Korean Scientists Reveal Next-Gen Breakthrough in Energy Storage

A team of Korean scientists has unveiled a cutting-edge energy storage technology that addresses long-standing challenges in the field. This next-generation breakthrough promises significant improvements in charging speed, energy efficiency, and durability, paving the way for advanced applications in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and portable electronics. By overcoming previous limitations, the innovation represents a major step forward in energy storage research and has the potential to transform how power is stored and utilized globally.

Researchers are working on advanced energy storage systems that can simultaneously deliver high capacity and high power. A team headed by Dr. Bon-Cheol Ku and Dr. Seo Gyun Kim from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), in collaboration with Professor Yuanzhe Piao of Seoul National University, has made progress in this direction by developing a high-efficiency supercapacitor, which could signal the arrival of next-generation storage solutions.

This innovation tackles persistent shortcomings in current supercapacitors through the use of a specially engineered fiber composed of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the conductive polymer polyaniline (PANI). While supercapacitors are known for fast charging and high power output with impressive cycle stability, their lower energy density limits longer usage in applications like electric vehicles or drones.

To enhance energy storage potential, the team chemically combined CNTs, renowned for their exceptional conductivity, with the low-cost, easily processed polymer PANI. The resulting nanoscale fiber structure optimizes electron and ion movement, significantly improving the supercapacitor’s energy storage and power delivery performance.

This upgraded supercapacitor maintains stable operation through more than 100,000 charge-discharge cycles and remains effective under high-voltage conditions. With its robust and efficient design, it stands as a potential alternative or supplement to conventional batteries, offering faster charging and better range for electric vehicles, along with more reliable performance for drones and robotics. Its flexibility also makes it suitable for compact, bendable devices such as next-generation wearables.

One of the project’s key accomplishments lies in reducing production costs while enabling scalability. Although CNTs are typically expensive and hard to mass-produce, combining them with affordable polyaniline allowed the researchers to streamline the process and lower expenses. Their method also enabled the development of film-type materials, a step toward commercial use.

Looking ahead, this technology is poised to support the broader shift toward carbon-neutral solutions, with possible applications spanning electric vehicles, drones, robotics, and wearable technology. Dr. Bon-Cheol Ku emphasized that by using single-walled carbon nanotubes and conductive polymers, the team has overcome major drawbacks of existing supercapacitors and plans to continue advancing high-performance carbon fiber innovations.

The research, published in Composites Part B: Engineering, has already resulted in patent filings both in Korea and the United States. It received funding support from several Korean government agencies, including the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, highlighting its strategic importance to national technology goals.

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Source: scitechdaily‍