Micro and nano-engineered materials for high-value capacitors for miniaturized electronics.

What is it about?

High-powered built-on nanostructures are gaining attention for implementing innovative energy storage technologies with maximum energy storage and burst power. Due to the rapid increase in energy requirements for portable and wearable electronics, the development of tiny, environmentally friendly, and lightweight energy storage systems has gained significant attention. Nanostructured components are being utilized to adapt and optimize energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and batteries. The excessive power density and advanced energy density nanocapacitor arrays have been intensively investigated for the potential generation of energy storage techniques, among other nanostructure-based energy storage devices. The authors have reviewed state-of-the-art research articles based on the recent developments, applications, and the analysis for different capacitors on distinct dielectric materials namely: Tantalum Oxide Capacitors; Interlayer Dielectric Capacitors; Voltage Tunable Perovskites, and Non-ferroelectric microwave capacitors; High Dielectric Constant Polymer Based Pastes; High Dielectric Constant Ferroelectric Polymer-Based Composites for Thin Film Flexible Capacitors and Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors. Moreover, the overview of the status and trends of research and development in materials and processes, including nano-engineered dielectric materials, are addressed. Finally, the future directions for developing viable capacitor technologies for advanced miniature electronic devices.

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Why is it important?

The advancement in modern science and technology has empowered the utilization of electronic products to expand at a rapid pace [1]. Several electronic items and components like wearable devices, microsensors, and health trackers are becoming more intelligent, flexible, and miniaturized to boost the quality of life of people [2]. These include folding mobile phones, health monitors and tiny sensors, intelligent robots, and other microsystems. The development of micro-energy storage devices compatible with miniature microelectronic devices and intelligent autonomous systems is becoming increasingly significant as they are integrated into various applications [3]. Moreover, the increased utilization of flexible electronics and wearable devices has increased the demand for miniaturized energy storage and on-chip devices. Nowadays, micro-batteries and micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) are the primary power sources for portable electronics [4]. Miniaturized electronic devices can benefit from their use since they can be powered and fueled for a while. There is a growing interest in utilizing MSCs in certain industries requiring a long lifetime and a quick charge/discharge rate [5], [6]. Recently a study has achieved the high charge and discharge density for Antiferroelectric Ceramics as energy storage [7]. Miniaturization of power sources is crucial for biological, medicinal, and environmental applications [8]. This motivates miniaturizing the micro-batteries and micro-supercapacitors (MSC) to expand future advancements in portable electronic devices [9]. However, nanomaterials gained wide attention in designing and implementing miniaturized devices with less space and high efficiency. Nanostructures with vast surface areas have the potential to produce electrical energy storage devices with better energy and power densities than traditional battery/capacitor configurations or microelectronic technology [10].

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