Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Hy-MAC (HYBRID MAGNETIC SUPERCAPACITORS)
Reporting period: 2016-06-01 to 2017-11-30
The Hy-MAC project aimed at exploring the use of magnetic hybrid nanocomposites as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The magnetic enhancement of the capacitance of the material through the application of an external magnetic field allows a ten-fold increase of the capacitance of the material when compared with standard devices currently in the market. When combined with its ease of preparation under mild conditions, it opens the door to a huge decrease in the fabrication costs, allowing therefore its application in fields currently not attractive commercially.
During the project, we have explored successfully the scaling up of the synthesis, up to pilot level, optimizing the synthesis conditions. Following that, we have focused in the optimisation of the electrode, finding the optimum loading level of the nanoparticles, and optimizing the applied magnetic field and the duration of its application to yield the best cost/performance ratio. Finally, we have started negotiations with a series of companies (from material producers to supercapacitors makers to final users) to test the developed devices under industrial standards, in order to achieve a successful transfer of the technology to the industry.
During the project, we have explored successfully the scaling up of the synthesis, up to pilot level, optimizing the synthesis conditions. Following that, we have focused in the optimisation of the electrode, finding the optimum loading level of the nanoparticles, and optimizing the applied magnetic field and the duration of its application to yield the best cost/performance ratio. Finally, we have started negotiations with a series of companies (from material producers to supercapacitors makers to final users) to test the developed devices under industrial standards, in order to achieve a successful transfer of the technology to the industry.