High energy density and high power density ultracapacitors and supercapacitors

Abstract

Ultracapacitor and supercapacitor designs wherein two discrete metal film current collectors of the prior art, one for each of the cathode and anode, are replaced by a single thin polymer film. The polymer film is typically several microns thick and metallized on both sides. The thickness of the metallization is varied from several hundred to several thousand .ANG.ngstroms depending upon the particular application. This metallization serves as the positive and negative electrodes (current collectors) which are spatially separated by the polymer dielectric film. The resulting reduction of volume increases the volumetric energy density and the reduction of mass increases the gravimetric energy density. The electrolyte solvent/salt system can be selected to provide useful individual cell voltages as high as 5 volts. The voltage is limited only by the electrolytic stability of the solvent and salt. Ultracapacitors fabricated in accordance with the present invention may have energy densities exceeding 10 watt-hours per kilogram and volumetric energy densities exceeding 15 watt-hours per liter. Values which are yet higher are feasible with supercapacitors fabricated in accordance with the present invention.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.