Improved Production Method for Carbon-Based Ultracapacitors

40076 November 4, 1996 TDA Research Batteries alone cannot give electric and hybrid vehicles the power needed for the acceleration that drivers demand from their cars. Ultracapacitors, because of their high rate of charge and discharge, are prime candidates for use as the load-leveling power source in electric vehicles. The most important parameter in determining the power and energy density of a carbon-based ultracapacitor is the amount of surface area accessible to the electrolyte. Although considerable effort has been invested in making monolithic carbon materials with the desired pore size distribution for use in ultracapacitors, no high performance carbon materials have so far met the cost targets. In previous studies, monolithic porous carbons have been prepared with the correct pore size distribution for use in ultracapacitors. Phase I will prepare cells to evaluate the power and energy densities attainable with the new materials, and estimate their cost in large scale production. The improvements should allow the attainment of cost/performance targets that will make ultracapacitors commercially viable power sources. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: Capacitive power sources are currently used as backup power supplies for computers and similar devices. By lowering the cost of high-performance power cells, the materials developed in this project will have a significant near-term market. In the longer term, a larger market for these materials could develop in electric vehicles.