New Type Of Electrolyte, Key To Better Batteries?

Electrolytes are one of the 4 fundamental components of either batteries or ultracapacitors
. . . the anode,
. . . the cathode,
. . . the separator and the
. . . electrolyte.
Electrolytes are primary contributors to the
. . . performance,
. . . safety, and
. . . operating temperature range of energy storage devices.

Compared to existing organic electrolytes, ionic liquids offer the potential for
. . . increased operating temperature,
. . . increased cycle life,
. . . improved safety, and
. . . increased energy density.
These improvements translate to
. . . lower total cost of ownership for the batteries and ultracapacitors,
. . . because the battery or ultracapacitor is
. . . . . . physically smaller and
. . . . . . requires less raw materials,
. . . . . . lasts longer and
. . . . . . reduces the size and complexity of the cooling system.
And the company has developed a cheaper manufacturing process for the ionic liquids
. . . which are normally expensive to produce.

By replacing conventional electrolytes with ionic liquids
. . . the energy storage capacity of ultracapacitors could double
. . . by allowing them to be charged to higher voltages and
. . . could lead to much smaller batteries and that last longer.
Lithium ion batteries would also benefit and
. . . could store up to 10 times the energy they currently hold.

Source: better-batteries