Peak Nano
Redefining Capacitor Film for the Next Era of Energy

As global energy demand surges and next-generation applications, from AI data centers to electric vehicles, push the boundaries of existing grid technologies, including capacitor technology, the industry faces a critical need for new solutions and materials that deliver greater efficiency, reliability and thermal performance. Future Market Insights projects robust growth for the film capacitor market, driven by the need for advanced energy storage solutions that can withstand higher temperatures and deliver longer lifespans.

Peak Nano’s breakthrough Peak NanoPlex^® films directly address these challenges, offering the first U.S.- manufactured, nano-layered dielectric films that enable capacitor manufacturers to scale for the future and close critical supply chain gaps. NanoPlex^® delivers up to four times more energy storage, three to five times longer operational life, and reliable performance at temperatures far beyond the limits of conventional materials like biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). With this technology, Peak Nano is enabling U.S. innovation and leadership in the capacitor industry, which is poised to power the next era of energy innovation.

Experts in Developing Breakthrough Nanotechnology Systems

Peak Nano specializes in developing next-generation capacitor film that guarantees more scalable, stable, smarter and adaptable power grids. The company produces highly ordered, nano-layered films at commercial scale by synergistically engineering proven polymers into innovative configurations using a proprietary nanolayer extrusion process. This unique approach allows Peak Nano to meet growing industry demand with unmatched versatility.

“We’re the first U.S.-based materials development company bringing high-performance capacitor film to market that seamlessly retrofits into existing systems,” says Dr. Michael Ponting, chief scientific officer. “Our goal is to help meet energy demands and modernize the nation’s energy infrastructure, giving equipment manufacturers a way to future-proof their systems.”

Its flagship technology—NanoPlex^®—pushes the boundaries of what traditional capacitor films can achieve. The technology, developed in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Naval Research Laboratory, is a nano-scale metamaterial used for optics, capacitor films and specialty films.

Peak Nano’s technological edge is led by an exceptional team of inventors from the original project, including Mason Wolak, the vice president of capacitor development. Its deep institutional knowledge, combined with a growing team of specialists in polymer science, capacitor engineering and advanced manufacturing, gives the company a competitive advantage.

Leading the Way in Purpose-Built Innovation

For over five decades, the capacitor industry has relied on a narrow set of materials, such as polypropylene or polyester, with new developments often taking more than a decade to reach market readiness. Peak Nano is turning this model on its head. By working with prominent capacitor manufacturers and end-users to identify industry needs, such as improved thermal performance without sacrificing the reliability of polypropylene in capacitors, Peak Nano has leveraged NanoPlex^® technology to develop layered dielectric film (LDF) that offers low dissipation factor performance similar to BOPP, but with operational temperature ratings that are 25 to 35 degrees Celsius higher.

Early evaluations of NanoPlex^® LDF have been overwhelmingly positive. Most clients have advanced from qualification to prototype or scaling phases, demonstrating broad industry interest and validation.

Demonstrated Versatility across Critical Markets

NanoPlex^® films support critical applications across numerous high-performance industries. In the defense sector, Peak Nano’s HawkSight optics are designed by its HawkAI optic optimization software to create hybrid optics systems that reduce the weight, size and cost of systems for night vision devices, fire control systems and unmanned aircraft systems.

HawkAI is a machine-learning software platform that simulates millions of potential lens combinations and provides optimal performance, form factor and cost solutions. This approach, through close collaboration with industry partners and alignment with the Department of Defense's Modular Open Systems Approach, enables streamlined workflows and cost-efficient and scalable solutions tailored to mission requirements.

In automotive and aerospace, NanoPlex^® capacitors are lighter than industry-standard BOPP capacitors, contributing to improved energy efficiency and extended miles per charge in electric vehicles. In aerospace applications, Peak Nano’s specialty films help manage solar reflections to reduce light pollution and control temperatures to safeguard operational efficiency and extended lifetimes in extreme environments.

Peak Nano’s high dielectric constant (HDC) film delivers superior capacitance in a reduced footprint, making it ideal for applications where space and efficiency are at a premium. HDC films are designed for pulse power applications, lasers, and fusion reactors, offering up to four times the energy storage capacity of conventional alternatives.

Closing a Critical Supply Chain Gap

Despite rising energy demands, the U.S. relies on Asian imports for thousands of tons of capacitor-grade energy storage films annually. Peak Nano’s commitment to reshoring manufacturing has made it the first U.S. producer of large-scale polypropylene-based capacitor film. This differentiated, validated and scalable solution is key to meeting the accelerating global demand for high-performance energy storage, empowering manufacturers to meet the evolving needs of the grid, electric vehicles, fusion energy and beyond.