Abstract: A method of forming an electrolytic capacitor is provided. The method includes obtaining an unverified mineral sample from a mine site, analyzing the unverified mineral sample via quantitative mineralogical analysis and comparing data collected during the quantitative mineralogical analysis for the unverified mineral sample to data in a database that corresponds to quantitative mineralogical analysis collected for verified mineral samples sourced from one or more mine sites from a conflict-free geographic region to determine if the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region. If it is determined that the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region, the method then involves converting the unverified mineral sample into an anode for the electrolytic capacitor. The electrolytic capacitor can be a solid electrolytic capacitor or a wet electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: A method of forming an electronic part comprising a metal component is provided. The method includes obtaining an unverified mineral sample from a mine site, analyzing the unverified mineral sample via quantitative mineralogical analysis and comparing data collected during the quantitative mineralogical analysis for the sample to data in a database that corresponds to quantitative mineralogical analysis collected for verified mineral samples sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region to determine if the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region. If it is determined that the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region, the method then involves converting the unverified sample into the metal component. The electronic part can be a capacitor, medical device, filter, inductor, active electrode, antenna, sensor, or battery.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrolytic capacitor is provided. The method includes obtaining an unverified mineral sample from a mine site, analyzing the unverified mineral sample via quantitative mineralogical analysis and comparing data collected during the quantitative mineralogical analysis for the unverified mineral sample to data in a database that corresponds to quantitative mineralogical analysis collected for verified mineral samples sourced from one or more mine sites from a conflict-free geographic region to determine if the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region. If it is determined that the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region, the method then involves converting the unverified mineral sample into an anode for the electrolytic capacitor. The electrolytic capacitor can be a solid electrolytic capacitor or a wet electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: A method of iteratively screening a sample of electrolytic capacitors having a predetermined rated voltage is provided. The method can include measuring a first leakage current of a first set of capacitors, calculating a first mean leakage current therefrom, and removing capacitors from the first set having a first leakage current equal to or above a first predetermined value, thereby forming a second set of capacitors. The second set can be subjected to a burn in heat treatment where a test voltage can be applied, then a second leakage current of the second set of capacitors can be measured and a second mean leakage current can be calculated. Capacitors having a second leakage current equal to or above a second predetermined value can be removed from the second set, forming a third set of capacitors. Because of such iterative screening, the capacitors in the third set have low failure rates.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrolytic capacitor is provided. The method includes obtaining an unverified mineral sample from a mine site, analyzing the unverified mineral sample via quantitative mineralogical analysis and comparing data collected during the quantitative mineralogical analysis for the unverified mineral sample to data in a database that corresponds to quantitative mineralogical analysis collected for verified mineral samples sourced from one or more mine sites from a conflict-free geographic region to determine if the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region. If it is determined that the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region, the method then involves converting the unverified mineral sample into an anode for the electrolytic capacitor. The electrolytic capacitor can be a solid electrolytic capacitor or a wet electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: A method of forming an electronic part comprising a metal component is provided. The method includes obtaining an unverified mineral sample from a mine site, analyzing the unverified mineral sample via quantitative mineralogical analysis and comparing data collected during the quantitative mineralogical analysis for the sample to data in a database that corresponds to quantitative mineralogical analysis collected for verified mineral samples sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region to determine if the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region. If it is determined that the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region, the method then involves converting the unverified sample into the metal component. The electronic part can be a capacitor, medical device, filter, inductor, active electrode, antenna, sensor, or battery.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrolytic capacitor is provided. The method includes obtaining an unverified mineral sample from a mine site, analyzing the unverified mineral sample via quantitative mineralogical analysis and comparing data collected during the quantitative mineralogical analysis for the unverified mineral sample to data in a database that corresponds to quantitative mineralogical analysis collected for verified mineral samples sourced from one or more mine sites from a conflict-free geographic region to determine if the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region. If it is determined that the unverified mineral sample is sourced from one or more mine sites from the conflict-free geographic region, the method then involves converting the unverified mineral sample into an anode for the electrolytic capacitor. The electrolytic capacitor can be a solid electrolytic capacitor or a wet electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: A method of iteratively screening a sample of electrolytic capacitors having a predetermined rated voltage is provided. The method can include measuring a first leakage current of a first set of capacitors, calculating a first mean leakage current therefrom, and removing capacitors from the first set having a first leakage current equal to or above a first predetermined value, thereby forming a second set of capacitors. The second set can be subjected to a burn in heat treatment where a test voltage can be applied, then a second leakage current of the second set of capacitors can be measured and a second mean leakage current can be calculated. Capacitors having a second leakage current equal to or above a second predetermined value can be removed from the second set, forming a third set of capacitors. Because of such iterative screening, the capacitors in the third set have low failure rates.

