Stretchable Aqueous Batteries: Progress and Prospects

The development of stretchable electronics is indispensable for realizing next-generation wearable devices, such as sensors, health care devices, and electronic skin. A key challenge for achieving complete and independent wearable devices is developing stretchable power sources. This issue should be addressed appropriately before the realization of wearable devices. Very recently, stretchable aqueous rechargeable batteries as power supplies have received much attention for wearable devices owing to their intrinsic safety and high power density. In this Perspective, we present the current status and the latest advances in research on stretchable aqueous batteries, especially aqueous Li-ion batteries and zinc-based batteries. Also, we briefly provide the design of stretchable materials and battery systems for stretchable aqueous batteries. Furthermore, an overview of general technical issues confronting their development is presented, and a brief discussion on the future outlook of this field is provided.