Nanotech https://nanotechenergy.com Mon, 13 May 2024 15:10:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://nanotechenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Nanotech https://nanotechenergy.com 32 32 Introducing unique monolayer graphene particles to coatings, adhesives, and plastics manufacturers https://nanotechenergy.com/introducing-unique-monolayer-graphene-particles-to-coatings-adhesives-and-plastics-manufacturers/ https://nanotechenergy.com/introducing-unique-monolayer-graphene-particles-to-coatings-adhesives-and-plastics-manufacturers/#respond Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:05:05 +0000 https://nanotechenergy.com/?p=2506 Introducing unique monolayer graphene particles to coatings, adhesives, and plastics manufacturers

Coatings, adhesives, and plastics manufacturers are invited to discover the groundbreaking performance advantages offered by Nanotech Energy’s monolayer graphene oxide and graphene nanoparticles at two major trade shows in the coming weeks.

Senior Nanotech Energy representatives will be displaying samples and holding conversations at the American Coatings Show (April 30-May 2, Indiana Convention Center, IN) and NPE: The Plastics Show (May 6-10, Orange County Convention Center, FL).

At both events, our representatives will invite discussions about Nanotech Energy’s unique, monolayer nanoparticle graphene oxide and graphene.

Initial findings suggest both materials provide extraordinary performance impacts when harnessed in the right way. Their unique monolayer structure also enables the removal of some fillers as compared to the standard addition of much larger quantities of graphite or multi-layer graphene.

In coatings, such as EMI shielding products, graphene provides enhanced conductivity performance. At the same time, graphene, exhibiting lubricating characteristics,  enhances rheology – with its performance mirrored in conductive inks that are printable for electronics.

Graphene oxide also offers excellent corrosion resistance properties and, in both epoxy and urethane adhesives, it appears to have a significant impact on tensile elongation.

  • In an epoxy adhesive, preliminary data shows an increase in tensile strength of 58% at a loading of 0.26% by weight of Nanotech Energy’s Ultra Graphene.
  • In a silver ink, conductivity increased by 165% while flow and rheology also improved after a loading of only 0.49% by weight of Nanotech Energy’s  Ultra Graphene.

“Nanoparticle graphene oxide and graphene are two dimensional, lightweight, and stronger than steel,” says Nanotech Energy business development consultant Brenda Alpert. “With these incredible properties, it’s possible to use small amounts and achieve huge benefits.

“These upcoming shows represent a great opportunity for us to reach new potential partners with existing expertise in formulating. Utilizing both graphene oxide and graphene nanoparticles has the potential to transform materials performance parameters across automotive, aerospace, defense, and marine applications. We look forward to meeting many new faces in the days and weeks ahead.”

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Breakthrough 21700 battery cells: a peek at what’s coming from Nanotech Energy in 2025 https://nanotechenergy.com/breakthrough-21700-battery-cells-a-peek-at-whats-coming-from-nanotech-energy-in-2025/ https://nanotechenergy.com/breakthrough-21700-battery-cells-a-peek-at-whats-coming-from-nanotech-energy-in-2025/#respond Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:37:43 +0000 https://nanotechenergy.com/?p=2497

Breakthrough 21700 battery cells: a peek at what’s coming from Nanotech Energy in 2025

In 2025, Nanotech Energy’s Chico 2 production plant will begin delivery of three remarkable new 21700 cells.

American manufacturing is set to receive a significant boost over the coming two years as a range of graphene-based lithium-ion battery cells roll into production at our new site in Chico, CA.

In 2024, three different Nanotech Energy 18650 cells will come onto the market at a potential production rate of  30,000 cells a day. Then, in 2025, a further three Nanotech Energy 21700 cells will also become reality.

“Our technicians and scientists have honed the chemistry in these unique battery cells for several years,” says Nanotech Energy’s Chief Operating Officer Troy Zerbe. “The result is something truly remarkable. By introducing graphene into battery cells, we can deliver new levels of performance, stability, and safety – and all from within the United States. This is a major advance for the battery market and we look forward to driving new industry standards and expectations for many years to come.”

