Monthly Archives: October

Sustainable energy meets the ever-increasing demands of energy resources, sans the danger of putting the environment and nature at risk of depletion due to overuse. It is a concept that is being widely encouraged for creating an environment that is clean, green and sustainable. Graphene material enabled battery technology offers high mechanical flexibility, chemical stability, high thermal and electrical conductivity, high-surface area, unmatchable storage capacity, fast charging rate and is lightweight. These characteristic properties of the batteries contribute greatly to sustainable energy production, storage and consumption.

Sustainable energy sources

Sources of sustainable energy like wind, solar, hydropower and geothermal are sustainable as they do not get depleted and are highly stable. There are other various forms of sustainable energy that can be increasingly incorporated and utilized for the sustainable storage and consumption of energy. This eliminates the usage of fossil fuels that lead to carbon emissions into the environment. Not only this, but sustainable energy is replenishable in nature and considerably reduces the emission of greenhouse gases into the environment.

Biomass as a source of sustainable energy in cell technology

Biomass is increasingly and extensively being used as a source of sustainable energy and is also proving to be a boon to mankind as it is easily available and can be harnessed in a hassle-free manner.  It also helps make the optimal use of biowaste for production of sustainable energy. The need for Graphene enabled sustainable energy can be comprehended well by understanding the extensive degradation that the usage of fossil fuels as a source of energy has caused on a global level.

Why are sustainable sources of energy important?

A wide range of countries have held onto the conventional methodologies for producing cells that have been proving to be expensive to use and yet do not offer the efficiency results as they should as per the costs of manufacture. These conventional sources of energy release a great amount of carbon dioxide into the air, ultimately contributing to the worldwide situation of global warming. Conventional Lithium-ion cells have been produced using processes that do not involve the utilization of biomass as a source of energy and are more harmful and less effective to be used on a wide scale.

Conclusion

It is important to address and furthermore accept the C6 Energy’s Graphene enabled cell technology for sustainable use and storage of energy, to prevent the adverse effects of harmful energy sources and gas emissions into the environment. Graphene is transforming the energy industry greatly and its journey as a source of sustainable energy has just begun. It is also becoming increasingly evident that Graphene and its related materials meets the energy needs of the present-day precisely and is a greener, renewable alternative to the conventional materials for developing new generation cell technology. 

With renewable energy becoming increasingly prominent, the sustainable storage of energy via batteries has become a topic of interest for scientists and researchers all over the world. Since the generation of energy from renewable sources of energy such as hydro, wind and solar does not meet with the energy demands completely, collaborating this type of renewable energy generation with graphene technology for batteries can yield highly effective outcomes. Especially with the rise in demand for electric vehicles, a larger number of companies are looking to develop novel ways for cost-effective yet higher and more reliable storage of energy. Lithium-ion is one of the conventional batteries that have been in use for a longer period of time but are not a suitable choice for applications on a larger scale. Graphene has therefore become one of the most researched materials because of the immense amount of potential it has to offer, especially when combined with the potential of renewable energy storage and its benefits.

A Graphene enabled future

Graphene and related materials have significantly appealing properties including a high surface area, high level of porosity, extensively light-weight, flexible and high in strength for improved and effective storage and transportation. In addition to this, it is also a high potency conductor of both thermal and electrical energy. It has also been known that graphene in its membrane form, when illuminated with solar energy or simply sunlight, can conduct protons at a higher rate than usual. This type of a phenomenon and effect can be used to imitate the process of photosynthesis and harvest solar energy (renewable energy) directly. Such a process can lead to production of gases such as the hydrogen gas which can be furthermore used as a fuel to power electric vehicles through batteries. Graphene enabled batteries will therefore prove to be highly cost effective if used for electric vehicles. With the increasing demand of energy, solar energy is becoming a great alternative, however, its efficiency is yet not up to the mark and photovoltaic or solar cells are pricey to produce and then install. But with the advent of Graphene material, its layered coating on the solar cells and graphene batteries in itself are the best choice for a future empowered by renewable energy.

