Search

Cost effective modes of transport keeping in conjunction with sustainable outlooks for the future have ensured new technologies and initiatives being taken across the globe. Lighter electric vehicles including two-wheelers or scooters have risen in popularity, with both government and private backed industries investing heavily in green energy. Various state of the art energy systems has been discussed, along with unique approaches to ensure optimum efficiency and lifetime, such as preventing thermal runway reactions, and minimal degradation of electrodes. Supercapacitors, and hybrid fuel cells show potential to be adapted on large scale. New materials and approaches to synthesising​ the former have also been addressed, with emphasis on the powering of the next generation vehicles. Hybrid motor and engine setups developed over the last several years show great improvement and consume minimal quantity of energy. Clever braking technologies further showcase regenerative techniques and improve mileage. Fuel cost comparisons and recycling methodologies are seen to be researched extensively, while multiple challenges have been addressed. Major problems such as reducing carbon footprints and minimising several particulate pollutions present in the atmosphere are demonstrated to be overcome by implementation of electric two wheelers with regions like Europe and Asia showing the most promise in current times. This review will aim to integrate the individual functions and piece the whole system together. Analysis of future opportunities will allow for a comprehensive overview as well.

Li-S batteries still suffer from two of the major challenges: polysulfide shuttle and low inherent conductivity of sulfur. Here, we report a facile way to develop a bifunctional separator coated with fluorinated multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Mild fluorination does not affect the inherent graphitic structure of carbon nanotubes as shown by transmission electron microscopy. Fluorinated carbon nanotubes show an improved capacity retention by trapping/repelling lithium polysulfides at the cathode, while simultaneously acting as the "second current collector". Moreover, reduced charge-transfer resistance and enhanced electrochemical performance at the cathode-separator interface result in a high gravimetric capacity of around 670 mAh g−1 at 4C. Unique chemical interactions between fluorine and carbon at the separator and the polysulfides, studied using DFT calculations, establish a new direction of utilizing highly electronegative fluorine moieties and absorption-based porous carbons for mitigation of polysulfide shuttle in Li-S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphite anode have shown commercial success for over two decades, since the start of their use in commercial Li‐ion batteries, due to their high practical specific capacity, conductivity, and low lithiation potential. Graphite is to a large extent thermodynamically unfavorable for sodium‐ion intercalation and thus limits advancement in Na‐ion batteries. In this work, a β‐phase arsenic‐phosphorus monolayer is studied, which has recently been predicted to have semiconducting behavior and to be dynamically stable. First‐principles calculations based on density functional theory are used to explore the role of β‐AsP monolayer as a negative electrode for Na‐ion batteries. Cohesive energy, phonon spectrum, and molecule dynamics simulations confirm the thermodynamic stability and the possibility of experimentally synthesizing this material. The Na‐ion adsorption‐energies are found to be high (>−1.2 eV) on both sides (As‐ and P‐side). The ultra‐fast energy barriers for Na (0.046/0.053 V) over both sides imply high diffusion of Na‐ions on the surfaces of β‐AsP. During the evaluation of Na‐ion anode performance, the fully sodiated state is found to be Na2AsP, which yields a high theoretical‐specific capacity of 506.16 mAh g−1 and low average sodiation potential of 0.43 V versus Na/Na+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batteries for high temperature applications capable of withstanding over 60 °C are still dominated by primary cells. Conventional rechargeable energy storage technologies which have exceptional performance at ambient temperatures employ volatile electrolytes and soft separators, resulting in catastrophic failure under heat. A composite electrolyte/separator is reported that holds the key to extend the capability of Li-ion batteries to high temperatures. A stoichiometric mixture of hexagonal boron nitride, piperidinium-based ionic liquid, and a lithium salt is formulated, with ionic conductivity reaching 3 mS cm−1, electrochemical stability up to 5 V and extended thermal stability. The composite is used in combination with conventional electrodes and demonstrates to be stable for over 600 cycles at 120 °C, with a total capacity fade of less than 3%. The ease of formulation along with superior thermal and electrochemical stability of this system extends the use of Li-ion chemistries to applications beyond consumer electronics and electric vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about dieletric materials such as insulators, resonators and capacitors that are vital components in electronic circuits that are used for energy storage applications. Topics discussed include future advancements in flexible technology requiring mechanically compliant dielectric materials.

• Melamine sponge as a template to form an interconnected porous carbon network. • The asphaltene derived carbon showed surface area as high as 3868 m2/g. • Specific capacitance of asphaltene derived porous carbon is 197.3 F/g. • Using "water-in-salt" electrolyte, the electrode exhibits energy density of 31Wh/kg. Supercapacitors require the use of electrode materials exhibiting high surface area, thermal and environmental stability, low cost and good conductivity. Asphaltene, an undesired and problematic fraction of crude oil production, is one such cost-effective material that when activated, can provide desirable properties to be used in energy storage devices. In this work, a new and simple method to chemically activate asphaltene was designed using commercially available melamine sponges as a template to form an interconnected porous carbon network. The asphaltene derived carbon showed a surface area as high as 3868 m2g−1, and electrochemical capacitance in a standard aqueous electrolyte as high as 197.3F g−1 has been realized. After testing the asphaltene electrode-based supercapacitor device for 10,000 cycles, 89.9% of its capacitance was retained, indicating good stability for an energy storage device. Additionally, the use of asphaltene electrodes with "water-in-salt" electrolyte showed potential for higher voltage supercapacitors operating up to 2.5 V, with an energy density of 31Wh kg−1. These results suggest that what is currently considered an undesirable fraction of the crude oil, which has a tendency to deposit in wellbores, pipelines, and downstream facilities can be repurposed into a desirable material with remarkable properties for energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]