Article by Mobile Maiden

A team of scientists at the University of Illinois has possibly discovered a way to make cell phone batteries that don’t need charging for months at a time. The team believes their method will enable mobile phone and laptop batteries to last up to 100 times longer. According to Stephen Adams, The Telegraph, it focuses on changing the way a device’s digital memory works, as this consumes much of the charge. Feng Xiong, a graduate student on the team who was lead author on a paper, to be published in the journal Science, explained: “The energy consumption is essentially scaled with the volume of the memory bit. By using nanoscale contacts, we are able to achieve much smaller power consumption.”

Carbon Nanotubes Make Lighter, More Powerful Cell Phone Batteries

Another team at MIT is doing similar research. The discovery could lead to a new way of producing electricity, the researchers say. The main factor is again carbon nanotubes, submicroscopic hollow tubes made of a honeycomb lattice of carbon atoms. According to an article by David L. Chandler, MIT News Office, “Like a collection of flotsam propelled along the surface by waves traveling across the ocean, it turns out that a thermal wave — a moving pulse of heat — traveling along a microscopic wire can drive electrons along, creating an electrical current. The phenomenon, described as thermopower waves, “opens up a new area of energy research, which is rare,” says Michael Strano, MIT’s Charles and Hilda Roddey Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, who was the senior author of a paper describing the new findings that appeared in Nature Materials on March 7. The lead author was Wonjoon Choi, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering.”

Carbon nanotubes? It sounds like something out of a science fiction

Stanford scientists are doing the unbelievable. Who could have thought of ordinary papers as batteries and super capacitors? But Stanford scientists are harnessing nanotechnology to quickly create ultra-lightweight, bendable batteries and super capacitors utilizing everyday paper. They have prepared ink with of carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires. Silver nanowires are highly conductive storage device. They are coating the sheet of papers with ink of carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires.

Yi Cui is the assistant professor of materials science and engineering. Cui’s work is published in the paper “Highly Conductive Paper for Energy Storage Devices.” It is published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He states, “Society really needs a low-cost, high-performance energy storage device, such as batteries and simple supercapacitors.”

What is the difference between battery and capacitor? Batteries and capacitors both store electric charge. But capacitors hold it for a shorter duration than batteries. But, capacitors have an advantage. They can store and discharge electricity much more rapidly than a battery.

Cui says about the nanomaterials, “These nanomaterials are special. They’re a one-dimensional structure with very small diameters.” The small diameter is quite crucial because it helps the nanomaterial ink to stick strongly to the fibrous paper. This makes the battery and supercapacitor very durable. The paper supercapacitor can bear the 40,000 charge-discharge cycles. It’s better than lithium batteries as far as an order of magnitude is concerned. Cui explains that the nanomaterials also make ideal conductors because they move electricity along much more efficiently than ordinary conductors.

Bing Hu is a post-doctoral fellow. He put the above theory to practice. He took a small square of ordinary paper and dipped it with an ink. This deposited the nanotubes on the surface of the paper. This paper can then be charged with energy and viola! You are holding this wonder called paper battery.

Cui had previously experimented with plastic. He created plastic batteries using nano material. But he concluded that paper is a better option than plastic. Because, a paper battery is more long-lasting than plastic as ink sticks to paper more strongly. You can test the durability of paper batter by crumpling it, folding it or soaking it in acid or base, it’s performance will not deteriorate.

We all can conclude that paper battery will be more flexible than plastic one. By using that flexibility we can manoeuvre the battery in many possible ways. Cui explains, “If I want to paint my wall with a conducting energy storage device. I can use a brush.” Cui’s invention can be quite beneficial for electric or hybrid cars, because they demand quick transfer of electricity. The paper supercapacitor also enjoys the distinction of high surface-to-volume ratio. It will be advantageous for hybrid cars.

Peidong Yang is the professor of chemistry at the University of California-Berkeley. He says, “This technology has potential to be commercialized within a short time. I don’t think it will be limited to just energy storage devices. This is potentially a very nice, low-cost, flexible electrode for any electrical device.”

Cui foresees the biggest use of his paper batteries in large-scale storage of electricity on the distribution grid. We all know that surplus electricity generated at night could be stored in these paper batteries and later on utilized during rush or peak hours. Energy of wind and solar farms can also be stored in these paper batteries.

I got hold of some 2600F capacitors that can dump hundreds of amps. Normally these are used in electric cars to handle sudden stops and starts. Instead, I use them to vaporize bits of metal, and show you the 3 most important capacitor equations along the way.

