New developments in the electrification of methods of propulsion modulated with e.g. wide band gap  devices able to generate higher voltage at higher frequency will considerably increase their power output and power density. However, these improvements mean that the dielectric materials inside electrical machines, power electronics (i.e. capacitors) and cables will be subjected to extreme operational conditions (high temperature, electric field and thermal stress) under which they will be much more likely to catastrophically fail. The vast majority of the insulation in electrical machines and cables is based on polymers, which have low permittivity, high electric breakdown, are flexible and tough but have poor thermal conductivity and limited temperature stability; additionally, their dielectric losses (power dissipation) and mechanical strength are strongly temperature and frequency dependent. Therefore, the development of dielectric polymer that can operate under extreme conditions of temperature and electric field and have large energy density represents a critical research area with evident technological payoff.  

This research is based on the characterization of new materials under extreme conditions of electric field, temperature and mechanical stress to determine their failure mechanisms and develop new strategies to improve their performances.