Just when you think science can’t get any smaller they go and build something half the size!
Now scientists have created batteries that are made from copier paper and thus are very thin. This method is not only small like the nanotubes that have already been demonstrated but it is also very cheap.
This however is not the only reason for using paper. It is able to bend and fold much more than its metal and plastic counterparts due to its millions of interconnected fibres which fortunately also is a perfect scaffold for carbon nanotubes and potentially mounting devices although on a small scale.
This idea was started by a team of researchers at Stanford University that originally used average copier paper and ‘painted’ on an ink of carbon nanotubes. They then dipped the paper in solutions containing lithium (with an electrolyte) which caused a chemical reaction and provided the battery with current. In normal batteries the metal components collect the electric charge produced, but in these new paper batteries it is the paper that does this.
As this is much lighter, batteries could be reduced in weight by about 20%. This has lead to people thinking into the idea of vehicle batteries made of paper not only because of their weight but also their ability to release quick bursts of energy which is a very important feature in car batteries. Also it is a well understood material but above all it is inexpensive.
With the huge success of the paper battery the researchers have now opened the way for research and experimentation with other materials like cloth to make batteries. Interesting to think where this battery research might lead, but good to see that some very different avenues are being tested to power our future technology needs, it certainly beats my USB batteries for hi-tech!
Now scientists have created batteries that are made from copier paper and thus are very thin. This method is not only small like the nanotubes that have already been demonstrated but it is also very cheap.
This however is not the only reason for using paper. It is able to bend and fold much more than its metal and plastic counterparts due to its millions of interconnected fibres which fortunately also is a perfect scaffold for carbon nanotubes and potentially mounting devices although on a small scale.
This idea was started by a team of researchers at Stanford University that originally used average copier paper and ‘painted’ on an ink of carbon nanotubes. They then dipped the paper in solutions containing lithium (with an electrolyte) which caused a chemical reaction and provided the battery with current. In normal batteries the metal components collect the electric charge produced, but in these new paper batteries it is the paper that does this.
As this is much lighter, batteries could be reduced in weight by about 20%. This has lead to people thinking into the idea of vehicle batteries made of paper not only because of their weight but also their ability to release quick bursts of energy which is a very important feature in car batteries. Also it is a well understood material but above all it is inexpensive.
With the huge success of the paper battery the researchers have now opened the way for research and experimentation with other materials like cloth to make batteries. Interesting to think where this battery research might lead, but good to see that some very different avenues are being tested to power our future technology needs, it certainly beats my USB batteries for hi-tech!
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