Thursday, April 26, 2012

Joint Development of Electric Double-Layer Capacitor Using Aluminum-Celmet

—Targeting the Automotive Market—

March 29, 2012
Meidensha Corporation
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

Meidensha Corporation (President: Junzo Inamura) and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (President: Masayoshi Matsumoto) have been jointly working on the development of a new electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) that uses Sumitomo Electric’s porous metal “Aluminum-Celmet” *1 for the electrodes. The companies are planning to commercialize this EDLC in the fiscal 2015 for the automobile industry, particularly for electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications.

Meidensha marketed its bipolar EDLC for high-voltage/high-current storage in 2006. The EDLC features a compact size by using bipolar structure and long life with high number of charge-discharge cycles. Drawing on these technologies in this field, Meidensha has thus far developed infrastructural devices such as momentary voltage drop compensators for stable electric supply and regenerative energy storage systems for electric railways. The company has also proactively accelerated its development efforts toward the improvement of device performance and the expanded use of the EDLC.

Sumitomo Electric's "Celmet" *2 is a porous metal made from nickel or nickel chrome alloy. It features high porosity (up to 98%), as well as high filling, retaining and current-collecting performance when used with an active material. As such, Celmet has recently been adopted as a positive electrode current collector in nickel-hydrogen batteries for hybrid vehicle. In addition to the high porosity feature of Celmet, Aluminum-Celmet offers lightness (the specific gravity of aluminum is about one-third that of nickel) and greater electrical conductivity (or low electrical resistivity, less than half that of nickel). Furthermore, Aluminum-Celmet offers excellent corrosion resistance. These features make it suitable for use in lithium-ion and other rechargeable batteries operating at high charge/discharge voltages. Aluminum-Celmet can also be used for current collectors in capacitors.

Since 2011, Meidensha and Sumitomo Electric have been jointly working on the development of an EDLC making use of the aforementioned features of Aluminum-Celmet. In the development, Aluminum-Celmet is used for the current collector, carbon nanotube*3 for the active material, and non-combustible ionic liquid*4 for the electrolyte. This has led to the recent achievement of a 3.4 times higher volumetric energy density*5, wider operating temperature range, and higher output density*6 than the conventional EDLC*7 that uses aluminum foil, activated carbon, and organic electrolytes.

Meidensha and Sumitomo Electric will continue the joint development, aiming to increase the volumetric energy density by five times from the conventional level. The companies are planning to deliver sample products in the fiscal 2013 and commence mass production in the fiscal 2015 mainly for automotive applications, particularly power assist and power regeneration for EVs and HEVs.

*1	Aluminum-Celmet is a trademark of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
*2	Celmet is a registered trademark of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
*3	Carbon nanotube: Allotrope of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure of 0.4-50 nm in diameter. It is divided into a single-walled carbon nanotube and multi-walled carbon nanotube.
*4	Ionic liquid: Electrolyte consists only of cations and anions and is in the liquid state at ambient temperature and pressure. Due to its low vapor pressure, high flame-resistance, and inflammability, it is used as an electrolyte of EDLCs and other electrochemical devices.
*5	Volume energy density: Term that indicates the amount of energy stored in a unit volume. A larger number represents a larger storage capability.
*6	Output density: Term that indicates the amount of output power per unit mass. A larger number represents a larger instantaneous output voltage.
*7	Comparison with the conventional EDLC manufactured by Meidensha.

Source: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

ElectroniCast Market Research – Customer Satisfaction Survey Program

ElectroniCast conducts Customer Satisfaction Surveys. Customer satisfaction is essential to the survival of businesses; therefore, a valuable tool to find out whether customers are satisfied is to ask them. When you conduct a customer satisfaction survey, what you ask the customers is important. How, when and how often you ask these questions are also important. However, the most important thing about conducting a customer satisfaction survey is analyzing the answers and what is the solution to any problems that may be discovered.

About ElectroniCast
ElectroniCast, founded in 1981, specializes in forecasting technology and global market trends in fiber optics, advanced photonics and light emitting diodes (LEDs). As an independent consultancy we offer multi-client and custom market research studies to the world's leading companies based on comprehensive, in-depth analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors. This includes technology forecasting, markets and applications forecasting, strategic planning, competitive analysis, and marketing/sales consultation. ElectroniCast, founded as a technology-based independent consulting firm, meets the information needs of communication industry planners and related suppliers.

