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“Capacitor memory” can mean three different things: dielectric absorption, which makes a discharged capacitor’s voltage partly recover; a supercapacitor that temporarily powers memory or a clock; or a research-stage memcapacitor designed to retain a programmed capacitance state. Only the last is intended to store information in its device state. A backup supercapacitor stores energy, not data.
What does “capacitor memory” mean?
| Meaning | What is retained | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Dielectric absorption | A small amount of electrical energy that can reappear as terminal voltage after discharge | An electrical effect that matters in measurement and safety |
| Supercapacitor memory backup | Stored electrical energy, which supplies a circuit for a limited time | Keeping a clock or volatile memory powered during an interruption |
| Memcapacitor | A programmed capacitance state | An emerging approach to nonvolatile analogue information storage and reconfigurable circuits |
These meanings are related to capacitors but are not interchangeable. In particular, a supercapacitor backup is not nonvolatile memory: it can only help preserve data while the powered circuit remains within its operating conditions.
Why can a capacitor hold or recover voltage after discharge?
Dielectric absorption is sometimes called “voltage memory.” After a capacitor is discharged, some of its dielectric polarization relaxes slowly. That can cause voltage to reappear at its terminals. It is not a record of a bit or a saved file, and the recovered voltage is not a dependable power source. Treat a capacitor that may have been charged as potentially energized, and follow appropriate discharge and measurement precautions rather than assuming that a brief discharge leaves it at zero volts permanently.
Can a supercapacitor keep RAM or flash memory alive?
It can provide short-term backup power to a circuit, but whether that preserves memory depends on the device and circuit design. Volatile RAM loses its contents when its supply falls below the required level. A real-time clock may likewise need power to keep time. Flash memory is nonvolatile and ordinarily retains its contents without continuous power; a supercapacitor may instead support the processor, controller, or other circuitry involved in a system’s operation.
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- Model: 16V
- : 15V-16V
- Features: Internal structure ,low internal resistance ,high energy.
- Size: 6.3x3cm/2.48x1.18inch
- Ideal backup power for CMOS, ,VCR ,radio, ,telephone ,smart instrumentation ,driving records ,IC three watches ,electronic watches ,LED flashlights ,LED lighting lighting ,.
YAGEO/KEMET describes its FS Series electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) as suited to low-voltage DC hold-up, including embedded microprocessor systems with flash memory. The FS datasheet’s typical-application table identifies embedded-memory backup for applications of one hour or less and power supplies of 50 mA or below. Those are application categories in that datasheet, not a promise that every FS part will maintain a particular circuit for an hour. Actual hold-up depends on capacitance, load, voltage limits, ESR, leakage, and the circuit’s minimum operating voltage.
Supercapacitors sit between conventional capacitors and batteries in the trade-off between power and energy: capacitors generally favor high power, batteries favor greater energy, and supercapacitors bridge the gap. ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre describes seconds-scale charging and more than a million recharge cycles as general supercapacitor characteristics, not guaranteed specifications for every component. In a hybrid system, a supercapacitor can handle repeated peak-power demand while a battery supplies sustained energy.
Rank #2
- Farad capacitance 5.5V/1F,Winding Type,Monomer,High capacity,High power
- High energy and high current,Flame retardant, insulation, good frequency characteristics ,Strong overload capacity, stable performance,High impact current resistance and reliability
- Low leakage and long service life,High temperature resistance, low temperature rise and high adhesion,Low loss, low leakage, safety, good self-healing performance and reliable use
- Typical applications: ram, detonator, automobile recorder, intelligent instrument, vacuum switch, digital camera, Mada drive,Motor, clock circuit, UPS, toys, SPC exchange, etc
- Package:2pcs 5.5V 1F Farad Capacitance
How do you size a supercapacitor for memory backup?
Start with the required hold-up interval and the circuit’s load current. A useful first estimate for a roughly constant-current load is C = I × t ÷ ΔV, where C is capacitance in farads, I is load current in amperes, t is backup time in seconds, and ΔV is the allowed voltage drop in volts. This ideal estimate does not include capacitance tolerance, ESR-related voltage drop, leakage, temperature effects, or the circuit’s changing current draw. Check the complete circuit and datasheet before choosing a part.
- Establish the operating window. Determine the supply voltage, the minimum voltage at which the memory or clock remains valid, and how much voltage drop the circuit can tolerate.
- Estimate required capacitance. Use the load current, hold-up interval, and permitted voltage drop in the equation above. Allow for the selected capacitor’s tolerance and for real-world losses.
- Check the part’s limits and behavior. Confirm maximum operating voltage, ESR, leakage, temperature range, polarity, charge behavior, and physical dimensions. KEMET’s FS Series lists maximum operating-voltage families of 5.5 V, 11 V, and 12 V, and nominal capacitance options from 0.022 F to 5.0 F. Its listed capacitance tolerance is −20%/+80%, and ESR depends on the part.
