IP: NEC Develops Handset Battery From Nanotubes

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
>
>
> NEC Develops Handset Battery From Nanotubes
>
> Electronic News
> Electronics Weekly -- 8/31/01
> <http://article.ElectronicNews.com/UM/T.ASP?A5.11.1055.8.1820698782>
>
> Tokyo-based NEC Corp. has developed a fuel cell for mobile terminals using 
> the new carbon technology raw material-carbon nanotubes-as electrodes.
>
> The fuel cell increases energy capacity ten-fold compared with a lithium 
> battery, and if used for personal computers, in the future, a continued 
> usage time of several days can be expected, NEC (nasdaq: NIPNY) said.
>
> The work with the Japan Science and Technology Corp. and the Institute of 
> Research and Innovation in Japan confirmed the performance of the fuel 
> cell, which uses the minute structure of the carbon nanotube.
>
> The fuel cells work by directly converting the chemical reaction energy 
> between hydrogen and oxygen into electric energy. The energy capacity is 
> expected to become at least 10 times that of the present highest density 
> lithium secondary battery, commonly used in mobile phones, according to NEC.
>
> Carbon nanotubes were discovered by an NEC researcher in 1991. They are a 
> raw material for a range of nano-technologies. This latest research 
> examined the possibility of applying it to fuel cell electrodes.
>
> The carbon nanotubes used for the experimental manufacturing are named 
> nanohorns because of their irregular horn-like shape. They have the same 
> carbon atom structure as normal carbon nanotubes. When many of the 
> nanohorns group together an aggregate, a secondary particle of about 100nm 
> is created.
>
> According to NEC, the advantage of this is that when it is used as an 
> electrode for a fuel cell, not only is the surface area extremely large, 
> but also, it is easy for the gas and liquid to permeate to the inside.



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