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New nanostructured electrodes for supercapacitors
Country of Origin: Spain
Reference Number: TOES20211013001
Publication Date: 13 October 2021
Summary
A Spanish university research group has developed a process to obtain nanostructured silver electrodes with a nanoporous structure in 3D, based on an anti-replication/replication method, by using electrochemical manufacturing techniques. The process also allows to obtain a nanostructured silver electrode with high electrical capacities and also with chromoactive behavior. Companies in the energy field are sought to develop applications of the described invention under license agreements.
Description
Energy storage technology is essential for the development of SmartGrids, electric vehicles and its infrastructure, and for fulfilling the global commitment to use renewable energy sources.
To increase competitiveness in these sectors, it is essential to be able to store and provide energy for a longer time. Nowadays there is an intense research effort in the field of supercapacitors improving the storage energy density of such devices but there are challenges that have not yet been overcome.
Researchers from a Spanish university working in applied physics have developed a new high performance chromoactive nanostructured electrode with application in high-efficiency storage and delivery of electrical charge, and a new procedure for obtaining such electrode based on an anti-replication/replication process. This new fabrication method is reproducible, low-cost and with low environmental impact, as well as easily scalable to a mass-production level.
The university would like to reach license agreements with companies operating in the energy storage field with the aim to develop applications of the described technology.
Advantages and Innovations
Regarding the new electrode:
- It allows the development of energy storage systems that are much more efficient and effective than those that currently exist. The technological development proposed in this invention represents an extraordinary advance to develop electrodes for supercapacitors, through an easily scalable, reproducible and inexpensive procedure.
- It has a high nanostructural development, which is a key factor for it to be able to store a large amount of electrical energy.
- It has high working stability in cyclical conditions and in basic environments.
- It has chromoactive behaviour, which greatly facilitates its use, since, by visually observing a simple change in the colour of the material, it is possible to know if the supercapacitor device is charged or discharged and if it is working correctly.
- It has many qualities and high performance for its use as an electrode for supercapacitors (high capacity, low current leakage and low self-discharge value, high energy and power density values, as well as high coulombic efficiency), making it a very versatile and interesting product compared to others on the market.
Regarding the new procedure:
- It is simple and economical, since it is carried out using an anti-replication/replication process based on electrochemical methods with high levels of performance, reproducibility and production capacity.
- It can be easily implemented at an industrial level, by simply adapting the facilities that industries such as the ones in the steel field currently have (e.g. those used in galvanizing processes). This makes it an easily scalable procedure with minimal investment.
- It is respectful with the environment, since it allows to work at room temperature, low working voltages are employed for its fabrication and employs short synthesis times.
- It allows to obtain an electrode of a noble metal that is easy to handle without the need to use other types of materials in its making.
Stage Of Development
Under development/lab tested
Stage Of Development Comment
TRL4 [Technology validated in the laboratory (i.e. the design, development and laboratory analysis of the technological components has been carried out. There is a “low fidelity” prototype)].
Requested partner
Type of partner sought: Industry.
Specific area of activity of the partner: Companies working in the energy field.
Task to be performed: Development of applications of the described invention.
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