Single walled carbon nanotubes are kissing cousins to graphene, which we discussed back in March as part of one potential route to efficient energy storage. Supercapacitors have the ability to rapidly store an electrical charge that can be released as needed. Working in parallel with batteries, supercapacitors may outperform batteries alone. This is potentially a disruptive technology that remains in its infancy. One startup in this area we highlighted earlier is Graphene Energy.
One novel approach to supercapacitors that percolated to the surface this week is from Stanford University where Professor Yi Cui’s group in the electrical engineering department demonstrated supercapacitors built from carbon nanotubes, ink and paper. Essentially, they have made ultra-lightweight and bendable supercapacitors in the form of everyday paper. This work is a great example of rapid advanced development work going on at universities that once primarily emanated from the research labs of large corporations, with the added benefit that rapid dissemination of the process and results will inspire further progress, including fast followers in industry.
