Local Electric Field Strength Research Articles

Local and nonlocal conditions for electron runaway in a gas gap with a conical cathode with a variable opening angle

The conditions for the generation of runaway electrons in an air gap are compared at different degrees of inhomogeneity of the electric field distribution provided by varying the opening angle of the conical cathode: in the range 40°–120° in experiments and 0°–180° in calculations. It is demonstrated that, in a weakly inhomogeneous electric field (according to the proposed classification, this corresponds to cones with angles greater than the Taylor angle of 98.6°), the runaway condition has a local character. The transition of free electrons into the runaway mode is determined by the local distribution of the electric field near their starting point—the tip of the cone. The local electric field strength must exceed a threshold value comparable to the strength critical for the runaway of electrons in a uniform field. In a strongly inhomogeneous field (cones with angles less than 98.6°), this condition is not sufficient for electrons to run away throughout the gap. Electrons accelerating in the near-cathode region may begin to slow down in a weak field at a distance from the cathode. In this case, the runaway condition becomes nonlocal. It is determined by the dynamics of electrons in the entire gap, primarily in the near-anode region, and reduces to the requirement that the potential difference applied to the gap exceeds a certain threshold value.

Statistical evaluation of electric field distributions in 3D composites with a random spatial distribution of dielectric inclusions

Electromagnetic applications of composites often impose constraints on the internal electric fields, such as an upper limit on the field strength to prevent local heating or dielectric breakthrough. However, owing to heterogeneity, the local fields in a composite differ from those in a homogeneous material. Moreover, they are accessible neither by experiment nor by effective medium theories, at least for arbitrary microstructures. In this work, we use numerical simulations to evaluate the electric field distribution and the effective permittivity for 3D systems of monodisperse impenetrable spheres dispersed in a continuous matrix phase. We restrict ourselves to loss-free dielectric materials and to a random spatial distribution of particles. Samples are placed in a parallel plate waveguide and exposed to a transverse electromagnetic wave. The local field amplitudes are calculated via the finite element method and are normalized to those of a homogeneous sample exhibiting the same effective permittivity and geometry. We analyze the distribution of the local electric field strength in both constituents, namely, particles and matrix. Thus, we evaluate mean values and standard deviations as well as the field strengths characterizing the highest and lowest percentiles. Increasing particle concentration or permittivity enhances heterogeneity, and so the local electric field strength in some domains can become much higher than its average value. The methods we apply here can also be used in further investigations of more complex systems, including lossy materials and agglomerating particles.

An Infrared Nanospectroscopy Technique for the Study of Electric-Field-Induced Molecular Dynamics.

Static electric fields play a considerable role in a variety of molecular nanosystems as diverse as single-molecule junctions, molecules supporting electrostatic catalysis, and biological cell membranes incorporating proteins. External electric fields can be applied to nanoscale samples with a conductive atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe in contact mode, but typically, no structural information is retrieved. Here we combine photothermal expansion infrared (IR) nanospectroscopy with electrostatic AFM probes to measure nanometric volumes where the IR field enhancement and the static electric field overlap spatially. We leverage the vibrational Stark effect in the polymer poly(methyl methacrylate) for calibrating the local electric field strength. In the relevant case of membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin, we observe electric-field-induced changes of the protein backbone conformation and residue protonation state. The proposed technique also has the potential to measure DC currents and IR spectra simultaneously, insofar enabling the monitoring of the possible interplay between charge transport and other effects.

Pilot Study on the Production of Negative Oxygen Ions Based on Lower Voltage Ionization Method and Application in Air Purification

