Osaka, Japan - Panasonic Corporation announced today that it has developed a Flexible Lithium-ion Battery with a thickness of only 0.55mm, or about 0.022 inches. Suitable for use in card-type and wearable devices, this rechargeable battery can retain its characteristics even after repeatedly bent into a radius of 25mm or twisted to an angle of 25 degrees.

Card devices, which are often carried in wallets or pockets, require internal components that can withstand bending and twisting. Slim lithium-ion batteries are used in such devices, but these batteries can degrade when they are bent or twisted, resulting in shorter operating time for the devices.

Panasonic's new flexible battery can withstand bending and twisting beyond the Japanese Industrial Standards for identification cards*1. When used in card devices such as smart cards and card keys that work on batteries, as well as body worn devices and smart clothing, this battery can retain its characteristics even if the device is frequently bent or twisted.

This new flexible battery will be on display at CEATEC JAPAN 2016 from October 4 to 7 at Makuhari Messe.

*1 Meets JIS Standard for Cards (JISX6305-1) equivalent bending radius R40mm, twisting angle ±15°/85.6mm

Panasonic's Flexible Lithium-ion Battery has the following features:

The battery can maintain its characteristic even with repeated bending and twisting. The battery contributes to longer life of devices as it retains charging and discharging characteristics even with repeated bending and twisting. The battery can be used reliably for devices attached to the human body because of excellent safety.

Suitable applications:

Card devices, devices attached to the human body, smart clothing, wristband wearable devices, etc.

Sample availability:

Sample shipments are scheduled to start by the end of October 2016. Product development will continue towards mass production, with an eye to an even slimmer form factor ideal for various IoT devices such as card devices and wearable devices.

Patents:

25 patents in Japan, 15 patents overseas. (Including patents pending)