Scientists develop “paper batteries” through nanoengineering
Scientists and researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a nanoengineered battery that is physically identical to paper. Ultra thin and flexible, this could very well be the future of energy storage devices.
The creation of this product was pure genius. Paper was combined with aligned carbon nanotubes which act as electrodes and permit it to conduct electricity. Ann and John H. Broadbent Senior Constellation Professor of Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering at Rensselaer Robert Linhardt noted that:
It’s essentially a regular piece of paper, but it’s made in a very intelligent way. We’re not putting pieces together – it’s a single, integrated device.
The components are molecularly attached to each other: the carbon nanotube print is embedded in the paper, and the electrolyte is soaked into the paper. The end result is a device that looks, feels, and weighs the same as paper.
Engineered to function as both a lithium-ion battery and a supercapacitor, it has the capability of providing a consistent stream of energy like a normal battery in addition to the supercapacitor’s high energy pulses. This versatility will come in handy if ever this technology becomes adopted by the masses.
It is very resilient with the ability to function in extreme temperatures. Running out of power is not even issue since sweat or even blood can be used powering the device (Matrix anyone?). All of these factors combine to make it ideal for use in hostile environments.
Currently, the development team behind the project are working on a way to mass produce it cheaply. It’s a pretty safe bet that when they do, this new battery/supercapasitor will be sending waves through the electronics industry.
Via Rensselaer
Scientists and researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a nanoengineered battery that is physically identical to paper. Ultra thin and flexible, this could very well be the future of energy storage devices.
The creation of this product was pure genius. Paper was combined with aligned carbon nanotubes which act as electrodes and permit it to conduct electricity. Ann and John H. Broadbent Senior Constellation Professor of Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering at Rensselaer Robert Linhardt noted that:
It’s essentially a regular piece of paper, but it’s made in a very intelligent way. We’re not putting pieces together – it’s a single, integrated device.
The components are molecularly attached to each other: the carbon nanotube print is embedded in the paper, and the electrolyte is soaked into the paper. The end result is a device that looks, feels, and weighs the same as paper.
Engineered to function as both a lithium-ion battery and a supercapacitor, it has the capability of providing a consistent stream of energy like a normal battery in addition to the supercapacitor’s high energy pulses. This versatility will come in handy if ever this technology becomes adopted by the masses.
It is very resilient with the ability to function in extreme temperatures. Running out of power is not even issue since sweat or even blood can be used powering the device (Matrix anyone?). All of these factors combine to make it ideal for use in hostile environments.
Currently, the development team behind the project are working on a way to mass produce it cheaply. It’s a pretty safe bet that when they do, this new battery/supercapasitor will be sending waves through the electronics industry.
Via Rensselaer