Abstract: An electrode for an energy storage device, including a substrate of at least one metal that forms a native oxide layer; and a treated layer formed on the substrate from the native oxide layer, the treated layer having a resistance that is less than the resistance of a native oxide layer. In some embodiments, the treated layer possesses at least one of the following properties: includes one or more dopants, is thinner than the native oxide layer, has a carbon coating that is applied to the treated layer which improved adhesion characteristics, and others. Further, there is an energy storage device having two or more of such electrodes, wherein the device has a low initial ESR and/or a low ESR at various intervals. Moreover, disclosed is a low resistance metal including a substrate of at least one metal that forms a native oxide layer; and a treated layer formed on the substrate from the native oxide layer, the treated layer having a resistance that is less than the resistance of a native oxide layer.

Abstract: A power supply is for an electrical load in the form of a Notebook computer. The power supply includes first terminals which extend from the computer for releasably electrically connecting with a first energy storage device in the form of a battery during a first interval. A second energy storage device, in the form a second battery, releasably electrically connects with terminals during a second interval spaced apart from the first interval. This allows power to be supplied to the load during those intervals. A capacitive energy storage device supplies power to the load during a third interval that spans the spacing between the first and the second intervals.

Abstract: A surface mount energy storage device in the form of a supercapacitor (1) includes a generally rectangular folded prismatic housing (2) and two energy storage elements (not shown) that are sealingly contained within the housing (2) and which are connected in series. A mount, in the form of an integrally formed tinned metal frame (3), extends about and captively retains housing (2) in the folded configuration shown. Two terminals, in the form of elongate contacts (4, 5) extend from the energy storage elements and terminate outside housing (2) for allowing external electrical connection to the elements.

Abstract: A charge storage device comprising: a first electrode, a second electrode being opposed to and spaced apart from the first electrode; a porous separator disposed between the electrodes; a sealed package for containing the electrodes, the separator and an electrolyte in which the electrodes are immersed; and a first terminal and a second terminal being electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode respectively and both extending from the package to allow external electrical connection to the respective electrodes, wherein the gravimetric FOM of the device is greater than about 2.1 Watts/gram.

Abstract: A power supply (1) for a pulsed load (2) includes a first energy storage device in the form of a battery (3) which is in parallel with a second energy storage device in the form of a supercapacitor (4). Battery (3) and supercapacitor (4) are respectively modelled as: an ideal battery (7) in series with an internal resistance (8); and an ideal capacitor (9) in series with an equivalent series resistance (ESR) (10). Through use of a supercapacitor (4) having a low ESR with respect to the resistance (8), the power supply (1) facilitates continuity of supply to load (2). That is, during peak demand more of the load current will be supplied by supercapacitor (4) due to the lower ESR. Moreover, during times of lower load current demands the battery recharges the supercapacitor. This reduces the peak current needed to be provided by the battery and thereby improves battery longevity.

Abstract: A charge storage device (1) includes a sealed prismatic housing (2). Two opposed folded rectangular aluminium electrodes (3, 4) are disposed within housing (2) and connected to respective metal terminals (5, 6) for allowing external electrical connection to the electrodes. A porous, electronically insulating separator material, e.g. Solupor™, sheet separator (7) is disposed intermediate electrodes (3, 4) for maintaining those electrodes in a fixed spaced apart configuration. An electrolyte (not shown) is also disposed intermediate the electrodes. Collecting means in the form of a scavenging agent is grafted to separator (7) for sequestering one or more predetermined contaminants from the housing.

Abstract: A charge storage device comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode being opposed to and spaced apart from the first electrode; a porous separator disposed between the electrodes; a sealed package for containing the electrodes, the separator and an electrolyte in which the electrodes are immersed; and a first terminal and a second terminal being electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode respectively and both extending from the package to allow external electrical connection to the respective electrodes, wherein the gravimetric FOM of the device is greater than about 2.1 Watts/gram.

Abstract: A power supply (1) is for an electrical load in the form of a Notebook computer (2). Power supply (1) includes first terminals (3, 4) which extend from computer (2) for releasably electrically connecting with a first energy storage device in the form of battery (5) during a first interval. A second energy storage device, in the form a second battery (not shown), releaseably electrically connects with terminals (3, 4) during a second interval spaced apart from the first interval. This allows power to be supplied to the load during those intervals. A capacitive energy storage device, designated generally by reference numeral (6), supplies power to the load during a third interval that spans the spacing between the first and the second intervals.

Abstract: A power supply (1) for a pulsed load (2) includes a first energy storage device in the form of a battery (3) which is in parallel with a second energy storage device in the form of a supercapacitor (4). Battery (3) and supercapacitor (4) are respectively modelled as: an ideal battery (7) in series with an internal resistance (8); and an ideal capacitor (9) in series with an equivalent series resistance (ESR) (10). Through use of a supercapacitor (4) having a low ESR with respect to the resistance (8), the power supply (1) facilitates continuity of supply to load (2). That is, during peak demand more of the load current will be supplied by supercapacitor (4) due to the lower ESR. Moreover, during times of lower load current demands the battery recharges the supercapacitor. This reduces the peak current needed to be provided by the battery and thereby improves battery longevity.

Abstract: A charge storage device includes a layered strip which is folded lengthways along fold lines (14, 15) in the directions indicated by arrows (16, 17) to form a folded layered strip (18). Strip (18) is then cut to a predetermined length (19). After the proportions of activated and conductive carbon, and the thickness of the paste, have been settled the length to which strip (18) is cut is the final determining factor for the capacitance, time constant, power density and energy density of the charge storage device. The cut length (19) is then folded crossways along fold lines (20, 21) in the directions indicated by respective arrows (22, 23) to form a twice folded structure (24).

Abstract: A charge storage device comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode being opposed to and spaced apart from the first electrode; a porous separator disposed between the electrodes; a sealed package for containing the electrodes, the separator and an electrolyte in which the electrodes are immersed; and a first terminal and a second terminal being electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode respectively and both extending from the package to allow external electrical connection to the respective electrodes, wherein the gravimetric FOM of the device is greater than about 2.1 Watts/gram.

Abstract: A flexible charge storage device in the form a supercapacitor includes a flexible capacitive element, which is housed within a flexible package. The capacitive element includes a plurality of interleaved sheet electrodes which have an insulator or separator between them and which are stacked in a face-to-face configuration. Alternate electrodes are interconnected by way of respective opposed tabs that extend outwardly from the capacitive element. The supercapacitor also includes a first terminal and a second terminal that are respectively electrically connected with the opposed tabs. The flexible package includes a single folded sheet. Ends of the package, as well as the portions of both sides, which overlap, are fixedly and sealingly abutted against one another by way of heat welding or the like. Accordingly, an electrolyte is retained within the package.

Abstract: An energy storage device in the form of a cylindrical double layer capacitor (1) includes a plurality of integrally formed first electrode members (2) which each extend between a first end (3) and a second end (4). A plurality of integrally formed second electrode members (5) each extend between a third end (6) and a fourth end (7). As shown, members (5) are interleaved with members (2) such that ends (7) are located intermediate ends (3, 4) of the adjacent members (2). An insulator in the form of carbon layer (8) are disposed between adjacent members (2, 5) to prevent electrical contact therebetween. First contact means in the form of flanges (11) extend from respective ends (3) of each member (2) and electrically connect all the first members. Flanges (11) provide a site for the metallisation of particles thereupon. Those particles form a porous connection layer (12) for an electrical terminal (13) for members (2). Flanges (11) also form a barrier against the ingress of the particles beyond ends (3).