Progress in materials and processes of multilayer power inductors

Passive components have continuously improved in recent years in miniaturization, multi-functionality, performance, and energy efficiency. The requirements of portable devices, home appliances, automobiles, industrial equipment, and other products demand these improvements. The passive components used in these products have had to continuously become smaller and thinner to meet ever-higher performance requirements. During the last several years, the demand for power inductors with high-rated current has increased rapidly due to the diversification and reduction in operating voltage in portable electronic devices. The low-temperature firing NiCuZn ferrites and Fe-based alloy powders for inductors have attracted much attention in recent years, while the review of the materials and processes for multilayer power inductors has not been described in the open literature to our best knowledge. Therefore, this article is aimed to deliver an overview on the progress of the multilayer power inductors, from materials and processes' point of view.