Posted by admin in The days of traditional lithium-ion batteries seem to be numbered. If things go well, they may soon be replaced by carbon nanotube springs, which is a more reliable and durable option for storing energy. This has been revealed by a team of MIT researchers who have also shown that there is little chance of energy leakage in the new process.
Carol Livermore, associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, has come out with two papers on this subject of energy storage. His study includes the presentation of a theoretical electric power source that stores energy in a carbon nanotube spring for the purpose of examining the potential of producing electrical energy from the stored mechanical energy.
Such springs can deliver the stored energy in two ways: as an intense, quick burst, or a slow and steady trickle over a long period. The examples of a mousetrap and a windup clock may help you visualize the scenario.
What’s more, stored energy in such springs wouldn’t leak off over time, which must be a great relief from the experience you usually have with your traditional batteries. Livermore also believes that the springs will be able to charge and recharge several times without any decline in the level of performance. However, this can be confirmed only by further tests. Because, during the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy, some part of the energy will dissipate through friction and other processes that generate heat.
The spring has been used as a device to store energy for long. From children’s toys to gadgets for adults, the stored mechanical energy coiled in springs has been used in various ways. Millions of carbon nanotube springs – molecules of pure carbon shaped like tubes – are now set to store and then release energy that can even run a car.
But it’s not going to happen in weeks or months – you have to be patient for a few years at least.
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