Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a super-capacitor technology that can store and deliver electricity at high power rates, specifically for mobile applications.

The technology has the potential to change energy usage in electric vehicles as well as reduce renewable based energy loss in the national grid. The technology could potentially forward advancements in wind, wave and solar energy, researchers said.

The super-capacitor technology stores energy through a mechanism known as pseudocapacitance made of polymer material that is conductive and can be used as the electrode in a super-capacitor device. The electrode charges by trapping ions within the electrode.

"The future of global energy will depend on consumers and industry using and generating energy more efficiently and super-capacitors have already been proven to be one of the leading technologies for intermittent storage as well as high-power delivery,” said Ash Stott, lead scientist on the project and Ph.D student from the University of Surrey. “Our work, has established a baseline for high energy devices that also operate at high power, effectively widening the range of potential applications."

Researchers used a three-layer composite using carbon nanotubes, polyaniline (PANI) and hydrothermal carbon that demonstrates remarkable rate-capability at high energy densities, independent of power use.

The team said the technology could impact all sorts of industries from wearable technology to mobile internet of things (IoT) applications for 5G revolution.

The full research can be found in the journal Energy & Environmental Materials.