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In 2013, researchers reported a lithium-ion microbattery made by 3D printing interlocking electrodes. Chemistry World described the finished cell as smaller than a grain of sand and called it the first lithium-ion battery manufactured by 3D printing. That claim is about the manufacturing method—not the first miniature battery ever made—and the device was a laboratory prototype, not a consumer product.
How was the miniature battery 3D printed?
The team in materials scientist Jennifer Lewis’s group at Harvard used a custom-built printer to deposit conductive inks in a tightly packed, interdigitated arrangement. Rather than printing a conventional battery enclosure and inserting off-the-shelf cells, the researchers printed the active electrode structures themselves.
- Prepare electrode inks. The anode ink contained lithium titanate nanoparticles; the cathode ink contained lithium iron phosphate nanoparticles.
- Print the electrodes. The printer laid down the inks as interlocking, stacked electrodes. Chemistry World reported electrode widths of 60 μm and gaps of 50 μm.
- Harden the printed structures. The deposited electrodes were dried and heated.
- Complete the cell. The electrodes were placed in a plastic casing with electrolyte.
The geometry was chosen to use the available volume efficiently. Lewis explained the design rationale to Chemistry World: “The battery’s energy capacity depends on how much of its volume is actually filled with the active electrodes, so we used this stacked, interdigitated architecture to fill as much space as possible.”
What did “a first for 3D printing” mean?
Chemistry World’s 24 June 2013 report described the work as the first lithium-ion battery manufactured by 3D printing. The underlying paper, published in Advanced Materials as “3D Printing of Interdigitated Li‐Ion Microbattery Architectures,” documents the research achievement. The wording should not be expanded into a claim that this was the first miniature battery: miniature commercial batteries already existed, and the group had printed other electronic components.
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- DESIGNED FOR KC007 3D PRINTING PROJECTS: Includes 3 RGBW puck lights and 3 remote control for compatible KC007 3D printed models. Download compatible designs from MakerWorld, including Halloween Jack-O'-Lantern, Jack-O'-Lantern Handle for KC007, Mini Tent Night Light and other lamp projects. Each light measures 62.2 mm D x 27.6 mm H. 3D printed models are not included
- RGB COLORS & 3000K WARM WHITE: Switch between colorful RGB lighting and practical 3000K warm white to give the same printed model a completely different look. Choose colorful lighting for Halloween decorations, party displays and creative accent lamps, or warm white for bedside lamps, desk displays, shelf lighting and relaxing ambient light
- TAP CONTROL & REMOTE CONTROL: Press the light directly to turn it on or off and cycle through colors, or use the included IR remote for convenient control. Change colors, adjust brightness, select Smooth or Flash modes, and set the timer without removing the puck light from your printed lamp, lantern or display
- ADJUSTABLE BRIGHTNESS & AUTO-OFF TIMER: Adjust the light output to suit different lamp shades, models and surroundings, from a soft decorative glow to brighter accent lighting. Set the 30- or 60-minute countdown timer for automatic shutoff, ideal for bedside lamps, ambient night lights, seasonal decorations and display lighting
- AAA BATTERY POWERED & EASY TO PLACE: Each puck light runs on 3 AAA batteries, eliminating USB cables running out of your 3D printed model and allowing more flexible placement. Use the included adhesive mounting pads to secure the light inside compatible prints or on a clean, flat surface. The IR remote requires a clear line of sight; lights within the same signal range may respond together and cannot be individually paired to one remote. Batteries are not included
The milestone was also not an ordinary desktop-printer project. It depended on custom equipment, conductive nanoparticle inks, and a process for building and treating microscopic electrodes. The report’s broader point was that 3D printing could make functional devices, not only prototypes of shapes. Simon Leigh, a materials chemist at the University of Warwick, told Chemistry World: “3D printing is giving cutting-edge materials research a route to making actual devices and products.”
What performance did the 2013 report describe?
Chemistry World reported a power density of 2.7 mW cm⁻² and characterized the battery’s cycle life, charge rate, and energy density as comparable to commercial batteries. These are figures and comparisons reported about that research device in 2013; they are not present-day product specifications or a retail product comparison.
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- 5-Speed Control & Efficient Motor: F2 Pro with adjustable 5-speed settings (5,000-25,000 RPM) accommodate everything from fine grinding to coarse cutting. Equipped with a high-efficiency magnetic motor and a 3,000mAh battery for up to 20-120 minutes of use (depends on the material and the speed applied)
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Lewis also described the goal of moving beyond shape-making: “Most of the 3D tools that have been developed today are for rapid prototyping, and that’s really just to show shapes. We want to go beyond form and add function.” Both quotations above are reproduced from Chemistry World’s report, rather than presented as direct quotations verified from the research paper.
How does the 2024 microscale battery differ?
A 2024 study in Nature Chemical Engineering reported a separate microscale soft rechargeable lithium-ion battery assembled from nanoliter droplets. It is useful context for continuing work on very small batteries, but it is a different architecture and does not extend or verify the 2013 “first” claim.
Rank #3
- [𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐮 𝐋𝐚𝐛 𝟎𝟎𝟏 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥]This remote-controlled RGB lighting kit is specifically designed to seamlessly integrate with 3D-printed models for Bambu Lab X1C/P1P/P1S/X1/X1E/H2D LED Light Kit 001, ensuring a simple and smooth installation process. No need to worry about compatibility issues—quickly complete assembly and enjoy normal functional performance. Note: 3D-printed parts must be self-printed by users. Relevant models can be downloaded for free on MakerWorld by searching "LED Light" or "MH001".
