HyCarb, Inc’s Graphene Matrix Electrodes Promise Batteries That Last Five Times Longer, Charge Five Times Faster
ORLANDO, Fla., (April 22, 2015) — A technology breakthrough by researchers at HyCarb, Inc., incorporates graphene nanotechnology to make next generation batteries last five times longer and charge five times faster.
HyCarb’s Chief Executive Officer, Sigrid Cottrell, said her company developed a battery anode made from graphene nanoparticles.
“Within a battery, almost all of the electrical charge is stored in the negative electrode called the anode,” Cottrell explained.
“When electrons flow from the anode to the cathode, they can power everything from cell phones to automobiles,” she said.
With more surface area within the anode, batteries will charge faster and hold their charge longer, Cottrell explained.
Tests with HyCarb’s new graphene matrix produced startling results.
Nanoparticles that form HyCarb’s graphene anodes group themselves around molecular channels—microspheres. Within the microspheres, the nano particles form nano flowers—clusters shaped like flowers that create huge amounts of surface area.
“The high surface area and the even dispersion of a catalyst material across HyCarb’s structured graphene electrodes are the keys that will make batteries safer, longer-lasting and quicker to charge,” Cottrell said.
Andrew Heath, President of HyCarb, said a chemical manufacturer is producing a new ionic electrolyte that won’t catch fire if the battery is overcharged, or charged too quickly.
“The result will be batteries that last longer, charge faster and are safer to have,” Heath explained.
To get to the manufacturing stage, HyCarb researchers must first develop prototypes, and that requires funding.
Heath said HyCarb is launching a crowd-funding campaign to afford their first prototypes to seek funding for commercialization of the product.
“We want to get HyCarb’s battery technology to the marketplace as quickly as possible, so that everyone can benefit,” Heath said.
HyCarb, Inc. is a client company of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program at the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.
For more information, media should contact
Contact Sigrid Cottrell, 970-596-2596, info@hycarbinc.com http://www.hycarbinc.com
Carol Ann Dykes, Site Manager, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-207-7426, carolann.dykes@ucf.edu;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com
About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high growth / impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has helped hundreds of local startup companies reach their potential faster by providing vital business development resources.
With seven facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties, and the cities of Apopka, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs. Participating companies sustain more than 3,600 local jobs and have had a total impact of $1.518 on regional sales and $2.488 on regional economic output. During the last fiscal year, the program has returned $7.95 for every $1.00 invested in the program.