The three different 21700 cells to be manufactured at Chico 2 are:

  1. 21700 3.2Ah NMC Power Cell

Made exclusively in America, this nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cell offers significant cost efficiency when compared to similar 18650 cells. Suitable for a range of uses and applications, from power tools and mowers through to navy, mining, and automotive, buyers also benefit from sustainable production and disposal methods. And, of course, US manufacturing means the highest quality products and reliable, accessible, and friendly local support.

  1. 21700 5.4Ah NMC High Energy Cell

Take a step forward from the rest of the market with this 5.4Ah cell. Compared to current 5.2Ah alternatives, it provides significantly better performance – offering reassurance to users in critical sectors such as aviation and construction. Its exceptional energy density is combined with a short life cycle, making it the perfect fit for drones, EVs, forklifts, cranes, and many more.

  1. 21700 4.65Ah NMC Cycle Life Optimized

Completing our 21700 line-up is this one-of-a-kind cell that reaches well beyond traditional 4.2Ah graphite cell competitors. Elsewhere in the market, 21700 cells contain silicon. Nanotech Energy takes a different approach, instead refining graphite to deliver a longer life cycle and creating a cell specifically designed for instances where 100% depth of discharge is needed.

Interested to find out more about potential partnership opportunities in 2024 and beyond? Contact us today.

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Building a new future with graphene-strengthened concrete https://nanotechenergy.com/building-a-new-future-with-graphene-strengthened-concrete/ https://nanotechenergy.com/building-a-new-future-with-graphene-strengthened-concrete/#respond Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:31:26 +0000 https://nanotechenergy.com/?p=2494

Lower CO2 emissions, enhanced performance and improved longevity are all on the horizon

The environmental impact of one of the world’s most harmful materials could soon be dramatically improved with the simple addition of graphene manufactured by Nanotech Energy.

With just a few years, graphene-strengthened concrete could be widely used on construction sites around the world – potentially offering enormous benefits at stroke.

Dr. Maher El-Kady, Nanotech Energy’s chief technology officer, said: “First, it (graphene) makes the concrete stronger. But there’s more to it than muscle. When we add graphene or graphene oxide, it works like a super-fine sieve within the concrete, making the tiny spaces inside the cement even tinier. That’s good news because it means water can’t sneak in as easily, and less water means less chance of corrosion.”

After water, concrete is the most used material in the world. Each year, more concrete is used than all steel, wood, plastics, and aluminum added together. But this comes at a cost. For every pound of cement manufactured, 0.9 pounds of CO2 is released into the atmosphere.

The burden is so high that the International Energy Agency calculates that concrete accounts for 8% of all global CO2 emissions.

Dr. El-Kady said: “Less cement equals less CO2. And because this super-charged concrete is stronger, we might not need to use as much steel to reinforce buildings and structures, which can also help reduce CO2 emissions.

“Adding a tiny amount of graphene to concrete – less than 0.1% of the whole mix – could cut its carbon footprint by 25-33%. That might not sound like a lot, but it could reduce the world’s carbon emissions by 2%. That’s a big deal for fighting climate change.”

While adding graphene to traditional concrete mixes will incur a small increase in costs, Dr. El-Kady insists the difference will be marginal. “It won’t break the bank,” he said. “Furthermore, at Nanotech Energy we’re actively making strides in reducing the costs associated with graphene manufacturing.”

Adding graphene to concrete is also unlikely to add any noticeable delays in production times, leaving the entire construction industry standing on the cusp of generational change. 

“If things keep moving positively, we might start seeing graphene products being used more widely in the next 5-10 years as it becomes cheaper and gets the regulatory nod.”

The power of graphene to transform 21st-century technologies stretches well beyond batteries – and Nanotech Energy is set to be at the forefront of these revolutionary changes. To find out more about potential partnership opportunities with Nanotech Energy in 2024 and beyond, please contact us

 today.

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“Truly outstanding.” Reflections on a key visit to sustainability partner American Battery Technology Company https://nanotechenergy.com/truly-outstanding-reflections-on-a-key-visit-to-sustainability-partner-american-battery-technology-company/ https://nanotechenergy.com/truly-outstanding-reflections-on-a-key-visit-to-sustainability-partner-american-battery-technology-company/#respond Tue, 27 Feb 2024 23:01:11 +0000 https://nanotechenergy.com/?p=2489

Visit to Reno, NV, celebrates ongoing partnership that promises to lead the US battery market.

