Paper-Thin Battery Could Be Hybrid Breakthrough

Researchers at upstate New York’s Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a paper-thin battery made of mainly cellulose — the same cells found in plants. The thin battery can be rolled up, cut and molded into various shapes and still carry a charge. For vehicle use, this is big news because it could be used in any part of a car — under the floor or seats, inside door panels, under the trunk, etc. — freeing up weight and space that current hybrid batteries take up.

The researchers say it puts out low amounts of energy over a long period of time, but can also be made into a supercapacitor for bursts of high energy. A hybrid version of the battery works in both manners. The battery also contains no water, so it can work in extreme low temperatures, which is a problem with conventional hybrids.

Everything about the battery sounds amazing. It’s made of cheap, non-toxic materials and is paper thin. However, there’s no way of mass-producing it yet. Let’s work on that last part, fellas.   

Flat Battery? Try a Bit of Paper Power (CNN.com)

Comments

[JM]

why dont they just line the top of the car with it, "under" the headliner?

they could also put it under the dash materials, and perhaps even the entire car. now that would get some good gas milage.

[Sanchez]

Interesting idea. I hope they can produce it in the near future.

[Infosaur]

2 words: SOUND Dampening!

pounds of weight added to cars to make it quiet (doesn't even keep the heat in/out), If this stuff DOES work I'd try to use it as sound dampning!