US Patent 7623340 - Graphene nanocomposites as supercapacitor electrodes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7623340.html

This patent from Nanotek Instruments teaches forming electrodes out of porous graphene platelets to achieve supercapacitors with potential use as energy sources for hybrid vehicles. The patent notes graphene as a cheaper alternative to carbon nanotube supercapacitor energy sources. Claim 19 read:

19. A supercapacitor, comprising:

(A) a first electrode, comprising nano-scaled graphene platelets and a plurality of pores accessible by a liquid electrolyte wherein said first electrode has a surface area greater than about 100 m2/gm;

(B) a second electrode, comprising nano-scaled graphene platelets and a plurality of pores accessible by said liquid electrolyte wherein said second electrode has a surface area greater than about 100 m2/gm; and

(C) an electrode separator disposed between the first and second electrodes, said separator comprising said liquid electrolyte which is electrically non-conductive and ionically conductive.