Researchers in Stanford\'s Materials Science department have developed a method that makes use of core-shell nanowires for improved power rate and cycling life for the lithium battery. The technique involves a simple one-step synthesis for growing silicon crystalline-amorphous core-shell nanowires directly onto stainless steel substrates. These core-shell nanowires have high charge storage capacity long cycle life and high power rate. Applications: Lithium ion batteries

Fuel cells convert fuel like hydrogen or methanol into electrical current to provide power for various applications. There are many types of fuel cells which vary by material fuels and byproducts produced. For example a hydrogen fuel cell uses a catalytic surface to electrochemically oxidize a fuel to liberate a proton (H+) and capture the corresponding electrons for electricity. Platinum is used at the cathode to reduce oxygen.

Energy storage is vital to balance uncertain electricity demand and fluctuating renewable sources. It is desired that the energy storage is able to provide both high power and high energy. However none of the energy storage in current market is able to match these requirements. Therefore it is necessary to combine different energy storages together to utilize their individual merits. To effectively connect various energy storages this work proposes a unique flexible power converter structure to interface battery and ultracapacitor.

Background: The key to portable applications of cooling is the development of a compact heat actuated heat pump that does not require electric power or shaft work. This eliminates the need for a portable power source needed by a vapor-compression cycle. power sources (either batteries or power generators) tend to be heavy relative to the simple combustion equipment using in a heat actuated system. Previous research has shown with the inclusion of thermoelectric generators the heat-actuated heat pumps can be completely independent of power sources.

The power-limiting circuit offers a very fast response time with minimal added voltage drop and no signicant extra current drain on the battery. When deployed the technology monitors and clamps the current if it exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage thus shutting down the application. While the current is disabled the circuit periodically sends out a small test current to detect whether the fault has been corrected or removed.

Electrochemical capacitors are energy storage devices that provide a high-power and lightweight alternative to rechargeable industrial batteries and backup power supplies. Furthermore the capacitors exhibit high cycling efficiency fast recharge capability and reliable cold temperature performance. However current electrochemical capacitors are limited by their relatively low energy densities.

Some charge storage devices such as supercapacitors and batteries require high surface area materials that form a double layer with an electrolyte. These materials which serve as the electrode can be carbonaceous materials such as carbon black or carbon nanotubes but must also be interfaced with metal charge collectors resulting in a multi-layer structure. Such a structure often has problematic interfaces between the carbon and metals and due to the metal charge collectors such super-capacitors and batteries cannot be fabricated in a simple room-temperature process.

Background: MEMS based energy scavenging device capable of harvesting energy 3 different ways from light thermal and vibration. Technology description: • A piezoelectric material (e.g.

Conducting polymers are used in applications such as photovoltaic cells sensors and similar devices. The standard organic solar cells contain such polymers mixed with an organic or inorganic electron conducting phase along with metal oxides and a low work function metal. The commonly used polymers are polyacetylenes polyphenyleneethynylenes (PPE) polyphenylenevinylenes (PPV) polythiophenes and polyanilines. The polymers have different properties based on their organic structures and substituent groups.

Background: While traditional electronic robots and artificial limbs have become increasingly sophisticated and athletic they employ purely electrical actuators which are wired to and thus anchored to large stationary power supplies. Though batteries can be used for these applications they store too little energy and deliver it at too low a rate for prolonged intense and autonomous activity. Therefore there is increased necessity for alternative more energy efficient actuators which will be the essential for the future of prosthetics and autonomous robots.