Energy Storage Utilizing Advanced CVD Nanodiamond Technology

APEI and International FemtoScience (FemtoSci) are currently investigating the use of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) nanodiamond films for application in high temperature, high energy density, and high voltage energy storage components. Present state-of-the-art energy storage technologies, including capacitors and electrochemical batteries, are primarily limited to low temperature operation [1]. Due to diamond’s unique electrical and mechanical properties, which include having the highest dielectric breakdown strength (30MV/cm) and thermal conductivity (2000 W/m*K) of any known material [2,3], it is a near ideal dielectric material for advanced energy storage applications. APEI and FemtoSci will utilize their state-of-the-art extreme environment packaging and materials expertise to exploit the extraordinary material characteristics of CVD diamond to develop the next generation of extreme environment capacitors for energy storage applications. This paper provides the underlying theoretical framework, simulation results, and initial prototype testing of novel energy storage components with a nanodiamond-based dielectric material.