PRogram for ISolation Manufacturing in Europe (PRISME)

ended

In the world of high voltages, isolation is needed to protect people and hardware. To enable the revolution in sustainable transport high voltage isolation for electric vehicles is critical. One form of isolation relies on polymer materials to separate the high and low voltage sides. The objective of PRISME is to enable safer devices operating at high voltage (HV) by providing isolation up to 2000V. A fundamental understanding of polymers and their electrical breakdown mechanisms is vital for the development of the next generation polymer materials for improved HV reliability performance. The innovative technologies to be developed by this project include improved insulating polymer stacks, new materials based on nanocomposites and a new test methodology. The long-term safe operation of the isolators is essential to meet international safety standards. However, testing the reliability of isolators requires novel methods for accelerated testing to predict reliability of isolation performance. The accelerated aging test will fast-track the learning cycles for the evaluation of isolation materials. A deeper physical understanding of the failure mechanisms will enable the development of next generation isolation materials to achieve the high working voltages. PRISME will allow the fellow to enhance cutting-edge research acumen and strengthening of international visibility ensuring that the fellowship will promptly result in a high level continuing two-way transfer of knowledge.