subject: University Of Texas Is Developing An Organic Battery [print this page] Scientists at the University of Texas (UT) are working on a non-toxic, organic battery. Made from plastic, the battery would last longer than the batteries we use today, as well being flexible. These batteries could be used for cell phones as well as laptops. While not there yet, the scientists are a step closer to creating a battery that will revolutionize the battery industry. Imagine not having to worry about the toxic waste ending up in our landfills.
University of Texas is Developing an Organic Battery
Organic batteries would replace the hard cased lithium ion batteries. According to an article by Natalie Stoll, Austin News, KXAN.com, scientists from around the world worked on this technology. Involved scientists were from the University of Texas, Osaka University in Japan, Ewha Womans University in South Korea, and the University of Houston. At the University of Texas, Dr. Christopher Bielawski and Dr. Jonathan Sessler led the team of graduate students, Jung Su Park and Elizabeth Karnas. The work apparently involves manipulating the molecules on the electron level, pushing and pulling to create energy.
Our breakthrough was figuring out how to control electrons, said Dr. Jonathan Sessler, UT Professor of Chemistry. Make them go where we want them to go. When we want them to go there, keep them there and then tickle them to come back. When you were playing around as child pulling magnets apart, plus and minus, it took energy to pull those apart, said Sessler. On the molecular scale, the very small scale on which were playing, the same sort of energy comes when you pull plus and minus apart. If you can keep it apart and give the cue for when it come together, then you have the basis for energy storage.
Right now weve gotten this chemistry to work in solution so now we need to get it to work in a solid state, in a film in an actual non liquid material, said Dr. Christopher Bielawski, UT Professor of Chemistry.
This technology could change the world. In addition to creating non-toxic batteries, the team thinks this technology will also lead them to being able to create energy from imitating photosynthesis in plants. Even though this technology is still unfinished, the repercussions will be felt around the world. With all the new electronic gadgets run on toxic batteries, my fear is being somewhat abated by this non-toxic technology. Without something positive being done, the landfills will hold so many toxic batteries in the future that we will have poisoned the ground water beyond restoration. New technology that will lead to non-toxic batteries is a wonderful idea.
