Dielectric materials, favorable properties

Chapter 6 is focused on dielectric elastomer materials. In particular, a synthetic elastomer is proposed to enhance the actuation performance and energy density. Methods for preparing the materials are discussed, and various material properties as relevant to the actuation performance are characterized and compared with commercially available dielectric materials. In addition, by incorporating suitable additives, the synthetic elastomer has shown favorable behavior for actuation purposes. 

Optical properties of dielectrics can be modified by incorporating nanosize clusters of foreign materials. Recently Si nanoclusters were shown to excite rare-earth element Er in the silica glass host [1,2]. The favorable effect of Si nanoclusters on the photoluminescence of Er in oxidized porous silicon (OPS) was also demonstrated [3], In silica hosts doped with Si nanoclusters it was shown that the excitation energy can be transferred from nanoclusters to Er ions located in a silicalike environment near the clusters. Nowadays, there is a principal interest to incorporate Er ions inside clusters due to influence on the excitation process. 

The composite material also demonstrates an additional improvement with regard to its properties. Its dielectric constant has been decreased to 5. This dielectric constant is favorably lower than the 9.4 demonstrated by AI2O3. 

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