Super capacitors to replace batteries

One way that supercapacitors are developing faster than batteries is in the choice of format, from transfer printable ones for mobile phones to load-bearing structural components and smart skin for vehicles.

In the European Union Powerweave project, supercapacitors have been chosen as the energy storage layers on the fibre being developed for self-powered wearable electronics from bandages to dresses. The reason is that they have high power density, long lifetime and low internal resistance – and they can be constructed from commonly available, low cost materials.

According to an IDTechEx report, graphene active electrodes are promising up to 200 Wh/kg, well ahead of lithium-ion batteries. Right now, 120Hz versions are planned to replace electrolytic capacitors in power supplies.

Supercapacitors and their derivatives, supercabatteries (asymmetric electrochemical double layer capacitors AEDLC) – particularly the lithium-ion capacitor versions – are rapidly widening in application.

The European electric vehicle industry is weakened by having to import lithiumion batteries from Japan, China and Korea to get the best price/performance for mass markets. However, the report says Europe will also stay weak in supercapacitors, with investors failing to see that supercapacitors are increasingly enabling components for EVs and other applications.

For more about IDTechEx visit www.idtechex.com.