Cost is the obvious benefit, however, lower cost means the ability to add batteries in situations that may not have allowed previously. Technology to store energy is also a means to boost alternative energy sources as they need a buffer in order to supply stable energy on demand.

The printed battery sheet is very thin (500 um), flexible (allowing it to be attached to curved surfaces) and designed for use with a flexible solar battery, a combination that could be both a power generator and power storage unit. The battery prototypes have an output voltage of 2V - 4V, but the battery capacity hasn't been revealed. The benefit of the roll-to-roll printing is that its highly efficient, meaning cheaper production.

Unlike other prototype technology, this cool breakthrough isn't one that we'll have to wait 10 years to see in production. The research team, who work with the Advanced Materials Innovation Center of Mie Industry and Enterprise Support Center in Japan, plans to finish studying the technology and start shopping around for commercial opportunities sometime next year.

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