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A US startup says it can 3D print batteries to fill the 'empty space' nooks and crannies of drones and other machines, to give them a huge capacity boost. (spectrum.ieee.org)

submitted 1 month ago by Lugh@futurology.today to c/futurology@futurology.today

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"Even in that simplified, proof-of-concept drone, the printed battery achieves a 50 percent boost in energy density, and uses 35 percent more available volume."

Interesting idea, though no word on cost. I doubt they could compete with the economies of scale lithium-ion batteries benefit from. Then again, it isn't always about being the cheapest. The world is full of hundreds of thousands of different models of machines that might benefit from this. Some people will happily pay extra to get a 50% boost in capacity.

Material’s Printed Batteries Put Power in Every Nook and Cranny

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[–] CanadaPlus@futurology.today 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Interesting, but:

Elias notes that Apple and other companies are investing massive amounts of money to create conformable batteries, such as the L-shaped batteries in some iPhones, but are using costly and limited traditional methods.

See, the thing with molds and specialised tools is that they get really, really cheap at scale. It you're making something like a drone, using a mass-produced drone-shaped battery and fastening chips and motors on seems like it would be better than painstakingly printing a battery into whatever cheap plastic body.

The tech eliminates the metal casings, bus bars and other components that hog space in conventional cells.

Those things also all have purposes. I have to wonder if there's some kind of tradeoff not being advertised here.