Lemon-inspired eco battery flexes 80% to power next wave of wearables

Researchers at McGill University’s Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design have developed a novel biodegradable and stretchable battery inspired by lemon acids, designed to power the next generation of wearable devices and medical implants. This eco-friendly battery uses gelatin combined with naturally occurring acids—citric and lactic acid—to prevent the formation of a reaction-blocking layer on magnesium electrodes, which traditionally limits voltage and battery lifespan. By overcoming this bottleneck, the battery achieves improved output and durability while being environmentally sustainable. To enhance flexibility, the team employed a kirigami pattern—an innovative geometric cutting technique—that allows the battery to stretch up to 80% without losing performance. The battery delivers about 1.3 volts, sufficient to power wearable electronics such as a touch-sensitive finger device demonstrated by the researchers. This design is particularly promising for soft wearables, implantable medical devices, and flexible IoT sensors. The researchers aim to further miniaturize the battery, improve its performance, and integrate it