Advanced supercapacitors and batteries with high power capabilities (using nanomaterials and bipolar assembly techniques)

Advances in supercapacitors and capacitors, utilizing nanomaterials and modified electrolytes, have enabled the fabrication of energy storage devices with extremely high power capabilities, while maintaining high energy properties. At the same time, bipolar assembly techniques have lead to the production of advanced Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries with power levels in the capacitor range. The need for high power performance in advanced electrical, automotive, military, and medical devices has been recently discussed in a number of venues. The variety of new applications include: recovery of energy in automotive breaking, implantable stimulators and defibrillators, and other electronic and military devices which require high power pulses such as directed energy weapons. In some medical applications, modern supercapacitors are capable of replacing a battery/capacitor package. This presentation discusses the technology of nanoparticle fabrication methods and special assembly techniques utilized to produce very high power supercapacitors and batteries, and reviews recent performance data.