[Levin]

Gena Soh
PUBLISHED DEC 14, 2021, 6:03 PM SGT


SINGAPORE - Local scientists have invented a cheap, rechargeable and fully biodegradable paper battery that can someday be used to power wearables of the future.

......


Developed by a team from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), it can hold a substantial amount of charge. For instance, a 4cm by 4cm printed paper battery about 0.4mm thick can power a small electric fan for at least 45 minutes.

Bending or twisting the battery does not interrupt the power supply, and larger battery sheets can be printed and cut up and used as individual, smaller batteries of different sizes and shapes for different uses.

Professor Fan Hongjin from the NTU School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and the study's co-lead author, said: "(The versatility of use, durability and efficacy of these batteries) make our paper batteries ideal for integration in the sorts of flexible electronics that are gradually being developed."

Beyond the potential ergonomics of these batteries, the researchers said these batteries cost at least 10 times less to manufacture in the lab as compared with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, the world's standard for rechargeable batteries.

This is because the primary electrodes use manganese and zinc, which are much cheaper and more common metals than lithium.

The entire battery can be safely degraded underground within a month, with the metals contributing to the mineral culture in the soil.

Assistant Professor Lee Seok Woo from the NTU School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the study's co-lead author said: "We believe the paper battery we have developed could potentially help with the electronic waste problem, given that our printed paper battery is non-toxic and does not require aluminium or plastic casings to encapsulate the battery components."


More details at: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/e...an-lithium

[SotongOngTee]

Are these inventors indigenous or imports?

[debono]

Are these inventors indigenous or imports?

I think prof. Fan Hongjin is an  import.....

[WhatDoYouThink?]

the idea of paper batteries came about more than 15 yrs ago. around early 2000

[SotongOngTee]

the idea of paper batteries came about more than 15 yrs ago. around early 2000

Whose idea and whence?

[ArielCasper]

The article didn't mentioned how long the power can be retained.

Even if it is 10 times cheaper, but if you need to recharge 5 times as frequent, it won't make it to the market.

[WhatDoYouThink?]

Whose idea and whence?

as the saying goes, there's nothing new under the sun. 

there's once a paper battery company based in new york, and there're similar ideas and published work before it.

[debono]

as the saying goes, there's nothing new under the sun. 

there's once a paper battery company based in new york, and there're similar ideas and published work before it.

Question is, whether the paper battery company based in New York is still in existence..?

[WhatDoYouThink?]

Question is, whether the paper battery company based in New York is still in existence..?

shd be dissolved already.

many great ideas died off due to lack of funding. one is lucky to pick up these ideas with financial support to continue

[dynamite]

The article didn't mentioned how long the power can be retained.

Even if it is 10 times cheaper, but if you need to recharge 5 times as frequent, it won't make it to the market.

Yes. Talk until so amazing. If really so good, temasek already buy and make a patent.

[Levin]

the idea of paper batteries came about more than 15 yrs ago. around early 2000

I think the difference is most probably the anode ink (zinc and carbon, carbon is also used in the previous paper batteries) and the cathode ink (manganese and nickel). Think now the breakthroughs are based on the right combination of the inks. Could be more such as the hydrogel but that's my guess.

[debono]

shd be dissolved already.

many great ideas died off due to lack of funding. one is lucky to pick up these ideas with financial support to continue

I knew as much, it is not technically feasible or economically feasible therefore it needs to close shop....

[WhatDoYouThink?]

I knew as much, it is not technically feasible or economically feasible therefore it needs to close shop....

ofc there're always technical hurdles that need breakthroughs, and aso lots of money is needed to keep the work going.

and those who came out with these funny but great ideas are usually poor dfs and the rich dun bother

[RiseofAsia]

Good Job, make SG proud!

Future Billionaire? 
Better keep the patent properly. 
Don’t let someone imitate or steal it.

[Sharexchange]

Somehow no matter how good it is...stuff created here very unlikely to be in world stage global use.

[Blasterlord2]

Could be they just tell you the good stuff but neglect the bad ones. NTU should quickly patent this or even set up a company if they are confident of its commercial value.

[dynamite]

Could be they just tell you the good stuff but neglect the bad ones. NTU should quickly patent this or even set up a company if they are confident of its commercial value.

This is not the first time. Next time watch TV news you will spot more. There are some example with covid "inventions" also.

[RiseofAsia]

Somehow no matter how good it is...stuff created here very unlikely to be in world stage global use.

Do you know USB thumb drive is invented by Sg?

[Blasterlord2]

This is not the first time. Next time watch TV news you will spot more. There are some example with covid "inventions" also.

Yah.. a lot of marketing to make people take notice of them. I've worked with many technology MNCs in the past and you know what, these companies printed brochures trumpeting their products even when the products are far from being developed. I understand from them that this is a marketing strategy to let people think that they're always innovating.

[sgbuffett]

Every year we hear or new batteries. Like 6 yrs ago some researcher developed one that charged to 100% in 30secinds.

Problem with these reports is they don't tell you the pitfalls. e.g the material is cheap but manufacturing process can be expensive.

[Sharexchange]

Do you know USB thumb drive is invented by Sg?

Yes..but its total failure as the inventor also not making money. Look at trek2000 company. Busted. Haha.useless la singapore made.

[sgbuffett]

7 yrs ago this battery that charge in 30s invented.

Imagine your handphone out of battery take 30s full charge.

Until today no news ...7yrs cannot go into production.

Every Yr has this type of rlprototype battery ...and mostly useless for mass use.

[WhatDoYouThink?]

many ideas are great for academic publications but not practical or difficult to implement.

once their papers are accepted by reputable journals the authors will hv another entry to their resume for tenure and promotion and can move on to do other things liao.

[drgn]

Yes. Talk until so amazing. If really so good, temasek already buy and make a patent.

what you do expect? it is again from NTU.

NTU had made many such world class invention and discovery in the last few years.

But nothing happens after the announcement on straits times.

[debono]

what you do expect? it is again from NTU.

NTU had made many such world class invention and discovery in the last few years.

But nothing happens after the announcement on straits times.

My take is that it is easy to produce a prototype but not easy to mass produce and market.....

[RiseofAsia]

Yes..but its total failure as the inventor also not making money. Look at trek2000 company. Busted. Haha.useless la singapore made.

Success is not judged by $$$ gain.
His invention makes everyone life easier, USB thumb drive is so affordable now.
大功德一件。This is $$$ that cannot buy.

[RiseofAsia]

My take is that it is easy to produce a prototype but not easy to mass produce and market.....

Have you watch the Korean drama show about business startup?