Principal investigator: Paul Leu
Co-PI: Mostafa Bedewy
University: University of Pittsburgh
Industry partner: Convestro, LLC
This project quantitatively evaluates the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness and electrostatic discharge performance of electrically conductive polycarbonate materials, with emphasis on Covestro’s Makrolon thermally conductive portfolio. Conductive polycarbonates occupy an underexplored intermediate regime between metallic shields and insulating polymers, offering the potential for combined EMI attenuation, charge dissipation, thermal management, and structural functionality in a single, injection-moldable component. The work addresses a critical knowledge gap in application-relevant EMI and ESD performance for polymer-based enclosures, where metals impose penalties in weight, corrosion, and manufacturability. A systematic, measurement-driven framework will quantify shielding effectiveness as a function of material formulation, thickness, and frequency, while correlating EMI attenuation with electrical resistivity and charge dissipation behavior. Results will be organized within a FAIR, ontology-driven data framework to enable traceable analysis and future machine-learning optimization. The outcomes will provide quantitative design guidance for lightweight, corrosion-resistant alternatives to metallic EMI shielding in electronic systems.