New laptops could be powered by jelly

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Glasgow, UK, September 26, 2011 — A new polymer jelly has been invented by researchers at the University of Leeds, who are hoping that it could be a viable replacement for current laptop batteries. The polymer gel has the appearance of a thin, flexible film, but actually contains approximately 70% liquid electrolyte.

The types of batteries used in both high-end and cheap laptops have historically had problems. The main issue has been a tendency towards “thermal runaway”, the overheating process that caused Dell to recall four million laptops in 2006. Apple had developed a solid polymer electrolyte to overcome the safety issue, but the power output of laptops is compromised with this solution. The size and weight of laptops on the market are also largely dictated by their batteries.

The new jelly batteries have the safety benefits of the solid polymer, but at a mere 10% to 20% of the price, which could lead to more cheap laptops for consumers. The researchers, led by Professor Ian Ward, also hope the new batteries can be used in electric cars, which have also been prone to overheating.

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