Valeria Nicolosi of Britain’s Oxford University and Jonathan Coleman of Ireland’s Trinity College Dublin have led a group of scientists into a new study. The group of scientists have just created a way of splitting materials into ‘nanosheets’ just one atom thick that could possibly lead to new electronic and energy storage technologies, maybe even “Supercapacitors.” The new method is simple, cheap and is done quickly using ultrasonic pulses and common solvents.
Scientists say these new materials which include: Boron Nitride, Molybdenum Disulfide and Bismuth Telluride have chemical and electronic properties which make them suitable for use in new electronic devices, super-strong composite materials and energy generation and storage. Keep reading to see how this may be useful for smartphone users.
Coleman suggests that there are many possible ways we can use these new ‘nanosheets’. One way, and perhaps one of the most important ways, would be using them as thermoelectric materials. These materials could be made into devices that generate electricity from waste heat lost from places such as gas or coal-fired power plants, which lose between 50-70% of the energy they produce in waste heat already. “The development of efficient thermoelectric devices would allow some of this waste heat to be recycled cheaply and easily,” Coleman said.
Scientists have been trying for a while to do just what this group of scientists are working on. All previous methods failed because the resulting materials were too fragile and not suitable for most applications. With the latest knowledge and technology, it seems like their goal will be accomplished sooner or later.
Where it gets interesting for smartphone users is here. Scientists say these new materials could also be used in next generation batteries known as “supercapacitors,” which can deliver energy thousands of times faster than standard batteries and could also vastly improve technologies such as smartphones or electric cars.
With that being said, do you see all smartphone battery life getting better in time? We all know many people who say that Apple products have the best battery life, maybe not for long. Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comment box below.
Source: Reuters