An Integrated Approach towards the Development of new Generation RF/Microwave Dielectric Materials

Advanced dielectric ceramic materials for use as resonators and filters are essential materials for the wireless telecommunications industry. But there are significant problems with currently available materials (cost, performance, high sintering temperatures, lack of tunability, ..). As an approach to solving such problems, we propose to systematically investigate the relationship between chemical bonding, crystal structure and dielectric performance in a carefully targetted range of technologically important ceramic systems. A unique nano assembly technique will then be used to process promising candidate materials into appropriate thin film or ceramic composite form (enabling the optimization of desired dielectric behaviour).