High Electric Field Strength Research Articles

S‐band elliptical–cylindrical cavity resonator for material processing

AbstractThe development of an elliptical–cylindrical cavity for microwave thermal processing of materials at high electric field strengths is reported. The design methodology based on numerical modeling is validated by experimental measurements. The system can create high‐power densities in the heated phases, excellent treatment uniformity, and stable operation without degenerated modes or polarization rotation as suffered by other commonly used circular resonator cavities.

An A0 mode Lamb-wave AlN resonator on SOI substrate with vertically arranged double-electrodes

In this paper, a novel vertically arranged double-electrodes A0 mode Lamb-wave AlN resonator on SOI substrate with a high electromechanical coupling coefficient and high figure of merit (FOM) is reported. The AlN resonator has a sandwich structure with aluminum and N-type doped silicon as electrode layers and a 500 nm thick AlN film as piezoelectric layer. The resonator has only two electrodes vertically arranged rather than horizontal interdigitated (IDT) electrodes which is common in conventional Lamb-wave resonators. The electrode gaps for the vertically arranged double-electrodes resonators are defined by AlN layer thickness rather than by photolithography for lateral field excitation resonators, which results in higher electric field strength and higher electromechanical coupling efficient (). Compared with conventional thickness field excitation (TFE) resonators with floating bottom electrodes, the vertically arranged double-electrodes resonators have higher electric field strength as the potential difference is larger between the top electrode and bottom electrode than that between the IDT electrodes and floating electrode. As a result, a higher electromechanical coupling coefficient is achieved. Furthermore, the resonant frequency of the vertically arranged double-electrodes resonator presented in this work can be defined by photolithography by controlling the width of the silicon layer. The of the vertically arranged double-electrodes resonator calculated from the measurement results of admittance versus frequency by numerically fitting with the Butterworth Van Dyke model shows an increase by 3.85 times, from 0.073% to 0.281% compared with conventional TFE resonators, and the FOM also increases by three times, from 2.66 to 7.99. This work provides a new structure to design future AlN Lamb-wave resonators on SOI substrate.

Plastic film based lightweight thruster driven by triboelectric nanogenerator for multi-purpose propulsion applications

Electroaerodynamics (EAD) force, produced by the collisions of moving ions with neutral molecules from air or other gases in a high-strength electric field, has been proven as an alternative method of great potential for propulsion without combustion emissions. Here, we demonstrate a simple and easily-fabricated plastic film based lightweight EAD thruster (5.44 mg), which can produce a high entrained airflow up to 3.65 m s−1 with a corresponding thrust force of 0.68 mN under the applied voltage of 8.5 kV. As a new and promising energy technology, triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), has shown its natural advantage of high voltage output for high-strength electric field building in various applications. With proper circuits, different forms of EAD thrusters and TENG power were combined into different propulsion systems, which can successfully propel boats moving forward, micro aircrafts flying and the maglev state globe rotating, showing great prospects in multiple fields.

Response of upstream migrating juvenile European eel (Anguilla anguilla) to electric fields: Application of the marginal gains concept to fish screening.

The decline in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) recruitment over the past half-century is partly due to river infrastructure that delays or blocks upstream migration to rearing habitat. Stimuli, such as electricity, can be used to modify the behaviour of downstream moving fish and guide them to preferred routes of passage at river infrastructure; but research on upstream migrating juvenile eel remains limited. The response of upstream migrating juvenile eel exposed to pulsed direct current (PDC) electric fields was investigated using a recirculatory flume. Eel were presented a choice of two routes upstream under either: (1) a treatment condition, in which the selection of one route resulted in exposure to High Electric Field (HEF) strength that was between 1.5–2 times stronger than the Low Electric Field (LEF) strength encountered in the alternative route; or (2) a control in which the electric field was absent in both routes. Under the treatment, five different mean HEF strengths (0.53, 0.77, 1.22, 2.17 and 3.74 Vcm-1) were tested at one of two frequencies (2 and 10 Hz). Route choice, distance downstream of the first set of electrodes at which an initial response was observed and avoidance behaviours (acceleration, retraction, switching and rejection) were compared among treatments. For the 1.22, 2.17 and 3.74 Vcm-1 and under 2 Hz, eel preferred to pass the LEF route. Avoidance was greater in the HEF route and positively related to field strength. The distance of the initial response did not differ between routes, field strengths or frequency. Upstream migrating eel avoided electric fields indicating potential to develop this approach for fish guidance. Further work is needed to test prototypes in field settings, particularly in combination with traditional physical screens to water intakes as part of a process of applying the concept of marginal gains to advance environmental impact mitigation technology.

