Aerogel Composite Announces ENERGel Ultracapacitor
Aerogel Composite Inc. (ACI) has introduced its ENERGel™ Carbon Aerogel Ultracapacitor electrode material. The extremely high electrochemical surface area of ACI's ENERGel carbon aerogel enables very high rates of charge and discharge. Capacitances of more than 104 F/g and energy densities of more than 325 kJ/kg have been demonstrated with carbon aerogels ultracapacitors.
Additionally, power densities of up to 20 kW/kg have been achieved. This is orders of magnitude higher than what conventional capacitors offer. ACI believes that its ENERGel carbon aerogel is a superior option for applications such as specialized electrodes.
Aerogels are solid substances similar to gels but where the internal liquid is replaced with air. Aerogels rank among the world's lowest density solids. They are very porous and light, and have remarkably high internal surface area. Their microstructure and physical properties can be manipulated at the nanometer scale by selection of raw material and modification of manufacturing conditions.
Aerogel products can be engineered to exhibit desired thermal, acoustic, mechanical and/or chemical properties. Aerogel materials can be produced as monoliths, thin-films, powders, or micro-spheres to respond to given application requirements.
An ultracapacitor is an electrochemical capacitor that has an unusually large amount of energy storage capability relative to its size when compared to common capacitors. These are of particular interest in automotive applications for hybrid vehicles and as supplemental storage for battery electric vehicles.
