Canadian researchers at the University of Waterloo have discovered a way to harness the power of sulphur, which has over 3 times the energy density of traditional materials, in rechargable batteries. The process involves melting the sulphur and pouring it on to porus carbon which drew in the melted liquid sulphur and created sulphur nanofibers within the carbon, increasing the surface area contact between the two elements and allowing the sulphur to remain chemically stable while recharging under high current.

Crystal of Sulfur
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The many practical applications of these more powerful lithium sulphur rechargable batteries are countless, and this could be a major breakthrough for electric vehicles and cold weather battery operation as the batteries are more powerful those made using standard metal oxide cathodes instead. Additionally, sulphur is an incredibly cheap material, especially considering its energy density compared to other possible materials.

While this may not be a huge breakthrough, the ability of carbon to imbibe materials in this manner to create an internal web of nanofibers opens the door to many other possible battery materials which were previously disregarded due to manufacturing problems.

This may not be the death of the electric car after all!

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