Research Projects

Insulators are crucial in power transmission lines, and their failure can put the entire network at risk. High voltage direct-current (HVDC) is the preferred technology due to its ability to handle more power with reduced losses. However, surface charge deposition in HVDC lines causes electrical stress concentration, premature insulation failure, and local heating, leading to physiochemical degradation of insulating materials. Pollutant deposition under DC fields exacerbates this issue. silicone rubber, widely used in AC power transmission due to its high hydrophobicity, has poor resistance against surface charge deposition and pollution-induced surface degradation. To address this, understanding the mechanism of surface potential/charge dynamics on the polymeric surface is essential for proper insulation design under DC fields. To enhance silicone rubber composites for HVDC transmission projects, researchers are investigating the influence of filler parameters, electrical, and environmental stresses on surface charge decay dynamics through surface potential measurements. Techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis, infrared thermography, scanning electron microscopy, hydrophobicity, tracking and erosion resistance evaluation, and breakdown voltage measurements will be used to optimize hybrid composite formulations. This methodology will establish a correlation between surface charge trap characteristics and physicochemical properties, providing a novel technique for designing and dimensioning silicone rubber micro-nano composites for use in HVDC networks.