Conclusion

Graphene enabled batteries are less expensive, highly effective and promote renewable energy storage and consumption. Its flexibility, mechanical & chemical strength and light-weight imparts high efficacy as a source of renewable power to the Graphene enabled batteries. C6 Energy Graphene material and patented Graphene battery technology is a stepping stone towards a future enabled with only the renewable power sources for innovative and environment-friendly technology such as the electric vehicles of the automotive industry.

Batteries have certainly come a long way, wherein better technology and improved design have significantly contributed to their storage and safety. The safety aspect is very important; however, the righteous use of the batteries must be understood well to avoid adverse outcomes. In a wide range of industries worldwide, be it the automobile industry, the telecom industry or the space and defence industry, optimization of battery safety is vital for successful operational functioning. In a consistently evolving era of clean energy, the utilization of power storage has replaced conventional technologies based on fossil fuels, especially in the automobile and transportation industry. This highlights the importance of safety and security in batteries and a better storage capacity that makes battery technology indispensable. With every passing day, novel technology is being introduced and developed that strives to improve the batteries’ safety. 

Why is graphene material safe?

The material used for developing electrodes, i.e., cathode and anode, is the major safety factor. This is because, in a battery, the cathodes and anodes are responsible for conductivity. The material used to develop and further integrate the battery ultimately decides its safety. Particularly, the incorporation of mitigation technology and the use of graphene instead of conventional materials like lithium, backed by the latest technology, is transforming battery technology. Graphene is an allotrope of carbon, wherein the arrangement is a honeycomb-like latticed structure. This design and layout of the carbon atoms in graphene material allow it to conduct a high quantity of electricity in the form of electric current. Graphene batteries also offer high heat conductivity that makes them a safer option for use industry-wide. These graphene batteries can be used in the e-vehicle industry for energy storage, smartphones, and other components of the space, transport, and telecom industry. 

Safety of batteries-An important factor for industry-wide usage

In terms of electronic devices such as the smartphones, bursting of phones or other electronic devices is often a matter of concern for the consumers and poses a safety risk in terms of its use. With the advent of graphene batteries, the risk associated with safety has considerably reduced due to positive safety outcomes. Conventional batteries like Lithium-ion batteries are not designed to conduct extensively high electricity and heat and are also highly resistant. These properties negatively impact the quality and longevity of the battery. Lithium-ion batteries tend to overheat, overcharge and ultimately puncture, which is the causative factor for the imbalance of chemicals in the traditional batteries. Batteries made with graphene material do not overheat or overcharge and therefore are free from chemical imbalances resulting in a potential fire. 

Conclusion 

C6 Energy’s batteries made of graphene material, even in its few-layer composite form, are highly stable, stronger, and flexible, ultimately making it highly resilient to issues observed in the conventional batteries that have been in use. The safety and efficiency that graphene batteries offer also indicate the need to incorporate these batteries in a wider range of industries and their products for better results and performance outcomes. 

The composition of the battery, especially the chemical composition, plays an important role in deciding the efficiency of the battery. This composition of the battery is extensively delicate. The active type of materials presents within the cell function in an integrated manner to determine the efficiency of a particular battery. Usage of potentially harmful chemicals, for example, cobalt, greatly affects the efficiency of the battery. The incorrect utilization of batteries results in unwanted outcomes, such as thermal runaway and electrode degradation that ultimately results in rupturing of the battery or a potential fire. The right choice of materials used in the right combination can extensively improve the batteries’ efficacy and improve other functions like conductivity, performance, and longevity. 

The components of the battery that decide the efficacy

A battery is developed by properly integrating the restorative materials inclusive of anode, cathode and electrolyte. The advantages and disadvantages of each component vary, wherein the combination of these materials or components are the deciding factor of the extent of efficacy that a battery can offer. The proper testing of these components is essential to yielding optimized outcomes in terms of effectiveness. One of the major components of a battery is an anode and offers high energy storage that is retained over time in a battery. This increased storage capacity of an anode contributes to the overall efficiency of the battery. Like an anode, a cathode must also ideally have a high capacity and must hold the capability of reversing the chemical processes without compromising the functioning of the battery. 

