Projects
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| Reference Number | EP/V053183/1 | |
| Title | New direction in high temperature dielectrics: unlocking performance of doped tungsten bronze oxides through mechanistic understanding | |
| Status | Started | |
| Energy Categories | Energy Efficiency (Transport) 10%; Other Power and Storage Technologies (Electricity transmission and distribution) 90%; |
|
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 10%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics) 10%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 30%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Dr DA Hall The University of Manchester |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 January 2022 | |
| End Date | 30 September 2025 | |
| Duration | 45 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £231,813 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Materials sciences | |
| Region | North West | |
| Programme | NC : Physical Sciences | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Dr DA Hall , The University of Manchester |
| Other Investigator | Professor A Forsyth , Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | New higher temperature, high-voltage multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) are required to advance power electronics - an important technology in the energy transition to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies for power electronic equipment already provide active components that can operate at 250-300C, allowing reductions in heatsink size and equipment weight. However due to the high switching speeds of wide-bandgap devices, passive and active components must be in close proximity, demanding high temperature operation of the (passive) capacitors. In addition to applications in renewable energy distribution, there are demands for higher temperature capacitors in transport electrification where electronic equipment needs to operate at high ambient temperatures. Unfortunately existing Class II capacitors, which are all based on the perovskite crystal structure, can only operate to 125-175 C. Global research into new higher temperature capacitor materials over the past decade has failed to produce any dielectric material suitable for mass market MLCCs, now manufactured using inexpensive nickel metal internal electrodes. The obstacle has been the presence of bismuth or lead oxide in the ceramic formulation. This would cause the dielectric materials and electrodes to degrade in the high temperature, chemically reducing atmospheres used to manufacture modern MLCCs. In a shift of research direction, we have recently obtained proof-of-principle that a new type of dielectric based on the tungsten bronze crystal structure offers uniformly high permittivity (>1300 +/- 15%) over the requisite -55 to 300 C temperature range. The material is based on strontium sodium niobate (SNN) co-doped with only 1-2.5 at.% calcium, yttrium and zirconium. Although promising, the dielectric properties fall short of the exceptional performance levels required of a next generation capacitor material. For example, dielectric losses (currently 4%) exceed industrial specifications (2.5%). Unlocking the true potential of the new tungsten bronze approach is severely hindered by a lack of knowledge as to underpinning mechanisms. For example, why low levels of dopants create extremely diffuse twin temperature-dependent dielectric anomalies. | |
| Data | No related datasets |
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| Projects | No related projects |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 17/09/25 | |
