Nano-tech ultra caps as a battery

toybuilder · 02-15-2006, 09:33 PM

I came across this potential new technology that could replace batteries with "super capacitors" which has the potential of having the charge capacity of batteries while also improving the lifetime (charging cycles) tremendously...

http://www.gizmag.com/go/5192/

At the very least, it could provide better charge/discharge performance for instantaneous power so that glider can squeeze more time out of regular batteries...

BruceWright · 02-15-2006, 09:41 PM

Toybuilder!?!!?

¡Compadré!

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

dgbint · 02-15-2006, 09:51 PM

Nice sounding idea.

But ( and there is always a but ) the energy levels are not comparable.
Some basic Math(s) is called for.

Segways use many volts at many amps for many hours.
That multiplies out to be a great deal of energy.

Current capacitors can supply a few volts at maybe a few amps for ( maybe at best, small ) fractions of a second.
That multiplies out to be a small amount of energy.

There are probably many orders of difference.

Even if they achieve new technology, at breakthrough prices at breakthrough energy levels, it's likely to still be a few orders of magnitude under what is currently on offer.

This stuff will come, but it's probably a way off yet.

Michael

toybuilder · 02-15-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by dgbint

Nice sounding idea.

But ( and there is always a but ) the energy levels are not comparable.

It depends on what charge density they achieve with the new nano-tube substrate! In the article, they talk about using the batteries for regenerative braking and burst power for powering trains!

Alas, it's at least half a decade away... But one can hope!

One possibility is to have a battery+supercap hybrid, where recharging after short trips and regenerative braking/recapture of the energy takes place on the supercaps, while still keeping most of the long-term charge on the battery packs. This would improve the lifetime of Segway batteries a LOT...

amturnip · 02-15-2006, 10:42 PM

I'll take one super-nano and an order of Tweels, please.

Georgem · 02-15-2006, 10:56 PM

Isn't this very close to the perpetual motion machine that was the Holy Grail of inventors a century ago?

beckpm · 02-15-2006, 11:50 PM

Joseph,
We missed all your words of wisdom - welcome back. I remember your kind help in getting me off to a great start with safe segging habits back in Chicago during the first and best Segfest ever.
I love the prospect of new and better power sources, but to tell the truth - my LIONS exceed all of my power needs these days!

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02-15-2006, 09:33 PM	#1
toybuilder Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pasadena, CA, . Posts: 935	Nano-tech ultra caps as a battery I came across this potential new technology that could replace batteries with "super capacitors" which has the potential of having the charge capacity of batteries while also improving the lifetime (charging cycles) tremendously... http://www.gizmag.com/go/5192/ At the very least, it could provide better charge/discharge performance for instantaneous power so that glider can squeeze more time out of regular batteries...

02-15-2006, 11:50 PM	#7
beckpm Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Arlington, Virginia, USA. Posts: 406	Joseph, We missed all your words of wisdom - welcome back. I remember your kind help in getting me off to a great start with safe segging habits back in Chicago during the first and best Segfest ever. I love the prospect of new and better power sources, but to tell the truth - my LIONS exceed all of my power needs these days! <div align="right"></div id="right">

02-15-2006, 09:41 PM	#2
BruceWright Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles), California, USA. Posts: 3,296	Toybuilder!?!!? ¡Compadré! -Bruce Wright Segway: Vehicle of Dream

02-15-2006, 09:51 PM	#3
dgbint Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Posts: 991	Nice sounding idea. But ( and there is always a but ) the energy levels are not comparable. Some basic Math(s) is called for. Segways use many volts at many amps for many hours. That multiplies out to be a great deal of energy. Current capacitors can supply a few volts at maybe a few amps for ( maybe at best, small ) fractions of a second. That multiplies out to be a small amount of energy. There are probably many orders of difference. Even if they achieve new technology, at breakthrough prices at breakthrough energy levels, it's likely to still be a few orders of magnitude under what is currently on offer. This stuff will come, but it's probably a way off yet. Michael

02-15-2006, 10:42 PM	#5
amturnip Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: , , . Posts: 368	I'll take one super-nano and an order of Tweels, please.

02-15-2006, 10:56 PM	#6
Georgem Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA. Posts: 37	Isn't this very close to the perpetual motion machine that was the Holy Grail of inventors a century ago?

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