Nanotech Energy chief operating officer Troy Zerbe has hailed the groundbreaking promise of an all-American sustainability partnership after visiting American Battery Technology Company’s (ABTC) lithium-ion battery recycling plant at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in Reno, NV.

Mr. Zerbe led a delegation of senior Nanotech Energy and BASF representatives. The visit, which took place in January 2024, further advanced the September 2023 closed loop agreement made between Nanotech Energy, BASF, Toda Advanced Materials Inc., and ABTC.

Mr. Zerbe said: “From the very beginning of our journey, we’ve been committed to partnering with US companies and bringing closed loop manufacturing and recycling to the US battery industry. Seeing ABTC’s recycling facilities has only reaffirmed our determination to deliver a market-leading solution that puts sustainability front and center.

“ABTC’s plant is truly outstanding. Its ability to extract essential metal content from end-of-life batteries means we can minimize our environmental impact at every turn.

“We’re grateful to ABTC’s leadership for their hospitality and welcome, and we’re certain big things will come from this relationship in the months and years ahead.”

Nanotech Energy has recently begun production of three different 18650 graphene-powered battery cells at its new manufacturing facility Chico 2. In 2025, a range of 21700 graphene-powered battery cells will also be available.

To find out more about potential partnership opportunities in 2024 and beyond, please contact us today.

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Why these transportation fires caused by lithium batteries could soon be a thing of the past https://nanotechenergy.com/why-these-transportation-fires-caused-by-lithium-batteries-could-soon-be-a-thing-of-the-past/ https://nanotechenergy.com/why-these-transportation-fires-caused-by-lithium-batteries-could-soon-be-a-thing-of-the-past/#respond Tue, 27 Feb 2024 22:58:00 +0000 https://nanotechenergy.com/?p=2483

Why these transportation fires caused by lithium batteries could soon be a thing of the past

A new breed of battery is ready to make the lives of everyone much, much safer.

Over the last few years, a range of different transportation methods have suffered serious – and, at times, deadly – fires due to faulty lithium batteries. Each time an incident occurs, it hits the headlines and causes a flurry of concern. But most battery manufacturers have achieved little in the battle to make their products inherently safe.

In this article, we’ll look at the three of the highest profile types of transportation fires before demonstrating exactly why Nanotech Energy’s graphene-powered lithium-ion battery technology could eradicate these risks entirely.

  1. E-bike and e-scooter fires

In the first six months of 2023, 13 New Yorkers lost their lives to fires caused by e-bike and e-scooter lithium batteries. In the same timeline, the city had reported 108 lithium battery related fires. A rise in cheap, lightweight battery transport options explains in large part how e-bike battery fires became a deadly crisis in New York City. But this is not a problem isolated to the United States. In the UK, the London Fire Brigade has spoken publicly about the “incredibly ferocious fires” that can be caused by failing or damaged lithium batteries. In 2022, the service attended 29 e-scooter fires and 87 e-bike fires. By 2023, it was responding to a fire of this type every two days.

  1. EV fires

Fire services around the world are learning new best practices in order to deal with the intense fires that can break out when the large battery on an electric vehicle reaches thermal runaway. It is worth noting, however, that while fires in EVs can be particularly dangerous, they are significantly more likely to occur in traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Data gathered by Australia’s EV FireSafe, which is funded by the country’s Department of Defence, assesses the probability of a diesel or petrol car catching fire at 0.1%. For EVs, the figure is just 0.0012%. 

  1. Aeroplane fires

In September 2010, UPS Airlines Flight 6 set off on a standard cargo flight from Dubai, UAE, to Cologne, Germany. On board were 81,000 lithium batteries. Not long into the flight, while cruising at 32,000 feet above the Persian Gulf, captain Douglas Lampe and first officer Matthew Bell were alerted to a fire on the main deck. A later investigation determined that the fire was caused by a faulty battery somewhere in the plane’s cargo. Lampe and Bell battled to land safely, turning the plane and getting ready to return to Dubai. But the heat and smoke became too intense. The plane crashed into a military base just 10 miles from Dubai International Airport and both men were lost. The Federal Aviation Administration maintains a detailed log of all lithium battery related events involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat.

