Multilayer Meta-Capacitor Structure for High Energy Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current capacitors face limitations in increasing volumetric and mass density of energy storage due to breakdown voltage issues, percolation phenomena in high dielectric permittivity materials, and costly manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A solid multilayer structure comprising alternating polarization and insulating layers with high dielectric permittivity and resistivity, where the polarization layers include colloidal composites of electro-conductive nano-particles in an insulator matrix, and the insulating layers have a breakdown voltage of at least 0.01 volts per nanometer, enhancing energy storage capacity while reducing material and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high dielectric permittivity materials are used to increase energy storage density, then volumetric energy density is improved, but breakdown voltage decreases due to percolation phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor structure is divided into multiple thin insulating layers (each 2.5-1000 nm thick) separated by polarization layers. This segmentation prevents percolation pathways that would occur in single thick high-permittivity layers, while maintaining high overall energy density through the stacked configuration of multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite structures combining insulating layers with polarization layers containing electro-conductive nanoparticles (0.1-100 nm) dispersed in an insulator matrix. The composite achieves high dielectric permittivity (≥100) while the insulating layer maintains high breakdown voltage (≥0.01 V/nm) by preventing continuous conductive paths.
2Quantity of substance
If dielectric permittivity is increased to enhance energy storage, then volumetric energy density is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thickness parameter of insulating layers to the nanometer scale (2.5-1000 nm), enabling high energy density with moderate permittivity materials. This parameter change allows achieving target energy density with cost-effective materials rather than requiring expensive ultra-high permittivity materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The polarization layers contain dispersed nanoparticles (0.1-100 nm) creating a porous-like composite structure with high surface area to volume ratio. This structure achieves high effective permittivity through nanoparticle contributions while using minimal amounts of expensive conductive material, reducing overall manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If insulating layer thickness is increased to improve breakdown voltage, then reliability is improved, but volumetric energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from single-layer thickness optimization to multi-layer stacking in the vertical dimension. Multiple thin layers (each 2.5-1000 nm) are stacked to achieve both high breakdown voltage (through cumulative insulation) and high energy density (through increased total capacitance from multiple units).
Solution Approach 2:
The total insulation thickness is segmented into multiple thin insulating layers separated by polarization layers. Each thin layer maintains high electric field strength without breakdown, while the stacked configuration of multiple layers provides cumulative breakdown protection and increased total energy storage capacity.
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 proposed multilayer structure effectively increases the volumetric and mass density of energy storage, mitigates breakdown voltage limitations, and reduces production costs, enabling more efficient energy storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
The polarization layer has a dielectric permittivity greater than or equal to 100
Implementation Method 2
A capacitor is a passive electronic component that is used to store energy in the form of an electrostatic field
Implementation Method 3
The insulating layer has a breakdown voltage of at least not less than 0.01 volts (V) per nanometer (nm)
Implementation Method 4
At least one polarization layer comprises a colloidal composite with a micro-dispersion of electro-conductive nano-particles in an insulator matrix
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides solid multilayer structure having m polarization layers, and m+1 insulating layers disposed in a repeating sequence with the polarization layers, At least one polarization layer is comprised of materials selected from non-linear polarizable composite compounds and side chain polymers with non-linear polarizable pendants, and m is a number greater than or equal to 1. The insulating layer has a breakdown voltage greater than or equal to 0.01 volts (V) per nanometer (nm), and the polarization layer has a dielectric permittivity greater than or equal to 100. The solid multilayer structure may be used as a dielectric layer between two electrodes in capacitor.