03/10/2023
By Kwok Fan Chow

The Kennedy College of Science, Department of Chemistry, invites you to attend a dissertation defense by Yuri Piro entitled “Polymer-Based Dielectric Materials for Additive Manufacturing and Printed Electronics of Radiofrequency and Microwave Devices.” The defense will be held in ETIC 445, North Campus on Wednesday, March 22 at 9 a.m.

Committee Chair:
Prof. Alkim Akyurtlu, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee co-Chair:
Prof. Marina Ruths, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Prof. James Reuther, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Yuyu Sun, Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Oshadha Ranasingha, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Daniel Schmidt, Department of Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:
This dissertation defense presents the material development processes used to formulate printable dielectrics, targeting pain points currently experienced in the printed electronics community. Two categories of dielectrics will be discussed in detail. The first category of dielectrics focuses on issues which arises when integrating printed electronic devices into conventional printed circuit boards. A series of syringe dispensable nanocomposites are formulated to target this issue, with a set of strategies to improve printed interconnect yield. The materials developed for this project are then demonstrated in rapid prototyping and interconnect fabrication. The second category of dielectric materials discussed in this dissertation are inspired by the lack of low loss dielectrics currently available for RF device prototyping, using direct write printing. A potential low loss monomer structure is identified and with it a novel formulation is developed leveraging modern polymerization techniques. To widen the process window and slow the viscosity drift while printing, two approached are investigated. Both strategies are well characterized, and the complex permittivity and thermomechanical performance of each material is studied using a variety of techniques. Lastly, the complex permittivity of the developed low loss dielectric material is verified using actual and simulated S-parameter comparisons, as well as a split post dielectric resonator measurement and the printed cylindrical capacitor characterization technique. The dissertation defense concludes with the fabrication of two printed RF devices which use the newly developed dielectric material: grounded coplanar waveguides and a fully printed quadrature coupler.


All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.