Maxwell Ultracapacitors
For green, maintenance-free energy storage
and power-delivery solutions
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ENERGY-USE OPTIMIZATION:
Turning Challenges into
Opportunities
The global outcry among consumers, governmental agencies and forward-thinking
corporations for cleaner, more energy-efficient products is at an all-time high. Manufacturers
are under more pressure than ever to develop systems and solutions that use less and
conserve more – and to do so while remaining competitive. These events have kept
energy-use optimization at the forefront of system design and retrofitting, turning challenges
into market opportunities for progressive companies and engineers – many of whom now
rely on Maxwell’s industry-leading energy-optimization solutions.
Ultracapacitors:
Proven, enabling technology
Even with recent advances, traditional power
sources, like batteries, still present certain
design and performance limitations. When
integrated with enabling, power-dense
ultracapacitors, however, designers and
retrofit engineers suddenly gain access to a
wider range of energy storage, management
and delivery options.
Maxwell, the market leader
Maxwell Technologies and its full line of
industry-leading ultracapacitor cells and
multi-cell modules have been the preferred
solution in more than a million products, in
applications ranging from consumer and
industrial electronics to renewable energy
and hybrid vehicle design.
Maxwell’s reputation as a technology
innovator began in 1965, as a government
research contractor specializing in advanced
physics, pulsed power and space-effects
analysis.
After shifting its focus to commercial
applications in the 1990s, Maxwell grew
to become a leading developer and
manufacturer of innovative energy-storage
and power-delivery solutions based on
a broad range of ultracapacitor cells and
modules. Maxwell ultracapacitors have been
installed around the world and can deliver 12
GW of peak power.
Today, Maxwell solutions set the standard for
reliability and value. We also lead the market
in volume, having shipped millions of units
through our global channel-partner network.
Through our worldwide service organization,
Maxwell continually assists and educates
users and partners through value-added
services that include design and application
support, training and consulting.
The role and use of
ultracapacitors
Ultracapacitors offer millions of times more
capacitance than conventional electrolytic
capacitors. They are dependable, powerdense energy-storage devices that charge
and discharge in as little as fractions of a
second.
Ultracapacitors are ideal for applications
requiring a quick pulse of energy that cannot
be efficiently provided by a battery or power
supply. A versatile and economical design
option, ultracapacitors store energy and
deliver power bursts safely and reliably for
one million or more cycles.
Because of their unique design and
performance advantages, you’ll find
ultracapacitors in use throughout the world,
in industries spanning electronics to vehicle
manufacturing. Maxwell ultracapacitors
typically last longer than the systems into
which they are integrated.
Incredible power in a remarkably
compact package, Maxwell’s
BCAP3000 stores up to 3,000
Farads in a soda-can
size package.
Certifications that reflect
Maxwell’s quality commitment.
Maxwell Technologies holds many of
the world’s leading quality certifications. The ISO/TS standard is a globally
recognized pre-requisite for qualification
as a regular automaker supplier. Maxwell
Technologies’ global manufacturing
plants are ISO/TS16949 certified,
and our European facility is ISO 14001
(environmental management standard)
certified. All Maxwell ultracapacitor
products are RoHS compliant.
Ultracapacitor
“A combination
of ultracapacitors
and batteries
can improve gas
mileage in all
vehicles.”
Dr. Steven Chu,
U.S. Energy secretary
Benefits & Technology
For those seeking dependable design or retrofit
solutions for energy storage, management and
delivery, Maxwell ultracapacitors offer technical
and performance benefits that enable design
engineers to:
Enhance overall system performance and
efficiency
Reduce or eliminate battery use, or extend
battery life Improve safety, reliability and performance
Reduce lifetime maintenance costs
Optimize the size and cost of new energymanagement solutions
Downsize primary energy sources such
as generators, grid power and fuel cells
Maxwell’s full range of ultracapacitors offer safe, reliable operation,
with up to 100 times the power of batteries. Expected life for many
exceed one million charge/discharge cycles or up to 15 years.
