Carbon Nanotube-based Supercapacitor

To address NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's need for improved cost-effective, low mass and low volume devices or methods to store electrical energy onboard long duration (100-day mission) balloon flights at mid-latitudes and altitudes of 30-40 km, Luminit, LLC, proposes to develop a new carbon nanotube-based supercapacitor (CANS) with our mature chemical solution deposition (sol-gel) technology. This approach incorporates new CNT-sol-gel based electrode materials and alignment of CNT in the sol-gel, which enables us to meet NASA requirements for cost-effective, low mass and low volume, 28 V DC and 100 watt to 1000 watt power level. CANS offers very high power and energy, millions of charge/discharge cycles, rapid charge and discharge times, high efficiencies (98%), and cycle life >15 years, and functions at extreme temperatures. In Phase I, Luminit will demonstrate the feasibility of CANS by fabricating unpackaged prototype CNT-sol-gel based supercapacitors and comparing their performance to that of commercially available rechargeable batteries, which will reduce development risk in Phase II. In Phase II Luminit plans to continue the research and development of the CANS fabrication process, optimization of electrode material, computer simulation to make a large supercapacitor using CANS (one CANS cell will provide 2.5 V to 3 V) to achieve NASA's requirements. The demonstrated results will offer NASA capabilities to provide power storage. CANS is currently at TRL #2 at the beginning, by the end of Phase I it is estimated that it will have reached TRL #3.

The CANS system technology is unique in that it can offer low cost and reliable power storage, low mass and volume, high power, high energy, long life (>15 years), millions of charge/discharge cycles, rapid charge and discharges times, high efficiency (98%), work at extreme temperatures. So, CANS technology can be used for NASA's both short and long Balloon Programs as well as various space applications including LEO and GEO missions.

The proposed CANS can be produced in controlled fashion. This will open a wide range of possible applications such as computer systems, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, power conditioners, power tools, inverters, automobile systems, power supplies, cameras, power generators, commercial communications, and spacecraft. As supercapacitors become increasingly miniaturized, they will play a growing role in consumer markets. Applications where supercapacitors have been suggested for consumer products include notebook PCs, digital music players, toys, eBook readers, and cell phones.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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