Researchers Spray-Paint Batteries Onto Almost Any Surface

Warmlight writes "Rice University researchers have created a type of lithium-ion battery that can be spray-painted onto most surfaces. 'Their batteries, outlined in Scientific Reports (abstract), are made up of five separate layers, each with its own recipe — together measuring just 0.5mm thick. To demonstrate the technique, the team painted batteries onto steel, glass, ceramic tile and even a beer stein.' What do you think this will do for future form-factors? Maybe a form-fitting PipBoy-style device that doesn't weigh 30lbs?"

Comments

Re:taggers

[wierd_w]

Now imagine 2 more techs, and tagging will be a sight indeed!

Just need spraypaint photocells, and spraypaint Oleds.

Booyah. Neon tagging.

I see a few problems with this

[__aaqvdr516]

1. It removes the ability to have a drop in spare (i.e. is not user replaceable.)

2. The "packaging" they refer to is also a vital part of the mechanical integrity of a battery. Mechanical integrity is kind of important.

3. Spraying a battery directly to the case of a device ensures that the full force of any mechanical shock is applied to the battery as well.

All of this together makes me believe that the only use this could have is for relatively small items that you do not intend to move around.