Waterloo researchers create technology to produce lighter, long-lasting batteries from silicon
https://uwaterloo.ca/news/news/waterloo-researchers-create-technology-produce-lighter-long[font face=Serif][font size=5]Waterloo researchers create technology to produce lighter, long-lasting batteries from silicon[/font]
Monday, October 26, 2015
[font size=3]Substantially smaller and longer-lasting batteries for everything from portable electronic devices to electric cars could be come a reality thanks to an innovative technology developed by University of Waterloo researchers.
Zhongwei Chen, a chemical engineering professor at Waterloo, and a team of graduate students have created a low-cost battery using silicon that boosts the performance and life of lithium-ion batteries. Their findings are published in the latest issue of
Nature Communications.
Waterloos silicon battery technology promises a 40 to 60 per cent increase in energy density, which is important for consumers with smartphones, smart homes and smart wearables.
The environmentally safe technology could also make dramatic improvements for hybrid and electric vehicles. The findings could mean an electric car may be driven up to 500 kilometres between charges and the smaller, lighter batteries may significantly reduce the overall weight of vehicles.
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