Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/22—Electrodes
  • H01G11/30—Electrodes characterised by their material
  • H01G11/32—Carbon-based
  • H01G11/36—Nanostructures, e.g. nanofibres, nanotubes or fullerenes
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/22—Electrodes
  • H01G11/24—Electrodes characterised by structural features of the materials making up or comprised in the electrodes, e.g. form, surface area or porosity; characterised by the structural features of powders or particles used therefor
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/22—Electrodes
  • H01G11/26—Electrodes characterised by their structure, e.g. multi-layered, porosity or surface features
  • H01G11/28—Electrodes characterised by their structure, e.g. multi-layered, porosity or surface features arranged or disposed on a current collector; Layers or phases between electrodes and current collectors, e.g. adhesives
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/22—Electrodes
  • H01G11/30—Electrodes characterised by their material
  • H01G11/32—Carbon-based
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/22—Electrodes
  • H01G11/30—Electrodes characterised by their material
  • H01G11/32—Carbon-based
  • H01G11/38—Carbon pastes or blends; Binders or additives therein
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/66—Current collectors
  • H01G11/70—Current collectors characterised by their structure
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/84—Processes for the manufacture of hybrid or EDL capacitors, or components thereof
  • H01G11/86—Processes for the manufacture of hybrid or EDL capacitors, or components thereof specially adapted for electrodes
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/64—Carriers or collectors
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/22—Electrodes
  • H01G11/26—Electrodes characterised by their structure, e.g. multi-layered, porosity or surface features
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/04—Processes of manufacture in general
  • H01M4/043—Processes of manufacture in general involving compressing or compaction
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/04—Processes of manufacture in general
  • H01M4/0471—Processes of manufacture in general involving thermal treatment, e.g. firing, sintering, backing particulate active material, thermal decomposition, pyrolysis
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/13—Electrodes for accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte, e.g. for lithium-accumulators; Processes of manufacture thereof
  • H01M4/133—Electrodes based on carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
  • H01M4/58—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy; of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
  • H01M4/583—Carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/62—Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for active masses, e.g. binders, fillers
  • H01M4/624—Electric conductive fillers
  • H01M4/625—Carbon or graphite
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/13—Energy storage using capacitors

Definitions

• Carbon nanotubes are carbon structures that exhibit a variety of properties. Many of the properties suggest opportunities for improvements in a variety of technology areas. These technology areas include electronic device materials, optical materials as well as conducting and other materials. For example, CNTs are proving to be useful for energy storage in capacitors.
• CNTs are typically expensive to produce and may present special challenges during electrode manufacturing. Accordingly, there is a need for an electrode material that exhibits the advantageous properties of CNTs while mitigating the amount of CNTs included in the material.
• the applicants have developed a composite electrode structure that exhibits advantageous properties.
• the electrode exhibits the advantageous properties of CNTs while mitigating the amount of CNTs included in the material, e.g., to less than 10% by weight.
• Electrodes of the type described herein may be used in ultracapacitors to provide high performance (e.g., high operating, voltage, high operating temperature, high energy density, high power density, low equivalent series resistance, etc.).
• an apparatus including an active storage layer including a network of carbon nanotubes defining void spaces; and a carbonaceous material located in the void spaces and bound by the network of carbon nanotubes, wherein the active layer is configured to provide energy storage.
• the active layer is substantially free from binding agents.
• the active layer consists of or consists essentially of carbonaceous material.
• the active layer is bound together by electrostatic forces between the carbon nanotubes and the carbonaceous material.
• the carbonaceous material includes activated carbon.
• the carbonaceous material includes nanoform carbon other than carbon nanotubes.
• the network of carbon nanotubes makes up less than 50% by weight of the active layer, less than 10% by weight of the active layer, less than 5% by weight of the active layer, or less than 1% by weight of the active layer.
• Some embodiments include an adhesion layer, e.g., a layer consisting of or consisting essentially of carbon nanotubes.
• the adhesion layer is disposed between the active laver and an electrically conductive layer.
• a surface of the conductive layer facing the adhesion layer includes a roughened or textured portion.
• a surface of the conductive layer facing the adhesion layer includes a nano structured portion.
• the nano structured portion includes carbide "nano whiskers". These nanowhiskers are thin elongated structures (e.g., nanorods) that extend generally away from the surface of the conductor layer 102.
• the nanowhiskers may have a radial thickness of less than 100 nm, 50 nm, 25, nm, 10 nm, or less, e.g., in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm or any subrange thereof.
• the nanowhisker may have a longitudinal length that is several to many times its radial thickness, e.g., greater than 20 nm, 50 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300, nm, 400, nm, 500 nm, 1 ⁇ , 5 ⁇ , 10 ⁇ , or more, e.g., in the range of 20 nm to 100 ⁇ or any subrange thereof.
• the active layer has been annealed to reduce the presence of impurities.
• active layer has been compressed to deform at least a portion of the network of carbon nanotubes and carbonaceous material.
• Some embodiments include an electrode including the active layer. Some embodiments include an ultracapacitor including the electrode, In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor has an operating voltage greater than 1.0 V, 2.0 V, 2.5 V 3.0 V, 3.1 V, 3.2 V, 3.5 V, 4.0 V or more.
