Large-capacity capacitor is expected to replace the current battery
No need to replace the use of semi-permanent
Traditional rechargeable laptop battery electrolyte and the electrode as a result of the adoption of the chemical reaction between to produce electricity, so charging a certain amount of time it takes. After several charge and discharge, the gradual decomposition of the electrolyte, deterioration of materials, performance also declined, the use of a few years are to be replaced.
In contrast, capacitors do not have a chemical reaction, can be stored directly into electricity. Charge is not only a very short time required, but also in the instantaneous release of large amounts of current, a large output power. Since the charge and discharge can be repeated hundreds of thousands of times, so basically no need to replace toshiba battery, you can use semi-permanent.
However, the original low-energy density capacitors exist shortcomings, if the current so strong can not long remain. Therefore, like the original button-type capacitors as small-scale products, only as a memory, such as electronic equipment components to the use of standby power.
In recent years, increased energy density of the large-capacity capacitors have come out in succession, but also increases the size. Therefore be limited to the scope of application, such as hybrid electric trucks are less stringent requirements on the size of the product. Demonstration of the above-mentioned activities of the capacitors fall into this category, the length and width is 20cm, the thickness of about 5cm.
Development from the recent trend, substantially reduce the size of capacitor batteries have been just around the corner. Because the energy density is expected to nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries and a considerable level. Batteries size Ni-MH battery products have been widely available. In other words, fast charging, the use of semi-permanent rechargeable battery size has also been expected to be reduced to only the size of batteries.
Directly to the power stored up
The principle of electric double layer capacitors are generally like this: in the applied voltage to charge from the carbon cathode used in the release of the negatively charged electron. Lose electrons become positively charged part of the space (hole), it can attract anions in the electrolyte.
E-flow through the collector anode, and electrolyte cation bonding with each other to attract. With the anion hole, electronic and cation continued to maintain the size of a few atoms from the (electric double layer). This is the storage of state power, even if the charge will not stop changing.
When the capacitor connected to the electrical equipment on the power supply, the electronic return to positive from negative ion electrode left. And charge e moving in the opposite direction completely mobile and the formation of current. Does not occur as a result of chemical reactions, and so we can charge and discharge in a timely fashion.
The reason why the performance of battery-capacitor can be increased because the improved performance can be effectively capacitor circuit, as well as the carbon electrode materials used. This development has been the president of Power Systems by Michio Okamura conducted. Okamura in Okamura 1987, founded the Institute (in November 2004 with the merger of dynamical systems), since 1992 to study how the electric double layer capacitors used in power storage.
In order to effectively play the moment the current release of a great advantage, at the time on how to reduce the internal resistance of capacitors have been carefully studied. Because they take into account that if the high internal resistance there will be more energy into heat energy, thereby reducing the efficiency of charging and discharging. On the other hand, to reduce the internal resistance, then it is difficult to increase the energy density.
Okamura, who then proceed with the development of priority to improve the energy density of carbon materials. Despite the high internal resistance, but through the circuit to curb energy into heat. The final "performance increased by 20 times" (Okamura). Okamura this circuit by the new composition of materials and storage system named "ECaSS".
Okamura again later founded the Institute as the center, and 20 would like to ECaSS utility company into a joint development. Electric double layer capacitor is able to close the energy density nickel-metal hydride batteries, mainly due to the birth of this process the carbon material. This is determined by Okamura, one of the Institute and its partners - physical and chemical equipment manufacturers to develop the Japanese electronics out.
Ion into carbon materials
Electric double layer capacitor electrode is used in the original high-temperature treatment of carbon through the formation of the activated carbon. As the surface of numerous small hole, so as the electrode, increase the use of plasma in contact with the surface area, can store more electricity. However, irregular hole size is the problem pa3399u-2brs battery, toshiba satellite a100 battery. Hole too difficult to bring into full play, then the efficiency per unit area, is too small, then the same again and there is no hole.
Increase in contact area of activated carbon, the researchers found that a particular phenomenon. If a longer period of time after high temperature treatment of carbon materials as electrodes, even if not a small hole can store several times more than electricity.
