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  • Strategic Elements (SOR) has reached a milestone in the development of battery technology, which generates electricity from humidity in the air or on skin
  • The pooled development fund has developed a prototype battery pack made from five battery ink cells, each thinner than a human hair
  • In testing, the self-charging battery sustained output of four volts over a five hour period
  • A patent application has been lodged to cover the intellectual property developed during the program
  • In the next four to six weeks, the company is aiming to develop a smaller battery ink cell, a quarter of the size but able to generate a similar level of voltage
  • Shares have been trading 13.5 per cent higher at 80 cents

Strategic Elements (SOR) has reached a milestone in the development of battery technology, which generates electricity from humidity in the air or on skin.

The pooled development fund is developing the self-charging battery technology under a grant with the University of New South Wales and the CSIRO.

The most recent test relates to a prototype battery pack made from five battery ink cells which were fabricated onto glass. Each of the cells is one square centimetre in area, thinner than a human hair and weighs a few milligrams.

In testing, the prototype sustained output of four volts over a five hour period, despite fluctuations in humidity from 75 per cent to 55 per cent.

Strategic Elements Managing Director Charles Murphy said the team is very encouraged by the milestone.

“In response to that, we are adding in PhD material science expertise and developing a panel of industry specialists. The technology sits across two of the strongest 2021 investment sectors in batteries and environmental technologies and is a very good fit for our high-risk, high reward Pooled Development Fund structure.”

A patent application has been lodged to cover the intellectual property developed during the program.

“My group at UNSW have developed deep experience in printed electronic inks, energy harvesting and storage over the past nine years. Although still under development the battery ink is developing promisingly as an electrical generator battery technology,” added UNSW Professor Dewei Chu.

In the next four to six weeks, the company is aiming to develop a smaller battery ink cell, a quarter of the current size but able to generate a similar level of voltage.

Another goal is to develop battery ink cells which are able to be fabricated onto textile. Strategic Elements is aiming to develop prototype textile materials in the next six to eight weeks, with the initial objective of reaching 500 bending cycles.

Shares have been trading 13.5 per cent higher at 80 cents at 10:22 am AEDT.

SOR by the numbers
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