201
Nanocomposite
Enabled High Energy Density Capacitors for Pulsed Power Applications REVISED--NEI
Corporation, 400 Apgar Drive, Suite E, Somerset, NJ 08873; 732-868-3141; www.neicorporation.com
Dr. Runqing
Ou, Principal Investigator, rou@neicorporation.com
Dr. Ganesh
Skandan, Business Official, gskandan@neicorporation.com
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-07ER84915
Amount: $99,973
High-energy-density
capacitors are needed in a number of applications for high energy physics
research, including solid state pulsed power systems. A capacitor’s energy storage density can be
increased by either increasing the dielectric constant or the electric
field. Since the electric field is
limited by the dielectric strength of materials, increases in the dielectric
constant are sought. Although filled
polymer-ceramic systems have been considered, the large volume fraction loading
of particles adversely affects the mechanical properties and dielectric
strength. Another suggestion has been to
increase the dielectric constant in a "percolative
dielectric nanocomposite," where a nanoparticulate conductive
filler is added to the polymer matrix.
However, the problem with this system is high dielectric loss due to the
high conductivity of the fillers and a tendency of the fillers to form a
conductive network. Therefore, a new and
inexpensive dielectric material system, which has both high dielectric constant
and low dielectric loss, is needed for future capacitors for solid state pulse
power systems. This project will develop
technology to overcome the conductivity problem with percolative
dielectric nanocomposites, thereby realizing their
full potential, and leading to high dielectric constant and low loss materials.
Commercial
Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: A
reliable, high dielectric constant, low loss dielectric material should be
beneficial to the next generation linear collider
by: (1) raising the dielectric constant,
thereby increasing the capacitor energy density beyond that of capacitors made
of polymer films; (2) improving system reliability; and (3) reducing cost,
since expensive materials (e.g. carbon nanotubes)
will not be used. The capacitors also
should benefit any industry where capacitors with high dielectric strength and
low loss are needed. An example is the
electronics industry, where miniaturization necessitates the replacement of
discrete capacitors with embedded capacitors, which require materials with high
dielectric constant.