Date Approved
6-23-2020
Embargo Period
6-24-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. Mechanical Engineering
Department
Mechanical Engineering
College
Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering
Sponsor
Naval Surface Warfare Center
Advisor
Xue, Wei
Committee Member 1
Krchnavek, Robert
Committee Member 2
Bakrania, Smitesh
Keywords
Cryogenic temperature, Dielectric breakdown, Electrical treeing, Nanocomposites
Subject(s)
Low temperature engineering; Superconductors; Electric cables
Disciplines
Electro-Mechanical Systems | Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
In this thesis, polyimide (PI) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) were combined in the form of a nanocomposite for use as a dielectric on helium-cooled high-temperature superconducting (HTS) cables. Further, a cryogenic chamber was designed with the intent of cooling samples to 40 K for dielectric and thermal contraction testing. Composites were created through an in situ process which resulted in nanoparticle formation within the host matrix. Samples were tested for dielectric strength at room temperature (300 K) as well as cryogenic temperature (92 K) using liquid nitrogen as the coolant. Composite samples tested at 300 K averaged a dielectric strength of about 175 kV/mm, while those tested cryogenically exhibited an average strength of around 275 kV/mm. Samples were imaged via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) both before and after dielectric testing. Imaging samples broken down at 92 K revealed evidence of electrical treeing, a breakdown mechanism discussed in this thesis. Finally, the helium chamber has been designed to accommodate multiple testing systems at cryogenic temperatures. Although this research is ongoing, the PI/SiO2 composite is already a promising candidate as a cryogenic HTS cable dielectric.
Recommended Citation
Hones, Harrison Michael, "Polyimide/silicon dioxide nanocomposites as dielectrics for helium-cooled high-temperature superconducting cables" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 2817.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/2817
