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Electrical Insulation Materials with Low Permittivity

18 Submissions
$30,000 USD
Challenge closed

Challenge overview

The Seeker is looking for additives or new materials (polymers or additives) that lower the permittivity of current products used for electrical insulation in high-voltage power distribution. 

This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires a written proposal and experimental proof-of-concept data (and/or sample delivery). Purely theoretical solutions are also welcomed and these may qualify for awards up to $15,000 if they are judged to meet the Technical Requirements listed below.

Most materials currently available for electrical insulation of power transmission cables are cross-linked polymers that have a relative permittivity (also named dieletric constant) of about 2.3. Although very successful, if permittivity could be lowered, that would enable the path for beneficial developments:

  • Higher voltages could be applied,
  • Lower thickness of insulation layers could be used for the same applied voltages.               

With that in mind, the Seeker is looking for new solutions (additives or new materials) to lower the permittivity of current high-voltage power distribution cables. 

The submission to the Challenge should include the following: 

  1. The detailed description of the proposed Solution addressing specific Technical Requirements presented in the Detailed Description of the Challenge. This description should be accompanied by a well-articulated rationale supported by literature/patent precedents. 
  2. Experimental data obtained as outlined in the Detailed Description of the Challenge (and/or delivery of a material sample if requested by the Seeker).  The Seeker is also interested in purely theoretical solutions but these qualify only for a partial award of up to $15,000. 

The Challenge award is contingent upon theoretical evaluation and experimental validation of the submitted Solutions by the Seeker. 

To receive an award, the Solvers will have to transfer to the Seeker their exclusive Intellectual Property (IP) rights to the solution. However, the Seeker will be willing to consider a licensing agreement for a partial award if exclusive IP cannot be transferred by the Solver.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on January 31, 2017. 

Late submissions will not be considered.

 

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