Energy storage performance in lead-free antiferroelectric 0.92(Bi0.54Na0.46)TiO3-0.08BaTiO3 ultrathin films by pulsed laser deposition

In this study, we report the recoverable energy density (Urec) of lead-free antiferroelectric perovskite 0.92(Bi0.54Na0.46)TiO3-0.08BaTiO3 (BNT-BT) ultrathin films deposited directly on highly boron-doped silicon (p-Si) by a pulsed laser deposition method. Two pressure values were used in the growing conditions, 4.67 × 10−5 and 13.3 Pa, at a fixed substrate temperature of 700 °C. After that, the films were subjected to postannealing under an oxidizing atmosphere at 700 °C for 1 h. A conventional lithography process was used to define vertical metal–ferroelectric–p-Si structures and evaluate the energy storage characteristics. Cross-sectional SEM images showed achieved thicknesses of about 11–13 nm. The high electric field strengths of 3.8 and 4.5 MV/cm supported for BNT-BT ultrathin films deposited at 4.67 × 10−5 and 13.3 Pa, respectively, imply a high-quality perovskite thin-film growth on p-Si. The 11-nm ultrathin film grown at 13.3 Pa showed higher Urec, efficiency (η), and a maximum applied electric field of 30 J/cm3, 83%, and 4.5 MV/cm, respectively.

Non-linear interaction of laser light with vacuum: contributions to the energy density and pressure in the presence of an intense magnetic field

Recent simulations show that very large electric and magnetic fields near the kilo tesla strength will likely be generated by ultra-intense lasers at existing facilities over distances of hundreds of microns in underdense plasmas. Even stronger ones are expected in the future although some technical difficulties must be overcome. In addition, it has been shown that vacuum exhibits a peculiar non-linear behaviour in the presence of high magnetic and electric field strengths. In this work, we are interested in the analysis of the thermodynamical contributions of vacuum to the energy density and pressure when radiation interacts with it in the presence of an external magnetic field. Using the Euler–Heisenberg formalism in the regime of weak fields i.e. smaller than critical quantum electrodynamics field strength values, we evaluate these magnitudes and analyse the highly anisotropic behaviour we find. Our work has implications for photon–photon scattering with lasers and astrophysically magnetized underdense systems far outside their surface where matter effects are increasingly negligible.

Effect of moderate electric fields on the structural and gelation properties of pea protein isolate

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of moderate electric fields (MEF) inherent in ohmic heating (OH) on the structural and gelling properties of pea protein isolate (PPI). Results showed that OH treatment, especially at high electric field strengths and low frequencies, contributed to the unfolding of protein structures and the formation of smaller aggregates. The OH treatment also increased the surface hydrophobicity (H0) of PPI and reduced the content of free sulfhydryl groups (SH) due to the formation of SS bonds, resulting in the better mechanical properties of PPI gels. The OH-treated gels had the highest water holding capacity and uniform three-dimensional network structure. The OH-treated gels were less hardness, gumminess and chewiness. The OH treatment reduced the storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G") of the gels. The OH might be an effective technology for fine-tuning legume protein structure and producing protein gels.

Single Event Burnout Hardening Technique for High-Voltage p-i-n Diodes With Field Limiting Rings Termination Structure

High-voltage p-i-n diodes for space applications are sensitive to single event burnout (SEB), which may cause the failure of the entire electronic system. This article describes the SEB failure mechanism of high-voltage p-i-n diodes with field limiting rings (FLRs) termination structure, based on the electro-thermal coupled transient simulation model in the Sentaurus TCAD simulator. The simulation results show that the catastrophic failures result from the intense local heating at the edge of the main junction, because the high electric field strength at this region induces strong impact ionization of the charge carriers. The strike at the edge of the main junction shows the strongest sensitivity to SEB since the energetic particle-induced carriers are deposited exactly at the high electric field region. Then, a novel SEB hardening technique of localized carrier lifetime control at the edge of the main junction region is proposed based on the analysis on the failure mechanism. Our simulation results demonstrate that the reduction of the localized carrier lifetime can alleviate the peak electric field and reduce the local heat accumulation, thereby improving the SEB performance of high-voltage p-i-n diodes.

Diamond/GaN HEMTs: Where from and Where to?

