Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Kylen Johns

Publication Date

2-14-2014

Abstract

Currently there is a push for low cost, high energy materials with high operating temperatures that can simultaneously reduce cost, weight, and volume in the automotive industry. Economically feasible high performance capacitors are critical to the Department of Energys goal to advance technologies that will ensure energy security and reduce the use of petroleum while reducing cost and environmental impacts. [1] Recent studies have been done to improve the inverter systems in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). HEVs require inverters to convert direct current to alternating current which prevents damage to the battery and powers the electric motor. Current thin film DC bus capacitors are the least reliable component of HEV inverters and require 30% of the total inverter volume. They also represent up to 23% of the inverter cost and weight and have a maximum operation temperature of no greater than 105 °C. [2, 3] In order to reduce cost and volume of these inverters there is a significant need for the development of high temperature dielectric materials for use in HEVs. The overall goal of this project was to develop inexpensive, high energy density, high temperature polymer-based dielectrics and capacitors to replace current DC bus capacitors.'

Keywords

dielectric, high temperature, polymer, norbornene, capacitor

Sponsors

Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Degree Name

Chemical Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Chemical and Biological Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Fujimoto, Cy

Second Committee Member

Petsev, Dimiter

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