Graphene Batteries, What's the big deal?

Atomic Structure of Graphene

Before we get into the benefits of graphene batteries, it would help knowing what graphene is and some of its characteristics.

Graphene is a material that comprise of a single layer of carbon atoms. Though it is so thin (one atom layer thick!), graphene has been seen to have high flexibility, high strength, good thermal and electrical properties and a low weight. It has even proven to be the most conductive material which means it is even more conductive than copper which is the most conductive metal.

Graphene is made to act as a super capacitor when used as a battery. A super capacitor basically acts like a normal battery but charges and discharges quicker.

Graphene is made to act as a super capacitor when used as a battery. A super capacitor basically acts like a normal battery but charges and discharges quicker.

Now that we have a brief understanding of graphene, what does all of this mean for the future of batteries?

Compared to its lithium-ion counterpart, graphene batteries have higher electrical conductivity which will mean faster charging that is able to deliver high currents as well. Regular phone batteries take on average 90 minutes to charge but with graphene this could take about 20 minutes to fully charge a 3000 mAh battery with a 60W charging brick! This could mean going through a full day on a single charge with your display at 60Hz (give or take 4 hours) and probably over 6 hours with your display at 120Hz! These batteries could be more useful in electric cars since you’d get more mileage on a single charge. Because of graphene’s high thermal conductance, the lifespan of batteries could be prolonged since you batteries would run cooler (no more wishing for a new phone after the third year of use) and overheating issues which results in fires wouldn’t take place (…Samsung). This would also help reduce pollution due to electronic waste since products can be kept and used for longer periods of time.

Graphene batteries could mean having thinner smartphones. This is not something a lot of people may be excited about but this could mean concept phones like the ones that can roll around on your wrist more feasible.

At this point you’re probably wondering why this isn’t being used yet and when we would start seeing graphene batteries in our smart devices. One company, Real

Graphene Power Bank being sold on Amazon

Graphene, has been successfully able to make a power bank powered by a lithium-ion battery infused with graphene which can last 1500 charge cycles. Their products are already available for purchase but they don’t come cheap. Be prepared to dish out between $85 - $110 for being an early adopter. We can expect fully graphene power banks to cost more than this when they are launched.

Though a fully graphene battery hasn’t been used yet, we can expect to see them in our smart devices in the near future. Graphene batteries could mean having thinner smartphones. This is not something a lot of people may be excited about but this could mean concept phones like the ones that can roll around on your wrist more feasible.

At this point you’re probably wondering why this isn’t being used yet and when we would start seeing graphene batteries in our smart devices. One company, Real Graphene, has been successfully able to make a power bank powered by a lithium-ion battery infused with graphene which can last 1500 charge cycles.

Real Graphene, has been successfully able to make a power bank powered by a lithium-ion battery infused with graphene which can last 1500 charge cycles.

Their products are already available for purchase but they don’t come cheap. Be prepared to dish out between $85 - $110 for being an early adopter. We can expect fully graphene power banks to cost more than this when they are launched.

Though a fully graphene battery hasn’t been used yet, we can expect to see them in our smart devices in the near future.