A supercapacitor is a special type of capacitor that is valued for its ability to store electrical charge in the farad range, as opposed to the micro- and pico-farad ranges in conventional disc and electrolytic capacitors. The supercapacitor is also known as an "electric double-layer capacitor" (EDLC). The double-layer label comes from a special carbon-based dielectric that forms a double electric field when charged. A supercapacitor is powered up like a conventional capacitor by applying a voltage across its leads. However, the supercapacitor differs in that it only requires a very small voltage source such as that from a solar cell.
- 1.5-volt toy electric motor with wire leads
- 1.5-volt supercapacitor
- 1-volt 22 mm by 24 mm monocrystalline solar cell with wire leads
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Instructions
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1
Wrap the red (positive) wire lead of a solar cell to the anode (positive) lead of a supercapacitor.
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2
Wrap the black (negative) wire lead of a solar cell to the cathode (negative) lead of a supercapacitor.
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3
Place the solar cell/supercapacitor under direct sunlight for 3 minutes. The supercapacitor is now charged.
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4
Disconnect the solar cell from the supercapacitor. To demonstrate that the supercapacitor is charged, attach it to a toy electric motor.
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5
Connect the red wire from the toy electric motor to the anode lead of the supercapacitor. Connect the black wire from the toy electric motor to the cathode lead of the supercapacitor. The electric motor will spin for several minutes until all the charge is depleted from the supercapacitor. Reconnect the solar cell to the supercapacitor to recharge.