Using technology licensed from Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute (RPI), the Paper Battery Company of Troy, New York
is creating supercapacitors by infusing cellulose with carbon nanotubes. The
result is a thin and flexible capacitor with a high energy density and a long
life span.
The paper supercapacitor has the potential to improve the
performance and battery life of many existing products. Because capacitors
charge and discharge quickly, applications that require high-energy bursts are
ideal for a battery/supercapacitor combo.
Maxwell Technologies
 Maxwell Technologies has tested supercapacitors in parallel
with alkaline batteries to improve the performance of a tube-cutting tool. This
tool has peak power requirements that are much higher than the tool's average
power demand.
The tube-cutter was first tested with the batteries alone.
Using four alkaline batteries, the tool made less than 10 cuts with each cut taking
considerably longer than 5 seconds. But while using the supercapacitor in
parallel with the battery, the tube-cutter was able to perform 100 cuts with a
3-5 second cut time.
Uses for Paper
Supercapacitors
The compact and flexible design of the paper supercapacitor
makes it a great option for products that can't take up considerable amount of
space. The supercapacitors will be manufactured in rolls, and the capacitors
can be cut and molded to fit specific shapes.
Improving performance of high peak power applications is
just one of the many potential uses for the paper supercapacitor. For example,
its high energy density and modular construction make it a potential candidate
for use in regenerative braking systems.
Resources:
http://www.maxwell.com/pdf/uc/superior_tools_casestudy.pdf
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