The layer-by-layer fabrication technique used to make the 3-micrometer-thick carbon nanotube electrode described in the published paper was an extremely time-consuming process. For each layer of nanotubes, a sample had to be dipped into a solution awash with nanotubes.

Then, covered in the solution, the sample had to be left out for 15 to 20 minutes as gravity slowly pulled the nanotubes down through the liquid and onto the sample surface. This procedure had to be repeated about 400 times in order to pile up enough layers to reach a thickness of 3 micrometers.

To bring the layering process up to reasonable, commercially viable speeds, Hammond is appropriating an automatic spray technique she developed for producing layers of polymer materials.

"The spray method is 40 to 100 times faster," she said, taking only seconds to lay down each new layer of nanotubes rather than the 15 to 20 minutes it normally takes. The true test will come once much thicker electrodes are tested.

Other battery research from Shao-Horn's group has been highlighted in other ClimateWire stories.

Reprinted from Climatewire with permission from Environment & Energy Publishing, LLC. www.eenews.net, 202-628-6500

5 Comments

1. 1. Wayne Williamson 08:32 PM 6/23/10

   this is exactly what is needed to make electric cars and a distributed power network work....now if they can actually make it affordable....areas where mit is lacking...gov..any help...

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2. 2. Daniel35 12:34 AM 6/24/10

   At least three question remain. How long and through how many charges will the batteries last, and how easily are they recycled (at least until lithium from Afghanistan is common and cheap)?

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3. 3. Wayne Williamson 03:27 PM 9/4/10

   annyhaiyan...you've been reported for abuse....if you have something to contribute don' give me a link to laptop batteries....

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4. 4. justyntoo 07:36 PM 6/14/12

   is the increased capacity proportionatly equal to the increase in available carbon neuc./srface area? if so would it be more opertune to make something along the lines of buble tech ? well done .

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5. 5. ecviljoen36@gmail.com 12:34 AM 6/15/12

   A stone in the Bush.
   Its all very well, but where does the original power generation come from, Coal,Nuclear, Solar, Wind or Wave action?
   
   All the minerals to construct the usage items, still has to be mined and manufactured, again which power sources?
   ECV

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