.
The Graphene Race
is
Hotting Up
Monash University in Melbourne have
published research on what they describe as a viable graphene super
capacitor battery. It has a power holding capability equal to
lead-acid batteries. That means size for size, it will hold the same
amount of electricity. It will be very much lighter, be able to
charge up in minutes, last 10's of years, not go on fire, and cost
less to manufacture.
While this super capacitor battery is
much less than the storage capacity of lithium-ion based batteries,
it represents a really encouraging kick start to development of
real-life, as distinct from vapour-ware, viable chemical-based
battery replacement.
The MonashDepartment of Materials
Engineering say they have developed a completely new approach to
making graphene-based super capacitors. The team have created a super
capacitor battery with an energy density of 60 Watt-hours per litre,
which is about the same as lead-acid batteries.
The team used a graphene gel film
sheets and a liquid electrolyte. The graphene gel sheets were made
using a method similar to that used in paper making. This makes the
process very easy to scale up for industrial production.
The research is funded by the
Australian Research Council. Good luck with the development – and good
on ya Auz.
.