Electrochemical Capacitor/Battery Energy
Storage Device Capable of Self-Charging
INVENTORS • Marc Anderson, Kevin Leonard, M. Isabel Tejedor-Anderson
WARF: P07364US
View U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US-2012-0305651 in PDF format.
Since its founding in 1925 as the patenting and
licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin-
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial
partners interested in developing self-charging electrochemical storage and
delivery devices and applications.
Madison, WARF has been working with business and
industry to transform university research into products
that benefit society. WARF intellectual property
managers and licensing staff members are leaders in
the field of university-based technology transfer. They
OVERVIEW
are familiar with the intricacies of patenting, have
worked with researchers in relevant disciplines,
understand industries and markets, and have
Batteries convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy, and typically are divided
into two broad classes, primary and secondary. Primary batteries such as alkaline
batteries convert stored chemical energy to electrical energy by oxidation and reduction
reactions that result in geochemically unfavorable restructuring and depletion of chemical
reactants. When the initial supply of chemical reactants is exhausted, the battery cannot
be readily recharged.
negotiated innovative licensing strategies to meet the
individual needs of business clients.
Secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries also convert stored chemical energy to
electrical energy. Converting stored chemical energy to electrical energy in secondary
batteries does not involve an unfavorable geochemical restructuring. Secondary batteries
can be readily recharged by applying electrical energy to the battery, reversing the
chemical reactions and restoring the chemical energy in the battery. Two drawbacks of
existing secondary batteries are their need for an external energy source to recharge and
a relatively low energy yield compared to the energy used to charge them. A need exists
for an electrochemical device that self-charges and can provide open circuit potential
similar to conventional batteries.
THE INVENTION
UW–Madison researchers have developed a self-charging electrochemical device, which
could be incorporated into electronic cards such as RFID cards or garage door opener
transponders. The device includes an electrically conductive material between the
electrodes that is coated with a nanoporous oxide. By incorporating the coated material, a
single combination electrochemical device with the ability to self-charge is produced.
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation | 614 Walnut Street, 13th Floor | Madison, WI 53726 | [email protected] | www.warf.org
WARF: P07364US
APPLICATIONS
• Self-charging secondary battery/capacitor devices
• Electronic cards such as RFID cards and garage door opener transponders
KEY BENEFITS
• Enables production of small electronic devices with no need for an external power source
• Can self-charge to its original potential
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Related Technologies
For more information about a nanoporous insulating oxide electrolyte membrane ultracapacitor, see WARF reference number P06293US.
Tech Fields
Clean Technology - Energy storage
Clean Technology - Energy delivery
CONTACT INFORMATION
For current licensing status, please contact Mark Staudt at [email protected] or (608) 265-3084.
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation | 614 Walnut Street, 13th Floor | Madison, WI 53726 | [email protected] | www.warf.org