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Science/Tech See other Science/Tech Articles Title: Candle soot can power lithium ion batteries HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Carbon is a common ingredient in the production of smaller lithium batteries, but it doesn't work as well in larger batteries, like those used to power electric cars. That could soon change. Researchers in India have discovered a unique material for carbon-based anodes, the parts of a lithium battery that store energy and facilitate the flow of electricity. The material is candle soot, the unique carbon nanoparticles wafting off the end of a candle flame. Carbon used in smaller batteries loses its conductivity when scaled up, but candle soot features the proper density for use in larger batteries. As the scientists experiments proved, the shape and configuration of the tiny carbon particles produced by a burning candle have impressive electric potential. When researchers looked at different parts of a candle flame, they found the bottom and middle sides of the flame produce nanoparticles in unique configurations. The hotter burning tip, however, produced similar configurations with fewer impurities. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology then tested the candle soot's potential inside a lithium battery, using a technique called cyclic charge-discharge, which measures the rate at which a battery can assume and then release its stored electric potential. The higher the rate, the higher the battery power. Bigger, more powerful batteries -- like those that power a car -- have to discharge a sizable amount of electricity very quickly. Testing showed the candle soot worked best at high charge-discharge rates. Researchers published the results in the journal Electrochimica Acta. In addition to working at high-power rates, the material is relatively easy to produce -- and easily scalable. "Generally we overlook the simpler things; candle soot is not new but we're only now looking at it as a potential source of carbon," lead study author Chandra Sharma, a material scientists at the institute, said in a press release. "We're very excited about the results. This new approach is very easy and the costs involved are minimal -- it would make battery production cheaper." Like Us on Facebook for more stories from UPI.com Related UPI Stories Scientists use portabellas to make more durable batteries Harvard researchers announce cleaner flow battery safe for homes New technology makes batteries cheaper, more efficient Scientists build battery entirely out of one material Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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