Hello! My name is Sebastiano Bellani and I work for Bedimensional. My role in GREENCAP is the design of 2D material-based electrode materials for supercapacitors using ionic liquids as high-voltage electrolytes. My primary focus will be on integrating of BeDimensional’s single-/few-layer graphene, produced by our patented wet-jet milling exfoliation method, into supercapacitor electrodes to boost the cell power and energy densities in concert. Meanwhile, I will work to refine the industrial process for the production of graphene to minimize the use of critical raw materials and eliminating toxic and/or hazardous chemicals, aiming at the realization of a sustainable and safe graphene-based supercapacitor technology with a battery-like energy density.
What was your original motivation to become a researcher?
Frankly, I was good at math and terrible at other subjects! So, I focused on “math-driven” disciplines, and physics was a pretty good choice…
What is your (main) research area today?
Development of two-dimensional materials for functional inks (electrically conductive adhesive and films, anticorrosion and smart coatings) and energy-related applications, including photovoltaics, (photo)electrocatalysis and energy storage systems (supercapacitors and batteries)
What is the main objective of your team in GREENCAP?
Our main objective is the design of graphene-based materials for high-performance supercapacitors electrodes by means of sustainable processes and relying on the use of synthetic graphite, thus, eliminating the need of natural graphite that is the 2020 EU Critical Raw Materials List. We will upscale the graphene production up to 103 kg/year, while promoting the standardization of graphene and other 2D materials to support their integration into industrial supercapacitor manufacturing chains. We will also coordinate the implementation of project activities, while accelerating the dissemination of key technical outcomes to stimulate exploitation and future market uptake of 2D material- and ionic liquid-based supercapacitors.
What expertise and facilities does your team have to meet those objectives?
Our R&D and Production teams include people with different multidisciplinary skills. Our researchers are specialists in chemistry, physics, material science and engineering, accredited by prominent academic institutions all over the world, and have several years of professional experience in private and public R&D environments. Our company is pillared around a patented methodology (wet-jet milling exfoliation) for the production high-quality 2D materials, in both liquid dispersions and powders form. The synergy between Quality&Control and R&D facilities are ideal to meet GREENCAP objectives.
Which aspects of your research at GREENCAP do you believe are the most innovative and what unique opportunities offer GREENCAP to yourself and/or your organisation?
Within GREENCAP, the distinctive features of our graphene-based electrodes will be exploited in combination with high-voltage electrolytes based on ionic liquids, realizing novel concepts of supercapacitors with energy density approaching to that of battery systems. GREENCAP will help us to identify cutting-edge supercapacitor solutions that will overcome the boundaries of today’s technology, powering the energy transition for a sustainable future.
How do you see the future use of the GREENCAP-results and the impact of GREENCAP-project in our daily lives?
GREENCAP supercapacitors may represent ideal solution for either existing or new high-end applications. By reaching project targets, our supercapacitor will be competitive in automotive/transportation applications (e.g., urban buses, driving electronics in hybrid vehicles, forklifts), energy industry (e.g., smart grids, peak shaving and pitch control systems), rail transport (e.g., trackside generation), aerospace and advanced mobile electronics (Internet of Things and flexible devices).