Gallium nitride is a wide bandgap semiconductor material with high electric field strength and electron mobility that translate in a tremendous potential for radio-frequency communications and renewable energy generation, amongst other areas. However, due to the particular architecture of GaN high electron mobility transistors, the relatively low thermal conductivity of the material induces the appearance of localized hotspots that degrade the devices performance and compromise their long term reliability. On the search of effective thermal management solutions, the integration of GaN and synthetic diamond with high thermal conductivity and electric breakdown strength shows a tremendous potential. A significant effort has been made in the past few years by both academic and industrial players in the search of a technological process that allows the integration of both materials and the fabrication of high performance and high reliability hybrid devices. Different approaches have been proposed, such as the development of diamond/GaN wafers for further device fabrication or the capping of passivated GaN devices with diamond films. This paper describes in detail the potential and technical challenges of each approach and presents and discusses their advantages and disadvantages.

Hot pressing process ameliorates internal defects of PBZ/PVDF composite film for a high electrocaloric effect near room temperature

The poor interface compatibility between inorganic fillers and organic polymer matrix in nanocomposite has presented considerable challenges, which limit the applicable electric field ranges and reduce the interface polarization interaction. In this paper, Pb[Formula: see text]Ba[Formula: see text]ZrO3(PBZ) nanofibers were introduced into the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix to prepare composite film, and the effect of hot pressing on interface compatibility was investigated at volume composite ratios of 3% and 4%. For the untreated film, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of the 3 vol.% composite film are 9.68 [Formula: see text]C/cm2and 401 MV/m, respectively, and those for the 4 vol.% composite film are 9.15 [Formula: see text]C/cm2and 408 MV/m, respectively. These differences are mainly due to the impact of internal defects. After hot pressing, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for the 3 vol.% composite film became 10.22 [Formula: see text]C/cm2and 490 MV/m, respectively. Those for the 4 vol.% composite film are 9.85 [Formula: see text]C/cm2and 485 MV/m. Experiment and simulation results showed the beneficial effect of hot pressing, which ameliorated poor interfacial compatibility, reduced internal defects, and improved the crystallinity of the composite film. A high electrocaloric effect (ECE) was obtained by using the direct measure method. At −30[Formula: see text]C, the [Formula: see text] values of hot-pressed PBZ/PVDF film at 3[Formula: see text] and 4[Formula: see text] vol.% were 23.81 and 19.73 K, respectively. When temperature increased to 70[Formula: see text]C, the [Formula: see text] values were 9.44 and 7.01 K, respectively, which were 1.58 times of the values of a non-hot-pressed film. These results indicated that hot pressing alleviated the interface problem and resulted in high EC performance under a high-strength electric field.

Ice nucleation forced by transient electric fields.

Icing affects many technical systems, like aircraft or high-voltage power transmission and distribution in cold regions. Ice accretion is often initiated by ice nucleation in sessile supercooled water droplets and is influenced by several influencing factors, of which the impact of electric fields on ice nucleation is still not completely understood. Especially the influence of transient electric fields is rarely or not at all investigated, even though it is of great interest, e.g., for high-voltage transmission lines or for the food industry. In the present study the impact of transient electric fields on ice nucleation in supercooled sessile water droplets is experimentally investigated under well-defined conditions. A set of droplets is cooled down to a certain temperature and is subsequently exposed to electric fields generated from standard lightning or standard switching impulse voltages, which are commonly used for testing of high-voltage equipment. The nucleation behavior of individual droplets is captured using a high-speed camera and the effect of the transient electric field on ice nucleation is analyzed by considering both the singular and the stochastic nature of nucleation. While the singular nature of nucleation is referred to during analysis of the relative number of droplets remaining liquid long times after the impulse voltage, its stochastic nature is accounted for in the analysis of the temporal evolution of the relative number of frozen droplets. It is shown that low electric field strengths (E[over ̂]≤6.52kV/cm) only have a negligible impact on ice nucleation, independent of the supercooling. In contrast, high electric field strengths (E[over ̂]≥9.78kV/cm) promote significantly ice nucleation. It is also shown that depending on the supercooling, the freezing delay of the different droplets in the ensemble may vary over several magnitudes for the same conditions. It is demonstrated that the electric field appears to indirectly affect the nucleation rate by generating droplet oscillations, finally promoting ice nucleation. The experiments clearly demonstrate the possibility to actively force ice nucleation by applying transient electric fields. These results improve the understanding of ice accretion on high-voltage insulators and may also lend insight into freezing processes in food industry. We expect that these results will be a valuable contribution in formulating and/or validating new nucleation models.

