Welcome to Quandary This! Chemistry in the News, a monthly series promoting the integration of peer-reviewed literature in science education through current events and real-world questions. This month, we explore research on flexible batteries that will power the next generation of electronics.
One of the limitations of electronics is being locked into a specific shape. Flexible sensors and screens are becoming commercially available, with applications like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold phones and flexible medical sensors that are used to monitor patient vials in hospitals.
The tricky part of flexible electronics is the battery. The fluid electrolyte inside a battery can cause chemical burns and increase the risk of fire when it leaks, and no battery containing liquid is immune to leaking. Recent progress is allowing us to build safer, more flexible batteries that untether fully flexible electronics from their once limiting cords. In the questions below, we will look at the technical challenges of building flexible batteries, manufacturing methods, and the testing they endure.
Although flexible electronics like sensors and screens are already becoming more common, we are still looking for the best and safest ways to create a battery that can bend with them. When these batteries become more commonly available, users will have more options to be free from cords and heavy block batteries. Personally, I cannot wait to ditch my brick-style back-up battery, instead opting for a lightweight shirt with power-storing capabilities.
Jump to Section:
Challenge 1: Literature Research
Challenge 2: Essay Investigation
Challenge 3: In-Depth Analysis
Suggested Reading
Challenge 1: Literature Research
For Teaching Professionals: The following questions are intended to help students learn the critical skill of searching trusted sources of information, such as peer-reviewed literature, to find answers to specific questions. We encourage instructors to assign these questions to students enrolled in any introductory chemistry lab or lecture. By using literature to find the answers, students will learn to search and consume trusted scientific content with the intention uncovering specific information. The grading is up to you, but we strongly recommend holding students accountable for presenting a clear answer to each question and accurately tie that answer to a properly cited source.
Prompt: For each of the following questions, provide an answer and cite the source of your information in ACS style. You can view citation examples and guidance in the ACS Style Quick Guide.
All the questions posed below can be answered in the journals, books, and news published by ACS. While it is not the only reputable source of peer-reviewed information, the Suggested Reading list below may help you answer most, if not all, of these questions. Make sure you are logged in to your institution's library portal if you wish to search for additional sources on the ACS Publications website.
- Why are flexible or stretchable batteries harder to create than other flexible/stretchable electronic components?
- What are two methods of creating flexible or stretchable batteries in the lab? What is a positive of each method? A negative?
- List three methods that can be used to test the structure or performance of experimental materials created.
- Provide an example of a separator material.
- In kirigami electrodes, is a center-cut or edge-cut design better?
Challenge 2: Essay Investigation
For Teaching Professionals: The following essay question is intended to help students go one step beyond simple question and answer research. This exercise encourages students to not only consider a multi-disciplinary exploration around a topic, but to also develop written communication skills. As with other questions in this series, the grading is up to you, but we encourage you to help students develop a clear and concise style. Where possible, utilize chemical drawing utilities or neat handwritten molecules and mechanisms. The ideal answer should take no more than one sheet of paper. The ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication can be a great reference.
Prompt: There are many possible ways to create a flexible or stretchable battery. Identify one method and provide an exploration of the structure, the electrolyte used, and the tests conducted to determine the efficacy of the battery.
The Suggested Reading list is designed to provide a solid foundation to help answer this question, but we encourage you to search and explore beyond these suggestions. If you encounter content that is not free to read, please ensure you are logged into your institution’s library portal. If you still are unable to access the content you need, please recommend the content to your library or contact them directly to let them know there are articles you’d like to read.
Challenge 3: In-Depth Analysis
For Teaching Professionals: The following question will challenge students to uncover understanding around the business and legal implications of technological advance. This challenge is helpful for anyone who wants to build depth of thinking and understanding around the real-world circumstances involved in the application of technology. This may include business students, journalism students, and students interested in studying business or intellectual property law.
Prompt: Ares Materials Inc. patented a polymer substrate for flexible electronics, and the patent cites many research articles, including an ACS Publications article by Peng et al. Given that patents are designed to secure ownership of novel discoveries and patent citations typically paint the landscape of “prior art” to demonstrate that their discovery is novel, what claim does the patent make that could be considered an advance upon the discoveries outlined in the Pen et al. article?
Suggested Reading
Designing Flexible Lithium-Ion Batteries by Structural Engineering
Customized Kirigami Electrodes for Flexible and Deformable Lithium-Ion Batteries
Supported Ionic Liquid Gel Membrane Electrolytes for a Safe and Flexible Sodium Metal Battery
For fun: Periodic graphics: Why Li-ion batteries catch fire
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Quandary This! Chemistry in the News is a monthly series designed to help chemistry educators and their students explore the fascinating world of chemistry as it relates to real-world events and current news stories.
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