 |
|
Active carbon supercondenser
March 03, 2003CIDETEC has just completed the project, subsidised by the Basque Government and CEGASA, "The development of a active carbon supercondenser for high-tension applications", aimed at developing home-grown technology which would allow the construction of an active carbon-based, double-layer prototype.
Supercondensers (SC's) are made up of two porous electrodes insulated from possible electrical contact by a separator paper impregnated with an ion-conducting medium or electrolyte. Energy storage is produced by separation of negative and positive charges on the electrode/electrolyte interface as a result of a potential difference applied externally to these electrodes. The combination of high specific area electrodes with an electrolyte of a high concentration of ions allows the creation of SC's of high potential and great ability to withstand charge-discharge cycles. The reason for the choice of active carbon technology as the electrode material - as opposed to other possibilities such as metal oxides or conducting polymers - is justified on the basis of the better perspectives for the future that it offers given, fundamentally, its low cost and easy accessibility. The integration of the SC's with energy storage systems - batteries and fuel cells - allows a more rational design for electricity supply systems in that base consumption is supplied by a primary energy source while peak-time demand is provided by the SC's.
The preparation of the electrodes requires a bonding agent, typically Teflon, which guarantees the connectivity between the particles in the active carbon. The active carbon/bonding agent combination can be used in pellet form in order to set up an electrode or, otherwise, deposited on a carbon-based support and used in the same way. As regards the kind of electrolyte employed as an ion-conducting medium, both aqueous and organic electrolytes were tested. These electrolytes impregnate the separator paper, which can be of two types, cellulose or hydrophilised polypropylene.
The SC made up of the electrodes, the separator and the electrolyte was tested in an experimental cell. The recording of the properties of the SC's was carried out with a Voltalab 41 potentiostat in such a way that a number of different methods were used to measure, amongst other parameters, the capacity of the SC. Also charge-discharge cycles were applied at constant intensity and impedance measurements were made, thus determining the equivalent resistance in series of the SC.
The standard recording of properties of the SC was carried out on electrodes with an average active area of 2-3 cm2 and with an electrode mass of approximately 50 mg. The values for absolute capacities obtained under these conditions for SC's with aqueous electrolytes came to 3 F, which meant an average value for specific capacity of the active materials of approximately 120 F/g. As regards the organic SC's, slightly lower values (2 F or 100 F/g) have been obtained, for the moment. In both cases more than 2000 charge-discharge cycles were applied. The electrode/separator/electrolyte combination with improved yields in the experimental cell was used as the basis for the building of the first prototypes designed at CIDETEC.
The next target in this research field, apart from the improvement of the prototypes designed to date regarding their specific capacity and their ability to withstand cycles, is the testing of new carbon-based materials synthesised using nanotechnology (as with the carbon nanotubes), which allow an enhancement of the already exceptional yields for this type of supercondenser.
Elhuyar Fundazioa
Science Research Departments
Earth Science
Alternative Energy | Anthropology and Archaeology | Earthquakes and Volcanoes | Environment and Nature News | Global Warming | High-Energy and Particle Physics | Ozone Hole | Scientists Slow Light | Tsunami
Space Science
Astronomy and Space News | Black Holes | Chandra X-Ray Observatory | Extrasolar Planets | Hubble Telescope | International Space Station | Jupiter Galileo Mission | Jupiter Cassini Mission Flyby | Mars Exploration | Mars Odyssey 2001 | Mars Global Surveyor | Mars Polar Lander | Mars Climate Orbiter | Mars Pathfinder | Meteors and Asteroids | Mir Space Station | NEAR Asteroid Probe Mission | Pluto Planet Debate | Search for Extraterrestrial Life | Space Shuttle Program | Space Shuttle Mission: STS-102 | Space Weather
Life Science
Animal News | Biotechnology and Genetics | Brain Research | Human Cloning | Dinosaur and Fossil Discoveries | Endangered Species | Gene Therapy | Genetically Modified Food | Stem Cell Research | Whales and Whaling
 |
The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series) by Tom Robinson (Author) Science has never been so easy - or so much fun! With The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book, all you need to do is gather a few household items and you can recreate dozens of mind-blowing, kid-tested science experiments. High school science teach Tom Robinson shows you how to expand your scientific horizons - from biology to chemistry to physics to outer space. You'll discover answers to questions like: Get ready to enter the laboratory and learn how to conduct cool experiments, understand scientific terms... |
 |
