Innovation in the capacitor technology is being driven by the multiple factors like shrinking size and low height profile needs of high frequency power converters. While physical sizes of capacitor are reducing, higher ripple and load currents in the power train are also emphasizing the need for the efficiency improvements in capacitors under application stress.
With this dichotomy of needs, it has proven that it difficult to meet the dual function of low impedance and high ripple current capability within only one capacitor technology. Various types of Capacitors which are available in the market include electrolytic, ceramic, film, solid double layer, carbon, dielectric and paper & plastics.
Despite of significant demand for capacitors, India lags behinds in capacitor manufacturing due to lack of the manufacturing base for the same. Although India majorly relies on the import of numerous electronics products, equipment and components from other countries. In addition, the government’s support of allowing 100% Foreign direct investment in the electronics hardware manufacturing sector has provided an automatic route for increasing electronic component manufacturing, including electrical capacitors in the country.
The Capacitor offers a wide range of applications and techniques for consumer and Industrial needs
Consumer – Handhelds
The need for PCB miniaturization, advances in semiconductor and circuit architectures practically eliminated the need for capacitors larger in smart phones. Majority of capacitors on board of the current smart phones are based on Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors class I or class II technology due to its downsizing capabilities.With 5G on the horizon, more capacitors will be needed and fitting hundreds of them means capacitor efficiency needs to increase. powder of the sheets that make up the Multilayer ceramic chip capacitor (MLCC) to allow sheets to be stacked much more efficiently.
Aerospace & Defence
Commercial space projects for telecom satellites, broad internet access or space transport missions are representing more than 50% of space business today with the help of capacitors. This transition brings a high motivation for faster adoption of the latest technology into the space hardware and shortening of evaluation & qualification phase for new technologies. Radiation hardness is the key issue to be addressed on active components, while requirements for lead termination soldering is the main barrier to adopt available commercial/automotive grade passive components.
Automotive
Automotive industry is one of the most targeted application among the passive component development. The basic segmentation is cabin electronics, engine compartment. In the automotive and on-board automotive-related areas, the performance of equipment such as advanced driver assistance systems is progressing together with the advancement of space-saving mounting parts to ensure comfortable vehicle interiors. To this end, even individual passive components must conform to harsh environments, miniaturization and high-performance requirements.
Industrial Applications
Industrial electronics is a wide area of applications from a standard operation environment to the most demanding requirements for reliable components operations. The key passive component trends are downsizing, enabled by use of “super-materials” or “super-technology”, parameters range extension or reinforcement of robustness and life at harsh conditions. The recent releases include ruggedized, high energy storage super capacitors with record storage energy densities, but also a development of new dielectric types for direct ~1kV voltage.
Medical Electronics
Capacitors have an important role in medical systems and are part of diagnostic, imaging, patient monitoring, and pharmaceutical delivery and dispensing applications. In particular, implantable medical electronic devices are usually powered by batteries or capacitors that have to be removed from the body after completing their function due to their non biodegradable properties. Capacitors are employed for use in implantable medical devices such as defibrillators, insulin pumps and pacemakers, as well as in portable and wearable devices . MLCCs are attractive for medical devices because they are usually compact in size, offer high reliability and large capacity, and have predictable temperature coefficients.
The Market is large and vivid
Capacitor industry has seen almost a complete change in dielectrics, electrodes, and impregnates. The dielectric has changed from paper to poly-propylene film, the electrode from plain foil to metalized film, metalized papers, or embossed foils, and the fluids have changed from polychlorinated biphenyls to those based on hydrocarbon or phthalate ester chemistry.
According to the latest industry trend and forecasts on the high voltage capacitor market, high-priced components like ceramic and mica are being replaced by cost-effective alternatives in the high-voltage capacitor market. Vendors are expected to introduce many innovative and efficient high-voltage capacitors in the forecast period. The capacitor’s ability is to hold an electric charge is determined by its dielectric components. Miniaturization of components and innovations related to dielectrics are positively impacting the high-voltage capacitor market.
The new high voltage capacitor market also emphasizes vendor strategies in regards to product differentiation through R&D. Vendors are making concentrated efforts to provide superior-quality and highly customized products aimed to fulfilling specific customer requirements. Capacitors are used in virtually every electronic device for everything from decoupling to filtering, to power smoothing. Today, capacitors are able to provide relatively high levels of capacitance within components that occupy a small volume. Some recent designs using nanotechnology to increase capacitor storage show potential for the capacitor to replace the batteries in electric cars.
Consumer market is the largest among the electronic applications with continuous growth, on the other hands, the “traditional” segments such as smart phones, digital cameras, PC computers, notebooks, tablets etc are beyond its mature stage with decline in sold pieces. The highest market dynamic is currently seen on automotive electronics and telecommunication/ networking infrastructure, that are now on top of the radar screen of number of passive component manufacturers. Passive component makers are also more and more concentrating on development of a complete module solutions rather than development of individual components. Capacitors are one of the critical components needed for any electronic hardware designs. We are living in a challenging time with several end market changes and new technology developments on both component and end application sides.
