The electrode could potentially boost the capacity of existing integrable storage technologies by 3000%. It may also open a new path in the development of flexible, all-in-one solar capture and storage which could lead to the development of self-powering laptops, smart phones, cars and more.
The new electrode is designed to work with supercapacitors, which can charge and discharge power much faster than conventional batteries, however, supercapacitors have limited storage capacity.
The design of the ground-breaking prototype was inspired by the western Swordfern. The design draws on nature's solution to the challenge of filling a space in the most efficient way possible -- through intricate self-repeating patterns known as "fractals."
"The leaves of the western swordfern are densely crammed with veins, making them extremely efficient for storing energy and transporting water around the plant," said Min Gu, Leader of the Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Nanophotonics and Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship at RMIT.
“"Our electrode is based on these fractal shapes -- which are self-replicating, like the mini structures within snowflakes -- and we've used this naturally-efficient design to improve solar energy storage at a nano level.”
The experiments conducted by the research group have shown that the prototype electrode, when combined with supercapacitors, greatly increases their storage capacity.
Lead author, PhD researcher Litty Thekkekara, said because the prototype was based on flexible thin film technology, its potential applications were countless.
"The most exciting possibility is using this electrode with a solar cell, to provide a total on-chip energy harvesting and storage solution," Thekkekara said.
For additional information:
