Murata Develops High-Heat Electrical Capacitor

Japan’s Murata Manufacturing Co. has developed a new and more compact ceramic capacitor that can withstand higher temperatures, allowing more flexibility in placing electronic control units under the hood.

Moving ECUs closer to the engine reduces the amount of wiring needed, which Murata notes saves weight and costs. The company’s design also frees up space for more sensors and controllers, including advanced safety systems and autonomous vehicle technologies.

The key to the new capacitor’s higher temperature range lies in its redesigned electrodes, which are made of nickel and palladium to improve high-temperature bonding reliability with conductive adhesives. Murata says its device can be used in applications with temperatures as high as 200° C. Current units are limited to about 150° C. The corrosion resistance of the terminal electrodes of the new capacitors also has been approved.

Murata plans to launch mass production of the capacitors later this year. The company also is investing 300 million yen ($2.6 million) in its Yokohama development center to measure and mitigate the effects of in-vehicle electromagnetic interference. The supplier aims to grow its automotive electronics business, which currently accounts for less than 10% of its overall sales.