The significance of efficient batteries backed by technological advancements

The anode, cathode and electrolytic solution made of the right material contribute to the efficacy of a battery. The battery’s efficiency is a significant factor because it is indicative of the level of conductivity and performance a battery has to offer. The components and materials that are integrated to develop the battery decide this efficiency. Graphene is a material that provides extensively high heat and electrical conductivity, surface area and ultimately high performance and effectiveness. With the advancements in technology, the testing of materials that are most suitable for developing an efficiently functioning battery is on the rise to yield positive outcomes in terms of performance. Cobalt is a material that has been seen to be extensively utilized in conventional batteries like Lithium-ion batteries. However, it has been recently discovered that cobalt has deteriorating effects on the environment and its usage in batteries act as a challenge in attaining a sustainable environment. Therefore, it is important to increasingly utilize materials like graphene to develop stable, flexible and cost-efficient batteries and support the notion of a sustainable environment. 

Conclusion

The material for batteries must be chosen righteously and optimized well for the appropriate application. The accurate combinations of anode, cathode, and electrolyte drive the enhancement of the battery’s quality and efficiency. C6 energy’s graphene batteries offer high efficiency, developed using the best technology to yield positive outcomes for all the users. 

The system that powers a spacecraft and all the components of a spacecraft power-system, collectively form an important part of the complete mass required for building a spacecraft. Constant research and efforts are being put in all over the world to understand the potential ways in which this mass for the production of the batteries for spacecraft could be used for satisfactorily meeting with the ever-increasing demands for energy, specifically, satellite energy. This support is essential for warfighting in the future and meeting with the energy-based demands of the space and defence industry, in which, the novel and advanced graphene battery technology plays a major role.

Graphene batteries for applications in space

The conventional batteries like the lithium-ion batteries utilise graphite material for its anode component. The extensive use of graphene and its enhancements, can very efficiently replace the use of graphite for electrode material and can promise potentially remarkable results in terms of a great gravimetric capacity, while at the same time maintaining a reasonable amount of cyclic stability. The graphene material in itself, along with the graphene enhancements for example, the anodes that are graphene enhanced can offer a two times higher gravimetric potential as compared to other materials like graphite, making it a suitable choice for various application in space.  

Use and application of graphene in defence

The full-time production of a cell with the help of a methodology that utilizes pre-lithiation is vital for assessing the use of the material graphene and its performance as an electrode, specifically the anode component in the batteries. The light weight and the unmatchable strength of the graphene material makes it a great fit for ballistic protection in military and defence. This is because, armour material that is relatively lighter and stronger can prove to be extremely useful for achieving high mobility and a high range with a remarkable level of protection. Graphene batteries, dissipate energy in the form of kinetic energy and display remarkable endurance that is relatively ten times greater than steel. The endurance and the stretchability property of graphene is surprisingly similar to fabric materials like zylon that have been conventionally used for protection and survivability in military and defence. Furthermore, the graphene batteries due to the extraordinary performance outcomes it offers, is also being used for drones.

Conclusion

The tight, honeycomb like latticed structure of graphene, with relatively shorter carbon bonds is responsible for its inherent property of strength. C6 Energy’s graphene battery dissipate heat well and is extremely useful for space and defence applications, inclusive of batteries used in drones and other space applications that demand a high gravimetric capacity. 

Given the extent of technological advancements in the last couple of decades, an era of relatively more impactful inventions has begun. The rise in the need and the usage of electronic devices has led to an increase in the demand for batteries that run these devices. With the enormous potential of graphene batteries in terms of their applications, these batteries have become the latest trend in the electronics industry, especially the industry for portable electronics. In the portable electronics industry, specifically for smartphones, the life of these increases by five times and the phones charge at a significantly faster rate than the conventional lithium-ion batteries. 

