NEC Develops New Ultra-Thin, Flexible, Rechargeable Battery

NEC Corp. has announced the development of an ultra-thin, flexible, rechargeable battery capable of super-fast (30-second) charging, which can be embedded into smartcards and intelligent paper. The new battery, organic radical battery (ORB), uses a type of plastic called organic radical polymer as its cathode.

Organic radical polymer assumes an electrolyte-permeated gel state, and is the reason why the rechargeable battery is so remarkably flexible and pliant. In addition, the organic radical polymer electrode reaction is extremely fast and the supporting salts migrate through gel state polymer very smoothly. This results in little resistance to the charging reaction and a fast charging time of less than 30 seconds.

Not only is this new battery thin, flexible and rechargeable, it is also environmentally friendly. Unlike conventional rechargeable batteries, it does not contain any harmful heavy metals such as mercury, lead or cadmium.

Key features of the newly developed battery include: An exceedingly thin structure (300 microns), which will enable it to be embedded into objects such as smartcards and intelligent paper. A pliant and bendable structure, as flexible plastic is used as the cathode material. Less than 30 seconds recharge time. A high energy density of approximately 1 mWh per cm squared.