In an effort to solve a problem in rechargeable lithium (Li)-ion
batteries that prevents them from quickly accepting or
discharging energy, engineering researchers at Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute intentionally engineered defects in a
sheet of graphene, resulting in a graphene anode material that
can be charged or discharged 10 times faster than conventional
anodes used in current li-ion batteries. “Li-ion battery
technology is magnificent, but truly hampered by its limited
power density and its inability to quickly accept or discharge
large amounts of energy. By using our defect-engineered graphene
paper in the battery architecture, I think we can help overcome
this limitation,” said Nikhail Koratkar, the John A. Clark and
Edward T. Crossan Professor of Engineering at Rensselaer. “We
believe this discovery is ripe for commercialization, and can
make a significant impact on the development of new batteries
and electrical systems for electric automobiles and portable
electronics applications.” According to