Overcoming Long-Held Limitations: Korean Scientists Unveil Next-Generation Energy Storage Technology
June 22, 2025 – Seoul, South Korea
In a significant breakthrough poised to transform the energy storage landscape, researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and Seoul National University (SNU) have developed an advanced supercapacitor technology that promises faster charging, greater durability, and increased energy density. This development could have profound implications for electric vehicles, drones, robotics, and next-generation wearable electronics.
Innovative Composite Fiber Structure
The research team, led by Dr. Bon-Cheol Ku and Dr. Seo Gyun Kim of the Carbon Composite Materials Research Center at KIST, alongside Professor Yuanzhe Piao of SNU, tackled the longstanding performance trade-offs of supercapacitors. Traditionally, supercapacitors are known for their rapid charging and high power density, but their relatively low energy density compared to batteries has limited their practical use in applications demanding long runtimes.
To overcome this, the scientists engineered a novel nanoscale fiber by chemically bonding single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with the conductive polymer polyaniline (PANI). Carbon nanotubes are well-regarded for exceptional electrical conductivity, while PANI offers cost-effective and easy processing advantages. The resulting hybrid fiber enhances the simultaneous movement of electrons and ions, enabling the supercapacitors to store substantially more energy and deliver it quickly without sacrificing longevity.
Superior Performance and Durability
These composite fibers demonstrated outstanding performance, maintaining stable operation over 100,000 charge-discharge cycles—even under high-voltage conditions. This durability surpasses many existing supercapacitor technologies and brings them closer to practical integration into devices requiring reliable, rapid energy delivery.
Moreover, the fiber’s inherent flexibility allows it to be rolled or folded, making it a promising candidate for flexible electronics and wearable technologies. For electric vehicles and drones, the technology could enable extended operational ranges combined with rapid recharge times, addressing critical industry challenges.
Advancing Commercial Viability
A major hurdle in utilizing carbon nanotubes has been their high production costs and difficulties in scaling for mass production. The research team addressed this by compounding CNTs with polyaniline, a low-cost conductive polymer, reducing material expenses significantly.
They implemented a mass production process capable of fabricating bundles of fibers up to 300 strands, all while maintaining high specific capacitance. This scalable manufacturing method advances the technology toward commercial application. Preliminary development of film-like composite structures further supports versatility in real-world uses.
Future Outlook and Industry Impact
Dr. Bon-Cheol Ku emphasized the importance of this breakthrough, stating, “This technology overcomes the shortcomings of supercapacitors by using single-walled carbon nanotubes and conductive polymers. We will continue to develop and industrialize ultra-high-performance carbon fibers based on carbon nanotubes.”
Supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, this research lays a robust foundation for advancing carbon-neutral energy solutions across multiple sectors, including automotive, robotics, aerospace, and wearable devices.
Publication and Intellectual Property
The findings, titled “Nanocell-structured carbon nanotube composite fibers for ultrahigh energy and power density supercapacitors,” were published in the January 27, 2025 issue of Composites Part B: Engineering (Impact Factor: 12.7). The team has also filed patent applications in both South Korea and the United States, securing intellectual property rights for this innovative energy storage technology.
About the Research Institutions
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) is a leading national research institute focused on advanced materials and technologies, while Seoul National University (SNU) is a premier university known for cutting-edge scientific research.
For more information:
Contact KIST Carbon Composite Materials Research Center
Email: info@kist.re.kr
Website: www.kist.re.kr
This advancement signals a promising step toward high-performance, scalable, and sustainable energy storage systems that may soon power the devices and vehicles of tomorrow.
