The batteries, which combine Evonik’s TAeTTOOz printable battery materials and InnovationLab’s high-speed printed electronics capability results in thin printed batteries that are more flexible, safer and more environmentally friendly than traditional metal-based batteries.
“Through our partnership with Evonik, we can now produce the first fully printable rechargeable battery using our volume-production printing process,” said Dr Christoph Kaiser, head of the Tech-2-Market department at InnovationLab.
Advantages include fast activation. “Because the Evonik material isn’t charged during the production process, you can power up the battery after printing – which means you can produce them in standard production facilities instead of a specialised environment, saving considerable costs,” explained Kaiser.
“We’ve also pioneered the easiest way to build up a rechargeable battery that’s not comprised of contaminants, making it the greenest of all battery platforms. It’s both easy to produce these new light and thin batteries, and it’s easy to dispose of them,” he added.
“Unlike traditional batteries, TAeTTOOz . . . . material technology . . . uses our patented redox polymers instead of metal or metal compounds,” said Dr. Michael Korell, head of New Growth Area Energy Storage at Creavis, the strategic innovation unit of Evonik.
Benefits derived from using these polymers are that they are free from liquid electrolytes and will not leak, and therefore eliminate the possibility of fire. “Our set of materials allow you to print ultra-thin, metal-free, all solid-state batteries on flexible substrates. . . . enabling high-speed production of safer, rechargeable batteries in the conformal shapes that fit naturally with fitness wearables, medical diagnostics, and smart labels for food packaging, supply-chain logistics, and other applications,” continued Korell.
InnovationLab is currently demonstrating its TAeTTOOZ-based printed rechargeable batteries for select customers. The batteries will also be exhibited by InnovationLab at LOPEC, the printed electronics event, which this year will be held online (23 to 25 March).
