A successful three-year study has found that recycled mattress materials, specifically non-woven textiles, can be used for rechargeable energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and batteries. MRC funded the study by Dr. Ram Gupta at the National Institute for Materials Advancement at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. The research is significant due to the global shortage of carbon feedstocks for making electrodes, which are needed to satisfy the growing demand for rechargeable batteries. Recycled mattress materials may provide an inexpensive, clean, and abundant feedstock that can fill current and emerging needs. Being recycled materials, they also have a much lower carbon footprint relative to other feedstocks used today. The research team is interested in exploring commercialization potential through developing industry relationships.