Javier García Martínez Professor of Chemistry and Director, Molecular Nanotechnology Lab, University of Alicante Joseph Costantine Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, American University of Beirut From rollable computer screens to “smart” clothing, The ability of 昀氀exible batteries to be bent, twisted the future of electronics looks to be increasingly and stretched makes them ideal for use in wearable 昀氀exible. The rapidly escalating development of devices. As the market demand for wearable wearable devices, 昀氀exible electronics and bendable technologies continues to grow, the future of displays demands power sources that match the 昀氀exible batteries is promising, and further advances agility of these systems. Standard, rigid batteries are likely. As with all batteries, one hurdle to may soon be a thing of the past as thin, 昀氀exible overcome is their safe disposal and recycling, which batteries – made of lightweight materials that can be should come as the technology and associated easily twisted, bent or stretched – reach the market. applications become circular. Revolutionary advances in 昀氀exible-battery technologies and their Several types of 昀氀exible batteries are currently available. accompanying industries are expected to continue These batteries are rechargeable and include lithium- for many years to come. ion or zinc-carbon systems placed on conductive polymer current collectors. In some cases, additives 1 enhance conductivity and 昀氀exibility. The electrodes of Impact 昀氀exible batteries can be coated with – or even printed 昀椀ngerprint onto – 昀氀exible substrates, including carbon-based People materials like graphene, carbon 昀椀bres or cloth. Flexible batteries have applications in a growing number of 昀椀elds, including wearable medical Equity Planet devices and biomedical sensors, 昀氀exible displays and smartwatches. Health-related applications powered by these batteries could transmit data wirelessly to healthcare providers, facilitating remote patient monitoring. Further, 昀氀exible batteries that can be integrated into the fabric of jackets, shirts or other apparel will be required to power emerging textile-based electronics with capabilities ranging Industry from built-in heating systems to health monitoring. Prosperity The 昀氀exible battery market is expected to expand Image: rapidly in the coming years. One study forecasts A new generation of 昀氀exible that the global 昀氀exible battery market will grow by batteries may allow for the $240.47 million from 2022-2027, accelerating at a seamless integration of compound annual growth rate of 22.79% during this 22.79% 2 technology into fabrics period. The primary drivers of growth are expected Compound annual growth and clothes. to be the increasing demand for wearable devices Credit: Midjourney and and the growing trend towards miniaturization and rate between 2022-2027 Studio Miko. 昀氀exibility of electronics. Prompt (abbreviated): Several companies are actively developing and “Technology fabric commercializing 昀氀exible battery technology, with interwoven digital $240 million elements”. including LG Chem, Samsung SDI, Apple, Nokia, Read more: Front Edge Technology, STMicroelectronics, Forecasted growth of the global Discover expert analysis Blue Spark Technologies and Fullriver Battery 昀氀exible battery market between 3 related to 昀氀exible New Technology. However, there is still room for 2022-2027 batteries on the Strategic innovation in this space, and new players are likely Intelligence Platform. to enter the market as the technology evolves. Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2023 9