French startup Nawa Technologies has developed a technology of a new type of battery called ultracapacitors. The principle of operation is based on the separation of the atoms into protons and electrons in space of the carbon nanotubes are composed of graphene and carbon. However, a detailed device characteristics and the battery kept secret – a trade secret.
The ultracapacitor stated that the separation of the particles is not due to a chemical reaction, therefore the deformation and wear of structural elements is minimized. And the rate of charge-discharge has increased thousands of times in comparison with lithium-ion battery, charge the battery in literally seconds and will withstand millions of cycles. Alas, because of this, its power density is four times lower than lithium analogues and the whole system is not stable – a day can “lose” about 10-20% of accumulated charge.
The ultracapacitor will not be a universal solution, but it could occupy a niche batteries quick use, where energy need not be stored for long. For example, in systems of regenerative braking lithium-ion battery is useless, due to the mismatch between the speed of the process and rate of charging. And ultra-fast ultracapacitor is able to “catch” all the energy, so after a minute or two to give it while performing any other maneuver.
The design of the ultracapacitor are used only aluminum and carbon, there is no need rare earth elements and then it is cheap in production. And this battery can be integrated directly in the chassis, to make part of the door or the wing, without compromising the performance properties and the need to allocate a separate compartment. In combination of ultracapacitor and classic lithium-ion battery turns out to be convenient and multifunctional hybrid battery. Their production is planned for the second half of 2019.
Source — Nawa Tech