In the current highly industrialized living environment, air quality has become an increasing public health concern. Natural environments like forests have excellent air quality due to high concentrations of negative oxygen ions originating from low-voltage ionization, without harmful ozone. Traditional negative oxygen ion generators require high voltage for corona discharge to produce ions. However, high voltage can increase electron collisions and excitations, leading to more dissociation and recombination of oxygen molecules and consequently higher ozone production. To address the challenge of generating negative oxygen ions without accompanying ozone production, this study designed and constructed a low-voltage negative oxygen ion generator based on nanometer-tip carbon fiber electrodes. The advantage of this device lies in the high curvature radius of carbon fibers, which provides high local electric field strength. This allows for efficient production of negative oxygen ions at low operating voltages without generating ozone. Experiments demonstrated that the device can efficiently generate negative oxygen ions at a working voltage as low as 2.16 kV, 28% lower than the lowest voltage reported in similar studies. The purification device manufactured in this study had a total decay constant for PM2.5 purification of 0.8967 min−1 within five minutes, compared to a natural decay constant of only 0.0438 min−1, resulting in a calculated Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 0.1535 m3/min. Within half an hour, concentrations of PM2.5, PM1, PM10, formaldehyde, and TVOC were reduced by 99.09%, 99.40%, 99.37%, 94.39%, and 99.35%, respectively, demonstrating good decay constants and CADR. These findings confirm its effectiveness in improving indoor air quality, highlighting its significant application value in air purification.

Ionization processes of negative corona discharge. Part 2. Theory. Comparison with experiment

The purpose of the research is a theoretical analysis of ionization processes in the air, which are initiated by a high-voltage field generated by the negative needle-flat electrode electrode system. Methods. Fe, Cu, Al electrodes are used. Calculations are carried out using the methods of quantum mechanics and mathematical physics. Results. The processes of cold and thermoelectron emission of electrons, enhanced by an external high-voltage field (Schottky emission), are analyzed. The conditions under which the generation of charges from the cathode surface due to plasma-chemical reactions and the capture of surface electrons by electronegative oxygen molecules are decisive are investigated. Based on the PE theory, a theory of injection of negative ions from the cathode into an electronegative gas is constructed and the theory is compared with experiment. It has been shown that at small radii of curvature of needle tips, when E ≥ 106 V/cm, the generation of charges is due to cold emission of electrons. In average fields E ≈ 105 V/cm, electron emission is due to the Schottky effect. In fields E ≈ 104 V/cm and below, injection is caused by electrochemical processes and PE capture. A theory has been developed for PEs that appear at electric field intensities on the electrode of the order of several tens of kV/cm, that is, on flat and slightly curved negative electrodes. The capture of PE by electron-withdrawing molecules causes an injection current and, as a consequence, the ignition of a corona discharge. Analytical expressions for the surface density as a function of the local electric field strength, as well as an expression for the injection current, are obtained. The agreement between theory and experiment is satisfactory. Conclusion. An analysis of the development of CR on negative needles is given. A theory of PE at the cathode in strong electric fields was developed. Based on the results of measuring dark negative current-voltage characteristics, it is possible to determine the patterns of surface processes involving electronic transitions, in particular, determine the concentration of PE and injection currents.

The effect of viscosity on the self-similar growth of conic cusps on the surface of a conducting liquid in an electric field: Limiting cone angle

The dynamics of the formation of conic cusps on an initially smooth surface of a perfectly conducting liquid (liquid metal) in an external electric field is analytically studied. When the singularity is formed, the apex curvature radius of the accelerating protrusion, local electric field strength, and fluid velocity become infinite in a finite time. It has been demonstrated that two scales with different types of fluid behavior can be distinguished in this process. At the nanoscale (the curvature radius of the conic apex is tens of nanometers or less; the electric field strength at the apex is about 108 V/cm and higher), viscous effects play a decisive role, and a cone with the limiting opening angle of 33.1° is formed. On the macroscopic scale (the local field strength is less than 108 V/cm for liquid metals), the ideal fluid approximation is applicable, and a cone of the opening angle 98.6° (Taylor's angle) develops. In both cases, self-similar fluid flow regimes are realized, for which the spatial scale decreases with time following the power law (t0 – t)2/3, where t0 is the blowup time. In this process, the Weber number remains practically unchanged and, according to our estimates, approximately equal to 102; at the same time, the Reynolds number decreases as (t0 – t)1/3.

