The continuing need for alternative energy sources for numerous applications, including automobiles is fueling our new focus area studies ultracapacitor technology. Currently, the majority of funded work in the energy storage area is focused on battery development and not on the further development of ultracapacitors.

As batteries continue to show deficiencies in some key areas, the fate of many emerging technologies remains in jeopardy if battery technology is found inadequate to meet the energy requirements.

TRI has recognized the importance of continuing major development efforts based on the use of new and unique materials continue in both ultracapacitors and batteries to more clearly define and measure the advantages of each technology.

TRI is actively expanding it research efforts to push ultracapacitor development to fill this need. This program is advancing the critical measurement science of characterization of novel carbon cathodes, based on new forms of carbon such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, but also on amorphous and TRI is actively expanding it research efforts to push ultracapacitor development to fill this need. This program is advancing the critical measurement science of characterization of novel carbon cathodes, based on new forms of carbon such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, but also on amorphous and nano-structured carbon. This program also focuses on the use of porous materials to structure electrolyte transport, most commonly on polymer battery separators.