SBIR-STTR Award

The development of a new generation of ceramic capacitor energy storage cell is proposed having the unique characteristics of low cost and high efficiency (low esr). These large ceramic devices currently require precious metal electrodes and consequently are too expensive for most uses. The cost reduction will be achieved through the elimination of the usual precious metal electrodes. This is made possible by a special manufacturing process in which the electrode material sublimates when the ceramic is fired. The electrodes are formed when the voids left in the fired ceramic are filled with a low cost alloy such as tin/lead. A centrifugal process developed by the principal investigator is used to deposit the electrodes. Elimination of metal cost constraints allows a thicker electrode which reduces the resistance and so allows a more rapid discharge and higher peak currents. Eliminating the firing temp. Restraints caused by co-fired electrode metals allows the use of high firing ceramics which are stronger and can thus withstand higher shocks.