Mobile phone consumers and laptop users are well aware of customary Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The mainstream lithium-ion battery cell composes of two sides: the carbon made anode and the metal-oxide cathode. Charging the battery causes lithium-ions to flood from the cathode to the anode. An electronic circuit is used to balance the charge with the flood of electrons. Using the battery enables the lithium ions to reverse from the anode to the cathode. This has been the fundamental setup for batteries throughout the last few years.
The bigger the capacity of the anode to gather lithium-ions, the longer the battery will be able to power the device.Because this is presently made of carbon, these batteries have basically reached their maximum capacity. The discovery of nanowire batteries have been the most promising development in searching for larger capacities.
Yi Cui is one of the leading researchers in this new field. Studies have revealed that silicon has a capacity ten times larger than carbon. Silicon has a major drawback of growing in size when charged. Silicon is not able to endure this constant swelling and shrinking when the batteries are used. Eventually the silicon breaks down. Nanotechnology came to the rescue and Yi Cui and his team found a solution to the problem. Using a bird’s nest of ultra-thin nanowires turned out to be the answer..Unlike the silicon layers, the nanowires do not break while enlarging and shrinking. The reason why this works is still unknown.
The high price of producing these ultra-thin wires (one thousand times thinner than a human hair) is still a primary stumble block. Over time this ought to become cheaper. Capacities of ten times that of regular batteries have, sadly, remained out of reach. Researchers were successful in producing a battery that has four times the capability of regular batteries. Still a way of, but this should increase in time. Nanowire batteries have been demonstrated to have a very brilliant opportunity.
The biggest hurdle must still be overcome. The nanowires offer exceptional advancements for the anode of the battery. The cathode still needs to be improved to take complete advantage of the silicon’s abilities.
Users of a variety of electronic devices like notebooks, cell phones and cameras will gain from the future implementation of nanowire batteries. Nanowire batteries also offer excellent possibilities for a greener world, with the largest advantage in the world of electric vehicles.
These batteries can hit the shelves by 2012 and patents have already been filed. Enhanced battery life could be a certainty very soon. Excitement about the possibility of running a mobile computer for 2 full days on a single charge will have to wait for a while. There is still a lot of work to be done, but at least the potential make me excited.
Author Resource:
SJP Babrevian has been writing online articles for more than 3 years. He writes on various subjects. He also likes building small information websites on different subjects. Come visit his latest websites. The first is about yoga, and especially yoga mats and can be found at http://www.cottonyogamats.webatu.com/ . His second latest website is about the little known money making opportunity in Tilapia Fish Farming, that can be found here,
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