An electrolytic capacitor includes a capacitor element and an electrolyte solution. The capacitor element includes: an anode foil on which a dielectric layer is formed; a cathode foil on which an inorganic conductive layer is formed; and a conductive polymer layer disposed between the anode foil and the cathode foil. The inorganic layer has a surface having projections and recesses.

A method for heating an energy storage device having a core with an electrolyte, the method including: providing the energy storage device having inputs and characteristics of a capacitance across the electrolyte and the core and internal surface capacitance between the inputs which can store electric field energy between internal electrodes of the energy storage device that are coupled to the inputs; switching between a positive input voltage and a negative input voltage provided to one of the inputs at a frequency sufficient to effectively short the internal surface capacitance of the energy storage device to generate heat and raise a temperature of the electrolyte; and discontinuing the switching when the temperature of the electrolyte is above a predetermined temperature that is considered sufficient to increase a charging efficiency of the energy storage device.

A method for heating an energy storage device having a core with an electrolyte, the method including: providing the energy storage device having inputs and characteristics of a capacitance across the electrolyte and the core and internal surface capacitance between the inputs which can store electric field energy between internal electrodes of the energy storage device that are coupled to the inputs; switching between an input voltage and a grounding input provided to one of the inputs at a frequency sufficient to effectively short the internal surface capacitance of the energy storage device to generate heat and raise a temperature of the electrolyte; and discontinuing the switching when the temperature of the electrolyte is above a predetermined temperature that is considered sufficient to increase a charging efficiency of the energy storage device.

A heating circuit for an energy storage device having a core with an electrolyte, the energy storage device having inputs, characteristics of a capacitance across the electrolyte and the core, and internal surface capacitance between the inputs which can store electric field energy between internal electrodes of the energy storage device that are coupled to the inputs, the battery heating circuit including: a controller configured to switch between a positive input voltage and a negative input voltage provided to one of the inputs at a frequency sufficient to effectively short the internal surface capacitance of the energy storage device to generate heat and raise a temperature of the electrolyte, the controller being further configured to discontinue the switching when the temperature of the electrolyte and/or the energy storage device is above a predetermined temperature that is considered sufficient to increase a charging efficiency of the energy storage device.

A heating circuit for an energy storage device having a core with an electrolyte, the energy storage device having inputs, characteristics of a capacitance across the electrolyte and the core, and internal surface capacitance between the inputs which can store electric field energy between internal electrodes of the energy storage device that are coupled to the inputs, the battery heating circuit including: a controller configured to switch between a positive input voltage and a negative input voltage provided to one of the inputs at a frequency sufficient to effectively short the internal surface capacitance of the energy storage device to generate heat and raise a temperature of the electrolyte, the controller being further configured to discontinue the switching when the temperature of the electrolyte and/or the energy storage device is above a predetermined temperature that is considered sufficient to increase a charging efficiency of the energy storage device.

An electrolytic capacitor includes an anode body having a dielectric layer; a solid electrolyte layer in contact with the dielectric layer of the anode body; and an electrolyte solution. The solid electrolyte layer includes a -conjugated conductive polymer. The electrolyte solution contains a solvent and a solute, and the solvent contains a glycol compound and a sulfone compound. A proportion of the glycol compound contained in the solvent is 10% by mass or more. A proportion of the sulfone compound contained in the solvent is 30% by mass or more. A total proportion of the glycol compound and the sulfone compound contained in the solvent is 70% by mass or more.

An electrolytic capacitor includes an anode body having a dielectric layer; a solid electrolyte layer in contact with the dielectric layer of the anode body; and an electrolyte solution. The solid electrolyte layer includes a -conjugated conductive polymer. The electrolyte solution contains a solvent and a solute, and the solvent contains a glycol compound and a sulfone compound. A proportion of the glycol compound contained in the solvent is 10% by mass or more. A proportion of the sulfone compound contained in the solvent is 30% by mass or more. A total proportion of the glycol compound and the sulfone compound contained in the solvent is 70% by mass or more.

In various embodiments an improved binder composition, electrolyte composition and a separator film composition using discrete carbon nanotubes. Their methods of production and utility for energy storage and collection devices, like batteries, capacitors and photovoltaics, is described. The binder, electrolyte, or separator composition can further comprise polymers. The discrete carbon nanotubes further comprise at least a portion of the tubes being open ended and/or functionalized. The utility of the binder, electrolyte or separator film composition includes improved capacity, power or durability in energy storage and collection devices. The utility of the electrolyte and or separator film compositions includes improved ion transport in energy storage and collection devices.

In various embodiments an improved binder composition, electrolyte composition and a separator film composition using discrete carbon nanotubes. Their methods of production and utility for energy storage and collection devices, like batteries, capacitors and photovoltaics, is described. The binder, electrolyte, or separator composition can further comprise polymers. The discrete carbon nanotubes further comprise at least a portion of the tubes being open ended and/or functionalized. The utility of the binder, electrolyte or separator film composition includes improved capacity, power or durability in energy storage and collection devices. The utility of the electrolyte and or separator film compositions includes improved ion transport in energy storage and collection devices.

An electrolytic capacitor includes an anode body having a dielectric layer; a solid electrolyte layer in contact with the dielectric layer of the anode body; and an electrolyte solution. The solid electrolyte layer includes a -conjugated conductive polymer. The electrolyte solution contains a solvent and a solute, and the solvent contains a glycol compound and a sulfone compound. A proportion of the glycol compound contained in the solvent is 10% by mass or more. A proportion of the sulfone compound contained in the solvent is 30% by mass or more. A total proportion of the glycol compound and the sulfone compound contained in the solvent is 70% by mass or more.