Supercapacitors - definition
Supercapacitors - definition
Supercapacitors is an electrical energy storage element characterised by much higher capacitance than traditional Electrolytic capacitors, but operating on different principles than classical chemical cells. Also known as a double-layer capacitor or ultracapacitor, it uses the phenomenon of a double electrical layer and, in some designs, the pseudo-capacitive effect, which allows very large charges to be stored while maintaining a relatively small size and high charge-discharge cycle efficiency.
Supercapacitors' structure is based on the use of electrodes with a large specific surface area, usually made of porous activated carbon, and electrolyte, in which charge separation takes place at the phase boundary. This process results in the formation of an electrical double layer, whose capacity can reach hundreds or thousands farads (F). A full chemical reaction does not take place, as in Rechargeable Batteries, resulting in a much longer life of the device - the number of cycles can reach millions.
Supercapacitors combine the characteristics of Capacitors and Rechargeable Batteries, offering high power density (i.e. the ability to transfer energy quickly) and moderate energy density (i.e. the amount of energy stored per mass or volume). Their operating voltage is relatively low, so series circuits with additional balancing circuits are often used.
In practice, they are used in energy recovery systems (e.g. KERS in vehicles), emergency power supplies, mobile devices, consumer electronics, and as an energy buffer in pulsed systems and systems renewable energy sources. Their advantages include fast charging, low resistance internal resistance and resistance to extreme temperature and mechanical conditions.
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