Heart patients will no longer have to get the battery of their pacemakers replaced every 10 years. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed battery that can last for about 50 years.
Researchers explain that the new design of the battery is based on lithium-carbon fluoride (CFx) chemical formula. The new design of the battery makes it safer and lasts longer than the current ones.
The lead author of the study Chengdu Liang suggests that the CFx batteries are supposed to be very small and provide power to wearable devices for a longer period of time. Liang states that wearable devices do not require large amount of energy as they transmit small information. Researchers say that the new battery is meant for one time use only and cannot be recharged.
The researchers explain that the electrolyte used in the new design of the battery has twin functions. It serves not just as a conductor of ion but it also acts as a cathode supplement. The development of the new electrolyte offers extra capacity to the battery and in turn extends the lifetime of a wearable device.
"This bi-functional electrolyte revolutionizes the concept of conventional batteries and opens a new avenue for the design of batteries with unprecedented energy density. As the battery discharges, it generates a lithium fluoride salt that further catalyzes the electrochemical activity of the electrolyte," says Liang "This relationship converts the electrolyte -- conventionally an inactive component in capacity -- to an active one."
Long lasting disposable batteries are commonly used in various devices where recharging a battery frequently is not feasible such as cardiac pacemakers, remote keyless system and more.
Batteries have extensive usage in various other industries. Mobile devices industry, which includes smartphones and tablets, can benefit a lot with the development of a long-lasting battery. Smartphones and tablets have become an important and integral part of people's lives. However, increased usage of mobile devices requires customers to frequently recharge the battery of their devices.
Many companies offer extended battery kits for various smartphones but they also need to be recharged depending on the usage. If scientists are able to develop a battery for smartphones and tablets that can offer extended usage of their devices then it will surely attract many customers.
The new design of the battery developed by Liang and his team is still in its development stage and may still take years before it actually makes way to various devices.
