Development of Flexible Batteries for Healthcare Monitoring

Project description

Flexible batteries are emerging as a key technology for next-generation electronics, particularly in applications such as wearable medical devices and active radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. These batteries have the potential to transform healthcare by enabling wireless data transmission and providing reliable, lightweight power sources for continuous monitoring and communication. However, the development of flexible batteries is hindered by a critical challenge: maintaining both mechanical and electrochemical integrity under dynamic deformation. Mechanical stresses—such as bending, stretching, and twisting—can lead to cracking and delamination within the electrode and electrolyte layers. These failures disrupt ion transport and compromise interfacial stability, ultimately reducing battery performance and cycle life. This project aims to develop flexible, printed batteries using advanced screen-printing techniques, offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to conventional lithium-ion technologies. This project advances the development of flexible batteries developed at the University of Queensland. Research Objectives: 1. Design and synthesise flexible polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity, mechanical stability and electrochemical compatibility. 2. Develop mechanically flexible but fatigue resistant flexible electrodes that maintain performance under bending, stretching, and cycling conditions. 3. Use advanced characterisation techniques, to study electrolyte-electrode interfaces and failure mechanisms during operation. Methodology: This project will employ screen-printing techniques to fabricate flexible Zn or Li ion-based batteries. Custom polymer electrolytes will be synthesised to achieve high ionic conductivity and mechanical compliance. Flexible electrodes will be developed using printable, fatigue-resistant materials. Battery testing will be performed under static and dynamic loading to evaluate battery performance. Advanced characterisation tools, including tomographic imaging and impedance spectroscopy, will be used to investigate interfacial behaviour and failure mechanisms both in-situ and ex-situ.

Outcomes

1. Development of flexible, high-performance ion-based batteries using screen-printing techniques. 2. Design of novel polymer electrolytes and electrodes that maintain electrochemical stability and mechanical integrity under dynamic deformation. 3. Improved understanding of failure mechanisms in flexible batteries through advanced characterisation of electrolyte–electrode interfaces.

Essential capabilities

Understanding of Materials Engineering

Desireable capabilities

Understanding of Polymer Engineering

Expected qualifications (Course/Degrees etc.)

Engineering or Science