Nanostructured Solid State High Temperature Power Capacitors

Graphite-based Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) can provide lower thermal resistance and thus enable thermal management solutions that improve the operating range for a wide variety of power electronic systems. In this project, two proprietary processes, combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) and NanoSpray, will be utilized to synthesize nanostructured composite coatings, which will demonstrate improved performance at a much reduced manufacturing cost. The CCVD process enables increased flexibility in the coating composition and the microstructure when engineering materials on the nanoscale. Phase I will develop nanostructured composite electrode materials for high temperature power capacitors, utilizing conductive oxides with low resistivity and solid state ceramic electrolyte with high ionic conductivity. Process parameters will be optimized to achieve high electrical performance. A prototype power capacitor based on this materials system also will be built. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The improved power capacitors should find use in a wide range of applications, including transportation (electric vehicles and hybrid/electric vehicles), energy industries (power quality systems, drilling and logging), electronics (uninterrupted power supplies and electronic devices building blocks), and military (electromagnetic launchers and electric weapons). It is predicted that the power capacitor market will be a $2 billlion market in the near future with a rapid annual growth rate.