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Pollen-Based Electrodes Could Boost Battery Storage (thestack.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Bee pollen could hold the answer to next generation battery research, according to a new study led by scientists at Purdue University, Indiana. The team has been exploring how the unique microstructures found in allergen pollen grains could be used to provide a more energy efficient type of energy storage. The research explained that by turning pollen into a carbon anode with a more efficient microstructure than graphite, the team was able to create a battery which could store more energy than conventional graphite models. The scientists took the pollen from honeybees and common wetland plant cattails, and discovered that cattail pollen had more energy-storing capacity, compared to the bee pollen.
I guarantee that the same people who are "allergic" to WiFi will be "allergic" to pollen-based batteries....
Q: What does the "B." in Benoit B. Mandelbrot stand for? A: Benoit B. Mandelbrot
It would make sense that the more uniform structure from the same type of pollen would produce better results at first. Perhaps later research will show that purposefully alternating layers of smaller and larger pollens produces better yields. The "bee pollen" could be any number of shapes and sizes.
For the last decade+ we keep hearing about this or that tech that will greatly improve batteries.
And.... nothing. they never show up.
The scientists took the pollen from honeybees and common wetland plant cattails, and discovered that cattail pollen had more energy-storing capacity, compared to the bee pollen.
I suspect the same will hold true when comparing pollen from wind-pollinated plants vs insect-pollinated plants. Sticky insect-borne pollen doesn't need as much surface area.
Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
There's no such thing as bee pollen.
Flower power.
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If cattail pollen performed better, why isn't cattail pollen the answer?
They didn't use "organic," that would have sealed the deal.
much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
There's no such thing as "bee pollen".
Bee pollen is plant pollen, from, wait for it, the flowers that bees visit.
Absolute statements are never true
The researchers were said to have been as busy as a bee trying to think up of new materials for electrodes. They discovered a fertile new area to explore, which bore fruit. This new electrode is nothing to sneeze at!
Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
Actually, it doesn't surprise me that cattails are so good for batteries. Did you ever stroke a cat during very dry weather? Sparks come off after just a few strokes. Excellent battery material! I missed my calling to become a scientist...
"turning pollen into a carbon anode"
For one we're talking about toasted pollen.
Second, I'd think it better to get the pollen from the flower before the bees have adulterated it.
J