A team of researchers led by electro-chemistry Professor Guoxiu Wang at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), have achieved a major breakthrough in the development of energy storage materials.
Newly developed materials and nano-architecture has enabled high powered lithium batteries to be used for green energy applications such as electric cars and stationary energy storage for smart electricity grids.
With the global challenge of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions mainly derived from transportation and electricity generation, a solution must involve the dramatic move to renewable energy.
Recently, Professor Guoxiu Wang from the UTS School of Chemistry and Forensic Science and six PhD students have accomplished some groundbreaking developments in using lithium batteries as energy storage materials. Their research and development outcomes were published in the prestigious Advanced Materials Journal (PDF, 422kB, 5 pages) in 2010.
Professor Wang explains, “Lithium batteries are widely regarded as the state-of-the-art power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs). Our research demonstrated high power and high energy capability of lithium batteries, which can deliver high speed if applied in electric cars and can be completely charged in 6 minutes.”
“This is a significant improvement on previous research in this area with our findings having the capacity to improve consumer needs, reduce our carbon footprint and reduce the cost and use of petrol in vehicles. The advanced rechargeable lithium batteries can store energy and meet stringent requirements stipulated by the Government to plan and implement for green technology applications within society,” he said.
Professor Wang and his PhD students have been working in the newly established Battery Technology Research Laboratory in the UTS Science Faculty. This laboratory is now fully functioning and equipped with world-class technology and facilities which will enable this research team to carry out more cutting edge research on green energy technology at UTS.