CAREER: Fundamental Structure-Dielectric Property Relationships of Pyrochlore Ceramics

University Of Florida, Gainesville FL

Investigators

Abstract

This CAREER project investigates fundamental structure-dielectric property relationships of ceramics with the pyrochlore structure. In particular, the research focuses on the series of Ln2(M,Nb)2O7 pyrochlore compounds (where Ln = La3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Gd3+, Dy3+, Er3+, Yb3+ and M = Zn2+, Mg2+, Fe3+, Al3+). Acquisition and analysis of experimental data is used to help attain a fundamental understanding of the nature of the dielectric properties of pyrochlore ceramics and their correlation with composition and crystal structure. Specifically this project investigates: (i) the phase stability of the compounds, (ii) the relationship between cation radii and cation ordering, (iii) the relationship between cation polarizability and dielectric permittivity, and (iv) the relationship between cation ordering and high frequency dielectric properties. This investigation will result in the development of a paradigm for compositional design of pyrochlores with optimized dielectric properties tailored for electronic applications such as capacitors, resonators and filters. In addition, this project focuses on increasing the participation of Hispanics in the field of science and engineering of ceramic materials and on providing early exposure to ceramics research experiences for middle and high school teachers and students, as well as undergraduate engineering students. To foster Pan-American collaboration in ceramics research and education, a series of short workshops on electronic ceramics will be organized at targeted universities in South America. %%% Dielectric ceramics are present in virtually every electronic application in the form of passive components such as capacitors, filters and resonators. This CAREER project focuses on the development of new and improved dielectrics materials that are required to enable the size reduction and increased functionality that is expected of the next generation of handheld electronics and wireless communications devices. At a local and national level, the project also focuses on increasing the participation of Hispanics in the field of science and engineering of ceramic materials and on providing early exposure to ceramics research experiences for middle and high school teachers and students, as well as undergraduate engineering students. Internationally, a series of short workshops on electronic ceramics will be organized at targeted universities in South America to foster Pan-American collaboration in the field. ***