The agreement will combine Rolls-Royce technical and material science knowledge with Superdielectrics’ hydrophilic polymers, which have demonstrated ‘potentially outstanding energy storage properties’.
The partnership will see the two exploring the potential of using polymers to create next generation high energy storage technology.
Working with researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Surrey, Superdielectrics has been developing hydrophilic materials, similar to those originally designed for soft contact lenses, to increase the electricity storage capabilities of capacitors, which store electricity by creating electrostatic fields.
Superdielectrics believes its work into dielectric polymers may provide an opportunity to create capacitors that are able to rival – and even exceed – the storage capacity of traditional rechargeable batteries.
It adds that the resulting supercapacitors may also be able to charge much faster than existing lithium-ion batteries.
Dr Dave Smith, Director of Central Technology, Rolls-Royce, said: "We believe that electrification will play an increasingly important role in many of our markets over the coming years and by working with partners on potential new technologies for energy storage we can ensure that Rolls-Royce is well positioned to take advantage of new developments."
Dr Ian Hamerton of University of Bristol, commented: "This collaboration is a great opportunity for us to work together to advance supercapacitor technology. Our future challenge is to turn our latest scientific findings into robust engineered devices and realise their ground-breaking potential."
