THE ULTRA BATTERY

ABSTRACT An interesting, viable alternative to the current crop of cell phone batteries, which have their limitations, is in the form of the Ultra Battery, largely based on the utility of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs). Any Lithium ion battery consists of three basic components- an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte separating them, as also providing an electrically conductive medium for free movement of charged particles. The movement of the positively charged Lithium ions from anode to the cathode produces the crux of the battery action, and recharging is done by an oppositely directed current, causing these ions to fit in the porous areas on the anode.

In the ultra battery, the base electrode material is first dipped in positively and negatively charged solution of CNTs, alternatively. This complementary charging leads to a self assembly of the layers, porous at the nanometer scale. These can store a large number of Lithium ions on their surface, owing to the presence of oxygen groups on their surfaces. The large surface area of the CNT layers lead to an effective storage of lithium ions on their surface, leading to a manifold increase in battery capacity, and great stability over time.