Omnidirectionally Stretchable High-Performance Microbatteries Based on Nanocomposite Current Collectors

Abstract

Stretchable electronics are transforming next-generation wearables and robotics, creating a significant demand for compatible energy storage devices. Microbatteries, known for their compact and flat design, hold great promise but often face limitations of low strain tolerance and unidirectional stretchability. Here, we introduce omnidirectionally stretchable Zn-MnO2 microbatteries featuring innovative nanocomposite current collectors. These current collectors comprise serpentine-patterned silver nanowire and carbon nanotube nanocomposites embedded in a soft elastomer, which effectively dissipate strain across all directions. The resulting microbattery achieves impressive performance, including a high capacity (>1.5 mAh cm–2), excellent rate capability (up to 5.0 mA cm–2), and robust operation under omnidirectional/biaxial strains. Additionally, multiple microbattery cells are successfully integrated with a wireless charging circuit and a soft LED array, forming a wearable system that seamlessly conforms to body movements. This work establishes a novel design framework for deformable energy storage devices, merging superior electrochemical performance with multidirectional stretchability.