Charge Shielding Effect of Sodium Ions in Improving The Hydrophobicity and Performance of Co/Na‐SSZ‐13 Zeolite for Passive NOx Adsorber

AbstractWith increasingly stringent regulations, the reduction of NOx emissions during vehicle cold start is a major challenge. Pd‐modified zeolites are considered as the most promising passive NOx adsorber (PNA) for cold start NOx control. Nevertheless, the scarcity and the high cost of Pd limit its practical application. Herein, a non‐precious metal modified Co/Na‐SSZ‐13 zeolite for low‐temperature NOx adsorption is reported. This one‐pot synthesized Co/Na‐SSZ‐13 exhibits an extraordinary NOx storage capacity (212 µmol gcat−1) under humid conditions (3% H2O v/v), which is more than double that of conventional Co or Pd‐modified SSZ‐13. This is attributed to the absence of the inert cobalt phyllosilicate commonly found in conventional Co‐SSZ‐13, as well as the highly dispersed Co and Na ions as the effective NOx adsorption sites in Co/Na‐SSZ‐13. Moreover, the presence of Na ions shields the negative charge generated by the Al center and weakens the local electric field strength of the Al and Co centers. This lowers the H2O adsorption energy and improves the zeolite hydrophobicity, which enhances the NO storage capacity of the Co/Na‐SSZ‐13 under humid conditions. This work highlights the Co/Na‐SSZ‐13, synthesize via a simple and high‐efficiency method, as a promising substitute for noble metal PNA materials.

Simulation analysis of synthetic electric field of UHV transmission line under mountain fire condition

Factors such as high temperature, charge density and charged particles have a major impact on the insulation strength of the transmission line gap. When the DC transmission line is in normal operation, the surface of the conductor is easy to adsorb dirt due to the environmental influences, so the local electric field strength is larger than the critical field strength of the corona discharge, and the gas molecules in the air are ionized to form space charges. The electric field of the space charge is superimposed with the electric field of the wire and the earth (nominal electric field) to form a synthetic electric field. In this work, the calculation model of the synthetic electric field is created and the influence of mountain fires on the synthetic electric field of the transmission line is simulated and analyzed. The influence of flame temperature, charge density, particle type and shape on the electric field is simulated and investigated. The law of variation of the electric field of the transmission line in mountain fire under different factors is obtained. The distorting effect of particles on the electric field under the UHV DC transmission line is simulated. The distorting effect of particle size and particle chain on the synthetic electric field is obtained and the simulation results are compared to the calculation results.

On the Development of Injection Cathode Electrodes for EHD Transducers

Purpose To study the possibility of changing cathode injection in a grid axisymmetric EHD transducer with planeparallel modified electrodes.Methods. An estimate of the influence of the edge effect of electrode grids on the surface conductivity in the periphery of the interelectrode gap was obtained by numerical simulation, and the optimal geometry of the electrode holders of the grid EHD transducer was determined. Using the method of numerical calculation in the software environment Agros 2D, as well as using the analysis of SEM scans and the method of estimating the form factor of structures, the parameters of local electric fields of the structures of the surfaces of wires of grid electrodes modified during laser scribing were obtained.Results. The results of the development of a grid system of electrodes for electrohydrodynamic converters with enhanced cathodic charge injection are presented. The influence of the edge effect on the operation of EHD transducers is analyzed. The possibility of improving the grid electrode system of a model EHD pump is described. The composition and shape of microand nanostructures after scribing on the FMark-20RL laser marking complex have been studied. A qualitative estimate of the local electric field strength on nanostructures obtained by laser scribing of brass grids with a characteristic radius of 50 nm is made, which indicates an increase in the cathode injection of negative charges in the EHD system. With a distance between the electrodes of 1.5 mm and a potential difference between the electrodes of 1.5 kV/cm, the magnitude of the local tension at the top of the nanostructure with a curvature radius of about 50 nm can reach 5.5⋅107 V/cm.Conclusion. Laser scribing in the form of concentric circles of brass grid electrodes makes it possible to intensify cathodic charge injection by amplifying local electric fields from microand nanostructures. The use of plexiglass dielectric holders can reduce surface leakage currents at the periphery of grid electrodes.

