Ole Martin Kristiansen | April 3, 2018
Continuously following the world of cellulose fibrils and the development is both dynamic and interesting. A lot of new inventions are taking place, based on the cellulose fibrils. We have given 3D printing a quite high focus in the last couple of reviews, but this week there are two other news items on the list: composites made from cellulose fibrils. Dig into this week’s research review to find out more on what might possibly be the next generation of composite materials.
A new wood based battery is built (!)
As batteries are becoming an increasingly important asset to people’s daily life, researchers at KTH and Stanford started looking into the possibility of making these products with nanocellulose. In 2016, the consumption for lithium was around 78 000 tons, and it’s on a steady increase. As annual sales forecasts, just for electric cars, are projected at around 24 million per year by 2030, and estimating that in an average battery pack of a car there are over 400 batteries, the opportunities are obvious.
The researchers at KTH and Stanford have created a process they describe as ‘enabling the creation of a spongy battery with high duration and that can withstand the electronics’. The product is said to be lightweight, tougher and more porous, which is a benefit when the ions are passing through. The sponges are overwhelmed with an ink designed to pass an electrical current where the aim is to create a hybrid battery and a semiconductor which can be charged quickly.
Nanowood: a potential replacement of Styrofoam?
Expanded Styrofoam has for decades been the work horse for insulation in products, ranging from car manufacturing to industrial buildings, and coffee cups. The Styrofoam has seen some scepticism for some years, partly due to animals that may get access to the Styrofoam and eat it, and in addition absorbing dangerous chemical compounds, thus increasing the potential danger for animals eating it in the wild. Recycling measures are of course taken, but are there new technologies out there that are potential replacements?
Scientists at the University of Maryland have been working of a potential replacement of Styrofoam, and think they have found a solution. They have created a product based on cellulose, where they have removed the lignin (which is the material binding the cellulose fibers together and also acting like a heat conductor), which gave the nanocellulose they were left with really good insulating properties. They claim to be an alternative also to glass wool in where the nanocellulose does not irritate skin, eyes or lungs.
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Previous Market & Research Reviews from the Exilva Blog:
- February 6th, 2018: Wearables special
- December 26th, 2017: Paper-based electronics!
- October 17th, 2017: More 3D printing and Enhanced Oil Recovery
- Sept 5th, 2017: Japanese motor makers and organ 3D printing
- June 13th, 2017: Printing of tissues, organs and skin!
- May 30th, 2017: Stand-up pouches and artificial silk
- April 25th, 2017: Thermoplastic compounds, testing of 3D printed cartilage and food packaging
- March 21st, 2017: Bone composites, carbon fiber substitutes and water purification
- February 21st, 2017: Market development for nanocellulose in Japan
- January 1oth, 2017: Commercial use, lightweighting and biobased ceiling tiles
- August 30th, 2016: Patent edition: multi-ply absorbent sheet adhesive, and conformal bioelectronic substrate.
- July 5th, 2016: Academia edition: wood adhesives, corrosion coatings and cherrie protection
- June 7th, 2016: Protection and filtering special: Water and condoms..!
- May 10th, 2016: fabric and textile dye, media filtration and cement improvements
