In ultracapacitors, the electrode is based on carbon technology that allows for a large surface area. The combination of this surface area and a very small charge separation gives the ultracapacitors high energy density. Most ultracapacitors are rated in Farads and can typically be found in the 1-5kF range. Depending on the application needed, ultracapacitors may be used as battery replacements or enable smaller, economical battery selection. Ultracapacitors have low equivalent series resistance(ESR),allowing them to deliver and absorb high currents. The“mechanical” rather than chemical charge-carrier mechanisms enable long, predictable life with a smoother performance change over time. Applications benefiting from these characteristics include regenerative braking and other quick-charge scenarios such as in toys and tools. Some applications are suited for battery/ultracapacitor systems. Designs can be optimized to prevent battery over sizing for power demands. Examples include applications in consumer electronics such as digital cameras, in which an inexpensive alkaline battery is combined with an ultracapacitor rather than using expensive Li-ion batteries), and automotive applications such as hybrid power trains.

Based on existing technology, ultracapacitors possess high power and energy density compared with electrolytic capacitors. In recent years, these devices have found their way into consumer electronics, industrial and automotive applications. Today, the best ultracapacitors are extremely high-power devices with power densities of up to 20kW/kg. Compact in size (small-cell ultracapacitors are often the size of a postage stamp, or smaller),ultracapacitors can store much more energy than conventional capacitors and can release that energy quickly or slowly. They have long life and are designed to last the lifetime of the end product. Capacitors are one of the most fundamental building blocks used to create the amazing electronic devices that we are surrounded with on a daily basis.

Whether it is the MP3 players that have now become ubiquitous, the wireless router on your desk that makes getting e-mail and accessing the web almost embarrassingly easy, or one of the ever increasing number of hybrid vehicles on the road, capacitors are there.

An alternative to ultracapacitors is fuel-cell technology using proton exchange membrane(PEM), which is a high efficiency energy conversion device that can operate continuously for as long as hydrogen fuel is available. It is environmentally benign and can provide a reliable source of backup power for many applications. Since the amount of energy needed is limited, ultracapacitors are a better choice for most applications. Today, more fuel-cell companies are looking at the ultracapacitor as an integral component of their total package for backup power requirements. Ceramic Capacitors are available from sizes that can barely been seen with the naked eye to very large configurations that have multiple agency certifications and can be used in safety-sensitive applications. This type of capacitor is also offered with multilayer construction or as a single layer disc type. Various dielectric choices are available.

About Ultracapacitors

Ultracapacitors, also known as electro chemical double layer capacitors (EDLC) or super capacitors, differ from their chemical power storage counterparts in that ultracapacitors supply large bursts of energy and recharge quickly.