Live data from Hacker News

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes triple the density of lithium batteries

newatlas.com

11–20 of 163 posts

Re: Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes triple the density of lithium batteries

#12
post #6

IF this is true, it would be a massive breakthrough. Truly monumental. Hence, I am skeptical. But otherwise, this would be a massive thing. a 2x capacity per weight advantage of batteries? Without an increase in space? That comes down to doubling the range of EVs, and making electric planes and rockets a lot more viable. A 3x capacity per space advantage means roughly a 3x improvement in your phone and laptop battery…

With the latest iphones, I already stopped night charging and just top it up whenever I'm close to a charger, i.e., in the car or in the kitchen.

Re: Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes triple the density of lithium batteries

#13
post #6

IF this is true, it would be a massive breakthrough. Truly monumental. Hence, I am skeptical. But otherwise, this would be a massive thing. a 2x capacity per weight advantage of batteries? Without an increase in space? That comes down to doubling the range of EVs, and making electric planes and rockets a lot more viable. A 3x capacity per space advantage means roughly a 3x improvement in your phone and laptop battery…

Big if true, but I really don't need a thinner phone. Marketing will most likely salivate at an easy to break phone. Therefor I really hope this breakthrough is fake.

Re: Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes triple the density of lithium batteries

#14
Nanotubes? It admittedly has been a couple years since I checked in on nanotube production, but I found they will be cheap.

Also, cycle endurance is paramount in a usable battery, did I miss that? High density batteries form dendrites when they discharge, gradually ruining the battery. The nanotube structure would probably help though.

Anyway, need cell cost, vol and mass density, cycles, temp ranges, charge/discharge raye. Those make for a competitive battery.

Re: Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes triple the density of lithium batteries

#15
post #6

IF this is true, it would be a massive breakthrough. Truly monumental. Hence, I am skeptical. But otherwise, this would be a massive thing. a 2x capacity per weight advantage of batteries? Without an increase in space? That comes down to doubling the range of EVs, and making electric planes and rockets a lot more viable. A 3x capacity per space advantage means roughly a 3x improvement in your phone and laptop battery…

What exactly is an "electric rocket"?

Re: Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes triple the density of lithium batteries

#17
post #6

IF this is true, it would be a massive breakthrough. Truly monumental. Hence, I am skeptical. But otherwise, this would be a massive thing. a 2x capacity per weight advantage of batteries? Without an increase in space? That comes down to doubling the range of EVs, and making electric planes and rockets a lot more viable. A 3x capacity per space advantage means roughly a 3x improvement in your phone and laptop battery…

Big if true, but I really don't need a thinner phone. Marketing will most likely salivate at an easy to break phone. Therefor I really hope this breakthrough is fake.

I've seen iPhone ads advertising how hard to break they are recently, if that has a basis in reality and isn't purely marketing spin then we're fine.

Re: Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes triple the density of lithium batteries

#18
Articles like this is why I want a service which lets you "bookmark" the article and have it tell you whether it panned out a few years later.

There's not much you can do here other than Defer Judgement yet again, at which point you'll have forgotten about it anyway.

Re: Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes triple the density of lithium batteries

#19
Actually good article if you continue reading. Comment from an independent expert:

"Research has shown vertically aligned – or even just well distributed – carbon nanotubes have far greater properties than randomly placed carbon nanotubes," said Dr. Shearer. "I am not surprised a x10 in conductivity is possible. Controlling the placement of carbon nanotubes is really the way to unlock their potential. The issue in commercialization is the cost associated with producing aligned carbon nanotubes. My guess is the cost would be much more than x10."

Even if it was x10 the cost right now, I would expect that cost to go down a lot as the engineering gets better. Looks interesting.

Re: Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes triple the density of lithium batteries

#20

Nanotubes? It admittedly has been a couple years since I checked in on nanotube production, but I found they will be cheap. Also, cycle endurance is paramount in a usable battery, did I miss that? High density batteries form dendrites when they discharge, gradually ruining the battery. The nanotube structure would probably help though. Anyway, need cell cost, vol and mass density, cycles, temp ranges, charge/discharg…

The article mentions expected 5x durability for the reasons you mention. Even if it was just 2x, that would be great.
Post reply on HN