Gaseous-dielectrics research and applications

The principal mission of this program continues to be the study of basic physics and mechanisms of gaseous dielectrics and the systematic use of this knowledge to develop improved gaseous dielectrics tailored to all practical needs. The program comprehensively addresses all the basic and applied aspects of gaseous dielectrics research and applications. Current areas of thrust include: improving overall characteristics of binary and ternary dielectric mixtures through increased knowledge of fundamental physics and testing in practical contamination; study of practical problems of applying improved dielectrics, such as economics, availability, dew points, heat transfer, particle control, and gas handling; and study of decomposition of stressed gas dielectrics and the implications for toxicity, corona detection, and long-term reliability. In addition to power apparatus applications, the area of gaseous dielectrics tailored for pulsed power applications has begun to receive attention in the program.