About Ultracapacitors PDF Print E-mail
Ultracapacitor (Also known as Electric Double Layer Capacitor) is a newly developed technology positioned between the conventional capacitors and the rechargeable batteries. Ultracapacitors offer a shift in thought, circumventing the battery scramble, and instead attempt to elicit greater efficiency from existing power sources.

Ultracapacitors are free from the characteristic battery problems of limited cycle life, cold intolerance, and critical charging rates. It is also environmentally friendly, helps conserve energy, and enhances the performance and portability of consumer devices.

Ultracapacitors (or EDLC) store electricity in the boundary face between a solid substance and a liquid substance. Active carbon (solid) and an organic solvent (liquid) are used. When the two materials are attached, Electric Double Layer with plus and minus electric poles appears relatively close. If you energize the electric poles in ionic liquid at a level which does not induce electrolysis, ions are attracted to the electric poles so the poles store the electricity (physical absorption). In contrast, if the poles discharge the electricity, the ions come away from the poles and the liquid is neutralized. The ultracapacitor has advantages below:
  • Rechargeable Any Number of Times: Compared to conventional lead-acid batteries that degrade after a certain number of charge/discharge cycles, the ultracapacitor can be recharged almost indefinitely as it uses physical absorption instead of a chemical reaction.
  • Rapid Chargeability: In physical absorption, the speed of ionic movement is much faster than a chemical reaction. That means that ultracapacitors can be charged much faster than a lead battery, also it can discharge the high current in seconds.
  • Useable in Low Temperatures: Physical Absorption is less affected by temperature than chemical reaction types. So the ultracapacitor can be used in lower temperatures, as they would function at temperatures as low as -25oC where lead batteries would fail.
  • Environmentally Friendly: The ultracapacitor consists of environmentally friendly active carbon and organic solvent, whereas a conventional battery is made from heavy metals such as lead. The ultracapacitor does not harm the environment and can be disposed of without special process.
  • No Maintenance or Relevant Costs: The ultracapacitor has a life span that can go up to 15 years; conventional systems with batteries require a battery change every 2-3 years, which is translated into maintenance and replacement costs.
  • Small Size: The ultracapacitor also is much smaller in size than a comparable capacity battery. Allowing products of small size and higher portability.

Ultracapacitors can replace batteries in outdoor solar-lighting products. Although its energy is less compared to a battery, it's enough to light up the garden, drive away, garden path or any place.

The ultracapacitor is much well suited over batteries in solar lighting products: Because an ultracapacitor transfers electrical charges between conducting materials, it can be charged and discharged almost indefinitely, which removes annoying maintenance problem, whereas few batteries, using chemical reactions, can last 1000 cycles. In addition, the ultracapacitor can also be charged effectively regardless of weather conditions.