# Baked Leaf Batteries This Sodium-Ion Battery Makes Use Of a Baked Oak Leaf By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2016-02-23 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sodium-battery References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/scientists-make-oak-leaf-sodium-battery/41611/) & [nanocenter.umd.edu](https://www.nanocenter.umd.edu/news/news_story.php?id=9525) A group of scientists and researchers from the [University of Maryland](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crab-shell-batteries) and the [National Center for Nanoscience and Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycled-facemasks) from Beijing have created a high-tech sodium-ion battery using a decidedly low-tech ingredient -- an oak leaf. The researchers baked the oak leaf before flushing it with sodium, creating a negative battery terminal. The leaf's natural shape makes it ideal for battery use, thanks to its low surface area and the fact that it includes a lot of tightly packed miniature structures. The scientists baked a dry leaf at 1,000 degrees Centigrade for an hour, before immersing it in hydrogen chloride for six hours to get rid of inorganic impurities. The end result is a carbonized leaf whose pores can absorb sodium electrolyte. This sodium-ion battery is a wonderful invention as it proves that organic materials do indeed have potential to take care of some energy needs. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Organic Batteries:** The use of organic materials in battery technology presents opportunities for sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions. - **Sodium-ion Batteries:** The development of efficient and cost-effective sodium-ion batteries could revolutionize the energy storage industry. - **Carbonized Leaf Batteries:** The utilization of natural materials for battery electrodes could lead to advancements in battery technology and more versatile energy storage solutions. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Renewable Energy:** The renewable energy industry could benefit from the development of sustainable and eco-friendly batteries using organic materials. - **Energy Storage:** The energy storage industry could be disrupted by the introduction of more efficient and cost-effective sodium-ion batteries. - **Battery Technology:** The battery technology industry could see advancements in the utilization of natural materials for electrodes and the creation of more versatile energy storage solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Crustacean-Based Batteries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crab-shell-batteries.md) - [Improved Battery Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/battery-sustainability.md) - [Paper-Based Energy Storage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-battery.md) - [Sodium-Ion Battery Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sodiumion-battery1.md) - [Sand-Based Electric Batteries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polar-night-energy.md) - [Heatwave-Resistant Alkaline Batteries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-electric-power.md) - [Extreme Condition Power Banks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elecom-dec55l9000.md) - [Nanoscale Silver Battery Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/llzo-electrolytes.md) - [Facemask Upcycling Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycled-facemasks.md)