Nanotecture wins IChemE’s shell energy award
This change is being driven by recent legislation, now enacted in most states of the USA, that prevents drivers from idling their engines for more than a few minutes (except in the case of emergency). Instead, electrical loads are sustained by the engine starting batteries; which are recharged once the supercapacitor has started the engine.
The Shell Energy Award acknowledges and celebrates organisations whose work ensures that development can occur without damaging the environment and provides national recognition from a pre-eminent scientific organisation. Popular science presenter Adam Hart-Davis hosted the ceremony, held at the Banqueting House in London's Whitehall on Thursday 5th October.
Recognising not only growing global energy demands, but also the need for CO2 abatement technology, the judges were looking for innovative and efficient technology designed to meet both these pressures. By removing the need to run engines overnight or on long stop-overs, Nanotecture's ‘Truck Start' supercapacitor could save up to 4 billion litres of diesel annually which, in turn, would cut CO2 emissions by 40 million tonnes per year.
The supercapacitor has the ability to store and release energy incredibly rapidly, and Nanotecture's patented nano-porous materials create a high-power nickel electrode which overcomes the low power density and poor cycling characteristics associated with other electrodes of this type.
David Winter, CEO of Nanotecture said "I am delighted that the industry has recognised the impact that Nanotecture's supercapacitor will have on CO2 emissions. We are thrilled with the award, which validates the hard work and creativity of our whole team. I hope that it will help raise the profile both of the Truck-Start supercapacitor and other carbon abatement applications such as our continuing development of supercapacitors for Hybrid Electric Vehicles, which we hope to be trialling within the next 12 months."
