About the structure of spiral batteries that can be charged instantaneously

Many of the current batteries have adopted similar yin and Yang dual-electrode structures, with non-conductor isolation in the middle. But now, Cornell engineers have developed an unusual new structure that uses interwoven vortex structures and has the characteristics of instantaneous charging. The new technology is based on a complex set of porous shapes -- gyroids -- which were previously used to make graphene, a "two-dimensional miracle material".

In addition, the new battery also uses an ultra-thin carbon film(although it can not be compared with graphene), using a self-assembly process called "block co-polymer".

This carbon-based spiral 24 form the anode of the battery, which contains thousands of holes, each about 40 nm wide.

These pores are coated with a separation layer about 10 nm thick, followed by a sulfur cathode, and finally filled with a conductive polymer called PEDOT to fill the last part of the gap.

Each pore can store and transmit energy, similar to a miniature battery. But by spreading them over the huge surface area of the Helix, the energy density of the new architecture is much larger than traditional battery design.

In practice, this means the battery can be charged in seconds or even faster, the researchers say! Ulrich Wiesner, lead researcher, stated:

This three-dimensional structure basically eliminates all volume losses in the device.

More importantly, the area of mutual penetration has narrowed to the nanoscale, so that we can exponentially increase the energy density.

In other words, you can get energy in a shorter time than the conventional battery structure.

Even so, the new design is not without flaws. When the battery is charged and discharged, sulfur expands and the PEDOT part does not. Over time, the latter will gradually wear and tear. Wiesner pointed out:

As the sulfur expands, these tiny polymers are torn to pieces. When it contracts again, it can not be reconnected. This means that part of the 3D battery can no longer be used.

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