Caporus Technologies
Disrupting the Status Quo with Caporus' Nanoscale Lamellar PorosityTM Technology

Given the rising demand for power conversion to support the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and rapidly increasing demand for energy, innovation in capacitor technology has become a necessity. Leading the charge in capacitor innovation is Caporus Technologies, a fast growing company offering new materials and manufacturing innovations. At the core of Caporus’ innovation lies Nanoscale Lamellar Porosity™ (NLP™) technology —a breakthrough that combines the high temperature performance of ceramics with the stability, efficiency, and processability of film capacitor solutions.

As EVs shift toward higher voltage (800V and above) bus systems, EV manufacturers are asking their suppliers to provide higher performance capacitor solutions in film capacitor and semiconductor formats. To meet these specifications, conventional capacitor solutions require extensive cooling and large footprint for the power module. Caporus’ NLP™ technology provides a solution to minimize the need for those cooling systems and enable integrated power modules that operate at higher voltages and higher temperatures.

“Our NLP™ technology is a platform that enables both new capacitor solutions in film and on-chip form factors as well as engineered substrates for semiconductor applications.,” says Kevin O’Connor, CEO.

Traditional dielectric materials, whether film or ceramic, meet performance requirements within certain ranges, but their performance is de-rated under high voltage, high temperature, and high frequency demands. Caporus is expanding the capacitor market to address the need for higher performance that traditional materials like polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and sintered ceramic capacitors cannot meet.

Offering a film-based solution that is compatible with the established film capacitor supply chain, Caporus adds a porous ceramic coating to thin films that does not require sintering. NLP™ technology preserves film-like flexibility, enabling seamless processing using the roll-to-roll methods and winding techniques that are well-established in film capacitor manufacturing. These coated film capacitors enable a wide range of applications with capacitance requirements that range from nanoFarads to microFarads and beyond.

Caporus is aiding the shift toward higher voltage (800V and above) systems by complementing the introduction of wide band gap semiconductors like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) in EVs and power management applications. The capacitors have compact size and high-temperature resilience, enabling their integration in proximity with these power semiconductors and enhancing system efficiency while reducing volume and footprint.

Having rapidly evolved from a materials technology venture to establishing a robust supply chain, Caporus is now serving customers in prototype evaluation programs and pilot production projects. These prototype evaluation programs are protected by non-disclosure agreements with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and established players within the capacitor sector.

While primarily focused on film, Caporus is now expanding implementation of NLP™ technology to on-chip semiconductor formats as well. On-chip implementations of NLP™ technology enables the lowest-profile capacitor form factor (thicknesses below a millimeter) and consistent performance across a wide range of voltage, temperature, and frequency.

Caporus’ NLP™ technology is protected by patents issued by patent offices in U.S., Japan and China. The company’s journey has also included participation as a member of the Chain Reaction Innovations program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), and it continues to benefit from its collaborative relationships there. Caporus has also established strong collaborative relationships with its domestic and international partners in the supply chain.

Advancing the company’s mission to transform the capacitor industry, Caporus is continuing to expand its manufacturing capabilities and leadership in both capacitor and semiconductor technology. By enabling the development of next-generation power electronics with its innovative capacitor solutions, Caporus Technologies is paving the way for a more sustainable and electrified future.