POWDERMET INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: High performance capacitors are an enabling technology for newer precision-guided munition

Description

High performance capacitors are an enabling technology for newer precision-guided munition technology. More specifically, most of these applications use high voltage, film dielectric capacitors for energy storage, pulse generation, and pulse shaping. Lifetime and reliability of capacitors, especially in systems containing large numbers of units, is always an important consideration. The design of the capacitor is controlled by the dielectric, and the improvements in the quality and breakdown strength of the dielectric have enabled capacitors with energy densities as high as several J/cc to be produced. Recent developments in dielectrics have resulted in claims for capacitors with 20-100 times the energy density of current capacitors, using a combination of high permittivity and high breakdown strength nanocomposite dielectrics. We propose to use an innovative, high permittivity dielectric nanoparticle filler that can potentially increase capacitor energy density by 20-100 times over current SOTA. This Phase I SBIR program will demonstrate proof of principle for the production of large film capacitors with energy densities approaching that of batteries, 5-100 times that of current high energy capacitors. These"super"capacitors are based on the development of a new, high permittivity, paraelectric, low K-coated high dielectric breakdown strength nanostructured dielectrics demonstrated in laboratory testing (TRL3).