Jeongmin Kim and Damin Lee, researchers at DGIST and Kyungpook National University, respectively, have collaborated on a groundbreaking project to develop a high-performance self-charging energy storage device that efficiently stores solar energy. By utilizing transition metal-based electrode materials, they have significantly improved the performance of existing supercapacitor devices and introduced a new energy storage technology that combines supercapacitors with solar cells. The research team designed electrodes using a nickel-based carbonate and hydroxide composite material and added transition metal ions like Mn, Co, Cu, Fe, and Zn to enhance conductivity and stability. This technology has shown remarkable advancements in energy density, power density, and charge and discharge stability.
The energy density achieved in this study is an impressive 35.5 Wh kg⁻¹, surpassing values from previous studies that ranged between 5-20 Wh kg⁻¹. Similarly, the power density reached 2555.6 W kg⁻¹, significantly higher than the results obtained in past research (-1000 W kg⁻¹). This indicates the device’s ability to release high power rapidly and supply energy immediately to high-power devices. Moreover, the device exhibited minimal degradation during repeated charge and discharge cycles, ensuring its long-term usability. These results highlight the significant progress made by the research team in enhancing energy storage device performance.
The researchers also developed an energy storage device that integrates silicon solar cells with supercapacitors, creating a system capable of storing solar energy and using it in real time. This system achieved an energy storage efficiency of 63% and an overall efficiency of 5.17%, demonstrating the potential for commercializing the self-charging energy storage device. Jeongmin Kim described this achievement as a significant milestone for Korea’s energy sector, emphasizing the sustainable energy solution provided by the transition metal-based composite materials used in the device. Damin Lee expressed the team’s commitment to further research to enhance the device’s efficiency and facilitate its commercialization.
The research project received support from DGIST’s Institutional Core Projects, the Early Career Researcher Projects, and the Kyungpook National University’s Regional Leading Research Center for Carbon-Neutral Intelligent Energy System. The findings of the study were published in the journal Energy in December, showcasing the innovative advancements made by the team in the field of energy storage technology. Jeongmin Kim and Damin Lee’s collaboration has produced a high-performance self-charging energy storage device that combines supercapacitors with solar cells, offering a promising solution for efficient energy storage and utilization in various applications. The success of this project paves the way for future research and commercialization efforts to further improve the device’s efficiency and contribute to the development of sustainable energy solutions.