View source for EEStor

{{Primary sources|date=May 2023}}

'''FuelPositive Corporation''' (formerly '''EEStor''' ) <ref>FuelPositive {{cite press release|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/02/04/2169865/0/en/EEStor-Corporation-Announces-that-it-will-Change-its-Name-to-FuelPositive-Corporation.html|title=EEStor Corporation Announces that it will Change its Name to FuelPositive Corporation|publisher=Global Newswire|date=4 February 2021|accessdate=2022-11-03}}</ref> is a company based in [[Cedar Park, Texas]], [[United States]] that claims to have developed a solid state polymer [[capacitor]] for [[electricity storage]].<ref name="eestorpatentWO2016094310">{{cite patent|country=WO|number=2016094310|pubdate=2016-06-16|title=Capacitor and method of making|assign1=EEStor Inc.|inventor1-last=Weir|inventor1-first=Richard D.}}</ref> The company claims the device stores more energy than [[lithium-ion batteries]] at a lower cost than [[lead-acid batteries]] used in gasoline-powered cars. Such a device would revolutionize the electric car industry. Many experts believe these claims are not realistic and EEStor has yet to publicly demonstrate these claims. The corporate slogan is "Energy Everywhere".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eestorcorp.com/assets/zenn_motor_company_announces_name_change_to_eestor-corporation.pdf |title=EEStor Corporation Name}}</ref>

==Claimed specifications==
The claims are described in detail in several of the company's patents,<ref name="USPTO-7033406">{{Cite patent|country=US|number=7033406|title=Electrical-energy-storage unit (EESU) utilizing ceramic and integrated-circuit technologies for replacement of electrochemical batteries|pubdate=2006-04-25|inventor1-last=Weir|inventor1-first=Richard Dean|inventor2-last=Nelson|inventor2-first=Carl Walter|assign1=EEStor, Inc.}}</ref><ref name="USPTO-7466536">{{Cite patent|country=US|number=7466536|title=Utilization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) plastic and composition-modified barium titanate powders in a matrix that allows polarization and the use of integrated-circuit technologies for the production of lightweight ultrahigh electrical energy storage units (EESU)|pubdate=2008-12-16|inventor1-last=Weir|inventor1-first=Richard Dean|inventor2-last=Nelson|inventor2-first=Carl Walter|assign1=EEStor, Inc.}}</ref><ref name="eestorpatentWO2016094310" />

The following is how EEStor's energy storage device (sometimes referred to the EESU) is claimed to compare to [[electrochemistry|electrochemical batteries]] used for electric cars:<ref name=zennergy.com>{{cite web|url=http://www.zennergy.com/|title=Zennergy|publisher=Zennergy.com|date=21 April 2011|accessdate=2013-11-06}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! EEStor's EESU
! [[NiMH]]
! Lead-acid ([[Gel battery|Gel]])
! [[Lithium-ion]]
|-
| Weight (kg/lbs)
| '''135/300'''
| 780/1716
| 1660/3646
| 340/752
|-
| Volume (litres/cubic inches)
| '''74.5/4541'''
| 293/17,881
| 705/43,045
| 93.5/5697
|-
| Volumetric Energy Density (Wh/L)
| '''700'''
| 300
| 110
| 676
|-
| Gravimetric Energy Density (Wh/kg)
| '''385'''
| 120
| 42
| 243
|-
| Self-discharge rate
| '''0.02%/30&nbsp;days'''
| 5%/30&nbsp;days
| 1%/30&nbsp;days
| 1%/30&nbsp;days
|-
| EV Charging time (full) – 100% charge
| '''3–6&nbsp;min'''
| >&nbsp;3.0&nbsp;h
| 3–15&nbsp;h
| >&nbsp;3.0&nbsp;h
|-
| Cycle Life (80% discharge)
| '''1 million'''
| 300
| 600
| 1000
|-
| Life Reduced with deep cycle use
| '''none'''
| very high
| high
| very high
|-
| Hazardous Materials
| '''none'''
| yes
| yes
| yes
|-
| Temperature vs. effect on energy storage
| '''negligible'''
| high
| very high
| high
|}
* No degradation from [[Charge cycle|charge/discharge cycles]]<ref name=zennergy.com />

