Taking into account the growing demand for high-voltage electrical technology, such as impulse power supply systems, cars, and renewable energy sources, the development of a new generation of capacitors is relevant. These devices are required to store and transmit large volumes of energy under intense temperature and electrical influences.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab and Scrips Research have developed a new polymer-based device that effectively works with record volumes of energy while withstanding extreme temperatures and electric fields. This device is made of materials created using a new version of a chemical reaction, which earned its authors the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2022. (source)
The capacitors on the polymer film are electrical components that store and release energy in the electric field. They offer advantages such as small weight, low cost, flexibility, and reliability. However, their effectiveness decreases with increasing temperature and voltage.
According to Yi Liu, a chemist from Berkeley Lab, “Our work represents a new class of electrically stable polymers. This expands the possibilities of studying stronger materials with high performance.”
Researchers have observed that the new capacitors developed on the basis of polyseuts demonstrate excellent mechanical flexibility, withstand electric fields of over 750 million volts per meter, and effectively operate at temperatures up to 150 degrees Celsius. In comparison, modern commercial polymer capacitors reliably function at temperatures below 120 degrees Celsius.
Peng U, one of the authors of the study, emphasized, “We have gained profound understanding of the mechanisms contributing to the excellent performance of the materials.”
In conclusion, Yi Liu stated that the team of researchers is continuing to push the boundaries of thermal and electrical properties, accelerating the transition from laboratory testing to market implementation.