• the ultracapacitor has a maximum operating temperature of at least 250 C at an operating voltage of at least 1.0 V for a lifetime of at least 1,000 hours. In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor has a maximum operating temperature of at least 250 C at an operating voltage of at least 2.0 V for a lifetime of at least 1,000 hours. In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor has a maximum operating temperature of at least 250 C at an operating voltage of at least 3.0 V for a lifetime of at least 1,000 hours. In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor has a maximum operating temperature of at least 250 C at an operating voltage of at least 4.0 V for a lifetime of at least 1,000 hours.
• the ultracapacitor has a maximum operating temperature of at least 300 C at an operating voltage of at least 1.0 V for a lifetime of at least 1,000 hours. In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor has a maximum operating temperature of at least 300 C at an operating voltage of at least 2.0 V for a lifetime of at least 1,000 hours. In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor has a maximum operating temperature of at least 300 C at an operating voltage of at least 3.0 V for a lifetime of at least 1,000 hours. In some embodiments, the ultracapacitor has a maximum operating temperature of at least 300 C at an operating voltage of at least 4.0 V for a lifetime of at least 1,000 hours.
• a method including: dispersing carbon nanotubes in a solvent to form a dispersion; mixing the dispersion with carbonaceous material to form a slurry; applying the slurring in a layer; and drying the slurry to substantially remove the solvent to form an active layer including a network of carbon nanotubes defining void spaces and a carbonaceous material located in the void spaces and bound by the network of carbon nanotubes.
• Some embodiment include forming or applying a layer of carbon nanotubes to provide an adhesion layer on a conductive layer.
• the applying step including applying the slurry onto the adhesion layer.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic of an electrode.
• FIG. 2 is an illustration of a detailed view of an active layer of an electrode.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic of a two-sided electrode.
• FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of making an active layer for an electrode.
• FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of making an adhesion layer for an electrode.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary mixing apparatus.
• FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of coating apparatus featuring a slot die.
• FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of coating apparatus featuring a doctor blade.
• FIG. 8A is a schematic of an ultracapacitor.
• FIG. 8B is a schematic of an ultracapacitor without a separator.
• an exemplary embodiment of an electrode 100 is disclosed for use in an energy storage device, such as an ultracapacitor or battery.
• the electrode includes an electrically conductive layer 102 (also referred to herein as a current collector), an adhesion layer 104, and an active layer 106.
• the active layer 106 may act as energy storage media, for example, by providing a surface interface with an electrolyte (not shown) for formation of an electric double layer (sometimes referred to in the art as a Helmholtz layer).
• the adhesion layer 104 may be omitted, e.g., in cases where the active layer 106 exhibits good adhesion to the electrically conductive layer 102.
• the active layer 106 may be thicker than the adhesion layer 104, e.g., 1.5, 2.0, 5.0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 500, 1,000 or more times the thickness of the adhesion layer 104.
• the thickness of the active layer 106 may be in the range of 1.5 to 1,000 times the thickness of the adhesion layer 104 (or any subrange thereof, such as 5 to 100 times).
• the active layer 106 may have a thickness in the in the range of 0.5 to 2500 ⁇ or any subrange thereof, e.g., 5 ⁇ to 150 ⁇ .
• the adhesion layer 104 may have a thickness in the range of 0.5 ⁇ to 50 ⁇ or any subrange thereof, e.g., 1 ⁇ to 5 ⁇ .
• the active layer 106 is comprised of carbonaceous material 108 (e.g., activated carbon) bound together by a matrix 110 of CNTs 112 (e.g., a webbing or network formed of CNTs).
• CNTs 112 e.g., a webbing or network formed of CNTs.
• the CNTs 112 forming the matrix 110 may lie primarily parallel to a major surface of the active layer 106.
• the CNTs 112 form straight segments, in some embodiments, e.g., where longer CNTs are used, the some or all of the CNTs may instead have a curved or serpentine shape.
• the CNTs 112 may curve and wind between the lumps.
• the active layer is substantially free of any other binder material, such as polymer materials, adhesives, or the like.
• the active layer is substantially free from any material other than carbon.
• the active layer may be at least about 90 wt %, 95 wt %, 96 wt %, 97 wt %, 98 wt %, 99 wt %, 99.5 wt %, 99.9 wt %, 99.99 wt %, 99.999 wt %, or more elemental carbon by mass.
• the matrix 110 operated to bind together the carbonaceous material 108, e.g., to maintain the structural integrity of the active layer 106 without flaking, delamination, disintegration, or the like.
• the matrix 110 of carbon nanotubes provides a structural framework for the active layer 106, with the carbonaceous material 108 filling the spaces between the CNTs 112 of the matrix 110.
• electrostatic forces e.g., Van Der Waals forces
• the CNTs 112 within the matrix 110 and between the matrix 112 and the other carbonaceous material 108 may provide substantially all of the binding forces maintaining the structural integrity of the layer.
• the CNTs 112 may include single wall nanotubes (SWNT), double wall nanotubes (DWNT), or multiwall nanotubes (MWNT), or mixtures thereof.
• SWNT single wall nanotubes
• DWNT double wall nanotubes
• MWNT multiwall nanotubes
• the matrix may include interconnected bundles, clusters or aggregates of CNTs.
