mPhase Announces Potential for Improvements to its Nano-Based Battery Architecture

mPhase Technologies disclosed that a modification of the nanostructured silicon material used in its prototype nano-based battery is proving more hospitable to electrolytes used in higher-energy and power density chemistries, implying that the new design could be the basis for an improvement in the amount of power such devices can store.

Mary K. Whelan, mPhase's Executive Vice President, Marketing and Communications, reported that researchers have conducted an experiment with a new supporting structure whose geometry caused a wide array of liquid electrolytes to maintain their "super-hydrophobic" characteristics. While noting that this was only a test of the physical structure itself, she added that further experimentation is needed to determine the consequent impact on the company's future designs.

"Potential customers are indicating that the nanobattery's key value is its long shelf life and ability to generate power on demand," Whelan commented. "However, greater power density is another top consideration, and we are determined to knock down the technical barriers to meeting what the market demands."

The mPhase nanobattery depends on super-hydrophobic electrolytes to be repelled from the underlying electrodes to maintain a physical separation until needed. For competitive reasons, mPhase is not ready to disclose details on its nanostructure design modification. "Our immediate focus is to pursue development of another prototype to validate our assumptions," said Whelan.