For a detailed proposal, contact: stephen_montgomery@electronicastconsultants.com

Web: www.electronicast.com

National Aeronautics and Space Administration - SBIR/STTR Program

NASA is committed to moving technologies and innovations into the mainstream of the U.S. economy, and the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program helps fulfill this goal.

SBIR/STTR stimulates technological innovation by encouraging small, high-tech companies—particularly minority and disadvantaged businesses—to partner with NASA to help meet its research and development needs in key technology areas. At the same time, this program strengthens small companies by enabling them to bring cutting-edge new products into the U.S. economy.

NASA actively seeks partnerships with U.S. companies that can license NASA innovations and create “spinoffs” in areas such as health and medicine, consumer goods, transportation, renewable energy, and manufacturing.

When businesses leverage NASA technologies to develop new products, it not only benefits the regional economy, but significantly strengthens the nation’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Learn more about how NASA innovations benefit the public in Spinoff, an annual publication that highlights NASA’s most significant technology transfer successes. (Available at: http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Office of the Chief Technologist
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546
www.nasa.gov

Flexible, Ultrathin and Highly Efficient Solar Cells

Research cooperation between scientists at the Johannes Kepler University Linz and the University of Tokyo (Japan) has led to a revolution in the area of flexible organic solar cells. Researchers have developed flexible, ultrathin and highly efficient cells. The results were recently published in the renowned scientific journal “Nature Communications”.

The new solar cells feature active, energy producing elements that make up one-third of the cell and the underlying substrate, primarily plastic film, making up the other two-thirds. Substrates in conventional cells of this kind previously made up 99% of the cell. Dr. Martin Kaltenbrunner (Institute of Experimental Physics) remarked, “In regards to our organic solar cells, this is record-breaking. The new cells produce 10 watts per gram - something never before attained.” Together with his colleagues Dr. Matthew White and Eric Glowacki and under the direction of professors Takao Someya, Niyazi Serdar Sariciftci and Siegfried Bauer, the researcher has set the benchmark.

High-Tech on the Micrometer Scale
Organic solar cells still cannot keep up with the efficiency of silicium-based systems. “However the distinct advantage lies in its unbeatable efficiency to weight ratio.” The solar cell system weighs four grams per square meter. No wonder: the cells are only 2 micrometers thin – like “spider silk”, said Dr. Kaltenbrunner. In addition, the cells are highly flexible as well as stretchable.

Many Areas of Application
The ultrathin, lightweight solar cells could be used in the field of robotics, in manufacturing synthetic skin, and on electronic textiles. Dr. Kaltenbrunner remarked: “In all of these areas it is important that cells not only be highly efficient, but also light and flexible. There are many areas in which rigid and inelastic cells are inapplicable.” The JKU is also continuing its research with follow-up projects. In regards to the significance of innovative research in economic terms, Dr. Kaltenbrunner added: “The basic system can also be applied to electrical circuitry which would be something that the industrial sector, for example, would take interest in.”

Solarzelle, um menschliches Haar gewickelt

[Christian Savoy, Translation: N. Lichtenberger]

SOURCE: http://www.jku.at/content/e213/e63/e43?apath=e32681/e147613/e161845/e162045

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

ElectroniCast Market Research Report: Lithium-Ion Capacitors

Lithium-Ion Capacitors in

Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation

Global Market Forecast & Analysis (2011-2021)

Publish Date: December 13, 2011

Text Pages: 226

Also Included: Excel worksheets and PowerPoint Slides

Fee: US$2,800

Contact: stephen_montgomery@electronicastconsultants.com
Web: www.electronicast.com

This ElectroniCast report provides a 2011-2021 market forecast and analysis of the worldwide consumption of lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) used in solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation applications.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Global Market report Lithium-Ion Capacitors in Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation

ElectroniCast

Market Forecast & Analysis (2011-2021)

