We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Self-Destructing Battery Could Power Transient Medical Devices

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 24 Aug 2016
Print article
Image: A working transient battery generating 2.5 Volts (Photo courtesy of Ashley Christopherson / Iowa State University).
Image: A working transient battery generating 2.5 Volts (Photo courtesy of Ashley Christopherson / Iowa State University).
A self-destructing lithium-ion battery capable of delivering 2.5 volts of energy dissipates in 30 minutes when dropped in water, claims a new study.

Developed by researchers at Iowa State University (Ames, USA) and the Ames Laboratory (IA, USA), the transient battery is about 1X5X6 millimeters, and is made up of eight layers of a degradable polymer composite, which include an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte separator, wrapped up in two layers of a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer. The batteries are based on Lithium-ion (Li-ion) technology, taking advantage of a close variation of the active materials used in conventional Li-ion batteries, and can achieve and maintain a potential of 2.5 Volts.

When dropped into water, the polymer casing swells, breaking apart the two electrodes and dissolving away. The battery also contains insoluble nanoparticles that do not degrade, but disperse as the casing breaks apart, with dissolution of the soluble components in approximately 30 minutes. According to the researchers, fabricating electrodes with higher area density, or connecting several battery cells in parallel could significantly improve battery performance for higher power consuming applications, but at the price of a longer time to deconstruct.

At the moment, a single battery cell is capable to supply enough power to power a basic calculator for a short period of time. More advanced fabrication techniques could also improve the overall efficiency and performance of the battery cells, while transiency rate could be controlled via optimization of the nano/microstructure of electrodes and substrate. The study describing the new transient power technology was published on June 22, 2106, in the Journal of Polymer Science, Part B: Polymer Physics.

“Unlike conventional electronics that are designed to last for extensive periods of time, a key and unique attribute of transient electronics is to operate over a typically short and well-defined period, and undergo fast and, ideally, complete self-deconstruction and vanish when transiency is triggered,” concluded lead author assistant professor of mechanical engineering Reza Montazami, PhD, of Iowa State University and the Ames Laboratory. “The presented proof of concept has paramount potentials in military and hardware security applications.”

Transient electronics have a wide range of potential applications including those in healthcare, biomedical devices, environmental sensing/monitoring, green electronics, and military and homeland security.

Related Links:
Iowa State University
Ames Laboratory

Gold Member
Solid State Kv/Dose Multi-Sensor
AGMS-DM+
Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
Silver Member
Mobile X-Ray Barrier
Lead Acrylic Mobile X-Ray Barriers

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: Researchers have developed a novel risk score for cardiovascular complications after bone marrow transplant (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Tool Predicts Cardiovascular Risks after Bone Marrow Transplantation

Every year, thousands of people undergo bone marrow transplants to potentially cure serious diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and immune deficiency disorders. While these transplants can be lifesaving,... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The Early Bird Bleed Monitoring System provides visual and audible indicators of the onset and progression of bleeding events (Photo courtesy of Saranas)

Novel Technology Monitors and Lowers Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Heart Procedures

Bleeding complications at the femoral access site can significantly hamper recovery, affecting the success of procedures, patient satisfaction, and overall healthcare costs. It is crucial for surgeons... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.