Abstract: A portable battery-powered electronic device including a battery, a microprocessor and a display screen is provided. The device is characterised in that it further includes an integral rechargeable battery-charging unit connected to the battery comprising: a supercapacitor comprised of one or more sheets of graphene or a graphene-containing material; a power module adapted to provide up to 40 amps to the supercapacitor from a source of alternating current rated at 100 volts or above; an output converter adapted to deliver direct current power from the supercapacitor to the battery; and a control module adapted to control the delivery of the direct current power from the supercapacitor to the battery. Also provided is a device in which an integral rechargeable unit is the sole source of power of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging one or more capacitors from a battery (18) comprising a DC-DC converter (130) coupleable between the battery (18) and the one or more capacitors (122). The apparatus is arranged to draw a supply current from the battery (18) and supply a charging current to the one or more capacitors (122). The DC-DC converter (130) determines a supply power drawn from the battery (18) and alters the supply current drawn from the battery (18) dependent upon the determined supply power. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for harvesting and storing triboelectric charge generated on an exterior surface of a moving vehicle is provided. It is characterised by comprising; a supercapacitor comprised of nano-carbon-containing electrodes; an ionic liquid electrolyte and at least one ion-permeable porous membrane; at least one first element exposed to aerodynamically-induced frictional forces acting thereon and on which the charge is caused to build up and connected to at least one of the electrodes of one polarity; at least one second element having a lower electrostatic potential than the charge-collecting element and connected to at least one of the electrodes of the other polarity; a voltage modification or impedance conversion circuit arranged between the first and/or second elements and the supercapacitor; means to connect the device to an operative component requiring electrical power and a controller for managing the performance of the device and switching between energy-harvesting and energy-utilisation modes.

Abstract: A composite structure for an electric energy storage device is envisioned. The structure is made of a metal substrate and a metal oxide layer disposed over a majority of the metal substrate with the metal oxide layer being comprised of a first and second metals. Carbon nanotubes are disposed on the metal oxide layer. In an embodiment the first metal and the second metal are each selected from a group consisting of: iron, nickel, aluminum, cobalt, copper, chromium, and gold.

Abstract: An electrical device is provided. It is characterised by comprising: at least one operative element for performing the assigned duty of the device; a supercapacitor comprised of nano-carbon containing electrodes, an ionic liquid electrolyte and an ion-permeable membrane for powering the operative element and/or recharging an associated battery; a charging circuit for recharging the supercapacitor by means of an external source of power; a control circuit for controlling operation of the operative element; a monitoring circuit for monitoring one or more parameters characteristic of the performance of the supercapacitor and/or the operative element and for generating corresponding status information; a transmitter for transmitting a first signal comprising the status information to a remote receiving location and a receiver for receiving a second signal from the remote receiving location comprising instructions to be acted on by the control unit and optionally the operative element.

Abstract: A composite electrode structure and methods of making and using thereof are disclosed. The structure has a metal substrate with a metal oxide layer. The average thickness of the metal oxide layer is less than 150 nm, and comprises at least a first metal and a second metal, wherein the first metal and the second metal are different elements. A plurality of carbon nanotubes is disposed on a first surface of the metal oxide layer. At least a portion of the carbon nanotubes are disposed such that one end of the carbon nanotube is positioned at least 5 nm below the surface of the metal oxide layer.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device is provided and comprises: an assembly for carrying out the intended use of the device including a microprocessor and a strap by means of which the assembly can be attached to the body of the wearer characterised in that the strap includes at least one supercapacitor comprised of nanocarbon-containing electrodes and/or ionic liquid electrolytes and a first connector adapted to connect an external electrical power source to the supercapacitor for purposes of recharging.

Abstract: A method of reducing outgassing in a supercapacitor comprised of carbon-containing electrodes and at least one ionic liquid is characterised by the steps of (a) contacting the carbon-containing electrodes with a tetrafluoroborate salt; (b) applying a potential difference across the carbon-containing electrodes whilst in contact with the salt in a cycle during which electrical charge is stored on and discharged from the electrodes; and (c) continuing further cycles of step (b) until such time as substantially no further outgassing from the system occurs.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery charger is provided and is characterized by comprising a supercapacitor comprised of one or more sheets of graphene or a graphene-containing material, a power module adapted to provide a current up to 40 amps to the supercapacitor from a source of alternating current rated at 100 volts or above, an output converter adapted to deliver direct current power from the supercapacitor to an output port for connecting to a battery-powered electrical device, and a control module adapted to control various functions of the rechargeable battery charger automatically and/or for managing and regulating a variable output from the supercapacitor. The rechargeable battery charger is especially useful for recharging portable electrical devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops or similar hand-held or worn items.