Abstract: A capacitor comprising a first electrode and a second electrode where at least the first electrode comprises a ionically conductive material typically having both an electrical and ionic conductivity, such as an oxide. The capacitor further comprises a dielectric material contacting the first and second electrode and comprising a porous material having a surface area greater than 0.5 m2 of surface/gm of material, and further comprising a liquid containing ions within the pores of the porous material. In certain embodiments, the capacitor additionally comprises a first current collector in contact with the first electrode and a second current collector is contact with the second electrode, where the first and second current collector comprise an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A capacitor having first and second electrodes and a scaffold dielectric. The scaffold dielectric comprises an insulating material with a plurality of longitudinal channels extending across the dielectric and filled with a dielectric paste comprising a porous material and an ion-comprising liquid within the pores of the porous material. The plurality of longitudinal channels are substantially parallel and the liquid comprising the dielectric paste generally has an ionic strength of at least 0.1. Capacitance results from the migrations of positive and negative ions in the confined liquid in response to an applied electric field. A method of supplying power to a load using the capacitor and a method of making the capacitor is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A class of materials is provided that has dielectric constants greater than 105. The super dielectric materials (SDM) can be generated readily from common, inexpensive materials. Various embodiments include a porous, electrically insulating material, such as high surface area powders of silica or titania, mixed with a liquid containing a high concentration of ionic species. In some embodiments, high surface area alumina powders, loaded to the incipient wetness point with a solution of boric acid dissolved in water, have dielectric constants greater than 4×108.