Introducing the world’s first non-flammable and inherently safe lithium-ion battery

The safety of modern-day transportation could soon be widely transformed after production began at Nanotech Energy’s new Chico 2 manufacturing plant. Our graphene-powered batteries have proven to be non-flammable in some of the most remarkable circumstances.

In an extraordinary bullet test, our 18650 cells withstood the impact of a 4.5BRA bullet travelling at 2,917 feet per second. The cells did not catch fire and even still held a charge. In contrast, a rival commercial 18650 cell immediately burst into flames when hit by a 4.5BRA bullet discharged at 2,915 feet per second.

Our batteries have also survived nail tests and being heated to 150°C. Rival batteries burst into flames when subjected to the same situations. You can read the full details about all three of these tests.

As our exclusively US-made batteries begin to filter into everyday use, the safety of everyone is guaranteed to improve. Interested to find out more about potential partnership opportunities in 2024 and beyond? Contact us today.

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Leading the conversation at the 2023 Advanced Automotive Battery Conference https://nanotechenergy.com/leading-the-conversation-at-the-2023-advanced-automotive-battery-conference/ https://nanotechenergy.com/leading-the-conversation-at-the-2023-advanced-automotive-battery-conference/#respond Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:23:33 +0000 https://nanotechenergy.com/?p=2437

At a leading industry gathering in December 2023, Nanotech Energy’s unique graphene-powered batteries generated significant attention.

Battery technologists and EV supply chain leaders showed their keen interest in Nanotech Energy’s planned heavy-duty battery cells during an eagerly-anticipated talk from Dr. Maher El-Kady at the 2023 Advanced Automotive Battery Conference (AABC) in San Diego, CA.

Dr. El-Kady, Nanotech Energy’s Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, spoke on Day 2 of the conference as part of a morning session dedicated exclusively to heavy-duty fleet charging.

His talk, entitled ‘Advancing Lithium-ion Batteries for Sustainable Heavy-Duty Applications’, focused on how Nanotech Energy’s revolutionary battery technology redefines the typical electrodes, electrolyte, and separators found in a standard lithium-ion battery. In turn, this means our exclusively US-made graphene-powered batteries can meet the demands of high-power output, extended range, and durability like no others.

He was subsequently involved in a moderated Q&A session led by EV fleet expert Joshua Goldman, where Dr. El-Kady was joined on the panel by Shazan Siddiqi, senior technology analyst at IDTechEx, and Anthony De Vita, director (zero-emission vehicles) at Core States Energy.

“It was great to receive so many questions from the audience,” said Dr. El-Kady, “because it showed just how much interest there is in both our ground-breaking battery technology and the day-to-day progress of our Chico 2 production plant.

“We also received enquiries about the specifications of our planned heavy-duty application cells: how much capacity they can have, when they will be ready for testing, and how you can buy them. All of that is hugely encouraging because the industry is starting to understand the impact and potential consequences of our new battery chemistry.”

Dr. El-Kady previously attended AABC in 2022 alongside Nanotech Energy’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Curtis Collar. 

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Built for success: delving into the 18650 battery cells ready for production at Chico 2 https://nanotechenergy.com/built-for-success-delving-into-the-18650-battery-cells-ready-for-production-at-chico-2/ https://nanotechenergy.com/built-for-success-delving-into-the-18650-battery-cells-ready-for-production-at-chico-2/#respond Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:21:13 +0000 https://nanotechenergy.com/?p=2432

As Nanotech Energy’s new manufacturing facility ramps up into full-scale operations, we take a closer look at the pioneering battery cells being made at this state-of-the-art development.

In 2024, Nanotech Energy’s new Chico 2 production facility will kick into life – and a range of partners will begin to receive our world-leading, graphene-based lithium-ion battery cells. “It’s an exciting time for us and for the wider battery community,” says Nanotech Energy’s Chief Operating Officer Troy Zerbe.

Mr. Zerbe believes every sector, from back-up battery application, energy storage, consumer electronics and even the EV space through to construction, mining, and naval applications, will benefit from the superior performance and inherently safe properties of Nanotech Energy’s unique battery cells.

He says: “As Chico 2 moves from plan to reality, we’re changing the conversation about how and where batteries can be produced for outstanding performance, safety, value, and sustainability.”

