1. NASA UPN 104-07-01.1 JPL Project #:102197-1.21.5 NEPP QUARTERLY PROGRESS REVIEW TASK TITLE: Tantalum Polymer Capacitors YEAR: 2 nd Qtr FY05 COORDINATING CENTER: JPL PARTICIPATING CENTER/S: JPL,GSFC PROGRAM AREA: NEPP TASK MANAGER: Erik Reed, JPL FY05 FUNDING: $100k CUSTOMER: OSMA

2. 2 TASK DESCRIPTION Tantalum Polymer Capacitors GOALS/OBJECTIVES Tantalum Polymer Capacitors Determine manufactures of tantalum polymer capacitors that might be of potential interest to the space community. Understand the materials, processing, and construction. Characterize typical electrical performance at DC, low frequencies, and high frequencies as well as performance at high and low temperatures. Identify potential weaknesses/failure mechanisms. Obtain representative test samples and corresponding MnO 2 samples. Design and execute test plan to assess robustness versus MnO 2 devices. Decide whether this new technology is worthy of additional study, modeling, and qualification testing. Investigate construction, electrical performance, and reliability of tantalum polymer capacitors relative to conventional MnO 2 -based capacitors of similar capacitance and rated voltage. Determine whether these new, high-performance capacitors provide sufficiently compelling benefits to be considered for space applications.

3. 3 DELIVERABLES Tantalum Polymer Capacitors FY05 DeliverablesQuarter Due Date Completed Initiate project and update task description2Q2/28/05 Attend CARTS conference2Q3/24/05 Quarterly progress report2Q4/25/05 Collect performance data from vendors3Q Quarterly progress report3Q Complete vendor visits4Q Purchase test samples4Q Interim project report4Q Quarterly progress report4Q

4. 4 SCHEDULE Tantalum Polymer Capacitors 2Q05 – Initiate project and adjust work scope and schedule to best meet NASA needs. 2Q05 – Identify vendors of Ta Polymer capacitors that manufacture the specific capacitors of greatest potential interest for space use. 3Q05 – Collect data from catalogs/web sites and contact vendors. 3Q05 – Initiate dialog regarding materials and construction, request preliminary samples, and schedule vendor visits. 4Q05 – Complete vendor visits. 4Q05 – Identify and purchase suitable high-volume test samples. 4Q05 – Publish interim report on materials, processing, construction, advertised performance benefits and typical target applications. 1Q06 – Perform failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) to identify potential weaknesses and establish basis for focus of test program. 1Q06 – Perform detailed construction analysis of representative samples. 2Q06 – Define test plan and initiate testing. 3Q06 – Report on intermediate test results 4Q06 – Write final report and recommend continued investigation if compelling performance/reliability is discovered.