1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

News Supercapacitor promises end to batteries

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by CardJoe, 8 Feb 2010.

  1. CardJoe

    CardJoe Freelance Journalist

    Joined:
    3 Apr 2007
    Posts:
    11,346
    Likes Received:
    316
  2. liratheal

    liratheal Sharing is Caring

    Joined:
    20 Nov 2005
    Posts:
    12,845
    Likes Received:
    1,939
    Using the XKCD theory, this will be canned in six months, or not heard from again for the next decade.
     
  3. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

    Joined:
    5 Nov 2006
    Posts:
    2,852
    Likes Received:
    916
    What if your feet are touching the floor, won't you get a shock?! Holding these devices won't shock you?!
     
  4. Nexxo

    Nexxo * Prefab Sprout – The King of Rock 'n' Roll

    Joined:
    23 Oct 2001
    Posts:
    34,731
    Likes Received:
    2,210
    Energy density numbers, please? Otherwise I know this Nigerian businessman who has an interesting proposition for you...
     
  5. null_x86

    null_x86 Thread Closer

    Joined:
    18 Jan 2009
    Posts:
    2,441
    Likes Received:
    89
    This... Until I can see some numbers, its just a good-looking concept/rumor as far as im concerned...
     
  6. dec

    dec [blank space]

    Joined:
    10 Jan 2009
    Posts:
    323
    Likes Received:
    12
    @proxess- i was thinking the same thing but id imagine anyone making their products with the stuff will make sure it has a insulative coating on the exterior.

    If only you can make solar panels (that are as thin as this could be) and this come together your laptop could charge itself and store the electricity in its case.

    Any numbers for this thing?
     
  7. ch424

    ch424 Design Warrior

    Joined:
    26 May 2004
    Posts:
    3,112
    Likes Received:
    41
  8. Xir

    Xir Modder

    Joined:
    26 Apr 2006
    Posts:
    5,412
    Likes Received:
    133
    Call me when they've got it market-ready at the dame energy density than "normal" Li-Ion batteries. Till then there's no use in speculating how great this COULD be.

    Remember the phone charger that can charge off transmissions? shame it doesn't even cover the standby power.
     
  9. dogknees

    dogknees Minimodder

    Joined:
    27 Dec 2008
    Posts:
    103
    Likes Received:
    5
    I think it would be safe to touch, etc. If it's a capacitor then both "plates" or whatever acts as such could be insulated from the outside world. What concerns me is what happens if the case is pierced by something metallic. Great big short-circuit would be my first guess.

    Even many batteries explode when shorted. They can dump so much current that the heat melts or sets them on fire. Sometimes really impressive fires!!

    I guess they could use some of the space they've saved for some light armour. Kevlar covered devices, cool!
     
  10. Stuey

    Stuey You will be defenestrated!

    Joined:
    20 Jan 2005
    Posts:
    2,612
    Likes Received:
    10
    They said the same thing a few years ago about power tool batteries. Guess, what, I'm still waiting. They came out with a screwdriver powered by a super-cap, and initial interest was high. Then it all crashed down.

    I agree with Nexxo, what are the energy densities for these new materials? Overall storage capacity? Charging times/frequency?

    A paper-thin cell phone is a novel idea, but won't be of much use if it must be recharged every 90 minutes.
     
  11. Chocobollz

    Chocobollz What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    25 Dec 2008
    Posts:
    122
    Likes Received:
    0
    XKCD? Maybe you mean... SSDD (Same **** Different Day)? :p
     
  12. HourBeforeDawn

    HourBeforeDawn a.k.a KazeModz

    Joined:
    26 Oct 2006
    Posts:
    2,637
    Likes Received:
    6
    Well this has great potential as long it doesnt get canned by some big wig worried about losing out on some current techs kickbacks ~_~
     
  13. wyx087

    wyx087 Homeworld 3 is happening!!

    Joined:
    15 Aug 2007
    Posts:
    11,987
    Likes Received:
    706
    super capacitors will NEVER end the need for battery, because i had been working with a couple as large as 1F and they don't store enough charges for even a very well power managed microcontroller for 1 hour. (well power managed because i programed it :p )

    ultra-capacitor on the other hand..... my friend was involved in another project, tried to replace battery used in MoD's standard issue radio with ultra-caps. final product: 24 hours talk time with normal 2xAA battery ends up to be 1.5 hour with four 100F 5v ultra-caps.


    on the issue whether it's safe to touch, of course it's safe, we are talking about electronics, not electrical high voltage. super-caps usually comes in 2.5v or 5v, and doesn't discharge as fast as a good ceramic capacitor.
     
  14. Farfalho

    Farfalho Minimodder

    Joined:
    27 Nov 2009
    Posts:
    427
    Likes Received:
    2
    Sounds interesting and looking forward, let's see it is viable and doesn't suffer from lobbies.
     
  15. knuck

    knuck Hate your face

    Joined:
    25 Jan 2002
    Posts:
    7,671
    Likes Received:
    310
    never bitch xkcd on a tech forum, this is blasphemy

    I don't see how it's always the same everyday... I actually think it's the complete opposite
     
  16. thehippoz

    thehippoz What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    19 Dec 2008
    Posts:
    5,780
    Likes Received:
    174
    yeah like wu said.. I built a 1 farad capacitor for my trucks stereo system- ran a bunch in parallel

    they are good for supplying steady power when the pull exceeds what the alternator can do- like during bass notes the amps pull a lot of power- during that time it will get what it needs from the capacitors and the caps recharge in between.. but they discharge very quickly- they don't hold a charge
     
  17. Skiddywinks

    Skiddywinks Minimodder

    Joined:
    10 Aug 2008
    Posts:
    932
    Likes Received:
    8
    I'm thinking he means SSDD for new techs like this.

    Although if he is slagging off xkcd I will kick his ass with you...
     
  18. yougotkicked

    yougotkicked A.K.A. YGKtech

    Joined:
    3 Jan 2010
    Posts:
    251
    Likes Received:
    9
    actually, by XKCD logic this means they will be keeping the technology to themselves:
    "we're not really looking at market applications yet." -----> "I like being the only one with a hovercar"
     
Tags: Add Tags

Share This Page