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Science-Technology Title: Rice University develops spray-on battery prototype Researchers at Rice University in Houston have developed a prototype spray-on battery that could allow engineers to rethink the way portable electronics are designed. The rechargeable battery boasts similar electrical characteristics to the lithium ion batteries that power almost every mobile gadget, but it can be applied in layers to almost any surface with a conventional airbrush, said Neelam Singh, a Rice University graduate student who led a team working on the technology for more than a year. Current lithium ion batteries are almost all variations on the same basic form: an inflexible block with electrodes at one end. Because they cannot easily be shaped, they sometimes restrict designers, particularly when it comes to small gadgets with curved surfaces, but the Rice prototypes could change that. "Today, we only have a few form factors of batteries, but this battery can be fabricated to fill the space available," said Singh. The battery is sprayed on in five layers: two current collectors sandwich a cathode, a polymer separator and an anode. "It was difficult optimizing the components in the form of a paint," said Singh. Initial versions were sensitive to moisture and would peel off, but the addition of a polymer and a heat-sealing step solved this problem. The result is a battery that can be sprayed on to plastics, metal and ceramics. In an experiment, Singh's team airbrushed a battery on to nine ceramic bathroom tiles. Each tile represented one battery cell and they were charged with a small solar cell. Connected in parallel, the battery was able to power for six hours a set of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) that spelled out the word "RICE." With patents filed on the process, the team is now looking to further refine the process. "The present work is just a concept of paintable batteries," said Singh. "We chose the materials to match those being used in lithium ion batteries, but we are talking about non-experts making them at home with safer materials."
Poster Comment: This has the potential to become something truly special. Imagine electric cars that are painted with advanced versions of this paint that takes solar charges. Or windmills with the frames and blades painted with this paint. Buildings with this paint on the exterior and poured into the concrete. Even if they never develope it as a complete substitute for other power sources,it will definitely have the potential to serve as a standby charging system and reserve power system. I'm seriously considering investing both of my dollars in this stuff. Subscribe to *Science and technology* Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 10. The technology does not operate in and by itself. And the research about polymers being added is still an issue. Are you familiar with the toxins produced by polymers when stressed over the specified ratings? No? Let's re-paint our homes with Pb based splash. YUMMY!
#3. To: buckeroo (#2) The technology does not operate in and by itself. And the research about polymers being added is still an issue. Buck,this is still early days. It's all still in developement. Are you familiar with the toxins produced by polymers when stressed over the specified ratings? Nope. Don't know a thing about it. Let's re-paint our homes with Pb based splash. YUMMY! I have no idea what that means,but from your tone I assume it would be a bad thing to do.
#4. To: sneakypete (#3) We, humans, are energy gluttons. And addressing another fallible technology as opposed to the mushrooming, swelled human population growth that is now over 8Bn people on this planet misses the point of mankind's knowledge altogether. We know there is a serious issue caused directly by human population growth. Meanwhile, an article such as yours (no matter how well intended) is like ignoring the truth. People should wear more condoms PERIOD. There, I fixed over 50% of mankind's misery, today to include potential new energy sources.
#5. To: buckeroo (#4) We know there is a serious issue caused directly by human population growth. Yeah,and we also know that the poor and unskilled are NOT going to voluntarily stop having all the children they can have because they see them as their retirement plan. The ultimate pyramid scheme. The only way to achieve your goals is through mandatory birth control and abortions,with people having to get permits to have a child. I,for one,don't want to live under a government that has that kind of power and authority.
#6. To: sneakypete (#5) I,for one,don't want to live under a government that has that kind of power and authority. What do want, sneakypete? Commonsense and religious values/characteristics and educational methods don't fix the issues. You wanna be a victim to some guy in his garage that comes up with the latest home nuclearfusion box?
#7. To: buckeroo (#6) (Edited) What do want, sneakypete? To think we can solve these problems without becoming a police state. One way of doing this is to make birth control mandatory for everybody receiving public aid. If they don't like it,they can get out of public housing and start providing for themselves. You wanna be a victim to some guy in his garage that comes up with the latest home nuclearfusion box? How would population control prevent that from happening?
#8. To: sneakypete (#7) How about a much more simpler answer: require voters to actually pass certification before voting for the idiots that have created this monstrousity in the first place. To date, not many have to even show an ID much less pass an English test on the simplest level. If the People keep voting for assholes to let assholes run the government, it is ALL a pot to piss in. And there is no limits on any voting requirements hence, you see a house of cards.
#9. To: buckeroo (#8) require voters to actually pass certification Like a poll tax?
#10. To: A K A Stone (#9) ? Certification is all I am discussing concerning the eligibility to vote in an election within federal polls. What did you do, fall off another roof today?
Replies to Comment # 10. LMFAO...Stone is making prefectlly clear sense here and buckaroo doesn't get it.... the mind boggles...;} and don't forget your Health Mandate card as well when go to vote in your new electric car, bucky....;} Jesus, you'll need a box to carry all your shite in to vote....;}
#14. To: buckeroo (#10) Certification Certification can mean a lot of things. Are you going to certify they know something? Or are you going to certify they are citizens?
End Trace Mode for Comment # 10. Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest |
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