Abstract: Ionic liquids having improved properties for application in non-aqueous batteries, electrochemical capacitors, electroplating, catalysis and chemical separations are disclosed. Exemplary compounds have one of the following formulas: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 are either H; F; separate alkyl groups of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, respectively, or joined together to constitute a unitary alkylene radical of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms forming a ring structure converging on N; or separate phenyl groups; and wherein the alkyl groups, alkylene radicals or phenyl groups may be substituted with electron withdrawing groups, preferably F--, Cl--, CF.sub.3 --, SF.sub.5 --, CF.sub.3 S--, (CF.sub.3).sub.2 CHS-- or (CF.sub.3).sub.3 CS--; and X.sup.- is a non-Lewis acid-containing polyatomic anion having a van der Waals volume exceeding 100 .ANG..sup.3.

Abstract: A power source (10) , preferably in the form of a battery pack, comprises a battery (14), an electrochemical capacitor (16), and a switch bridge (18). The capacitor increases the power delivery capability of the battery for periodic power bursts, increases it's life, and is electrically connected in parallel with the battery through a number of switches. The switch bridge is used to periodically reverse the orientation of the capacitor with respect to the battery to alleviate electrical stress on the capacitor.

Abstract: An improved electrolytic capacitor is provided by producing an anode foil which has areas which are not subject to stress during manufacturing being highly etched and those areas which are subject to stress during manufacturing being lightly etched or not etched at all. The process of the invention provides an etch mask to cover during the etch process those portions of the anode foil which will be subjected to stress during construction of the capacitor. The highly etched areas, which are very brittle, provide increased capacitance and thus improved energy density. For layered or stacked capacitors, a weld tab is covered with the etch mask to allow connection of the anode layers. Additionally, strong edges may be maintained thereby reducing the possibility of cracking that would normally occur during the stamping and assembly operations.

Abstract: A dry preunit (10), includes a plurality of cells (110, 112, 114) in a true bipolar configuration, which are stacked and bonded together, to impart to the device an integral and unitary construction. Each cell (114) includes two electrically conductive electrodes (111A, 111B) that are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The cell (114) also includes two identical dielectric gaskets (121, 123) that are interposed, in registration with each other, between the electrodes (111A, 111B), for separating and electrically insulating these electrodes. When the electrodes (111A, 111B), and the gaskets (121, 123) are bonded together, at least one fill gap (130) is formed for each cell. Each cell (114) also includes a porous and conductive coating layer (119, 120) that is formed on one surface of each electrode. The coating layer (119) includes a set of closely spaced-apart peripheral microprotrusions (125), and a set of distally spaced-apart central microprotrusions (127).

Abstract: A capacitor assembled in the form of a lightweight structural panel and including isolated capacitor cells. Each of the cells includes a honeycomb structure wherein each film-like layer in the honeycomb structure is an electrode stack. Each of the electrode stacks includes an elongated cathode, an elongated separator, and an elongated anode. The separator is wetted with an electrolyte solution to enhance the dielectric properties of the separator. Alternatively, the capacitor cell could be composed of a foam-like cathode, foam-like separator, and a foam-like anode. With either embodiment, the invention achieves the storage of electrostatic energy in a structure with a multitude of voids defined therein so that the structure is relatively stiff, yet light weight.

Abstract: A capacitor includes two conducting elements for connection to an external circuit. The conducting elements are separated by a dielectric. At least one of the conducting elements has a plurality of electrical connectors through which current will flow. Current and voltage fluctuations are minimized by insuring that incoming and outgoing current flows to or from the conducting element remain substantially separated.