==Status and delays==
Several delays in production occurred and there has not been a public demonstration of the uniquely high [[energy density]] claims of the inventors.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lyle |url=http://gm-volt.com/2010/04/22/zenneestor-update/ |title=Zenn/EESTOR Update - April 22, 2010 |publisher=gm-volt.com |date=2010-04-22 |accessdate=2011-05-21}}</ref> This has led to the speculation that the claims are false. In January 2007 EEStor stated in a press release "EEStor, Inc. remains on track to begin shipping production 15 kilowatt-hour Electrical Energy Storage Units (EESU) to [[ZENN Motor Company]] in 2007 for use in their [[electric vehicle]]s."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/eestor-announces-two-key-production-milestones-automated-production-line-proven-third-631210.htm |title=EEStor Announces Two Key Production Milestones: Automated Production Line Proven and Third Party Verification of All Key Production Chemicals Completed |publisher=Marketwire.com |date=2007-01-17 |accessdate=2013-11-06}}</ref> In September 2007, EEStor co-founder Richard Weir told CNET production would begin in the middle of 2008.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kanellos |first=Michael |url=http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9770849-7.html |title=''Is EEStor delaying its power system for cars?'' - September 4, 2007 |publisher=news.com |date=2007-09-04 |accessdate=2009-09-21}}</ref> In August 2008, it was reported he stated "as soon as possible in 2009".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21171/page2/ |title=Better Batteries Charge Up |publisher=Technology Review |date= |accessdate=2009-09-21}}</ref> [[ZENN Motor Company]] (ZMC) denied there was a delay, just a clarification of the schedule, separating "development" and "commercialization".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?ch=specialsections&sc=batteries&id=18086&a=f|title=Official Response from Zenn on delay of EEStor (under Comment section written by afjerry on 09/11/2007 at 9:47 PM)|date=2007-09-11}}</ref> In March 2008 Zenn stated in a quarterly report a "late 2009" launch was scheduled for an EEStor-enabled EV.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zenncars.com/media/documents/FY08_Q2_Management_Discussion_Analysis.pdf |title=ZENN : Management's Discussion and Analysis |publisher=Zenncars.com |accessdate=2013-11-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319213824/http://www.zenncars.com/media/documents/FY08_Q2_Management_Discussion_Analysis.pdf |archivedate=2012-03-19 }}</ref> In December 2009 Zenn announced that production of the lead acid based ZENN LSV would end April 30, 2010. At that time Zenn did not announce a date for production of an EEstor based car.<ref name="Zenn_cancels_production" />

In July 2009 ZENN Motor Company invested an additional $5 million in EEStor, increasing its share of ownership to 10.7%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emediaworld.com/press_release/release_detail.php?id=623265 |title=ZENN Motor Company increases ownership of EEStor |publisher=Emediaworld.com |date= |accessdate=2009-09-21}}</ref> A Zenn press release indicates they were able to get a 10.7% stake because other EEStor investors did not increase their stake.<ref name="zenncars.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.zenncars.com/media/press_rel/07_08/EEStor_confirms_progress_July30.pdf |title=News Release : Zenn Motor Company's Strategic Energy Storage Partner, EESTOR Inc. Confirms Progress Towards Commercialization of Its Technology |publisher=Zenncars.com |accessdate=2013-11-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319213832/http://www.zenncars.com/media/press_rel/07_08/EEStor_confirms_progress_July30.pdf |archivedate=2012-03-19 }}</ref>

In a press release dated February 2021, the company announced it was changing its name to "Fuelpositive Corporation".<ref>https://eestorcorp.com/2021/02/04/eestor-corporation-announces-that-it-will-change-its-name-to-fuelpositive-corporation/ "EEstor Corporation Announces That It Will Change Its Name to Fuelpostive Corporation", retrieved February 24, 2021</ref>

