Nanostructured Externally Cure-Initiated Thermally and Electrically Conductive Adhesives

65805 High rate energy storage devices, such as ultracapacitors, are a critical enabling technology for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). The best electrode materials for use in electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC) possess three characteristics: (1) high surface area; (2) high electrical conductivity; and (3) surface area easily accessible by electrolyte. While ruthenium-based ultracapacitors exhibit almost ideal characteristics, the ruthenium was found to be too expensive for the large-scale manufacture of ultracapacitors. As an alternative, specialty carbon materials could satisfy these characteristics at reasonably low cost, provided that the pore-size distribution could be controlled. This project will develop high-performance carbon materials for ultracapacitors, using a proprietary carbon manufacturing technique that would ensure good control over the critical characteristics. Phase I will demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility by preparing the microporous carbon, designing and constructing the testing apparatus, and testing the ultracapacitor. In Phase II, an extensive parametric study will be performed to optimize ultracapacitor performance and cost. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: A robust, versatile technique for manufacturing inexpensive, high-performance carbon ultracapacitors should have primary application in hybrid power systems for electric cars. Additional applications include high rate, short pulse delivery of large charges (such as pulsed lasers); power-supply low-frequency smoothing; and a variety of military, medical (defibrillators), telecommunications, and computer systems. In addition, carbon with well controlled pore structure should also have use in carbon molecular sieve membranes for gas separations, gas-storage systems (automobiles, trucks, buses, locomotives, spacecraft, submarines, etc.), and catalysts.