About the project
Flexible batteries with seamless integration in textiles will revolutionize the healthcare system. Such batteries could power sensors to continuously monitor vital signals, and antennas to transmit the information to a medical doctor when urgent action is required. This project will investigate smart combinations of materials to build such batteries.
Batteries to power smart textiles for healthcare applications need to be completely safe and non-toxic, as well as energy dense and lightweight. These requirements are usually conflicting, but ‘smart’ materials combinations bring new and exciting opportunities. For example, highly coordinated water exhibits much higher stability than ‘normal’ water, thus enabling the fabrication of aqueous-based batteries with a high voltage operation, that are non-toxic, safe and deliver high energy. The integration of batteries on textiles is another major challenge in smart textile fabrication, but it can be turned into an advantage by using the fabric as one of the battery components.
This project will investigate the development of ‘smart’ materials combinations, using non-toxic polymers, additives and water, to build sustainable batteries that will be seamlessly integrated in textiles. The project is part of the SUSTAIN programme grant, which aims to develop the next generation of smart clothing.
The University of Southampton offers world-class training courses in electrochemistry, battery technologies, characterisation methods and many other important topics. In addition, the participation within the SUSTAIN project brings many other unique opportunities for the wider professional development, including multidisciplinary collaborations with experts in electronics, sustainability and textiles, as well as influential outreach and public engagement activities.
The School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
