Magneto-Dielectric Material With Low Dielectric Losses

Abstract

Materials that exhibit magneto-dielectric effects with high local order in the form of distinct basic units with a defined geometry that provides orientation and spacing that prevents contact between conductive components of a basic unit are disclosed. Use of multiple basic units arranged, for example by embedment, in essentially random orientation relative to one another provides a composite material with magneto-dielectric effects that isotropic and homogeneous. Such basic units are readily manufacturable using conventional techniques.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magnetic-dielectric material comprising;
 a plurality of basic units, wherein each basic unit comprises a sheet, and wherein each sheet comprises an electrically active material; and,   a material matrix, wherein the units are distributed within the material matrix in random or essentially random orientations relative to one another.   
     
     
         2 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically active material is a conductive material. 
     
     
         3 . The material of  claim 2 , wherein the electrically active material is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, aluminum, silver, and a ferrous material. 
     
     
         4 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically active material is a magnetic material. 
     
     
         5 . The material of  claim 4 , wherein the electrically active material comprises a ferrous material. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetic-dielectric material of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet comprises a plurality of patches, wherein the patches have conductive or magnetic properties that differ from that of the surrounding sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetic-dielectric material of  claim 6 , wherein at least one patch has a semi-circular configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetic-dielectric material of  claim 1 , wherein the unit comprises a plurality of sheets. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetic-dielectric material of  claim 8 , wherein at least two of the plurality of sheets have patches that differ by at least one of the group consisting of shape, size, conductivity, and magnetic properties. 
     
     
         10 . The magnetic-dielectric material of  claim 1 , wherein the basic unit further comprises a unit matrix. 
     
     
         11 . The magnetic-dielectric material of  claim 10 , wherein the unit matrix comprises a unit foam, and wherein the foam comprises a nonconductive polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The magnetic-dielectric material of  claim 11 , wherein the material matrix comprises a material foam, and wherein the unit foam and the material foam comprise the same nonconductive polymer. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetic-dielectric material of  claim 1 , wherein the basic unit has a linear dimension of 0.1 mm to 20 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The magnetic-dielectric material of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of basic units comprises 1 sheet to 20 sheets. 
     
     
         15 . The magnetic-dielectric material of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the sheet is 3 μm to 1 mm. 
     
     
         16 . A method for manufacturing a magnetic-dielectric material, comprising:
 providing an first layer having a planar surface and comprising an insulating matrix;   applying a second layer comprising a first electrically active material on the planar surface of the first layer;   applying a third layer comprising the insulating matrix to the second layer to generate a laminar intermediate;   dividing the laminar intermediate into a plurality of basic units; and   imbedding the plurality of basic units in a material matrix, such that the basic units are oriented in an essentially random fashion relative to one another.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second layer is applied as a continuous sheet. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second layer is applied by sputtering. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second layer is applied as particulates. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the laminar intermediate is divided by cutting. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first electrically active material is conductive. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first electrically active material is magnetic. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first electrically active material comprises a patch, wherein the patch comprises a second electrically active material with conductive or magnetic properties that are distinct from the first electrically active material. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising the additional steps of:
 applying a fourth layer comprising a third electrically active material to the third layer; and   applying a fifth layer comprising the insulating matrix.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the third electrically active material has conductive or magnetic properties that are distinct from the first electrically active material.