'Nanoscoops' Could Spark New Generation of Electric Automobile Batteries

An entirely new type of nanomaterial could enable the next generation of high-power rechargeable lithium (Li)-ion batteries

January 5, 2011 RSS Feed Print
  • Comment (1)

A limitation of the nanoscoop architecture is the relatively low total mass of the electrode, Koratkar said. To solve this, the team’s next steps are to try growing longer scoops with greater mass, or develop a method for stacking layers of nanoscoops on top of each other. Another possibility the team is exploring includes growing the nanoscoops on large flexible substrates that can be rolled or shaped to fit along the contours or chassis of the automobile.  

Along with Koratkar, authors on the paper are Toh-Ming Lu, the R.P. Baker Distinguished Professor of Physics and associate director of the Center for Integrated Electronics at Rensselaer; and Rahul Krishnan, a graduate student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Rensselaer.

This study was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

---

 Follow U.S. News Science on Twitter.

Tags:
research,
engineering,
energy,
alternative fuels,
technology,
cars

Reader Comments Read all comments (1)

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Does this mean we can have a long range car like the Tesla that will charge in a few minutes instead of hours? If so, maybe the "big oil" companies will buy up this technology and bury it like they have so many other fuel saving technologies.

Seriously, a development which would make electric autos more convenient for the average person to use would launch them into the competitive arena in a big way. There are, however some problems. The cost of the materials for manufacture could put it beyond the reach of the average consumer in a normal free market economy. Also, the lithium is a "rare earth" metal and we may be at the mercy of foreign countries for an adequate supply (sound familiar?).

But, modern research and engineering may discover something else that performs as well as Lithium and costs less and is easier to obtain. It's been done before!

Jay Paul of MI 4:20PM January 07, 2011

National Science Foundation

NSF

Hydrogen Gas in the Universe

Researcher believes it is key ingredient to Universe.

Chemistry and Clouds

Researchers look at water droplets and chemical reactions.

Learning and Play

Researcher studies children's unstructured playtime.

advertisement

Science Discoveries

Science Discoveries

iTunes icon RSS icon

advertisement