Future smartwatches could get battery life boost from an unusual source

Smartwatches and smart glasses have become common in daily life, but one major drawback is their battery life. While smartwatches can last a few days per charge, smart glasses often suffer from poor battery performance, making them inconvenient for many users.

However, a new breakthrough in technology could change this. A team at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute has developed a method for creating functional wires for smart wearables using carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes are incredibly strong and flexible, conducting electricity as well as copper.

Working with carbon nanotube material can be challenging due to its tendency to bunch up and tangle. The researchers overcame this by adding acid and other additives to the material and kneading it like bread dough.

The resulting carbon nanotube wires were tested in textile supercapacitors, commonly found in smart clothing. These wires showed excellent energy storage capabilities, making wearables more efficient and lightweight, with longer-lasting battery life.

Lead researcher Han Joong Tark stated, “This achievement will drive the development of lightweight and long-lasting wearable electronic devices. With further research, this technology could potentially replace copper wires in electric vehicles and drones, improving both design and energy efficiency.”

The research has been published in the journal ACS Nano.