Creation of Nanotips on ITO Electrode by Nanoparticle Deposition: An Easy Way to Enhance the Performance of Electrically Responsive Photonic Crystal and Fabricate Electrically Triggered Anticounterfeiting Tags

AbstractElectrically responsive photonic crystals (ERPC) are promising materials for electrophoretic displays, smart windows, and tunable optical devices. However, the high working voltage limits the application of most polar ERPCs because it damages color saturation, response stability, and reversibility. Herein, an easy but general method based on the modification of electrodes with nanoparticles is developed to improve ERPC's performance. The deposition of Au, Cu, or Cu2O nanoparticles created nanotip structures on the electrode, which enhanced the charge injection and local electric field strength, lowered 43% of the working voltage, and increased the color saturation. Meanwhile, the lowered voltage inhibited the electrodeposition of colloidal particles and the electrochemical reaction, which also improved the stability and reversibility of the electrical response. Based on the region‐selective modification of the electrode and the resulting asymmetric electrical response, an electrically triggered tag with a “pattern showing/hiding” effect is fabricated for anticounterfeiting purposes.

High Sensitivity Surface Plasmon Resonance Magnetic Field Sensor Based on Au/Gold Nanoparticles/Magnetic Fluid in the Hollow Core Fiber

A type of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) magnetic field sensor based on Au/gold nanoparticles/magnetic fluid (MF)-processed hollow core fiber is proposed in this work, which fully utilizes SPR’s high sensitivity to RI and the magnetron refractive index characteristic of MF. The metal material Au excites SPR and gold nanoparticles excite the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The coupling of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) with localized surface plasmon (LSP) increases the local electric field strength, thus improving the sensor’s sensitivity. Both the theoretical analysis on the sensing mechanism and the experimental findings demonstrate that this novel SPR magnetic field sensor has a wide measurement range and high sensitivity. In the range of magnetic field strength from 0 to 603 Gs, the sensitivity can reach up to 156 pm/Gs, and the linearity is good (the coefficient of determination is 0.996). Compared with other optical fiber magnetic field sensors, the sensor proposed in this paper has the benefits of easy fabrication, excellent sensitivity, simple structure, strong anti-interference ability, and wide measurement range, exhibiting significant application potentials in the fields of military drills, aerospace, etc.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Substrates Based on Ag-Nanoparticles and Ag-Nanoparticles/Poly (methyl methacrylate) Composites.

SERS substrates formed by spherical silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) with a 15 nm average diameter adsorbed on Si substrate at three different concentrations and Ag/PMMA composites formed by an opal of PMMA microspheres of 298 nm average diameter were synthesized. The Ag-NPs were varied at three different concentrations. We have observed from SEM micrographs, in the Ag/PMMA composites, the periodicity of the PMMA opals is slightly altered as the Ag-NP concentration is increased; as a consequence of this effect, the PBGs maxima shift toward longer wavelengths, decrease in intensity, and broaden as the Ag-NP concentration is increased in the composites. The performance of single Ag-NP and Ag/PMMA composites as SERS substrates was determined using methylene blue (MB) as a probe molecule with concentrations in the range of 0.5 µM to 2.5 µM. We found that in both single Ag-NP and Ag/PMMA composites as SERS substrates, the enhancement factor (EF) increases as the Ag-NP concentration is increased. We highlight that the SERS substrate with the highest concentration of Ag-NPs has the highest EF due to the formation of metallic clusters on the surface, which generates more "hot spots". The comparison of the EFs of the single Ag-NP with those of Ag/PMMA composite SERS substrates shows that the EFs of the former are nearly 10-fold higher than those of Ag/PMMA composites. This result is obtained probably due to the porosity of the PMMA microspheres that decreases the local electric field strength. Furthermore, PMMA exerts a shielding effect that affects the optical efficiency of Ag-NPs. Moreover, the metal-dielectric surface interaction contributes to the decrease in the EF. Other aspect to consider in our results is in relation to the difference in the EF of the Ag/PMMA composite and Ag-NP SERS substrates and is due to the existing mismatch between the frequency range of the PMMA opal stop band and the LSPR frequency range of the Ag metal nanoparticles adsorbed on the PMMA opal host matrix.