Three different 18650 cells will be manufactured at Chico 2. They are:

  1. 18650 2Ah LCO Safe Cell

When it comes to competing cells with similar chemistry, there is simply nothing comparable to Nanotech Energy’s 18650 2Ah LCO Safe Cell. Its lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) chemistry provides a high nominal voltage that exceeds nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells. It also offers all the expected advantages of a typical Nanotech Energy cell, including the ability to operate at extreme temperatures while maintaining a non-flammable profile and the guarantee of a high cycle life.

  1. 18650 2.1Ah NMC Power Cell

Designed specifically for energy storage, automotive, e-mobility, and construction use cases, this cell outperforms competitors from some of East Asia’s most high-profile tech companies. Unlike some of its main rivals, the 18650 2.1Ah NMC Power Cell (Flex) is made exclusively in the United States, meaning we can offer both circularity and reassuring quality as essential parts of our manufacturing process. Our Chico 2 facility can commit to high volumes of production to help partners achieve their ambitions.

  1. 18650 2.0Ah LFP Energy Cell

With an energy density 33% better than its closest competitor, the 18650 2.0Ah LFP Energy Cell is built to succeed in even the very toughest conditions. For use cases where pressures are high and stresses are constant, this cell is designed to keep going with reassuring consistency. 

Interested to find out more about potential partnership opportunities in 2024 and beyond? Contact us today.

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Power up or give up? Why increased US battery manufacturing is a critical security need https://nanotechenergy.com/power-up-or-give-up-why-increased-us-battery-manufacturing-is-a-critical-security-need/ Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:18:32 +0000 https://nanotechenergy.com/?p=2427

Has the US sleepwalked into a critical security threat? When it comes to battery production, the truth is an uncomfortable yes. But there is still time to do something about it — if lawmakers act fast.

Between the early 1990s and the late 2010s, lithium-ion battery costs fell substantially. Thirty years ago, typical prices hovered just below $10,000 per kWh. Today, the figure sits just above $100 per kWh. New applications, improved performance, and the increasing awareness of and desire to make a transition to green energy are all driving a huge surge in battery demand.

Between 2022 and 2027, global battery production is set to increase eightfold. In 2022, total capacity stood at 1,163 GWh. Soon it will be 8,945 GWh. By any standards, that is a remarkable spike. And the trajectory is clear: this trend is likely to continue for decades to come. That’s why I’m so confident in calling batteries the defining technology of the 21st century.

But one thing is different compared to the 20th century. America is no longer the world’s manufacturing hub — and this is particularly true in global assessments of battery production. Over the last two decades, others have taken the lead. Now the US is firmly behind the eight ball.

America is not involved in either refining or electrochemical production, both of which are dominated by China. In mining for the raw materials needed to make batteries, the US lags far behind Australia, Chile, and Argentina. It has a larger share of cell production and battery assembly, but in both of these it is still a minor player, with China and Japan the significant forces.

Similar gaps are found in analyses of the global subcomponent capacity share, where China dwarfs the US in cathode, anode, separator, and electrolyte. All of this is a significant economic issue, because America is missing crucial opportunities. But it stretches beyond finances. It is also a major security risk. America is reliant on other countries to provide the critical energy sources it needs. What happens if a diplomatic incident reduces a country’s willingness to trade with the US?

Encouragingly, there are at least signs this is being recognized by US leaders. Battery plant manufacturing capacity is set to increase 424%, from 99 GWh to 519 GWh. More than $100bn has been committed by automakers and their battery partners for US-based EV investments. And the US is set to almost double its share of global production capacity by 2027, rising from 6% in 2022 to 10% five years later.

These are steps in the right direction. But they are not enough. By 2027, China’s battery manufacturing capacity will still be almost SEVEN times larger than the US. And if that doesn’t dramatically tip towards a more even balance, the US is risking everything.

US lawmakers must intervene. As a country, we’ve been asleep at the wheel. We must power up… starting now!

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Understanding the five crucial investment areas needed to secure the transition to clean energy https://nanotechenergy.com/understanding-the-five-crucial-investment-areas-needed-to-secure-the-transition-to-clean-energy/ Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:24:47 +0000 https://nanotechenergy.com/?p=2425

Nanotech Energy Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Maher El-Kady outlines the strategic decisions needed for the US to become a global clean energy leader.

