Nowadays, the widespread use of hemp plant as a source for medications, fertilizers or textile doesn’t surprise anyone. But have you heard about hemp as a source for batteries?
It seems that the adaptable hemp plant has become an attractive option for energy storage in recent years, especially for electric cars. A U.S. business started creating hemp-based batteries more than two years ago as a sustainable substitute for conventional lithium-ion batteries. Originally became lithium-sulfur cells, these modern batteries had several advantages, including lower costs, less weight, higher efficiency, scalability, and better recyclability. Utilizing plentiful resources like carbonized hemp, boron, and sulfur, the business intended to develop a renewable energy source that might be better traditional lithium-ion batteries, as German Hanf Magazin describes.
Research about the potential of hemp batteries
Recent studies have further demonstrated the potential of hemp batteries, indicating that they could outperform their lithium counterparts in terms of power and efficiency. A scientist named Robert Murray Smith, who is well-known for his experiments on YouTube, showed that hemp-based batteries could generate over eight times the volt-ampere current of conventional lithium batteries.
Additionally, researchers at Clarkson University in New York discovered in 2014 that hemp waste may be a source to create supercapacitors that are more efficient than even expensive graphene-based alternatives. Hemp-based compounds are economically viable since their production costs are significantly lower than those of graphene.
What is more, hemp’s porosity and durability make it a perfect material for battery cathodes, able to sustain hundreds of charge-discharge cycles, according to a 2022 study from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Hemp batteries production
In the process of making hemp batteries, the plant’s inner bark is heated by hydrothermal synthesis to produce carbon nanosheets. These nanosheets follow processing into supercapacitors capable of providing large energy bursts, unlike lithium-ion batteries which give off energy gradually. Because of this, hemp batteries suit especially to powering equipment that requires a lot of energy.
Challenges – can hemp batteries become popular?
Despite recent advancements, hemp-based batteries may not be widely available for some time as the technology is still being explored. Because they don’t include nickel or cobalt, they may be easier to recycle, which adds another level of sustainability.
An innovative development in energy storage technology, hemp-based batteries provide a high-performing, affordable, and environmentally friendly substitute for lithium-ion batteries. Even while the technology isn’t ready for widespread use just yet, further research and development point to a bright future. A greener and more sustainable energy landscape could result from the successful commercialization of hemp batteries, which have the potential to transform the electric vehicle industry and beyond.