Supercondensers, or supercapacitators, are electrophysical energy accumulators that have been long considered one of the most interesting options for electric or partially electric drive cars. Unlike conventional electro-chemical batteries, they have higher performance (they charge and discharge energy much more quickly) but, on the other hand, their capacity is lower (they store less energy though being the same size).
The simplest supercapacitator is composed of two electrodes, a separator and an electrolyte: the electric field is captured at the interface between the electrodes and the electrolyte.
The ones that are most researched on and best sold use electrolytes in water or organic solutions as well as carbon electrodes with a high superficial area. In order to increase the superficial area of the electrodes, most advanced research laboratories worldwide are developing carbon nanotube materials, or electrodes composed of a nano carbon film.
Unlike electrochemical batteries, double layer condensers do not virtually wear out: standing over 500,000 charging and discharging operations they have got a life of at least more than 10 years, without impairing the capacity which does not change at all depending on the time and number of operations carried out.
Their capacity of being charged and discharged using high voltage currents is really outstanding and that is very important for “regenerative brakes” as well as when charging and discharging operations have to be done very quickly. In regenerative braking the kinetic energy is converted into electric power to be stored and released very quickly for the following acceleration. In urban areas where braking and accelerating are typical features of driving cycles, they might even help save energy by up to 25%.
Tags: CIRPS , hybrid car , energy efficiency , electric motor , electric car , Sapienza University of Rome , pill
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