High Energy and Power Ultracapacitors Utilizing Novel Type III Polymers and Non-Aqueous Electrolytes

High Energy and Power Ultracapacitors Utilizing Novel Type III Polymers and Non-Aqueous Electrolytes DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER86074 Amount: $100,000 Small Business Covalent Associates, Inc. 10 State Street Woburn, MA 01801-6820 Dr. Alan B. McEwan, Principal Investigator Dr. K.M. Abraham, Business Official (781) 938-1140 Research Institution University of Texas-Dallas 2601 North Floyd Road Richardson, TX 75080 Ultracapacitors can be used for energy storage applications in electric vehicles. Although polymer-based ultracapacitor electrodes have received attention because they offer high energy and power density at low cost, acceptable electrolyte solutions and associated packaging techniques have not been identified. This project will optimize the electrochemical characteristics of p and n doped polymer electrodes with nonaqueous electrolytes for commercially viable high energy and power applications. The resulting system will be packaged in a plastic prismatic cell suitable for high voltage device applications. Electrochemical characterization of imidazolium-based nonaqueous electrolytes, with p and n dopable substituted polythiophene polymer electrodes, will be performed in Phase I. In addition, the identified polymer electrode material will be deposited on a suitable current collector material, and packaging within a plastic prismatic cell will be demonstrated. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Ultracapacitors have application in electric vehicles, computer memory back-up, and as power sources for lightweight communications and other consumer electronic devices that require rapid charging/discharging and extended cycle life. Electronically conducting polymers as electrodes offer high energy and power density at low cost._