Startup Apogee Power has unveiled details of its new ruthenium-based capacitor technology, which it claims can significantly extend the operating life of Li-ion batteries in digital communications devices.

The firm says that its new electrochemical double-layer capacitor technology was initially developed for military applications, with the results delivering a capacitor capable of producing 100 times more power density than a conventional Li-ion battery.

According to EetAsia the capacitor relies on a proprietary electrode system comprised of an electrically conductive ceramic oxide - containing ruthenium and tantalum.

The highly conductive and corrosion resistant composition is said to deliver both cost efficiency and reliability.

Apogee's chief executive Kurt Pfluger commented: "Our capacitor can supply peak current for a number of different digital devices. You may see a 15 to 45 per cent improvement in operation time, and up to 40 to 80 per cent if the capacitor is packaged with higher energy density batteries."

Production capacity is expected to reach around 10,000 units per month within 90 days, with that figure set to rise to around10 to 20 million units per month within six months.