Fun with ultracapacitors
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42 
#1 I'll go with A)... If i take example from vid: Voltage of that capacitor is 2.5V with internal resistance of 0,0007Ohm. If you connect those two wires together you'll make short circuit. So the current trough the capacitor will be I=U/R ... I=2.5/0.0007 which is about 3571A (and that's really A LOT). You can leave out resistance of those wire (it's really small in case of usual copper wire) you can count Power -> P=(I^2)*R=(3571^2)*0,0007 = 8926 J = 8,9kJ... and because the wire is much thinner and smaller than capacitor, it will vaporize much quickly than capacitor 
But if you replace that small wire with something much thicker, maybe the capacitor would melt or maybe even explode
That's all just my opinion, so it shouldn't be necessarily true
32
Be careful here folks. I had a PC years ago which was badly designed. If you unplugged it and held the plug you got a shock from the capacitors. Even though they were the less powerful types mentioned in this video, they were big enough to deliver a vicious shock. These ultracapacitors can kill.
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7. Sizzlik (admin) 284 days ago
Another fun with capacitors is when you buy a few of this cheap one time use cameras wich got a flash..you can build a nice shocker with them. Good/Mean when used in a prank 
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8. cameramaster 284 days ago
Imagine using those Ultra's to build a Taser.....Mind you ....You'd need a back pack to carry the circuitry ..Hmm.....maybe not such a good idea after all :-(
21
Ultracapacitors were supposed to be the holly grail by replacing heavy bulky lead acid batteries. Ultracapacitors were also to revolutionize electric cars that would make gas powered cars obsolete. Never happened.
27
These type of capacitors still have a relatively high internal resistance when compared to standard capacitors. If you put a few in series to get a higher voltage it just compounds the issue.
Only good for moderate current draw.
Oh, and just for comparison.... a car battery can deliver roughly 2MJ (Mega Joules) of energy without dropping below 10.5V. That just shows how pathetic these caps really are.
27
#12 No, they're a failed technology. If it were practical, you would already see them in electric vehicles.
Six of them would roughly equal the same size as a 12V car battery, but would have about 40 times less energy storage.
24
#12, #13: Actually, there are some hybrid buses that use this technology.
However, capacitors can't hold their potential nearly as long as batteries can. Therefore they're pretty useless when it comes to electric cars.
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15. loadrunner 284 days ago
They store power very slow, but can release it very fast. I think it can be used in weapons.
27
#15 You obviously didn't pay attention to the video. The internal resistance limits both the charge and discharge rate... it's not a one way street.
19
Probably one day we will start seeing these in KERS for cars... Now they are too week and expensive even for that. No comment for battery replacement
They can jump into our gadgets sooner, but...(this 6 capacitor array holds about the same power as a 3.6V 750mAh battery) apparently this array costs at least $500 compared to $5 for a LiIon battery, its a bit heavier and a lot more dangerous...
the benefits though are pretty quick charging and no limit in the number of charges.
33
this is used in cars today :-) but only to back up amps. see http://www.sonicelectronix.com/cat_i6_capacitors.html for examples and explanation.
(101 votes)
+4
1. Cloe 284 days ago
Question: what happens if you conect the 2 wires togheter and live them connected? : A) one of the two wires will vaporize or B) the ultracapacitor will explode ..leave your comments and if you like your arguments..