Batteries can be make for Batteries­.but could blood be used to power batteries?Batteries are pr­actically essential devices but present a whole ho­st of problems. Over time they can have trouble retaining a charge. Some stop working altogether. Others overheat or leak or even explode. They’re also rigid and sometimes bulky. Then how about, instead of your standard AA or lithium-ion, a flexible, incredibly thin battery that could be powered by blood or sweat? Seems like an improvement, right?­­

­A group of scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute claims they’ve created just such a battery, one that uses the electrolytes naturally found in bodily fluids. The results of the research, detailed in the Aug. 13, 2007, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are generating some excitement as part of a new crop of “bio-batteries” that run off of bodily fluids or other organic compounds.

The battery is not only as thin as paper; it essentially is paper. At least 90 percent of the battery is made from cellulose, which makes up traditional paper and other paper products . Aligned carbon nanotubes make up the other 10 percent, give the paper its conductive abilities and also make it black. The nanotubes are imprinted in the very fabric of the paper, creating what’s called a nanocomposite paper. One of the paper’s authors said that the battery “looks, feels and weighs the same as paper”.

Using nanotechnology, the battery’s small size, flexibility and replenishing electrolyte source — that is, as long as you eat — make it ideal for medical applications. When using the battery away from the human body, scientists soaked the paper in an ionic fluid , which provides the electrolytes.

The battery’s paper-like construction grants it significant flexibility. The RPI research team believes that the battery could, in the future, be printed in long sheets, which could then be cut into small, custom-shaped batteries. The nanocomposite paper can have holes poked in it or be cut into unusual shapes and continue to function. Several sheets could be lumped together to power medical implants, such as pacemakers, artificial hearts or advanced prosthetics. The battery would easily fit under the skin without causing any discomfort.

Because the ionic liquid used doesn’t freeze or evaporate like water, the battery could be employed at a wide range of temperatures: from -100 degrees Fahrenheit up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Its temperature resistance and light weight mean that manufacturers of automobiles and airplanes — both of which require light, durable materials — may come calling.

The researchers behind the battery claim that their device is unique because it can act “as both a high-energy battery and a high-power supercapacitor” . ­Supercapacitors allow for large, quick bursts of energy, potentially extending the technology’s already wide range of applications.

The battery, which is considered environmentally friendly because of its lack of chemicals and high cellulose content, was announced in the summer of 2007, but it may be years before it’s ready to stream off production lines in long sheets. The RPI research team says that, in the meantime, they’re trying to boost the battery’s efficiency and to figure out the best method for production.

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Global Ultracapacitors Market to Reach $ 261 Million By 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
San Jose, CA (PRWEB) February 9, 2010

Against the backdrop of growing clamor for clear and environment-friendly energy storage solutions, the demand for alternative energy storage solutions such as ultracapacitors is on the rise. Currently, used as solutions to compliment the battery technology, ultracapacitors are fast being developed and enhanced for replacing traditional batteries in the long run. As alternative energy storage devices, ultracapacitors evolved over the years, to now present considerable usage benefits, such as superior power density, rapid recharging and compact design among others.

Growth in the worldwide Ultracapacitors market has long been fashioned by demand from industrial sector. However, off late the market has been witnessing a huge spurt in demand from automotive applications segment, especially in hybrid buses and other electric transit vehicles. With ultracapacitors finding their adoption in several automotive applications, such as regenerative braking, auto start-stop, power assist, door-lock systems, catalyst preheating and stabilization of electrical system among others, it is of no surprise that the automotive application segment has out staged the industrial application segment, as the largest end-use market for ultracapacitors.

As the world economy recovers poise in the upcoming years, the ultracapacitors market will only strengthen its stand further. Significant opportunities from large-scale energy storage systems and consumer electronics, substantial cost benefits offered by ultracapacitors in comparison to other alternative energy storage solutions, and fast paced R&D projects for expanding product usability are among factors that are expected to fuel the Ultracapacitors market in future. However, optimum penetration and commercialization of innovative ultracapacitor solutions, remain contingent on the ability of manufacturers to iron out issues related to high price, lack of standardization, and development of economically viable microscopic manufacturing processes.

Leading players operating in this industry include Nippon Chemi-Con, Panasonic, Maxwell Industries, NessCap, NEC/Tokin, Nichicon, Elna Co., Ltd, Cap-XX, ELIT Co, APowerCap Technologies, Axion Power International Inc., BatScap, Cellergy Ltd., EEStor, Inc., Enable IPC, EPCOS AG and ESMA among others

The report titled “Ultracapacitors: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a review of noteworthy market trends, growth drivers and issues. The report in addition also enumerates recent mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities. The report quantifies latent demand patterns in the ultracapacitors market in dollars across key end-use market verticals. The study analyzes market data and analytics in terms of annual revenues (in US$ Million) by regional markets including North America, Europe, and Rest of World, as well as by application segments including Automotive, Industrial and Consumer Electronics Applications.

