Reduced Graphene Oxide Conductivity Gradient for Electric Field Smoothing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electric devices, the uneven distribution of electric fields due to differences in material electrical properties can lead to electrical breakdown, impairing insulating properties and increasing the risk of failure.

Innovation Solution

A material with a spatial variation in the degree of reduction of graphene oxide is used, creating a gradient in conductivity and permittivity, which is integrated into electric devices to smooth out electric field distribution and facilitate charge dissipation, thereby reducing the risk of electrical breakdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If materials with very distinct electrical/dielectric properties are in contact, then the device can achieve functional differentiation, but the electric field concentrates at the interfaces towards the low permittivity or low conductivity regions, increasing the risk of electrical breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional differentiationVSAvoidrisk of electrical breakdown
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a material with spatially varying electrical properties. The reduced graphene oxide material has a gradient structure where the degree of reduction varies across the material, resulting in different conductivity and permittivity values at different locations. This allows the material to have high conductivity at interfaces (reducing field concentration) while maintaining insulating properties in the bulk, thus resolving the contradiction between functional differentiation and electrical breakdown risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by systematically varying the degree of reduction of graphene oxide across the material structure. By controlling the reduction level spatially, the material achieves a continuous gradient in electrical conductivity and permittivity. This parameter variation enables the material to adapt its electrical properties to different functional requirements while preventing electric field concentration that would lead to breakdown

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the difference between permittivities/conductivities of different materials is large, then functional differentiation is enhanced, but the field distribution becomes more uneven, impairing insulating properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional differentiationVSAvoidfield distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The material implements local quality through a gradient structure where the degree of reduction of graphene oxide varies spatially. This creates regions with different electrical properties within a single continuous material, allowing the material to provide both high conductivity where needed (at interfaces) and maintain insulating properties in other regions, thus achieving functional differentiation without compromising field distribution uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material principles by creating a reduced graphene oxide material with non-uniform composition. The spatial variation in reduction degree creates a composite-like structure within a single material phase, where different regions effectively function as different materials. This internal composite structure enables the material to achieve both functional differentiation and stable field distribution simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 use of a graphene oxide material with a conductivity and permittivity gradient in electric devices smoothes electric field distribution, enhancing charge dissipation and reducing the risk of electrical breakdown, improving the reliability and performance of these devices.

Implementation Method 1

the degree of reduction of the graphene oxide exhibits a spatial variation so that the material exhibits a gradient in the electric conductivity and/or permittivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity gradient:

Implementation Method 2

the degree of reduction of the graphene oxide exhibits a spatial variation so that the material exhibits a gradient in the electric conductivity and/or permittivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermittivity gradient:

Implementation Method 3

improved conditions for dissipation of electric charges on a surface of an insulating device which is exposed to high electric fields can also be achieved by means of such material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCharge dissipation: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9865380B2Material comprising reduced graphene oxide, a device comprising the material and a method of producing the material
Publication Date: 2018.01.09 HITACHI ENERGY LTD
  • US9865380B2 patent drawing
  • US9865380B2 patent drawing
  • US9865380B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a material comprising reduced graphene oxide, wherein the degree of reduction of the graphene oxide exhibits a spatial variation so that the material exhibits a gradient in the electric conductivity and/or permittivity. The material can for example be used in an electric device for purposes of field grading and/or dissipation of charges. Examples of electric devices wherein the material is beneficial includes cable accessories, bushings, power cables, microelectronics, switchgear, etc. The invention further relates to a method of producing a material for electrical applications. The method comprises treating different parts of a graphene oxide element differently, so as to achieve a different degree of reduction of the graphene oxide within the element, resulting in a sample having a gradient in the electrical conductivity and/or permittivity. The material could for example be obtained by means of applying a thermal gradient to a graphene oxide element, or by irradiation of a graphene oxide element.