Biodegradable Paper Supercapacitor from Seaweeds

• Recently, scientists at Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) have developed the thinnest, lightweight and biodegradable paper-based supercapacitor.

ABOUT BIODEGRADABLE SUPERCAPACITOR

• Supercapacitor is an electrochemical charge storage device with a fast charging/discharging cycle, high power density and a longer lifecycle.
• This supercapacitor which can fully charge a device within 10 seconds, has been developed from seaweed (marine macroalgae).
• Features– high tensile strength and performance, as well as cost-effective
• Applications– electronics, memory backup systems, airbags, heavy machines, electric vehicles, etc.

ABOUT SEAWEEDS

• Seaweeds are macroalgae attached to rock or other substrata and are found in coastal areas.
• They are the primitive, marine non-flowering marine algae without real tissue differentiation between root, stem and leaves
• They are classified as Chlorophyta(green), Rhodophyta (red) and Phaeophyta (brown) based on their pigmentation.
• Green seaweed has a high amount of a particular type of cellulose in its cell wall.
• Large seaweeds form dense underwater forests known as kelp forests, which act as underwater nurseries for fish, snails and sea urchins.