Mechanics-coupled design of fiber-shaped batteries for wearable systems: architectures, interfaces, and scalable integration

Fiber-shaped batteries have moved beyond proof-of-concept demonstrations and are increasingly being treated as load-bearing, deformable power components for electronic textiles. Their practical performance, however, is governed by a coupled problem: electrochemical reactions must remain spatially uniform while slender multilayer structures are bent, twisted, stretched, woven, washed, and repeatedly loaded. This mini review examines recent advances from a mechanics-centered perspective. It first relates coaxial, parallel, twisted, and spring-like architectures to strain distribution, interfacial contact, current-collection distance, and failure localization. It then discusses how fibrous current collectors, binder-free active layers, porous electrodes, and gel electrolytes regulate ion transport and suppress delamination or metal-dendrite damage. Progress in lithium-ion, aqueous zinc-ion, zinc-air, sodium-based, and metal-gas fiber batteries is compared in terms of the trade-off among energy density, safety, flexibility, and manufacturability. Particular attention is given to scalable processes, including wet spinning, solution extrusion, thermal drawing, coating-extrusion, and automated textile integration. Finally, the review argues that the field needs standardized mechano-electrochemical testing, total-device energy metrics, reliable terminals, breathable encapsulation, and manufacturing-level quality control. These priorities shift the design target from a flexible laboratory cell to a durable energy fiber that can be processed, connected, and used as part of a real textile system.

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Publication Details

Journal
Frontiers in Chemistry
Published
2026-11-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2026.1960202
Primary Topic
Advancements in Battery Materials
Type
article
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article

Mechanics-coupled design of fiber-shaped batteries for wearable systems: architectures, interfaces, and scalable integration

Tongtong Dong, Chaowei Liu, Lihua Jiang, Yuan Li et al.
Frontiers in Chemistry
Advancements in Battery Materials
article

Mechanics-coupled design of fiber-shaped batteries for wearable systems: architectures, interfaces, and scalable integration

Tongtong Dong, Chaowei Liu, Lihua Jiang, Yuan Li, Wenqi Wu, Zhenhua Liu
article en

Abstract

Fiber-shaped batteries have moved beyond proof-of-concept demonstrations and are increasingly being treated as load-bearing, deformable power components for electronic textiles. Their practical performance, however, is governed by a coupled problem: electrochemical reactions must remain spatially uniform while slender multilayer structures are bent, twisted, stretched, woven, washed, and repeatedly loaded. This mini review examines recent advances from a mechanics-centered perspective. It first relates coaxial, parallel, twisted, and spring-like architectures to strain distribution, interfacial contact, current-collection distance, and failure localization. It then discusses how fibrous current collectors, binder-free active layers, porous electrodes, and gel electrolytes regulate ion transport and suppress delamination or metal-dendrite damage. Progress in lithium-ion, aqueous zinc-ion, zinc-air, sodium-based, and metal-gas fiber batteries is compared in terms of the trade-off among energy density, safety, flexibility, and manufacturability. Particular attention is given to scalable processes, including wet spinning, solution extrusion, thermal drawing, coating-extrusion, and automated textile integration. Finally, the review argues that the field needs standardized mechano-electrochemical testing, total-device energy metrics, reliable terminals, breathable encapsulation, and manufacturing-level quality control. These priorities shift the design target from a flexible laboratory cell to a durable energy fiber that can be processed, connected, and used as part of a real textile system.

Frontiers in ChemistryVol. 14
Shandong Huayu University of Technology (CN)
Advancements in Battery Materials
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