A composite electronic component includes a composite body including a multilayer ceramic capacitor and a ceramic chip coupled to each other. The multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a first ceramic body and first and second external electrodes, and the ceramic chip is disposed below the multilayer ceramic capacitor and includes a second ceramic body having first and second terminal electrodes. The multilayer ceramic capacitor and the ceramic chip are coupled by solder disposed between the first and second external electrodes and the first and second terminal electrodes, and each angle (θ) defined by inner side surfaces of the solder, respectively disposed on inner ends of bent portions of the first and second terminal electrodes disposed on an upper surface of the second ceramic body, and an upper plane of the second ceramic body of the ceramic chip satisfies 45 degrees or less.

A variable capacitor is disclosed. The variable capacitor includes a multi-layer ceramic capacitor member, and a capacitance varying mechanism. The multi-layer ceramic capacitor member includes one or two external electrode(s), a ceramic dielectric, and a plurality of electrode layers positioned inside the ceramic dielectric. The capacitance varying mechanism includes an electrical conductor positioned aside and approximate to the ceramic dielectric. The electrical conductor is deformable responsive to a pressure applied thereon, and an area of the electrical conductor in contact with the ceramic dielectric varies in accordance with the pressure, thus varying a capacitance value between the external electrode(s) and the electrical conductor. In general, the external electrode(s) of the multi-layer ceramic capacitor member serve(s) as fixed electrode(s) of the variable capacitor.

A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes an element body in which dielectric layers and internal electrode layers having different polarities are laminated alternately. The dielectric layers contain a main component of a perovskite-type compound represented by (Ba.sub.1-a-bSr.sub.aCa.sub.b).sub.m(Ti.sub.1-c-dZr.sub.cHf.sub.d)O.sub.3. 0.94<m<1.1, 0a1, 0b1, 0c1, and 0d1 are satisfied. The dielectric layers contain a first sub-component of 2.5 mol or more to the main component of 100 mol. The first sub-component contains a boron oxide and/or a lithium oxide. The internal electrode layers contain a main component of copper and/or silver.

A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes an element body in which dielectric layers and internal electrode layers having different polarities are laminated alternately. The dielectric layers contain a main component of a perovskite-type compound represented by (Ba.sub.1-a-bSr.sub.aCa.sub.b).sub.m(Ti.sub.1-c-dZr.sub.cHf.sub.d)O.sub.3. 0.94<m<1.1, 0a1, 0b1, 0c1, and 0d1 are satisfied. The dielectric layers contain a first sub-component of 2.5 mol or more to the main component of 100 mol. The first sub-component contains a boron oxide and/or a lithium oxide. The internal electrode layers contain a main component of copper and/or silver.

An apparatus and associated method are provided involving one or more registers configured to store a plurality of values including a first value corresponding with a first capacitance, and a second value corresponding with a second capacitance. Further included is a decoder configured to decode the values into corresponding capacitive settings. Also included is one or more capacitive elements in electrical communication with the decoder. Such one or more capacitive elements are configured to exhibit different capacitances, based on the capacitive settings. Also included is control circuitry in electrical communication with the decoder and the one or more registers. Such control circuitry is configured to control a transition of the capacitance of the one or more capacitive elements from the first capacitance to the second capacitance, by creating a plurality of additional values between the first value and the second value for being decoded by the decoder.

An apparatus and associated method are provided involving one or more registers configured to store a plurality of values including a first value corresponding with a first capacitance, and a second value corresponding with a second capacitance. Further included is a decoder configured to decode the values into corresponding capacitive settings. Also included is one or more capacitive elements in electrical communication with the decoder. Such one or more capacitive elements are configured to exhibit different capacitances, based on the capacitive settings. Also included is control circuitry in electrical communication with the decoder and the one or more registers. Such control circuitry is configured to control a transition of the capacitance of the one or more capacitive elements from the first capacitance to the second capacitance, by creating a plurality of additional values between the first value and the second value for being decoded by the decoder.

A variable capacitor is disclosed. The variable capacitor includes a multi-layer ceramic capacitor member, and a capacitance varying mechanism. The multi-layer ceramic capacitor member includes one or two external electrode(s), a ceramic dielectric, and a plurality of electrode layers positioned inside the ceramic dielectric. The capacitance varying mechanism includes an electrical conductor positioned aside and approximate to the ceramic dielectric. The electrical conductor is deformable responsive to a pressure applied thereon, and an area of the electrical conductor in contact with the ceramic dielectric varies in accordance with the pressure, thus varying a capacitance value between the external electrode(s) and the electrical conductor. In general, the external electrode(s) of the multi-layer ceramic capacitor member serve(s) as fixed electrode(s) of the variable capacitor.

An electrode element (1) for an energy storage unit (200), such as a capacitor, has an electrode body (100) made of an active electrode material (E), wherein the electrode body (100) includes one or more of: at least one cavity (110) on its surface or in its interior; at least one partial volume (120) of lower density; and/or a surface coating (D) covering at least a portion of the surface of the electrode body (100), such that the surface area covered by the surface coating (D) remains unwetted when in contact with an electrolyte. Energy storage units (200) incorporating the electrode element (1) are particularly suitable for use in implantable electrotherapeutic devices.

A circuit design apparatus includes a storage that stores a first capacitance of a capacitor associated with one or more usage conditions, and a controller that controls an amount of energy of the capacitor under a specified usage condition of the one or more usage conditions. The controller calculates a second capacitance under the specified usage condition based on a first relationship between the specified usage condition and the first capacitance, and calculates the amount of energy of the capacitor based on the calculated second capacitance.

Aspects generally relate to a capacitor formed by a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate with an insulating material located between the first and second conductive plates. A third conductive plate is coupled to the second conductive plate, and a size or an overlap of the third conductive layer to the insulating layer and first conductive plate are adjusted to achieve a desired overall capacitance value of the capacitor.