New Industry Products

Taiyo Yuden Hybrid Lithium Ion Capacitors Provide Energy Densities up to 10 Times Greater Than EDLCs

October 25, 2010 by Jeff Shepard

Taiyo Yuden announced its new Cylindrical Lithium Ion Capacitor (LIC), which the company says offers extremely large energy capacitance and high reliability. Combining the strength of lithium-ion secondary batteries with conventional Electric Dual Layer Capacitors (EDLC)s, this next-generation energy device offers an energy density 4 to 10 times greater than EDLCs.

Taiyo Yuden’s Hybrid LIC boasts the key features of batteries (high voltage and high energy) while maintaining the traditional characteristics of capacitors (rapid charge/discharge, high durability, safety and environmental friendliness). The LIC can be used as a standalone power source or as a load charge leveling device to increase the life of the main power source such as a dry battery or lithium primary battery.

These LICs provide an increased maximum rated voltage of 3.8V – about 1.5 times higher than the 2.3 - 2.7V of conventional capacitors. Taiyo Yuden’s breakthrough "Lithium Pre-Dope" technology is the key to this new device. Lithium pre-doping stores lithium ions at the anode in advance, and enables energy to be used more efficiently and cycle life to be increased.

Taiyo Yuden’s LIC is designed for use as a storage power source along with solar cells, fuel cells, generators and other applications taking advantage of the LIC’s rapid discharge, long life compared with conventional EDLC capacitors, and maintenance free properties. It is also used as the main power source for small devices, including toys, measuring equipment, machine tools, etc. The LIC is available in 3 capacitances: 40, 100 and 200F. Operating temperatures range form -25 - +60°C. Environmentally friendly, Taiyo Yuden’s LIC does not contain heavy metals such as Cd, Hg or Pb.