Abstract: A system for delivering electrical energy to a chargeable unit of an electrically powered object characterised by comprising: at least one input line for delivering electricity from a grid and/or a source of renewable electrical energy; optionally a first converter disposed within the input line(s) for converting alternating current to direct current; at least one reservoir of electrical energy connected to the input line(s) and including (a) a plurality of supercapacitors arranged in series or parallel and (b) a means for delivering an output voltage and current therefrom; at least one second converter adapted to step-up or down the output voltage from the reservoir(s) to a charging voltage of the chargeable unit and, at least one dispensing means connected to the systems and adapted to cooperate with a corresponding connector means on the object to enable the charging voltage to charge the chargeable unit.

Abstract: An energy-storage device is provided. It includes a charge-storing supercapacitor cell comprised of electrodes at least one of which includes a nano-carbon component, a ion-permeable membrane and an electrolyte characterised in that the cell is embedded or encapsulated in a flexible or rigid matrix.

Abstract: A system for delivering electrical energy to a chargeable unit of an electrically powered object characterised by comprising: •at least one input line for delivering electricity from a grid and/or a source of renewable electrical energy; •optionally a first converter disposed within the input line(s) for converting alternating current to direct current; •at least one reservoir of electrical energy connected to the input line(s) and including (a) a plurality of supercapacitors arranged in series or parallel and (b) a means for delivering an output voltage and current therefrom; •at least one second converter adapted to step-up or down the output voltage from the reservoir(s) to a charging voltage of the chargeable unit and •at least one dispensing means connected to the systems and adapted to cooperate with a corresponding connector means on the object to enable the charging voltage to charge the chargeable unit.

Abstract: An energy-storage device is provided. It includes a charge-storing supercapacitor cell comprised of electrodes at least one of which includes a nano-carbon component, a ion-permeable membrane and an electrolyte characterised in that the cell is embedded or encapsulated in a flexible or rigid matrix.

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: An energy-storage device is provided. It includes a charge-storing supercapacitor cell comprised of electrodes at least one of which includes a nano-carbon component, a ion-permeable membrane and an electrolyte characterised in that the cell is embedded or encapsulated in a flexible or rigid matrix.

Abstract: An energy-storage device is provided. It includes a charge-storing supercapacitor cell comprised of electrodes at least one of which includes a nano-carbon component, a ion-permeable membrane and an electrolyte characterised in that the cell is embedded or encapsulated in a flexible or rigid matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supercapacitor assembly which is characterised by comprising: a supercapacitor comprised of carbon-containing anode(s) and cathode(s), intermediate porous membrane(s) and an ionic liquid electrolyte; an electrical heater for heating the supercapacitor; and a thermostat for controlling the heater and maintaining the temperature of the ionic liquid at a temperature such that its viscosity is in the range 1 to 50 centipoise. In particular, there are provided supercapacitors which can operate at voltages greater than 3.5 v (for example, in the range 3.5 to 6 v) without significant long term redox degradation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supercapacitor assembly which is characterised by comprising: a supercapacitor comprised of carbon-containing anode(s) and cathode(s), intermediate porous membrane(s) and an ionic liquid electrolyte; an electrical heater for heating the supercapacitor; and a thermostat for controlling the heater and maintaining the temperature of the ionic liquid at a temperature such that its viscosity is in the range 1 to 50 centipoise. In particular, there are provided supercapacitors which can operate at voltages greater than 3.5v (for example, in the range 3.5 to 6v) without significant long term redox degradation.

Abstract: A self-supporting supercapacitor electrode adapted for attachment to an electrical circuit characterised by comprising a rigid or mechanically resilient, electrically-conductive sheet consisting essentially of a matrix of from 70-90% by weight of activated carbon and 5 to 25% by weight conductive carbon uniformly dispersed in from 5 to 20% by weight of a polymer binder.

Abstract: A system for delivering electrical energy to a chargeable unit of an electrically powered object characterised by comprising: at least one input line for delivering electricity from a grid and/or a source of renewable electrical energy; optionally a first converter disposed within the input line(s) for converting alternating current to direct current; at least one reservoir of electrical energy connected to the input line(s) and including (a) a plurality of supercapacitors arranged in series or parallel and (b) a means for delivering an output voltage and current therefrom; at least one second converter adapted to step-up or down the output voltage from the reservoir(s) to a charging voltage of the chargeable unit and at least one dispensing means connected to the systems and adapted to cooperate with a corresponding connector means on the object to enable the charging voltage to charge the chargeable unit.

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: An energy-storage device is provided. It includes a charge-storing supercapacitor cell comprised of electrodes at least one of which includes a nano-carbon component, a ion-permeable membrane and an electrolyte characterised in that the cell is embedded or encapsulated in a flexible or rigid matrix.

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 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: The present invention provides a supercapacitor assembly which is characterised by comprising: a supercapacitor comprised of carbon-containing anode(s) and cathode(s), intermediate porous membrane(s) and an ionic liquid electrolyte; an electrical heater for heating the supercapacitor; and a thermostat for controlling the heater and maintaining the temperature of the ionic liquid at a temperature such that its viscosity is in the range 1 to 50 centipoise. In particular, there are provided supercapacitors which can operate at voltages greater than 3.5v (for example, in the range 3.5 to 6v) without significant long term redox degradation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supercapacitor assembly which is characterised by comprising: a supercapacitor comprised of carbon-containing anode(s) and cathode(s), intermediate porous membrane(s) and an ionic liquid electrolyte; an electrical heater for heating the supercapacitor; and a thermostat for controlling the heater and maintaining the temperature of the ionic liquid at a temperature such that its viscosity is in the range 1 to 50 centipoise. In particular, there are provided supercapacitors which can operate at voltages greater than 3.5 v (for example, in the range 3.5 to 6 v) without significant long term redox degradation.

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.