1. Graphene-based Materials for Ultracapacitance Applications Rodney S. Ruoff, University of Texas at Austin, DMR 0907324 Microwave exfoliated graphene oxide (MEGO) is activated with KOH to form aMEGO. The Ruoff group has undertaken a systematic study of reaction parameters to determine the optimal methods of producing aMEGO. The results are measured in terms of the surface area and the specific capacitance of the material. The best capacitance values achieved were in the range 150 to 200 F/g. These results should further the state of the art in manufacture of high capacity electronic capacitors. In addition to developing new materials, this work was coupled to the development of new ionic electrolytes by the Bielawski group. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been shown to exhibit desirable properties for use as support electrolytes in electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) Thermal stability, Electrochemical stability, & Non-volatility.

2. Graphene-based Materials for Ultracapacitance Applications Rodney S. Ruoff, University of Texas at Austin, DMR 0907324 The undergraduate students involved in this project gained valuable research experience. They actively participated in group meetings and presented innovative ideas for improvement in research procedures. The students have developed their skills in problem solving, experimental setup and learned advanced characterization techniques in the filed, such as advanced spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis. Graduate student Shanthi Murali presented at the spring 2010 AICHE meeting and 2011 MRS meeting and graduate student Meryl Stoller was awarded a continuing Fellowship by the University of Texas. Undergraduate Students: (Above from left to right) Neil Quarles; Joono Park; Andrew Munson;Thomas Cortner (Chemistry; Bielawski group) Others: Om Shankar; Cornelio Morales;