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Revolutionizing Graphene Batteries for Cordless Tools

Catwell

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Graphene could be used in cordless tools, providing more run time and improved efficiency. (Image Credit: seagul/pixabay)

Most of us own cordless tools, and these have improved due to lightweight, advanced, and smaller batteries. For example, we've seen the capacity of lithium-ion batteries gradually increase, extending a device's operating time on a single charge. Graphene joined the game and is already being used in cordless tool batteries, making them more efficient than before. Because it's a new material, it costs nearly double compared to lithium-ion batteries.

One of the advantages of Graphene is that it's highly conductive (100x more than copper). So, by using it with a lithium-ion battery, we can see the charging time significantly decrease. Users won't need as many batteries since charging doesn't take too long — perfect for big projects. Moreover, the heat-resistant quality ensures that graphene batteries won't overheat.

However, one takeaway is that it discharges faster, too. This means graphene-based batteries could yield sufficient power for power-hungry tools like a concrete drill or chainsaw running for over an hour. Also, users can work on a project for hours at a time, thanks to Graphene's efficiency improvement.

So far, only CAT manufactures Graphene battery-based tools and sells an 18V graphene battery for $169.99. It's important to note that users need a CAT cordless tool to use it. The CAT 1 For All system works with this battery technology, which means many CAT tools are already compatible with a graphene battery. If owners don't have the appropriate tool, they'll need to buy one that's compatible with CAT's graphene batteries. 

We can expect to see Graphene's popularity boost with more advancements, allowing other brands to use the tech with cordless tools. But that should happen in due time as companies are developing graphene batteries for such tools. And the price could drop once this battery technology becomes widely available.

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  • in reply to kmikemoo

    Quality of NiMH battery is the key characteristics.

    Never buy any NiMH battery which is made in China, like those sold by RS Components.  They die after about 10 times recharge; completely a scam.  I hate them very much!

    Buy NiMH batteries which are made in Japan.  They are worth the money and are more stable than Li battery, alkaline battery, etc.

  • in reply to DAB

    I agree. Battery-powered tools are generally undesirable for me. I would even prefer that my tablet computer have no battery. The inconvenience of wires is greatly preferable to battery cost, maintenance and replacement, especially if the device can't run for a year on a single charge.

  • in reply to kmikemoo

    This reddit link sounds plausible. Quite a few people commenting there that it's a marketing thing, and that the graphene doesn't appear to provide any significant benefit for the CAT battery (and some think it's a worse battery as a result).

    I'm very happy with Li-Ion too - absolutely brilliant and lightweight for power tools (also love that brushless is a normal thing now for power tools!), and it's kind of a benefit that users have to swap out batteries if they are doing a lot of work like carpenters/contracters etc; it feels much safer to not have extreme energy density in a single small battery on a tool that is definitely going to be dropped and knocked around.

  • in reply to DAB

     I upgraded some of my old NiCads for Lithium-ions and I've been much happier with my cordless tools - especially the length of time they stay charged.  Ni-Cads have a HORRIBLE self-discharge rate.  I chose 3rd party batteries (and charger) to give it a go and I've been quite pleased with the outcome.  The upgrade kit makes a wonderful Christmas or birthday present.  Let your loved ones know. Wink

  • As a home owner I have found cordless tools to be a waste of money.

    I use them so seldom that they are always discharged when I need to use them and by the time they are charged I have moved on to another project.