Abstract: Electrical devices having a plurality of stacked electrode layers are described. At least one of the electrode layers contains continuous fibers that are infused with carbon nanotubes. The continuous fibers can be disposed upon an electrically conductive base plate. The electrical devices can further contain an electrolyte contacting each electrode layer and a layer of separator material disposed between each electrode layer, in which case the electrical devices can form a supercapacitor. Such supercapacitors can have a capacitance of at least about 1 Farad/gram of continuous fibers. The capacitance can be increased by coating at least a portion of the infused carbon nanotubes with a material such as, for example, a conducting polymer, a main group metal compound, and/or a transition metal compound. Methods for producing the electrical devices are also described.

Abstract: A carbon nanostructure that is free of a growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. The carbon nanostructure can be released from a growth substrate in the form of a flake material. Optionally, the carbon nanotubes of the carbon nanostructure can be coated, such as with a polymer, or a filler material can be present within the porosity of the carbon nanostructure. Methods for forming a carbon nanostructure that is free of a growth substrate can include providing a carbon nanostructure adhered to a growth substrate, and removing the carbon nanostructure from the growth substrate to form a carbon nanostructure that is free of the growth substrate. Various techniques can be used to affect removal of the carbon nanostructure from the growth substrate. Isolation of the carbon nanostructure can further employ various wet and/or dry separation techniques.

Abstract: Electrical devices having a plurality of stacked electrode layers are described. At least one of the electrode layers contains continuous fibers that are infused with carbon nanotubes. The continuous fibers can be disposed upon an electrically conductive base plate. The electrical devices can further contain an electrolyte contacting each electrode layer and a layer of separator material disposed between each electrode layer, in which case the electrical devices can form a supercapacitor. Such supercapacitors can have a capacitance of at least about 1 Farad/gram of continuous fibers. The capacitance can be increased by coating at least a portion of the infused carbon nanotubes with a material such as, for example, a conducting polymer, a main group metal compound, and/or a transition metal compound. Methods for producing the electrical devices are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided that effectively obviates shortcomings of conventional, diode-ORed, redundant power supply systems by forcing a primary power source to provide power to the system load most the time, even when the primary source provides a lower voltage than that of a secondary power source. This preferential selection of the lower-voltage primary is achieved by interposing a power switching unit between the secondary power source and the ORing diode in front of the load. The power switching unit of the illustrative embodiment comprises a voltage regulator that is regulated at a first voltage level, which is lower than the nominal output voltage level provided by the primary power source. Meanwhile, the primary power source is able to charge the secondary power source, which is a battery in the illustrative embodiment, so that the secondary power source can provide power to the load when the primary power source is either interrupted or falls below the first voltage level.

Abstract: A system is provided that effectively obviates shortcomings of conventional, diode-ORed, redundant power supply systems by forcing a primary power source to provide power to the system load most the time, even when the primary source provides a lower voltage than that of a secondary power source. This preferential selection of the lower-voltage primary is achieved by interposing a power switching unit between the secondary power source and the ORing diode in front of the load. The power switching unit of the illustrative embodiment comprises a voltage regulator that is regulated at a first voltage level, which is lower than the nominal output voltage level provided by the primary power source. Meanwhile, the primary power source is able to charge the secondary power source, which is a battery in the illustrative embodiment, so that the secondary power source can provide power to the load when the primary power source is either interrupted or falls below the first voltage level.