• the matrix may be made up at least in part of brush like bundles of aligned CNTs.
• the active layer 106 may be formed as follows.
• a first solution also referred to herein as a slurry
• a second solution also referred to herein as a slurry
• This carbon addition includes at least one form of material that is substantially composed of carbon.
• Exemplary forms of the carbon addition include, for example, at least one of activated carbon, carbon powder, carbon fibers, rayon, graphene, aerogel, nanohorns, carbon nanotubes and the like. While in some embodiments, the carbon addition is formed substantially of carbon, it is recognized that in alternative embodiments the carbon addition may include at least some impurities, e.g., additives included by design.
• forming the first and/or second solution include introducing mechanical energy into the mixture of solvent and carbon material, e.g., using a sonicator (sometimes referred to as a sonifier) or other suitable mixing device (e.g., a high shear mixer).
• the mechanical energy introduced into the mixture per kilogram of mixture is at least 0.4 kWh/kg, 0.5 kWh /kg, 0.6 kWh /kg, 0.7 kWh /kg, 0.8 kWh /kg, 0.9 kWh /kg, 1.0 kWh /kg, or more.
• the mechanical energy introduced into the mixture per kilogram of mixture may be in the range of 0.4 kWh/kg to 1.0 kWh/kg or any subrange thereof such as 0.4 kWh/kg to 0.6 kWh/kg.
• the solvents used may include an anhydrous solvent.
• the solvent may include at least one of ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, acetone, acetonitrile, and the like.
• the two solutions may be subjected to "sonication" (physical effects realized in an ultrasonic field).
• the sonication is generally conducted for a period that is adequate to tease out, fluff or otherwise parse the carbon nanotubes.
• the sonication is generally conducted for a period that is adequate to ensure good dispersion or mixing of the carbon additions within the solvent.
• other techniques for imparting mechanical energy to the mixtures may be used in addition or alternative to sonication, e.g., physical mixing using stirring or impeller.
• first solution and the second solution are then mixed together, to provide a combined solution and may again be sonicated.
• the combined mixture is sonicated for a period that is adequate to ensure good mixing of the carbon nanotubes with the carbon addition.
• This second mixing results in the formation of the active layer 106 containing the matrix 110 of CNTs 112, with the carbon addition providing the other carbonaceous material 108 filling the void spaces of the matrix 110.
• mechanical energy may be introduced to the combined mixture using a sonicator (sometimes referred to as a sonifier) or other suitable mixing device (e.g., a high shear mixer).
• the mechanical energy into the mixture per kilogram of mixture is at least 0.4 kWh/kg, 0.5 kWh /kg, 0.6 kWh /kg, 0.7 kWh /kg, 0.8 kWh /kg, 0.9 kWh /kg, 1.0 kWh /kg, or more.
• the mechanical energy introduced into the mixture per kilogram of mixture may be in the range of 0.4 kWh/kg to 1.0 kWh/kg or any subrange thereof such as 0.4 kWh/kg to 0.6 kWh/kg.
• the combined slurry may be cast wet directly onto the adhesion layer 104 or the conductive layer 102, and dried (e.g., by applying heat or vacuum or both) until substantially all of the solvent and any other liquids have been removed, thereby forming the active layer 106.
• the combined slurry may be dried elsewhere and then transferred onto the adhesion layer 104 or the conductive layer 102 to form the active layer 106, using any suitable technique (e.g., roll-to-roll layer application).
• the wet combined slurry may be placed onto an appropriate surface and dried to form the active layer 106. While any material deemed appropriate may be used for the surface, exemplary material includes PTFE as subsequent removal from the surface is facilitated by the properties thereof.
• the active layer 106 is formed in a press to provide a layer that exhibits a desired thickness, area and density.
• the average length of the CNTs 112 forming the matrix 110 may be at least ⁇ . ⁇ , 0.5 ⁇ , 1 ⁇ , 5 ⁇ , 10 ⁇ , 50 ⁇ , 100 ⁇ , 200 ⁇ , 300, ⁇ , 400 ⁇ , 500 ⁇ , 600 ⁇ , 7000 ⁇ , 800 ⁇ , 900 ⁇ , 1,000 ⁇ or more.
• the average length of the CNTs 112 forming the matrix 110 may be in the range of 1 ⁇ to 1,000 ⁇ , or any subrange thereof, such as 1 ⁇ to 600 ⁇ .
• more than 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more of the CNTs 112 may have a length within 10% of the average length of the CNTs 112 making up the matrix 110.
• the other carbonaceous material 108 can include carbon in a variety forms, including activated carbon, carbon black, graphite, and others.
• the carbonaceous material can include carbon particles, including nanoparticles, such as nanotubes, nanorods, graphene in sheet, flake, or curved flake form, and/or formed into cones, rods, spheres (buckyballs) and the like.
• Applicants have found unexpected result that an active layer of the type herein can provide exemplary performance (e.g., high conductivity, low resistance, high voltage performance, and high energy and power density) even when the mass fraction of CNTs in the layer is quite low.
• the active layer may be at least about 50 wt %, 60 wt %, 70 wt %, 75 wt %, 80 wt %, 85 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, 96 wt % 97 wt %, 98 wt %, 99 wt %, 99.5 wt %, or more elemental carbon in a form other than CNT (e.g., activated carbon).
