Biomorphic Batteries for Robots Have 72x More Energy

Researchers are always looking for ways to improve battery efficiency in robots. The University of Michigan engineers have now come up with a rechargeable zinc battery that integrates into the structure of robots to provide more energy. Here is how it works:

The new battery works by passing hydroxide ions between a zinc electrode and the air side through an electrolyte membrane. That membrane is partly a network of aramid nanofibers—the carbon-based fibers found in Kevlar vests—and a new water-based polymer gel. The gel helps shuttle the hydroxide ions between the electrodes.

The battery is made of non-toxic materials. To test it, researchers experimented with worm and scorpion shaped robots.

[HT]