Scientists are at it again. This time they are working on making batteries stronger and last longer using a strange new method. Graphene, a super strong “wonder material” made from pure carbon, could be deep fried to make it more conductive. The struggle of graphene having limited surface area has now been tackled by scientists. The process, after years of trying to find the best way to use the material for batteries, could be used to power mobile devices.

South Korean scientists, from Yonsei University in Seoul, think this deep frying process will create pom-pom-shaped graphene microparticles ideal for electrodes (Gizmodo). This is beneficial due to the increased surface area of the particles, which enhance graphene's ability to store power. The team sprayed graphene oxide droplets into a super hot solvent, a lot like deep frying some batter, except the solvent is nearly 50 percent hotter than any frying oil you'll find. What was left was textured graphene structures, perfect for transferring electrical charges due to their open 3D structures (Engadget).

The process is more efficient than anything demonstrated before, and is more suitable for mass production. Other strategies have been attempted, such as making foams, aerogels, and freeze-drying; yet this has been the most successful method of creating a 3D shape. We could see graphene electrodes in various types of batteries in the near future, but only after more pieces of the puzzle have been completed. At least we are one step closer.