CNRS

Carbon films can give microchips energy storage capability

After more than half a decade of speculation, fabrication, modeling and testing, an international team of researchers have confirmed that their process for making carbon films and micro-supercapacitors will allow microchips and their power sources to become one and the same.

Desert sand can store solar energy up to 1000 degrees C

Desert sand from the UAE can now be considered a possible thermal energy storage material. Its thermal stability, specific heat capacity, and tendency to agglomerate have been studied at high temperatures.

A promising new prototype of battery

After two years of research, a French team have just designed an alternative technology to Li-ion for application in specific sectors.

Smart chip tells you how healthy your battery is

Researchers have developed a smart chip which can tell you how healthy is your battery and if it is safe for use.

New electrode gives micro-supercapacitor macro storage capacity

Micro-supercapacitors are a promising alternative to micro-batteries because of their high power and long lifetime. They have been in development for about a decade but until now they have stored considerably less energy than micro-batteries, which has limited their application.

Armor unveiling new activity: current collector films for batteries

Armor markets two types of products: the thin Thermal Transfer film meant for printing on packaging and labels, as well as remanufactured ink jet and laser cartridges.

World's first polychrome organic solar module by DisaSolar

DisaSolar, French SME, specialist in custom made solar modules, has successfully demonstrated the world's first polychrome photovoltaic module.

From video camera to driverless shuttle vehicle

A new type of driverless shuttle vehicle has been developed thanks to innovative computer vision guidance technology that enables the vehicle to locate itself on a roadway reliably and inexpensively.

FlexEl LLC

FlexEl was founded in 2008 and is based in Maryland. It works with partner companies to create, design, develop, license and/or manufacture novel flexible electronics and power management systems.

Small connection, big implications: Wiring up carbon-based electronics

Carbon-based nanostructures such as nanotubes, graphene sheets, and nanoribbons are unique building blocks showing versatile nanomechanical and nanoelectronic properties.

IDTechEx Energy Harvesting, IoT and WSN Awards Presented in Berlin

The IDTechEx Awards for Energy Harvesting, Wireless Sensor Networks and the Internet of Things were presented on 1 April during the keynote sessions of the Energy Harvesting & Storage, WSN and IoT conference in Berlin, Germany.

FP7 MATFLEXEND project for flexible energy harvesting devices

Fraunhofer IZM leads the newly started FP7 MATFLEXEND project, which will provide wearable, flexible energy harvesters that can be manufactured in a low-cost printing process, and durable materials for such purpose.

PhotoNvoltaics to develop a new, sustainable thin-film solar cell

Seven European partners with complementary expertise have started the development of a disruptive solar cell concept that relies on integrating advanced light-trapping schemes into thin crystalline-Si (c-Si) based solar cells by nanoimprint lithography.

All eyes on Supercapacitors

Supercapacitors (ultracapacitors) are now center stage for designers of electronics and particularly power circuits. This is because they are improving faster than the batteries and electrolytic capacitors they increasingly replace. More subtly, they reduce the need for and danger from lithium-ion batteries. For example, when placed across a rechargeable battery, they protect it from fast charging and discharging and allow more of the energy in the battery to be utilised. Learn more ...

Chemistry resolves toxic concerns about carbon nanotubes

Safety fears about carbon nanotubes, due to their structural similarity to asbestos, have been alleviated following research showing that reducing their length removes their toxic properties.

Fabrication on patterned silicon carbine for graphene-based electronic

By fabricating graphene structures atop nanometer-scale "steps" etched into silicon carbide, researchers have for the first time created a substantial electronic bandgap in the material suitable for room-temperature electronics.