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Empa Develops Scalable Graphene Supercapacitor Technology
A research team at Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) is developing a new generation of scalable supercapacitors using graphene-based electrodes, aiming to revolutionize energy storage in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and industrial applications. Supported by the BRIDGE funding programme of the Swiss National Science Foundation and Innosuisse, the project focuses not on lab-scale records, but on industrial scalability and real-world applicability. Supercapacitors are known for their ability to charge and discharge rapidly, making them ideal companions to batteries, which store more energy but respond more slowly. However, current supercap technology often relies on activated carbon electrodes, which suffer from low conductivity and are difficult to process due to binders and additives that reduce their effective surface area.
The Empa team, led by postdoc Sina Azad and group leader Jakob Heier, is developing graphene electrodes that overcome these limitations. Thanks to earlier work, the researchers possess a proprietary method for cost-efficient exfoliation of high-quality graphene from graphite. This material is then converted into a gel-like ink, suitable for roll-to-roll printing, a process used in large-scale production of flexible energy storage components. By precisely mixing different types of graphene, the team can tune the pore structure of the electrode material to match the ion size of the electrolyte, significantly enhancing energy density compared to conventional supercaps. Unlike activated carbon, graphene offers high electrical conductivity, adjustable porosity, and excellent scalability.
The researchers aim to deliver more than a proof-of-concept: by 2028, they plan to develop fully functional prototypes, define the optimal manufacturing steps, and identify a suitable electrolyte system. Their goal is to commercialize the technology through industrial partnerships or a dedicated spin-off. If successful, this project could provide a crucial step toward high-performance, sustainable, and scalable energy storage solutions – an essential component in the broader shift toward electrification and circular material use.
www.empa.ch
