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Innovative Energy Storage System Developed Using Time-Tested Materials by MIT Engineers
Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have fashioned an advanced energy storage device, termed a “supercapacitor,” employing widely available and age-old materials. Composed of cement, water, and carbon black—a substance similar to powdered charcoal—the invention could serve as the foundational technology for cost-effective solutions to store intermittent renewable energy such as solar and wind power. Image attribution goes to Franz-Josef Ulm, Admir Masic, and Yang-Shao Horn.
The apparatus, assembled using cement, water, and carbon black, could potentially serve as a low-cost, scalable solution for energy storage systems tied to renewable power sources.
According to a recent scholarly publication, two universally common materials, namely cement and carbon black—which is akin to ultra-fine charcoal—could provide the groundwork for a groundbreaking and economical energy storage mechanism. This technology could stabilize energy grids by accommodating the variable nature of renewable energy production such as solar, wind, and tidal power.
In the researchers’ discovery, the combination of these materials with water results in a supercapacitor—an alternative to traditional batteries—that can store electrical energy. The research team from MIT proposes that this supercapacitor could be integrated into the concrete foundation of a residential structure. This could allow the storage of a full day’s worth of energy at negligible or zero added cost while maintaining structural integrity. Moreover, the team envisions its application in concrete roads that could enable wireless recharging for electric vehicles traversing them.
The groundbreaking technology has been discussed in detail in a research paper recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The authors include MIT professors Franz-Josef Ulm, Admir Masic, and Yang-Shao Horn, among others affiliated with MIT and the Wyss Institute.
A conventional capacitor comprises two electrically conductive plates submerged in an electrolyte and separated by a membrane. When voltage is applied, ions from the electrolyte gather on the opposite plates, creating an electric field between them and thereby charging the capacitor. Supercapacitors are essentially capacitors that have a much larger charge-storage capacity.
The team’s innovative supercapacitors derive their potency from a cement mixture with an unusually high internal surface area due to a complex, interconnected network of conductive elements. This was achieved by mixing carbon black, which is highly conductive, with cement powder and water. As the mixture cures, the water forms a branching system within the structure, and carbon black fills these gaps, creating wire-like formations within the cement.
The resulting material has a fractal-like architecture, which after soaking in a standard electrolyte like potassium chloride, becomes a highly effective supercapacitor. Due to its inherent strength, the “supercapacitive” concrete could be employed in home foundations to store energy produced by renewable sources like solar and wind, and make it readily available for use.
Like rechargeable batteries, the plates of the supercapacitor store energy when connected to an electrical source and release it when connected to a load. The material is both fascinating and utilitarian, says Masic. Composed of some of the most commonly used materials in human history, the combination creates a conductive nanocomposite with extensive applications.
The technology is highly scalable, according to Ulm. Depending on the desired features, the mixture can be adjusted to suit various applications. For instance, roads that wirelessly charge vehicles would require fast charging and discharging rates, while home applications could utilize slower charging materials.
In conclusion, this new technology not only presents an economical and scalable energy storage solution but also marks a significant step in the global transition towards renewable energy, offering an alternative to existing batteries that rely on expensive or limited-supply materials.
The research team included postdoctoral researchers Nicolas Chanut and Damian Stefaniuk from MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, James Weaver from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, and Yunguang Zhu from MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. The project received support from the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub, sponsored by the Concrete Advancement Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Supercapacitors
What are supercapacitors made of in this breakthrough?
The supercapacitors in this MIT breakthrough are constructed using cement, water, and carbon black, which is similar to powdered charcoal.
How do these supercapacitors work?
These supercapacitors function like traditional capacitors, with two electrically conductive plates separated by an electrolyte. When voltage is applied, charged ions accumulate on the plates, creating an electric field. What’s unique is that the cement mixture used here has an exceptionally high surface area, enabling it to store large amounts of electrical energy.
What is the potential application of these supercapacitors?
These supercapacitors have various potential applications. They could be integrated into the concrete foundations of buildings to store renewable energy from sources like solar panels. Additionally, they could be used in concrete roads to provide contactless recharging for electric vehicles.
How scalable is this technology?
The technology is highly scalable, and its energy storage capacity is directly related to the volume of the electrodes. This means it can be adapted for various applications, from small-scale energy storage to powering entire houses.
Why is this technology important?
This technology is significant because it offers a cost-effective and scalable solution for storing renewable energy. It utilizes common and readily available materials, reducing reliance on expensive or limited-supply resources like lithium for energy storage.
More about Supercapacitors
- MIT News: New Breakthrough in Energy Storage
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS): Carbon–cement supercapacitors as a scalable bulk energy storage solution
- MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub
