Superdielectrics storage tech hailed as precocious

Hailed by the company as a significant breakthrough in storage, the aqueous polymer-based technology is claimed to already match the energy density of lead acid batteries, while charging 10 times faster. The polymer breakthrough is said to have emerged from an ongoing collaboration with researchers at Bristol University, who identified and validated the key mechanisms involved. Core materials used are said to be low-cost, recyclable and inherently safer than prevalent storage technologies such as lithium-ion.

At a press event at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in London, Professor Marcus Newborough, Superdielectrics director of R&D, demonstrated the company’s Faraday 1 storage device. Following an introductory explanation of the technology, Prof Newborough walked to an adjacent room where a prototype Faraday 1 system was powering a cluster of bright lights.

According to Superdielectrics, Faraday 1 has completed over one million hours of testing and the company believes continued development of the technology could position it to compete with lithium-ion batteries. The firm’s website states that the aqueous polymer technology is already protected globally through more than 10 patent families.