EEStor and Ultracaps in the news - again

[Wiyosaya]

There does not seem to be much new here, but they are in the news again

http://www.physorg.com/news108133672.html

[MikeSF]

Yanno, I really would have thought that a place like physorg would write a little more scientifically minded stuff.

An Austin-based startup called EEStor promised "technologies for replacement of electrochemical batteries," meaning a motorist could plug in a car for five minutes and drive 500 miles roundtrip between Dallas and Houston without gasoline. [/b]

First part... unsure how that statement in quotes means that bit at the end, especially when later on it's mentioned that this might be in the "fantasy" region of materials, i.e. doesn't exist.

Then the death blow

Charged particles stick to the metal sheets and move quickly across EEStor's proprietary material.

The result is an ultracapacitor, a battery-like device that stores and releases energy quickly. [/b]

Granted, my EE background is a bit weak, but last I knew, charge did NOT move across the plates in capacitors, that would mean arcing, which would spell doom for a capacitor.

Although I still go by the last statement in the article

"I am skeptical but I'd be very happy to be proved wrong," [/b]

[Wiyosaya]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MikeSF @ Sep 5 2007, 12:12 PM) [snapback]507338[/snapback]</div>

Yanno, I really would have thought that a place like physorg would write a little more scientifically minded stuff.
[/b]

Well, don't shoot the messenger. At the bottom of the article is an Associated Press copyright. Since there is nothing new detailed in the release, Physorg probably just picked up AP's storyline. Essentially, the story is old news.

[clett]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MikeSF @ Sep 5 2007, 12:12 PM) [snapback]507338[/snapback]</div>

Granted, my EE background is a bit weak, but last I knew, charge did NOT move across the plates in capacitors, that would mean arcing, which would spell doom for a capacitor.
[/b]

Their VP has said in another interview that the EESTOR device is not a conventional double layer capacitor, but is more a hybrid between lithium-ion battery chemistry and ultracapacitor design (its structure utilises features from both). They have great backing from respected investors, so presumably must have shown some good pilot units to back up their 280 Wh/kg claims.

[Wiyosaya]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clett @ Sep 6 2007, 05:40 AM) [snapback]507837[/snapback]</div>

Their VP has said in another interview that the EESTOR device is not a conventional double layer capacitor, but is more a hybrid between lithium-ion battery chemistry and ultracapacitor design (its structure utilises features from both). They have great backing from respected investors, so presumably must have shown some good pilot units to back up their 280 Wh/kg claims.
[/b]

I have to agree that having respected investors gives them an edge. Hopefully, the investors, no matter how respected they are, did their due diligence before investing, i.e., had the science analyzed by respected scientists and engineers before they invested. If that is the case, then something just might appear on the market. Earlier in the year, EESTOR announced that they met a crucial goal; however, the press release that I am waiting for is the one that announces commercial production and availability.

[MikeSF]

Depends what you would consider a respected investor, would you consider those who gave Dean Kamen funding for his "It" (aka Segway) to be respected? That promised to revolutionize the way we plan cities, I think the only thing cities did in response is to ban them from the sidewalks.