235
Electrochemical Supercapacitor Design, Fabrication, and Operation
2011078901) and iron oxide (WO 2010120560). The latter is claimed to achieve
a gravimetric capacitance of 500 F g –1 at 1 mV s –1 in 1 M KOH.
5.8.2 Patents on Electrolytes
The preferential usage of acetonitrile (AN) in commercial applications is
currently challenged by its intrinsic hazards of flammability and toxicity.
Propylene carbonate (PC) is less dangerous but is hindered by a threefold
decrease in electrolyte conductivity. Novel ionic liquids show promise as
non-toxic, highly stable next generation electrolytes if their electrolyte conductivity can be enhanced. A combination of organic quaternary salts with a
preferred solvent [ethylene carbonate (EC)] in U.S. Patent 20080137265 claims
to be an electrolyte that can be used over a wide temperature range (–40°C)
and a preferred potential window from 0 to 4.0 V. Ionic molten salts in pure
form have also undergone patenting (U.S. Patent 20040106041), and mixtures
of these in optimum combinations with non-aqueous solvents are recognized to improve upon their deficient electrolyte conductivity.
Solid state films that have been developed to utilize solid polymer electrolytes without requiring safety sealing and additional packaging. Patents
claim that organosilicon compounds (U.S. Patent 20070076349) and polyoxyalkylene-modified silanes (U.S. Patent 20070048621) are suitable with the
additions of varying electrolyte salts (and separators if needed) for use as
solid film electrolytes. Table 5.3 lists recent patents on electrolytes.
5.8.3 Patents on ES Designs
Commercialized supercapacitor designs commonly employ bipolar electrodes configured into a stack to increase the operating voltage and efficiently minimize cell volume. These cell designs commonly include jelly
roll fabrication. U.S. Patent 6762926 [10] emphasizes this configuration. Jelly
roll designs highlight supercapacitor portability, and multiple patents stress
their use in module construction.
Module housing compartments imparting robust designs are critical to
overall bank designs for high voltage applications. A patent by Maxwell
Technologies claims to have engineered the design of a module housing that
is unique in its ability to use tongue-and-groove connectors to extend the
housing if required to accommodate more cells; cells sizes may vary (U.S.
Patent 20070053140). The use of supercapacitor modules in photovoltaic cell
windmill technologies and their significance in auto industry applications
reveals their growing importance. Table 5.4 lists some of these designs.
A further review of patents, specifically hybrid or full electric vehicle
applications indicates that some corporations hold more than 20 patents pertaining to this technology (Figure 5.14). Matsushita Electric holds more than
100 patents. To complement the tabulation of maximum patents assigned,
Electrochemical Supercapacitor Design, Fabrication, and Operation
2011078901) and iron oxide (WO 2010120560). The latter is claimed to achieve
a gravimetric capacitance of 500 F g –1 at 1 mV s –1 in 1 M KOH.
5.8.2 Patents on Electrolytes
The preferential usage of acetonitrile (AN) in commercial applications is
currently challenged by its intrinsic hazards of flammability and toxicity.
Propylene carbonate (PC) is less dangerous but is hindered by a threefold
decrease in electrolyte conductivity. Novel ionic liquids show promise as
non-toxic, highly stable next generation electrolytes if their electrolyte conductivity can be enhanced. A combination of organic quaternary salts with a
preferred solvent [ethylene carbonate (EC)] in U.S. Patent 20080137265 claims
to be an electrolyte that can be used over a wide temperature range (–40°C)
and a preferred potential window from 0 to 4.0 V. Ionic molten salts in pure
form have also undergone patenting (U.S. Patent 20040106041), and mixtures
of these in optimum combinations with non-aqueous solvents are recognized to improve upon their deficient electrolyte conductivity.
Solid state films that have been developed to utilize solid polymer electrolytes without requiring safety sealing and additional packaging. Patents
claim that organosilicon compounds (U.S. Patent 20070076349) and polyoxyalkylene-modified silanes (U.S. Patent 20070048621) are suitable with the
additions of varying electrolyte salts (and separators if needed) for use as
solid film electrolytes. Table 5.3 lists recent patents on electrolytes.
5.8.3 Patents on ES Designs
Commercialized supercapacitor designs commonly employ bipolar electrodes configured into a stack to increase the operating voltage and efficiently minimize cell volume. These cell designs commonly include jelly
roll fabrication. U.S. Patent 6762926 [10] emphasizes this configuration. Jelly
roll designs highlight supercapacitor portability, and multiple patents stress
their use in module construction.
Module housing compartments imparting robust designs are critical to
overall bank designs for high voltage applications. A patent by Maxwell
Technologies claims to have engineered the design of a module housing that
is unique in its ability to use tongue-and-groove connectors to extend the
housing if required to accommodate more cells; cells sizes may vary (U.S.
Patent 20070053140). The use of supercapacitor modules in photovoltaic cell
windmill technologies and their significance in auto industry applications
reveals their growing importance. Table 5.4 lists some of these designs.
A further review of patents, specifically hybrid or full electric vehicle
applications indicates that some corporations hold more than 20 patents pertaining to this technology (Figure 5.14). Matsushita Electric holds more than
100 patents. To complement the tabulation of maximum patents assigned,