High Energy Density Capacitor Development

The development of high energy storage systems with reduced size and weight are important for tactical and strategic pulsed power applications such as: electric armor, electric guns, high power microwave sources and ballistic missile applications. Thedielectric energy storage density of pulsed power materials must be increased to provide feasibility or improve performance of these systems.Capabilities of producing state-of-the-art high energy density capacitor have been established using TPL's unique dielectric film. The Phase I demonstrated TPL's ability to continuously produce capacitor grade film and Aerovox's ability to incorporateTPL's polymer/paper dielectric into wound capacitors. Measured performance of these model devices demonstrated that energy densities greater than 2.5 'J/co can be achieved, a performance two times greater than polypropylene capacitor technology.TPL, in collaboration with Aerovox Corporation, proposes a Phase 1I effort for continued capacitor development using TPL's polymer/paper film. Specific government and commercial pulsed power applications will be targeted. Film and capacitor fabricationwill be scaled for prototype evaluations. It is anticipated that capacitor energy densities greater than 4.0 J/cc can be obtained with manufacturing processes.The Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the U.S. Army have committed to providing additional funding of $1.50,000 to supplement this development effort.The proposed Phase II effort will aid in the development of the next generation high energy densitycapacitors for government and commercial applications. It is expected that TPL's current film will lead to capacitor energy densities > 4.0 J/cc. Applications which will benefit from this technology include: defibrillators, pulsed lighting, particle beamaccelerators, high power microwave sources, X-ray sources, electromagnetic gums and armor.