Charging an electronic appliance typically takes at least 30 minutes. However, advancements in science and technology have now made it possible to charge a dead laptop or mobile phone in a minute and an electric car in just 10 minutes. This groundbreaking technology, developed by Indian-origin researcher Ankur Gupta, has revolutionized the field.
Ankur Gupta, an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, and his team have published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. They discovered a way to significantly enhance the movement of ions—tiny charged particles—within a complex network of microscopic pores. Gupta explained that this breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors.
Supercapacitors are energy storage devices that depend on ion collection in their pores. Gupta emphasized that this invention is particularly important for electric vehicles (EVs), electronic devices, and power grids. Supercapacitors can charge more quickly and have longer lifespans than traditional batteries.
Regarding power grids, Gupta noted that fluctuating energy demands require efficient storage solutions to minimize waste during low-demand periods and ensure rapid energy delivery during high-demand times.
“Given the critical role of energy in the planet’s future, I felt inspired to apply my chemical engineering knowledge to advancing energy storage devices,” Gupta said. “It felt like the topic was somewhat underexplored and, as such, the perfect opportunity.”
“The primary appeal of supercapacitors lies in their speed. So how can we make their charging and energy release faster? By improving the movement of ions. That’s the leap of this work. We found the missing link,” he added.
The researchers also highlighted that their discovery allows for the simulation and prediction of ion flow in a complex network of thousands of interconnected pores within minutes. Before this breakthrough, ion movements were only described in the literature as occurring within a single straight pore.
