Communications of the ACM
Wearables May Get Boost From Boron-Infused Graphene
This new supercapacitor may be suitable for flexible, wearable electronics.
Credit: Tour Group/Rice University
Rice University researchers have upgraded a microsupercapacitor they say could eventually be incorporated into personal and wearable electronics. The upgrade involves boron, which can significantly enhance laser-induced graphene devices.
The lab of Rice University chemist James Tour used commercial lasers to create thin, flexible supercapacitors by burning patterns into common polymers. The laser burned away everything but the carbon to a depth of 20 microns on the top layer, which became a foam-like matrix of interconnected graphene flakes. By first infusing the polymer with boric acid, the researchers quadrupled the supercapacitor's ability to store an electrical charge while also greatly boosting its energy density.
The researchers say the simple manufacturing process also may be suitable for making catalysts, field-emission transistors, and components for solar cells and lithium-ion batteries. In addition, the supercapacitors could provide high-energy capacity to batteries, making them more suitable for use in electric vehicles and other heavy-duty applications.
From Rice University
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