Bio-inspired energy storage: a new light for solar power - battery energy storage

Inspired by American ferns, researchers have developed a ground-breaking prototype that could be an answer to the storage challenge that still hinders solar energy as an overall energy solution.
Researchers at the University of RMIT have created new electrodes that can increase the capacity of existing storage technologies by 3000.
But graphene
Based on the prototype, it also opens up a new road for the development of flexible film. in-
A solar capture and storage that brings us one step closer to ourselves
Power smartphones, laptops, cars and buildings.
The new electrodes are designed to work with the super capacitor, which has much faster charging and discharging power than conventional batteries.
Super capacitors have been combined with solar energy, but their widespread use as storage solutions is limited due to limited capacity.
Professor Gu of RMIT said that the new design draws on nature's own genius solutions to fill the space in the most efficient way possible through complex self
A repeated pattern called "fractal.
Gu said: "The leaves of the Western sword tail orchid are densely covered with veins, which makes them very effective in storing energy and transporting water around plants . " Director and deputy researcher of artificial intelligence Nano Science Laboratory
Principal, innovation and startup, RMIT.
"Our electrodes are based on these own fractal shapes.
Copy, like the Mini structure in snowflakes-we use this naturally --
Improve the efficient design of solar storage at the nano level.
"The current application is to combine this electrode with the super capacitor, because our experiments show that our prototypes can fundamentally increase their storage capacity-30 times higher than the current capacity limit. “Capacity-
Enhanced super capacitors will provide long term
Long term reliability and fast
Sudden energy release
For example, when someone wants to use solar energy on a cloudy day --
Make them ideal for solar storage.
Dr. Litty Thekkekara and respected professor Gu Min.
Combined with super capacitor, fractalenabled laser-
The reduced graphene electrode can maintain the stored charge for a longer period of time, with the least leakage.
The fractal design reflects
The vein shape of the Xijian ferns is repeated and native to western North America.
Litty Thekkekara, a first author and PhD researcher, said that since the prototype is based on flexible film technology, its potential applications are numerous.
"The most exciting possibility is to use this electrode with solar cells to provide total on-
Chip energy collection and storage solutions ".
"We can do this now with existing solar cells, but these are large and rigid.
The real future is to combine the prototype with the flexible thin film solar technology that is still in its infancy.
"From building windows to car panels, smartphones to smart watches, flexible film solar energy can be used almost anywhere.
"We no longer need batteries to charge phones or charging stations for our hybrid cars.
"With this flexible electrode prototype, we address the storage part of the challenge and show how they work with solar cells without compromising performance.
"The focus now needs to be on flexible solar energy so that we can work towards a vision of full solar energy --reliant, self-
Power electronic equipment
The study has been published in the scientific report.
Ar batteries that do not affect performance. "The focus now needs to be on flexible solar energy so that we can work towards a vision of electronics that are fully solar-dependent, self-powered. The study has been published in the scientific report. Story: Kaszubska, gaosia