An accurate quantitative picture of electric field distribution is essential in many electrical and electronic applications. In composite dielectric configurations composed of multiple dielectrics, anomalous or unexpected behavior of electric fields may appear when a solid dielectric is in contact with a conductor or another solid dielectric. The electric field near the contact point may become higher than the original field not only in the surrounding medium but also in the solid dielectric. Theoretically it may become infinitely high, depending on the contact angle. Although these characteristics are very important in a variety of applications, they have been clarified only recently using analytical and numerical calculation methods, and this is the first book to cover these new findings. Electric Fields in Composite Dielectrics and Their Applications describes the fundamental characteristics and practical applications of electric fields in composite dielectrics. The focus is on the field distribution (and the resultant force when appropriate) near points of contact. Applications include insulation design of high-voltage equipment with solid insulating supports, utilization of electrostatic force on dielectric particles in electrophotography and electrorheological fluids, and others. Electric Fields in Composite Dielectrics and Their Applications also explains the calculation methods used to analyze electric fields in composite dielectrics.

Dielectrics in Electric Fields explores the influence of electric fields on dielectric—i.e., non-conducting or insulating—materials, examining the distinctive behaviors of these materials through well-established principles of physics and engineering. Featuring five new chapters, nearly 200 new figures, and more than 800 new citations, this fully updated and significantly expanded Second Edition: Analyzes inorganic substances with real-life applications in harsh working conditions such as outdoor, nuclear, and space environments Introduces methods for measuring dielectric properties at microwave frequencies, presenting results obtained for specific materials Discusses the application of dielectric theory in allied fields such as corrosion studies, civil engineering, and health sciences Combines in one chapter coverage of electrical breakdown in gases with breakdown in micrometric gaps Offers extensive coverage of electron energy distribution—essential knowledge required for the application of plasma sciences in medical science Delivers a detailed review of breakdown in liquids, along with an overview of electron mobility, providing a clear understanding of breakdown phenomena Explains breakdown in solid dielectrics such as single crystals, polycrystalline and amorphous states, thin films, and powders compressed to form pellets Addresses the latest advances in dielectric theory and research, including cutting-edge nanodielectric materials and their practical applications Blends early classical papers that laid the foundation for much of the dielectric theory with more recent work The author has drawn from more than 55 years of research studies and experience in the areas of high-voltage engineering, power systems, and dielectric materials and systems to supply both aspiring and practicing engineers with a comprehensive, authoritative source for up-to-date information on dielectrics in electric fields.

The book is focused on the use of functional oxide and nitride films to enlarge the application range of MEMS (microelectromechanical systems), including micro-sensors, micro-actuators, transducers, and electronic components for microwaves and optical communications systems. Applications, emerging applications, fabrication technology and functioning issues are presented and discussed. The book covers the following topics: Part A: Applications and devices with electroceramic-based MEMS: Chemical microsensors Microactuators based on thin films Micromachined ultrasonic transducers Thick-film piezoelectric and magnetostrictive devices Pyroelectric microsystems RF bulk acoustic wave resonators and filters High frequency tunable devices MEMS for optical functionality Part B: Materials, fabrication technology, and functionality: Ceramic thick films for MEMS Piezoelectric thin films for MEMS Materials and technology in thin films for tunable high frequency devices Permittivity, tunability and loss in ferroelectrics for reconfigurable high frequency electronics Microfabrication of piezoelectric MEMS Nano patterning methods for electroceramics Soft lithography emerging techniques The book is addressed to engineers, scientists and researchers of various disciplines, device engineers, materials engineers, chemists, physicists and microtechnologists who are working and/or interested in this fast growing and highly promising field. The publication of this book follows a Special Issue on electroceramic-based MEMS that was published in the Journal of Electroceramics at the beginning of 2004. The ten invited papers of that special issue were adapted by the authors into chapters of the present book and five additional chapters were added.

Discover a one-stop resource for in-depth knowledge on epoxy composites from leading voices in the field Used in a wide variety of materials engineering applications, epoxy composites are highly relevant to the work of engineers and scientists in many fields. Recent developments have allowed for significant advancements in their preparation, processing and characterization that are highly relevant to the aerospace and automobile industry, among others. In Epoxy Composites: Fabrication, Characterization and Applications, a distinguished team of authors and editors deliver a comprehensive and straightforward summary of the most recent developments in the area of epoxy composites. The book emphasizes their preparation, characterization and applications, providing a complete understanding of the correlation of rheology, cure reaction, morphology, and thermo-mechanical properties with filler dispersion. Readers will learn about a variety of topics on the cutting-edge of epoxy composite fabrication and characterization, including smart epoxy composites, theoretical modeling, recycling and environmental issues, safety issues, and future prospects for these highly practical materials. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to epoxy composites, their synthesis and manufacturing, and micro- and nano-scale structure formation in epoxy and clay nanocomposites An exploration of long fiber reinforced epoxy composites and eco-friendly epoxy-based composites Practical discussions of the processing of epoxy composites based on carbon nanomaterials and the thermal stability and flame retardancy of epoxy composites An analysis of the spectroscopy and X-ray scattering studies of epoxy composites Perfect for materials scientists, polymer chemists, and mechanical engineers, Epoxy Composites: Fabrication, Characterization and Applications will also earn a place in the libraries of engineering scientists working in industry and process engineers seeking a comprehensive and exhaustive resource on epoxy composites.

