Bee Pollen Improves Battery Performance

March 3, 2016
Researchers discover that pollen grain microstructure acts as efficient energy storage unit.

While it’s no friend to allergy sufferers, pollen is proving its worth in the laboratory, specifically in the area of battery research. Purdue University scientists, investigating ways to build a better battery, have discovered that the unique microstructure of pollen grains may act as an efficient energy storage unit, according to an article from Yahoo! News.

The scientists found that if they could turn pollen into a carbon anode with a more beneficial microstructure than graphite, this might enable them to create a battery with the ability to store more energy. Researchers took pollen from honeybees and cattails and superheated it to produce small pieces of carbon, which they then heated again to create more empty pockets in the pollen structure. These pockets, according to the article, increase the ability to store energy. The Purdue team is now looking to create an improved cathode to go along with their new anode.

Read the entire article here.

Sponsored Recommendations

Connect with an Expert!

Our measurement instrumentation experts are available for real-time conversations.

Maximize Green Hydrogen Production with Advanced Instrumentation

Discover the secrets to achieving maximum production output, ensuring safety, and optimizing profitability through advanced PEM electrolysis.

5 Ways to Improve Green Hydrogen Production Using Measurement Technologies

Watch our video to learn how measurement solutions can help solve green hydrogen production challenges today!

How to Solve Green Hydrogen Challenges with Measurement Technologies

Learn How Emerson's Measurement Technologies Tackle Renewable Hydrogen Challenges with Michael Machuca.