The dielectric constant (ϵ) is a critical parameter utilized in the design of polymeric dielectrics for energy storage capacitors, microelectronic devices, and high-voltage insulations. However, agile discovery of polymer dielectrics with desirable ϵ remains a challenge, especially for high-energy, high-temperature applications. To aid accelerated polymer dielectrics discovery, we have developed a machine-learning (ML)-based model to instantly and accurately predict the frequency-dependent ϵ of polymers with the frequency range spanning 15 orders of magnitude. Our model is trained using a dataset of 1210 experimentally measured ϵ values at different frequencies, an advanced polymer fingerprinting scheme and the Gaussian process regression algorithm. The developed ML model is utilized to predict the ϵ of synthesizable 11,000 candidate polymers across the frequency range 60–10¹⁵ Hz, with the correct inverse ϵ vs. frequency trend recovered throughout. Furthermore, using ϵ and another previously studied key design property (glass transition temperature, T_g) as screening criteria, we propose five representative polymers with desired ϵ and T_g for capacitors and microelectronic applications. This work demonstrates the use of surrogate ML models to successfully and rapidly discover polymers satisfying single or multiple property requirements for specific applications.

Advanced polymers with high energy density and high efficiency are urgently needed in pulse power capacitor applications. Here, we present a practical design approach towards all-organic polymers with high energy density and high efficiency by enhancing dipolar polarization at the molecular level. Flexible segments were introduced into the backbones of rigid polar aromatic polymers to increase the flexibility of dipoles. Dielectric spectroscopy measurements of designed polymers revealed multiple strong sub-glass transition (sub-T_g) relaxation peaks with low activation energies, which indicated the enhanced movement freedom of dipoles below the glass transition temperature. As a result, dielectric constants were increased up to 46% when compared with their base polymers and D–E loop measurements showed that all these designed polymers had high energy densities above 11 J cm⁻³ with efficiencies above 90%. These results unveiled a novel approach towards high dielectric constant organic polymers for electrical energy storage.

An all-organic fabric patch antenna is realized with the help of nanotemplates-assisted PEDOT:PSS conductive phase segregation, paving a new way for clothing integrated wearable electronic networks.

Partial discharge (PD) measurements under repetitive impulse voltages are critical for the qualification of inverter-fed motor insulation systems. Severe electromagnetic interference due to high frequency switching from power electronic devices can cause the traditional PD detection techniques of sinusoidal voltage unfeasible. This article presents the design of an Archimedes spiral antenna that can work effectively for PD detection under fast rise time repetitive impulse voltages. The antenna structure is optimized by a media superstrate with a high dielectric constant over the radiant surface. Through the optimized design, both the gains of the antenna in the 0.5–1.5 GHz frequency range and the signal-to-noise ratio for PD detection are increased substantially. Modeling and experimental results prove that the gain of the antenna can reach 2.5 dB in the frequency range of 500–900 MHz and become higher than 7.0 dB in the frequency range of 900–2.0 GHz, with a voltage standing–wave ratio smaller than 1.4. This seems to be a significant achievement for PD detection under fast rise time impulse voltages.

The surface charge accumulation is very likely to trigger the surface flashover, which limits the large-scale application of DC GIL/GIS. This article comprehensively reviews the effect of six factors, including insulator-electrode shape, surface roughness of the insulator and conductor, metal particles, temperature, humidity, and gas type, on the insulator surface charging property. Furthermore, three models i.e. ‘analogous ineffective region’ expansion model, charge cluster triggered surface flashover model, and synergistic model of adsorbed gas, revealing the mechanism of charge triggered surface flashover phenomenon are reviewed and discussed. Future work from the perspective of theoretical analysis and engineering application are suggested in this field.