After a survey found that the carbon ions in the internal, open a line of its own nano-size (1 nanometer = one billion per 1 meter) level of the small hole. According to deliberately create the phenomenon of carbon materials, Okamura be named as the "carbon nano-gate."
Okamura then with the Japanese Institute of Electronic and continue their research, but published the results of the first is the Japanese electronics. And the realization of the door using the carbon nano-carbon technology, exclusive materials, in October 2003 made a substantial increase in energy density capacitors.
Japanese electronics capacitors capacitor technology development subsidiary of the High (ACT) company management Jiangkou Minister Junichiro explained: "through the use of manufacturing methods and molecular structure is totally different from the original carbon, making the energy density per unit area of activated carbon to achieve the original 10 around times. "affected by the impact of this news, shares of Japanese electronics trading for five days.
Power Systems has also developed the use of carbon nano-gate capacitor technology, product performance improvement than the original. Estimated that the two companies will start mass production in 2005, Japan Electronics goal is to reach 50 in 2006 billion yen in the business size, and power systems are planned for the business year 2007 to more than ¥ 10,000,000,000. Okamura said, smiling: "Now through the trial stage at last, begun to consider the issue of commercial sales."
But the subject is facing the biggest cost. The two companies that "can significantly reduce the cost of production" (ACT president usamii enjoy), but the internal capacitor unit for at least the current average price is tens of thousands of yen. In other words, in order to increase the capacity and will be processed into units side-by-side box, prices will reach the number of ¥ 100,000 to several million yen.
Seize the hybrid market
Therefore the companies have to consider and give full play to the advantages of large output power, hoping to form a high-volume production, such as for hybrid sales. As the energy density per unit volume of lithium-ion batteries can not keep up with, such as capacitors are not suitable for small devices like mobile phones. At the moment is to be applied to small-scale equipment for the goal to improve, to intensify the effect of the adoption of mass production to reduce costs.
Although the case, but has a rechargeable battery from the phone to the hybrid in a variety of fields have been widely used. At the same time, new technology available, such as NEC has developed a short charging time of the rapid organic battery. Rechargeable battery market in the first ranking of the Institute of Sanyo Electric energy meters long Jin Yu Lang insisted that: "(capacitors) the inadequacies of many has been overcome, at the same time has been the development of rechargeable batteries."
While the cost side is not yet resolved, but the performance of the capacitor has been raised, one side is already in volume production, cost also has been recognized by rechargeable batteries. Capacitor is finally standing on the starting line of the battery with the lead between the rechargeable battery is expected to gradually shorten the distance.
Mitsubishi solid oxide fuel cell
Japan's Mitsubishi Materials and Kansai Electric Power recently successfully developed a good durability of the new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), even if the 1000 hours continuous operation, voltage drop rate is still zero (Figure 1, 2). +800 ℃ in temperature the following work, the power of 1kW. The use of city gas fuel. Mitsubishi Materials is responsible for 1kW-class power generation modules, Kansai Electric Power is responsible for the development of power generation systems.
For the use of fuel cell power generation system, NEDO (Japan Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) has developed a year ago in 2007 the realization of 10kW-class system in continuous operation after 3000 hours, 1000 hours per average rate of voltage drops below the target 0.25% . The two companies said that "products developed by NEDO of not less than the target."
In addition, developed by Mitsubishi Materials of 1kW-class power generation modules, an improved internal structure, so that power generation efficiency (LHV: low calorific value) from a substantial increase of 55.3% to 57.6% toshiba satellite a105 battery, toshiba satellite a80 battery. This value is "hot self-state (in the fuel, air and water heated to the temperature required for power generation, but also to maintain the temperature of power module)" of the value, the company referred to as the "realization of the world's highest level of power efficiency" .
As a practical issue of performance, Mitsubishi Materials and Kansai Electric Power cited (1) to increase power generation; (2) to improve the efficiency of electricity generation; (3) to improve the durability of 3:00. Based on the success of this development, in the power generation efficiency and durability, the two sides that "has reached the practical level." In future, efforts to improve power generation at the same time, the load will change as well as the repeated start-up and shutdown operating conditions at a time when changes in performance can be tested, to further improve the performance of power modules. "In preparation for the end of 2006 for medium-sized shops and small factories and other units, the introduction of 10kW ~ 100kW-class power generation system"
