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Paper Thin, Flexible and Biodegradable Ultracapacitor |
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Written by Greg Allen
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Friday, 07 September 2007 |
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Paper Thin.. Flexible... and Biodegradable.., did I mention Rechargeable too? I love news like this. Our battery technology has not drastically changed since last century. New research in the carbon nanotube technologies have produced a flexible cellulose paper that stores electrical energy. What is great is that this paper ultracapacitor battery is completely biocompatible. Researchers will now experiment with using them to power medical implants. In essence, your blood, sweat, or body fluids could give the paper battery the electrolytes that would power it. Professor Robert Linhardt, a biology and chemistry teacher at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York just announced their breakthrough:  "The carbon nanotubes are embedded in the paper, and the electrolyte is soaked into the paper, so it really looks, feels and weighs about the same as paper." Since it is 90 percent cellulose, the new paper battery is lightweight and flexible. Unlike normal batteries, these new paper thin supercapacitor batteries will work in both extreme heat and cold temperatures. Each sheet of battery paper generated about 2.4 volts with a power density of about 0.6 milliamps/cm2. For higher voltages, the paper can be stacked. The battery-paper operates from minus 100 degrees up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and can deliver quick surges of current, the RPI researchers claim. It can also be rolled twisted or cut into many shapes. LINK: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Nanotecnology Research
One person has commented on this article.  No.1 UntitledHard to believe it is so small and can be powered by body. |
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