==Skepticism from experts and lack of demonstrated claims==
EEStor's claims for the EESU exceed by [[Order of magnitude|orders of magnitude]] the energy storage capacity of any capacitor currently sold. Many in the industry have expressed skepticism about the claims. Jim Miller, vice president of advanced transportation technologies at [[Maxwell Technologies]] and capacitor expert, stated he was skeptical because of [[Leakage (electronics)|current leakage]] typically seen at high voltages and because there should be [[Fracture mechanics|microfractures]] from temperature changes. He stated "I'm surprised that [[Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers|Kleiner]] has put money into it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.technologyreview.com/business/18086/ |title=Battery Breakthrough? |publisher=Technology Review |date= |accessdate=2009-09-21}}</ref>

EEStor's claims for the comprehensive [[permittivity]], [[Dielectric strength|breakdown strength]], and leakage performance of their dielectric material far exceeded those understood to be consistent with the fundamental physical capabilities of any known elemental material or composite structure. For example, the thermochemical theory of polar molecular bond strengths has been confirmed to be valid for a wide range of [[low-κ dielectric|low-<math>\kappa</math>]] thru [[high-κ dielectric|high-<math>\kappa</math>]] [[Dielectric#Paraelectricity|paraelectric]] materials, and shows that there exists a near universal inverse relationship (<math> \beta \propto \kappa^{-1/2} </math>) between a material's permittivity (<math> \kappa </math>) and its [[intrinsic and extrinsic properties|intrinsic]] (i.e. defect-free, and thus likely optimal) breakdown strength (<math> \beta </math>).<ref name="McPherson">{{cite journal|title=Trends in the Ultimate Breakdown Strength of High Dielectric-Constant Materials, J.W. McPherson et.al., IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 2003|journal=IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices|volume=50|issue=8|pages=1771–1778|doi=10.1109/TED.2003.815141|year=2003|last1=McPherson|first1=J.W.|last2=Jinyoung Kim|last3=Shanware|first3=A.|last4=Mogul|first4=H.|last5=Rodriguez|first5=J.}}</ref>

==Patent description and claims==
EEStor reports a large relative [[permittivity]] (19818) at an unusually high [[electric field]] strength of 350&nbsp;MV/m, giving 10<sup>4</sup>&nbsp;J/cm<sup>3</sup> (10<sup>3</sup>&nbsp;Wh/L) in the [[dielectric]]. Voltage independence of permittivity was claimed up to 500&nbsp;V/μm to within 0.25% of low voltage measurements. Variation in permittivity at a single voltage for 10 different components was claimed by measurements in the patent to be less than +/- 0.15%.<ref name="USPTO-7466536" /> If true, their capacitors store at least 30 times more energy per volume than (other) cutting-edge methods such as nanotube designs by Dr Schindall at M.I.T.,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rle.mit.edu/rleonline/People/JoelSchindall_cv.pdf |title=Joel Schindall, Ph.D. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612162723/http://www.rle.mit.edu/rleonline/People/JoelSchindall_cv.pdf |archive-date=June 12, 2010 }}</ref> Dr. Ducharme's plastics research,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://physics.unl.edu/~ducharme/ |title=Stephen Ducharme |publisher=Physics.unl.edu |date=1996-07-09 |accessdate=2013-11-06}}</ref> and breakthrough ceramics discussed by Dr. Cann.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.physics.orst.edu/node/461 |title=High Energy Density Dielectrics Based on Bi-Perovskites &#124; Department of Physics |publisher=Physics.orst.edu |date=2009-04-29 |accessdate=2013-11-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319214617/http://www.physics.orst.edu/node/461 |archivedate=2012-03-19 }}</ref> Northrop Grumman and BASF have also filed patents with similar theoretical energy density claims.<ref>{{Cite patent|country=US|number=2007121274|status=application|pubdate=2007-05-31|title=Small volume thin film and high energy density crystal capacitors|inventor1-last=Talvacchio|inventor1-first=John|inventor2-last=Murduck|inventor2-first=James|inventor3-last=DeSalvo|inventor3-first=Gregory|inventor4=Rowland Clarke;Abigail Kirschenbaum;Deborah Partlow}}, since abandoned.</ref><ref>{{Cite patent|country=US|number=7023687|pubdate=2006-04-04|title=High energy density capacitors|assign1=[[BASF AG]]|inventor1-last=Sterzel|inventor1-first=Hans-Josef|inventor2-last=Kühling|inventor2-first=Klaus}}</ref>

The EEStor patents cite a journal article<ref>S. A. Bruno, D. K. Swanson, and I. Burn, J. Am Ceram. Soc. 76, 1233 (1993)</ref> and a [[Philips|Philips Corporation]] patent<ref>{{Cite patent|country=US|number=6078494|pubdate=2000-06-20|title=Multilayer capacitor comprising barium-titanate doped with silver and rare earth metal|assign1=[[Philips|US Phillips Corp.]]|inventor1-last=Hansen|inventor1-first=Peter}}</ref> as exact descriptions of its "calcined composition-modified barium titanate powder."

