Batteries are one of the most likely sources of power for the future of transportation and research is being conducted globally to improve batteries for longer driving distances and increased power storage.
Batteries are one of the most likely sources of power for the future of transportation and research is being conducted globally to improve batteries for longer driving distances and increased power storage.
Researchers at the National University of Singapore's Nanoscience and Nanotechnology institute (NUSNNI) are looking into a new type of energy storage membrane that is able to surpass the energy storage of current batteries. The new energy storage membrane promises greater cost effectiveness for delivering energy and an environmentally safe solution to energy storage needs.
The research team, headed by Dr. Xie Xian Ning, used a membrane made of a polystyrene-based polymer to deposit a soft and foldable membrane that can be packed between two metal plates and charged. The membrane is able to store a charge at 0.2 farads per square centimeter. The typical standard capacitor is only able to store a charge at 1 microfarad per square centimeter.
The team also reports that the cost to store energy is much cheaper with the new membrane. The traditional battery with liquid electrolytes costs about $7 per farad to store. The new membrane costs 62 cents per farad to store. That means that a membrane battery could store 10-20 watt-hours for a dollar compared to 2.5 watt-hour for a dollar with lithium-ion batteries.
Dr Xie said, "Compared to rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors, the proprietary membrane allows for very simple device configuration and low fabrication cost. Moreover, the performance of the membrane surpasses those of rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion and lead-acid batteries, and supercapacitors."
The membrane could see uses in hybrid vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels to store power. The research team is currently looking into opportunities to work with venture capitalists to allow the commercialization of the membrane.
"With the advent of our novel membrane, energy storage technology will be more accessible, affordable, and producible on a large scale. It is also environmentally-friendly and could change the current status of energy technology," Dr Xie said.