Wide Temperature, High Energy Density Capacitors for Power System

Nanotrons, in collaboration with the Nanodielectric Group headed by Prof. Lei Zhu at the Case Western Reserve University (Case Western), proposes a novel nano-engineering approach to develop a new category of nano-dielectrics for high energy density capacitor applications. The new approach combines the cutting-edge nanomaterials development and manufacture at Nanotrons and extensive experience in materials design and simulation within Case Western. The proposed nanodielectrics integrate high dielectric constant ceramic nanoparticles, a highly polarizable chemical ligand interphase, and a polyimide matrix with high breakdown strength and wide application temperature range. Our nanocomposites are expected to have a dielectric constant of 2 to 3 orders of magnitude larger than that of the matrix polymer, breakdown strength of over 200 V/ìm, dielectric loss less than 0.001, and calculated energy storage density of over 30 J/cc. These features are unattainable from the existing materials. Nanotrons also attempts to develop a scaling up process for dielectric material and identify prototype capacitor architecture. This Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.