No description available.

No description available.

The objective of this thesis is to conduct research work on wideband characterization of the complex dielectric constant of low-loss dielectric materials used in multilayer structures. The materials include Pyralux®, a polymer, and Green Tape™, a low-temperature co-fireable tape ceramic (LTCC). The study is composed of three main tasks. First, the effects of operating temperature and relative humidity on the complex dielectric constant of these materials, at low frequencies, will be investigated. Next, the complex dielectric constant of these materials will be determined for high frequencies, under ambient conditions. Finally, lifetime tests will be performed in order to determine the effects of aging on the complex dielectric constant of these materials, at low frequencies. Since experiments will be performed at both low and high frequencies, both capacitor and T-resonator microstrip structures will be used. Analysis of the low frequency environmental test results indicate that both the dielectric constant and the dissipation factor of the polymer increase with both temperature and relative humidity. The results for the tape ceramic indicate that the dielectric constant and dissipation factor increase with temperature, but decrease with rising humidity. The results of the high frequency testing are compared to earlier experimentation in order to evaluate several test structures and techniques. Results of the aging experiments indicate that both the dielectric constant and the dissipation factor of the polymer are increasing over time. Conversely, both the dielectric constant and the dissipation factor of the tape ceramic are decreasing over time. / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1963 R47 / Master of Science

In this parametric inverse problem, we consider a lossless dielectric slab excited by a transient plane wave. The scattered electric field from the slab is presented in the ray-optic and the complex-resonance forms. Our interest is to extract the complex-resonances of the system in order to identify the parameters that describe the scatterer. We review the signal processing procedure and the identification procedure employed to identity the poles of the system. We investigate the effect of noise on identification and determine the maximum amount of noise one can impose on the system. In addition, we study the effect of data truncation on our identification procedure. We also discuss the parameters that dictate the minimum record required for successful identification. Finally, we demonstrate some similarities in effect of noise and truncation on our identification process.

