Ultracapacitors

Properties

EDLC (Electric Double Layer Capacitor)

The majority of the commercially available UltraCapacitors is Electric Double-Layer Capacitor, or EDLC. An EDLC can be viewed as a set of two nonreactive porous carbon electrodes on current collectors, immersed in an electrolyte system with a voltage potential applied across the collectors.

In an EDLC cell, the applied potential on the positive electrode attracts the negative ions in the electrolyte, while the same potential at the negative electrode attracts the positive ions. A dielectric separator prevents the two electrodes from creating a short circuit. The amount of energy stored is very large compared to a traditional capacitor due to the enormous surface area that is available on the porous carbon electrodes.

Though EDLCs are considered electrochemical devices, no chemical reactions are involved in the energy storage mechanism. The energy storage mechanism is a physical phenomenon and is highly reversible; this gives EDLCs their extremely long cycle life. Since the rates of charge and discharge are dependent only upon the physical movement of ions, the UltraCapacitors can store and release energy much faster (meaning more power) than a battery that relies on slower chemical reactions.

Pseudocapacitor

Nesscap Pseudocapacitor cell is a hybrid capacitor which is a combination of EDLC and high energy battery. This configuration provides quick energy release of an EDLC and the higher storage capacity of a battery in one package. In a pseudocapacitor cell, one of the two porous carbon electrodes is replaced with such materials as metal-doped carbons, conducting polymers, or metal oxides. This result in two different charge mechanisms at the electrodes: electric double layer form at the porous carbon electrode and a combination of faradaic and surface reactions occur at the high energy electrode. This combination produces a charge transfer behavior that is linearly dependent upon the applied voltage, and, as a result, the final device functions and behaves like a capacitor.

Nesscap’s Pseudocapacitor typically have little less than double the energy of the EDLC products of similar physical dimensions at the cost of shorter cycle life and lower rate capabilities. For applications that does not require so much heavy-duty cycling, such as UPS or other power backup applications, using Pseudocapacitor can be the optimal solution.

Nesscap holistic and comprehensive understanding of how to make an UltraCapacitors is evident through its long history in innovation and research. Nesscap’s product development is based on the understanding of the interrelationship between all parts that make up an UltraCapacitors cell. Significant resources are allocated to focus on following critical areas in product development:

Complete qualification and verification of raw materials and relevant vendors

• Identification of all required manufacturing process control parameters
• Optimization of the operational voltage
• Optimization of electrode formulation to meet market requirements

Nesscap continues active research and development programs to expand its current product portfolio and provide customized solutions to development partners. Our product offerings include individual cells ranging from 3 Farads to 6,200 Farads as well as higher voltage modules ranging from 16V to 125V. All products are designed to meet best in class high volume manufacturing while maintaining the lowest possible cost. Nesscap’s continuing innovation and development has yielded over 20 new products into the market in the last five years.

Nesscap is also able to provide customized solutions. Our engineering staff can size and design UltraCapacitors energy storage systems to meet any specific demand
Nesscap believes it is essential to protect its intellectual property, particularly its patents. Nesscap continues to strive to file for protection of its inventions in order to maximize the value of all processes and designs that were invented by its R&D department. Nesscap believes its success will depend in part on its ability to protect its existing patents, to acquire additional patent protection in a manner which reinforces the existing patent portfolio and to develop new processes and designs not currently claimed by the patents of third parties.

Nesscap seeks to protect its new technologies by applying for patents in jurisdictions in which it hopes to gain a market advantage. Such jurisdictions include countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. Nesscap also has various patents which have been cross-licensed within the UltraCapacitors market, ensuring its ability to access such technology should it be necessary.

Nesscap Ultracapacitor Catalog (Dec. 2013)
Whitepaper: Ultracapacitors in Wind Turbine Generators
Nesscap XP Series Datasheets
N60 3V 3400F Ultracapacitor, Welded Terminal (NE03V03400SW001)
N60 3V 3400F Ultracapacitor, Threaded Terminal (NE03V03400ST001)