The world of smartphone, tablet, and e-reader batteries is set to be revolutionised thanks to new nanotechnology developed by the University of Illinois. Engineers have developed a form of ultra low-power digital memory that is faster and uses 100 times less energy than similar available memory. This could mean that future Androids, iPads and Kindle's could last months without needing a charge.
“I think anyone who is dealing with a lot of chargers and plugging things in every night can relate to wanting a cell phone or laptop whose batteries can last for weeks or months,” said electrical and computer engineering professor Eric Pop who led the study.
TECHNOLOGY
Current flash memory used in mobile devices stores bits as charge, which requires high programming voltages and is relatively slow. For some time, the industry has been explorer faster, high power phase-change materials (PCM) as an alternative. Rather than using industry standard metal wires, the group utilised the latest technology and carbon nanotubes which are 10,000 smaller than a human hair.
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“Carbon nanotubes are the smallest known electronic conductors,” Pop said. “They are better than any metal at delivering a little jolt of electricity to zap the PCM bit.” Nanotubes are extremely stable as they are not susceptible to degradation unlike plague metal wires. The PCM that functions as the actual bit is also immune to accidental erasure from a passing scanner or magnet.
POTENTIAL
Alongside improvements to display technology, nanotube PCM memory could also increase say an iPhone's energy efficiency so it could run for a longer time on a smaller battery or even run of its own thermal, mechanical or solar energy with no energy source required. However, the potential of this new technology could be even further reaching than just smartphones.
“We’re not just talking about lightening our pockets or purses,” Pop added. “This is also important for anything that has to operate on a battery, such as satellites, telecommunications equipment in remote locations, or any number of scientific and military applications.”
“I think anyone who is dealing with a lot of chargers and plugging things in every night can relate to wanting a cell phone or laptop whose batteries can last for weeks or months,” said electrical and computer engineering professor Eric Pop who led the study.
TECHNOLOGY
Current flash memory used in mobile devices stores bits as charge, which requires high programming voltages and is relatively slow. For some time, the industry has been explorer faster, high power phase-change materials (PCM) as an alternative. Rather than using industry standard metal wires, the group utilised the latest technology and carbon nanotubes which are 10,000 smaller than a human hair.
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“Carbon nanotubes are the smallest known electronic conductors,” Pop said. “They are better than any metal at delivering a little jolt of electricity to zap the PCM bit.” Nanotubes are extremely stable as they are not susceptible to degradation unlike plague metal wires. The PCM that functions as the actual bit is also immune to accidental erasure from a passing scanner or magnet.
POTENTIAL
Alongside improvements to display technology, nanotube PCM memory could also increase say an iPhone's energy efficiency so it could run for a longer time on a smaller battery or even run of its own thermal, mechanical or solar energy with no energy source required. However, the potential of this new technology could be even further reaching than just smartphones.
“We’re not just talking about lightening our pockets or purses,” Pop added. “This is also important for anything that has to operate on a battery, such as satellites, telecommunications equipment in remote locations, or any number of scientific and military applications.”
