The Latvian Academy of Sciences has released its annual yearbook — a comprehensive overview of achievements, challenges, and future outlooks across Latvia’s scientific landscape. The publication brings together insights from leading experts and institutional heads representing diverse fields of research. Among the contributors are also leading researchers from the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), Roberts Eglītis and Juris Purāns, who outline materials that could power the technologies of the near future. Here we share a brief excerpt from the article, taking a closer look at graphene.
Graphene is a carbon allotrope consisting of a single layer of atoms arranged in a honeycomb planar nanostructure. It is renowned for its exceptional tensile strength, electrical conductivity, and transparency. Since 2012, when the global graphene market was valued at USD 9 million, demand has steadily grown across sectors including semiconductors, electronics, batteries, and composites.
Graphene's unique structure makes it suitable for energy storage applications, especially in supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries. Supercapacitors differ from traditional batteries by storing ions on electrode surfaces via static electricity, which enables rapid charging and discharging. While their power density is superior, their energy density lags behind traditional batteries. Graphene’s theoretical surface area (2600 m²/g) allows for high ion storage potential. However, practical application often reduces this advantage due to the stacking of graphene sheets. Despite this, graphene remains a top candidate for enhancing supercapacitor efficiency and bringing them closer to replacing traditional Li-ion batteries in EVs.
A major breakthrough was achieved by South Korean researchers who developed a graphene-based supercapacitor with an energy density of 131 Wh/kg – almost four times higher than earlier prototypes. Though still below the 200 Wh/kg offered by Li-ion batteries, this innovation significantly narrows the gap. Additionally, UCLA’s California NanoSystems Institute developed microsupercapacitors using laser-scribed graphene (LSG) combined with molybdenum disulfide and manganese dioxide. These compact devices store as much energy as lead-acid batteries, can be recharged in seconds, and are ideal for wearables and medical devices.
Further on, the authors examine battery innovations beyond conventional lithium-ion solutions, superconductivity-related advancements, and various new materials and directions that could progress energy storage technologies.
Read the full article in the Latvian Academy of Sciences Yearbook 2025
