HyCarb, Inc’s Graphene Matrix Electrodes Promise Batteries That Last Five Times Longer, Charge Five Times Faster

ORLANDO, Fla., --- A technology breakthrough by researchers at HyCarb, Inc., incorporates graphene nanotechnology to make next generation batteries last five times longer and charge five times faster. HyCarb’s Chief Executive Officer, Sigrid Cottrell, said her company developed a battery anode made from graphene nanoparticles. “Within a battery, almost all of the electrical charge is stored in the negative electrode called the anode,” Cottrell explained. “When electrons flow from the anode to the cathode, they can power everything from cell phones to automobiles,” she said. With more surface area within the anode, batteries will charge faster and hold their charge longer, Cottrell explained. Tests with HyCarb’s new graphene matrix produced startling results. Nanoparticles that form HyCarb’s graphene anodes group themselves around molecular channels---microspheres. Within the microspheres, the nano particles form nano flowers---clusters shaped like flowers that create huge amounts of surface area. “The high surface area and the even dispersion of a catalyst material across HyCarb’s structured graphene electrodes are the keys that will make batteries safer, longer-lasting and quicker to charge,” Cottrell said. Andrew Heath, President of HyCarb, said a chemical manufacturer is producing a new ionic electrolyte that won’t catch fire if the battery is overcharged, or charged too quickly. “The result will be batteries that last longer, charge faster and are safer to have,” Heath explained. To get to the manufacturing stage, HyCarb researchers must first develop prototypes, and that requires funding. Heath said HyCarb is launching a crowd-funding campaign to afford their first prototypes to seek funding for commercialization of the product. “We want to get HyCarb’s battery technology to the marketplace as quickly as possible, so that everyone can benefit,” Heath said. HyCarb, Inc. is a client company of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program at the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.