Graphene batteries with a greater number of possibilities 

There are a great number of possibilities that arise with the use of graphene batteries. The rise in these possibilities is essential for overcoming the limitations of conventional batteries like lithium-ion batteries, which are responsible for putting a halt to the development and expansion of various industries like the automobile, telecom, space and defence, especially the portable electronics device industry. These industries are reliable in effectively functioning batteries for appropriate functioning and positive performance outcomes. Still, with the current state of energy-storing batteries like lithium-ion batteries, the industries are unable to innovate the way in which they should due to the various energy storage and efficacy related limitations. The advent of graphene batteries has brought a revolution in terms of their capabilities that make them a suitable choice for the electronics industry. The extraordinary properties of graphene, including extensively high storage capacity and overall efficiency, have enabled a level of functionality that had not been witnessed previously. 

Graphene batteries enabling portable devices to perform better 

Graphene batteries have enabled portable electronic devices to last for a longer span of time and perform very effectively. The minimal technological and environmental drawbacks that are associated with it promises sustainability in the electronic industry. Graphene batteries in electric vehicles can offer higher capacity, reduced charging time, and stability in terms of temperature, allowing electric vehicles to become more commercially and technologically viable than ever before. Lithium-ion batteries for electric cars enable the vehicle to cover a fair amount of distance but does not offer great performance results for a number of customers in terms of justifying purchasing an electric vehicle over a gas-fuelled vehicle. 

Conventional batteries like lithium-ion batteries approach maximal efficiency quickly, and novel technology demands a greater supply of power in the same span of time. Innovations like smartphones and electric vehicles require greater energy storage to perform, which is fulfilled by the graphene batteries. For smartphones, in addition to high capacity, high electrical and heat conductivity for better dissipation of heat is also essential to prevent the phones from getting heated up and exploding. These explosions pose a problem to the safety of the users and are caused by chemical imbalances in the batteries, which is very unlikely in the case of graphene batteries. 

Conclusion 

C6 Energy’s graphene batteries allow for a greater surface to mass ratio and its other offerings make it a suitable choice for portable devices that are an upcoming and vital part of the electronics industry. 

Graphene is a sheet-like structure wherein the carbon atoms are latticed in a honeycomb-like network. It is being increasingly and extensively considered as a spectacular material for industrial uses, a most important one being as foundational material for batteries given the critically beneficial attributes that it holds. These attributes, including the potency to conduct high energy levels, be it thermal, electrical, or heat energy, and its lightweight structure, make it a potential future of batteries serving multiple uses in various fields. Not only this, but graphene is an inert yet flexible material with high surface area coverage. It has also been considered to offer stability as a battery. It is relatively more environment-friendly, making it the best battery technology choice that showcases a futuristic approach with unending applications in several industrial domains.

What makes graphene the future of battery technology

In terms of battery technology, the materials that are traditionally used as suitable for electrodes have shown a significant amount of improvement with the advent of graphene technology. This is because a graphene-based battery is not only extremely light with high durability but is also possibly the most appropriate choice for a high amount of energy storage with reduced time of charging and longer lifespans. Graphene, therefore, increases the lifespan of the battery that has been made using graphene instead of materials like lithium. Graphene material adds a greater level of conductivity for electricity and heat without actually needing the quantity of carbon that a conventional type of battery may require. Battery related attributes inclusive of energy density can be enhanced in numerous ways using graphene.

Capitalising high conductivity and fast charging

In addition to this, the functioning of the rechargeable batteries, including the lithium-ion batteries, can be improved by adding graphene material to the anode. Furthermore, it is capitalising on the high conductivity and high surface area properties of graphene to ultimately achieve optimisation in terms of performance and design, giving a new outlook to battery technology. It has also come forth that developing materials that are hybrid can prove to be useful for improvising the already existing properties of a battery. For example, certain mixtures of graphene with other compounds can contribute to grant fast charging and cyclic durability to the battery.

Conclusion

In most of these cases, the very structure of the backbone promotes better conductivity, ultimately improving the overall quality and worth of a battery, making graphene and graphene material hybrids the best choice for use in the near future. Not only has graphene revolutionised battery technology and the market, but it has given a new dimension to batteries that have all the desirable properties that one looks for in a battery. Also, the use of graphene in appropriate combinations with other compounds can yield astonishing results. C6 Energy focuses on the widespread manufacture and commercialisation of this graphene battery technology to satisfy consumer demands in the most fulfilling yet sustainable way.