Semiconductor Review: Specials Magazine

As global energy demand surges and next-generation applications, from AI data centers to electric vehicles, push the boundaries of existing grid technologies, including capacitor technology, the industry faces a critical need for new solutions and materials that deliver greater efficiency, reliability and thermal performance. Future Market Insights projects robust growth for the film capacitor market, driven by the need for advanced energy storage solutions that can withstand higher temperatures and deliver longer lifespans. Peak Nano’s breakthrough Peak NanoPlex^® films directly address these challenges, offering the first U.S.- manufactured, nano-layered dielectric films that enable capacitor manufacturers to scale for the future and close critical supply chain gaps. ^® delivers up to four times more energy storage, three to five times longer operational life, and reliable performance at temperatures far beyond the limits of conventional materials like biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). With this technology, Peak Nano is enabling U.S. innovation and leadership in the capacitor industry, which is poised to power the next era of energy innovation. Experts in Developing Breakthrough Nanotechnology Systems Peak Nano specializes in developing next-generation capacitor film that guarantees more scalable, stable, smarter and adaptable power grids. The company produces highly ordered, nano-layered films at commercial scale by synergistically engineering proven polymers into innovative configurations using a proprietary nanolayer extrusion process. This unique approach allows Peak Nano to meet growing industry demand with unmatched versatility. “We’re the first U.S.-based materials development company bringing high-performance capacitor film to market that seamlessly retrofits into existing systems,” says Dr. Michael Ponting, chief scientific officer. “Our goal is to help meet energy demands and modernize the nation’s energy infrastructure, giving equipment manufacturers a way to future-proof their systems.” Its flagship technology—NanoPlex^®—pushes the boundaries of what traditional capacitor films can achieve. The technology, developed in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Naval Research Laboratory, is a nano-scale metamaterial used for optics, capacitor films and specialty films. Peak Nano’s technological edge is led by an exceptional team of inventors from the original project, including Mason Wolak, the vice president of capacitor development. Its deep institutional knowledge, combined with a growing team of specialists in polymer science, capacitor engineering and advanced manufacturing, gives the company a competitive advantage. Leading the Way in Purpose-Built Innovation For over five decades, the capacitor industry has relied on a narrow set of materials, such as polypropylene or polyester, with new developments often taking more than a decade to reach market readiness. Peak Nano is turning this model on its head. By working with prominent capacitor manufacturers and end-users to identify industry needs, such as improved thermal performance without sacrificing the reliability of polypropylene in capacitors, Peak Nano has leveraged NanoPlex^® technology to develop layered dielectric film (LDF) that offers low dissipation factor performance similar to BOPP, but with operational temperature ratings that are 25 to 35 degrees Celsius higher. Early evaluations of NanoPlex^® LDF have been overwhelmingly positive. Most clients have advanced from qualification to prototype or scaling phases, demonstrating broad industry interest and validation.