A team of scientists from the United States Army has developed a new battery that is virtually indestructible.

Led by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory, or ARL, and electrochemist Dr. Cynthia Lundgren, the ARL scientists produced sheets of long-lasting, flexible, lightweight, non-flammable lithium ion batteries. Once developed, the team enclosed the waterproof battery sheets in a flexible metal casing that can be cut into different shapes without impacting the performance of the battery.

According to its developers, the new battery performed well under a variety of tests, including underwater ballistics tests, outperforming currently available batteries. Even when water breached the battery’s exterior casing during testing, the battery continued to successfully function, according to the ARL team.

Typically, batteries in military applications are used to power critical electronics such as radios, GPS technology and night vision systems to name just a few. However, current batteries generally do not hold up well against the extreme conditions and temperatures that soldiers may expose these devices to, particularly in remote regions of the world where the devices are most critical. Under constant wear and tear over time, batteries in these devices can become either unreliable or prone to catching fire or exploding.

The new battery is set for roll out in 2024. In the meantime, U.S. Army soldiers will be offering the battery’s developers feedback on its performance during testing in 2021.