From nanoscience to solutions in electrochemical energy storage

Abstract

Electrical energy storage is a challenging and pivotal piece of the global energy challenge-the "currency" of the energy economy. The opportunity that nanostructures present for advances in storage, recognized two decades ago, has been substantially bolstered by profound advances in nanoscale science and technology, so that a next generation energy storage technology is in sight. The authors present a perspective on the science issues and technology challenges accompanying this vision, focused primarily on the issues as exemplified by lithium ion batteries and made amenable to science through precision heterogeneous nanostructures. The authors address the synthesis and characterization of heterogeneous nanostructures, architectural designs, and recent results, as well as the scientific and technological challenges of integrating dense arrays of nanostructures for a viable technology. (C) 2013 American Vacuum Society.