Abstract: Carbon/carbon composite materials for use in electrochemical cells are prepared by carbonizing a resin material used to bind a layer of carbon containing material to convert the resin to residual carbon. In one embodiment of the invention, the carbon containing material is a mixture of activated carbon fibers and activated carbon powder. In another embodiment, an activated carbon fabric is used instead of the discrete carbon fibers. Substantial improvements in mechanical properties, resistivity and surface area are achieved in the present invention. The composite materials may be used in the fabrication of electrodes and bipolar electrical devices such as capacitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolyte for driving electrolytic capacitor and an electrolytic capacitor using the same, and by preparing by using a solvent mainly composed of organic compound, and dissolving one or more solutes selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids and organic acids, more specifically adding and dissolving at least one of copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol shown in formulas (1) and (2), or both of the copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol shown in formulas (1) and (2) simultaneously, the spark generation voltage and chemical conversion factor of formed oxidation film are enhanced, thereby improving the reliability of the electrolytic capacitor.HO--(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.n --(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.m--(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.n --H (1)(n and m are arbitrary natural numbers.)HO--?(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.n --(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.m !.sub.i --H(2)(n, m, and 1 are arbitrary natural numbers.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor having two porous organic membrane electrodes is made from microporous polymer substrates (10). The surface of the polymer substrate and the walls of the micropores (30) are coated with metal oxides. Both sides of the substrate can be coated with the conductive materials. The film can be a carboxylic ion-exchange material dispersed in a microporous copolymer matrix, and the film can be supported on a woven nylon substrate. The two electrodes (82, 84) are situated substantially parallel to each other, with the coated surface of one electrode facing the coated surface of the other electrode. An ionic electrolyte solution (89) fills the gap (86) between the electrodes.

Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor which is usable at a high voltage without causing an irreversible current. Both a polarized positive electrode 14 and a polarized negative electrode 16 are made of the same constituents. However, a ratio of an amount of constituents of the polarized positive electrode 14 differs from that of the polarized negative electrode 16. A ratio of a capacitance of the polarized positive electrode to a capacitance of the polarized negative electrode is controlled such that the polarized positive electrode and the polarized negative electrode simultaneously reach respective potentials where the irreversible current is caused. According to this invention there is an advantage that it is possible to increase a voltage applied to the electric double layer capacitor.

Abstract: Electrodes for electrochemical capacitor are modified with a metal macrocyclic complex made up of phthalocyanine or porphyrin ligands bound to a transition metal to achieve improved conductivity, reversibility, and charge storage capacity. The electrode is formed from a metal base and coated with an oxide, nitride or carbide of a transition metal or with a conductive polymer. This coating is modified with the metal macrocyclic complex. Suitable metal macrocyclic complexes are iron phthalocyanine (FePc), iron meso-tetra(N-methyl-4-phenyl)porphyrin (FeTPP) or cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP).

Abstract: A dry preunit (10), includes a plurality of cells (110, 112, 114) in a true bipolar configuration, which are stacked and bonded together, to impart to the device an integral and unitary construction. Each cell (114) includes two electrically conductive electrodes (111A, 111B) that are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The cell (114) also includes two identical dielectric gaskets (121,123) that are interposed, in registration with each other, between the electrodes (111A, 111B), for separating and electrically insulating these electrodes. When the electrodes (111A, 111B), and the gaskets (121, 123) are bonded together, at least one fill gap (130) is formed for each cell. Each cell (114) also includes a porous and conductive coating layer (119, 120) that is formed on one surface of each electrode. The coating layer (119) includes a set of closely spaced-apart peripheral microprotrusions (125), and a set of distally spaced-apart central microprotrusions (127).

Abstract: Elastomeric polymer electrolytes are provided for use in electrical energy storage devices such as aluminum electrolytic capacitors and batteries. The electrolytes contain two or more salts of approximately equal concentration, such that the salt mixture has a much higher combined solubility than any single salt in the mixture, resulting in electrolytes that provide higher conductivity and resulting in storage devices with improved ESR. Methods of making such electrolytes and storage devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for making high power electrochemical capacitors (28) provides for depositing an electrically polymer (18) and (20) onto a substrate (12) which has been treated so as to form nitride layers (14) and (16) on exposed surfaces thereof. Such electrochemical capacitors provide for high power high energy devices without the short comings of excessive equivalent series resistance nor the expense of noble metal substrates as have been typically been used.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite electrode material for use in high rgy and high power density electrochemical capacitors, and to the electrochemical capacitor containing the electrodes. The electrodes are comprised of materials with high specific capacitance and electronic conductivity/high porosity. Specifically, the electrode is comprised of RuO.sub.2.xH.sub.2 O powder and carbon black or carbon fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel electrode material for electrochemical ) capacitors. This invention also relates to a novel method for making such electrode. The electrode material is an amorphous phase of ruthenium oxide formed directly on titanium (Ti) substrate. The method is the application of heat on the Ti substrate which is wetted by metal alkoxide precursor. The method produces film which adheres to the substrate before and after charge/discharge cycling. As a result, the EC capacitors made of the electrode exhibit high power and also high energy which is higher than that of the traditional crystalline phase of ruthenium oxide thin film on Ti. This type of capacitor is especially suited for burst communication which requires energy with high power density, high energy density, and high cycle life at medium to low voltages (10-20 volts).