Ένας συναρπαστικός τομέας της σύγχρονης επιστημονικής έρευνας είναι αυτός των νανοσύνθετων υλικών. Το πεδίο αυτό περιλαμβάνει τη μελέτη πολυφασικών υλικών, στα οποία μία ή περισσότερες από τις χωρικές διαστάσεις κάποιας φάσης βρίσκεται στην περιοχή νανομέτρων (10-9m). Αυτό που ξεχωρίζει τα νανοσύνθετα από τα άλλα συμβατικά σύνθετα υλικά είναι η ικανότητά τους να συνδυάζουν ιδιότητες, οι οποίες είναι απαγορευτικές για τα παραδοσιακά υλικά, αλλά και η λειτουργικότητα που παρουσιάζουν. Η εισαγωγή των νανοσύνθετων υλικών και οι πολλές επιστημονικές μελέτες που έγιναν τα τελευταία χρόνια στόχευαν και προσδοκούσαν σε μία δραματική βελτίωση των μηχανικών τους ιδιοτήτων, πράγμα που πολλές φορές δεν επαληθεύτηκε. Στις μέρες μας υπάρχει ένα αυξανόμενο ενδιαφέρον για τη μελέτη της διηλεκτρικής συμπεριφοράς και αγωγιμότητας των νανοσύνθετων πολυμερικής μήτρας με ανόργανα νάνο-εγκλείσματα. Τα νανοσύνθετα συστήματα πολυμερικής μήτρας – ανόργανων νάνο-εγκλεισμάτων αναμένεται να αποτελέσουν μια νέα γενιά υψηλού τεχνολογικού ενδιαφέροντος υλικών που θα επιδεικνύουν λειτουργικές ιδιότητες λόγω της μεταβαλλόμενης πόλωσης των κεραμικών νανοσωματιδίων. Η διασπορά κεραμικών εγκλεισμάτων στο εσωτερικό πολυμερικής μήτρας προσδίδει στα σύνθετα συστήματα βελτιωμένη μηχανική και ηλεκτρική συμπεριφορά. Τέτοιου τύπου συστήματα υλικών, που έχουν υψηλή ηλεκτρική διαπερατότητα (high-Κ materials) χρησιμοποιούνται σε ηλεκτρονικές εφαρμογές, καθώς μειώνουν τα ρεύματα διαρροής και παράλληλα λειτουργούν ως ενσωματωμένοι νανο-πυκνωτές εισάγοντας ένα νέο είδος νανο-διατάξεων για την αποθήκευση ενέργειας. Η ηλεκτρική απόκρισή τους, εκφράζεται κυρίως μέσω της ηλεκτρικής διαπερατότητας και μπορεί να ρυθμιστεί, ελέγχοντας τον τύπο, το μέγεθος και την ποσότητα της κεραμικής ενίσχυσης. Η ενσωμάτωση πιεζοηλεκτρικών κρυστάλλων, που επιδεικνύουν μεταβαλλόμενη πόλωση, σε μια πολυμερική μήτρα, όπως η εποξειδική ρητίνη –που εν γένει είναι ηλεκτρικός μονωτής- με χαμηλή ηλεκτρική διαπερατότητα και υψηλή διηλεκτρική αντοχή μπορεί να οδηγήσει στην ανάπτυξη ενός ευφυούς συστήματος. Σκοπός αυτής της εργασίας είναι η παρασκευή και ο χαρακτηρισμός σύνθετων πολυμερικών συστημάτων εποξειδικής ρητίνης – νανοσωματιδίων οξειδίου του ψευδάργυρου (ZnO) καθώς και σύνθετων υβριδικών συστημάτων εποξειδικής ρητίνης - νανοσωματιδίων οξειδίου του ψευδάργυρου (ZnO) και καρβιδίου του τιτανίου (TiC) ώστε να οδηγηθούμε σε ένα σύστημα υλικών με βέλτιστη συμπεριφορά. Τα δοκίμια που παρασκευάστηκαν χαρακτηρίστηκαν διηλεκτρικά, μορφολογικά και θερμικά. Τα νανοσύνθετα υποβλήθηκαν σε μορφολογικό και θερμικό χαρακτηρισμό. Η μορφολογία των δειγμάτων εξετάστηκε μέσω του Ηλεκτρονικού Μικροσκοπίου Σάρωσης (SEM). Από την εξέταση προέκυψε πως η διασπορά των νανο-σωματιδίων μπορεί να χαρακτηρισθεί ως, τουλάχιστον, ικανοποιητική και σε όλα τα συστήματα συνυπάρχουν νανοδιασπορές και συσσωματώματα. Η θερμική απόκριση των συστημάτων μελετήθηκε μέσω της τεχνικής της Διαφορικής Θερμιδομετρίας Σάρωσης (DSC). Από τα θερμογραφήματα προσδιορίστηκε η θερμοκρασία υαλώδους μετάπτωσης των συστημάτων. Η διηλεκτρική φασματοσκοπία (Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy) έχει αποδειχθεί ως ένα ισχυρό εργαλείο για την έρευνα της μοριακής κινητικότητας, των αλλαγών φάσης, των μηχανισμών αγωγιμότητας και των διεπιφανειακών φαινομένων στα πολυμερή και τα σύνθετα πολυμερικά συστήματα. Η διηλεκτρική απόκριση των νάνο-συνθέτων εξετάστηκε στο εύρος συχνοτήτων 10-1-107 Hz και στο διάστημα θερμοκρασιών από 30οC έως 160οC. Από τα πειραματικά αποτελέσματα προκύπτει πως παρατηρούνται διηλεκτρικές χαλαρώσεις που οφείλονται τόσο στην πολυμερική μήτρα, όσο και στην ενισχυτική φάση. Τρεις διακριτοί τρόποι χαλάρωσης καταγράφηκαν στα φάσματα των συστημάτων που μελετήθηκαν και αποδίδονται στη διεπιφανειακή πόλωση (Interfacial Polarization) μήτρας/εγκλεισμάτων, στην μετάβαση από την υαλώδη στην ελαστομερική φάση (α- χαλάρωση) της πολυμερικής μήτρας και στην κίνηση πλευρικών πολικών ομάδων (β- χαλάρωση) των κύριων αλυσίδων. Τέλος, υπολογίστηκε η πυκνότητα ενέργειας όλων των συστημάτων με παραμέτρους τη συχνότητα, τη θερμοκρασία και την περιεκτικότητα σε πληρωτικό μέσο. Τα ενισχυμένα συστήματα παρουσιάζουν, εν γένει, μεγαλύτερη ικανότητα αποθήκευσης ενέργειας. Η λειτουργική συμπεριφορά των νανοσύνθετων εξετάσθηκε με χρήση της Συνάρτησης Διηλεκτρικής Ενίσχυσης (DRF). / The impact of nano-materials and nano-structured materials is well known and recognized in our days. Nano-composites consists an exciting modern field of scientific research. Nano-composites are multiphase materials where at least one of the dimensions of the reinforcing phases is in nano-scale. The main difference of nano-composites in comparison with conventional composites is their ability to achieve superior performance at a very low concentration of their filler. The introduction of nanocomposite materials was followed by many scientific studies which aimed to achieve a dramatic improvement of their mechanical performance. The latter, in many cases has not been verified. Recently, there is an increasing interest in studying the dielectric behavior and conductivity of polymer matrix – inorganic nano-filler composites. Polymer matrix nano-composites are expected to be useful in replacing conventional insulating materials providing tailored performance, by simply controlling the type and the concentration of nano-inclusions. Nanocomposite systems, which include inorganic nano-particles represent a novel class of materials which are expected to exhibit functional properties because of the varying polarization of the ceramic particles. Dispersing ceramic inclusions within a polymer matrix, results in systems with enhanced mechanical and electrical behavior. Such material systems are used in electronic applications, for the reduction of leakage currents, and as integrated nano-capacitors. The ceramic filler could be piezoelectric crystal particles. Their varying polarization can be combined with a polymer host, like an epoxy resin – which is, in general, electrical insulator – with low dielectric permittivity and high dielectric breakdown strength. This combination could lead in the development of a smart materials’ system. The aims of this work are the preparation and characterization of epoxy resin nanocomposites with embedded zinc oxide (ZnO) and nanoparticles and in tandem hybrid system of epoxy resin– zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticles. Furthermore, morphology, thermal and electrical response of the produced specimens was examined. The morphology of the specimens was checked for voids and clusters, by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy. Ceramic particles distribution is considered as satisfactory, although clusters co-exist with nanodispersions in all the examined systems. Thermal response was examined via Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and the obtained thermographs were used for the determination of glass transition temperature. Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) has been proved to be a powerful tool for the investigation of molecular mobility, phase changes, conductivity mechanisms and interfacial effects in polymers and complex systems. The dielectric response of nano-composites was examined via BDS in the frequency range 10-1-107 Hz and temperature interval from 30 oC to 160 oC. Experimental results include relaxation phenomena arising from both the polymeric matrix and the filler. Three distinct relaxation modes were recorded in the spectra of all systems. They were attributed to interfacial polarization, glass to rubber transition (α-relaxation) and motion of polar side groups (β – relaxation). Finally, the energy density for all the studied systems was calculated with parameters the frequency, temperature and filler content. Composites systems exhibit, in general, higher energy storage efficiency. The systems’ functionality was examined by employing the Dielectric Reinforcing Function (DRF).

