Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and - Center for ...

Pulickel Ajayan
James Tour
Boris Yakobson
34
The Grid • Armchair Quantum Wire
Transport energy as electricity over wires
rather than as mass (coal, oil, gas)
(see Page 26)
Energy Storage
Fuel Cells, Batteries, Hydrogen Storage
Professor Pulickel Ajayan investigates
nanomaterials for energy generation and
storage. Ajayan’s research group is particularly
interested in carbon nanotube
and nanocomposites in supercapacitors,
batteries and their hybrids. Of particular
note, coaxial carbon-nanotube/metal-oxide
arrays were synthesized as an electrode
material to enhance lithium-ion battery
lifetime and capacity. Additionally, this
technology could prove beneficial for supercapacitors
and fuel cells.
Professor Tour’s laboratory is exploring
carbon nanostructures for hydrogen storage.
One nanostructure being investigated
is a cross-linked carbon nanotube fiber.
Because of the fiber’s density, it adsorbs
twice as much hydrogen than typical
macroporous carbon materials per unit of
surface area.
Professor Boris Yakobson’s computational
research recently detailed why graphene
may be a viable carrier for hydrogen-based
energy systems of the future, as small
variations in temperature and pressure
can effectively control the capture and
release of hydrogen atoms. Graphene is
the individual layers that make up graphite
— pencil lead.