Even a few years ago it would belong to the repertoire of “science fiction”. Not anymore. Especially since something like this was urgently needed.
A research team from Hong Kong, led by Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Chunyi Zhi, has succeeded in creating a rechargeable battery that can be woven. The battery consists of metal fibers (zinc for the anode and nickel-cobalt hydroxide for the cathode, coated with a liquid electrolyte) that can be woven on their own or together with cotton fibers. In this way, one can have their battery integrated into their clothing, without anything standing out. It is understood that the battery’s capabilities follow the width and thickness of the weave: in the prototype presented by the researchers, it delivers 33 mW per square centimeter and 2.2 W per cubic centimeter – the highest performance of any similar battery to date. At this stage, the woven battery can power LEDs, pulse sensors, wearable watches, and other small-sized and low-consumption personal devices.
This particular battery is considered high performance as well as durable. After 1000 charge/discharge cycles it retains 80% of its capabilities. (Later on, one changes clothes…)
Good news, then, for the “wearables” and their fans! With minimal, perhaps, and anyway insignificant social side effects: don’t come near me, my current will shock you… Or: we got lost because of a sudden rain and my battery short-circuited…