Nanotechnology Battery (Nano Battery)

How can nanotechnology improve batteries?

Using nanotechnology in the manufacture of batteries offers the following benefits:

Reducing the possibility of batteries catching fire by providing less flammable electrode material.
Increasing the available power from a battery and decreasing the time required to recharge a battery. These benefits are achieved by coating the surface of an electrode with nanoparticles. This increases the surface area of the electrode thereby allowing more current to flow between the electrode and the chemicals inside the battery. This technique could increase the efficiency of hybrid vehicles by significantly reducing the weight of the batteries needed to provide adequate power.

Increasing the shelf life of a battery by using nanomaterials to separate liquids in the battery from the solid electrodes when there is no draw on the battery. This separation prevents the low level discharge that occurs in a conventional battery, which increases the shelf life of the battery dramatically.

Batteries: Nanotechnology Applications under Development

Battery anodes with silicon nanowires that can increase the capacity of Li-ion batteries.

Cathodes made of a nanocomposite designed to increase the energy density of Li-ion batteries.

Battery small enough to be implanted in the eye and power artificial retina

Long shelf life battery uses "nanograss" to separate liquid electrolytes from the solid electrode until power is needed.

Lithium ion batteries with nanoparticle (Nanophosphate™) electrodes that meet the safety requirements for electric cars while improving the performance.

Lithium ion batteries with electrodes made from nano-structured lithium titanate that significantly improves the charge/discharge capability at sub freezing temperatures as well as increasing the upper temperature limit at which the battery remains safe from thermal runaway.

Ultracapacitors using nanotubes may do even better than batteries in hybrid cars.

Ultracapacitor using single atom thick graphene sheets to store electrical charge.

Battery anodes using silicon nanoparticles coating a titanium disilicide lattice may improve the charge/discharge rate of Li-ion batteries as well as the battery lifetime.

Thermocells using nanotubes that generate electricity.

Batteries: Nanotechnology Company Directory

Company	Product	Advantages
A123Systems	Lithium-ion battery with the cathode made from nano-phosphate, literature is unclear as to whether this is nanoparticles of phosphate on a substrate or a nano-porous phosphate structure	Higher power, quicker recharge, less combustible than standard lithium-ion batteries
NanoEner Technologies	Electrodes composed of nanoparticles on a substrate for use in batteries. Partner company Enerdel is developing Li Ion battery packs for use in electric and hybrid vehicles	Faster charge and discharge rate than conventional electrodes
Mphase Technologies	Battery with chemicals isolated from electrode by "nanograss" when the battery is not in use	Very long shelf life
Altairnano	Lithium-ion battery with the anode composed of lithium titanate spindel nanoparticles	Higher power, quicker recharge, less combustible than standard lithium-ion batteries

Naoexa	Lithium-ion battery using nanocomposite electrodes using technology developed at Argonne National Laboratory	Higher power, less combustible than standard lithium-ion batteries
EcoloCap Solutions	Lead acid batteries using nanotube coated electrodes	Increased energy density at a lower cost that Li-ion batteries
Zpower	Silver-zinc battery using nanoparticles in the silver cathode	Higher power density, low combustibility
Nexeon	Structured silicon anodes for use in lithium-ion batteries	Higher power density, low combustibility
NanoAmor	Nanotube based additive for use in lithium-ion electrodes
NEI	Nanomaterials for lithium-ion battery electrodes