Abstract: A current collector for use in a capacitor having an aqueous or non-aqueous electrolyte, such as an aqueous sulfuric acid electrolyte. The conductive basis of the current collector may be manufactured from a number of conductive metals but, preferably, is comprised of lead or a lead alloy. The portion of the conductive basis that will be in contact with the electrolyte is provided with a protective layer that is created by deposition of one or more layers of one or more protective coating materials thereto. Each protective coating material is comprised of at least a conductive carbon powder and a polymer binder that is resistant to the electrolyte. Preferably, but not essentially, the protective coating material(s) are applied to the conductive basis in the form of a paste, which is subsequently subjected to a solvent evaporation step and a thermal treatment step. The resulting protective layer is also substantially devoid of pores through which the electrolyte can permeate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double electric layer heterogeneous electrochemical supercapacitor (HES) and a method of manufacture. Single-cell or multi-cell versions of the HES can be produced. Output characteristics of the HES are optimized by carefully controlling particular parameters of the HES' design and construction.