Self-Powered Sterilization System for Wearable Devices Based on Biocompatible Materials and Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Wearable electronics with multifunction and convenience are entering a period of rapid development. However, the longer people wear electronic devices, the easier it is for bacteria to infect the skin. Sterilization of wearables has received little research, partly because mature high-voltage sterilization systems require energy sources, which will greatly restrict the large-scale applications of wearable devices. Therefore, a self-powered sterilization system with high comfort and safety is strongly appealing. To solve the above problem, we design a wearable, self-powered sterilization system with a biocompatible nano/microporous fiber triboelectric nanogenerator (NMF-TENG) as the energy source and an interdigital electrode for better bactericidal performance. Ag nanowires (AgNWs) and carbon nanotube (CNT) are added to the indium tin oxide (ITO)-based interdigital electrode to improve the conductivity, bending performance, and local electric field strength. Due to the tip effect, the local electric field of the electrode can be improved as high as 1 MV m–1, which can kill the bacteria. The system can achieve a long-term sterilization rate of up to 90%, which has great application potential in the sterilization direction of wearable electronic devices.

Process optimization of nanosecond pulsed packed‐bed discharge plasma for SF6 degradation based on response surface methodology

AbstractIn this work, a nanosecond pulsed packed‐bed discharge (PBD) plasma was developed for SF6 degradation under different dilution gases. The discharge form transfers from filamentary discharge to the combination of surface discharge and microdischarge after introducing the packing material regardless of the dilution gas used, and the local electric field strength and SF6 degradation performance are promoted. The mean electron energy and rate coefficient for SF6 excitation in SF6/Ar system are significantly higher than those in SF6/N2 or SF6/air system, which results in higher SF6 degradation efficiency in SF6/Ar system. Moreover, the response surface methodology based on the Box–Behnken design model was constructed to optimize several key process parameters including pulsed voltage, gas flow rate, oxygen content, and relative humidity, as well as assess the contribution of each parameter to SF6 degradation. The proposed optimization model shows a satisfactory correlation between the predicted and the experimental results. The energy yield concerning SF6 degradation in nanosecond pulsed PBD plasma achieves approximately 75.3 g/kWh with nearly complete degradation. This work is expected to provide an efficient and energy‐saving plasma technique for SF6 degradation.

Observation of strong terahertz field-induced second harmonic generation in plasma filaments.

We report the observation of terahertz field-induced second harmonic (TFISH) generation produced by directly mixing an optical probe beam onto femtosecond plasma filaments. The produced TFISH signal is spatially separated from the laser-induced supercontinuum by impinging on the plasma at a noncollinear angle. The conversion efficiency of the fundamental probe beam to its second harmonic (SH) beam is greater than 0.02%, which represents a record in optical probe to TFISH conversion efficiency that is nearly five orders of magnitude larger than previous experiments. We also present the terahertz (THz) spectral buildup of the source along the plasma filament and retrieve coherent terahertz signal measurements. This method of analysis has the potential to provide local electric field strength measurements inside of the filament.

Three-dimensional nanoprinting with charged aerosol focusing via an electrified mask

Three-dimensional (3D) nanoprinting techniques attract significant research interest due to their capacity to manufacture diverse structures. The techniques enhance the performance of various applications by realizing unique functionalities from the size and geometrical effects of small-scale 3D structures. A recently reported 3D nanoprinting technique that utilizes charged aerosol jets generated by ion accumulation on the dielectric mask as a printing tool is promising for enabling parallel intricate 3D nanostructures in atmospheric conditions. In this technique, modulating the voxel size of the printed structure was difficult because the ion accumulation that was necessary for the generation of converged aerosol jets was not easy to be controlled. Here, we demonstrate a charged aerosol jet-based advanced 3D nanoprinting technique that enables the programming of the voxel size of 3D nanostructures by replacing the ion accumulated dielectric mask with the electrified mask. The electrified mask readily controls the local electric field strength between the mask and conducting substrate, which influences the diameter of charged aerosol jets and thus determines the voxel size of the 3D nanostructures. By additionally controlling the distance between the mask and substrate and changing the hole size of the mask, we show that the voxel size can be further altered. Moreover, moving the substrate in three-dimensions prints desired shapes of the 3D nanostructures, such as overhanging structures and helices with controlled voxel sizes. In addition, we present theoretical approaches to predict the geometries and voxel sizes of 3D nanostructures.

