Scientists at the Northwestern University have demonstrated a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can be stretched, twisted and bended, and still capable of powering electronics. The power and voltage of the stretchable battery are similar to a conventional lithium-ion battery of the same size, but the flexible battery is able to succeed where flat, rigid batteries would fail (make sure to check out the video and additional images below).

The revolutionary battery can be used anywhere, including the inside of the human body. It can stretch up to 300 percent of its original size and still function. It will power a commercial light-emitting diode (LED) for eight to nine hours – even when stretched, folded, twisted and mounted on a human elbow - before it needs recharging, which can be done wirelessly.

Yonggang Huang (Northwestern University) and John A. Rogers (University of Illinois) are the first to demonstrate a stretchable, implantable lithium-ion battery which could power implantable electronics that monitor brain waves or heart activity. Huang and Rogers have been working together for the last six years on stretchable electronics, and designing a cordless power supply has been a major challenge. Now they have solved the problem with their clever “space filling technique,” which delivers a small, high-powered battery.