WattsNext Webinar - Better than BOPP: Unlocking higher temperatures with low loss in nano-layered polymer capacitor films

As fusion energy nears commercial viability, the supporting infrastructure must rapidly evolve, requiring significant advances in pulsed power technologies to ensure efficient and cost-effective energy generation coupled with long-term operational reliability. Pulsed power technology, particularly the role of next-generation impedance-matched Marx Generators (IMGs) and the high-performance capacitors that drive them, is a critical enabler in this transformation. Emerging innovations in nanolayered capacitor polymer films promise to overcome long-standing limitations in energy storage performance, thermal stability, and device longevity. These breakthroughs showcased capacitor performance of greater than 135 C while maintaining electrical losses equivalent to BOPP in drop-in replacement wound film capacitor devices. With millions to billions of shot lifetimes on the horizon, the pressure is on to scale up manufacturing, secure supply chains, and deploy reliable high-temperature film materials that exceed current standards. 

Key Takeaways

• Capacitor Breakthroughs: How nanolayer films enable better fusion performance than BOPP.
• Commercial Readiness: Timeline and milestones for scaled production.
• Supply Chain Gaps: What must be done to meet future fusion demands and solve the vulnerabilities.