EEStor's US patent 7033406 mentions aluminum oxide and calcium magnesium aluminosilicate glass as coatings,<ref name="USPTO-7033406" /> although their subsequent US patent 7466536 mentions only aluminum oxide.<ref name="USPTO-7466536" />

EEStor's latest (2016) US patent WO2016094310<ref name="eestorpatentWO2016094310" /> mentions a polymer matrix which can include epoxy and ceramic powders including composition modified barium titanate (CMBT). The patent also mentions a layer thickness of 0.1 microns to 100 microns. It also indicates the CMBT particle density in the polymer matrix can be up to 95%.<ref name="eestorpatentWO2016094310" /> Phase 4 and Phase 5 testing reports used an epoxy/CMBT solution. More recent testing reports from March 2017 are showing samples with CMBT ratios of over 80% and in that same report EEStor mentions plans for near term samples with thickness of 70 microns with plans for greater levels of densification with near complete densification. A targeted near term goal of 110 Wh/L energy density 70 micron layer is in development currently.<ref name="eestorreleasemarch27">{{cite web|url=http://www.eestorcorp.com/release_march-27-2017.html |title=March 27 EEStor PR}}</ref>

==Partnerships==
In July 2005, [[Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers]] invested $3 million in EEStor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.kpcb.com/files/Fortune_article.pdf|title=Cleanup Crew|last1=Gunther|first1=Marc|last2=Lashinsky|first2=Adam|publisher=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|page=82|date=26 November 2007|accessdate=2011-01-30|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103000403/http://www.kpcb.com/files/Fortune_article.pdf|archivedate=3 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="BloombergUFTO">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/dealflow/archives/2005/09/kleiner_perkins_1.html|title=Kleiner Perkins' Latest Energy Investment|last=Hibbard|first=Justin|publisher=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|date=3 September 2005|accessdate=2011-01-22|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229130246/http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/dealflow/archives/2005/09/kleiner_perkins_1.html|archivedate=29 December 2010}}</ref>

In April 2007, [[ZENN Motor Company]], a Canadian electric vehicle manufacturer, invested $2.5 million in EEStor for 3.8% ownership and exclusive rights to distribute their devices for passenger and utility vehicles weighing up to 1,400&nbsp;kg (excluding capacitor mass), along with other rights.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=648733 |title = ZENN Motor Company Makes Equity Investment in Strategic Partner, EEStor, Inc. |accessdate = 2007-09-10 |publisher = Marketwire}}</ref> In July 2009, Zenn invested another $5 million for a 10.7% stake.<ref name="Zenn3Q2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.zenncars.com/media/documents/FY09_Q3_Management_Discussion_Analysis.pdf|title=Zenn 2009 3rd Quarter report|publisher=Zenncars.com|accessdate=2013-11-06|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319213821/http://www.zenncars.com/media/documents/FY09_Q3_Management_Discussion_Analysis.pdf|archivedate=2012-03-19}}</ref> A Zenn press release indicates they were able to get a 10.7% stake because other EEStor investors did not increase their stake.<ref name="zenncars.com"/> In December 2009 Zenn canceled plans for the car but plans to supply the drive train.<ref name="Zenn_cancels_production">{{cite web |url=http://www.zenncars.com/media/press_rel/12_09/ZMC_OPERATIONS_Dec09.pdf |title=Zenn Motor Company Updates on Realignment of Its Business Operations |publisher=Zenncars.com |accessdate=2013-11-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301175332/http://www.zenncars.com/media/press_rel/12_09/ZMC_OPERATIONS_Dec09.pdf |archivedate=2012-03-01 }}</ref> By April 2010, Zenn had cancelled all production of electric vehicles, leaving ownership of EEStor and their rights to the technology as their focus.<ref name="Zenn_cancels_production" /> Zenn raised CAD$2 million in April 2012, mostly on the promise of EEStor's technology.<ref name=kiladze>{{cite news |title=Zenn raises $2-million, without its electric car |author=Tim Kiladze |date=April 19, 2012 |work=Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/streetwise/zenn-raises-2-million-without-its-electric-car/article2407706/ |accessdate=April 27, 2012}}</ref>