Mathematical model of colostrum defrosting in super-high-frequency generator equipped

The paper is devoted to development and parameters studying of two-resonator super-high-frequency (SHF) generator based on continuous flow principle of action. It is equipped with two quasi-stationary toroidal resonators; so it allows to separate such processes of cattle colostral milk treatnent as defrosting and heating and thus to ensure both the electromagnetic safety and the high electric field strength. In order to improve efficiency of the cattle colostrum defrosting/heating performed by its exposure to the super-high frequency electromagnetic field, the methodology was developed for the SHF generator designing. It includes, firstly, development & studying of mathematical models based on due consideration of the phase transitions and, secondly, the structural designing of the SHF generator working chamber with examination of its effective operating modes. The mathematical model is proposed of the electromagnetic waves interaction with the raw material (colostral milk) being in different physical states. With aid of the electric field strength control (by the generators power changing) and the gap adjustment in the capacitor part of the resonators (by smooth movement of the common perforated base), it is possible to achieve the equipment capacity up to 170… 200 L/h. The energy expenses are 0.025 (kWh)/kg.

Strong Electrorheological Performance of Smart Fluids Based on TiO2 Particles at Relatively Low Electric Field

Electrorheological (ER) fluids are a type of smart material with adjustable rheological properties. Generally, the high yield stress (>100 kPa) requires high electric field strength (>4 kV/mm). Herein, the TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol–gel method. Interestingly, the ER fluid-based TiO2 nanoparticles give superior high yield stress of 144.0 kPa at only 2.5 kV/mm. By exploring the characteristic structure and dielectric property of TiO2 nanoparticles and ER fluid, the surface polar molecules on samples were assumed to play a crucial role for their giant electrorheological effect, while interfacial polarization was assumed to be dominated and induces large yield stress at the low electric field, which gives the advantage in low power consumption, sufficient shear stress, low leaking current, and security.

Induced electronic phenomena in crystals of p-GaSe semiconductor promising for optoelectronics

An induced impurity photoconductivity by the electric field, thermally stimulated conductivity and spontaneous pulsations of the dark current were found in the undoped (with a dark resistivity P77≈3•104÷108 Ω-cm at T≈77 K) and erbium doped (NEr=10–5÷10–1 at.%) p-GaSe crystals in the temperature range of T≤240÷250 K at electric field strengths (E) creating a noticeable injection. It was found that the value of the observed impurity photoconductivity (M) monotonically increase at low illumination in undoped crystals with increasing P77 and its spectrum smoothly expands towards longer waves. The value of ∆ii and the width of its spectrum change non-monotonically with increasing NEr in doped crystal and it gets its maximum value at NEr ≈5•10-4 at.%. The intensity of spontaneous pulsations increases with increasing E at the higher electric field strengths. However, the impurity photoconductivity and the peak of thermally stimulated conductivity gradually disappeared. The amplitude and frequency of the observed spontaneous pulsations of the dark current is increased with increasing in the injection ability of the contacts. Moreover, the pulsations of the dark current gradually disappeared with increasing T. It was shown that all these three phenomena are directly caused by the recharge of sticking levels with a depth Er ≈+0.42 eV and a density Nt≈ 1015 cm-3 by injected holes. However, in high-resistance undoped and doped Er ≤10-2 at.% crystals, it is also necessary to consider the presence of random macroscopic defects in the samples to explain their features. A qualitative explanation is proposed based on the obtained results.

Particle charging in electric field under simulated SO3-containing flue gas at low temperature

Particle and SO3 emitting from the processes of fuel combustion considerably deteriorate environment. Charging of particle in electric field was widely used for achieving effective removal of particle from SO3-containing flue gas in various industries. This study provided an insight into particle charging in electric field with presence of SO3 in terms of particle charging simulation and experiments under various conditions. Results illustrated that once temperature was below acid dew point, particle charge increased and then declined with the increasing concentration of SO3. Besides, sulfuric acid aerosol transformed from gaseous SO3 was enhanced by higher electric field strength and temperature, but this increase seemed to be limited when reached maximum. Meanwhile, electrode optimization could enhance charging by improving ion density, which charge of particle with 0.04 μm and 1.22 μm was increased by 3.53 and 1.16. Moreover, improving dielectric constant and electric field strength mainly acted on charging of larger particle, whereas improving ion density determined small particle charging. As for medium-sized particle, simultaneously combining electric field strength and ion density adjustment to enhance particle charging was effective. Find suggested that different parameter adjustment methods should be selected according to particle diameter to enhance particle charging and reduce particle emission of SO3-containing flue gas.