Ultracapacitors’ most desirable design
characteristics include:
Excellent power density
Highly efficient energy transfer
Extreme durability – 1 million or more charge/
discharge cycles
Long life – up to ten or more years
Value and cost-efficiency
Stable performance in extreme environments
Millions of times more capacitance than
conventional capacitors
Up to 100 times the power of batteries with
up to 1000 times the operational lifetime
Designed for safe operation, with low material
toxicity and non-corrosive electrolyte
Maxwell’s patented
fabrication process
The secret to Maxwell components’ low cost
and unparalleled longevity and performance lies
in a proprietary electrode fabrication process.
Porous, high-purity activated carbon is rolled
and formed into super-capacitive double-layer
electrodes, which are suspended in a special
electrolyte and either layered into a prismatic
(square) or wound into a cylindrical “jelly roll”
configuration. The result is an extremely
durable, maintenance-free product offering
excellent power density and exceptional design
versatility. Proof of Maxwell’s innovation and
leadership includes more than 220 patents and
patents pending.
Ultracapacitor Applications
Maxwell ultracapacitors enable engineers to
design-in or retrofit systems with products
that optimize energy efficiency, performance,
reliability and cycle life. Ultracapacitors are a
readily available power and energy option that’s
used with great success in an ever-expanding
number of applications.
Wind Turbines: Wind is one of renewable
energy’s fastest rising stars. Today, you’ll
find Maxwell’s durable, maintenance-free
ultracapacitors in tens of thousands of wind
turbines worldwide, smoothing output and
providing reliable fail-safe power for blade-pitch
control and voltage regulation.
Solar Power: Solar is another bright spot
in renewable energy. But inconsistent panel
quality, intermittent cloud cover and controller
issues can make output power less than
predictable. Maxwell ultracapacitors help
overcome these issues. They also protect
systems against surges and sags—absorbing
energy when input suddenly spikes, and
supporting output voltage when power drops
out. Cost efficiency and long life (one million or
more cycles) also make Maxwell ultracapacitors
ideal for off-grid energy harvesting in remote
signage and lighting applications.
Transportation: Every day, in nearly two
thousand buses from China to Italy, dependable,
low-maintenance Maxwell ultracapacitors are
hard at work, enabling hybrid and all-electric
drive technologies that save fuel and reduce
emissions. In this use, ultracapacitors have
proven to be the most efficient means of
recapturing regenerative energy.
Automotive: Maxwell ultracapacitors’ unique
energy-storage properties make them powerful
“enablers” of emerging hybrid automotive
applications and technologies, including
boardnet stabilization, regenerative braking and
distributed power. Car designers around the
world have successfully integrated Maxwell
ultracapacitors into the latest hybrid and EV
(electric vehicle) models.
Industrial: Maxwell ultracapacitors are used
extensively in the most demanding industrial
environments and applications, primarily to
provide burst power, backup power and peakpower shaving. Industrial product designers
prefer ultracapacitors to other options for their
inherent versatility and performance benefits,
which include: low maintenance/high reliability;
long life; and ability to operate normally in
extreme temperatures. Common industrial uses
include: Smart Grid automated meters; oil drilling;
valve and actuator control; Enterprise Static
State Disk (SSD) backup power; LED flashlights
and remote lighting.
Heavy Lifting: Designers seeking solutions
for mining or material-handling have had to
compromise either power or energy efficiency
to achieve desired results. Many now specify
cost-efficient Maxwell ultracapacitors because
of their low maintenance and ability to quickly
capture and discharge energy. Seaport
cranes fitted with hybrid systems (battery plus
ultracapacitors) have realized the greatest
performance improvements, including greater
power, better fuel economy, reduced emissions
and quiet operations.
Backup Power: With lives, data and critical
communications at stake, power loss is never an
option. That’s why companies with datacenters,
telecom and healthcare facilities rely on Maxwell
ultracapacitors. Safe and virtually maintenance
free, they provide the most reliable UPS source
for temporary bridge and transition power.
did you know?
Ultracapacitors have
proven their value, safety
and efficiency in thousands
of public transit buses
worldwide.
