Semco Unveils World's Largest MLCC for Electric Vehicles, Expanding Automotive Product Range

Semco, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, is strengthening its lineup of high-temperature and high-voltage automotive products based on its advanced technology in the field of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). Recently, they announced the successful development of the world's highest-capacity MLCC for electric vehicles (EVs).

According to Samsung Electronics and South Korean media outlet Money Today, Semco has announced the successful development of the largest-capacity MLCC for EVs, expanding its range of high-end automotive products. The newly developed MLCCs include two models: a 250V-rated 33 microfarad (μF) capacitor and a 100V-rated 10 μF capacitor. These capacitors will be used in the electrification system and LED headlights of electric vehicles.

Electric vehicles rely on high-voltage battery systems such as battery management systems (BMS) and on-board chargers (OBCs) for operation. The newly unveiled 250V-rated 33 μF MLCC achieves the industry's highest capacity at the same voltage level. It also exhibits high durability under high voltage and effectively eliminates high-frequency noise within battery modules, thereby enhancing battery stability.

The 100V-rated 10 μF MLCC, on the other hand, is designed for electric vehicle LED headlights and offers twice the capacitance compared to previous models. Since LED headlights consume high amounts of power, it is crucial to store a large amount of energy while improving voltage durability and ensuring a rapid and stable supply of power to the semiconductor components. Semco has successfully achieved high capacity by reducing the size of the MLCC's core material, known as "dielectric ceramic powder," to the nanoscale level. Additionally, their proprietary surface coating technique significantly reduces powder aggregation, enabling stable operation even under high voltage conditions.

Furthermore, the newly developed MLCCs meet the AEC-Q200 reliability validation standards for automotive electronic components and can be used in various applications, including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), body electronics, chassis systems, and infotainment systems.

Semco's President, Zhang De Xian, stated that the company will enhance its technological competitiveness by independently researching and manufacturing the core materials for MLCCs. They will also strengthen their production capabilities through autonomous equipment, aiming to expand their market share in the automotive MLCC sector.