Developments in functional materials for extended performance dielectrics

Achieving high performance electrical power assets for higher voltage and higher ampacity applications in both alternating and direct current networks requires dielectric materials with increasingly enhanced performance. This paper will examine a number of developments in functional materials that enable new materials to be formulated that can meet some of the key challenges while enabling an appropriate balance of properties to be achieved. Currently, these developments are informed by some a priori molecular modelling, multi-scale modelling and simulation but also through the use of simple concepts based on experimental observation. We will illustrate this using examples drawn from recent work on thermoplastic polymer blends, nanocomposite dielectrics and self-healing materials having self-repair function.