Green Technology Forum

Nanotechnology researchers at the University of California have made “nanotube ink” from the chemicals used in an ordinary battery, thereby making it possible to print batteries onto surfaces like paper.

Lead researcher George Gruner has revealed that he used the same zinc-carbon chemistry in his batteries as are used in ordinary non-rechargeable batteries.

He believes that the technique to print flexible batteries onto different surfaces may prove helpful in powering disposable devices like long-range RFID tags or small displays.

The batteries, less than a millimetre thick, are made from two layers containing carbon nanotubes and a third layer of zinc foil.

For making the battery, a layer of nanotubes is first deposited in the form of “nanotube ink” onto a surface. The layer acts as the charge collector, which removes current from the battery.

Thereafter, a layer of nanotube ink mixed with manganese oxide powder and electrolytes, which carries charge within the cell, is applied on top, which acts as the cathode. Finally, a piece of zinc foil is applied, which acts as the anode.

“The batteries are similar to conventional batteries, with the electrically conducting nanoscale networks replacing conventional metals and electrodes,” New Scientist quoted Gruner as saying.

He further said that the designs should make it possible to get more power than a conventional design would from the same materials, “an important factor for portable electronics applications.”

source: Top News

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 21st, 2007 at 5:06 am and is filed under Energy, Materials, Nanotechnology, News, Research. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.