BOULDER, USA: Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder has achieved a groundbreaking advancement in energy storage technology, potentially enabling electronic devices and electric vehicles to charge in just minutes.
Led by Ankur Gupta, an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering, their research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, focuses on manipulating ions within a complex network of tiny pores.
Their findings could lead to more efficient energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors, which are capable of drastically reducing charging times. Gupta highlighted that although chemical engineering techniques have been used to study flow in porous materials like oil reservoirs and water filtration systems, they have not been fully applied to energy storage systems.
By modifying Kirchhoff’s law, which governs current flow in electrical circuits, the team has provided new insights into ion movement within interconnected pore networks. This discovery has implications beyond just electronic devices and electric vehicles; it could also enhance energy storage for power grids, which is essential for managing fluctuating energy demands and ensuring rapid supply during peak periods.
Supercapacitors, known for their quick charging times and longer lifespans compared to traditional batteries, rely on ion accumulation in their pores. The team’s research could significantly advance supercapacitor technology, making charging and energy release even faster through more efficient ion movement.
