An electric double layer energy storage device manufacturing line by Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. in Japan has started up.  The electric double layer energy device has an equivalent series resistance as low as several tens of milliohms.

The devices will come in two models. One is 1.5mm thick and has an instantaneous maximum allowable voltage of 2.7V, and the other is 3.0mm thick and has an instantaneous maximum allowable voltage of 5.5V.

Electric double layer energy devices store electricity by using only physical adsorption of ions on the surface of activated carbon without any chemical reactions. Unlike normal rechargeable batteries, they can semi permanently charge and discharge electricity at high speeds. In non-science terms, this new devices are able to catch the electric ions due to physical absorption instead of chemical reactions as occurs in regular batteries.  The new device is able to charge much quicker, and has a wider range of output power, enabling them to be used on short-time peak capacity.

Murata's New Double Layer Energy Storage Device

Murata developed the new electric double layer energy storage device by utilizing a technology developed by CAP-XX Ltd, an Australia-based firm.  The two companies formed a business partnership in 2008.  Murata’s developments enabled charging and discharging with a wide range of output power over a wide temperature range by optimizing the device’s electrochemical system including its electrode structure.

The device has an inherent advantage in short time peaking power delivery.  Using a large mass storage such as a battery the device can deliver very high peak current for brief periods protecting the battery.  The reduced battery load and high output offers designers a new power service design.

Murata is currently producing the device at a rate of several hundred thousand units per month and is planning to establish a production system with a capacity of one million units per month by 2012. It looks like the firm has a lot of confidence in the market acceptance of the devices.  The sample of the device pricing is at about $3.9US (approx. ¥300) for the 2.7V model and $6.75US (approx. ¥500) for the 5.5V model.

Murata just let the news out and will show the device at CEATEC Japan 2011 on October 4th to 8th.

What’s missing at this early news point is discussion of capacity or energy by size or weight.  An electrochemical double layer device is very close to being a capacitor and is thought of as an electrochemical capacitor with relatively high energy density.  Their energy density is typically hundreds of times greater than conventional electrolytic capacitors. They also have a much higher power density than batteries or fuel cells.

Real world use is going to reveal a lot about the performance.  From the photos its clear the early production is going to be dedicated to small units.  How the devices might compare to a alkaline battery isn’t known – but the prices quoted are already competitive.  If the capacity is there, they recharge quickly, easily and will little or no degradation, Murata may have a major hit on its hands. And that new flashlight will be a huge improvement!


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