Flexible Energy Storage Systems for Wearable Electronics

Flexible energy storage systems integrate electrochemical devices into bendable, stretchable and lightweight form factors suited to wearable electronics. These systems encompass flexible batteries and supercapacitors fabricated with compliant electrodes, deformable electrolytes and adaptive packaging. Typical designs employ fibre‐shaped or planar electrode architectures, incorporating carbonaceous networks, metal‐oxide nanoparticles or polymer composites to balance energy density with mechanical resilience. Electrolytes range from stretchable polymer gels and solid‐state films to hybrid ionic liquids, each engineered to maintain ionic conductivity under repeated deformation. Device configurations include textile‐integrated fibres, origami‐inspired folds and encapsulated thin films, enabling unobtrusive integration into garments, sensor patches and health monitors. Key challenges lie in preserving electrochemical performance during twisting, bending and stretching, ensuring safety through stable interphases and avoiding capacity decay under cyclic loading. Advances in interface engineering, microstructure control and standardised electromechanical testing have accelerated progress. The global significance of these systems spans health monitoring, soft robotics, smart textiles and Internet of Things devices, where reliable, on‐body power supplies are pivotal for continuous operation and user comfort.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have established robust correlations between electrode microstructure, electrochemical trends and mechanical pliability in lithium‐based flexible batteries. Investigations into composite electrode designs highlight the role of nanoscale reinforcement networks and tailored cell architectures in mitigating electromechanical degradation. Through advanced characterisation methods, researchers have quantified how bending and stretching influence capacity retention and safety metrics, revealing pathways to boost electromechanical resiliency. Emphasis has been placed on developing standardised metrology to assess deformation‐induced performance shifts, alongside packaging strategies that enhance safety without compromising flexibility. These insights offer a framework for designing next‐generation wearable power sources with sustained cycling stability under real‐world mechanical stresses.

Flexible Energy Storage Systems for Wearable Electronics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in flexible energy storage systems for wearable electronics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Specific capacity: The amount of electric charge stored per unit mass of active material, usually expressed in milliampere‐hours per gram (mAh g⁻¹).

Ionic conductivity: A measure of an electrolyte’s ability to transport ions, affecting charge and discharge rates under deformation.

Solid‐state electrolyte: A non‐liquid ionic conductor that replaces flammable liquid electrolytes, offering improved safety and mechanical stability.

Fiber electrode: A one‐dimensional, flexible electrode structure formed into yarns or fibres, facilitating integration into textiles and wearable formats.

Electromechanical resiliency: The capacity of an energy storage device to maintain electrochemical performance under mechanical stress such as bending, stretching or folding.

References

1. Polymer Engineering Enables High Linear Capacity Fiber Electrodes by Microenvironment Regulation. Advanced Science (2024).
2. Flexible wearable energy storage devices: Materials, structures, and applications. Battery Energy (2024).
3. Achieving dynamic stability and electromechanical resilience for ultra-flexible battery technology. Communications Materials (2024).