scipaPrintable nanotube batteries
November 20th 2007 19:57
Carbon nanotubes have been performing miracles since I was a kid... it's a testament to the flexibility of the structure that they've been used in so many different applications.
Lately, researchers have been looking at nanotubes for battery applications - because of their tin size, they pave the way for a battery that could deliver high power in small form factors.
The problem has been, in the past, that they're complicated to make into a product, but a research group at UCLA has come up with a method of printing the nanotubes into a battery structure.
"The batteries, which are less than a millimeter thin, feature the same zinc-carbon makeup as traditional rechargables, but are made by depositing thin layers of zinc and manganese oxide over a layer of nanotubes."
Unfortunately, we're still a long way from realizing a nanotube battery, but this production style might make them cost competitive finally.
I like to think of where this technology might lead. Other research groups are interested in printable circuits... can we get to the stage where everything is printed in one go? Circuit, display and power source? A thin piece of plastic comes off the press, and it's an active display?
Lately, researchers have been looking at nanotubes for battery applications - because of their tin size, they pave the way for a battery that could deliver high power in small form factors.
The problem has been, in the past, that they're complicated to make into a product, but a research group at UCLA has come up with a method of printing the nanotubes into a battery structure.
"The batteries, which are less than a millimeter thin, feature the same zinc-carbon makeup as traditional rechargables, but are made by depositing thin layers of zinc and manganese oxide over a layer of nanotubes."
Unfortunately, we're still a long way from realizing a nanotube battery, but this production style might make them cost competitive finally.
I like to think of where this technology might lead. Other research groups are interested in printable circuits... can we get to the stage where everything is printed in one go? Circuit, display and power source? A thin piece of plastic comes off the press, and it's an active display?
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