The research of High voltage materials is currently concentrated on investigations on novel electrically insulating polymer nanocomposites. The main target is to enhance the electric breakdown strength and other properties of thin polymer films used e.g. in power capacitors. The aim is to produce novel polymer nanocomposites and films in pilot scale, which enables the manufacturing of prototype power capacitors to be investigated and further developed to commercial products.
The best novel nanocomposites investigated in our earlier Tekes project (NANOCOM) will be further developed for prototype capacitors. In these capacitors the electrical, mechanical and thermal properties are highly tailored in order to achieve more cost-effective, energy-effective and environmentally better components for electric transmission and distribution networks (especially in DC technology), in energy storage systems (for wind and solar power plants) and for power devices (e.g. in hybrid and electric vehicles). This aim will be approached by using new nanoadditives being developed in Finnish material manufacturing companies and also using some available nanoadditives from international companies.
The second objective is to characterize the composition, the electrical and other properties of the novel nanocomposites and also the long-term performance of the new capacitors. The third target is to explain and interpret measured material properties using molecular modeling and electronic structure calculation methods in connection with appropriately chosen physical models. Additionally, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of traditional capacitors and novel nanocomposite capacitors will be conducted. This research is very interdisciplinary including participants from many fields of science and technology in Finland and abroad. International co-operation will be conducted with research institutes in Sweden, United Kingdom, Japan and Egypt and with companies in Belgium and Germany.