Innovative company, Empa, announces advancements in supercapacitor technology for electric vehicles.
Empa, a leading Swiss research group, is making significant strides in the development of graphene-based electrodes for supercapacitor technology. The team's latest advancements aim to improve energy density while enabling large-scale production suitable for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy systems.
Traditional supercapacitor electrodes, often made from activated carbon, have limited energy density due to their lower electrical conductivity. Empa's researchers have replaced this material with graphene, offering higher conductivity and improved energy storage through increased surface area for ion attachment.
The graphene is produced via a novel, efficient, and affordable method from graphite, enabling the production of printable graphene ink suitable for scalable industrial electrode manufacturing. This focus on practical scalability and large-scale commercial readiness is crucial to meet the growing demands of the EV and renewable energy storage industries.
Unlike batteries, supercapacitors have faster charge and discharge rates but lower energy density. They are suitable for regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles, industrial machinery, and wind turbines. The advancement in graphene-based electrodes is made possible by a proprietary exfoliation process, allowing for efficient and cost-effective conversion of graphite into high-quality graphene.
The team's graphene-based alternative aims to overcome the limitations of traditional electrodes by tuning the pore size of the electrode. This adjustment contributes to higher energy density and efficiency in the electrodes. The resulting printable graphene ink is compatible with roll-to-roll processing techniques already used in industry.
The research project, funded under Swiss innovation programs, includes collaborations targeting improvements in electrode materials and electrolyte systems to optimize supercapacitor functionality for structural and industrial use cases. The aim is to build functional supercapacitor prototypes, define process steps, and select compatible electrolytes. The project's timeline extends until 2028.
These advancements indicate Empa is bridging the gap between laboratory graphene supercapacitor research and commercial-scale applications. The potential benefits include improved fast energy storage and delivery systems for EVs and renewable power integration.
[1] Source: Empa Press Release [2] Source: Nature Energy [3] Source: Energy & Environmental Science [4] Source: Bridge Program [5] Source: Innosuisse
Science and technology are at the forefront of Empa's research, as they work to develop graphene-based electrodes for supercapacitor technology. Empa's team is pioneering the use of graphene, a material with higher conductivity and increased surface area for ion attachment, to overcome the limitations of traditional electrodes and improve energy density. This focus on science and technology is crucial for meeting the growing demands of the EV and renewable energy storage industries, with the aim of developing functional supercapacitor prototypes by 2028.
