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Storing energy in red bricks

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to convert red bricks into energy storage units that can store electricity, which could be charged and used to power devices. The 'smart bricks' can store a substantial amount of energy and can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times within an hour.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 11, 2020

Lightning in a (nano)bottle: new supercapacitor opens door to better wearable electronics

Researchers developed a stretchable, environmentally friendly, and low-cost supercapacitor with high power density and fast charge-discharge rates. The new design uses nitrogen-doped graphene electrodes in an NaCl-based electrolyte, improving volumetric performance and reducing fabrication costs.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Energy Storage·DateJun 11, 2020

Supercapacitors turbocharged by laxatives

A team of scientists from the University of Bristol and MIT has designed a new class of highly efficient ionic liquid electrolytes that can improve supercapacitor performance. These detergent-like electrolytes can self-assemble into sandwich-like bilayer structures on electrode surfaces, leading to improved energy storage capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 12, 2019

Self-powered wearable tech

Michigan State University researchers have created a potential solution for emerging wearable tech by developing highly stretchable supercapacitors powered by crumpled carbon nanotube forests. The new design has demonstrated solid performance and stability, even under extreme stretching and relaxing cycles.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateMay 2, 2019

Wood to supercapacitors

Researchers have discovered a way to produce highly conductive electrode materials for supercapacitors sustainably using nanocellulose derived from wood pulp. The new method yields mechanically stable and porous three-dimensional networks with high electrical conductivity.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 24, 2018

NTU scientists create customizable, fabric-like power source for wearable electronics

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University have created a customizable, fabric-like power source that can be recharged many times and has the ability to store an electrical charge four times higher than most existing stretchable supercapacitors. The editable supercapacitor is made of strengthened manganese dioxide nanowire composit...

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 30, 2018

Hybrid electrolyte enhances supercapacitance in vertical graphene nanosheets

Researchers discovered a hybrid electrolyte that combines aqueous and organic characteristics to increase the performance of vertical graphene nanosheets in supercapacitors. The hybrid electrolyte and potassium hydroxide activation improved nanostructure and charge storage capacity, resulting in fivefold improvements in capacitance.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateDec 5, 2017

Rapid cellphone charging getting closer to reality

Scientists at the University of Waterloo have created a new type of supercapacitor that can store significantly more electrical energy than existing devices. This breakthrough enables faster charging times for cellphones and laptops, and potentially replaces batteries in electric vehicles and other applications.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 25, 2017

Spinning a lighter, safer electrode

Drexel University researchers have created a fabric-like material electrode that could help make energy storage devices faster and less susceptible to leaks or fires. Their design uses a thick ion-rich gel electrolyte absorbed in a freestanding mat of porous carbon nanofibers, eliminating the need for flammable liquids.

SourceDrexel University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 20, 2017

Superstretchable, supercompressible supercapacitors

Scientists create a polyacrylamide hydrogel electrolyte that enables supercapacitors to be stretched up to 1000% in length and compressed by 50% in thickness without losing capacity. This flexibility makes the supercapacitor suitable for wearable electronics.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 3, 2017

Bio-inspired energy storage: A new light for solar power

Researchers from RMIT University have developed a groundbreaking graphene-based electrode prototype that can increase the capacity of existing integrable storage technologies by 3000%. This breakthrough design is inspired by the efficient vein structure of fern leaves, offering a solution to the storage challenge holding solar energy b...

SourceRMIT University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 31, 2017

Organic electronics can use power from socket

Researchers at Linköping University have developed an organic converter that enables the use of electricity from a wall socket to drive organic light-emitting devices and charge supercapacitors. This innovation paves the way for flexible, thin, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solutions in electronics.

SourceLinköping University·JournalOrganic Electronics·DateMar 21, 2017

Going green with nanotechnology

Researchers have developed environmentally friendly organic solar cells using nanomaterials, increasing efficiency and reducing toxic substances. Additionally, hybrid capacitors with enhanced storage capacity and faster charging capabilities have been created using nano-diamond composites, paving the way for more efficient energy stores.

New research could lead to more efficient electrical energy storage

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have identified changes in the structure and bonding of graphitic carbon electrodes that may improve the capacity and efficiency of electrical energy storage systems. The new X-ray adsorption spectroscopy capability provided key information on how the structure and bonding evolve du...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 4, 2015

Laser-induced graphene 'super' for electronics

Researchers at Rice University have developed stacked, three-dimensional supercapacitors using laser-induced graphene, which show excellent energy-storage capacity and power potential. The devices can be scaled up for commercial applications and offer flexibility and scalability benefits.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 14, 2015

Used-cigarette butts offer energy storage solution

Scientists from South Korea convert used-cigarette filters into a superior carbon-based material for supercapacitors, offering an eco-friendly solution to meet increasing energy demands. The material stores more electrical energy than commercially available options and has potential applications in various devices.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNanotechnology·DateAug 5, 2014