Capacitor-within-Capacitor

TL;DR

This paper investigates a novel capacitor-within-capacitor structure that can increase capacitance by at least 50% and allows voltage-controlled capacitance, with potential applications in microfluidic sensing and energy storage.

Contribution

It introduces a new capacitor configuration that enhances capacitance and enables voltage control, supported by simulations and experiments.

Findings

Capacitance can be increased by at least 50% compared to traditional capacitors.

Capacitance is controllable via gate voltage.

Potential applications include microfluidic sensing and energy storage.

Abstract

Capacitors are typically connected together in one of two configurations: either in series, or in parallel. Here we study a capacitor-within-capacitor (CWC). Simulations and experiments indicate that the overall capacitance of the structured cell may be made larger than an ordinary two-plate counterpart by at least 50%. Simulations also indicate that the cell's capacitance may be controlled by the gate voltage. Overall, this concept is deemed suitable for microfluidic sensing and possibly for energy storage elements.