Scientists have developed soft, highly robust batteries from tree fibres that could be used to power everything from electric vehicles to clothes embedded with electronics.

The battery material, which is created by breaking tree fibres down to form nanocellulose, takes the form of a wood-based aerogel that is foam-like in appearance and highly elastic.

This makes it very resistant to shock and damage, unlike conventional batteries.

“It is possible to make incredible materials from trees and cellulose,” said Max Hamedi, a researcher at KTH and Harvard University.

The aerogel, the details of which were published today in Nature, also enables the batteries to have a 3D structure, providing far more storage capacity in a smaller space.

“Three-dimensional, porous materials have been regarded as an obstacle to building electrodes. But we have proven that this is not a problem,” explained Hamedi.

“In fact, this type of structure and material architecture allows flexibility and freedom in the design of batteries.”

The material’s structure gives it a very high surface area for its size; a cubic decimetre of the aerogel would cover most of a football pitch if spread out flat.

“There are limits to how thin a battery can be, but that becomes less relevant in 3D, ” he added.

“We are no longer restricted to two dimensions. We can build in three dimensions, enabling us to fit more electronics in a smaller space.”

The aerogel is made by breaking down tree fibres so they are a millionth of their original size, a process that produces nanocellulose.

Then comes the process of removing the water from the material, which must be done without allowing it to enter a liquid state.

This is achieved by dissolving, freezing and the freeze-drying the material, which is then subjected to a molecule stabilizing process to form the aerogel.

“The result is a material that is both strong, light and soft,” said Hamedi.

“The material resembles foam in a mattress, though it is a little harder, lighter and more porous. You can touch it without it breaking.”

As a result, it would be ideal for powering soft wearable devices, such as electronics-embedded clothing where it could sewn into the lining, or in the doors of electric cars, where it would provide power without taking up storage space.

Ultimately, the battery’s robust structure is likely be its most appealing feature, as Hamedi explained:

“You can press it as much as you want. While flexible and stretchable electronics already exist, the insensitivity to shock and impact are somewhat new.”