Photo by Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University
Batteries power our modern world and have become essential to our daily lives, but they have some critical limitations that prevent us from powering the world entirely on electricity. For example, batteries in electric vehicles often take hours to charge and lose efficiency over time. Additionally, many applications need high-capacity batteries, meaning that batteries are often large and bulky, limiting their practical use in smaller devices like phones, laptops, and medical sensors.
These limitations pose significant barriers, particularly in industries like electronics, energy storage, and healthcare, where smaller, more efficient, and longer-lasting batteries are in high demand.
Professor Ahmed Busnaina, a William Lincoln Smith Chair, University Distinguished Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Director of the Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing at Northeastern University, has developed groundbreaking methods to overcome these obstacles.
By leveraging the unique properties of nanomaterials, Professor Busnaina and his team are transforming the way batteries are built. Through nanoscale manufacturing, batteries can be made smaller and lighter while increasing their surface area—dramatically enhancing capacity and lifespan. These innovations reduce charging times, extend battery life, and open new possibilities for miniaturized devices.
How Nanotechnology Enhances Batteries
The foundation of this research lies in nanoscale materials and manufacturing processes. Nanoscale materials are incredibly small. To put their size in perspective, Professor Busnaina’s lab often works with materials that are about 30,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
Nanomaterials are powerful because they have a very large surface area for their size. By adding materials like nanoparticles and nanotubes into battery designs, researchers can significantly increase the surface area of battery electrodes, allowing them to store more energy.
Professor Busnaina explains, “With nanotechnology, we can increase the surface area of a battery electrode by 1,000 times. This increased surface area allows us to store more energy in an equally sized or a smaller space, which means batteries can be both smaller and more powerful.”
This technology enhances battery capacity and improves the rate at which batteries can be charged. For example, current batteries often take hours to reach a full charge. With nanotechnology, charging times can be reduced to as little as 30 minutes without compromising the battery’s longevity. These advancements could lead to a future where consumers no longer have to worry about long charging times or the rapid degradation of their devices.
Transformative Applications for Energy Storage
Nanotechnology-enhanced batteries have exciting potential beyond just smartphones and laptops. For instance, electric vehicles are growing in popularity, but their batteries still have drawbacks like slow charging and limited range. Nanotechnology can help by allowing faster charging and more energy storage in smaller, lighter batteries.
Professor Busnaina provides an example: “Electric vehicle batteries can be charged up to 80% relatively quickly, but the last 15% can take hours. Our technology can significantly reduce overall charging times.”
Furthermore, medical devices such as pacemakers and health sensors require reliable, long-lasting batteries. Nanotechnology could make these devices even smaller and more efficient, potentially lasting for years without the need for replacement or frequent recharging. This would be a significant improvement in healthcare, enhancing the quality of life for patients who rely on such devices.
Turning Foundational Research into Industry Collaboration
Professor Busnaina’s team began their work with support from the National Science Foundation, focusing on understanding and controlling nanomaterials. The challenge was not just in creating these tiny materials but in assembling them precisely over large areas and at high speeds. Through innovative approaches to nanoscale manufacturing, the team developed the technology necessary to produce batteries with vastly improved performance.
The research has resulted in more than 25 awarded patents, with an additional 40 pending. These patents cover the manufacturing process and applications in sensors, electronics, and battery technology.
The Center for Research Innovation (CRI) at Northeastern University has played a crucial role in patenting and positioning this technology for commercialization. By collaborating with the CRI, the team has ensured their breakthroughs can reach the marketplace, turning cutting-edge research into practical, real-world solutions.
A Vision for the Future of Battery Technology
In the next few years, advancements in nanotechnology could eliminate the need for long charging times and batteries that degrade quickly. From consumer electronics to healthcare and automotive industries, these innovations promise to revolutionize how we use and rely on power.
Professor Busnaina envisions a future where batteries are smaller, charge in minutes, and last for years without fading. “Imagine a pacemaker that lasts 20 years without needing a new battery or a smartphone that charges in 30 minutes and lasts for days,” he says. “These are real possibilities with the technology we’re developing.”
Learn more about this research and the Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing on their website.
Interested in this technology? Contact Commercialization Associate Director, Mark Saulich, [email protected].
Written by Elizabeth Creason