Graphene ‘onion rings’ have delicious potential
23 July, 2013Concentric hexagons of graphene grown in a furnace at Rice University represent the first time anyone has synthesised graphene nanoribbons on metal from the bottom up - atom by atom.
Bacteria batteries to produce electricity
22 July, 2013An increasing demand for sources of alternative energy, environmental pollution caused by conventional batteries and the phasing out of nuclear energy in Germany has encouraged Bielefeld students to develop a bio-battery (microbial fuel cell - MFC), which directly transforms bacteria into energy.
Mobile phone powered with pee
17 July, 2013British scientists have developed a novel way of charging mobile phones using urine as the power source to generate electricity.
Researchers spy on Li-Ions to develop next-gen batteries
11 July, 2013Reza Shahbazian-Yassar, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Michigan Technological University, has developed a device that allows researchers to eavesdrop on individual lithium ions - and potentially develop the next generation of batteries.
New electrolyte gel for safer batteries
05 July, 2013Korean researchers have found a new physical organogel electrolyte with two unique characteristics: an irreversible thermal gelation and a high value of the lithium-ion transference number.
A battery made out of wood?
24 June, 2013A sliver of wood coated with tin could make a tiny, long-lasting, efficient and environmentally friendly battery, according to researchers at The University of Maryland.
3D-printed Li-Ion microbatteries
20 June, 2013Printing lithium-ion batteries on a 3D printer could enable the development of miniaturised medical implants, compact electronics, tiny robots and more.
‘Popcorn’ particle pathways promise better Li-ion batteries
14 June, 2013Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have confirmed the particle-by-particle mechanism by which lithium ions move in and out of electrodes made of lithium iron phosphate, findings that could lead to better performance in Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles, medical equipment and aircraft.
All-solid sulfur-based battery outperforms Li-Ion technology
07 June, 2013Scientists have designed and tested an all-solid lithium-sulfur battery with approximately four times the energy density of the conventional lithium-ion technologies that power today’s electronics.
ABB develops technology to flash charge electric bus in 15 seconds
03 June, 2013The flash-charging technology and the onboard traction equipment used in this project were developed by ABB and optimised for high-frequency bus routes in key urban areas, carrying large numbers of passengers at peak times.
An Australian EV charger optimises utilities’ network performance
31 May, 2013An Australian-developed electric vehicle charger can halve electric vehicle (EV) charging costs, a world-first Victorian Department of Transport trial has found. The ChargeIQ EV charger was also found to optimise utilities’ network performance.
Scientists develop a low-cost alternative to lithium-ion batteries
30 May, 2013 by Mark Shwartz, Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford UniversityStanford University scientists have developed an advanced zinc-air battery with higher catalytic activity and durability than similar batteries made with costly platinum and iridium catalysts.
New technique to improve quality control of lithium-ion batteries
13 May, 2013Purdue University researchers have created a new tool to detect flaws in lithium-ion batteries as they are being manufactured - a step towards reducing defects and inconsistencies in the thickness of electrodes that affect battery life and reliability.
Charging electric vehicles cheaper and faster
07 May, 2013Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed an integrated motor drive and battery charger for electric vehicles. Compared to today’s electric vehicle chargers, they have managed to shorten the charging time from eight to two hours, and to reduce the cost by around $2000.
Charge batteries with water puddles
03 May, 2013A power source for your mobile phone can now be as close as the nearest faucet, stream or even a puddle, with the world’s first water-activated charging device. The MyFC PowerTrekk charger relies on fuel cell technology developed at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
