A Novel Electron Storage Device

Project ID: 1462-AP
Available for licensing

Background

Current electron storage devices incorporate many toxic metals and chemicals into the design. Furthermore, these existing devices are neither particularly flexible nor versatile.

Invention Description

This novel electron storage device consists of a sandwiched structure with microbial cellulose and electrochromic dyes that can take a charge. Further, the electrochromic dyes can change absorbance in visible light range. Because cellulose-based materials are used, toxic metals and chemicals no longer need to be incorporated into the design. Additionally, since this technology has a paper-like appearance and feeling, it offers considerable flexibility for change or modification of the shape or geometry for different applications.

Benefits

Environmentally friendly
Rapid charging capacitor
Slow discharging battery

Features

Device energized by an electric field
Incorporates cellulose-based materials
Employs electrochromic dyes
Device can be used for both storage and display simultaneously
No metals or ions present
Small dimensions

Market Potential/Applications

This technology can be utilized for novel devices that combine the functions of a battery, a capacitor, or a color indicator in such products as sensors, electronic paper books, magazines, textiles and clothing, cell phones, computers, smart cards, portable cameras, mp3 players, GPS devices, hearing aids, and medical devices.

IP Status

One U.S. patent issued:

UT Researcher

R. Malcolm Brown, Ph.D., School of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin
Yuyu Sun, Ph.D., Human Ecology, The University of Texas at Austin
Robert P. Wenz, Ph.D., School of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin

OTC Contact Information

Max Green, Licensing Associate
mgreen@otc.utexas.edu
512-471-9054

Web Links

http://www.botany.utexas.edu/facstaff/facpages/mbrown/