High Energy Density Radiation Tolerant Capacitors for Cryogenic Temperature Applications

Two of the largest and critical components in virtually all NASA Power Processing Units (PPUs) of spacecraft, probes and landers, are energy buffer and DC-link capacitors, used to minimize ripple current, voltage fluctuations and transient suppression. Current capacitor technologies have severe performance limitations at cryogenic temperatures, especially when combined with exposure to radiation. The proposed development will address the evaluation of these two capacitor designs, using a disruptive solid-state, polymer capacitor technology, developed for PPUs of electric vehicles. NanoLam™ capacitors, are produced using a nanolaminate composite, that has 1000s of high temperature polymer dielectric layers. The capacitors are self-healing, they can handle high continuous and pulsed currents, and the nanothick polymer dielectric has high breakdown strength, which results in superior energy density and specific energy. The capacitors are formed using 1-2Mrad of ionizing Beta radiation, and have high resistance to radiation exposure, as well as superior parametric stability with voltage and temperature in the range of -196oC to +200oC.

NanoLam™ capacitors can be used in a range of PPU circuit functions, as well as higher temperature and voltage applications. This includes PPUs for spacecraft, probes, and landers, powered by roll-out solar arrays tailored to 120V and 300V, and PPUs for Hull ion thruster propulsion, powered by solar arrays with an output of 300V-1000V. In addition to the projected performance at cryogenic temperatures, NanoLam capacitors have proven superiority in stability, energy density and specific energy, at higher temperature and voltage applications.

Government applications for NanoLamTM capacitors include electric drives, aerospace, pulse power systems for directed energy weapons, and applications where capacitors are exposed to radiation. Commercial applications for DC-link capacitors include inverters for electric vehicles, wind turbines, utility scale photovoltaics, rail traction, UPS, motor drives, aerospace, and medical electronics.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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