Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ARMS (Atomic Layer-coated Graphene Electrode-based Micro-flexible and Structural Supercapacitors)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-10-01 do 2024-09-30
The ARMS project (Atomic layer-coated gRaphene electrode-Based Micro-flexible and Structural supercapacitors) addresses the growing need for sustainable, high-performance energy storage solutions that meet the demands of modern applications without compromising environmental integrity. Current energy storage technologies, such as batteries, struggle to balance energy density, power output, and environmental impact. Supercapacitors, while offering excellent power density and long cycle life, generally lag in energy density. ARMS aims to overcome these challenges by integrating advanced materials and scalable manufacturing processes to develop eco-friendly supercapacitors with energy densities exceeding 50 Wh/kg—on par with batteries—while maintaining high power density, long life cycles, and environmental sustainability.
The project will utilize innovative materials, including graphene-rich bio-based carbon and graphene-coated carbon fibers, alongside advanced manufacturing techniques like atomic layer deposition (ALD), to fabricate next-generation supercapacitors. By developing flexible and structural supercapacitors that can be seamlessly integrated into devices, ARMS seeks to open new market opportunities for European SMEs in the supercapacitor industry.
Two key demonstrators—a wireless sensor device powered by a printed flexible supercapacitor and a drone powered by structural supercapacitors that also serve as integral components of the drone—will highlight the practical applications and impact of ARMS' innovations. This project is strategically aligned with Europe’s goals of advancing clean energy technologies while fostering local industry competitiveness in green energy storage solutions. ARMS is expected to contribute significantly to addressing environmental and energy efficiency challenges, with a scalable technology that benefits both the energy storage sector and broader applications across industries.
The project will utilize innovative materials, including graphene-rich bio-based carbon and graphene-coated carbon fibers, alongside advanced manufacturing techniques like atomic layer deposition (ALD), to fabricate next-generation supercapacitors. By developing flexible and structural supercapacitors that can be seamlessly integrated into devices, ARMS seeks to open new market opportunities for European SMEs in the supercapacitor industry.
Two key demonstrators—a wireless sensor device powered by a printed flexible supercapacitor and a drone powered by structural supercapacitors that also serve as integral components of the drone—will highlight the practical applications and impact of ARMS' innovations. This project is strategically aligned with Europe’s goals of advancing clean energy technologies while fostering local industry competitiveness in green energy storage solutions. ARMS is expected to contribute significantly to addressing environmental and energy efficiency challenges, with a scalable technology that benefits both the energy storage sector and broader applications across industries.
The ARMS project has made significant steps toward its goal of developing sustainable, high-performance supercapacitors with enhanced energy densities. During the first reporting period, the project focused on advanced materials development, electrode fabrication, and scalable processing techniques:
Materials Development: Bio-based carbon materials were developed with record-breaking specific surface areas (>3100 m²/g) and capacitance (>200 F/g) from renewable sources like pistachio shells and alder wood. These materials form the foundation for energy-efficient electrode integration.
Electrode Fabrication: Innovative ink formulations and printing methods achieved specific capacitances of 200 F/g for flexible supercapacitors. Structural electrodes with activated carbon fibers and graphene coatings are under refinement to improve adhesion and mechanical properties.
Advanced Coatings: Ultra-thin metal oxide layers, applied via Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), enhanced specific capacitance by up to 36% while maintaining structural integrity. Progress on optimizing pseudocapacitive materials continues.
Electrolyte Systems: Hybrid bio-gelled electrolytes were designed for flexible devices, while safe, high-voltage electrolyte systems are under iterative testing to improve energy storage performance.
Sustainability Framework: A Safe and Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) framework was established, integrating circular economy principles and environmental assessments to ensure alignment with EU green goals.
Key deliverables, including synthesis protocols, ink formulations, and sustainability assessments, were completed on schedule. Challenges, such as electrode adhesion and scalability, are being addressed through cross-work-package collaboration.
Materials Development: Bio-based carbon materials were developed with record-breaking specific surface areas (>3100 m²/g) and capacitance (>200 F/g) from renewable sources like pistachio shells and alder wood. These materials form the foundation for energy-efficient electrode integration.
Electrode Fabrication: Innovative ink formulations and printing methods achieved specific capacitances of 200 F/g for flexible supercapacitors. Structural electrodes with activated carbon fibers and graphene coatings are under refinement to improve adhesion and mechanical properties.
Advanced Coatings: Ultra-thin metal oxide layers, applied via Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), enhanced specific capacitance by up to 36% while maintaining structural integrity. Progress on optimizing pseudocapacitive materials continues.
Electrolyte Systems: Hybrid bio-gelled electrolytes were designed for flexible devices, while safe, high-voltage electrolyte systems are under iterative testing to improve energy storage performance.
Sustainability Framework: A Safe and Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) framework was established, integrating circular economy principles and environmental assessments to ensure alignment with EU green goals.
Key deliverables, including synthesis protocols, ink formulations, and sustainability assessments, were completed on schedule. Challenges, such as electrode adhesion and scalability, are being addressed through cross-work-package collaboration.
The ARMS project has already delivered outcomes that push the boundaries of supercapacitor technology:
Materials Innovation: Achieving specific surface areas and capacitance levels significantly exceeding conventional benchmarks, the project demonstrated the viability of bio-based materials as sustainable alternatives to synthetic counterparts.
Electrode and Coating Advancements: The integration of graphene-enhanced materials into flexible and structural electrodes marks a breakthrough in combining mechanical flexibility, high conductivity, and capacitance. ALD coatings provided unprecedented control over electrode stability and energy density.
Eco-Friendly Electrolytes: The development of bio-gelled hybrid electrolytes addresses critical industry needs for safety, scalability, and environmental compatibility, showing promise for integration into flexible energy storage devices.
Future work will focus on scaling up production, resolving adhesion challenges, and integrating these advancements into prototype devices. The project also highlights the need for further research into roll-to-roll manufacturing, regulatory frameworks, and commercialization pathways to fully realize the market potential.
Materials Innovation: Achieving specific surface areas and capacitance levels significantly exceeding conventional benchmarks, the project demonstrated the viability of bio-based materials as sustainable alternatives to synthetic counterparts.
Electrode and Coating Advancements: The integration of graphene-enhanced materials into flexible and structural electrodes marks a breakthrough in combining mechanical flexibility, high conductivity, and capacitance. ALD coatings provided unprecedented control over electrode stability and energy density.
Eco-Friendly Electrolytes: The development of bio-gelled hybrid electrolytes addresses critical industry needs for safety, scalability, and environmental compatibility, showing promise for integration into flexible energy storage devices.
Future work will focus on scaling up production, resolving adhesion challenges, and integrating these advancements into prototype devices. The project also highlights the need for further research into roll-to-roll manufacturing, regulatory frameworks, and commercialization pathways to fully realize the market potential.