PRODUCTS
Cells and
Multi-Cell Modules
Expand and Enhance Your
Product-Design Options
Maxwell’s UL-recognized PC10 is
ideal for use in consumer electronics,
automotive subsystems, wireless
transmission, medical devices, and
automatic meter readers.
Maxwell ultracapacitors are manufactured to the
highest quality standard to provide economical,
maintenance-free performance for one million
or more cycles. They are RoHS-compliant and
available in a large selection of sizes, packages
and configurations. Ultracapacitors are ideal
for energy storage and power delivery in
applications requiring a quick burst of energy
that can’t be efficiently provided by a battery
or power supply alone.
PC Board-mounted Products
Rugged, durable and vibration
resistant, Maxwell’s IP65-compliant
125V ultracapacitor module is
designed to perform reliably in the
harshest conditions – indoors or out.
PC Series (2.5V DC, 10F) Typical applications:
consumer electronics, automotive subsystems,
wireless transmission, medical devices, automatic
meter readers solid-state disk drive
Duty cycles
500,000
Expected life 10 years
Notable features NASA space qualified;
low-profile prismatic
design
HC Series (2.7V DC, 5F to 150F) Typical
applications: consumer electronics, industrial
and automation, portable power tools, energy
harvesting, automatic meter readers, solid-state
disk drive, industrial valves/actuators
Duty cycles
500,000
Expected life 10 years
Notable features ultra-low internal
resistance; two pin radial
lead
BC Series (2.7V DC, 310F to 350F) Typical
applications: automotive subsystems, industrial
power backup, medical devices, portable power
tools, short-term UPS, backup power and pulse,
wind turbine pitch control, telecom applications
Duty cycles
500,000
Expected life 10 years
Notable features radial “D-cell” package;
ultra-low internal
resistance
High-capacity Cell Products
K2 (2.7V DC, 650F to 3,000F) Typical
applications: automotive subsystems, medical
devices, backup power, grid stabilization, hybrid
vehicle drive trains, rail system power, UPS, wind
turbine pitch control
Duty cycles
One Million +
Expected life 10+ years
Notable features highest power
performance available;
lowest RC time constant
MODULES
Maxwell Technologies’ high-performing multicell modules offer numerous desirable design
features, including excellent energy and power
density, low cost, rugged construction, extremely
long life and built-in monitoring of temperature
and voltage.
General Purpose Modules
16V Module (16.2V DC, 500F) Typical
applications: automotive subsystems; UPS; Wind
turbine pitch control, diesel engine starting
Duty cycles
One Million +
Expected life 10+ years
Notable features lowest equivalent series
resistance (ESR) and
highest efficiency
48V Module (48.6V DC, 83F to 165F) Typical
applications: Transit bus and trolley, construction
and mining equipment, AGV, rugged UPS
Duty cycles
One Million +
Expected life 10+ years
Notable features rugged, compact design
with highest power
performance and lowest
RC time constant
56V Module (56V DC, 130F) Typical applications:
UPS, Grid Storage, renewable firming
Duty cycles
One Million +
Expected life 15 years
Notable features easy rack mount
installation, earthquake
resistant
16V Small Cell Module Typical applications:
windmill pitch control systems; industrial
equipment backup; valve and actuator power;
automotive subsystems; high power wireless
Duty cycles
500,000
Expected life 10+ years
Notable features compact and lightweight;
based on Maxwell’s
highly reliable 350F radial
D-cell
Application-specific Modules
Maxwell Technologies is in tune with many
vertical markets’ emerging trends and needs.
These multi-cell modules are the first in a series
of solutions specifically tailored for a particular
industry or use. Visit www.Maxwell.com regularly
for new product introductions and information.
