A supercapacitor-like device is described that uses a porous, conductive foam as the electrodes. After the device is charged, an explosive wave front can be used to remove electrolyte from the metal foam. This creates a large net charge on each electrode, which will readily flow through a load placed across the electrodes. The removal of charge can potentially occur on a time scale of microseconds, allowing a supercapacitor to be used in pulsed power applications. The creation of this net charge requires significant energy, meaning this concept may also be suitable for removing kinetic energy from objects.

A supercapacitor-like device is described that uses a porous, conductive foam as the electrodes. After the device is charged, an explosive wave front can be used to remove electrolyte from the metal foam. This creates a large net charge on each electrode, which will readily flow through a load placed across the electrodes. The removal of charge can potentially occur on a time scale of microseconds, allowing a supercapacitor to be used in pulsed power applications. The creation of this net charge requires significant energy, meaning this concept may also be suitable for removing kinetic energy from objects.

A process of forming a cross-linked electronically active hydrophilic co-polymer is provided and includes the steps of: a. mixing an intrinsically electronically active material and at least one compound of formula (I) with water to form an intermediate mixture; b. adding at least one hydrophilic monomer, at least one hydrophobic monomer, and at least one cross-linker to the intermediate mixture to form a co-monomer mixture; and c. polymerising the co-monomer mixture. Formula (I) is defined as:

##STR00001##

where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl and X.sup.− is an anion.

A process of forming a cross-linked electronically active hydrophilic co-polymer is provided and includes the steps of: a. mixing an intrinsically electronically active material and at least one compound of formula (I) with water to form an intermediate mixture; b. adding at least one hydrophilic monomer, at least one hydrophobic monomer, and at least one cross-linker to the intermediate mixture to form a co-monomer mixture; and c. polymerising the co-monomer mixture. Formula (I) is defined as:

##STR00001##

where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl and X.sup.− is an anion.

A process of forming a cross-linked electronically active hydrophilic co-polymer is provided and includes the steps of: a. mixing an intrinsically electronically active material and at least one compound of formula (I) with water to form an intermediate mixture; b. adding at least one hydrophilic monomer, at least one hydrophobic monomer, and at least one cross-linker to the intermediate mixture to form a co-monomer mixture; and c. polymerising the co-monomer mixture. Formula (I) is defined as: ##STR00001##
where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl and X.sup.− is an anion.

A process of forming a cross-linked electronically active hydrophilic co-polymer is provided and includes the steps of: a. mixing an intrinsically electronically active material and at least one compound of formula (I) with water to form an intermediate mixture; b. adding at least one hydrophilic monomer, at least one hydrophobic monomer, and at least one cross-linker to the intermediate mixture to form a co-monomer mixture; and c. polymerising the co-monomer mixture. Formula (I) is defined as: ##STR00001##
where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl and X.sup.− is an anion.

An ultracapacitor that contains at least one electrochemical cell is provided. The cell includes a first electrode that contains a first carbonaceous coating (e.g., activated carbon particles) electrically coupled to a first current collector, a second electrode that contains a second carbonaceous coating (e.g., activated carbon particles) electrically coupled to a second current collector, an aqueous electrolyte in ionic contact with the first electrode and the second electrode and that contains a polyprotic acid (e.g., sulfuric acid), and a separator that is positioned between the first and second electrodes. Through selective control over the particular nature of the materials used to form the ultracapacitor, as well as the manner in which they are formed, a variety of beneficial properties may be achieved.

Electrolytes and electrolyte additives for energy storage devices comprising fluorinated polymers.

Electrolytes and electrolyte additives for energy storage devices comprising fluorinated polymers.

Provided herein is a battery and an electrode. The battery may include two electrodes; and an electrolyte, wherein at least one electrode further includes: a nano-scale coated network, which includes one or more first carbon nanotubes electrically connected to one or more second carbon nanotubes to form a nano-scale network, wherein at least one of the one or more second carbon nanotubes is in electrical contact with another of the one or more second carbon nanotubes. The battery may further include an active material coating distributed to cover portions of the one or more first carbon nanotubes and portions of the one or more second carbon nanotubes, wherein a plurality of the one or more second carbon nanotubes are in electrical communication with other second carbon nanotubes under the active material coating. Also provided herein is a method of making a battery and an electrode.