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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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Scientists Created a Battery That Runs on Air—And It Could Replace Lithium Batteries

Imagine a battery that doesn't need liquid chemicals inside it to work. Instead, it simply pulls moisture from the air around it to generate electricity. Even more surprising, it can work in places as dry as deserts, is lightweight, flexible enough to stretch, and is made from safe, biodegradable materials.

This futuristic technology is now a reality. Researchers from North Carolina State University and Rice University have developed a revolutionary stretchable battery that activates using moisture from the surrounding air. The breakthrough, published in the journal Science Advances, could transform wearable electronics, medical devices, and the growing world of Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

A Battery That Comes to Life with Air Moisture

Traditional batteries rely on liquid electrolytes that allow electricity to flow between two electrodes. While effective, these electrolytes are often toxic, flammable, and can leak over time.

The newly developed Moisture-Activated Battery (MAB) works in a completely different way.

Instead of carrying a liquid electrolyte, the battery contains a special cellulose membrane infused with lithium chloride salts. When the battery is exposed to air, the membrane naturally absorbs moisture from the environment. That moisture dissolves the salts, creating a safe saltwater electrolyte that allows electricity to flow.

Because of this unique design, the battery remains completely inactive while sealed inside its packaging. It only starts working when exposed to air, giving it an exceptionally long shelf life.

This clever approach removes the need for dangerous chemicals while making the battery much safer to manufacture, transport, and use.

Safe, Flexible, and Environmentally Friendly

One of the biggest challenges facing wearable electronics is finding power sources that are both flexible and safe.

Most existing batteries contain toxic materials and rigid components that make them difficult to integrate into smart clothing, fitness trackers, or medical sensors.

The new battery addresses all of these problems.

Its main components include a magnesium anode, a silver/silver chloride cathode, and a cellulose-based separator. Many of these materials are biodegradable and biocompatible, making them much safer for people and the environment.

Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, the moisture-activated battery uses a saltwater-based electrolyte instead of hazardous liquids. This greatly reduces the risk of leaks, fires, or harmful chemical exposure.

Its lightweight construction also makes it ideal for wearable technologies that need to remain comfortable during everyday use.

Inspired by Nature

Making a battery stretch without losing performance is surprisingly difficult.

Most stretchable batteries use zigzag-shaped electrical connections called serpentine interconnectors. While these allow the battery to stretch, they also create empty spaces inside the battery. Those gaps reduce the amount of energy that can be stored in the same area.

To solve this problem, the research team turned to nature for inspiration.

They studied the protective scales of pangolins, which overlap tightly while still allowing the animal to move freely.

Using this idea, the researchers designed overlapping battery components that fit together like scales. As the battery stretches, the scales slide over one another while maintaining close contact.

This bio-inspired structure dramatically reduces empty space, allowing the battery to maintain a much higher energy density while remaining flexible.

It also helps the battery continue working efficiently even when bent, twisted, or stretched repeatedly.

Powerful Enough for Real Devices

Many experimental batteries work only in laboratory demonstrations, but this new battery has already shown impressive real-world performance.

The researchers used it to power a wireless Bluetooth pulse oximeter—a medical device that measures blood oxygen levels.

The battery successfully powered the device for up to 30 hours, a runtime comparable to many conventional batteries used in similar electronics.

This demonstrates that the technology is far more than just an interesting scientific experiment.

It has enough energy capacity to support practical wearable devices, medical sensors, and numerous IoT applications.

As electronic devices continue becoming smaller and smarter, flexible power sources like this could become increasingly important.

Perfect for the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things refers to billions of connected devices that communicate wirelessly with one another.

These include smartwatches, environmental sensors, health monitors, industrial equipment, agricultural sensors, miniature robots, and countless other devices.

Many IoT systems require batteries that are lightweight, compact, flexible, and capable of operating for long periods.

The new moisture-activated battery is particularly well suited for these applications.

Because it is thin, stretchable, lightweight, and environmentally friendly, it can easily be integrated into devices that traditional rigid batteries cannot support.

It also avoids many of the safety concerns associated with lithium-ion technology.

A Battery with a Built-In Self-Destruct Feature

One of the most unusual aspects of the new battery is an optional built-in "kill switch."

This feature was designed for applications where sensitive electronics must be destroyed if someone attempts to tamper with them.

The kill switch works using another clever moisture-based chemical reaction.

Inside the device is a sealed compartment containing a dry mixture of aluminum powder and iodine.

Normally, the powder remains completely dry and inactive.

However, if pressure is applied—such as someone attempting to remove or open the device—the compartment breaks open.

The moisture-harvesting membrane immediately provides water absorbed from the surrounding air.

When the water mixes with the aluminum and iodine powder, it triggers an extremely rapid chemical reaction that generates intense heat.

Within minutes, the entire electronic device is engulfed in flames and destroyed.

Successful Demonstration

To test the kill switch, researchers installed it inside a wireless gas sensor powered by the new battery.

When activated, the reaction completely destroyed the sensor and its internal electronics in less than three minutes.

While dramatic, this feature could prove valuable for specialized surveillance systems or sensitive military equipment where preventing unauthorized access is critical.

Importantly, the self-destruct mechanism is an optional feature and is separate from the battery's normal operation.

Why This Technology Matters

Battery technology has advanced much more slowly than many other areas of electronics.

As devices continue shrinking, traditional batteries increasingly become one of the largest limitations in product design.

The new moisture-activated battery solves several major challenges at once:

  • It is lightweight and stretchable.

  • It uses safe, non-toxic materials.

  • It activates using moisture naturally present in air.

  • It has a long shelf life because it remains inactive until opened.

  • It delivers enough power for real wearable and IoT devices.

  • It is environmentally friendly thanks to biodegradable materials.

  • It can even support specialized self-destruct functions for security applications.

These combined advantages make it one of the most promising new battery technologies in recent years.

Looking Ahead

Although additional development will be needed before large-scale commercial production, the research demonstrates that moisture-powered batteries are no longer just a scientific curiosity.

They offer a practical, safe, and sustainable alternative to many existing battery technologies.

As wearable electronics, smart medical devices, flexible sensors, and IoT networks continue expanding across the world, demand for lightweight and environmentally friendly power sources will only increase.

This innovative battery shows that sometimes the simplest resource—water naturally present in the air around us—can unlock entirely new possibilities for powering tomorrow's technology. With its combination of flexibility, safety, long-lasting performance, and eco-friendly design, this breakthrough could play an important role in shaping the next generation of smart electronic devices.

Reference: 

  • Rajaram Kaveti et al.
,
Safe, high-performance, moisture-activated batteries for powering next-generation Internet-of-Things devices.Sci. Adv.12,eaee2065(2026).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.aee2065

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