When it comes to the clean energy transition, US politicians and leaders need to concentrate on five key investment areas in order to push the country into a position of long-term strength, stability, and energy security. Those five areas are renewables, energy storage, infrastructure, battery manufacturing, and battery materials.

Let’s start with renewables. We often hear the fossil fuel industry ask if green technology is really green, especially when it comes to electric vehicles. The precise answer depends on so many factors. In general, electric vehicles are more green than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles of a similar size. Using an ICE engine involves burning a lot of oil. An electric vehicle obviously doesn’t burn fossil fuels in the same way, but you must still consider where the electricity is coming from. If you’re burning fossil fuels to make electricity, you still have a problem. But if you invest in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, wave, or hydro power, plus nuclear, then your energy production infrastructure becomes cleaner and EVs become significantly cleaner than they are already.

So investing in renewables is clearly a big part of the transition to clean energy. However, there are other aspects, too. We have to think about how we produce electricity, how we secure the supply of critical battery materials, and how we improve batteries to store more charge and reduce the charging time. On a practical level, that means securing enough supplies of lithium and manufacturing enough energy storage for the entire grid. Because if we move to renewable energy sources, they’re basically intermittent in nature. So you need ways to store that electricity for use when you need it. All of these are important considerations that make the translation inherently complicated.

When I look around, there are obviously different attitudes towards the switch to clean energy. Some embrace it; others remain skeptical. There are big contrasts in different regions, age groups, and industry bases. But I would say the overall trend is positive. People would love to see this cleaner transition happening, but there are lots of issues to resolve along the way. When it comes to infrastructure, is our current grid strong enough to support even half of ours being electric and needing charge? How quickly can we get enough charging stations online? At the moment, 29% of all US charging stations are in California. So clearly the rest of the country needs to accelerate. This is something the Biden administration has started to acknowledge. Significant investments in new charging infrastructure are crucial. This not only enhances the practicality of electric cars, but also places tangible reminders of cleaner transportation in people’s daily lives. As more charging stations become available, individuals are more likely to consider making the switch to EVs, thus contributing to the broader goal of a sustainable energy future.

The final issues revolve around battery production. Currently, the US only has about 6% of the worldwide battery manufacturing capacity. That’s a very humble figure for a country like America. However, when it comes to innovation and technological leadership, there’s no doubt the US has been at the forefront. After all, it was within these borders that lithium-ion technology, the cornerstone of modern battery systems, was initially discovered and we’re now investing huge sums into research and development. But we also need some policy changes so that we’re not risking our future on an uncertain supply of batteries or battery materials. Thankfully, politicians are starting to realize that. The Inflation Reduction Act gave some important incentives to battery manufactures and it’s a step in the right direction, but we also need more investment into manufacturing the raw materials that go into batteries.

Strategic thinking and investment decisions are required across the entire clean energy chain, from energy generation through to battery materials and manufacturing. If those decisions are avoided, America will pay the price. But if they are embraced and made with clarity and understanding, America’s position as a global leader will continue during the 21st century. It’s up to our leaders to grasp this opportunity while they still can.

Image credit: Financial Times

FT: How Green Are Electric Cars? - The Big Picture
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The remarkable properties of graphene and the future of graphene batteries. https://nanotechenergy.com/the-remarkable-properties-of-graphene-and-the-future-of-graphene-batteries/ Mon, 27 Nov 2023 17:42:59 +0000 https://nanotechenergy.com/?p=2408 “It’s critical for the whole world.”

Nanotech Energy Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Maher El-Kady outlines the remarkable properties of graphene – and shares his powerful vision for the future of graphene batteries.

As a UCLA Researcher, your work focuses on the design and implementation of new materials in energy, electronics, and sustainability. For those who don’t know, can you explain what graphene is and why it is so remarkable?

Over the last two decades, graphene has garnered lots of interest in academia and industry because it has so many fascinating properties.

Essentially, it’s a single layer or flat sheet of carbon atoms. They’re tightly bonded together in a honeycomb structure and, because it’s only one atom in height, it’s the closest thing we have to a 2D material. It is incredibly thin, to the extent that you’d need 300,000 sheets of graphene stacked on top of each other to make something that’s the thickness of a sheet of paper. It also weighs only 0.76 milligrams per square meter, which is about 100,000 times lighter in weight than a sheet of paper.

