LG Chem Cable Batteries to Reform Mobile Designs
LG Chem developed cable-type lithium-ion batteries that are so
flexible that it can actually be tied in knots, worn as a bracelet, or woven
into textiles.
For mobile device designers, the eventual commercial production of
such a battery would be a very big challenge in reducing design constraints.
Flexible batteries have been created before but made in flat sheets and have
not stored much energy. The LG Chem flexible battery is thin, very flexible,
and can be placed anywhere in any shape. Thin strands of copper wire are coated
with nickel-tin. The strands are made into a metal yarn and wrapped around a
rod. Once the rod is removed, a strong spring results.
When LG Chem used a fourth-generation iPod Shuffle for testing, the prototype successfully operated a red LED screen and MP3 player under severe twisting and bending conditions.
When LG Chem used a fourth-generation iPod Shuffle for testing, the prototype successfully operated a red LED screen and MP3 player under severe twisting and bending conditions.
When fourth-generation iPod Shuffle was used for testing, the
prototype successfully operated a red LED screen and MP3 player under severe
twisting and bending conditions.
The goal is to have this battery ready for the mass production. The day may come none too soon for device designers, who would be eager to work with more novel form factors but cannot because of the limitations set by batteries. They think the type of battery that is being developed by the company could potentially alter the device landscape.
The limiting factor in the area of portable electronics is the shape of the battery. In spite of efforts made to develop smaller, thinner and lighter batteries, it does not resolve the constraints owing to the flexibility of the products.
The LG Chem continues working on intending to test new anode materials, for the batteries to deliver more power, faster.
LG Chem lays claim to being an important force in battery design progress. They began mass production of Korea's first lithium-ion batteries in 1999. By the end of 2008, LG Chem was the fourth-largest maker globally.
The goal is to have this battery ready for the mass production. The day may come none too soon for device designers, who would be eager to work with more novel form factors but cannot because of the limitations set by batteries. They think the type of battery that is being developed by the company could potentially alter the device landscape.
The limiting factor in the area of portable electronics is the shape of the battery. In spite of efforts made to develop smaller, thinner and lighter batteries, it does not resolve the constraints owing to the flexibility of the products.
The LG Chem continues working on intending to test new anode materials, for the batteries to deliver more power, faster.
LG Chem lays claim to being an important force in battery design progress. They began mass production of Korea's first lithium-ion batteries in 1999. By the end of 2008, LG Chem was the fourth-largest maker globally.
