Feature: Components


Left to right: Handheld scanners in industrial and warehousing applications greatly benefit from supercapacitors


In comparison, a handheld scanner that is to be operated over a


Supercaps: Where energy meets efficiency


By Dieter Eßlinger, Product Launches and Sales Coordination, Leuze Electronic


It all depends on the application In industrial and warehousing applications, handheld scanners are used in different scenarios, with each placing different requirements on the device’s power supply. For individual scans, which are oſten required in storage areas or inventory taking, the handheld scanner only requires high peak performance for a short time. Te devices are oſten parked in charging stations and need to be fully operational again aſter a few seconds. Here it is particularly important that the energy storage system charges quickly so that it is immediately available when needed.


A 34 November 2025 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


stable power supply is essential in many applications, but crucially so in industry. Here, various applications use batteries and supercapacitors (or supercaps, also known as ultracapacitors) provide energy storage that intelligently complements conventional batteries.


long period of time has different requirements. In shiſt operation in production environments or warehouses, where the device is required to work continuously for several hours, operating time is the decisive factor. Te handheld scanner must last the entire working day on a single charge, without needing to be recharged regularly. In these scenarios, the power storage system’s energy density plays a greater role because a constant power supply is required over longer periods of time. Te energy storage technology is crucial in both cases: It not only


impacts the device’s performance, but also its operating time and energy efficiency. Depending on the application, a supercap or a battery in the form of a rechargeable battery may offer the best solution.


Supercap vs battery A supercap is an electrical energy storage device known for its particularly fast charging and discharging ability. It stores energy mainly electrostatically; i.e., by separating electrical charges at the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte. In contrast, batteries store energy electrochemically; i.e., via chemical reactions in the cell chemistry. Te main advantage of a supercap is that it can be fully charged


within seconds, to provide very high power at short notice. Tis makes the technology ideal for applications with short-term energy requirements or for bridging power outages. Although a supercap’s energy density is lower than that of


batteries, it can be charged over a million times. A conventional battery only lasts up to around 2,000 charging cycles. Plus, its service life of up to 15 years is many times longer than that of a lithium-ion battery. Supercaps thus offer a reliable, low- maintenance and environmentally friendly solution for a wide range of industrial requirements, especially where speed and availability are required.


Types of supercaps Supercaps can be divided into different types in terms of storage methods, materials used and their technical properties. In industrial applications – especially in mobile devices such as handheld scanners – the so-called EDLC type (electrochemical double layer capacitor) is the most prevalent. It combines a particularly high cycle stability, short charging times and a robust design. Te pseudocapacitor is less common:


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44