Abstract: A method of iteratively screening a sample of electrolytic capacitors having a predetermined rated voltage is provided. The method can include measuring a first leakage current of a first set of capacitors, calculating a first mean leakage current therefrom, and removing capacitors from the first set having a first leakage current equal to or above a first predetermined value, thereby forming a second set of capacitors. The second set can be subjected to a burn in heat treatment where a test voltage can be applied, then a second leakage current of the second set of capacitors can be measured and a second mean leakage current can be calculated. Capacitors having a second leakage current equal to or above a second predetermined value can be removed from the second set, forming a third set of capacitors. Because of such iterative screening, the capacitors in the third set have low failure rates.

Abstract: A method of iteratively screening a sample of electrolytic capacitors having a predetermined rated voltage is provided. The method can include measuring a first leakage current of a first set of capacitors, calculating a first mean leakage current therefrom, and removing capacitors from the first set having a first leakage current equal to or above a first predetermined value, thereby forming a second set of capacitors. The second set can be subjected to a burn in heat treatment where a test voltage can be applied, then a second leakage current of the second set of capacitors can be measured and a second mean leakage current can be calculated. Capacitors having a second leakage current equal to or above a second predetermined value can be removed from the second set, forming a third set of capacitors. Because of such iterative screening, the capacitors in the third set have low failure rates.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that contains a hermetically sealed lid assembly is disclosed. More specifically, the lid assembly contains a lid (e.g., titanium) that defines an internal orifice. A conductive tube may extend through the orifice that is of a size and shape sufficient to accommodate an anode lead. An insulative material is also provided within the orifice to form a hermetic seal (e.g., glass-to-metal seal), such as between the conductive tube and the lid. The lid assembly also includes a liquid seal that is formed from a sealant material. The liquid seal coats a substantial portion of the lower surface of the lid and hermetic seal to limit contact with any electrolyte that may leak from the casing. To help achieve such surface coverage, the sealant material is generally flowable so that it can be heated during production of the capacitor and flow into small crevices that would otherwise remains uncoated.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor that contains a capacitor element that includes an anode body, dielectric layer, and solid electrolyte is provided. The capacitor also contains an anode lead that is electrically connected to the anode body. Contrary to conventional capacitors in which the lead is welded or connected using a layer of seed particles, a refractory metal paste (e.g., tantalum paste) is employed in the present invention to electrically connect the anode lead to the anode body. The use of such a refractory metal paste allows the anode lead to be sinter bonded to a surface of the anode body after it is pressed. In this manner, a strong and reliable connection may be achieved without substantially decreasing the surface area of the lead that is available for connection to a termination. The paste of the present invention generally contains particles of a relatively small size.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor that contains a hermetically sealed lid assembly is disclosed. More specifically, the lid assembly contains a lid (e.g., titanium) that defines an internal orifice. A conductive tube may extend through the orifice that is of a size and shape sufficient to accommodate an anode lead. An insulative material is also provided within the orifice to form a hermetic seal (e.g., glass-to-metal seal), such as between the conductive tube and the lid. The lid assembly also includes a liquid seal that is formed from a sealant material. The liquid seal coats a substantial portion of the lower surface of the lid and hermetic seal to limit contact with any electrolyte that may leak from the casing. To help achieve such surface coverage, the sealant material is generally flowable so that it can be heated during production of the capacitor and flow into small crevices that would otherwise remains uncoated.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor that contains a capacitor element that includes an anode body, dielectric layer, and solid electrolyte is provided. The capacitor also contains an anode lead that is electrically connected to the anode body. Contrary to conventional capacitors in which the lead is welded or connected using a layer of seed particles, a refractory metal paste (e.g., tantalum paste) is employed in the present invention to electrically connect the anode lead to the anode body. The use of such a refractory metal paste allows the anode lead to be sinter bonded to a surface of the anode body after it is pressed. In this manner, a strong and reliable connection may be achieved without substantially decreasing the surface area of the lead that is available for connection to a termination. The paste of the present invention generally contains particles of a relatively small size.