In terms of its strength, graphene is almost 200 times stronger than steel. If you made a hammock from a single square meter of graphene – so that’s just one square meter of a material that’s only one atom thick – it would be able to carry the weight of a cat, but would only weigh about the same as one of its whiskers.

In short, graphene is the thinnest, strongest, lightest, and most conductive material ever discovered. It’s no wonder people call it the wonder material.

How do graphene’s qualities transfer into battery manufacturing? What makes it so suitable for this application?

Graphene conducts electricity better than any other known material at room temperature. Another interesting feature of graphene is that when cooled to temperatures near absolute zero, it transforms into a superconductor, allowing electricity to flow through it without any resistance.

Graphene is an essential component of Nanotech Energy batteries. We take advantage of its qualities to improve the performance of standard lithium-ion batteries. In comparison to copper, it’s up to 70% more conductive at room temperature, which allows for efficient electron transfer during operation of the battery. In lay terms, that means faster charging and discharging.

As well as being lightweight, it has a high surface area. An ounce of graphene would cover seven football fields. Having such a large surface area allows you to store or attach more active battery materials, meaning you can actually have a higher capacity battery within a similar volume.

Its strength also means it can be used to control the cracking that normally happens during the operation of a battery when anode and cathode particles expand and contract. That means you can use graphene to improve the overall cycle life of the battery, too.

Graphene also exhibits the highest thermal conductivity at room temperature. This means that graphene-enhanced batteries may be able to handle higher charging and discharging rates without overheating, which is essential for electric cars and high-power applications.

Lastly, graphene is composed of carbon, the fourth most abundant element in the universe, making it unlikely to ever run out.

How transformatory could graphene batteries be? What are the potential impacts?

Graphene stands as one of the most thermally conductive materials known to date. When integrated into lithium-ion batteries, its exceptional thermal conductivity allows for efficient heat dissipation during battery operation. This translates to a substantial reduction in the risk of overheating, keeping the battery temperature within safe limits, and improving overall battery performance and safety. Moreover, graphene has the potential to increase battery capacity and contribute to more reliable and longer-lasting energy storage solutions.

Could the use of graphene mean we see batteries being used in new settings?

Yes, that’s possible – graphene can definitely enable new applications that don’t exist with the current lithium-ion battery technology. Because it’s so flexible, graphene could be used to make batteries that can be integrated directly into textiles and fabrics – which would be ideal for wearable applications. The impact graphene can have on charging times is also likely to increase the adoption of electric cars in general.

We’ve also developed some research at UCLA looking at biodegradable graphene batteries that could be employed for as a power source for implantable medical devices. That’s incredibly exciting and holds promise in the field of healthcare.

What have been the biggest challenges in developing this new technology?

The first challenge was for the entire industry – learning how to isolate graphene from graphite. But the biggest challenge is how to keep it from restacking and behaving again just like graphite. Researchers have spent the last 20 years or so working on this. We’re doing the same at Nanotech Energy, trying to develop new methods that allow us to retain the intrinsic properties of a single layer of graphene, and it’s something we believe we’ve now solved.

Moving forward, the next challenge lies in effectively integrating graphene into a battery. Without having the right process for incorporating graphene into the battery, we cannot fully harness its potential benefits. Again, we now believe we’ve got a process that gives us the high energy density, long-term cycling, high-powered charging capability, and inherent safety that we’re looking for.

What excites you most about this work?

The profound impact it can have on our world. While semiconductors played an important role in the third industrial revolution, it has become increasingly clear that batteries are emerging as the defining technology of the 21st century. We’re facing global temperature rises and most countries around the world are committed to the targets laid out in the Paris Agreement for Climate Change. In effect, we’re collectively addressing a pressing global issue. What we’re engaged in extends far beyond the borders of the United States; it holds immense significance for the entire planet.

How do you see Nanotech developing over the next five or 10 years?

As being a global leader for the manufacturing of next-generation lithium-ion batteries, and providing environmentally friendly energy storage technologies for a vast range of applications. I want us to have a global reach and I’m confident we’ll get there.

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