• active layers 106 that are in the range of 95 wt % to 99 wt % activated carbon (with the balance CNTs 112), have been shown to exhibit excellent performance.
• the matrix 110 of CNTs 112 form an interconnected network of highly electrically conductive paths for current flow (e.g. ion transport) through the active layer 106.
• highly conductive junctions may occur at points where CNTs 112 of the matrix 110 intersect with each other, or where they are in close enough proximity to allow for quantum tunneling of charge carriers (e.g., ions) from one CNT to the next.
• the CNTs 112 may make up a relatively low mass fraction of the active layer (e.g., less than 10 wt %, 5 wt %, 4 wt %, 3 wt %, 2 wt%, 1 wt % or less, e.g., in the range of 0.5 wt % to 10 wt % or any subrange thereof such as 1 wt % to 5.0 wt %), the interconnected network of highly electrically conductive paths formed in the matrix 110 may provide long conductive paths to facilitate current flow within and through the active layer 106 (e.g. conductive paths on the order of the thickness of the active layer 106).
• the matrix 110 may include one or more structures of interconnected CNTs, where the structure has an overall length in along one or more dimensions longer than 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 10,000 or more times the average length of the component CNTs making up the structure.
• the matrix 110 may include one or more structures of interconnected CNTs, where the structure has an overall in the range of 2 to 10,000 (or any subrange thereof) times the average length of the component CNTs making up the structure
• the matrix 110 may include highly conductive pathways having a length greater than 100 ⁇ , 500 ⁇ , 1,000 ⁇ , 10,000 ⁇ or more, e.g., in the range of 100 ⁇ - 10,000 ⁇ of any subrange thereof.
• highly conductive pathway is to be understood as a pathway formed by interconnected CNTs having an electrical conductivity higher than the electrical conductivity of the other carbonaceous material 108 (e.g., activated carbon), surrounding that matrix 110 of CNTs 112.
• the other carbonaceous material 108 e.g., activated carbon
• the matrix 110 can characterized as an electrically interconnected network of CNT exhibiting connectivity above a percolation threshold.
• Percolation threshold is a mathematical concept related to percolation theory, which is the formation of long-range connectivity in random systems. Below the threshold a so called “giant" connected component of the order of system size does not exist; while above it, there exists a giant component of the order of system size.
• the percolation threshold can be determined by increasing the mass fraction of CNTs 112 in the active layer 106 while measuring the conductivity of the layer, holding all other properties of the layer constant.
• the threshold can be identified with the mass fraction at which the conductivity of the layer sharply increases and/or the mass fraction above which the conductivity of the layer increases only slowly with increases with the addition of more CNTs. Such behavior is indictive of crossing the threshold required for the formation of interconnected CNT structures that provide conductive pathways with a length on the order of the size of the active layer 106.
• one or both of the active layer 106 and the adhesion layer 104 may be treated by applying heat to remove impurities (e.g., functional groups of the CNTs, and impurities such as moisture, oxides, halides, or the like).
• impurities e.g., functional groups of the CNTs, and impurities such as moisture, oxides, halides, or the like.
• one or both of the layers can be heated to at least 100 C, 150 C, 200 C, 250 C, 300 C, 350 C, 400 C, 450 C, 500 C or more for at least 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, or more.
• the layers may be treated to reduce moisture in the layer to less that 1,000 ppm, 500 ppm, 100 ppm, 10 ppm, 1 ppm, 0.1 ppm or less.
• the adhesion layer 104 may be formed of carbon nanotubes.
• the adhesion layer 104 may be at least about 50%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 96% 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.9%, 99.99%, 99.999% by mass CNTs.
• the CNTs may be grown directly on the conductive layer 102, e.g., using the chemical vapor deposition techniques such as those described in U.S. Patent Pub. No 20150210548 entitled "In-line Manufacture of Carbon Nanotubes" and published July 30, 2015.
• the CNTs may be transferred onto the conductive layer 102, e.g., using wet or dry transfer processes, e.g., of the type described e.g., in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 20150279578 entitled "High Power and high Energy Electrodes Using Carbon Nanotubes” and published October 1, 2015.
• the adhesion layer 104 adheres to the overlying active layer 106 using substantially only electrostatic forces (e.g., Van Der Waals attractions) between the CNTs of the adhesion layer 104 and the carbon material and CNTs of the active layer 106.
• the CNTs of the adhesion layer 104 may include single wall nanotubes (SWNT), double wall nanotubes (DWNT), or multiwall nanotubes (MWNT), or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments the CNTs may be vertically aligned. In one particular embodiment, the CNTs of the adhesion layer 104 may be primarily or entirely SWNTs and/or DWNTs, while the CNTs of the active layer 106 a primarily or entirely MWNTs.
• the CNTs of the of the adhesion layer 104 may be at least 75%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% or more SWNT or at least 75%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% or more DWNT.
• the CNTs of the of the active layer 106 may be at least 75%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99% or more MWNT.
• the adhesion layer 104 may be formed by applying pressure to a layer of carbonaceous material. In some embodiments, this compression process alters the structure of the adhesion layer 104 in a way that promotes adhesion to the active layer 106. For example, in some embodiments pressure may be applied to layer comprising a vertically aligned array of CNT or aggregates of vertically aligned CNT, thereby deforming or breaking the CNTs.
