YUNASKO has developed the second generation of hybrid energy storage

Since low energy density is a known drawback of the supercapacitor technology, which typically provides about 6 Wh/kg in full packaged devices, one of the Yunasko objectives is focused on hybridization of this technology with Li-ion battery. The first generation based on proprietary hybridization approach was developed about 8 years ago by the trade name of LIC (Li-ion capacitor) and demonstrated the energy density about 30-35 Wh/kg – for more detail see the corresponding page on our site.

Over a few last years YUNASKO has developed the second generation of hybrid “Li-ion battery+supercapacitor” technology that can be called as Graphene Enhanced Li-ion Battery (GELIB). The GELIB technology efficiently unite advantages from both “parents”.

Inherited from supercapacitor technology

• high power density and efficiency: up to 7 kW/kg;
• quick charge: full charge within 5… 6 min or 80% charge within 3 min is possible;
• long cycle life: tens of thousands deep charge-discharge cycles;
• operation at low temperature: - 40 deg. C is still OK;
• safe operation: e.g., nail penetration test does not result in the ignition, or quick charge-discharge does not cause the thermal runaway.

Inherited from Li-ion battery technology

• large energy density: ten times more than in supercapacitors (60… 70 Wh/kg);
• plateau on the charge-discharge curves that allows to avoid the DC/DC converter;
• well developed and commercially available components and assembly technology.

We can see emerging markets for GELIB in many applications where the need for reasonably large energy density and, simultaneously, fast charge, long cycle life, wide operation temperature range and safety are critical. As an example, it can be robotics and automated guided vehicles (AGV) for warehouses. For the time being they mostly use lead acid batteries and slowly shift to LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries.

Issues with these technologies are similar: slow charge and short cycle life that does not enable to use such batteries for 3 years of operation (the minimum life time required for robotics/AGV). E-cigarettes can be yet another promising application wherein rather high current value (up to 40 A) is needed to quickly get the vapor.

Such GELIB characteristics as high specific power, low heat generation inside the battery itself and, hence, safety, quick charge and long cycle life can become at a critical advantage against the currently used batteries. These advantages can also be of definite use in electric and hybrid in-city transport including e-bikes and scooters, in more electric aircrafts and drones, in portable power tools, and in some special applications.

Yunasko successfully developed supercapacitor modules for maneuver locomotives

In 2021 Yunasko successfully fulfilled a project aimed at the development and manufacture of supercapacitor modules to start up a diesel locomotive engine in a wide outside temperature range. The module can improve fuel efficiency and durability during switching rail yard work. The module characteristics are: 75V, 100F, 7 mOhm, 20 kg.

Yunasko joined European H2020 project SIMBA

In January 2021 Yunasko joined one more European Union’s Horizon 2020 project SIMBA - Sodium-Ion and sodium Metal BAtteries for efficient and sustainable next-generation energy storage (ID: 963542). 

The SIMBA project main goal is the development of a highly cost-effective, safe, all-solid-state-battery with sodium as mobile ionic charge carrier for stationary energy storage applications. Although in many ways SIBs are similar to LIBs, there are still a number of persistent scientific and technical challenges to be addressed in understanding electrochemical processes and degradation mechanisms, electrode, solid-state electrolyte and cell manufacturing. SIMBA aims to solve these challenges and pave the way to market introduction. In terms of customer value, it will target the product market space between LIB and lead-acid batteries, offering similar performance advantages of LIB (high efficiency, low volume and weight) but with the cost-advantage of lead-acid (low material cost and ease of recycling).

Visit simba-h2020.eu to learn more.

Graphics by Uniresearch.