Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


ucin1176235813.pdf (1.32 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

HYDROPHOBIC DIELECTRICS OF FLUOROPOLYMER/ BARIUM TITANATE NANOCOMPOSITES FOR LOW VOLTAGE AND CHARGE STORING ELECTROWETTING DEVICES

KILARU, MURALI K
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1176235813

Abstract Details

2007, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering : Electrical Engineering.
Electrowetting is making a great impact in fields of optics, lab-on chip devices and electronic paper (e-paper). For electrowetting to realize its fullest potential in low operating voltage applications, solutions to some of the common material challenges need to be addressed. These challenges include electrolysis, dielectric breakdown, and surface damage at high electric fields. This thesis paves the way for a new approach to achieve low-voltage electrowetting and improved power efficiency for electrowetting devices. This approach does not have the drawbacks such as dielectric breakdown or electrolysis. The theoretical factors leading to low-voltage electrowetting are known. One approach is to increase the permittivity (k) of the dielectric on which electrowetting occurs. However, conventional hydrophobic dielectrics such as fluoropolymers do not usually have a high dielectric constant. This thesis provides a novel approach to increase the dielectric constant of the fluoropolymer by making a nanocomposite dielectric of fluoropolymer and high-k inorganic powder. This composite retains the hydrophobicity of the fluoropolymer and the dielectric constant of high-k powder. The compatibility of the nanocomposite dielectric to electrowetting is tested by various characterizations. Results indicate that this approach does increase dielectric constant of fluoropolymer and thereby achieves low- voltage electrowetting. Apart from these expected results, strong charge storage is observed for the composite dielectric, which could lead to new applications for electrowetting. The ability of the nanocomposite dielectric to be tailor made using various composite materials could open up electrowetting to a variety of new research paths.
Dr. Jason Heikenfeld (Advisor)
56 p.
electrowetting; nano; composite; bistable; charge; low votlage

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • KILARU, M. K. (2007). HYDROPHOBIC DIELECTRICS OF FLUOROPOLYMER/ BARIUM TITANATE NANOCOMPOSITES FOR LOW VOLTAGE AND CHARGE STORING ELECTROWETTING DEVICES [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1176235813

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • KILARU, MURALI. HYDROPHOBIC DIELECTRICS OF FLUOROPOLYMER/ BARIUM TITANATE NANOCOMPOSITES FOR LOW VOLTAGE AND CHARGE STORING ELECTROWETTING DEVICES. 2007. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1176235813.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • KILARU, MURALI. "HYDROPHOBIC DIELECTRICS OF FLUOROPOLYMER/ BARIUM TITANATE NANOCOMPOSITES FOR LOW VOLTAGE AND CHARGE STORING ELECTROWETTING DEVICES." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1176235813

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1176235813
1,319
© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.