Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Nanowire Internal Electrodes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Multilayer ceramic capacitors face issues with internal electrode breakage and weak connection strength between internal and external electrodes, requiring a technology that forms thin internal electrodes with strong connection strength and high warpage resistance against physical impacts.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating conductive nanowires and particles in the internal electrodes, which connect to each other and external electrodes, enhancing electrical connection strength and warpage resistance through sintering processes that maintain the nanowire structure while allowing particle growth around it.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the internal electrode thickness is reduced to achieve high capacitance and miniaturization, then the capacitance increases and device size decreases, but the internal electrode becomes easily broken and connection strength weakens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacitanceVSAvoidinternal electrode strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The internal electrode uses a composite paste containing both conductive particles and conductive nanowires. The nanowires form a continuous conductive network that provides structural reinforcement, while particles fill spaces and enhance conductivity. This composite structure allows thin electrode thickness for high capacitance while maintaining mechanical strength through the nanowire framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode structure has different local properties: nanowires provide structural integrity and continuous pathways in critical areas, while particles provide conductivity and fill voids. This local differentiation of material functions allows the thin electrode to simultaneously achieve high conductivity, mechanical strength, and flexibility needed for high-capacitance applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If the internal electrode thickness is reduced to achieve miniaturization, then the device size decreases, but the connection strength between internal electrode and external electrode becomes weak

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The composite paste with nanowires and particles creates a robust interface between internal and external electrodes. The nanowires extend toward external electrodes forming continuous conductive pathways, while particles ensure intimate contact. This composite structure maintains strong connection strength even when the overall electrode thickness is reduced for miniaturization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive nanowires act as intermediaries bridging the internal electrode and external electrode. They extend from the internal electrode toward the external electrode, creating multiple contact points and ensuring reliable electrical connection even when the dielectric layer thickness is minimized for smaller device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional internal electrode paste is used to form thin electrodes, then the capacitance increases, but the internal electrode is easily broken and warpage resistance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacitanceVSAvoidinternal electrode reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The internal electrode paste is formulated as a composite containing conductive particles and conductive nanowires. The nanowires create a three-dimensional conductive network that provides mechanical reinforcement throughout the thin electrode structure, preventing breakage during sintering and subsequent handling. This composite approach enables high capacitance through thin electrodes while maintaining reliability through the nanowire reinforcement framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameters of the electrode paste by incorporating nanowires with specific aspect ratios and conductivities. These parameter changes in the paste composition lead to fundamental changes in the sintered electrode structure, creating a robust thin electrode that resists breakage and warpage while maintaining high capacitance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution significantly reduces internal electrode breakage and enhances electrical connection strength between internal and external electrodes, improving the overall reliability and durability of multilayer electronic components.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentUS11670452B2Multilayer electronic component

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

A multilayer electronic component includes: a body including dielectric layers and internal electrodes alternately stacked with one of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween; and external electrodes disposed on external surfaces of the body and connected to the internal electrodes. One of the internal electrodes includes a plurality of conductive particles and conductive nanowires each of which having a shape different from a shape of the plurality of conductive particles and being connected to at least one of the plurality of conductive particles.