Advancements in smartphone charging technology have made it possible to recharge devices in about half an hour, but a new breakthrough could revolutionize energy storage for vehicles and electronics. A team of scientists from CU Boulder is conducting research that could lead to rapid charging capabilities for electric cars in just 10 minutes. While this technology is not yet a reality, the researchers are applying techniques used in studying flow in porous materials to enhance supercapacitors and optimize ion movement within pores.
The study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has revealed how tiny charged particles called ions move within a complex network of minuscule pores. This discovery has the potential to make energy storage devices like supercapacitors more efficient and responsive. Ankur Gupta, an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering at CU Boulder, explains that his team is using techniques typically used in studying flow in porous materials such as oil reservoirs and water filters to enhance energy storage systems. The research focuses on improving ion movement within pores to optimize the charging and discharging rates of supercapacitors.
Supercapacitors have the advantage of charging quickly and lasting longer than traditional batteries. By understanding and enhancing ion movement within supercapacitors, the researchers hope to make these devices even more efficient and responsive. This research challenges a long-standing law in electrical circuit theory known as Kirchhoff’s law by considering the unique movement of ions in porous materials.
The team’s breakthrough in understanding ion behavior at pore intersections has the potential to revolutionize energy storage for vehicles, electronics, and power grids. By identifying the missing piece in current research on ion movement, Gupta and his team are paving the way for faster and more efficient supercapacitors that could transform the way we power our devices and vehicles.
