Researchers at the University of Wollongong's Intelligent Polymer Research Institute have been chosen as the first funding recipients of a joint technology program between the NSW Government and the South Korean province of Gangwon.
Minister for Science and Medical and Research Jodi McKay announced the $100,000 joint research grant.
The Intelligent Polymer Research Institute and Korean researchers will use nanotechnology to develop a new high-performance energy storage device.
"This is cutting edge research that is capable of making improvements to products that we use everyday," Ms McKay said.
"High performance energy devices can mean longer lasting mobile phone and digital camera batteries.
"The research could also improve the performance of electric vehicles and enhance the State's ability to harness wind and solar power technologies."
The University of Wollongong team will be led by Professor Gordon Wallace, a leading Australian nanotechnology researcher, who won the Chemistry category of the inaugural NSW Scientist of the Year Awards in September of last year.
NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer Mary O'Kane said a new hybrid energy storage device can combine the advantages of both lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors.
"Lithium-ion batteries store large amounts of energy but they don't deliver that energy quickly. On the other hand, supercapacitors deliver energy quickly but can only store modest amounts," Professor O'Kane said.
"The researchers want to create a new hybrid device capable of storing and instantly generating large amounts of energy that can also be recharged many times.
"Such technology could have a major impact in the multi-billion dollar market for energy storage devices for mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and digital cameras."
The NSW Government is supporting the research project through the Department of State and Regional Development to help drive innovation and develop high technology links with Gangwon.
South Korea is an important partner in the Asia Pacific and there is strong potential for NSW and Gangwon to work together through this grants program to explore future business and economic opportunities.