Preface
In today’s energy-dependent world, electrochemical devices for energy
storage and conversion such as batteries, fuel cells, and electrochemical
supercapacitors (ESs) have been recognized as the most important inventions among all energy storage and conversion technologies. The electrochemical supercapacitor, also known as a supercapacitor, ultracapacitor, or
electrochemical double-layer capacitor, is a special type of capacitor that can
store relatively high energy density compared to storage capabilities of conventional capacitors. ES devices possess several high-impact characteristics
such as fast charging capabilities, long charge–discharge cycles, and broad
operating temperature ranges. As a result, their use in hybrid and electrical
vehicles, electronics, aircraft, and smart grids is widespread. Although ES
systems still face some challenges, such as relatively low energy density and
high cost, further development will allow ESs to work as power devices in
tandem with batteries and fuel cells and also function as stand-alone high
energy storage devices.
To facilitate research and development, we believe a book discussing both
fundamentals and applications of ES technology is definitely needed. The
best known book in the field is B. E. Conway’s Electrochemical Supercapacitors:
Scientific Fundamentals and Technological Applications published in 1999.
Conway’s book presented the first comprehensive coverage of the development of ESs in the 20th century.
Our book will focus on the introduction to electrochemical supercapacitors from more technical and practical aspects and the crystallization of their
development in the past decade. It delivers the basic electrochemical theory
and calculations and discusses components and characterization techniques.
Further discussion is focused on the structure and options for device packing. Choices for electrode, electrolyte, current collector, and sealant materials
are evaluated based on comparisons of available data. The book will help
illuminate the practical aspects of understanding and applying the technology in industry and provide sufficient technical detail about new materials
developed by experts in the field that may surface in the future. Furthermore,
the technical challenges are also discussed in this book to give readers an
understanding of the practical limitations and their associated parameters
in ES technology.
We hope this book will provide readers with a comprehensive understanding
of the components, designs, and characterizations of electrochemical supercapacitors. We anticipate industrial and academic scientists and engineers along
with undergraduate and graduate students in the field will use it as a reference
in their work and also to foster ideas for new devices that will help further the
technology as it fills a larger role in mainstream energy storage.
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In today’s energy-dependent world, electrochemical devices for energy
storage and conversion such as batteries, fuel cells, and electrochemical
supercapacitors (ESs) have been recognized as the most important inventions among all energy storage and conversion technologies. The electrochemical supercapacitor, also known as a supercapacitor, ultracapacitor, or
electrochemical double-layer capacitor, is a special type of capacitor that can
store relatively high energy density compared to storage capabilities of conventional capacitors. ES devices possess several high-impact characteristics
such as fast charging capabilities, long charge–discharge cycles, and broad
operating temperature ranges. As a result, their use in hybrid and electrical
vehicles, electronics, aircraft, and smart grids is widespread. Although ES
systems still face some challenges, such as relatively low energy density and
high cost, further development will allow ESs to work as power devices in
tandem with batteries and fuel cells and also function as stand-alone high
energy storage devices.
To facilitate research and development, we believe a book discussing both
fundamentals and applications of ES technology is definitely needed. The
best known book in the field is B. E. Conway’s Electrochemical Supercapacitors:
Scientific Fundamentals and Technological Applications published in 1999.
Conway’s book presented the first comprehensive coverage of the development of ESs in the 20th century.
Our book will focus on the introduction to electrochemical supercapacitors from more technical and practical aspects and the crystallization of their
development in the past decade. It delivers the basic electrochemical theory
and calculations and discusses components and characterization techniques.
Further discussion is focused on the structure and options for device packing. Choices for electrode, electrolyte, current collector, and sealant materials
are evaluated based on comparisons of available data. The book will help
illuminate the practical aspects of understanding and applying the technology in industry and provide sufficient technical detail about new materials
developed by experts in the field that may surface in the future. Furthermore,
the technical challenges are also discussed in this book to give readers an
understanding of the practical limitations and their associated parameters
in ES technology.
We hope this book will provide readers with a comprehensive understanding
of the components, designs, and characterizations of electrochemical supercapacitors. We anticipate industrial and academic scientists and engineers along
with undergraduate and graduate students in the field will use it as a reference
in their work and also to foster ideas for new devices that will help further the
technology as it fills a larger role in mainstream energy storage.
xv