Self-healing in polymer nanodielectrics

Self-healing, using applied ac or dc stresses, is a technique effectively used in metalized polymer film capacitors to eliminate defects in the polymer film and achieve increased breakdown stresses and higher commercial operating stresses and energy densities. Novel approaches for achieving self-healing in nano dielectrics, by modification of the chemical structure of spherical nanoparticles, is described and supported by preliminary experimental results. Avenues for further enhancement of self-healing using sacrificial nano capsules is presented.