Large area multi-stacked lithium-ion batteries for flexible and rollable applications

Abstract

The demand for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) in various flexible mobile electronic devices is continuously increasing. With this in mind, a vast number of smart approaches, such as implementation of conductive nanomaterials onto paper and textiles, have been recently demonstrated. Most of them were, however, limited to the single-cell level. In the present study, large area flexible battery modules were developed in an attempt to expand the knowledge and design accumulated from the single-cell level approaches to larger-scale applications. A multi-stacked configuration was adopted to produce a high areal energy density in each single-cell. Meanwhile textile-based electrodes on both sides grant mechanical stability, even on the module level, by efficiently releasing the stress generated during aggressive folding and rolling motions. Moreover, the connection between and stacking of the single-cells allow the wide tuning of the overall voltage and capacity of the module. This battery design should be immediately applicable to a broad range of outdoor, building, and military items.