– Tables of Contents –

1. Executive Summary 1-1

1.1 Overview: Lithium-Ion Capacitor Market 1-1

Lithium-Ion Capacitors (LICs) 1-1

Photovoltaics (PV) 1-2

More Effective Utilization of Energy 1-2

Joint-venture company for LIC business 1-2

The Lithium-Ion Capacitor Market 1-3

ElectroniCast Market Forecast Database Structure 1-3

Regional Market Segmentation 1-4

Consumption Value 1-4

Nominal Capacitance - Farad (F) 1-5

Comparison to Other Technologies 1-5

Photovoltaic: Growing Demand for Renewable Energy Sources 1-6

Solar Cell Manufacturing Plant 1-6

Solar PV LED Lighting Using Lithium-Ion Capacitors 1-7

Light Emitting Diode Lighting 1-8

Street Lighting 1-9

Advantages of LEDs 1-9

Market Forecast: LICs used in Solar PV Power Generation 1-10

Quantity Market Forecast (Farad) 1-11

Selling Price Market Forecast (Farad) 1-12

Value Market Forecast by Region 1-13

Green-Tech Opportunity Costs 1-14

Types of End-Use Solar Photovoltaic Systems 1-14

Market Forecast Application Categories 1-15

R&D (Research and Development) 1-16

1.2 Solar Photovoltaic Technology- Overview 1-17

Explanation: Photovoltaic 1-17

PV: Cells, Modules and Arrays 1-17

Solar Cells and Energy Payback 1-20

Crystalline Silicon 1-20

Types of Thin-film Semiconductors 1-21

Solar Cells Manufacturing – Competition Overview 1-21

2. Technology Overview: LIC and Relevant Concerns 2-1

A Novel Lithium-Doping Approach for an Advanced Lithium Ion Capacitor 2-1

Patent Information: Lithium Ion Capacitor 2-2

Carbon Nanofiber 2-3

Lithium-ion Capacitor versus Other Storage Technologies 2-6

Water System - Hybrid Capacitor 2-7

Hybrid Device: Lithium-ion Capacitor and Lithium-ion Battery 2-8

Nanogate Carbon 2-8

Capacitance Increasing Technology 2-9

Electric Car with a Lithium Ion Capacitor 2-9

High-performance Li-ion Capacitor Developed With CNT, Lithium Titanate 2-10

Northwestern University 2-14

Evolution of Research Emphasis During Technology Life Cycle 2-16

– Tables of Contents – Continued

3. LIC in Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation (2011-2021) 3-1

3.1 Overview: Global Market Forecast 3-1

Market Forecast Application Categories 3-1

Market Forecast Functions 3-1

Advantages of Using Solar Photovoltaic Streetlights 3-2

Sales/Distribution-Channel 3-3

Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) Initiative 3-5

International Energy Agency 3-7

Ubiquitous Product Environment 3-9

Worldwide Market Forecast (Value, $Million) 3-9

Nominal Capacitance - Farad (F) 3-10

Worldwide Market Forecast (Volume, Farad/Million) 3-11

Worldwide Market Forecast (ASP, $/Each Farad) 3-12

Value Market Forecast by Region 3-14

3.2 America Market Forecast 3-16

Value Market Forecast: America 3-16

American Region, by User Group 3-17

Energy Policy of the United States 3-19

Five-Year Commercialization Support Plan 3-20

Next Generation Lighting Industry Alliance (NGLIA) 3-23

Development of the Economies in Latin America 3-28

Economic Recovery 3-30

Countries Face the Risk of Overheating 3-30

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Latin America 3-31

Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (UNASUR) 3-31

Comunidad Andina, CAN 3-32

"South American Free Trade Area" (SAFTA) 3-32

Mercado Común del Sur (Mercosur) 3-33

Cooperation Agreement with Mercosur 3-34

The World Bank Group (WBG)/Others 3-35

Trade and Integration between Brazil and Colombia 3-36

Argentina Economic Overview 3-36

Bolivia Economic Overview 3-37

Brazil Economic Overview 3-38

Chile Economic Overview 3-38

Colombia Economic Overview 3-39

Costa Rica Economic Overview 3-40

Ecuador Economic Overview 3-41

El Salvador Economic Overview 3-42

Guatemala Economic Overview 3-45

Honduras Economic Overview 3-45

Mexico Economic Overview 3-46

Nicaragua Economic Overview 3-47

Panama Economic Overview 3-49

Paraguay Economic Overview 3-49

Peru Economic Overview 3-50

Uruguay Economic Overview 3-51

Venezuela Economic Overview 3-52

LED-Based Street Lamps Used With Solar Panel 3-54

Viaducto Bicentenario Superhighway (Mexico) 3-55

3.3 EMEA Market Forecast 3-56

European Sub-Regions as identified by the United Nations Geo-scheme 3-56

European Market Forecast by Regional Geo-scheme 3-57

Value Market Forecast: EMEA 3-60

International Environmental Treaty 3-64

Energy Performance of Buildings 3-64

Economic Recovery Overview-Europe 3-65

Council of the European Union – Foreign Affairs/Trade 3-70

Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Program (CIP) 3-71

Economic Developments in Africa 3-72

– Tables of Contents – Continued

