Ultracapacitors comprised of mineral microtubules

Abstract

Disclosed is an energy storage device having electrodes containing mineral microtubules. The electrodes may be formed, for example, from a paste containing microtubules, a conductive polymer containing mineral microtubules, or an aerogel containing the mineral microtubules. The mineral microtubules may be filled with carbon, a pseudocapacitance material, or a magnetoresistive material. The mineral microtubules may also be coated with a photoconductive material.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An electrode having a surface area and comprising inorganic mineral tubules. 
     
     
         25 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said electrode is formed from a paste containing mineral tubules. 
     
     
         26 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24  further comprising a conductive polymer. 
     
     
         27 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24  further comprising an aerogel. 
     
     
         28 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising carbon. 
     
     
         29 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said inorganic mineral tubules are filled with a form of carbon. 
     
     
         30 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said inorganic mineral tubules are filled with a pseudocapacitance material. 
     
     
         31 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said inorganic mineral tubules are filled with a magnetoresistive material. 
     
     
         32 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said inorganic mineral tubules are coated with a photoconductive material. 
     
     
         33 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24  further comprising a photoconductive material. 
     
     
         34 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said inorganic mineral tubules include halloysite tubules. 
     
     
         35 . The electrode as recited in  claim 24 , wherein said electrode is a component of an energy storage device. 
     
     
         36 . The electrode as recited in  claim 35 , wherein said energy storage device is an ultracapacitor. 
     
     
         37 . The electrode as recited in  claim 35 , wherein said energy storage device is a battery. 
     
     
         38 . A coating for an electrode, the coating comprising inorganic mineral tubules. 
     
     
         39 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 38  further comprising a conductive polymer. 
     
     
         40 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 38  further comprising an aerogel. 
     
     
         41 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 38 , further comprising carbon. 
     
     
         42 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said inorganic mineral tubules are filled with a form of carbon. 
     
     
         43 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said inorganic mineral tubules are filled with a pseudocapacitance material. 
     
     
         44 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said inorganic mineral tubules are filled with a magnetoresistive material. 
     
     
         45 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said mineral tubules are coated with a photoconductive material. 
     
     
         46 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 38 , further comprising a photoconductive material. 
     
     
         47 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said inorganic mineral tubules include halloysite tubules. 
     
     
         48 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said coating for an electrode is a component of an energy storage device. 
     
     
         49 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 48 , wherein said energy storage device is an ultracapacitor. 
     
     
         50 . The coating for an electrode as recited in  claim 48 , wherein said energy storage device is a battery. 
     
     
         51 . A portable energy storage device having at least one electrode comprising inorganic mineral tubules.