125V Heavy Transportation Module (125V
DC, 63F) Typical applications: buses; electric
trains and trolleys; heavy duty transportation;
cranes, seaport cranes; utility vehicles; mining
equipment
Duty cycles
One Million +
Expected life 10+ years
Notable features CAN Bus communication
and digital monitoring;
e-mark certified for public
transportation; shock
and vibration immunity
(ISO16750:T 14, EN61373),
water and dust immunity
75V Wind Turbine Module (75V DC, 94F)
Typical applications: wind turbine pitch drive
system; renewable energy power quality (wind,
solar, wave); UPS/backup for heavy machinery in
textile making, CNC, semiconductor equipment
and other rugged industrial applications
Duty cycles
One Million +
Expected life 17+ years
Notable features -40 to +65 º C operating
range; vibration resistant
Engine Start Module (12V, 1000F) Typical
applications: Class 7/8 trucks, delivery vehicles,
refrigerated trucks, cold weather starting
Duty cycles
One Million +
Expected life 6–12 years
Notable features standard battery size,
built-in charger, engine
starting reliability
Worldwide Service
and Support
Maxwell’s worldwide service and support
organization provides the expert guidance
and technical support needed to successfully
complete even your most complex or ambitious
design-in or system retrofit project, including:
Applications engineering in most
major industries
A dedicated automotive-applications
support team
Spare parts and extended warranty services
Certified Integrator Program
Technical Resources
As a proactive partner in design and distribution,
Maxwell Technologies provides the most up-todate ultracapacitor technical information and
resources. Available support includes: application
notes, frequently asked questions, white papers,
webcast presentations, and more.
Turn challenge into opportunity.
Contact Maxwell today.
Maxwell’s industry-leading ultracapacitor
products offer the value, versatility and
performance designers need to successfully
create dependable, energy-efficient nextgeneration products. For more information
about services, technology or application
support, contact Maxwell today at
(858) 503-3300. Or visit us online at Maxwell.com.
did you know?
European car designers
are integrating Maxwell
ultracapacitors into startstop/voltage stabilization
systems to reduce emissions
and improve fuel economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Are there other names for ultracapacitors?
Yes, they are also known as electric double-layer capacitors;
electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLC); supercapacitors; and
supercondensers.
5) How did Maxwell succeed in making ultracapacitors cost effective?
Maxwell’s intelligent product design, material science and process
optimization have combined to create economies of scale at high
volumes, thus keeping our pricing extremely competitive.
2) What are some safety advantages of ultracapacitors over other
power sources, such as lead-acid batteries?
Ultracapacitors are designed for safe, reliable operation with advantages
that include, broad operating temperature range, low material toxicity
and a non-corrosive electrolyte.
6) Are batteries and ultracapacitors competing
or complementary technologies?
Generally complementary. Most applications actually benefit from
optimizing the energy density of batteries and power density of
ultracapacitors. There are, of course, applications where one source or
the other will suffice or budget clearly dictates which to use.
3) What gives ultracapacitors their super capacitance?
Their capacitance is a million times that of a conventional electrolytic
device. This is primarily due to the much higher surface area made
possible by a proprietary activated-carbon manufacturing process.
Physical properties of the electrolyte also boost capacitance.
4) What are the most promising emerging uses/applications
of ultracapacitor technology?
New customers regularly approach Maxwell for power and energymanagement solutions. The hybrid vehicle sector continues its
emergence, with engine starting joining boardnet stabilization,
regenerative braking and distributed power as very promising uses.
We’re also seeing an uptick in activity and interest in UPS and energy
harvesting applications.
Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
Global Headquarters
5271 Viewridge Court, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123
USA
Tel: +1 858 503 3300
Fax: +1 858 503 3301
Maxwell Technologies SA
Route de Montena 65
CH-1728 Rossens
Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)26 411 85 00
Fax: +41 (0)26 411 85 05
7) Are ultracapacitors a fad or do they have a legitimate role
in the future of energy-storage management?
Ultracapacitors have been a technology in the making for 15-20
years and have recently proven to be a viable, often preferable,
design option and enabling technology across a growing number of
industries. Maxwell believes ultracapacitors are here to stay, as do
many of the world’s leading energy utilities, auto makers and technology
manufacturers, as evidenced by the sale of millions of units worldwide.
Maxwell Technologies, GmbH
Leopoldstrasse 244
80807 München
Germany
Tel. +49 (0)89 / 20 80 39 653
Fax +49 (0)89 / 20 80 39 651
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