The online magazine for system integrators -- amongst others
|
|
|
Texan boffins make ultracapacitor breakthrough
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS BOFFINS have used one-atom thick 'graphene' as a new carbon-based material for storing electrical charge in ultracapacitor devices.
The move is tipped to allow massive installation of renewable energies such as wind and solar power.
Graphene, which is a form of carbon, could eventually double the capacity of existing ultracapacitors.
According to Science Daily (which we get for the 'spot the ball' contest) electrical charge can be rapidly stored and released on graphene sheets to deliver energy.
Rod Ruoff, a mechanical engineering professor and a physical chemist said the ability to store electrical charge can be about double that of current commercially-used materials.
The technology, if it passes its lab tests, could significantly improve the efficiency and performance of electric and hybrid cars, buses, trains and trams. µ
L'Inq
Science Daily
Share this:
Share
Capacitors can be made with high ratings already, but what's important is the cost of making them, they have to be cheap to be a contender unless it's for NASA maybe.
If you are going by claims, this is unimpressive. EEstor, another Texas company, claims to have ultracapacitor material more than an order of magnitude better at absorbing electricity than "current commercial ultracapacitors."

The real trick is to get it to market.