Electric Double-Layer Capacitor (EDLC)/Supercapacitor SC0370-300-RSS

Electric Double-Layer Capacitors (EDLCs), also known as supercapacitors, represent a significant innovation in modern electronics and energy storage technology. As energy storage components positioned between traditional capacitors and batteries, EDLCs exhibit remarkable advantages in power density, charge-discharge speed, cycle life, and environmental adaptability, thanks to their unique physical energy storage mechanisms. This article delves into the technical characteristics, working principles, and application scenarios of the SC0370-300-RSS supercapacitor manufactured by LICAP Technologies.

I. Technical Characteristics: The Perfect Combination of High Capacitance and Low ESR
The SC0370-300-RSS is a typical large-capacity radial can-type supercapacitor, boasting key parameters such as a nominal capacitance of 370 farads, a rated voltage of 3 volts, and an equivalent series resistance (ESR) of 2.4 milliohms. Employing a welded tab package with a four-lead design, it enables efficient current transmission and heat dissipation. Operating across a temperature range of -50°C to 65°C, it maintains stable performance under extreme conditions. Moreover, the product can operate continuously for 1,500 hours at 65°C, attesting to its long-term reliability.

Technically, the SC0370-300-RSS utilizes activated carbon electrodes paired with an organic electrolyte. Activated carbon materials, through physical adsorption mechanisms, form nanoscale pore structures on electrode surfaces, providing an enormous specific surface area (exceeding 2000 m²/g). When a voltage is applied, ions in the electrolyte migrate to opposite electrode surfaces, forming tightly packed electric double-layer structures. This electrostatic adsorption-based energy storage method circumvents the chemical reactions inherent in traditional batteries, enabling millisecond-level charge-discharge responses and ultra-long cycle lives.

II. Working Principles: Interface Electric Double-Layer and Charge Separation Mechanisms
The core working principle of EDLCs is rooted in the interface electric double-layer theory proposed by German physicist Helmholtz. When the electrodes of the SC0370-300-RSS are immersed in an electrolyte and a voltage is applied, Coulomb forces drive ions to migrate toward electrodes of opposite polarity. Negative ions are attracted to the positive electrode, while positive ions adsorb onto the negative electrode, forming two charge layers at the solid-liquid interface. Due to the nanoscale porous structure of the electrode materials, ions can penetrate deep into the electrodes, creating a three-dimensional electric double-layer network that significantly enhances charge storage density.

During charging, electrons flow from the positive to the negative electrode through an external circuit, while ions in the electrolyte migrate directionally under the electric field. Upon discharge, charges reverse through the load path, and ions return to the bulk electrolyte. The entire process involves only physical adsorption and desorption, without chemical bond breaking or formation. Consequently, EDLCs achieve charge-discharge efficiencies exceeding 95% and exhibit no memory effect.

III. Application Scenarios: Breaking Traditional Energy Storage Limits Across Multiple Fields
Leveraging its high power density and long cycle life, the SC0370-300-RSS finds indispensable applications in various sectors:

Transportation: In electric and hybrid vehicles, EDLCs can form composite power systems with lithium-ion batteries. Their millisecond-level charge-discharge capabilities enable rapid absorption of braking energy and provide peak power support during vehicle acceleration. For instance, in bus braking energy recovery systems, the SC0370-300-RSS can achieve energy recovery efficiencies exceeding 85%, significantly reducing fuel consumption.
Renewable Energy: In wind power and photovoltaic systems, EDLCs are used to smooth power fluctuations. When wind speed or solar irradiance changes abruptly, their millisecond-level response speeds can rapidly compensate for grid frequency deviations, enhancing system stability. Furthermore, in off-grid solar streetlights, EDLCs can replace traditional lead-acid batteries, achieving over 100,000 deep charge-discharge cycles.
Industrial Automation: In AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and robotics, EDLCs serve as backup power sources to ensure safe shutdowns during power outages. Their wide temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) makes them suitable for extreme environments such as cold chain logistics and high-temperature workshops.
Consumer Electronics: In smartwatches and wireless earbuds, the combination of EDLCs and lithium batteries enables "second-level" charging experiences. For example, a TWS earbud brand integrating a 2-farad EDLC reduced charging time from 2 hours to 15 minutes while extending peak power output duration.
IV. Technical Advantages and Challenges
Compared to traditional batteries, the SC0370-300-RSS offers several advantages:

Power Density: Exceeding 10 kW/kg, it is 10 times higher than that of lithium-ion batteries, making it ideal for applications requiring instantaneous high currents.
Cycle Life: With over 1 million theoretical charge-discharge cycles, maintenance costs are significantly reduced.
Safety: Free from thermal runaway risks, UL-certified EDLC products can withstand overcharging, short circuits, and other extreme conditions.
However, its energy density (typically 5-10 Wh/kg) remains much lower than that of lithium-ion batteries, limiting its application in long-range scenarios such as pure electric vehicles. Additionally, high manufacturing costs (3-5 times that of lithium batteries) hinder widespread adoption.

V. Future Prospects: Hybrid Energy Storage and Material Innovation
Currently, the industry is addressing the energy density limitations of EDLCs through hybrid energy storage technologies. For example, combining the SC0370-300-RSS with lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) in series can balance high power and high energy characteristics. On the material front, the introduction of two-dimensional materials like graphene and MXene is expected to increase electrode specific surface areas beyond 3000 m²/g, further driving EDLC technological innovation.

As a representative of next-generation energy storage technologies, the SC0370-300-RSS not only embodies the advanced level of EDLCs but also heralds the inevitable trend of energy storage devices evolving toward "high power, long life, and greenization." With ongoing advancements in material science and manufacturing processes, EDLCs are poised to play a greater role in premium fields such as smart grids and aerospace, providing critical technological support for energy transitions.

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