Nanobatteries and Nanogenerators

Book excerpt: The term 'nanobattery' can refer not only to the nanosized battery, but also to the uses of nanotechnology in a macro-sized battery for enhancing its performance and lifetime. Nanobatteries can offer many advantages over the traditional battery, including higher power density, shorter charging time, and longer shelf life. Nano-generators refer to the uses of nanosized devices and materials to convert mechanical, thermal and light-based energies into electricity. Similar to with traditional battery, in nanobatteries, the chemical energy is converted into electricity. This book addresses the fundamental design concepts and promising applications of nanobatteries and nanogenerators. Particular application areas include healthcare, biomedical, smart nanodevices and nanosensors, which may require new electric power sources, including self-powered ability and nanostructured electric power sources. In this regard, nanobatteries and nanogenerators represent the next generation of electric power. This is an important reference source for materials scientists, engineers and energy scientists, who are looking to increase their understanding of how nanotechnology is being used to create new energy storage and generation solutions. - Outlines the major design and fabrication principles and techniques for creating nano-sized batteries and generators - Demonstrates how nanotechnology is being used to make batteries and generators more powerful and longer lasting - Assesses the challenges of mass manufacturing nanobatteries and nanogenerators