Scientists at Stanford University are harnessing nanotechnology to produce ultra-lightweight, bendable batteries and supercapacitors in the form of everyday paper. Coating a sheet of paper with ink made of carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires makes a highly conductive storage device, according to Yi Cui, PhD, assistant professor of materials science and engineering. “These nanomaterials are special,” Cui explains. “They’re a one-dimensional structure with very small diameters.” The small diameter helps the nanomaterial ink stick to the fibrous paper, making the battery and supercapacitor very durable. The paper supercapacitor may last through 40,000 charge-discharge cycles — at least an order of magnitude more than lithium batteries. The nanomaterials also make ideal conductors because they move electricity more efficiently than ordinary conductors, Cui maintains.<\/p>\n
Cui previously created nanomaterial energy storage devices using plastics. His research shows that a paper battery is more durable because the ink adheres better to paper. Crumpling or folding the paper battery — even soaking it in acidic or basic solutions — does not degrade its performance, allowing for many clever applications. “This technology has the potential to be commercialized within a short time,” says Peidong Yang, professor of chemistry at the University of California-Berkeley. “I don’t think it will be limited to just energy storage devices.” Cui’s work was reported online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n