• the adhesion layer may be formed by casting a wet slurry of CNTs (with or without additional carbons) mixed with a solvent onto the conductive layer 102. In various embodiments, similar techniques to those described above for the formation of the active layer 106 from a wet slurry may be used. [0063] In some embodiments, mechanical energy may be introduced to the wet slurry using a sonicator (sometimes referred to as a sonifier) or other suitable mixing device (e.g., a high shear mixer).
• a sonicator sometimes referred to as a sonifier
• suitable mixing device e.g., a high shear mixer
• the mechanical energy into the mixture per kilogram of mixture is at least 0.4 kWh/kg, 0.5 kWh /kg, 0.6 kWh /kg, 0.7 kWh /kg, 0.8 kWh /kg, 0.9 kWh /kg, 1.0 kWh /kg, or more.
• the mechanical energy introduced into the mixture per kilogram of mixture may be in the range of 0.4 kWh/kg to 1.0 kWh/kg or any subrange thereof such as 0.4 kWh/kg to 0.6 kWh/kg.
• the solid carbon fraction of the wet slurry may be less than 10 wt %, 5 wt %, 4 wt %, 3 wt %, 2 wt%, 1 wt , 0.5 wt 5, 0.1 wt % or less, e.g., in the range of 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % or any subrange thereof such as 0.1 wt % to 2 wt %.
• the conductive layer 102 may be made of a suitable electrically conductive material such as a metal foil (e.g., an aluminum foil).
• the surface of the conductive layer 102 may be roughened, patterned, or otherwise texturized, e.g., to promote adhesion to the adhesion layer 104 and good electrical conductance from the active layer 106.
• the conductive layer may be etched (e.g., mechanically or chemically).
• the conductive layer 102 may have a thickness in the range of 1 ⁇ to 1,000 ⁇ or any subrange thereof such as 5 ⁇ to 50 ⁇ .
• the conductive layer 102 may include a nanostructured surface.
• the conductive layer may have a top surface that includes nanoscale features such as whiskers (e.g., carbide whiskers) that promote adhesion to the adhesion layer 104 and good electrical conductance from the active layer 106.
• whiskers e.g., carbide whiskers
• An exemplary current collector is the current collector available from Toyo Aluminum K.K. under the trade name TOYAL-CARBO ® .
• one or both of the active layer 106 and the adhesion layer 104 may be treated by applying heat and/or vacuum to remove impurities (e.g., functional groups of the CNTs, and impurities such as moisture, oxides, halides, or the like).
• impurities e.g., functional groups of the CNTs, and impurities such as moisture, oxides, halides, or the like.
• one or both of the active the active layer 106 and the adhesion layer 104 may be compressed, e.g., to break some of the constituent CNTs or other carbonaceous material to increase the surface area of the respective layer.
• this compression treatment may increase one or more of adhesion between the layers, ion transport rate within the layers, and the surface area of the layers.
• compression can be applied before or after the respective layer is applied to or formed on the electrode 100.
• the adhesion layer 104 may be omitted, such that the active layer 106 is disposed directly on the conductive layer 102.
• the electrode 100 may be double sided, with an adhesion layer 104 and active layer 106 formed on each of two opposing major surfaces of the conductive layer 102.
• the adhesion layer 104 may be omitted on one or both sides of the two-sided electrode 100.
• step 201 CNTs are dispersed in a solvent to form a dispersion of CNTs.
• the dispersion may be formed using any of the techniques described in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 20150279578 entitled "High Power and High Energy Electrodes Using Carbon Nanotubes" published October 1, 2015 including stirring, sonication, or a combination of the two.
• any suitable solvent may be used, including, for example, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, acetone, acetonitrile, and the like.
• the mixture of CNTs and solvents may be passed through a filter, e.g., an array of micro channels (e.g., having channels with diameters on the order of the radial size of the CNTs) to help physically separate the CNTs and promote dispersion.
• a filter e.g., an array of micro channels (e.g., having channels with diameters on the order of the radial size of the CNTs) to help physically separate the CNTs and promote dispersion.
• the CNT dispersion may be formed without the addition of surfactants, e.g., to avoid the presence of impurities derived from these surfactants at the completion of the method 200.
• the CNT dispersion is mixed with carbonaceous material (e.g., activated carbon) to form a slurry.
• carbonaceous material e.g., activated carbon
• the slurry may be formed using any of the techniques described in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 20150279578, published on October 1, 2015, including stirring, sonication, or a combination of the two.
• the slurry may have solid carbon fraction of less than 20 wt %, 15 wt %, 10 wt %, 5 wt %, 2 wt %, 1 wt %, or less, e.g., in the range of 1 wt % to 20 wt % or any subrange thereof such as 4% to 6%.
• the mass ratio of CNTs to other carbonaceous material in the slurry may be less than 1:5, 1: 10, 1: 15, 1:20, 1:50, 1: 100, or less, e.g., in the range of 1: 10 to 1:20 or any subrange thereof.
• the slurry is applied to either the adhesion layer 104 or, if the adhesion layer 104 is omitted, the conductive layer 102 of the electrode 100.
