Hi to all
Something significant to all our lives.
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The Battery of the Future
By GILLES CREVIER, SCIENCE AND LIFE, WIKIPEDIA, ALL ABOUT BATTERIES, LAVAL UNIVERSITY
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Dream of recharging your mobile phone or car battery in seconds? This may soon be a reality. Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have built a supercondenser made of nanotubes. And it spells the end of the traditional electric battery.
THE CONDENSER
Used in all radios, this was the first device invented by man to accumulate electrical energy. The condenser was invented simultaneously in 1745 by German and Dutch scientists. In 1782, the true inventor of the electric battery, the Italian Alessandro Volta, coined the term "condenser". A condenser does much the same as a battery, but they work much better when used together.
THE PRINCIPLE
When activated by electricity, two metal plates separated by a non-conductive element trap ions (which are charged particles) into a substance called electrolyte. The plates each attract ions of opposite charges (positive or negative). Contrary to a traditional battery, which works with chemical elements, the condenser works essentially as a physical principle. In this case, the charge is increased by increasing the space between the plates (electrodes) and getting them close again. A condenser becomes a supercondenser when the space between the electrodes increases by a factor of a trillion. Thus a supercondenser can recharge in seconds and provide a strong discharge, also in seconds.
NANOTUBES
Scientists at MIT have come up with carbon nanotubes, which will provide more energy than today's best batteries, powered by lithium-ion exchange. Several nanotubes are grown to a length of 2.5 meters, each separated from its neighbour by a mere 5 to 10 nanometers. With a 20 to 30 fold increase in surface area, the ions can recharge much faster with an electrical output comparable to a lithium-ion battery. MIT scientists hope to build the first prototype of this new battery within six months.
The negative pole: Tension between the two condenser poles charge the electrolyte to the opposing pole (positive or negative).
Electrolyte: a liquid capable of conducting electricity.
A porous membrane: it allows ions to pass through.
Nanotube: very small carbon molecules that can conduct electricity which can then be assembled to form pipes.
A nanotube is about as big as the finest of human hair.
The ions stick to the sides of these pipes.
USES
The new batteries will be used in medical devices, in cars, mobile phones, iPods, etc. Though its charge won't last any longer than in the lithium-ion battery, the battery's life will be longer and it will recharge almost instantly.
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minir
This Invention Should Give Everyone a Big Charge
Good to see some progress with batteries and energy storage. 
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