Focus on Automotive Applications

In response to the rapidly growing electric vehicle market, NCC has redirected 40% of its increased R&D investment toward developing capacitors specifically designed for the demanding requirements of automotive applications. This strategic allocation reflects the automotive sector's emergence as a primary growth driver for the capacitor industry.

"The electric vehicle market presents unique challenges that require specialized solutions," said Dr. Yuki Tanaka, Director of Automotive Development at NCC. "Our increased investment focuses on enhancing performance in high-temperature, high-vibration, and high-reliability applications that define automotive electronics."

Key Technical Challenges

Electric vehicle applications present several technical challenges for capacitors:

Extreme Temperature Cycling

Capacitors must operate reliably from -40°C to +150°C in under-hood applications with rapid temperature swings.

Vibration and Shock

Continuous vibration from vehicle operation and occasional shock events require enhanced mechanical construction.

High Ripple Current

Power conversion systems generate significant ripple currents that capacitors must handle for 15+ year lifecycles.

Longevity Requirements

Components must maintain performance for 15-20 year vehicle lifecycles with minimal degradation.

Research Focus Areas

The additional R&D investment is focused on four primary areas:

1. Advanced Materials

Development of new electrolyte formulations and separator materials that maintain performance at elevated temperatures while extending operational life. Early tests show promise for capacitors with 15,000 hour life ratings at +125°C.

2. Enhanced Construction

New mechanical designs that improve vibration resistance and thermal management. This includes enhanced terminal construction and improved internal element attachment methods.

3. High-Temperature Performance

Specific focus on series capable of continuous operation at +125°C and intermittent operation at +135°C, addressing requirements for under-hood and power-dense applications.

4. System Integration

Development of capacitors designed specifically for automotive power module integration, including optimized profiles and enhanced thermal interfaces.

New Product Developments

Several new series are in development based on the increased R&D investment:

ATX Series (Automotive Temperature eXtended)

Capacitors rated for +125°C operation with 10,000 hour life rating, optimized for powertrain applications.

AVR Series (Automotive Vibration Resistant)

Enhanced mechanical construction specifically for high-vibration environments in chassis and powertrain systems.

ACH Series (Automotive Charge/Discharge High Cycle)

Optimized for bidirectional power conversion in battery management and regenerative systems.

These new series will undergo extensive qualification testing to meet AEC-Q200 Rev-D standards with additional NCC-specific requirements for electric vehicle applications.

Testing and Qualification

NCC has invested in new testing equipment and expanded its automotive qualification laboratories:

  • Enhanced temperature cycling chambers capable of -55°C to +150°C with rapid transition rates
  • Multi-axis vibration systems simulating real-world vehicle conditions
  • High-power ripple current test systems for extended life validation
  • Environmental test chambers with controlled atmospheric conditions

Qualification testing will include 1000+ hour temperature-humidity-bias tests and extended power cycling validation to ensure reliability over the full vehicle lifecycle.

FAE Note: The automotive market's specific requirements for reliability and longevity are driving innovation that benefits all applications. Components developed for EV applications will offer enhanced performance across NCC's entire product portfolio.

Market Impact

The increased R&D investment positions NCC to capture market share in the rapidly growing EV capacitor market, which analysts project to grow at over 12% annually through 2030. The new series will complement NCC's existing automotive-qualified offerings while addressing emerging requirements in next-generation electric vehicle architectures.

Customers can expect to see specifications and samples for the new series beginning in Q3 2024, with production qualification completed by Q1 2025. These new series will maintain NCC's reputation for quality while meeting the more stringent requirements of electric vehicle applications.

Partnership with Supply Chain

NCC is also working closely with suppliers to secure raw material supply chains for the new series, ensuring availability for the growing EV market. This includes partnerships with specialty chemical providers and advanced materials suppliers to support the new electrolyte and construction technologies.