A Technology for a Battery-less Electric Vehicle
Korean researchers have developed an energy-storing carbon nanotube fiber stronger than metals. This means that external materials loaded with this new fiber can be used as batteries.
A team led by Dr. Kim Tae-hoon of the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) developed the world’s first high-strength fibrous super capacitor using a carbon nanotube fiber, together with a team led by Professor Yang Seung-jae of Inha University.
A super capacitor can charge and discharge very quickly, although it has a less energy storage capacity than that of a lithium secondary battery. The researchers say that if it has the characteristic of energy storage and a structurally excellent characteristic at the same time, it can be applied to exterior materials such as vehicles and drones to replacing existing batteries, making them lighter and increasing their travel distances.
According to the KIMS, the fibrous super capacitor has power density of 190.94㎽/㎤ and high energy density of 7.54㎽h/㎤. In addition, even if it is as thin as a thread, it can charge and discharge normally while enduring a weight of 10kg. Along with this, its performance does not deteriorate even if it was folded and unfolded more than 2,000 times.
“In the future, the fibrous super capacitor will be applicable not only to energy storage materials, but also to space, aviation, and defense fields that require lightweight, high-strength, and high-conductivity capacitors,” Dr. Kim said.
The researchers synthesized a carbon nanotube fiber with excellent electrical conductivity and tensile strength. Porous carbon was attached to it for energy storage. Moreover, they increased the strength of the carbon nanotube fiber and surface-treated it, so the porous carbon can be firmly attached to the fiber. Finally, they synthesized a multifunctional carbon nanotube fiber capable of storing energy while maintaining the strength and electrical conductivity of the original carbon nanotube fiber.
Based on this newly developed carbon nanotube fiber production and application technology, the researchers will conduct a follow-up study to apply it to electromagnetic shielding, bulletproof and composite materials and secondary batteries, they said.