We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Organic Radical Battery?

By J. Dellaporta
Updated: Jan 26, 2024
Views: 16,901
Share

An organic radical battery (ORB) is a type of battery notable for its flexibility, rapid charging, and small size. These batteries are so named because, unlike traditional metal batteries, they use an organic radical polymer, a type of plastic, to produce energy. The radical in the compound name refers to the stable radical in its molecular structure that gives the compound many of its unique properties. In the battery, this polymer takes the form of a gel, which is permeated with electrolytes.

Using a gel as its core material gives the organic radical battery many advantages over traditional batteries. It is thin — just 0.0118 inches (300 microns or 0.3 mm), or slightly thicker than a business card. In addition, because the gel offers little electrical resistance, the battery can be charged in less than 30 seconds. It is also rechargeable and can be expected to have a longer service life than conventional batteries. The use of gel also makes the organic radical battery about as flexible as a sheet of paper.

The organic radical battery is also environmentally friendly. Conventional batteries use heavy metals such as mercury, lead, or cadmium — all toxic substances that are environmentally damaging if not properly disposed of at recycling centers. By contrast, this battery contains no toxic metals. It is also neither flammable nor explosive.

It is likely that the organic radical battery will first be used in devices that can benefit from its small size. Possible applications include sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and “smart” building materials. It has also been used in demonstrations as an emergency power source. A battery made with four series-connected cells can be connected to a personal computer’s power supply. When a power failure or drop occurs, it can power the computer for the additional 10 or 20 seconds required to back up data — a process that would be uneconomical with metal batteries.

The organic radical battery also has a higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion batteries, meaning it could be useful in mobile phones, laptops, and other devices that require rechargeable batteries. One thing this battery has in common with lithium-ion batteries is its structure, meaning that existing production lines would require little modification to produce them.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon2170 — On Jul 01, 2007

1. What is the electrochemical equivalent of the organic polymer gel w.r.t. the electrodes used in the battery? What are the electrodes used?

2. Can any research be tailored to discover organic conducting materials which have a high value of e.c.e. so that a single battery voltage can be increased ?

Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-an-organic-radical-battery.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.