Measuring Nanoparticle Permittivity in Colloidal Suspension

Sandia National Laboratories Engineering/Physics, 2012-13

Liaison(s): Dr. Todd Monson
Advisor(s): Adrian Hightower, Richard Haskell
Students(s): John Eom (TL-F), Michael Loy (TL-S), Eric Anderson, Christopher Gage, Daniel Contreras (F), Frances Su (S), Mitul Verma (S)

The Sandia National Laboratories Clinic Team at Harvey Mudd College has characterized the permittivity of barium titanate particles in colloidal suspension as a function of primary particle size, synthesis method, and surfactant choice using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. To accomplish this goal, the team has built a sample holder to contain the suspension, developed a procedure to extract nanoparticle permittivity from the suspension permittivity, and integrated both of these deliverables into a testing procedure.