University of Maryland researchers have found extremely small batteries built inside nanopores show that properly scaled structures can use the full theoretical capacity of the charge storage material. Is looks like the case is being made that anode cathode and battery shape and dimensions are ripe for further development.

The results and lab sample batteries are part of assessing the basics of ion and electron transport in nanostructures for energy storage. The ultra tiny batteries, formed inside a structure of nanopores, demonstrated that properly scaled nanostructures can use the full theoretical capacity of the charge storage material. These “nanobatteries” delivered their stored energy efficiently at high power (fast charge and discharge) and for extended cycling.

Nanobattery Array from the University of Maryland.  Click image for more info.

Nanobattery Array from the University of Maryland. Click image for more info.

The Department of Energy press release reports that precise structures can be constructed to assess the fundamentals of ion and electron transport in nanostructures for energy storage and to test the limits of three-dimensional nanobattery technologies.

The nanostructured batteries, when properly designed and built, offer promise for delivering their energy at much higher power and longer life than conventional technology. To retain high energy density, nanostructures (such as nanowires) must be arranged as dense “nanostructure forests,” producing three-dimensional nanogeometries in which ions and electrons can rapidly move. Researchers have built arrays of nanobatteries inside billions of ordered, identical nanopores in an alumina template to determine how well ions and electrons can do their job in such ultra small environments.

The nanobatteries were fabricated by atomic layer deposition to make oxide nanotubes for ion storage inside metal nanotubes for electron transport, all inside each end of the nanopores. The tiny nanobatteries work extremely well: they can transfer half their energy in just a 30 second charge or discharge time, and they lose only a few percent of their energy storage capacity after 1000 cycles. Researchers attribute this performance to rational design and well-controlled fabrication of nanotubular electrodes to accommodate ion motion in and out and close contact between the thin nested tubes to ensure fast transport for both ions and electrons.

Amazing results. Although nothing has been mentioned on the construction costs, this first experimental build wouldn’t be low cost. But those charge, recharge and cycling results are entrancing. The team’s study paper, “An All-in-One Nanopore Battery Array” has been published Nature Nanotechnology.

Here’s the weird part. The study paper was submitted over a year ago, published back in November of 2014, and the YouTube video about the same time. The press release came out in the third week of May 2015. What ever the cause is for the news delay, the news is welcome, very welcome. Lets hope the past year or six months has seen the team make useful progress.


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