Half a sentence missing from the article... ETnews does have a what?
"ETnews does also say that Apple is researching the use of carbon nanotunes (CNTs) as a conductive material that could improve battery performance. ETnews does have a
Apple has not commented, but ETnews industry sources say that the expectation is that the company will launch this new form of battery in its devices after 2025."
Yes, it would’ve been really interesting to read more about those “nanotunes” playing tiny melodies.
Various groups and companies have been working on new versions of batteries and solar cells.
One group is working on a multi-layer solar cell. The bottom layer is traditional silicon, covered with a clear coat of germanium, then a protective coat for the germanium. These are effective under normal interior home light levels. Believe Bill Gates is involved in this project, and it may incorporate patents from former General Electric research (among others). IBM was issued a patent maybe 10 years or so ago for combining a specific type of lens with a solar cell to increase the output by about 10x.
Suspect we will see some type of solid state battery in the next 5 years, but will likely take a few more years to ramp up production. There are certainly many folks working on solid state batteries. Both Toyota and VW expect to be using them in the next few years. Looks like a LOT of money is being spent on traditional Lithium (liquid electrolyte) battery plants. GE and Samsung are ramping up a big plant in Indiana. Big plants in Ohio and elsewhere. GE, Samsung, Panasonic and others will want to protect their investments in plants, training and equipment before investing more money into new processes. Others may force their hands before they can fully depreciate their recent investments.
Reminds me of the story that Wilber Wright said man was unlikely to achieve (engine) powered flight anytime soon (around 1900). Then the Wilber and Orville did just that a few years later. Gliders and hot air balloons existed a long time before engine powered flight.
Suspect "nanotunes" should read (carbon) nanotubes, also being researched in many other areas, including computer chip production and very high strength materials. Several/many chip manufacturers have investigated using nanotubes in chip development, but silicon rules for now. Some high power chips use silicon carbide. Some specialty chips use gallium arsenide. Cost of processes is always a major concern, as well as costs associated with new plants, equipment and training.
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One group is working on a multi-layer solar cell. The bottom layer is traditional silicon, covered with a clear coat of germanium, then a protective coat for the germanium. These are effective under normal interior home light levels. Believe Bill Gates is involved in this project, and it may incorporate patents from former General Electric research (among others). IBM was issued a patent maybe 10 years or so ago for combining a specific type of lens with a solar cell to increase the output by about 10x.
Suspect we will see some type of solid state battery in the next 5 years, but will likely take a few more years to ramp up production. There are certainly many folks working on solid state batteries. Both Toyota and VW expect to be using them in the next few years. Looks like a LOT of money is being spent on traditional Lithium (liquid electrolyte) battery plants. GE and Samsung are ramping up a big plant in Indiana. Big plants in Ohio and elsewhere. GE, Samsung, Panasonic and others will want to protect their investments in plants, training and equipment before investing more money into new processes. Others may force their hands before they can fully depreciate their recent investments.
Reminds me of the story that Wilber Wright said man was unlikely to achieve (engine) powered flight anytime soon (around 1900). Then the Wilber and Orville did just that a few years later. Gliders and hot air balloons existed a long time before engine powered flight.
Suspect "nanotunes" should read (carbon) nanotubes, also being researched in many other areas, including computer chip production and very high strength materials. Several/many chip manufacturers have investigated using nanotubes in chip development, but silicon rules for now. Some high power chips use silicon carbide. Some specialty chips use gallium arsenide. Cost of processes is always a major concern, as well as costs associated with new plants, equipment and training.