• the slurry may be formed into a sheet, and coated onto the electrode.
• slurry may be applied to through a slot die to control the thickness of the applied layer.
• the slurry may be applied to the conductive layer 102, and then leveled to a desired thickness, e.g., using a doctor blade.
• the slurry may be compressed (e.g., using a calendaring apparatus) before or after being applied to the electrode 100.
• the slurry may be partially or completely dried (e.g., by applying heat, vacuum or a combination thereof) during this step 203.
• step 204 if the slurry has not dried, or has been only partially dried during step 203, the slurry applied to the electrode is fully dried, (e.g., by applying heat, vacuum or a combination thereof). In some embodiments, substantially all of the solvent (and any other non-carbonaceous material such as dispersing agents) is removed from the active layer 106. In some embodiments, if impurities remain following the drying step, and additional step of heating (e.g. baking or annealing) the layer may be performed.
• additional step of heating e.g. baking or annealing
• one or both of the active the active layer 106 and the adhesion layer 104 may be treated by applying heat to remove impurities (e.g., functional groups of the CNTs, and impurities such as moisture, oxides, halides, or the like).
• impurities e.g., functional groups of the CNTs, and impurities such as moisture, oxides, halides, or the like.
• step 301 CNTs are dispersed in a solvent to form a dispersion of CNTs.
• the dispersion may be formed using any of the techniques described in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 20150279578, published on October 1, 2015, including stirring, sonication, or a combination of the two.
• any suitable solvent may be used, including, for example an organic solvent such as isopropyl alcohol, acetonitrile or propylene carbonate. In general, it is advantageous to choose a solvent that will be substantially eliminated in the drying step 304 described below.
• the mixture of CNTs and solvents may be passed through a filter, e.g., an array of micro channels (e.g., having channels with diameters on the order of the radial size of the CNTs) to help physically separate the CNTs and promote dispersion.
• a filter e.g., an array of micro channels (e.g., having channels with diameters on the order of the radial size of the CNTs) to help physically separate the CNTs and promote dispersion.
• the CNT dispersion may be formed without the addition of surfactants, e.g., to avoid the presence of impurities derived from these surfactants at the completion of the method 300.
• the CNT dispersion may optionally be mixed with additional carbonaceous material (e.g., activated carbon) to form a slurry.
• additional carbonaceous material e.g., activated carbon
• the additional carbonaceous material may be omitted, such that the slurry is made up of CNTs dispersed in a solvent.
• the slurry may have solid fraction of less than 5 wt %, 4 wt %, 3 wt %, 2 wt %, 1 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 0.1 wt %, or less, e.g., in the range of 0.1 to 5 wt % or any subrange thereof.
• the slurry is applied to the conductive layer 102 of the electrode 100.
• the slurry may be coated onto the electrode.
• slurry may be applied to through a slot die to control the thickness of the applied layer.
• the slurry may be applied to the conductive layer 102, and then leveled to a desired thickness, e.g., using a doctor blade.
• the slurry may be compressed (e.g., using a calendaring apparatus) before or after being applied to the electrode 100.
• the slurry may be partially or completely dried (e.g., by applying heat, vacuum or a combination thereof) during this step 303.
• step 304 if the slurry has not dried, or has been only partially dried during step 203, the slurry applied to the electrode is fully dried, (e.g., by applying heat, vacuum or a combination thereof). In some embodiments, substantially all of the solvent (and any other non-carbonaceous material such as dispersing agents) is removed from the active layer 106. In some embodiments, if impurities remain following the drying step, and additional step of heating (e.g. baking or annealing) the layer may be performed.
• additional step of heating e.g. baking or annealing
• one or both of the active the active layer 106 and the adhesion layer 104 may be treated by applying heat to remove impurities (e.g., functional groups of the CNTs, and impurities such as moisture, oxides, halides, or the like).
• impurities e.g., functional groups of the CNTs, and impurities such as moisture, oxides, halides, or the like.
• the method 300 for forming an adhesion layer 104 and method 200 for forming an active layer 106 may be performed in series to successively form the adhesion layer 104 followed by the overlaying active layer 106. In some embodiments, the foregoing methods may be repeated, e.g., to form a two-sided electrode of the type described herein.
• the method 300 for forming an adhesion layer 104 and/or method 200 for forming an active layer 106 may be implemented as a roll- to-roll processes, e.g., to allow volume production of electrode sheets several tens of meters long or more.
• FIG. 6 shows an exemplary mixing apparatus 400 for implementing the method 300 for forming an adhesion layer 104 and/or method 200 for forming an active layer 106.
• the apparatus 400 will be described for use in forming active layer 106 using method 200.
• the apparatus 400 can easily be configured to implement the method 300 for forming an adhesion layer 104.
• the apparatus 400 includes a mixing vessel 401.
• the mixing vessel receives a slurry composed of a solvent, carbon nanotubes, and (optionally) additional carbonaceous material of the type described above.
• this slurry (or components thereof) may be initially formed in the mixing vessel 401. In other embodiments, the slurry may be formed elsewhere and then transferred to the mixing vessel 401.
• the mixing vessel 401 may include one or more mechanisms for mixing the slurry, such as an impeller or high sheer mixer.
