Here are a few thoughts of mine that explain why this probably won’t work. First is the energy density. You need a lot of usuable volume to produce the energy storage we currently enjoy with existing battery technology. A mat of nanowires has a density equivalent to aerogels, i.e. 99% voids. Consequently, even if this material has excellent properties, the lack of material will seriously limit the energy density. Batteries have poor power density, but excellent energy density. To kill your energy density is akin to death.

Consequently, this isn’t the way to go. The reason I know this is that the company that my colleagues and I started, GoNano Technologies (www.gonano-9.com) produces helical nanowires, known as nanosprings, that have significantly higher densities, but still not sufficient density by themselves to be the sole material for a battery electrode. We are looking at other approaches to see if we can be a value added component of battery electrodes.

Now here is the nail in the coffin in my opinion for these Si nanowires for battery electrodes: cost. A careful cost analysis will quickly show that the cost of production will move them right out of the market unless they prove that so little material is needed to surpass the existing technology. Given the low density of this material I don’t see it happening.

To conclude, interesting result, but technologically it is unlikely to meet the needs of the real world. I think that they received a big chunk of change from the Saudis to develop this. I should be so lucky.

We live on this tiny ‘ball’ for less than 100 years and die. Let’s get the job done for the future of this planet and our childrens’ children.
All the Best,
Merry Christmas

but, since we’re voting, what about 27, 33, 34 and 36…still rotfl, lol…

even in your denial the truth comes out.
you Did work for lifepo. and no doubt you have some sort of retirement fund with them and probably other connections as well.

sorry if you don’t understand economics, but hey, you obviously are an arrogant, ignorant fella, lol…lmao @ lifepo the idiot.

btw, please speak whole and not broken english…

what kind of nonsense you put here. I am not even working on LiFePO4, not in the last 4 and half years. stop put sh*t here when you have NO clue, Go and ask any Lithium battery engineer or ask Jeff Dahn (who is a famous expert in this area). You have no clue of this field, so please sh** *p!

so you work for lifepo, have investments with them? no doubt new tech like this would scare the h*ll out of you, lol.

btw, lifepo, you don’t need to know math to know that tech works, and what it means in the investment/real world. i mean, everyday peeps drive cars, and probably 80% don’t even know how a combustion engine works. they also buy stock in car companies.

You do not know the process of making commercial cells, which demands putting more and more active materials on the substrate. te tiny amount reported is far from being enough, and if you put more, the chemistry will be too poor to be useful!

Get more knowledge before you discuss!

Dear Lifepo4,
you misunderstood me, and I am also aware of University wars.