Supercapacitors Take Huge Leap in Performance T
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The key development is that the researchers developed a non-toxic, low-temperature process for producing graphene that had better electrochemical performance than those synthesized by high-temperature methods. The researchers claim that the energy density of the supercapacitors produced with their graphene achieved a remarkable 131 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/Kg), nearly four times the previous record for graphene-based supercapacitors.
Today the average Li-ion battery has around 200Wh/Kg—way short of Chu’s goal—but graphene-based supercapacitors are even further off the mark, only achieving around 35Wh/Kg in lab prototypes.
But Wu and his colleagues claim that their graphene had an energy density of 131Wh/Kg. This is certainly a big leap from the 35Wh/Kg that had been previously achieved in supercapacitors, but is still short of a Li-ion’s average energy density of 200Wh/Kg.
Even so, this is a remarkable leap in energy density for supercapacitors and puts storage capacity parity with Li-ion batteries within reach. And when you have a a supercapacitor that has the storage capacity of a Li-ion battery and the ability to charge in mere moments rather than hours, all-electric vehicles might just be a lot more attractive.
http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconduc...pectrum%29
Trees are source for high-capacity, soft batteries
A method for making elastic high-capacity batteries from wood pulp has been developed. Using nanocellulose broken down from tree fibers, scientists have produced an elastic, foam-like battery material that can withstand shock and stress.
Another partner is leading battery researcher, Professor Yi Cui from Stanford University
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/...083212.htm
Now that's a wood chip! Circuits made with tree fibres could lead to super flexible, biodegradable phones
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sciencetech/art...hones.html
Graphene spacecraft could fly on starlight
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-05/2...spacecraft