3D Nano Batteries CLT Division The Future of Battery Technology for Cell Phones, Laptops, and Tablets (CLT)

3D Nano Batteries CLT Division Everyone has experienced the frustration of having a mobile device run out of power in the midst of important business, just when you are most involved in a task, call, or event. While cell phones, laptops, and tablets continue to become more sophisticated, their power source remains their Achilles heel. With each new model, mobile devices demand greater and longer-term power, but battery technology has not kept up—and sometimes (as in Samsung’s Galaxy 7 phone) has even proven dangerous.

Lithium-Ion Batteries: The Problems The leading power source for mobile devices is the lithium-ion battery (LiB). Though LiBs were essential in the creation and amazing progress of mobile tech, they have now reached the limits of their material composition. Highly flammable chemical compounds are pressurized inside LiBs, which generate a flow of ions in one dimension through a 2D plane. This limits the directions and speed with which the energy can flow. The result is the battery we all know and hate: one that takes a long time to charge, uses energy quickly, and needs to be replaced often. Because LiBs have to become even smaller, the quantity of conductive material in each battery is more and more limited, and the deterioration of the physical elements of these cells leads to a shorter life cycle and issues such as excess heat, decreased performance, and even fires.

Carbon Nanotubes: The Solution Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are “nano” (1x10 - 9 meters, ~ 1/100,000 the width of a human hair) size tubes of carbon (tubular graphene). Composed of carbon, CNTs have extraordinary conductivity, and thus have begun to be integrated into batteries and super-capacitors. LiBs typically use 6% weight of carbon black in their cathodes. Studies have shown that this volume of carbon black could be replaced by only 1% of CNTs, allowing for an additional 5% of active materials—leading to increased energy storage capacity. CNTs will play a key role in improving the performance of the cathode material, anode material, and copper foil, and could reduce by as much as 48% the current cost of production of LiBs and future battery tech for cell phones, laptops, and tablets.

3DNB: Superior Multi-Wall CNTs As the above diagram shows, multi-wall CNTs (MWCNTs) allow for a much more robust network that can handle the changes to the battery structure caused by the charge/discharge cycle. 3D Nano Batteries occupies the leading edge of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and its CLT Division has already introduced 3DNB’s patented MWCNT powder into LiBs for cell phone, laptop and tablet batteries. Initial tests show a doubling of cycle life due to 3DNB MWCNTs’ largely defect-free structure (98% pure).

Game-Changer: The NanoSponge One-Dimensional CNT vs. 3D NanoSponge 3DNB partner company, CSS Nanotech, has developed the truly revolutionary 3-dimensional NanoSponge, the first 3D CNT material of its kind that can be “grown” on a commercial scale. The NanoSponge will have multiple applications across many industries, but it will immediately transform the LiB battery market because: It is highly porous and conductive in three dimensions Allows for far faster and easier ion flow Enables dramatic improvement in battery electrodes and cells.

3D NanoSponge for LiBs The colored frameworks represent CNT NanoSponge anode and cathode electrodes. The black material inside the frameworks represents active material for the electrodes.   Ions (light streaks) are able to transition to and from the electrodes extremely rapidly as a result of the 3D structure during charge and discharge. This translates into very rapid charge and the ability to handle high power discharge pulses. Electrodes can also be much thicker using this structure, resulting in higher energy density per unit volume for 3DNB CLT Division cells. The NanoSponge structure is compatible with standard battery materials, and its inherent flexibility will enable development of a broad family of products for major battery segments.

Market Demand for CNTs The current market for CNTs is estimated at $53-$125 Million per year, in metric tons annually (MTA) produced of the different CNT types: single wall (SW), few wall (FW), or multi-wall (MW). With multiple CNT industrial applications both new and emerging, production techniques of many companies are still several decades old. Thus, high-purity CNTs are a challenge to produce in quantities sufficient to meet the rapidly growing market demand. The charts below clearly show that MWCNTs are the highest priority for many applications including the energy and battery markets.

3DNB Strategic Alliance: Polaris Battery Labs 3DNB already has developed patented, innovative methods for commercial scale production of its superior CNTs and the NanoSponge. To address the integration of CNTs into specific battery applications, 3DNB has allied itself with Polaris Battery Labs of Beaverton, Oregon. Polaris has been at the forefront of CLT and other battery technology research for over 30 years, working with industry giants including Motorola, Apple, Garmin, Black and Decker, and other hi-tech firms.

3DNB CLT Division: The Future of Battery Tech 3DNB CLT Division is ready for the market trends indicated above, where ever-increasing numbers of mobile device users worldwide demand improved LiB performance and longevity. With 3DNB, the future of CLT battery technology is now.