3.4 APAC Market Forecast 3-73

Value Market Forecast: APAC 3-74

Global Financial Crisis 3-77

Japan Economic Situation 3-77

People’s Republic of China Economy 3-78

Republic of Korea’s Economy 3-79

Kyoto Protocol 3-80

Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) 3-81

Japan Energy Star Council 3-81

Energy efficiency buildings in Japan 3-82

Energy efficiency buildings in China 3-82

Energy efficiency buildings in Hong Kong 3-82

Energy efficiency buildings in Taiwan 3-83

Energy efficiency buildings in Korea 3-83

Energy efficiency buildings in Malaysia 3-84

Building energy efficiency policy in the Philippines 3-84

Energy efficiency building in Singapore 3-84

Energy efficiency buildings in Thailand 3-85

Energy efficiency buildings for India 3-85

Australia GDP 3-85

ANZCERTA 3-86

Australian Foreign Investment Review Board 3-88

Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) 3-91

Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) 3-91

Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement 3-92

Australia-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 3-92

Australia-China Free Trade Agreement Negotiations 3-92

Australia-GCC Free Trade Agreement Negotiations 3-93

Australia-Japan Free Trade Agreement Negotiations 3-93

Australia-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations 3-93

Australia-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement negotiations 3-94

Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) 3-94

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiations 3-95

Australia-India FTA Feasibility Study 3-96

Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) 3-96

Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research 3-97

Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council 3-97

Australia: Re-tooling for Climate Change Program 3-97

Energy Efficiency for Small business program – NSW only‏ 3-98

Australia Commercial Building Disclosure scheme (CBD scheme) 3-98

NSW Green Business Program 3-98

AusIndustry Green Building Fund 3-98

Development of the Economy in India 3-99

ELCINA Electronic Industries Association of India 3-100

ELCOMA (India) 3-101

World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) 3-102

Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) 3-103

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) 3-103

National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency (India) 3-104

Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) 3-105

Solar/Wind LED Street Lighting in Tangshan, Hebei province, China 3-106

Solar Street Light Project – Okinawa 3-107

– Tables of Contents – Continued

4. Lithium-Ion Capacitor Competitors & Related Entities 4-1

The following Companies/Entities are discussed in this chapter:

Advanced Capacitor Technologies, Inc. 4-2

JEOL Ltd. 4-2

Sojitz Corporation 4-2

Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd. 4-2

Asahi Kasei FDK Energy Device Co., Ltd. 4-4 Asahi Kasei 4-4

FDK 4-4

Eamex Corporation 4-7

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft 4-8

Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd. 4-10

Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.; Hitachi AIC Inc. 4-13

Ionova Technologies 4-16

Ioxus Incorporated 4-18

JM Energy Corporation / JSR Group 4-20

KAIDO MFG.CO.,LTD. 4-26

Mitsubishi Electric 4-27

NEC Energy Devices, Ltd. 4-30

NEC/Tokin 4-30

Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation 4-34

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology 4-34

K&W Company 4-34

Oki Printed Circuits Co Ltd 4-37

Panasonic 4-39

Sanyo Electric 4-39

5. Market Research Methodology 5-1

Information Base 5-1

Bottom-Up Methodology 5-2

Cross-Correlation Increases Accuracy 5-4

Nature of the Data 5-4

Inventory Change 5-5

R&D (Research and Development) 5-5

6. Definitions: Acronyms, Abbreviations, and General Terms 6-1

7. ElectroniCast Market Forecast Data Base – Introduction/Explanation of Excel Worksheets 7-1

7.1 Overview 7-1

7.2 Tutorial of the Excel Worksheets 7-3

Example 7-4

– List of Tables –

1.1.1 LICs in Solar PV Power Generation Global Market Forecast, by Region ($ Million) 1-13

1.1.2 LICs in Solar PV Power Generation Global Market Forecast, by End-User ($ Million) 1-15

2.1 LICs Measurement Specifications 2-7

3.1.1 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Global Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-10

3.1.2 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Global Forecast, by End-User Group (Million/Farads) 3-11

