Ultracapacitors comprised of mineral microtubules

#This invention relates in one embodiment to compositions and articles that include microtubules of halloysite clay; and more particularly to compositions comprised of halloysite clay microtubules that have high electrical capacitance, and articles comprised of halloysite clay microtubules which may be used as ultracapacitors in electrical circuits.

#1. Field of the Invention

#Compositions of matter that have high electrical capacitance, and articles comprised of such compositions which may be used as ultracapacitors in electrical circuits.

#The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

#FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a general process for converting a mined microtubule clay mineral into a product, or for preparing such mineral for use in a process;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one preferred process for performing the step of final comminution of halloysite clay particles without substantial crushing or length reduction of the microtubules thereof;

#The present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

#For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements. In describing the present invention, a variety of terms are used in the description. Standard terminology is widely used in mineral processing, separation, and purification art. For example, one may refer to the SME Mining Engineering Handbook, 2nd Ed. Volume 1, 1992, published by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. One may also refer to Mineral Processing Technology, 6th Ed., B. A. Wills, Butterworth Heinemann, 1997. With regard to liquid filtration technology, one may refer to the “Filter and Filtration Handbook”, 4th Ed., T. Christopher Dickenson, Elsevier Advanced Technology, 1997.

#With regard to liquid filtration and the handling of multiphase fluids, a variety of terms are used in the description. As used herein, a two phase fluid is meant to be a fluid comprising a liquid phase in which either substantially solid particles are dispersed therethrough, or a first liquid phase in which droplets or particles of a second liquid phase immiscible with such first liquid phase are dispersed through such first liquid phase. A multiphase fluid is meant to be a fluid comprising a first liquid phase in which at least one additional second solid or liquid phase is dispersed therethrough.