Microbatteries Built on a Bed of Nails

nadamsieee writes "The good folks at IEEE Spectrum have a news brief about a newly invented method of creating microbatteries using an electrode that looks like a bed of nails. The method was created by a team led by Prof. Marc Madou of UC Irvine. IEEE Spectrum notes that 'according to the researchers, a battery using such an electrode can generate 78 percent more power than a stacked-plate microbattery of the same volume.'"

Comments

High output, but is it rechargeable?

[goneutt]

This looks like a high tech version of the ancient carbon cell battery. I would hope that this design can be made rechargeable, I wouldn't want to replace a battery made with a super expensive nanotube component, EVER. And no, I'm not thinking MP3 player, I'm thinking sensors that you don't want to have to visit regulary.

Re:This is the same tech in all modern batteries.

[robslimo]

True, but this is an example of using the latest (of what may hopefully become mainstream) manufacturing technology to take the concept of 'maximizing the surface area' to the next level, increasing the storage density and reaction area proportionally.

However, I suspect that traditional issues such as buildup of non-reactive material will affect this tech just as badly or worse than the existing technology. Time will tell.

Interesting, but

[GigsVT]

I'd sell a body part to be able to get a "battery" that was somwhere between a capacitor and battery in features. Supercapacitors are getting closer, but even 10F is no where near a small battery in capacity.

I'm working on a hybrid vehicle, and finding a way to make good use of the regenerative braking power is a real challenge. Lead acids can only take a charge so fast, usually less than 0.1 of the power available during braking, unless you completely oversize the battery banks.

I want something with a very low charge impedance that can basically lock the shaft of the motor/generator, if need be.. completely eliminating friction brakes.

This would have bigger applications... Imagine charging your laptop in 10 minutes, then running for 6 hours.

So these advances in power density and discharge impedance are good, but tangential to what I think will be the real killer app, a super low charging impedance battery.

Re:Interesting, but

[gone.fishing]

Electronics is all about compramise. You are trying to do something in one step that really requires a stage (or two) in between.

Capture the energy in a large capacitor and then use some circuitry to charge the battery from the stored charge in the capacitor.

It will cost you perhaps 10% in loss but that is acceptable compared to the alternitives.

You may also want to think about moving away from lead-acid batteries, some of the newer elecric and hybrids are using large banks of Nickle Metal Hydryd batteries. Litterally banking hundreds of "D" cells into a large battery.

Re:360 KA / M^3 - WOW!

[Green Salad]

Can it be made rechargable? I'd think the basic concept of increasing the surface area should work with rechargable formulations as well. The challenge is in the engineering to turn that concept into a reality. Some materials are easier to manipulate that others.

OT :Interesting, but

[The FooMiester]

Have you looked at the idea of fuel cells? Email me and we can chat about other things relevant to this thread.