Sustainable and Ultra-PeRforming supercApacitors with 3D Laser-Induced Graphene (SUPRALIG)

Objetivo

Electrochemical energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and batteries rely on metallic current collectors that are costly, dense and environmentally intensive to manufacture. These limitations hinder the development of flexible, lightweight, and scalable energy storage technologies needed for emerging applications including wearable electronics, IoT devices, and distributed renewable energy systems. SUPRALIG proposes a disruptive alternative: the use of Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) as a three-dimensional current collector produced by direct laser writing. Unlike conventional metal foils, LIG forms a highly conductive and porous carbon architecture directly patterned on flexible substrates through a single-step, mask-free process. This approach enables lightweight, customizable, and potentially low-cost current collectors with a significantly larger electrochemical interface.
The project builds on the results of the ERC Starting Grant CO2CAP, which demonstrated among the results the feasibility of LIG electrodes for microsupercapacitors (µSC). SUPRALIG will translate these findings into a scalable technology, not limited to the µSC but also to macro device, by optimizing laser fabrication parameters, improving conductivity and adhesion of LIG structures, integrating advanced active materials, and demonstrating manufacturability through processes compatible with roll-to-roll production.
The proof-of-concept will validate LIG-based current collectors in both microsupercapacitors and standard supercapacitor cells, targeting energy densities above 10 mWh cm⁻² and power densities above 100 mW cm⁻² for microdevices, and above 10 Wh kg⁻¹ and 1 kW kg⁻¹ at cell level.
If successful, SUPRALIG will establish a scalable and sustainable alternative to metal current collectors, enabling a new generation of flexible and high-performance energy storage devices while reducing reliance on critical raw materials and energy-intensive manufacturing processes.