The proposed project SC4IoT responds to Topic 6 in the M-ERA.NET-2023 call, which focuses on
developing next-generation innovative materials and technologies for the electronics sector, and is mainly
affiliated with one specific aspect in Topic 6: Next generation of materials for integrated electronics for
energy storage and harvesting.
SC4IoT aims to develop high speed supercapacitors (hsSCs) with improved energy storage capacity and
high-frequency handling capability via electrode material innovation, to address the insufficient
performance of state-of-art supercapacitors as the power electronics in Internet of Things (IoT), in terms
of inadequate capacitance to meet the demand for device miniaturization, and lack of the capability in
handling high-frequency operations.
To go beyond the state-of-art, this project proposes 2 main innovation objectives: (1) Develop a new
electrode design strategy “Controllable growth and assembly of nanoscale electrode materials on three-dimensional
(3D) nanostructure current collectors” to attain a high areal capacitance at high frequency
operating conditions (above 3 mF cm-2 at 120 Hz with a phase angle of around -80°). (2) Develop general
electrode fabrication platforms with the capability to deliver a series of hsSC electrodes to adapt to a wide
range of operating frequency (1-120 Hz), which could meet the varying requirements in IoT, and simplify
the complex electrode designs.
The expected high performance
will be promised by three optimization directions of supercapacitor electrodes: (1) Lowering the equivalent
series resistance, (2) Favoring the electrolyte ion diffusion, and (3) Improving the areal mass loading of
electrode active materials without significantly compromising the high power capability, which can be
achieved by controlling over the material size, micro-/nano-structure of the electrode assembly, and
material deposition process.