Modern smartphones feature advanced charging technology that can recharge devices in about half an hour. However, new research hints at even more impressive capabilities, potentially charging devices in just a minute or fully powering an electric car in ten minutes. Although not yet feasible, scientists at CU Boulder are working on breakthroughs that could make this a reality.
Rapid laptop charging in a minute? Supercapacitors offer potential. New research reveals clues to their primary appeal: speed through more efficient ion movement. Supercapacitors could revolutionize charging technology. pic.twitter.com/bkfNL8mf88
— Exohood Labs (@ExohoodOfficial) May 27, 2024
Supercapacitors: The New Step In Innovation
According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers have uncovered how tiny charged particles, known as ions, move within a complex network of microscopic pores. This discovery could lead to the development of more efficient energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors.
Gupta explains that chemical engineers employ various techniques to analyze flow in porous materials, such as oil reservoirs and water filters. His team’s research applies these methods to enhance energy storage systems. The research highlights the significance of these findings for energy storage in vehicles, electronics, and power grids. Supercapacitors, which rely on ion buildup in pores, can charge rapidly and have a longer lifespan compared to batteries.
This research updates Kirchhoff’s law, which has governed current flow in circuits since 1845. Kirchhoff’s law does not account for ions, which behave differently from electrons due to electric fields and diffusion. The researchers discovered that ion movement at pore intersections deviates from Kirchhoff’s law.