Scientific Explorer's Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists by Scientific Explorer Mind blowing experiments to delight and educate young scientists! Erupt a color changing volcano. Mix up magic ooze with a mind of its own. Play with sand that never gets wet. Mix safe chemicals and watch colors change before your eyes. You'll amaze yourself and your friends as you explore the science behind these truly remarkable reactions. |
 |
The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works (National Geographic) by National Geographic (Author), Marshall Brain (Foreword) A delight for the casual reader, yet so complete and wide-ranging that science buffs and students will welcome it, The Science Book encapsulates centuries of scientific thought in one richly illustrated volume. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, and the most up-to-date investigations are explained in detailed text, and 2,000 vivid illustrationsincluding 3-D graphics and pictogramsmake the information even more accessible and amazing to discover. The Science Book offers both a general overview of topics for the browsing reader and more specific information for those seeking deeper insight into a particular subject. Six major sections, ranging from the universe and planet Earth to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, encompass everything from microscopic life... |
 |
Scientific Explorer's Disgusting Science - A Kit for Studying the Science of Revolting Things by Scientific Explorer Grow your own friendly germs and fuzzy molds. Mix up a batch of coagulating fake blood. Even make a stinky intestine. learn the science behind unmentionable bodily functions while doing some truly NASTY Experiments. Ages 8+ |
 |
The Complete Book of Science, Grades 5-6 by School Specialty Publishing (Author) The Complete Book of Science for grades 5 to 6 teaches children important science skills!
Children complete a variety of exercises that help them develop a number of skills in this 352 page workbook. Including a complete answer key this workbook features a user-friendly format perfect for browsing, research, and review.
Over 4 million in print! The best-selling Complete Book series offers a full complement of instruction, activities, and information about a single topic or subject area. Containing over 30 titles and encompassing preschool to grade 8 this series helps children succeed in every subject area! ... |
 |
Scientific Explorer's Tasty Science Chemistry in the Kitchen Kit by Scientific Explorer Who knew science could taste so good? With this kit, you’ll whip up cupcakes, cookies, candy, and more—all in the name of science! Learn what makes cakes rise, candy crystallize, and more real chemistry happen in the kitchen. Tasty Science is packed with ingredients, recipes, activity cards, a test tube laboratory, and lots more to explore the science of taste. |
 |
What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2) by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld (Author), Paul Meisel (Author) Did you ever walk through a wall? Drink a glass of blocks? Have you ever played with a lemonade doll, or put on milk for socks? This latest addition to the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series introduces the youngest readers to an important science concept: the differences between solids, liquids, and gases. Any child who wants to know why he can't walk through a wall will enjoy Kathleen Zoehfeld's simple text and Paul Meisel's playful illustrations. |
 |
The Best of Beakman's World Starring: Paul Zaloom, Mark Ritts, Eliza Schneider, Alanna Ubach, Senta Moses Directed By: Jay Dubin, Robert Heath Also With: Barry Freidmen (Producer), Marijane Miller (Producer), Marijane Miller (Writer), Mark Waxman (Producer), Mark Waxman (Writer), Richard Albrecht (Producer), Richard Albrecht (Writer), Casey Keller (Writer), Jok R. Church (Writer) A nutty scientist takes viewers on a wacky road to discovery along with lester the rat & other laboratory friends mixing fun facts with experiments that can be done at home. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 09/07/2004 Run time: 60 minutes Rating: Nr |
 |
The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing by Richard Dawkins (Editor) Boasting almost one hundred articles and book excerpts, The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing is a breathtaking celebration of the finest writing by scientists--the best such collection in print--packed with scintillating essays on everything from "The Discovery of Lucy" to "The Terror and Vastness of the Universe." Edited by best-selling author and renowned scientist Richard Dawkins, this sterling collection brings together exhilarating pieces by a who's who of scientists and science writers, including Stephen Pinker, Stephen Jay Gould, Martin Gardner, Albert Einstein, Julian Huxley, and many dozens more. Readers will find excerpts from bestsellers such as Douglas R. Hofstadter's Godel, Escher, Bach, Francis Crick's Life Itself, Loren Eiseley's The Immense Journey, Daniel... |
 |
Scientific Explorer's Spa Science Chemistry Kit by Scientific Explorer Whip your bath into a frothy fizzing sea of color and fragrance. Make colorful, fragrant bath gels, bath fizzers, spa lotion, bath balm, a face mask, and shampoo. Mix colors and fragrances to creat your own product line with secret and exclusive mixtures. Explore the science of gels, fragrance and fizzers. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |