Second-Generation Hybrid Electrolyte Supercapacitor

ended

The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy has created an eminent demand for energy-storage solutions because of the intermittent nature of these energy sources. Batteries are the most common solution but other less known technologies like fuel cells and supercapacitors are also used where their characteristics are more suited for the given application. E.g. supercapacitors for high power energy storage to utilize regenerative braking more efficiently. The prevalence of such technologies is to a large extent limited by their cost-effectiveness. Today’s supercapacitors are based on an electrolyte system which was established in the 80s. This pure organic electrolyte system has a significantly higher potential stability window compared to classical aqueous electrolytes, but at the same time a much higher cost and a high impact on the environment if accidently released. A recent discovery of the exact nature which limits the potential stability of aqueous supercapacitor electrolytes has formed the foundation of an invention of a new hybrid electrolyte system which combines the advantages of both organic and aqueous electrolytes. This invention has formed the basis for the formation of the company Innocell ApS which purpose is to bring the first generation of hybrid electrolyte supercapacitors to the market. Currently the cell voltage achieved with the first-generation electrolyte is 2.3 V which results in comparable performance with today’s supercapacitors because of the increased capacitance and conductivity that is a characteristic of the hybrid electrolyte. However, it is expected that a further development of electrolyte system could result in a voltage of 2.8 V which combined with the higher capacitance, conductivity and lower cost of the hybrid electrolyte would revolutionize the supercapacitor industry. It would be the core task of the innovation associate to device a strategy and help Innocell develop this second-generation electrolyte.