Abstract: There are disclosed an electrolyte solution for an electrolytic capacitor containing an organic polar solvent and an ionic solute, and further comprising fine particles of an aluminosilicate represented by the following formula, or metal oxide fine particles covered with said aluminosilicate:MAlO.sub.2 (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3).sub.x (SiO.sub.2).sub.ywherein M represents a monovalent cation; x represents a real number of 0 to 25; and y represents a real number of 1 to 200,and an electrolytic capacitor using said electrolyte solution.

Abstract: A material for use as an electrode, and particularly the cathode (30) of an electrochemical device, such as a pseudocapacitive device (10). The material is a substantially amorphous material having a host matrix material selected from the group of cobalt, nickel, iron, and combinations, and a modifier element or elements selected from the group of boron, phosphorous, carbon, silicon, aluminum, manganese, copper, chromium, vanadium, titanium, molybdenum, zirconium, tungsten, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An electrochemical capacitor device (10) fabricated of a plurality of stacked subassemblies (12, 14) and capped with end portions (16, 18). The device (10) includes a current conducting electrode (22) having a layer of a second electrode material disposed on each side thereof (40) (42). The device (10) further includes a proton conducting electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrolyte system for use in an electrochemical cell such as a battery or capacitor, and which includes an aqueous electrolyte and a modifier species. The modifier should be adapted to act as a surfactant, as well as reduce oxidation of the electrode materials in the electrochemical cell. The aqueous electrolyte may be, for example, KOH, and the modifier species may be a porphine or porphine derivatives.

Abstract: An electrode for an energy storage device is made from an activated carbon support. The activated carbon has adsorbed onto it a protonated polymer, which has a polyoxometalate absorbed into the polymer. Preferably, the protonated polymer is poly(4-vinylpyridine), and the polyoxometalate is isopolymolybdate. An energy storage device, such as a capacitor, can be made from the modified carbon electrode. A pair of the coated carbon electrodes (13) are placed in contact with an electrolyte to form the device.

Abstract: Briefly, according to the invention, there is provided an energy storage device (5) with three electrodes. A first electrolyte (15)is situated between the first (10) and second (20) electrodes so that it is contact with each of the electrodes, forming a battery cell (80). A second electrolyte (25) is placed between the second (20) and third (30) electrodes so that it is also in contact with each electrode, forming an electrochemical capacitor (70). The battery and capacitor each share a common electrode (20). After charging, the energy storage device can be linked to an electrical device to power it by discharging the battery portion to provide a substantially constant voltage, and discharging the capacitor portion to provide a substantially constant current when the device requires higher levels of current than the battery portion is capable of providing.

Abstract: Electrodes of an electrical charge storage device are separated by forming on the surfaces of the electrodes arrays of substantially uniform electrically insulating microprotrusions made preferably of an organic epoxide polymer. The electrodes are thin, flat electrically conducting metal sheets coated on one or both flat surfaces with electrically conducting porous carbon or a porous metal oxide. The microprotrusions are applied to the coated electrodes through a stencil by screen printing and essentially retain their shape and dimensions after curing.

Abstract: A capacitive power supply for powering a portable electrical device, such as a radiotelephone. The capacitive power supply is comprised of capacitors stacked vertically in a series connection of capacitive values capable of generating currents of levels great enough to power a radiotelephone for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A separator for electrolytic capacitors, the separator being constituted by a single sheet of paper made up of at least two asymmetrical superposed layers: one of the layers having high thickness and low density, the other layer having low thickness and high density.

Abstract: A solar battery system characterized by at least one solar cell for converting light energy to electrical energy which is stored in the system is provided. The solar cell is formed of a semiconductor selected from the group consisting of single crystal, polycrystalline and amorphous substrates and is coupled in parallel to an energy-storage capacitor, which capacitor is also connected in parallel with a loading circuit. The capacitor is formed of compressed particles of activated carbon which stores electrical energy charged to it by the solar cell at a selected voltage level. A diode is coupled in series to an output terminal of said solar cell to prevent the flow of a reverse current to the solar cell during discharge of the capacitor to the loading circuit.