Feature: Components


EDLC (electrochemical double-layer capacitor) Te EDLC stores energy purely electrostatically, without chemical reactions; it uses activated carbon electrodes. It provides very high cycle stability (> 1 million cycles) and short charging time, and is robust and durable. It is the standard type for use in industrial and mobile devices.


Pseudocapacitor In pseudocapactors, in addition to the double layer, there are redox reactions at the electrode – chemical reactions that involve the simultaneous transfer of electrons between different materials. Tis type provides higher energy density, but lower cycle stability. Electrodes can be made of metal oxides or conductive


polymers, which can make them more expensive and more sensitive. Pseudocapacitors are mostly used in specialist or research


applications.


EDLC supercap structure Essentially, an EDLC supercap consists of two highly porous electrodes, oſten made of activated carbon. Tey are separated by a separator and submerged in a conductive electrolyte. When a voltage is applied, a so-called electrical double layer forms at the interface between the electrodes and the electrolyte. Positive and negative charges accumulate opposite each other, without any chemical reaction. Te double layer forms the basis for energy storage. Tese supercaps are therefore also known as double-layer capacitors. Current conductors conduct the energy from the electrodes to


the outside. A tightly sealed housing, usually made of aluminum or plastic, protects the cell from environmental influences. Te nominal voltage of a supercap cell is usually between 2.3


and 2.7V. Cells with a nominal voltage of 2.7V and a capacity of 5-50F are generally used in compact industrial components such as handheld scanners. A farad (F) indicates how much electrical charge a capacitor


can store per volt – the higher the value, the more energy is available in the short term. Tese sizes offer an optimum ratio of storage volume, construction volume and weight. Tey make it possible to reliably absorb short-term peaks in demand, for example when triggering a scan process or sending data.


Lightweight solution, charged in a flash Multi-purpose handheld scanners for bar code detection are designed for short but performance intensive applications. Supercap technology provides the scanners with sufficient energy for several seconds to a few minutes. The devices are recharged very quickly. Handheld scanners with supercap technology are therefore particularly suitable for applications requiring regular individual scans. Supercaps not only score points for their fast charging


capability: They are also particularly resistant to environmental influences. Typical supercaps work reliably even at double- digit sub-zero temperatures without any noticeable drop in performance. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are much more


sensitive to cold. What’s more, as electrical capacitors, supercaps are not affected by the new EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542). This sets out clear requirements for the marketing, use and recycling of batteries in the EU. Whilst batteries often have to be serviced or replaced and then disposed of properly, supercaps can usually remain in the device permanently. This is the case even with operating times of up to 15 years. There is an added reason why supercaps are attractive


for companies with sustainability-orientated procurement strategies: They do not contain any critical raw materials such as lithium or cobalt. Still, in general, supercap technology is not a replacement


for batteries. However, it is a more efficient alternative for certain applications: Leuze therefore makes targeted use of this technology for solutions such as multipurpose handheld scanners. Extremely fast charging in just a few seconds, a significantly higher number of charging cycles, and low weight make handling easier. Last but not least, system operators benefit from cost savings compared to battery-powered devices. Leuze makes the most of the technology with its IT 1960


series of wireless supercap devices. Because no battery is required, the devices are very light: For example, a supercap handheld scanner from the IT 1960 series weighs just 220 grams. This is a noticeable ergonomic advantage and makes handling easier in daily use. If, on the other hand, many scans are required in a short time, devices with a battery or cable are recommended.


www.electronicsworld.co.uk November 2025 35


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