Professor Paul Braun of Illinois University has come up with a self-assembling three-dimensional nanostructure for battery cathodes (Li-ion and NiMH). The nanostructure allows for faster charging and discharging without forgoing energy storage capacity, and could possibly recharge electric vehicles in less than 2 minutes! The findings were published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
This new cathode is touted to transmit a magnitude around 400C for lithium-ion batteries and 1,000C for NiMH batteries (C stands for charge or discharge rate, where 1C equals a charge in one hour). The new cathode will also not affect the total capacity of the batteries because of the smaller duration. As Paul Braun says:
…capacitor-like power with battery-like energy.
But before we put on our happy faces, it should be duly noted that at least now there is no available groundwork for such technology to be utilized. Even so, the exponential rate of charge generated by the system could allow our electric vehicles to be charged from a small source.
Via: Autoblog