In January 2008, [[Lockheed-Martin]] signed an agreement with EEStor for the exclusive rights to integrate and market EESU units in military and homeland security applications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pressmediawire.com/article.cfm?articleID=4628|title=Lockheed Martin Signs Agreement with EEStor, Inc., for Energy Storage Solutions|accessdate=2008-01-09|publisher=Pressmediawire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115112801/http://pressmediawire.com/article.cfm?articleID=4628|archive-date=2008-01-15|url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 2008, a patent application was filed by [[Lockheed-Martin]] that mentions EEStor's patent as a possible electrical energy storage unit.<ref>{{Cite patent|status=application|country=EP|number=2137482|pubdate=2009-12-30|title=Garment including electrical energy storage unit|assign1=[[Lockheed Martin Corp.]]|inventor1-last=Thomas|inventor1-first=Toby D.|inventor2-last=Hoelscher|inventor2-first=David L.}}, since withdrawn.</ref>

In September 2008, Light Electric Vehicles Company announced an agreement with EEStor to exclusively provide EEStor's devices for the two and three wheel market.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lightevs.com/2008-09-24LightEVsPressRelease.pdf |title=Light Electric Vehicles Company : Press Release |publisher=Lightevs.com |accessdate=2013-11-06}}</ref>

On December 30, 2013, ZENN announces completion of the purchase of Series A preferred shares of EEStor (includes [[Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers]] shares and other private holders shares) and the associated rights for US$1.5 million which gives ZENN a total ownership of 41% in EEStor.<ref name="zenncompletes-kpshares">{{cite web|url=http://www.eestorcorp.com/assets/zenn-completes-eestor-share-purchase.pdf |title=Dec 30 ZENN PR}}</ref>

On May 8, 2014, ZENN and EEStor complete an exchange offer which gives ZENN a total ownership of 71.3% in EEStor. Following the ZENN controlling ownership on May 19, Ian Clifford assumes role of CEO following the resignation of James Kofman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eestorcorp.com/assets/zenn-announces-completion-of-exchange-offer-for-eestor-shares.pdf |title=ZENN ownership to 71.3 percent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eestorcorp.com/assets/zenn-announces-appointment-of-new-director.pdf |title=Ian Clifford assumes control as CEO}}</ref>

[[ZENN Motor Company]] Inc. has changed its name to "EEStor Corporation" to better reflect the focus and activities of the company.<ref name="zennnamechange">{{cite web|url=http://www.eestorcorp.com/assets/zenn_motor_company_announces_name_change_to_eestor-corporation.pdf |title=ZENN PR on name change to EEStor Corporation}}</ref> The name change was approved by shareholders at the company's annual and special meeting held on March 31, 2015. [http://www.eestorcorp.com/ EEStor Corporation] formerly (ZENN Motor Company) publicly trades on the Canadian exchanges as symbol ESU <ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.tmxmoney.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=ESU|title=EEStor Corporation [ESU] - EEStor Corporation Stock Quotes - TMXmoney|website=web.tmxmoney.com}}</ref> and on the US stock exchanges as OTC stock symbol ZNNMF.<ref>[http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/Stock/ZNNMF ZNNMF]</ref> EEStor Corporation holds 71% equity while the other percent is held privately.

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}<!-- 2-column mode unusable -->

==External links==
* [http://www.eestorcorp.com/ EEStor Corporation]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eestor}}
[[Category:Capacitor manufacturers]]
[[Category:Companies based in Cedar Park, Texas]]
[[Category:Electric vehicle battery manufacturers]]
[[Category:Energy storage]]