The American company Polystor Energy is currently conducting trials in order to commercialize the so-called 'jelly' battery designed by Ian Ward. A physic research professor at the University of Leeds in the UK, Ward has created a new kind of polymer gel that will help revolutionize the potentially dangerous and widely used lithium battery. Not only is this new type of battery cheaper to manufacture, it is also safer and lighter than the average lithium battery that is on the market today.
The gel acts as a buffer between the battery's electrodes helping to stabilize the battery and prevent them from exploding or bursting into flames. Speaking as a person who unknowingly boarded a plane with a swollen lithium battery in my laptop, this is the very best news. The safety issue associated with traditional lithium batteries is a serious problem for electronic manufacturers. HP recalled over 54,000 batteries this past year and other companies aren't doing much better. This battery is ideal for portable electronics because it is so lightweight. Expect to see these cheaper, lighter and safer batteries in your personal electronics soon, courtesy of Polystor Energy.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Jelly Battery
- The development of jelly battery as a safer and lighter alternative to lithium batteries opens up opportunities for electronics manufacturers to provide safer and more environmentally friendly portable devices.
- Polymer Gel
- The use of polymer gel as a safer buffer between battery electrodes has great potential for other battery designs, particularly in the automotive and renewable energy industries.
- Safer Batteries
- The ongoing research and development of safer battery technology, such as the jelly battery, is an important trend as it addresses the safety issues associated with current battery technologies used in various industries.
Where This Applies
- Electronics
- The electronics industry can benefit from using jelly batteries as a safer and more lightweight power source for portable devices, which can help further push the industry's trend toward more sustainable products.
- Automotive
- The use of polymer gel as a buffer technology can have disruptive effects on the automotive industry by providing safer and more efficient batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles.
- Renewable Energy
- The jelly battery's potential for safer and more efficient battery technology can have game-changing effects on renewable energy systems that rely on batteries for energy storage and distribution.