Action spectra and mechanisms of (in) efficiency of bipolar electric pulses at electroporation

The reversal of the electric field direction inhibits various biological effects of nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP). This feature, known as “bipolar cancellation,” enables interference targeting of nsEP bioeffects remotely from stimulating electrodes, for prospective applications such as precise cancer ablation and non-invasive deep brain stimulation. This study was undertaken to achieve the maximum cancellation of electroporation, by quantifying the impact of the pulse shape, duration, number, and repetition rate across a broad range of electric field strengths. Monolayers of endothelial cells (BPAE) were electroporated in a non-uniform electric field. Cell membrane permeabilization was quantified by YO-PRO-1 (YP) dye uptake and correlated to local electric field strength. For most conditions tested, adding an opposite polarity phase reduced YP uptake by 50–80 %. The strongest cancellation, which reduced YP uptake by 95–97 %, was accomplished by adding a 50 % second phase to 600-ns pulses delivered at a high repetition rate of 833 kHz. Strobe photography of nanosecond kinetics of membrane potential in single CHO cells revealed the temporal summation of polarization by individual unipolar nsEP applied at sub-MHz rate, leading to enhanced electroporation. In contrast, there was no summation for bipolar pulses, and increasing their repetition rate suppressed electroporation. These new findings are discussed in the context of bipolar cancellation mechanisms and remote focusing applications.

Unusual local electric field concentration in multilayer ceramic capacitors

Local electric-field around multitype pores (dielectric pore, interface pore, electrode pore) in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) was investigated using Kelvin probe force microscopy combined with the finite element simulation to understand the effect of pores on the electric reliability of MLCCs. Electric-field is found to be concentrated significantly in the vicinity of these pores and the strength of the local electric-field is 1.5–5.0 times of the nominal strength. Unexpectedly, the concentration degree of the pores in the inner electrode is much higher than that in the dielectrics and dielectric-electrode interfaces. Meanwhile, geometry orientations are found to have a remarkable influence on the local electric field strength. The pores act as an insulation degradation precursor via local electric, thermal center, and oxygen vacancies accumulation center. Such unusual local electric field concentration of multitype pores can provide new insights into the understanding of insulation degradation evolution, processing tailoring and design optimization for MLCCs.

Regulation of Interfacial Polarization and Local Electric Field Strength Achieved Highly Energy Storage Performance in Polyetherimide Nanocomposites at Elevated Temperature via 2D Hybrid Structure

AbstractDielectric materials with excellent high‐temperature energy storage performances are urgently demanded in advanced electronic market. However, the sharply reduced energy storage capabilities caused by conduction loss impede the applications of polymer‐based nanocomposites at harsh environments. In this work, the 2D hybrid structure fillers of boron nitride nanosheets‐titanium dioxide (BNNSs‐TiO2), where TiO2 nanoparticles tightly wrap around the 2D BNNSs, are fused with polyetherimide (PEI) forming polymer nanocomposite films. The finite element simulation and experiment results indicate that the hybrid structure 2D BNNSs‐TiO2 can effectively regulate local electric field strength and interfacial polarization, facilitating the enhancement in energy storage properties. Accordingly, the composite film delivers a superior discharged energy density (≈4 J cm−3) and charging/discharging efficiency (≈90%) at 150 °C, better than recently discussed high‐temperature pristine polymer and their composite films. This contribution offers a feasible idea to explore reliable dielectric capacitors at high temperature.

Neuronal activity under transcranial radio-frequency stimulation in metal-free rodent brains in-vivo

As the use of Radio Frequency (RF) technologies increases, the impact of RF radiation on neurological function continues to receive attention. Whether RF radiation can modulate ongoing neuronal activity by non-thermal mechanisms has been debated for decades. However, the interactions between radiated energy and metal-based neural probes during experimentation could impact neural activity, making interpretation of the results difficult. To address this problem, we modified a miniature 1-photon Ca2+ imaging device to record interference-free neural activity and compared the results to those acquired using metal-containing silicon probes. We monitored the neuronal activity of awake rodent-brains under RF energy exposure (at 950 MHz) and in sham control paradigms. Spiking activity was reliably affected by RF energy in metal containing systems. However, we did not observe neuronal responses using metal-free optical recordings at induced local electric field strengths up to 230 V/m. Our results suggest that RF exposure higher than levels that are allowed by regulatory limits in real-life scenarios do not affect neuronal activity.