Electrical Conductivity in Polymer-Based Composites: Experiments, Modelling and Applications offers detailed information on all aspects of conductive composites. These composites offer many benefits in comparison to traditional conductive materials, and have a broad range of applications, including electronic packaging, capacitors, thermistors, fuel cell devices, dielectrics, piezoelectric functions and ferroelectric memories. Sections cover the theory of electrical conductivity and the different categories of conductive composites, describing percolation threshold, tunneling effect and other phenomena in the field. Subsequent chapters present thorough coverage of the key phases in the development and use of conductive composites, including manufacturing methods, external parameters, applications, modelling and testing methods. This is an essential source of information for materials scientists and engineers working in the fields of polymer technology, processing and engineering, enabling them to improve manufacture and testing methods, and to benefit fully from applications. The book also provides industrial and academic researchers with a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of conductive composites and related issues. - Explains the methods used in the manufacture and testing of conductive composites, and in the modeling of electrical conductivity - Contains specialized information on the full range of applications for conductive composites, including conductive adhesives or pastes - Brings scientists, engineers and researchers up-to-date with the latest advances in the field

Electrostatics and dielectric materials have important applications in modern society. As such, they require improved characteristics. More and more equipment needs to operate at high frequency, high voltage, high temperature, and other harsh conditions. This book presents an overview of modern applications of electrostatics and dielectrics as well as research progress in the field.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of engineering nanostructures mediated by functional polymers in combination with optimal synthesis and processing techniques. The focus is on polymer-engineered nanostructures for advanced energy applications. It discusses a variety of polymers that function as precursors, templates, nano-reactors, surfactants, stabilizers, modifiers, dopants, and spacers for directing self-assembly, assisting organization, and templating growth of numerous diverse nanostructures. It also presents a wide range of polymer processing techniques that enable the efficient design and optimal fabrication of nanostructured polymers, inorganics, and organic–inorganic nanocomposites using in-situ hybridization and/or ex-situ recombination methodologies. Combining state-of-the-art knowledge from polymer-guided fabrication of advanced nanostructures and their unique properties, it especially highlights the new, cutting-edge breakthroughs, future horizons, and insights into such nanostructured materials in applications such as photovoltaics, fuel cells, thermoelectrics, piezoelectrics, ferroelectrics, batteries, supercapacitors, photocatalysis, and hydrogen generation and storage. It offers an instructive and approachable guide to polymer-engineered nanostructures for further development of advanced energy materials to meet ever-increasing global energy demands. Interdisciplinary and broad perspectives from internationally respected contributors ensure this book serves as a valuable reference source for scientists, students, and engineers working in polymer science, renewable energy materials, materials engineering, chemistry, physics, surface/interface science, and nanotechnology. It is also suitable as a textbook for universities, institutes, and industrial institutions.

Dielectric Properties of Agricultural Materials and Their Applications provides an understanding of the fundamental principles governing dielectric properties of materials, describes methods for measuring such properties, and discusses many applications explored for solving industry problems. The information in this reference stimulates new research for solving problems associated with production, handling, and processing of agricultural and food products. Anyone seeking a better understanding of dielectric properties of materials and application of radio-frequency and microwave electromagnetic energy for solution of problems in agriculture and related fields will find this an essential resource. - Presents applications of dielectric properties for sensing moisture in grain and seed and the use of such properties in radio-frequency and microwave dielectric heating of agricultural materials - Offers information for finding correlations between dielectric properties and quality attributes such as sweetness in melons, or other desired characteristics of agricultural products - Identifies conditions for selective dielectric heating of materials such as insects in grain or biological organisms in soils - Provides a solid understanding of dielectric properties and the variables that influence these properties

This Handbook explains basic concepts underlying electromagnetic properties of materials, addresses ways of deploying them in modern applications, and supplies pertinent data compiled for the first time in a single volume. Examples, including tables, charts, and graphs, are furnished from a practical applications view point of electromagnetic materials in various fields. These applications have grown enormously in recent years, pertinent to electromagnetic shields, radar absorbing materials, bioelectromagnetic phantoms, smart materials, electromagnetically active surfaces, exotic magnets, application-specific electrodes, and ferrites, etc.

The book is in five parts: Part I introduces the physical and chemical structure of polymers and their breakdown; Part II reviews electrical degradation in polymers, and Part III reviews conduction and deterministic breakdown in solids. Part IV discusses the stochastic nature of break-down from empirical and modelling viewpoints, and Part V indicates practical implications and strategies for engineers. Much of the discussion applies to non-crystalline materials generally.