Knowles makes a wide range of capacitors. To really understand the breadth of our offerings, it helps to look at the scale of energy storage they offer. From tiny bypass capacitors in medical implants to massive energy-storage banks used in fusion experiments, our products span an incredible range. 

From high-power radar to advanced medical imaging, many cutting-edge technologies rely on precisely controlled high-energy pulses. However, generating a pulse that delivers consistent power without distortion isn’t as simple as discharging a capacitor. These systems rely on Pulse Forming Networks (PFNs) to shape and control high-energy pulses. 

Capacitors and inductors are two closely related components that frequently work together in RF circuit design. While both store energy, they do so in distinct ways. Capacitors store energy in an electric field and help regulate voltage changes, whereas inductors store energy in a magnetic field and resist changes in current.  

From the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California to the High Magnetic Field Facility in Dresden, high-energy capacitor banks are at the heart of high-power pulsed energy experiments worldwide. These systems provide a massive amount of fast-discharge energy for experiments that push the boundaries of science and technology. 

X2Y^® technology, which was originally developed by X2Y Attenuators, LLC, is based on a proprietary electrode arrangement embedded in passive components that can be manufactured using a variety of dielectrics. Using this innovative technology, Knowles Precision Devices manufactures high-performance multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) that we then use to create a variety of off-the-shelf and custom bypass and noise decoupling capacitors and electromagnetic interference (EMI) filters. Let’s look at how building these components with X2Y is different than using a traditional ceramic MLCC and the resulting benefits.

Energy density and power density are essential, yet unique, metrics. Understanding the differences between them is crucial for designing efficient energy storage solutions. This blog explores those differences and their impact on capacitor performance.

Pulsed energy drives a wide range of high-energy applications, from particle acceleration to fusion research and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) simulation. Marx generators play a critical role in generating those high-voltage pulses by amplifying lower voltage DC inputs. Here, we’ll cover how Marx generators operate, recent advancements enhancing their efficiency and reliability and the critical role of capacitors in shaping their performance. 

Capacitors are essential passive components for designing any electrical circuit. But there are so many options to choose from with a wide range of specifications that it can be overwhelming to determine what capacitor may be the best fit for your application. One early decision that circuit designers must make is to determine if a single-layer capacitor (SLC) or multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) is the right fit for their application needs. 

To protect electrical grids from overloads and faults, utility companies can incorporate reclosers. When a fault occurs, this high-voltage circuit breaker automatically closes to isolate the faulty sections of the grid, allowing other areas of the grid to continue to operate safely. The recloser can then automatically test the electrical lines to determine if the issue has been resolved and reset itself, restoring power more quickly once a fault is cleared. Reclosers are also designed to perform remote switching, enabling utilities to manage their networks more efficiently.

At Knowles Precision Devices, we have more than 40 years of experience developing high-performance, high-reliability components for military applications. Our US-based manufacturing facilities adhere to the highest military-grade quality and reliability standards so our components can be used in sophisticated, secure military and aerospace systems.