US 12,354,796 B2 · Dual function energy-storing supercapacitor-based carbon fiber composite for body panels of a vehicle

Abstract

A dual-function supercapacitor carbon fiber composite stores electrical energy and functions, for example, as the body shell of electric vehicles (EVs). This is achieved with a vertically aligned graphene on carbon fiber electrode, upon which metal oxides were deposited to obtain ultra-high energy density anode and cathode. A high-strength multilayer carbon composite assembly is fabricated using an alternate layer patterning configuration of epoxy and polyacrylamide gel electrolyte. The energized composite delivers a high areal energy density of 0.31 mWh cm−2 at 0.3 mm thickness and showed a high tensile strength of 518 MPa, bending strength of 477 MPa, and impact strength 2666 J/m. To show application in EVs, a toy car body fabricated with energized composite operates using the energy stored inside the frame. Moreover, when integrated with a solar cell, this composite powered an IoT (internet of things) device, showing feasibility in communication satellites.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of making an energy storing carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite, the method comprising:

depositing cathode material patches at spaced locations on a first cross-weaved carbon fiber mat to form a first cathode, the deposited cathode material patches collectively having a first configuration;
depositing anode material patches at spaced locations on a second cross-weaved carbon fiber mat to form a first anode, the deposited anode material patches collectively having a second configuration that matches the first configuration;
and
stacking the first and second cross-weaved carbon fiber mats so that the cathode material patches substantially align with the anode material patches with a first separator cross-weaved glass fiber mat positioned between the first and second cross-weaved carbon fiber mats,
wherein the first separator cross-weaved glass fiber mat includes electrolyte coating patches on both sides, the electrolyte coating patches having a third configuration that matches the first and second configurations;
and
wherein the spaces between the cathode material patches, the anode material patches, and the electrolyte coating patches include a filler material.

4 more elements

An energy storing carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite comprising:

a first cathode including cathode material patches at spaced locations on a first cross-weaved carbon fiber mat, the deposited cathode material patches collectively having a first configuration;
a first anode including anode material patches at spaced locations on a second cross-weaved carbon fiber mat, the deposited anode material patches collectively having a second configuration that matches the first configuration;
and
a first separator cross-weaved glass fiber mat positioned between the first and second cross-weaved carbon fiber mats,
wherein the first and second cross-weaved carbon fiber mats are stacked so that the cathode material patches substantially align with the anode material patches;
wherein the first separator cross-weaved glass fiber mat includes electrolyte coating patches on both sides, the electrolyte coating patches having a third configuration that matches the first and second configurations;
and
wherein the spaces between the cathode material patches, the anode material patches, and the electrolyte coating patches include a filler material.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual function energy-storing supercapacitor-based carbon fiber composite for body panels of a vehicle

Life of this patent

Dual function energy-storing supercapacitor-based carbon fiber composite for body panels of a vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16