Daniel C. Ludois

Dielectric suspensions of nanoparticles for electrostatic force production applications have been developed. To avoid viscosity increases due to the electrorheological effect, aliphatically coated BaTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized and mixed with n-decane to form concentrated dielectric suspensions. The synthesis and characterization of the nanoparticles and the suspensions are described. The increased electrostatic force on electrodes due to the increased relative permittivity of the dielectric suspensions is verified with force test stand measurements, consistent with a standard electrostatic model.