Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R71788/01
Title:	Nanocomposite Materials for Dielectric Structures
Principal Investigator:	Fothergill, Professor J C
Other Investigators:	Dissado, Professor LA
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Engineering
Organisation:	University of Leicester
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 January 2002	Ends:	31 July 2002	Value (£):	48,955
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Characterisation Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Chemicals Electronics
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The engineering of new materials based on nanotechnology has primarily been focussed on improving mechanical properties. At Rensselaer (USA), a Centre for Nanomaterials has recently been formed and Prof. Nelson has recently started working with them to examine the use of nanoparticles to enhance the electrical properties of dielectrics. This proposal is for a visiting fellowship for Prof. Nelson to visit the High Voltage Dielectrics Laboratory at the University of Leicester for 7 months in order to take this work further. He will make use of the specialised equipment and expertise that exists in Leicester and lay the foundations for future collaborative work in this area. Nanoparticles made at Rensselaer in the US would be used in the proposed programme at Leicester. The investigators plan to use the period to obtain a fundamental understanding of the way in which nanoparticles interact in a polymer matrix. Initially, particles of various types and sizes would be used simply as fillers (without creating nanoarchitecture) to determine the way in which they affect the transport of charges in dielectrics. This meshes very well with existing work already ongoing at Leicester into filled materials and utilizes several of the experimental facilities available within the HV Dielectrics Laboratory there. It is believed that an understanding of the mechanisms controlling the properties of these uniquely structured materials is the key to taking advantage of nanocomposites as advanced dielectrics
Key Findings
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Organisation Website:	http://www.le.ac.uk