Fold New Nano-cellulose Battery into a Paper Crane and It Will Still Work

The National Forestry Science Institute of the Korea Forest Service announced on Oct. 12 that they developed the world’s first fundamental technology for a next-gen paper lithium ion battery in cooperation with the Ulsan Institute of Science and Technology. The new battery can last more than three times longer than current batteries.

The joint research team secured the fundamental technology for a high-capacity and flexible paper battery by producing an electrode and a separator based on nano-cellulose extracted from wood. The technology is now patented at home and abroad, and will grace the cover of the Oct. 14 issue of Advanced Functional Materials, an internationally authoritative magazine in the nanomaterials sector.

The joint research team drew a lot of attention by developing the fundamental technology for a flexible battery in Sept. last year. This research increased the capacity of a battery three times more than last year. The battery is so flexible that you can fold it into a paper crane with no loss of functionality.

“The new battery technology is expected to elevate the level of Korea’s secondary battery by one notch since we secured much better performances and flexibility than existing ones by putting natural wood to good use,” said doctor Lee Seon-yeong of the National Forestry Science Institute. “The commercialization of this technology will take the lead in the global next-generation lithium ion battery market.”

The world lithium ion market was estimated to be worth 23 trillion won (US$20 billion) in 2014. The market is expected to reach 64 trillion won (US$55.9 billion) by 2020.