For more details about this market research report, please visit – http://www.strategyr.com/Ultracapacitors_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market

Carbon nanotubes are minuscule allotropes of carbon having sizes to the scale of nanometers. Their physical, electrical, and thermal properties make them special material for a number of applications. CNTs have very high tensile strength, excellent electrical conductivity, and the ability to bear high working temperatures. However, notwithstanding some challenges like high cost of production and integration issues, the CNT application markets have made great breakthroughs and enabled nanotechnology to become one of the most sought-after technologies to have made a huge impact on a wide range of applications such as electronics, medicine, aerospace, defense, automotives, energy, construction, etc. With some of the big producers stepping up their production capacities, the prices of CNTs are bound to come down and this will induce a spiral effect on the application areas; thereby pushing up the demand for CNTs. With extensive research regarding CNT being carried out by almost all the leading companies in the above mentioned application areas, the challenges for integration of CNT will eventually loosen out and in a nutshell, it would be said that carbon nanotubes are the hottest nanomaterial in the time to come.

All the major types of carbon nanotubes such as single-walled and multi-walled have been covered in depth in this report. Their production and pricing trends and forecast have been included. As this report focuses mainly on the major application areas of carbon nanotubes, we have included all the current possible application areas such as electronics and semiconductors, chemicals and polymers, batteries and capacitors, fuel cells, medical applications, advanced materials, defense, and others.

We have further divided these major applications areas into sub-segments that include field emission displays, sensors, hydrogen storage, lithium-ion batteries, fuel cell, solar PV cells, drug delivery, sporting goods, airframe and components, etc. and analyzed these markets with their trends and forecasts. Each of the macro and micro markets include detailed analysis of the market trends and forecast, affecting factors, and their competitive landscape.

We have carried out an in-depth geographic analysis for each of the markets and their sub-segments covering the major regional markets; viz. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and ROW.

Table Of Contents : 

1 INTRODUCTION 
1.1 KEY TAKE-AWAYS 
1.2 REPORT DESCRIPTION 
1.3 MARKETS COVERED 
1.4 STAKEHOLDERS 
1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 
1.5.1 MARKET SIZE 
1.5.2 KEY DATA POINTS TAKEN FROM SECONDARY SOURCES 
1.5.3 KEY DATA POINTS TAKEN FROM PRIMARY SOURCES 
1.5.4 ASSUMPTIONS MADE FOR THIS REPORT 
1.5.5 COMPANIES COVERED DURING PRIMARY RESEARCH 

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

3 MARKET OVERVIEW 
3.1 DEFINING THE GLOBAL CARBON NANOTUBE MARKET 
3.2 BURNING ISSUES 
3.2.1 QUALITY ISSUES 
3.2.2 HIGH CAPITAL COSTS 
3.2.3 PATENTS & IP BLOCKING 
3.3 WINNING IMPERATIVES 
3.3.1 EXPANSION OF NEW PRODUCTION CAPACITIES 
3.3.2 COLLABORATIONS TO DEVELOP NEW APPLICATIONS 
3.4 FACTORS INFLUENCING CNTS MARKET 
3.4.1 DRIVERS 
3.4.1.1 Superior properties 
3.4.1.2 High demand from current & emerging applications 
3.4.1.3 Technology advancements 
3.4.2 RESTRAINTS 
3.4.2.1 High price & processing difficulties 
3.4.2.2 Purification required 
3.4.2.3 Environmental concerns & health risk 
3.4.3 OPPORTUNITIES 
3.4.3.1 Good opportunities in emerging applications 
3.4.3.2 Increasing application areas as prices come down 
3.4.3.3 Emerging economies 
3.5 GLOBAL CARBON NANOTUBES MARKET 
3.5.1 MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS 
3.5.2 GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS 
3.5.3 APPLICATIONS 
3.5.4 MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY 
3.6 FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS 
3.6.1 COMPETITIVE RIVALRY AMONG EXISTING PLAYERS 
3.6.2 THREAT FROM NEW ENTRANTS 
3.6.3 THREAT FROM SUBSTITUTES 
3.6.4 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS 
3.6.5 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS 
3.7 CARBON NANOTUBE – VALUE CHAIN 
3.8 RAW MATERIAL & PRICE TREND ANALYSIS 
3.8.1 RAW MATERIAL USED FOR MANUFACTURING OF CNTS BY CVD PROCESS 
3.8.2 RAW MATERIAL USED FOR MANUFACTURING OF CNTS BY ARC DISCHARGE PROCESS 
3.8.3 RAW MATERIAL PRICE TRENDS 
3.8.3.1 Graphite 
3.8.3.2 Ethylene 
3.8.3.3 Benzene 
3.9 HEALTH & SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS 
3.9.1 HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES 
3.9.2 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 