An ultra-low-cost electroporator with microneedle electrodes (ePatch) for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination

Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other pathogens with pandemic potential requires safe, protective, inexpensive, and easily accessible vaccines that can be developed and manufactured rapidly at a large scale. DNA vaccines can achieve these criteria, but induction of strong immune responses has often required bulky, expensive electroporation devices. Here, we report an ultra-low-cost (<1 USD), handheld (<50 g) electroporation system utilizing a microneedle electrode array ("ePatch") for DNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The low cost and small size are achieved by combining a thumb-operated piezoelectric pulser derived from a common household stove lighter that emits microsecond, bipolar, oscillatory electric pulses and a microneedle electrode array that targets delivery of high electric field strength pulses to the skin's epidermis. Antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 induced by this electroporation system in mice were strong and enabled at least 10-fold dose sparing compared to conventional intramuscular or intradermal injection of the DNA vaccine. Vaccination was well tolerated with mild, transient effects on the skin. This ePatch system is easily portable, without any battery or other power source supply, offering an attractive, inexpensive approach for rapid and accessible DNA vaccination to combat COVID-19, as well as other epidemics.

Electro-optical properties of doped polymers with high transparency in the visible wavelength range

The electro-optical (EO) properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) and the photopolymer poly(vinyl cinnamate) doped with varying concentrations of the EO chromophore 2-Methyl-4-nitroaniline were measured. The EO polymers were embedded in Fabry-Pérot etalons for the simultaneous determination of the Pockels and Kerr coefficients from measurements of the fringe shift induced by an external electric field. It was found that the host polymer has a significant impact on the EO performance and that the undoped host polymers exhibit a significant Pockels effect. Moreover, the Kerr effect provides a substantial contribution of 27% to the total change of the refractive index at relatively high electric field strengths of E = 91.2 MV m−1.

Microwave heating of slaughterhouse confiscations to increase the feed value

In the production of cooked feed, non-food waste from the meat industry is taken. The purpose of the research is to preserve the feed value of cooked feed during ultrahigh-frequency heat treatment. Implementation of design criteria for installations and resonators; evaluation of operating modes using multi-criteria regression models; justification of electrodynamic parameters and operating modes of installations. for effective work in a farm environment. Various plant designs are proposed. Based on the criteria: continuity of technological processes of grinding, dewatering, heat treatment and disinfection of raw materials; high intrinsic Q-factor of resonators; high electric field strength in raw materials; achievement of bactericidal effect; radio-tightness of the installation and uniform distribution of the electric field in the resonators-the optimal installation is selected.

Effect of atmospheric conditions on the onset electric field of ZnO and Y2O3 ceramics flash sintering at room temperature

Flash sintering of zinc oxide (ZnO) ceramics can be induced at room temperature (25 °C) by electrical breakdown at high electric field strength. However, a strong discharge may degrade the sample. This study investigated the effects of atmospheric pressure and composition on the onset electric field for the flash sintering of ZnO. The experimental results show that flash sintering of ZnO under a low electric field at room temperature can be achieved by adjusting the atmospheric conditions. Compared with the onset electric field strength under normal atmospheric conditions, the value for flash sintering of ZnO at 20 kPa in a mixture of 20% air +80% argon (Ar) can be reduced by 82% to approximately 700 V/cm. This method also applies to yttrium oxide (Y2O3) for a low electric field in flash sintering at room temperature, and is the first report on flash sintering of Y2O3 at room temperature.

Novel platinum bipolar electrode for irreversible electroporation in prostate cancer: preclinical study in the beagle prostate

The exposure of the prostate to high electric field strength during irreversible electroporation (IRE) has been extensively investigated. Multiple monopolar electrodes, however, have risks of organ piercing and bleeding when placing electrodes. A novel bipolar electrode made of pure platinum and stainless steel was developed for prostate cancer ablation. Voltages of 500 and 700 V were applied to the beagle prostate with this electrode to evaluate ablated tissues and their characteristics. IRE procedures were technically successful in all dogs without procedure-related complications. The current that flowed through the anode and cathode while applying 500 and 700 V were 1.75 ± 0.25 A and 2.22 ± 0.35 A, respectively. TUNEL assays showed that the estimated ablated areas when applying 500 and 700 V were 0.78 cm2 and 1.21 cm2, respectively. The minimum electric field strength threshold required for induction of IRE was 800 V/cm. The platinum electrode was resistant to corrosion. The IRE procedure for beagle prostates using a single bipolar electrode was technically feasible and safe. The novel bipolar electrode has great potential for treating human prostate cancer with fewer IRE-related complications.