• a mixing mechanism may be provided which is capable of stirring the slurry at a controlled rate, e.g., of up to 1000 rotations per minute (RPM) or more.
• the mixing vessel may include one or more devices for applying mechanical energy to the slurry, such as a sonicator, mixer (e.g., a high shear mixer), homogenizer, or any other suitable device known in the art.
• the mixing vessel may be temperature controlled, e.g., using one or more heating and/or cooling elements such as electric heaters, tubing for circulating chilled water, or any other such devices known in the art.
• Slurry from the mixing vessel 401 may be circulated through a flow line 402, e.g. a pipe or tubing, using a pump 403.
• Pump 403 may be any suitable configuration, such as a peristaltic pump.
• a flow meter 404 may be provided to measure the rate of slurry flow through the flow line 402.
• a filter 405 may be provided to filter the slurry flowing through the flow line 402, e.g., to remove clumps of solid material having a size above a desired threshold.
• an in-line sonicator 406 may be provided to sonicate slurry flowing through the flow line 402.
• a flow through sonicator such as the Branson Digital SFX-450 sonicator available commercially from Thomas Scientific of 1654 High Hill Road Swedesboro, NJ 08085 U.S. A may be used.
• a temperature control device 407 such as a heat exchanger arranged in a sleeve disposed about the flow line 402, is provided to control the temperature of the slurry flowing through the flow line 402.
• a valve 408 is provided which can be selectively controlled to direct a first portion of the slurry flowing through flow line 402 to be recirculated back to the mixing vessel 401, while a second portion is output externally, e.g., to a coating apparatus 500.
• a sensor 409 such as a pressure sensor or flow rate sensor is provided to sense one or more aspects of the output portion of slurry.
• any or all of the elements of apparatus 400 may be operatively connected to one or more computing devices to provide for automatic monitoring and/or control of the mixing apparatus 400.
• the sonicator 406 may include digital controls for controlling its operating parameters such as power and duty cycle.
• the coating apparatus 500 may be any suitable type known in the art.
• FIG. 7A shows an exemplary embodiment of coating apparatus 500 featuring a slot die 501 that distributes slurry received from a source such as the mixing apparatus 400 through a distribution channel 502 onto a substrate 503 (e.g., the conductive layer 102, either bare or already coated with adhesion layer 104) which moves across a roller 504.
• a substrate 503 e.g., the conductive layer 102, either bare or already coated with adhesion layer 104
• Setting the height of the slot die above the substrate 503 on the roller 504 and controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of the slurry in the channel 502 allows for control of the thickness and density of the applied coating.
• channel 502 may include one or more reservoirs to help ensure consistent flow of slurry to provide uniform coating during operation.
• FIG. 7B shows an exemplary embodiment of coating apparatus 500 featuring a doctor blade 601 that levels slurry received from a source such as the mixing apparatus 400 that is applied through on or more applicators 602 (one is shown) onto a substrate 603 (e.g., the conductive layer 102, either bare or already coated with adhesion layer 104) which moves across a roller 604.
• a substrate 603 e.g., the conductive layer 102, either bare or already coated with adhesion layer 10
• the direction of travel of the substrate 603 is indicated by the heavy dark arrow. Setting the height of the doctor blade 601 above the substrate 603 on the roller 604 and controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of the slurry through the applicator 602 allows for control of the thickness and density of the applied coating.
• a single doctor blade 601 is shown, multiple blades may be used, e.g., a first blade to set a rough thickness of the coating, and a second blade positioned down line form the first blade to provide fine smooth
• Such ultracapacitors may comprise an energy storage cell and an electrolyte system within an hermetically sealed housing, the cell electrically coupled to a positive contact and a negative contact, wherein the ultracapacitor is configured to operate at a temperatures within a temperature range between about -100 degrees Celsius to about 300 degrees Celsius or more, or any subrange thereof, e.g., -40 C to 200 C, -40 C to 250 C, -40 C to 300 C, 0 C to 200 C, 0 C to 250 C, 0 C to 300 C.
• such ultracapacitors can operate a voltages of 1.0 V, 2.0 V, 3.0 V, 3.2 V, 3.5 V. 4.0 V, or more, e.g., for lifetimes exceeding 1,000 hours.
• FIGS. 8 A and 8B exemplary embodiments of a capacitor are shown.
• the capacitor is an "ultracapacitor 10."
• FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B The difference between FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B is the inclusion of a separator in exemplary ultracapacitor 10 of FIG. 8A.
• the concepts disclosed herein generally apply equally to any exemplary ultracapacitor 10. Certain electrolytes of certain embodiments are uniquely suited to constructing an exemplary ultracapacitor 10 without a separator. Unless otherwise noted, the discussion herein applies equally to any ultracapacitor 10, with or without a separator.
• the exemplary ultracapacitor 10 is an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC).
• the EDLC includes at least one pair of electrodes 3 (where the electrodes 3 may be referred to as a negative electrode 3 and a positive electrode 3, merely for purposes of referencing herein).
• each of the electrodes 3 (which may each be an electrode 100 of the type shown in FIG. 1 above) presents a double layer of charge at an electrolyte interface.
• a plurality of electrodes 3 is included (for example, in some embodiments, at least two pairs of electrodes 3 are included). However, for purposes of discussion, only one pair of electrodes 3 are shown.
