DataVXAdvanced Energy MaterialsPaper
journal article·2026-07-17Open access

Ultrathin Aluminum–Air Batteries via Hygroscopic Electrolytes for Continuous Operation of Imperceptible On‐Skin Electronics

Jaeil Park, Inho Lee, Namhee Kim, Wonseok Shin, Joo Sung Kim, Daegun Kim, Giwon Lee, Jinhan Cho, Hoon‐Hee Ryu, Myung‐Han Yoon, Seung Joon Yoo, Woo‐Jin Song, Sungjun Park

Advanced Energy Materials
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Abstract

ABSTRACT On‐skin power sources require ultrathin form factors, safety, and mechanical robustness, but few battery platforms simultaneously satisfy these requirements. Here, we report the thinnest Al–air batteries to date (<270 µm) enabled by hygroscopic hydrogel electrolytes. Operating in a water‐in‐salt regime with highly concentrated ionic species, strong ion–water interactions suppress electrolyte dehydration and Al self‐corrosion, while enabling high‐capacity operation of 2479 mAh g ‒1 at 10 mA cm ‒2 in ultrathin architectures. The cells withstand over 3000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 1 mm and remain functional under severe deformation, including crumpling, cutting, and perforation. Stable operation over more than 1000 cycles of repeated anode replacement suggests an operational lifespan exceeding 8000 h. When integrated with organic electrochemical transistor‐based biosensors, the system enables continuous, real‐time physiological signal monitoring with a signal fidelity of up to 31.1 dB, providing a viable route toward continuous operation of conformal epidermal electronic systems.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

Energy storageMetals & alloysPolymersElectronic materials

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Advanced battery technologies research · Advancements in Battery Materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Ajou University Suwon Republic of Korea

Department of Intelligence Semiconductor Engineering Ajou University Suwon Republic of Korea

Thin‐Film Device Laboratory RIKEN Wako Saitama Japan

School of Chemical Biological and Battery Engineering Gachon University Seongnam Republic of Korea

Department of Chemical Engineering Kwangwoon University Seoul Republic of Korea

School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Korea University Seoul Republic of Korea

Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry Chungnam National University Daejeon Republic of Korea

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Gwangju Republic of Korea

Institute of Carbon Fusion Technology (InCFT) Chungnam National University Daejeon Republic of Korea

Funding

National Research Foundation of Korea

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