A new type of polymer gel developed by a team of researchers at the University of Leeds can reportedly be used for making cheaper lithium batteries that are much safer than the lithium batteries currently in use.

According to the information shared by the researchers - led by Professor Ian Ward, a research professor of Physics – since the polymer gel will essentially work as a substitute for liquid electrolytes in rechargeable lithium cells, the additional advantage the gel material will offer is that it will nor require an internal separator.

The technology pertaining to the polymer gel has already been licensed to an American battery firm, which apparently intends commercializing the use of gel-based lithium cells in portable electronics as these cells can be “shaped and bent to fit the geometries of virtually any device.”

Revealing that that the polymer gel is similar in appearance to a solid film, but it actually contains nearly 70 percent liquid electrolyte, Professor Ward said: “It's made using the same principles as making a jelly: you add lots of hot water to 'gelatine' - in this case there is a polymer and electrolyte mix - and as it cools it sets to form a solid but flexible mass.”

The researchers have also pioneered a new manufacturing process that boasts the capability of extruding the gel between the cathode and anode of a battery at a notably fast pace; thus resulting in lower costs of manufacturing.