Scalable nanomanufacturing of inkjet-printed wearable energy storage devices

Abstract

The economic production and integration of nanomaterial-based wearable energy storage devices with mechanically-compliable form factors and reliable performance will usher in exciting opportunities in emerging technologies such as consumer electronics, pervasive computing, human–machine interface, robotics, and the Internet of Things. Despite the increased interests and efforts in nanotechnology-enabled flexible energy storage devices, reducing the manufacturing and integration costs while continuously improving the performance at the device and system level remains a major technological challenge. The inkjet printing process has emerged as a potential economic method for nanomanufacturing printed electronics, sensors, and energy devices. Nevertheless, there have been few reports reviewing the scalable nanomanufacturing of inkjet printed wearable energy storage devices. To fill this gap, here we review the recent advances in inkjet printed flexible energy storage technologies. We will provide an in-depth discussion focusing on the materials, manufacturing process integration, and performance issues in designing and implementing the inkjet printing of wearable energy storage devices. We have also compiled a comprehensive list of the reported device technologies with the corresponding processing factors and performance metrics. Finally, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with related topics. The rapid and exciting progress achieved in many emerging and traditional disciplines is expected to lead to more theoretical and experimental advances that would ultimately enable the scalable nanomanufacturing of inkjet printed wearable energy storage devices.