This review summarizes the current state of polymer composites used as dielectric materials for energy storage. The particular focus is on materials: polymers serving as the matrix, inorganic fillers used to increase the effective dielectric constant, and various recent investigations of functionalization of metal oxide fillers to improve compatibility with polymers. We review the recent literature focused on the dielectric characterization of composites, specifically the measurement of dielectric permittivity and breakdown field strength. Special attention is given to the analysis of the energy density of polymer composite materials and how the functionalization of the inorganic filler affects the energy density of polymer composite dielectric materials.

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New layered 1:1 mixed Ba 2+ /Ti 4+ metal phosphonates, BaTi(O 3 PC 6 H 5 ) 3 and SrTi(O 3 PC 6 H 5 ) 3 , have been prepared via a hydrothermal route, in which mixed metal oxides, BaTiO 3 and SrTiO 3 , were reacted with phenyl phosphonic acid. The mixed-metal phosphonates were combined with polystyrene (PS) via a solution route and cast as thin films for dielectric permittivity measurements. The composites exhibit an enhancement in the dielectric permittivity as a function of weight loading relative to the parent mixed metal oxide-PS composites.

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Purpose The standard discharge pathway following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) involves overnight hospital admission. Models for same-day discharge (SDD) have been explored for multiport RALP, however, less is known regarding SDD for single-port RALP, especially in terms of patient experience. Methods Patient enrollment, based on preoperative determination of potential SDD eligibility, commenced March 2020 and ended March 2021. Day-of-surgery criteria were utilized to determine which enrolled patients underwent SDD. Differences in preoperative characteristics and perioperative outcomes between patients undergoing SDD and patients undergoing standard discharge were evaluated. A prospectively administered questionnaire was designed to characterize patient-centered factors informing SDD perception. Results Fifteen patients underwent SDD and 36 underwent standard discharge. Overall mean ± SD age and BMI were 63.6 ± 7.0 years and 29.7 ± 4.4 kg/m 2 , respectively. Mean operative time was shorter in the SDD cohort than the standard discharge cohort (188 min vs 217 min, p = 0.011). A higher proportion of cases that underwent SDD were performed using the Retzius-sparing approach, 80% (12/15) vs 33% (12/36) in the standard discharge cohort ( p = 0.005). Rates of 90 day complication ( p = 0.343), 90 day readmission ( p = 0.144), and 90 day emergency department visits ( p = 0.343) rates were all not significantly different between cohorts. Of questionnaire respondents undergoing standard discharge, 32% (8/25) cited pain as a reason for not undergoing SDD. Conclusions With comparable outcomes to the standard discharge pathway, SDD is safe and effective in single-port RALP. Post-operative pain and perceptions of distance are implicated as patient-centered barriers to SDD; proactive pain management and patient education strategies may facilitate SDD.