Energy storage device
An energy storage device includes a supercapacitor having first and second electrodes, each including a composite of a mat of conducting fibers bound by an electrolytic resin. A method of fabricating a super capacitor includes constructing a mat of conducting fibers, binding the mat with an electrolytic resin, and forming a laminate of the electrodes spaced by an insulating spacer.
1. A supercapacitor for load-bearing, the supercapacitor comprising a composite comprising:
at least one electrode comprising a plurality of continuous fibers respectively-arranged for load-bearing, wherein the continuous fibers are activated;
a porous insulating spacer; and
an electrolytic resin, wherein the electrolytic resin impregnates the at least one electrode and spacer, and binds the composite.
2. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 in which the electrolytic resin has structural capability so as to resist buckling of said fibers and provide stress transfer.
3. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 in which the supercapacitor comprises a capacitor based on double-layer effects or pseudocapacitance.
4. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 in which the porous insulating spacer is a glass fiber mat.
5. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 in which the electrolytic resin comprises a polymer electrolyte.
6. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 in which the continuous fibers have been activated by treatment to increase the surface area.
7. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 further comprising nano-tubes or nano-fibers combined with the continuous conducting fibers.
8. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 7 wherein the nano-tubes or nano-fibers are attached to the conducting fiber in an approximately radial direction.
9. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 in which the conducting fibers are carbon fibers.
10. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of electrode pairs.
11. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 in which the at least one electrode is a pseudo capacitive electrode.
12. An electrical device including a supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 .
13. A device as claimed in claim 12 in which the electrical device comprises one of a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a hybrid electrical vehicle battery, an emergency equipment device, a propulsion system device or a downhole energy supply.
14. A supercapacitor as claimed in claim 1 in which the arrangement of continuous fibers comprises at least one of a unidirectional, woven or non-crimp fabric.
15. A method of fabricating an a supercapacitor for load-bearing, the method comprising:
activating a plurality of continuous fibers respectively-arranged for load-bearing, to form an electrode of the energy storage device;
arranging the at least one electrode in cooperation with a porous insulating spacer; and
impregnating and binding the at least one electrode and spacer with an electrolytic resin.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15 in which the plurality of continuous fibers are respectively arranged by at least one of weaving or fiber placement.
17. A method as claimed in claim 15 in which the electrolytic resin is applied using either liquid resin methods or preimpregnated laminates.
18. A pseudocapacitor for load-bearing, the pseudocapacitor comprising a composite comprising:
at least one electrode comprising a plurality of continuous fibers respectively-arranged for load-bearing, wherein the continuous fibers are activated;
a porous insulating spacer; and
an electrolytic resin, wherein the electrolytic resin impregnates the at least one electrode and spacer, and binds the composite.