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High-Temperature
Ceramic Capacitors for Applications in Deep Drilling and Completion Processes—Synergistic
Advanced Technologies, LLC, 8987 East Tanque Verde Road, Suite 292B, Tucson, AZ
85749-9610; 520-760-0291
Mr.
Thomas L. Venable, Principal Investigator, tvenable@dakotacom.net
Mr.
Thomas L. Venable, Business Official, tvenable@dakotacom.net
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-05ER84214
Amount:
$600,000
In
deep drilling and completion processes, a central challenge to both the sensor
system and the data transmission system is the lack of high-temperature
electronic components. An important
component common to all electronics is capacitors.
For
electronics used in deep drilling and completion, the capacitor must be able to
work downhole, in high temperature environments.
This project
will develop high temperature capacitors by using a new type of
temperature-compensating nanocomposite dielectrics. The
approach will be based on the use of materials with a positive temperature
coefficient of dielectric constant, and a particular design for the composite
microstructure. Phase I demonstrated
dielectrics with less than 14% reduction in dielectric constant over a range
from room temperature to 300oC, with relatively low dielectric loss
and high resistivity. During Phase
II, manufacturing formulations and processes for high-temperature capacitors
will be developed and optimized, and the performance the capacitors will be
assessed through actual application testing.
Commercial
Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The new capacitors
should have application in consumer electronics, medical electronics including
defibrillators, automotive electronics including electric vehicles, and electric
utilities. High temperature
applications include aircraft engine ignition systems and electrical actuation,
NASA’s deep space power systems, and under-the-hood automotive applications.
Many military systems need high-temperature capacitors to perform
properly, reliably, and safely.