New 3V thin prismatic supercapacitors

Louise Davis

Cap-XX has announced it has developed what it is calling the industry’s first 3V thin, prismatic supercapacitors. The company will deploy its 3V technology first in thin prismatic form to meet demand for small, inexpensive, energy-efficient power solutions for thin wearables, key fobs and other IoT devices. Cap-XX will then integrate the 3V technology into its larger prismatic supercapacitors, automotive modules and other products for high-energy, high-power applications.

The new 3V supercapacitors eliminate the cost and inefficiencies of the low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator or buck converter often required to step the voltage down to work with the industry’s existing 2.7V-rated thin, prismatic supercapacitors. Cap-XX is initially targeting markets using 3V coin cell batteries, where popular batteries such as the CR2032 have reasonable energy (~220mAh) but have trouble delivering the peak power (~100mA) needed for data collection and transmission. Cap-XX can handle those power bursts, and its new 3V supercapacitors can be placed directly across the battery without the intermediary LDO.

To achieve the 3V, Cap-XX developed new materials and production techniques. The company has successfully tested prototypes at 3V, 70°C meeting the IEC 62391 requirement for endurance. Cap-XX has started production trials, with samples expected for customers by end of August 2018, and mass production in the first half of 2019. Pricing will start at less than US$1 in large volumes. 

The 3V versions, ranging from 0.9mm to 1.9mm thick, will come in the same footprints as Cap-XX’s existing 2.7V thin prismatic supercapacitors: Z, 20mm x 15mm; A, 20mm x 18mm; W, 17.5mm x 28.5mm; S, 17.5mm x 39.5mm.

Initial samples will be in the S package, with other footprints and the 0.6mm Thinline products to follow.