Clustered Dielectric Composite for Low-Loss Capacitors
Solution Overview
Problem
Current composite materials for high-frequency applications suffer from high dielectric losses, which lead to energy inefficiency and the need for elaborate cooling systems, while maintaining controllability is a compromise between these losses and performance.
Innovation Solution
A composite material is developed with a dielectric material formed as clusters and a percolated paraelectric material, optimizing controllability with minimal dielectric loss reduction, achieved through specific structuring and sintering processes, including field-activated sintering, to enhance material quality and commutation quality factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional composite materials are used to achieve controllability, then the dielectric material can be controlled, but dielectric losses increase leading to energy inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material is segmented into distinct clusters of dielectric material surrounded by paraelectric material, creating isolated functional regions that reduce energy loss while maintaining controllability through localized electric field effects
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the composite material have different properties: dielectric clusters provide controllability in localized areas while the surrounding paraelectric matrix provides low loss characteristics, allowing each region to optimize its specific function
2Adaptability or versatility
If dielectric material is added to composite materials, then controllability is improved, but dielectric losses increase requiring elaborate cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The structure incorporates void spaces between dielectric clusters that reduce density and heat generation, allowing for passive cooling or reduced active cooling requirements while maintaining the controllability function
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting dielectric material into discrete clusters rather than continuous phases, the total volume of dielectric material is reduced, lowering overall energy losses and cooling requirements while preserving controllability through the clustered architecture
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The structured composite material exhibits improved controllability with reduced energy losses, resulting in higher material quality and commutation quality factors, enabling more efficient high-frequency applications with less counter-cooling requirements.
Implementation Method 1
They show a non-linear dependence of the permittivity (dielectric constant) on the electric field strength, which is referred to as controllability
Implementation Method 2
at least partially sintering the shaped composite material blank into an at least partially dense ceramic composite material
Implementation Method 3
including field-activated sintering
Data Source
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AI summary
A composite material (100) is proposed. The composite material (100) comprises at least one dielectric material (102) and at least one paraelectric material (104). The dielectric material (102) is at least partially formed as a cluster (106), and the paraelectric material (104) is percolated. Furthermore, a method for producing a composite material (100) and its application as a capacitor material is proposed.