New Battery Tech That could let you talk for days

A new technology using silicon nanowires would increase the capacity of rechargeable lithium-ion battery to store charge up to a factor of 10, according to research conducted at Stanford University.

The technology could significantly extend the operating time of battery-powered devices like digital cameras, iPods, mobile phones and notebook computers from a minimum four hours to a full day or an entire work week.

This achievement is the upward trend for lithium-ion batteries, but a revolutionary one, according to Yi Cui, assistant professor of Materials Science and Engineering and lead researcher.

"If the allegations are true, this could be a breakthrough technology," said Roger Kay, president, Endpoint Technologies Associates.
Increased capacity

Standard lithium-ion batteries use graphite anodes that are able to hold only a limited amount of charged particles of lithium. The limited capacity of graphite anodes is essentially responsible for the relatively short life burden of lithium-ion battery. The replacement of graphite anodes with silicon nanowires to increase charge capacity of the storage battery, the Stanford researchers found.

"Silicon is an attractive anode material for lithium batteries because it has little chance of discharge and the highest known theoretical charge capacity," the report says.

However, the researchers needed to solve a longstanding problem surrounding the use of silicon in lithium-ion batteries. The repeated import and export of lithium ion causes tiny silicon wires to degrade and eventually be dissolved, which leads to poor battery performance Click here to learn how the AT & T Application Management can help you focus on the development and the profitability of your business. long term.

"Although [the ability of silicon] is more than 10 times higher than existing graphite anodes and much larger than various nitride and oxide materials, silicon anodes have limited applications Click here to learn how the AT & T Application Manager you may help to focus on growth and profitability of your business. because changes in the volume of silicon by 400 percent in import and export of lithium, resulting in pulverization and capacity fading, "the report explains.
The Solution Steel

Cui, together with colleagues of the researchers, solved the problem by growing silicon nanowires directly on a substrate of stainless steel, which served as current collector, the report says. The nanowires were able to inflate up to four times their normal size - one millimeter thickness of a piece of paper - which absorbed lithium is not any breakage.

The anodes were then able to achieve the maximum theoretical charge capacity of silicon for the first cycle of charge and remained close to 75 percent of maximum during the numerous charge and discharge cycles, according to researchers.

The new lithium-ion batteries could be available within several years.

"This could make a big difference in many possible applications, if the benefits can be carried all the way through the process at a reasonable cost," Kay told TechNewsWorld.