Opher BanarieUltra-Capacitor Revolution?
January 12th 2009 21:47
Ask yourself this question: What electronic device would you like to have with you 24/7 but find that impractical to do because batteries are too expensive, heavy, limited power, etc.? How would daily life change if there was a technology available which would allow you to have a relatively small, light-weight power source that would carry almost limitless amounts of power? And what if that power source was cheap, clean and lasted practically a lifetime?
Science fiction or just a rude tease?
Well, if you believe the press about EEStor and their top-secret research project, there really may be such a technology in the offing.
Using a new technology to create high quality capacitors (ultra-capacitors), EEStor should be able to power an all-electric car for 500 miles on one charge of a "battery" weighing about half what is currently in use and getting only a 250 mile operating range. Additionally, the capacitor could be charged in seconds (assuming the wiring supports all that voltage), needs no hazardous materials in manufacturing, and will last the lifetime of the car or longer.
In fact, Zenn Motors has signed an exclusing agreement with EEStor to use their capacitors in small cars. They must have seen something they liked in the demo.
Now, while all the interest is in automotive applications, consider all the other possibilities: Power tools, computers (laptops most likely), boating, trains, toys, etc. Depending on the size and price of these devices, there are infinite opportunites for changing how we live today.
EEStor was granted a patent in December. Now they need to deliver some details about what they are doing. Zenn plans to have their device in cars by January 2010, so time is limited. Stay tuned for updates.
Science fiction or just a rude tease?
Well, if you believe the press about EEStor and their top-secret research project, there really may be such a technology in the offing.
Using a new technology to create high quality capacitors (ultra-capacitors), EEStor should be able to power an all-electric car for 500 miles on one charge of a "battery" weighing about half what is currently in use and getting only a 250 mile operating range. Additionally, the capacitor could be charged in seconds (assuming the wiring supports all that voltage), needs no hazardous materials in manufacturing, and will last the lifetime of the car or longer.
In fact, Zenn Motors has signed an exclusing agreement with EEStor to use their capacitors in small cars. They must have seen something they liked in the demo.
Now, while all the interest is in automotive applications, consider all the other possibilities: Power tools, computers (laptops most likely), boating, trains, toys, etc. Depending on the size and price of these devices, there are infinite opportunites for changing how we live today.
EEStor was granted a patent in December. Now they need to deliver some details about what they are doing. Zenn plans to have their device in cars by January 2010, so time is limited. Stay tuned for updates.
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