Background: Magnetic field effects in electrochemical systems arise through transport and kinetic effects of paramagnetic reactants products or intermediates. Often these effects are studied in uniform magnetic fields or magnetic field gradients provided by large external permanent magnets. However researchers at the UI have shown that magnetic composite modified electrodes where the magnetic field is supplied by ferromagnetic microparticles without an external field can provide substantial improvements to a large variety of electrochemical systems which are summarized below. Technology Description: This technology is a magnetically modified MnO2 electrode material for use in electrochemical power sources such as supercapacitors or rechargeable batteries. Proof of concept models with a MnO2 electrode modified with magnetic SmCo5 microparticles have demonstrated an increase in specific capacitance (F/g MnO2) of 58% versus unmodified electrodes. Applications: 1) Supercapacitors and ulracapacitors 2) Rechargeable batteries Patent Status: Pending
Increased storage capacity due to high capacitance.
Patent pending