Graphene Ultra-capacitors To Power Multi-purpose Unmanned Ground Vehicle
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Milrem will showcase its multipurpose UGV (unmanned ground vehicle) using Graphene ultra-capacitor technology for power at DSEI 2015, Defense World reports.
The high power cells from Skeleton Technologies will be used to deliver energy efficiency and product reliability, the company said in a statement Tuesday.
The hybrid UGV, developed by Estonian Milrem, provides a universal platform for any application from communication relay to medevac, lifting platform to fire-fighting. This plug-and-play capability is made possible by housing all equipment inside the vehicle’s tracks.
The multipurpose UGV can be used for a wide range of defense requirements including reconnaissance and observer missions, targeting weapon systems and providing support solutions such as medical supplies. The universal platform allows operators to optimize their vehicle fleet and reduce life cycle management costs with simplified maintenance and spare supplies.
A highly sophisticated control unit regulates energy flow between the diesel generator, electric motors and Skeleton Technologies’ ultra-capacitors. This system reduces overall energy consumption by 25–40%. The ultra-capacitors also ensure reliability by starting the vehicle in cold conditions or after prolonged periods in storage.
Kuldar Väärsi, Chairman of the Board at Milrem said, “We chose these ultra-capacitors for their performance. We knew they would deliver the efficiency and reliability we required.”
Ultra-capacitors are a highly efficient form of energy storage that are able to provide very high currents of power. The cells can also charge and discharge millions of times, offering lifetimes up to 500 times longer than batteries. Crucially for applications in colder climates, the technology can operate in temperatures as low as -65 °C.
