High Energy Density Capacitors for Navy Pulse Power Applications

Advanced power systems for Future Naval Capability depend on capacitor banks as the first stage of pulsed power. Significant electrical energy is necessary to support a range of applications including electromagnetic armor, electromagnetic coil gun andelectro-mechanical aircraft launch systems. In order to ensure successful integration of these technologies, capacitors with reduced size and weight must be developed.TPL proposes a new methodology toward fabricating high energy density capacitors with an energy density three times greater than that of existing technology. Dielectric material developments at TPL over the past few years have led to a novel dielectricfilm that can be fabricated and incorporated into innovative, high voltage designs.It is the intent of the proposed Phase I effort to establish the electrical performance and benefits of TPL's dielectric technology for a Navy power applications. TPL will perform the STTR program in collaboration with the Energy Systems Institute (ESI)of The State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. W.J. Sargeant and his staff at ESI will support dielectric characterization and evalution. Successful development of the proposed technology is anticipated to result in capacitors with a factor of three increase in energy density over current technology. Dual use of this technology is extensive. The development of high energy storage systemswith reduced size and weight are important for a wide range of military pulsed power applications including electro-magnetic armor and guns, microwave and laser sources and for the ever growing importance of compact pulsed power for commercial applicationslike portable defibrillators, antipersonnel mine detection, explosive material detection, weapons material identification, and portable void and crack detection in airplane bodies.