Future of the capacitors

[Moreno]

One of the ways to increase energy density of a capacitor is to increase dielectric permittivity of the dielectric. Some sources claim that when some materials (for example some ferroelectrics) approach Curie point their dielectric permittivity start to approach infinity.

What happens to dielectric strengths and energy density then? Metals demonstrate infinite dielectric permittivity. What if we take a metal plate completely embedded in dielectric (for example a ceramics) and place it between two capacitor plates?

 

Another way to increase energy density is to increase capacitor plates surface area. What if we use cermet for electrodes in a dielectric capacitor? Cermet is a composite material made of finely meshed metal and ceramic particles. Or we could use MOFs (Metal organic frameworks). How much could it help to increase electrodes surface area and their energy density?

 

[EdEarl]

A good starting place to find out about current supercapacitor technology is Wikipedia. They are working toward nano-scale solutions with electrodes and dielectrics being one atom thick. Batteries tend to be less expensive, lighter weight, and smaller than similarly sized supercapacitors, but advancements supercapacitors appear to be gaining on batteries.

[Moreno]

A good starting place to find out about current supercapacitor technology is Wikipedia. They are working toward nano-scale solutions with electrodes and dielectrics being one atom thick. Batteries tend to be less expensive, lighter weight, and smaller than similarly sized supercapacitors, but advancements supercapacitors appear to be gaining on batteries.

I wasn't talking about regular supercaps. Their large disadvantage is low working voltage. They don't use dielectrics. I started conversation about dielectric capacitors and ways to improve them.

[John Cuthber]

If some model says " their dielectric permittivity start to approach infinity." then you know it's wrong.

[Moreno]

If some model says " their dielectric permittivity start to approach infinity." then you know it's wrong.

What technology do you think, could combine best features of dielectric capacitors and supercapacitors? Could there be such a thing as a "dielectric supercapacitor"?

Edited February 6, 2016 by Moreno

[EdEarl]

I don't know what you are asking. A dielectric is an insulator.

[Enthalpy]

The "ferroelectric materials approaching their Curie point" are ceramic capacitors of type II and III.

The proportion of BaTiO₃ versus SrTiO₃ adjusts the Curie point for maximum capacity around operation temperature.

Then it depends on if you want the maximum capacity only (type III), or also pay attention to the temperature drift, dielectric polarization, dielectric losses, linearity (type II) - knowing that only type I are really good on these last aspects.

 

So this is old past. Recent past are supercapacitors a well as niobium electrolytic capacitors (cheaper than tantalum). What the future is, I don't know.