Currently, scientists are still often attempt to vacuum tubes (vacuumtubes) for micro-transformation, but not many success stories, mainly because of the kinds of glass packaging in most applications, the valve has been replaced by transistors. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana-Champaign) researchers argued that vacuum tubes can be used to as a high-energy-density batteries, or non-volatile memory of the base; said that, in theory, nano-sized array of the energy density of vacuum tubes up to three times the COMPAQ PRESARIO R3000 Laptop Battery. Researchers at the University of Illinois AlfredHubler with OnyeamaOsuagwu, published an article entitled: “Digital Quantum batteries: The energy and density of nano-tube array is stored in the” paper, but research is still theoretical, yet practical verification. The paper is based on the establishment of the presence of emission devices (field-emissiondevices) has clearly allows the study of current through the structure; authors claim that the field emission device of nano-level through appropriate design, be able to Electrical Breakdown (electricbreakdown) to the quantum of the phenomenon of compression; in the gap distance of 10 nm, under its capacitance is very large. The nano-tube array structure, the critical spacing is slightly larger than the 10 nm distance to the cathode, anode, cathode rules to vertical alignment, with today’s advanced lithography nodes fairly. Authors pointed out that the vacuum energy density is subject to a vacuum breakdown (vacuumbreakdown) is limited, but in atmospheric pressure below the 106torr circumstances, the electrical field would not rely on residual gas (residualgas), but with the electrode surface characteristics. Paper pointed out that the nano-tube energy / power density than lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors (electrochemicalcapacitors), the estimated weight per kg energy density up to 1-Mjoule, while the volume energy density per cubic meter up to 3-Gjoules. And this number of

Carbon Nanotubes with their extraordinary properties in terms of strength, thermal and electrical properties are poised to have a big impact on the future of material sciences, electronics and nanotechnology. Owing to their specialized structures and minute diameter, they can be utilized in the creation of ultra-thin energy storage devices which in today’s world where electronics is getting smaller could redefine the electronics market and replace capacitors and batteries they way we see them now. Research and development around carbon nanotubes is moving ahead yielding new forms, new applications and new material based on this unique structure and we take a look into this breakthrough in science and the innovation that surrounds it as it promises to be a large part or small devices of the future.

Overview

Introduction to Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs; also known as buckytubes) are allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure. Nanotubes have been constructed with length-to-diameter ratio of up to 132,000,000:1, which is significantly larger than any other material. These cylindrical carbon molecules have novel properties that make them potentially useful in many applications in nanotechnology, electronics, optics and other fields of materials science, as well as potential uses in architectural fields. They exhibit extraordinary strength and unique electrical properties, and are efficient thermal conductors.

Nanotubes are members of the fullerene structural family, which also includes the spherical buckyballs. The ends of a nanotube might be capped with a hemisphere of the buckyball structure. Their name is derived from their size, since the diameter of a nanotube is on the order of a few nanometers (approximately 1/50,000th of the width of a human hair), while they can be up to 18 centimeters in length (as of 2010). Nanotubes are categorized as single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) and multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs). Click Here to read more…

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Article by Conrad Bailey

Capacitors are always connected with batteries since they deliver electronic appliances and tools with temporary charges. In spite of this evident likeness however, capacitors are different in the sense that they offer a wide array of designs to businesses that depend upon it. An crucial design to consider is those that consist of double layers more popularly termed as supercapacitors.When compared and contrasted to the regular capacitors that you know of, supercapacitors are capable of dealing with and storing higher densities of energy. A very ordinary yet ideal example is the reality that regular capacitors are rated based on micro-farads while those double-layered counterparts are counted according to farads. Learn about these goods through the following explanations on its models and applications.Double-layer capacitor designsThe supercapacitor starts doing its job once it powers up a variety of types of devices including those that are small ones. However, these capacitors are not ideal for some because of their very low voltage tolerance that defeats the purpose of their being electrically conductive. The voltage cannot even be larger than one voltage. To resolve this error, organic electrolytes should be used in the capacitor.As for dielectric designs, there are cases when supercapacitors and their performance may also be restrained. The options you have at this point are activated carbon and aluminum materials. Aluminum is favorable for greater surface areas than those built from activated carbon. Since double-layer capacitors require coping with a large surface area, aluminum is evidently favored. To render more material alternatives in the dielectric production for these capacitors, more researches are now being made.Double-layer capacitor functionsIn the past, double-layer capacitors were functional to make railroad engines and tanks function. In the most recent times, functions for these components already include handheld tools and appliances. Add to that the fact that the automobile business have seen an improvement in automobile production through the aid of these manufacturing produces. With the existence of these capacitors, electric engine voltage fluctuations will be dealt with accordingly.Companies with primary batteries also need supercapacitors in their midst. They are relevant when there are temporary power interruptions in an institution. A supercapacitor may also enhance the power supply of a battery once they are attached parallel to a battery’s terminal. With this, the enterprise may preserve steady electrical output levels. The functioning of batteries are assured to be taken a notch higher as well.

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