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Electrochemical Capacitors for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles – The DOE Program and the Status of the Technology

UCD-ITS-RP-94-10

Research Report

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Suggested Citation:
Burke, Andrew (1994) Electrochemical Capacitors for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles – The DOE Program and the Status of the Technology. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RP-94-10

The DOE Electrochemical Capacitor (ultracapacitor) Development Program is reviewed and the technologies being pursued to meet the near-term and advanced energy density goals of 5 Wh/kg and 15 Wh/kg, respectively, are identified and described. These technologies, denoted by the materials used in the substrates of the capacitors, are:
  • 1. Carbon/metal fiber composites
  • 2. Foamed (aerogel) carbon
  • 3. Activated, synthetic, monolithic carbon
  • 4. Doped conducting polymer films on carbon paper
  • 5. Mixed metal oxides.
The present status of each of these technologies is assessed and projections are made of future developments.
Work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE), under DOE Idaho Operations Office, Contract DE-AC07-76ID01570.