Graphene-based stretchy supercapacitors ‘can help power wearable devices’

stretchable supercapacitors made of graphene.

A team from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has created a micro-supercapacitor using ribbons of graphene, which has already shown the ability to power an LCD from a calculator in early tests.

Graphene is a thin yet incredibly strong material with a range of beneficial qualities. However, although it is flexible and foldable, it cannot naturally be stretched, so the researchers created graphene micro-ribbons that mirrored the wave-like microstructure of the skin.

This design allows the material to stretch without the graphene electrodes of the superconductor detaching, cracking or deforming. Kirigami structures, based on origami folds, were then used to make the supercapacitors 500 percent more flexible without affecting their electrochemical performance.

Dr Xiaodong Chen of Nanyang Technological University said: "Most power sources, such as phone batteries, are not stretchable. They are very rigid."

Future work will focus on increasing the electrode's surface area so it can hold even more energy.

With over 20 years of experience within the service engineering market, we at Zenopa have the knowledge, skills and expertise to help find the right job for you. To find out more about the current service engineering roles we have available, you can search for the latest job roles, register your details, or contact the team today.