3.1.3 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Global Forecast, by End-User Group (ASP per Farad) 3-12

3.1.4 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Global Forecast, by Region ($ Million) 3-14

3.1.5 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Global Forecast, by Region (Million/Farads) 3-15

3.1.6 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Global Forecast, by Region (ASP per Farad) 3-15

3.2.1 LICs Used in PV Power Generation American Forecast, by Sub-Region ($ Million) 3-16

3.2.2 LICs Used in PV Power Generation American Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-17

3.2.3 LICs Used in PV Power Generation USA/Canada Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-18

3.2.4 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Latin American Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-18

3.2.5 Latin American Demographic Trends 3-29

3.3.1 European Sub-Regions as identified by the United Nations Geo-scheme 3-56

3.3.2 Population in Northern Europe, by Country 3-57

3.3.3 Population in Southern Europe, by Country 3-58

– List of Tables – Continued

3.3.4 Population in Western Europe, by Country 3-59

3.3.5 Population in Eastern Europe, by Country 3-59

3.3.6 LICs Used in PV Power Generation EMEA Forecast, by Sub-Region ($ Million) 3-60

3.3.7 LICs Used in PV Power Generation EMEA Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-61

3.3.8 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Northern Europe Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-62

3.3.9 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Southern Europe Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-62

3.3.10 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Western Europe Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-63

3.3.11 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Eastern Europe Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-63

3.3.12 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Middle East/Africa Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-63

3.4.1 LICs Used in PV Power Generation APAC Forecast, by Sub-Region ($ Million) 3-74

3.4.2 LICs Used in PV Power Generation APAC Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-75

3.4.3 LICs in PV Power Generation People’s Republic of China Forecast, End-User Group ($ Million) 3-75

3.4.4 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Japan Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-76

3.4.5 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Republic of Korea Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-76

3.4.5 LICs Used in PV Power Generation Rest of APAC Forecast, by End-User Group ($ Million) 3-76

3.4.5 List of ELCOMA Members 3-102

– List of Figures –

1.1.1 Energy Density vs. Power Density for LIC with Different Technologies 1-5

1.1.2 Solar Photovoltaic LED Lighting Using Lithium-Ion Capacitors 1-7

1.1.3 LICs used in Solar PV Power Generation Global Market Forecast (Value Basis, $ Million) 1-10

1.1.4 LICs used in Solar PV Power Generation Global Market Forecast (Quantity Basis, Million/Farad) 1-11

1.1.5 LICs used in Solar PV Power Generation Global Market Forecast (ASP per Farad) 1-12

1.1.6 LICs in Solar PV Power Gen. Global Forecast, by End-User Group, $ Million & Market Share (%) 1-16

1.2.1 Photovoltaic Cell, Module and Array 1-18

1.2.2 Cell Efficiencies 1-23

2.1 Advanced Lithium Ion Capacitor 2-1

2.2 Ultra-Centrifugal Processing Technology 2-5

2.3 Electrochemical Difference: EDLC and Lithium Ion Capacitors 2-6

2.4 High-performance LIC Developed With CNT, Lithium Titanate 2-12

2.5 Electrode: Composite material and Aluminum Alloy Current Collector 2-13

2.6 Evolution of Research Emphasis during Technology Life Cycle 2-16

3.2.1 LED-Based Street Lamps Used With Solar Panel in Mexico 3-54

3.4.1 Solar/Wind LED Street Lighting (China) 3-107

3.4.2 Solar LED Street Lighting (Okinawa) 3-108

4.1 Cylindrical Lithium-ion Capacitor 4-3

4.2 Lithium-ion (Li-ion) capacitor module for HEVs 4-6

4.3 Lithium-ion Capacitor 4-15

4.4 Lithium-ion Capacitor 4-17

4.5 Ultra Capacitors 4-19

4.6 Laminate Cell 4-21

4.7 Laminate Cell Module 4-21

4.8 Prismatic Cell 4-22

4.9 Prismatic Cell Module 4-23

4.10 Electric Double-Layer Capacitor Prototype 4-28

4.11 Structure of (3 x 3cm) Prototype 4-29

4.12 Lithium-Ion Battery (Cell) for Electric Vehicles 4-33

4.13 Nano-Hybrid Capacitors 4-36

4.14 Embedded Li-ion Battery in Printed Board 4-38

5.1 Market Research & Forecasting Methodology 5-3

Contact: stephen_montgomery@electronicastconsultants.com