Pathways to Self-healing Nanodielectrics

This contribution examines a number of possibilities for achieving a measure of self-healing in dielectric structures locally damaged by being subjected to electrical stresses. The principle explored is the use of agencies which can be activated by the presence of photon irradiation arising from internal discharges due to field concentrations or gaseous inclusions. It is suggested that nanoparticles can provide a vehicle for introducing active moieties into a polymer nanodielectric through surface ligands already demonstrated to bring about electric strength enhancements. Preliminary results for one of these possibilities are provided in which photon-activated cross-linking is stimulated in an epoxy-SiO 2 nanocomposite subjected to partial discharge.