• At least one of the electrodes 3 uses a carbon-based energy storage media 1 (e.g., the active layer 106 of electrode 100 shown in FIG. 1), and it assumed that each of the electrodes includes the carbon-based energy storage media 1.
• a carbon-based energy storage media 1 e.g., the active layer 106 of electrode 100 shown in FIG. 1
• an electrolytic capacitor differs from an ultracapacitor because metallic electrodes differ greatly (at least an order of magnitude) in surface area.
• Each of the electrodes 3 includes a respective current collector 2 (also referred to as a "charge collector"), which may be the conductive layer 102 of electrode 100 shown in FIG. 1.
• the electrodes 3 are separated by a separator 5.
• the separator 5 is a thin structural material (usually a sheet) used to separate the negative electrode 3 from the positive electrode 3.
• the separator 5 may also serve to separate pairs of the electrodes 3.
• the electrodes 3 and the separator 5 provide a storage cell 12.
• the carbon-based energy storage media 1 may not be included on one or both of the electrodes 3. That is, in some embodiments, a respective electrode 3 might consist of only the current collector 2.
• Electrode 3 generally refers to a combination of the energy storage media 1 and the current collector 2 (but this is not limiting, for at least the foregoing reason).
• electrolyte 6 is included in the ultracapacitor 10.
• the electrolyte 6 fills void spaces in and between the electrodes 3 and the separator 5.
• the electrolyte 6 is a substance that disassociates into electrically charged ions.
• a solvent that dissolves the substance may be included in some embodiments of the electrolyte 6, as appropriate.
• the electrolyte 6 conducts electricity by ionic transport.
• the electrolyte 6 may be in gelled or solid form (e.g., an ionic liquid impregnated polymer layer).
• gelled or solid form e.g., an ionic liquid impregnated polymer layer.
• Examples of such electrolytes are provided in International Publication No. WO 2015/102716 entitled “ADVANCED ELECTROLYTES FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE” and published July 9, 2015.
• the electrolyte 6 may be in non-aqueous liquid form, e.g., an ionic liquid, e.g., of a type suitable for high temperature applications.
• an ionic liquid e.g., of a type suitable for high temperature applications. Examples of such electrolytes are provided in International Publication No. WO 2015/102716 entitled “ADVANCED ELECTROLYTES FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE" and published July 9, 2015.
• the storage cell 12 is formed into one of a wound form or prismatic form which is then packaged into a cylindrical or prismatic housing 7.
• the housing 7 may be hermetically sealed.
• the package is hermetically sealed by techniques making use of laser, ultrasonic, and/or welding technologies.
• the housing 7 is configured with external contacts to provide electrical communication with respective terminals 8 within the housing 7.
• Each of the terminals 8, in turn, provides electrical access to energy stored in the energy storage media 1, generally through electrical leads which are coupled to the energy storage media 1.
• hermetic refers to a seal whose quality (i.e., leak rate) is defined in units of "atm-cc/second,” which means one cubic centimeter of gas (e.g., He) per second at ambient atmospheric pressure and temperature. This is equivalent to an expression in units of "standard He-cc/sec.” Further, it is recognized that 1 atm-cc/sec is equal to 1.01325 mbar- liter/sec.
• the ultracapacitor 10 disclosed herein is capable of providing a hermetic seal that has a leak rate no greater than about 5.0xl0 "6 atm-cc/sec, and may exhibit a leak rate no higher than about 5.0xl0 "10 atm-cc/sec. It is also considered that performance of a successfully hermetic seal is to be judged by the user, designer or manufacturer as appropriate, and that "hermetic" ultimately implies a standard that is to be defined by a user, designer, manufacturer or other interested party.
• Leak detection may be accomplished, for example, by use of a tracer gas.
• the ultracapacitor 10 is placed into an environment of helium.
• the ultracapacitor 10 is subjected to pressurized helium.
• the ultracapacitor 10 is then placed into a vacuum chamber that is connected to a detector capable of monitoring helium presence (such as an atomic absorption unit). With knowledge of pressurization time, pressure and internal volume, the leak rate of the ultracapacitor 10 may be determined.
• At least one lead (which may also be referred to herein as a "tab”) is electrically coupled to a respective one of the current collectors 2.
• a plurality of the leads (accordingly to a polarity of the ultracapacitor 10) may be grouped together and coupled to into a respective terminal 8.
• the terminal 8 may be coupled to an electrical access, referred to as a "contact” (e.g., one of the housing 7 and an external electrode (also referred to herein for convention as a "feed-through” or "pin”)).
• a contact e.g., one of the housing 7 and an external electrode (also referred to herein for convention as a "feed-through” or "pin)
• Suitable exemplary designs are provided in International Publication No. WO 2015/102716 entitled “ADVANCED ELECTROLYTES FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE” and published July 9, 2015.
• ultracapacitor 10 may be joined together.
• the various forms may be joined using known techniques, such as welding contacts together, by use of at least one mechanical connector, by placing contacts in electrical contact with each other and the like.
• a plurality of the ultracapacitors 10 may be electrically connected in at least one of a parallel and a series fashion.
• wt% means weight percent.
• wt% refers to the percentage of the overall mass of the solute and solvent mixture made up by the solute.

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