In this note, we are going to cover these topics like – What is Supercapacitor?, types, Working Principle, Advantages, Applications. Welcome to Poly Notes Hub, a leading destination for Diploma Engineering Notes for Polytechnic Students.
Author Name: Arun Paul.
What is Supercapacitor?
A supercapacitor, also known as an ultracapacitor or electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC), is a type of energy storage device capable of storing and rapidly releasing massive amounts of electrical energy. Supercapacitors store energy both electrostatically and electrochemically, as opposed to regular capacitors, which require dielectric materials to do so.
Supercapacitors are made up of two electrodes separated by an electrolyte and a porous substance called the separator. The electrodes are commonly comprised of activated carbon, which has a large surface area for storing ions. When a voltage is supplied to the electrodes, ions from the electrolyte concentrate on their surfaces, generating an electric double layer. This double layer holds energy electrostatically.
Types of Supercapacitor
There are three types of supercapacitor –
- Electro Static Double Layer Capacitor
- Pseudo Capacitor
- Hybrid Capacitor
Working Principle of Supercapacitor
A supercapacitor stores electrical energy as an electric double layer at the interface of its electrodes and electrolyte. When a voltage is applied, ions from the electrolyte collect on the electrode surfaces, forming a double layer. This electrostatic storage mechanism enables supercapacitors to charge and discharge quickly, making them ideal for applications that require short bursts of power or frequent cycling. Unlike batteries, which store energy through chemical reactions, supercapacitors can withstand multiple charge-discharge cycles with little deterioration.
Advantages of Supercapacitor
Below we listed some advantages of supercapacitors –
- It can deliver and store energy more faster than batteries.
- It can be operated in a wide range of temperatures.
- It does not require regular maintenance like batteries.
Applications of Supercapacitor
Below we listed some applications of supercapacitors –
- Used in Electric Vehicles.
- Used in Static RAM.
- Used in MP3 players.
- Also used in Flash Lights (Photographic Flash).