University of California

New imaging capability key to extending battery lifetime, capacity

A new method developed for studying battery failures points to the potential next step in extending lithium ion battery lifetime and capacity, opening a path to wider use of these batteries in conjunction with renewable energy sources.

Study sheds new light on why batteries go bad

A comprehensive look at how tiny particles in a lithium ion battery electrode behave shows that rapid-charging the battery and using it to do high-power, rapidly draining work may not be as damaging as researchers had thought - and that the benefits of slow draining and charging may have been overestimated.

Batteryless, ant sized radios for the internet of things

Researchers have built a radio the size of an ant, a device so energy efficient that it gathers all the power it needs from the same electromagnetic waves that carry signals to its receiving antenna - no batteries required.

Cutting electric vehicle energy use 51 percent

Researchers have shown that a vehicle navigation tool they created can cut electric vehicle energy use up to 51 percent.

Tattoo biobatteries produce power from sweat

Researchers reported that they have designed a sensor in the form of a temporary tattoo that can both monitor a person's progress during exercise and produce power from their perspiration.

Major end-users at Graphene and 2D Materials LIVE

IDTechEx is organizing its fifth business-focused conference and tradeshow on graphene and 2D materials in Santa Clara, CA on November 19 & 20. Graphene and 2D Materials LIVE! covers the latest technology developments, applications, commercialization progress and end user requirements for these and related materials such as carbon nanotubes.

Recycling old batteries into solar cells

A system proposed by researchers recycles materials from discarded car batteries — a potential source of lead pollution — into new, long-lasting solar panels.

Running on waste heat

Researchers have now created a thermoelectric generator (TEG) — a one-square-inch, quarter-inch-thick module — that turns waste heat emitted by vehicles into electricity to lend those vehicles added power.

Holey graphene bridges gap between supercapacitors and batteries

Researchers have used a special type of graphene material, called holey graphene framework because of its three-dimensional perforated structure, to advance the energy density of an electrochemical capacitor to levels equal to those of lead acid batteries.

Funding for development of electronics and biometric sensor platforms

The Nano-Bio Manufacturing Consortium has awarded funding for a project proposed by Binghamton University to develop electronics and biometric sensor platforms for human performance monitoring.

Flexible, printed batteries for wearable devices

A California startup is developing flexible, rechargeable batteries that can be printed cheaply on commonly used industrial screen printers.

Silicon sponge improves lithium-ion battery performance

The lithium-ion batteries that power our laptops and electric vehicles could store more energy and run longer on a single charge with the help of a sponge-like silicon material.

How to make more efficient fuel cells

Fuel cells use oxygen and hydrogen as fuel to create electricity; if the process were run in reverse, the fuel cells could be used to store electricity, as well.

New kid on the block breaks into the smart windows and glass industry

A new kid on the block has broken into the smart windows and glass industry - and this time it's not a glass manufacturer!

Using sand to improve battery performance

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside's Bourns College of Engineering have created a lithium ion battery that outperforms the current industry standard by three times. The key material: sand. Yes, sand.

ARB approves funding plan for low-carbon, zero-emission vehicles

The California Air Resources Board have taken two separate actions that combined will continue to support the development and deployment of advanced vehicle technologies, provide incentives for clean-cars and improve existing vehicle retirement and replacement programs.

Charging portable electronics in ten minutes

Researchers have developed a three-dimensional, silicon-decorated, cone-shaped carbon-nanotube cluster architecture for lithium ion battery anodes that could enable charging of portable electronics in 10 minutes, instead of hours.

Creeping nanocrystals behind lithium-ion battery degradation

Batteries do not age gracefully. The lithium ions that power portable electronics cause lingering structural damage with each cycle of charge and discharge, making devices from smartphones to tablets tick toward zero faster and faster over time.

Scientists find new way to harness waste heat

Researchers have developed a new battery technology that captures waste heat and converts it into electricity.