New Products in the market
KEMET Electronics A720 Aluminum Organic Capacitors
This Capacitors (AO-CAPs) are solid-state aluminum capacitors with a conductive organic polymer cathode. This conductive organic polymer results in very low equivalent series resistance (ESR) and improved capacitance retention at a high frequency. KEMET A720 AO-CAPs can operate at steady voltages up to 100% of rated voltage without the need to de-rate. A720’s lack of liquid electrolyte allows for long operational lifetimes and high operational temperatures.
United Chemi-Con DKA Electric Double Layer Capacitor
United Chemi-Con DKA Series Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) is designed for backup power applications. The capacitor offers very low direct current internal resistance (DCIR) at low and high temperatures. The capacitor is rated at 2.5V, has a capacitance value of 50F, and offers 1000 hours of operation at 70°C. United Chemi-Con DKA Series Electric Double Layer Capacitor applications include emergency power system (EPS) backup, memory backup, and battery backup.
United Chemi-Con KHF Miniature Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
United Chemi-Con KHF Miniature Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors (AECs) are radial-leaded and offer 3000 hours at +105°C endurance with ripple current. UCC KHF AECs feature a rated voltage range from 400VDC to 450VDC and a 33μF to 150μF capacitance range. The series is designed for use in low-profile power supplies.
Panasonic EEE-FN SMD Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
Panasonic EEE-FN Surface-Mount (SMD) Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors feature a small case size, high capacitance (10µF to 1800µF), and a 6.3VDC to 100VDC rated voltage range. Panasonic EEE-FN capacitors offer high-temperature, lead-free reflow with its 6.3VDC to 50VDC devices. The series is ideal for use in a variety of automotive, infotainment, industrial, and information / communication technology applications.
United Chemi-Con MZL Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
United Chemi-Con MZL Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors offer a 6.3V to 50V rated voltage range, low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), and low impedance. These SMD devices provide 5000 hours of endurance at 105°C with a nominal capacitance range of 100μF to 1,500μF. MZL Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors resist solvents and vibration and conform to AEC-Q200 and RoHS 2 requirements
Cornell Dubilier (CDE) PPC Ultra-Thin Polymer Aluminum Capacitors
Cornell / Dubilier (CDE) PPC Ultra-Thin Polymer Aluminum Capacitors offer a 1mm thin design, 6.3VDC to 24VDC voltage range, and up to 20,000µF capacitance rating. These capacitors feature the ultra-low ESR characteristics of conductive aluminum polymer capacitors in a 1mm thin package. Rated for 125°C, the PPC series combines the advantages of aluminum electrolytic and the aluminum polymer technology. CDE PPC Ultra-Thin Polymer Aluminum Capacitors are ideal for thin displays, DC/DC converters, tablets, and telecommunication applications.
Vishay / BC Components 257 PHM-SI Capacitors
Vishay / BC Components 257 PHM-SI Miniature Snap-In Power Ripple Capacitors have a 5000h life at 85ºC and are available up to 500V. The series has a rated capacitance range of 56μF to 3300μF with a tolerance of ±20%. 257 PHM-SI applications include general purpose, industrial and audio/video systems, smoothing and filtering, and standard and switched mode power supplies.
Panasonic DS (EZWP) Film Capacitors
Panasonic DS (EZWP) Film Capacitors offer a 370VAC to 440VAC voltage rating range, 4µF to 50µF capacitance, and -25°C to +70°C temperature range. These capacitors feature 25,000 hours of operation, are RoHS directive compliant, and have a dissipation factor of less than 0.3%. Panasonic DS (EZWP) Film Capacitors are ideal for motor running applications.
Panasonic Electronic Components EEF-GY SP-Cap Polymer Aluminum Capacitors
Panasonic EEF-GY SP-Cap™ Polymer Aluminum Capacitors offer a 3mΩ maximum ESR rating, 820µF capacitance, and a operational life of 2000 hours @ 105°C. The EEF-GY SP-CAP Capacitors provide a high ripple current in a range of 10200mArms. The high ripple current capability allows the parts to withstand high load levels, making the EEF-GY series ideal for tough industrial applications. Panasonic EEF-GY SP-Cap™ Polymer Aluminum Capacitors are ideal for smart meters, network devices, power circuits, and power management systems.
The path ahead is challenging
Miniaturisation, high speed data communication, increase of computing power, energy generation, transmission and storage are the main drivers for next generation of electronics. These requirements may induce some dramatic market changes challenging the passive components development & selection guide. It may require some parameter improvements such as increase of operating temperature, vibration & harsh environment resistance, lower ESR, lower ESL etc that is achievable only by replacement of capacitor technology used at the application for decades.
The current and future capacitor challenges are related to its core function – energy storage. Generation, recuperation, transportation, transmission and storage of energy from nano-scale up to high power storage networks are among the key topics for today’s electronic and even human society evolution from wearable energy harvesters, through electric vehicles to handling of energy generated by renewable sources.
By: Mannu Mathew | Sub Editor | ELE Times
