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'Small' research at MSU leads to advances in energy, electronics
Date:7/31/2008

  • Could be used to make lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft and car parts, and stronger wind turbines, medical implants and sports equipment.
  • Is a good electrical conductor attractive for lithium ion batteries and could be used to make transparent conductive coatings for solar cells and displays.
  • Can make gasoline tanks lightweight and leak tight and plastic containers that keep food fresh for weeks.

Drzal and his partners (former students Hiroyuki Fukushima, Inhwan Do and XG Sciences CEO Mike Knox) are already looking ahead to more uses for the product like recyclable, economical or lightweight units to store hydrogen for the next generation of fuel cell-powered autos.

"Now that we know how to make this material and how to modify it so that it can be utilized in plastics," he said, "our attention is being directed to high-end applications where we can really make some substantial changes in the way electronics, fuel cells, batteries and solar cells perform as a result of using this material.

"As an engineer we do research with an eye on not only understanding the fundamentals of how things work, but also on coming up with solutions to solve important problems facing the world we live in," Drzal said.

"This project goes beyond doing research and publishing papers. It appears to have made the transition from a laboratory curiosity to a commercial product and simultaneously has helped create a spinoff company to increase the economic viability of Michigan."


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Contact: Russ White
russ.white@ur.msu.edu
517-432-0923
Michigan State University
Source:Eurekalert  

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'Small' research at MSU leads to advances in energy, electronics
'Small' research at MSU leads to advances in energy, electronics