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

No description available.

In this research, we are concerned with obtaining characteristics of a scattering object from transient input-output data. The input is a transient pulse with broad bandwidth. The output is the field scattered by the object. Specifically, we consider two classical structures: First a single lossless dielectric slab backed by a perfect conductor; second, a double-layer lossless dielectric slab backed by a perfect conductor. We begin with two generic solution forms: First, the ray-optic form, which emphasizes local object features; second, the singularity expansion method (SEM) form, which emphasizes object resonances. Using these two forms, we generate a variety of solutions for each structure. For the single slab, we obtain five solution forms for the transient response as follows: The ray-optic, the SEM, two hybrids, and one closed. We find that the input signal plays an important role in the results. We believe the specific hybrid solutions for the slab are new. For the double slab, we find four solution forms as follows: Two ray-optic and two quasi-hybrid. The quasi-hybrid solutions involve a ray-optic expansion in one slab and SEM in the other. We believe the quasi-hybrid forms are new and lead to some interesting comparisons with work by other researchers. As a result of critical study of the various solution types, we reach some conclusions concerning determination of parameters that classify an object (the parametric inverse problem). We find that a given SEM pole set does not always correspond to a unique object. In addition, we show that it is often not possible to relate SEM poles to object size or constitution. Because of these facts, it is necessary to add knowledge of the specific form factor of the object to permit classification. We include some conclusions concerning object identification and point out some areas for future research.

Many determinations have been made of the dielectric constant of water, and of its variations caused by temperature and frequency. The dielectric constant of water has a relatively high value as compared with those of many other substances with which water is commonly associated. Consequently, measurements of the dielectric constant (or of the electrical capacitance) of materials such as soil, cereal and grain have been used as indications of their moisture contents. This study was undertaken to determine whether or not a capacitance method can be used to measure sediment concentrations in water. Laboratory measurements were made of varying concentrations of several individual artificial sediments, natural sediments, and pure salts in distilled water. A flow-through-type conductivity cell was used in which the capacitor plates are fixed in relation to each other. The equation for capacitance of the flow through cell can be written as C = kD where C capacitance in farads, k = a constant determined by the physical configuration of the cell, D = dielectric constant, and it is seen that C varies directly as D. Typical values of salt and sediment concentrations existing in natural streams in the United States were determined from the literature. Conclusions of the study are summarized as follows: 1. The capacitance method of measuring concentrations of sediment in natural streams is not practical for the following reasons. The presence of even small quantities of conducting and/or magnetic sediments in the measured samples invalidates the measurements. Concentrations of sediments in most streams in the United States are too low during most of the year to be sensed by the capacitance method. Concentrations of dissolved solids in many streams in the United States are high enough during at least part of the year to render capacitance measurements inaccurate. The surface chemistry of clay-size particles prevents their being reliably measured with the capacitance method. 2. The capacitance method of measurement may be applicable for particular or specialized uses, such as the determination in the laboratory of concentrations of mixtures of known nonconducting and nonmagnetic particulate matter. Such measurements are not noticeably affected by the salts used in this study until their concentrations exceed about 10 meq/l. It is recommended that further efforts to adapt the capacitance method to the measurement of stream sediments be discontinued.