- Verify charging and protection. The circuit must charge the supercapacitor in a suitable way and keep it within its rated voltage. The FS datasheet warns that an abnormal surge above maximum operating voltage may cause leakage and explosion. KEMET also says its supercapacitors should not be used for ripple absorption because of their high internal resistance.
- Validate the result in the actual circuit. Check that backup voltage remains above the load’s minimum for the required interval, including expected temperature and component variation.
What capacitor can replace a memory-backup capacitor?
There is no universal replacement based on voltage marking or capacitance alone. Match the original circuit’s maximum voltage, required hold-up time, capacitance, ESR, leakage, polarity, footprint, temperature conditions, and charging behavior. A physically compatible-looking part can still fail to provide adequate backup or may be unsuitable for the circuit.
Rank #3
- High Capacity & Voltage: This 16.2V 1.6.7F super capacitor module delivers reliable power with a 1.67 Farad capacity and Max 16V voltage range, making it a versatile supercapacitor for various applications.
- Safe & Easy High Current Discharge: Designed for safe and easy use, this super farad capacitor offers high current discharge capabilities, perfect for demanding power needs.
- Low Internal Resistance: Featuring an internal series structure, this ultracapacitor boasts low internal resistance and high energy, ensuring efficient power delivery in a compact package.
- Wide Range of Applications: Ideal backup power supply for CMOS, RAM, VCR, radios, TVs, smart meters, LED flashlights, motors, industrial UPS, and more. A reliable DC-link capacitor option.
- Compact Size: Measuring just 6.5x3.0x1.3cm, this bonded single capacitor supercapacitor module is compact and easy to integrate into your projects.
For example, Newark lists KEMET FS0H223ZF as a 5.5 V, 22,000 µF radial EDLC supercapacitor for low-voltage hold-up and embedded-microprocessor flash-memory applications. It is a candidate component to evaluate, not a drop-in replacement for every memory-backup capacitor. Compare its datasheet and dimensions with the original part and circuit requirements before fitting it.
For automotive use, KEMET’s FMU series page describes supercapacitors for maintaining a real-time clock or volatile memory if the main power system is lost or its battery is removed. That page reports an operating range of −40 °C to 105 °C and a 1,000-hour test at 85 °C/85% relative humidity at rated voltage. These are series-level figures as described on that page; confirm the current product revision and the specifications for the exact part before relying on them.
Rank #4
- 10 2.7V 500F Supercapacitors with a 35x60mm Blue16V 83F
- Enhanced Energy Storage: The 35x60mm Blue 16V 83F Automotive Supercapacitor Module is designed to deliver exceptional energy storage capabilities, ensuring reliable and efficient power supply for automotive applications.
- Optimal Performance: With its advanced supercapacitors, this module provides high power density, fast charging and discharging rates, and extended operational lifespan, guaranteeing superior performance in demanding automotive environments.
- Compact and Durable: Measuring just 35x60mm, this supercapacitor module is compact and space-saving, making it ideal for automotive installations. Its rugged construction ensures durability and resistance to vibrations, shocks, and extreme temperatures.
- Versatile Applications: The 35x60mm Blue 16V 83F Automotive Supercapacitor Module is suitable for a wide range of automotive applications, such as hybrid and electric vehicles, regenerative braking systems, start-stop systems, and energy harvesting systems.
What is a memcapacitor?
A memcapacitor is a device whose capacitance depends on its prior electrical state. Unlike a backup supercapacitor, the research goal is to use the programmed capacitance itself to represent information, potentially without continuous power. This is distinct from dielectric absorption: the intended effect is a controllable, retained device state rather than incidental voltage recovery.
A 2025 preprint by Deepika Yadav, Spyros Stathopoulos, Patrick Foster, Andreas Tsiamis, Mohamed Awadein, Hannah Levene, and Themis Prodromakis reports a voltage-programmable ferroelectric memcapacitor based on HfZrO. The authors report more than eight stable, reprogrammable capacitance states—3-bit encoding—within a nonvolatile window of about 24 pF. They also report switching at ±3 V, retention greater than 105 seconds, endurance greater than 106 cycles, and a high-pass-filter cutoff shift of approximately 5 kHz.
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- High capacity storage: This super Farad capacitor pack provides up to 500F of capacitance, ensuring long-term stable power supply.
- Low voltage design: specially designed for a working voltage of 2.7V, suitable for various small electronic devices and projects.
- High capacity energy storage: up to 500F (2.7V) per unit or up to 83F (16V) when used in combination, meeting the energy storage needs of various electronic devices.
- Excellent performance: Made of high-quality materials to ensure long-term stable operation, suitable for various application scenarios.
- Fast charging and discharging: Compared to traditional batteries, supercapacitors support faster charging speed and discharge efficiency, improving device response time.
The reported device is research-stage, not an interchangeable consumer memory-backup component. The work points toward nonvolatile analogue state storage and possible adaptive RF filters, reconfigurable analogue front ends, and neuromorphic electronics; the reported performance should not be treated as a specification for a product available for ordinary replacement or purchase.
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