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- [𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬]To ensure the best lighting performance, we have meticulously selected high-quality 4W LED light sources and a sturdy aluminum alloy housing. The 1.5-meter USB power cable is powered by a 5V 1A USB (Type-A) interface, which can be connected to phone/tablet chargers, computer USB ports, or power banks (with Type-A interfaces rated above 1A).
- [𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬]This LED lighting kit has a wide range of applications, fulfilling almost any lighting requirement. It is perfectly suited for home environments such as kitchens, cabinets, display cabinets, bedrooms, desks, and bookshelves, as well as public spaces like university dormitories, offices, and party venues. Additionally, it can serve as an outdoor camping nightlight, festive decoration (e.g., Valentine’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, New Year), or even as a stress-relief device or mood lamp, adding comfort and fun to any space.
- [𝐔𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬]Use a USB power source with an output exceeding 5V/1A to ensure stable operation. Activate the button switch before using the remote control. This product includes a CR2025 coin battery. Store it out of children’s reach to prevent swallowing hazards. Keep the remote control within a 1-meter operational range. If unresponsive, immediately reinstall or replace the battery.
| Aspect | 2013 printed microbattery | 2024 soft droplet battery |
|---|---|---|
| Fabrication | Custom printer deposited conductive electrode inks in a stacked, interdigitated design, then the electrodes were dried, heated, and packaged with electrolyte. (Chemistry World, 2013) | Lipid-supported silk-hydrogel droplets were assembled into a battery; UV light crosslinked the hydrogel and activated the device. (Zhang et al., 2024) |
| Materials | Lithium titanate nanoparticle anode ink and lithium iron phosphate nanoparticle cathode ink. (Chemistry World, 2013) | Lithium manganese oxide cathode, lithium titanate anode, and a lithium chloride separator droplet. (Zhang et al., 2024) |
| Scale reported | Finished cell described as smaller than a grain of sand; electrode width 60 μm and spacing 50 μm. (Chemistry World, 2013) | Printable droplets as small as 0.5 nL, about 100 μm in diameter; a unit made from 10 nL droplets was about 600 μm long. (Zhang et al., 2024) |
| Reported results | Power density 2.7 mW cm⁻²; cycle life, charge rate, and energy density described as comparable to commercial batteries. (Chemistry World, 2013) | Average discharge plateau of 0.65 V. For 1 μL droplets, reported volumetric capacities were 17, 27, and 46 nAh μL⁻¹ at 1, 0.5, and 0.2 μA, respectively; output-capacity retention exceeded 72% after 50 cycles at 1 μA. (Zhang et al., 2024) |
| Demonstration | Laboratory microbattery fabrication and performance. (Chemistry World, 2013; Sun et al., 2013) | Laboratory battery experiments and ex vivo mouse-heart demonstrations of defibrillation and pacing-related effects—not evidence of clinical use. (Zhang et al., 2024) |
What the research means for consumers
Neither study establishes a battery that consumers can buy or reproduce by substituting a generic 3D printer, battery, or conductive ink. The 2013 result demonstrates a specialized fabrication approach; the 2024 work demonstrates a different experimental battery and biomedical effects in an ex vivo setting. Neither is evidence of a ready-to-use product.
Quick Recap
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- Adapter slides on your battery easily and locks on just like a drill would
- Adapter gives you access to the electrical terminals for electrical projects
- Adapters are Injection Molded with Nylon 6 Reinforced with glass fibers.
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- The mold, stamp, brass terminals, and adapters were made in the USA
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- DESIGNED FOR KC007 3D PRINTING PROJECTS: Includes 5 RGBW puck lights and 5 remote control for compatible KC007 3D printed models. Download compatible designs from MakerWorld, including Halloween Jack-O'-Lantern, Jack-O'-Lantern Handle for KC007, Mini Tent Night Light and other lamp projects. Each light measures 62.2 mm D x 27.6 mm H. 3D printed models are not included
- RGB COLORS & 3000K WARM WHITE: Switch between colorful RGB lighting and practical 3000K warm white to give the same printed model a completely different look. Choose colorful lighting for Halloween decorations, party displays and creative accent lamps, or warm white for bedside lamps, desk displays, shelf lighting and relaxing ambient light
- TAP CONTROL & REMOTE CONTROL: Press the light directly to turn it on or off and cycle through colors, or use the included IR remote for convenient control. Change colors, adjust brightness, select Smooth or Flash modes, and set the timer without removing the puck light from your printed lamp, lantern or display
- ADJUSTABLE BRIGHTNESS & AUTO-OFF TIMER: Adjust the light output to suit different lamp shades, models and surroundings, from a soft decorative glow to brighter accent lighting. Set the 30- or 60-minute countdown timer for automatic shutoff, ideal for bedside lamps, ambient night lights, seasonal decorations and display lighting
- AAA BATTERY POWERED & EASY TO PLACE: Each puck light runs on 3 AAA batteries, eliminating USB cables running out of your 3D printed model and allowing more flexible placement. Use the included adhesive mounting pads to secure the light inside compatible prints or on a clean, flat surface. The IR remote requires a clear line of sight; lights within the same signal range may respond together and cannot be individually paired to one remote. Batteries are not included
Sources
- Chemistry World, “Miniature battery a first for 3D printing,” 24 June 2013
- Sun et al., “3D Printing of Interdigitated Li‐Ion Microbattery Architectures,” Advanced Materials, 2013
- Zhang et al., “A microscale soft lithium-ion battery for tissue stimulation,” Nature Chemical Engineering, 2024
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