Nanoceramics Based Multilayered Capacitors

Global production and use of ceramic capacitors exceeds several hundred million units per day. With the projected growth in demand for more demanding electronic products, electronic vehicles and related technologies, the need for more reliable, higher energy density, higher power density, higher breakdown strength, efficient ceramic capacitors can not be overstated. Multilayered ceramic capacitors have the potential of meeting these needs. However, their performance is limited by the fact that the thickness of each layer cannot be lowered below about 5-10u as the multilayered structure is presently produced from micron-sized ceramic powders. Phase I seeks to explore and demonstrate that this problem may be overcome with the use of nano-powders (particle size 1 to 100 nanometers) of ceramics. Nano-powders can yield dielectric thickness that are more than an order of magnitude lower than the best achievable today, yet enhance the breakdown stress, the mechanical and thermal robustness. The projected energy density of nanoceramics-based multilayered capacitor is 5-15 J/cc which is more than 10 fold higher than the best conventional multilayered ceramic capacitors. Phase I will establish the proof-of-concept, while Phase II will seek to optimize, produce and field test prototype nanostructured capacitors. The multilayered capacitors have applications in portable energy sources, pulsed power armament, electronic components used by the BMDO. The technology has dual-use applications in electric and hybrid electric vehicles, vehicle start up circuits and portable energy components.