A group of scientists from Duke University has developed a new method to 3D-print lithium-ion batteries in virtually any shape. In a paper published in ACS Applied Energy Materials , the researchers explain how they used an electrolyte solution to increase the ionic conductivity of the polymers used for 3D printing, such as poly(lactic acid) or PLA. This process allowed them to print complete lithium-ion batteries with an inexpensive machine. Previously, only the non-conductive parts of a battery could be printed to be actually used. Besides printing the whole device, Christopher Reyes, Benjamin Wiley and colleagues were able to give it many different forms. This means that manufacturers of things such as electric vehicles, cell phones and laptops won’t have to adapt their designs to the size and shape of commercially available batteries. “Most lithium-ion batteries on the market come in cylindrical or rectangular shapes. Therefore, when a manufacturer […]