Research Team Unveils Spray-on Battery

A cutting-edge battery that can be spray-painted on just about any surface was unveiled Thursday by a research team that tested it on everything from bathroom tiles to a beer mug.

The design could revolutionize the design of lithium-ion batteries that power our laptops, cellphones and electric cars -- leading to slimmer, lighter devices with built-in power supplies.

Using liquid versions of the same components found in conventional lithium-ion batteries, the team airbrushed their invention, in several layers, on to a glass slide, a stainless steel sheet, glazed ceramic tiles, and the curved surface of a mug.

"Basically, using this approach, we can convert any object or surface to a battery," said lead author Neelam Singh, an engineering student at Rice University in Texas.

Lithium-ion (or Li-ion) batteries work by transferring a charge between a negative and positive electrode.

Compared to other rechargeable batteries, they are light, have a high power output and storage capacity, and are safer.