Although battery technology was developed over one hundred years ago, the search for new materials with better performance, higher energy density, and extended regeneration cycles continues. One avenue of research is the search for new electrolytes as current liquid electrolytes are considered hazardous as they may leak, produce gases upon overcharging, and may even explode. One of the substantial advances in recent years in the storage of electrochemical energy has been in the development of lithium-ion technology based on liquid electrolytes, but the intrinsic instability of liquid electrolytes results in safety issues.  To overcome this issue there has been a tremendous effort in the development of solid polymer electrolytes which would be a solution to safety issues, miniaturization and enhancement of energy density.

In this technology, the inventors discovered  novel biocompatible polymers which are currently used for various biomedical applications. Noting that when these gels are combined with ionic liquid, there is an increase in ionic conductivity, the inventors studied the use of polymers as electrolytes. This disclosure details a novel biocompatible electrolyte gel for energy storage system.

Potential Application

This technology details the development and composition of biocompatible electrolytes for implantable flexible electronics.  These biocompatible electrolytes could be used in the development of thin and flexible medical devices powered by sources that utilize biocompatible electrolytes.

Opportunity

The global market for batteries that power medical devices earned revenues of $1.84 billion in 2013 and could reach $2.74 billion in 2020.  As more and more the availability of advanced medical devices including cordless surgical devices, prosthetic devices, lifesaving implantable devices, and neurostimulators increases, the demand increases for batteries and new battery technologies. Cutting-edge technologies such as robot-assisted surgeries, remote patient monitoring and wearable medical monitors are also fueling developments in medical device batteries.

Rowan University is looking for a partner for further development and commercialization of this technology through a license.