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Inactivation of Escherichia coli phage by pulsed electric field treatment and analysis of inactivation mechanism
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tanino, Takanori; Yoshida, Tomoki; Sakai, Kazuki; Ohshima, Takayuki
Inactivation of bacteriophage by pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment, one of the effective procedures for bacteria nonthermal inactivation, was studied. Model phage particles Escherichia coli bacteriophages M13mp18 and λ phage, were successfully inactivated by PEF treatment. The survival ratios of both bacteriophages decreased depending on the PEF treatment time when applied peak voltage was 5 or 7 kV, and the survival ratios after 12 min PEF treatment were 10-4 - 10-5. Electrophoresis analyses of biological molecules of inactivated λ phage detected no degradation of total protein and genomic DNA. These results suggested that the factor of phage inactivation by PEF treatment was not based on the degradation of protein or DNA, but on the destruction of phage particle structure. Sensitivity of E. coli phage to PEF treatment was compared with that of E. coli cell. Phage and MV1184 cell were treated with same condition PEF at 5 kV, respectively. After 12 min treatment, the survival ration of λ phage and MV1184 were 4.0 × 10-5 and 1.7 × 10-3, respectively. The survival ratio of phage was lower than that of MV1184. E. coli cell is more tolerant to inactivation with PEF treatment than coli phage.
Inactivation of Lactobacillus plantarum in apple cider using radio frequency electric fields
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) processing is effective at inactivating Gram negative bacteria in fruit juices at moderately low temperatures, but has yet to be shown to be effective at reducing Gram positive bacteria. Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 49445, a Gram positive bacterium, was inocula...
Inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae suspended in orange juice using high-intensity pulsed electric fields.
Elez-Martínez, Pedro; Escolà-Hernández, Joan; Soliva-Fortuny, Robert C; Martín-Belloso, Olga
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is often associated with the spoilage of fruit juices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity pulsed electric field (HIPEF) treatment on the survival of S. cerevisiae suspended in orange juice. Commercial heat-sterilized orange juice was inoculated with S. cerevisiae (CECT 1319) (10(8) CFU/ml) and then treated by HIPEFs. The effects of HIPEF parameters (electric field strength, treatment time, pulse polarity, frequency, and pulse width) were evaluated and compared to those of heat pasteurization (90 degrees C/min). In all of the HIPEF experiments, the temperature was kept below 39 degrees C. S. cerevisiae cell damage induced by HIPEF treatment was observed by electron microscopy. HIPEF treatment was effective for the inactivation of S. cerevisiae in orange juice at pasteurization levels. A maximum inactivation of a 5.1-log (CFU per milliliter) reduction was achieved after exposure of S. cerevisiae to HIPEFs for 1,000 micros (4-micros pulse width) at 35 kV/cm and 200 Hz in bipolar mode. Inactivation increased as both the field strength and treatment time increased. For the same electric field strength and treatment time, inactivation decreased when the frequency and pulse width were increased. Electric pulses applied in the bipolar mode were more effective than those in the monopolar mode for destroying S. cerevisiae. HIPEF processing inactivated S. cerevisiae in orange juice, and the extent of inactivation was similar to that obtained during thermal pasteurization. HIPEF treatments caused membrane damage and had a profound effect on the intracellular organization of S. cerevisiae. PMID:15553647
Inactivation of spores using pulsed electric field in a pressurized flow system
Choi, Jaegu; Wang Douyan; Namihira, Takao; Katsuki, Sunao; Akiyama, Hidenori; Lin Xiaofei; Sato, Hiroshi; Seta, Harumichi; Matsubara, Hitoshi; Saeki, Takeshi
Pulsed electric field (PEF) inactivation is a very effective method to kill bacteria in liquid while avoiding thermal damage. However, only a limited inactivation effect on spores has been reported to date and the possible mechanisms are still unclear. Therefore, a study of inactivation of spores using PEF in a pressurized flow system is reported in this paper. PEF with a maximum magnitude higher than 110 kV/cm and a pulse width of 100 ns has been applied to a carefully designed treatment chamber through which a suspension fluid of 0.5 MPa continuously flows. Using the proposed PEF inactivation method, maximum 6.7 log reductions were achieved for B. subtilis spores that were investigated. These reductions were much greater than those obtained by a heat inactivation approach. Through frequency analysis using the frequency components of the applied pulses and the frequency response of the equivalent circuit of the spore, it was found that most voltage is applied to the outside of the core in the lower frequency and to the inside in the upper frequency. Also, transmission electron microscope micrographs of B. subtilis spores were taken in order to verify the effect of the PEF treatment.
Modelling inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes by pulsed electric fields in media of different pH.
Gómez, N; García, D; Alvarez, I; Condón, S; Raso, J
A study of the effect of square-wave pulsed electric fields (PEF) on the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in McIlvaine buffer of different pH (3.5-7.0) was conducted. L. monocytoges was more PEF sensitive at higher electric field strengths (E) and in media of low pH. A treatment at 28 kV/cm for 400 mus that inactivated 1.5, 2.3 and 3.0 Log10 cycles at pH 7.0, 6.5 and 5.0 respectively destroyed almost 6.0 Log10 cycles at pH 3.5. The general shape of survival curves of L. monocytogenes PEF treated at different pH was convex/concave upwards. A mathematical model based on the Weibull distribution accurately described these survival curves. At each pH, the shape parameter (n value) did not depend on E. The relationship between n value of the Weibull model and the pH of the treatment medium was described by the Gompertz equation. A multiple linear regression model using three predictor variables (E, E2, pH2) related the Log10 of the scale paramenter (b value) of the Weibull model with E and pH of the treatment medium. A tertiary model developed using McIlvaine buffer as treatment medium predicted satisfactorily the inactivation of L. monocytogenes in apple juice. PMID:16083822
Inactivation of Lactobacillus plantarum in apple cider, using radio frequency electric fields.
Geveke, David J; Gurtler, Joshua; Zhang, Howard Q
Radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) nonthermal processing effectively inactivates gram-negative bacteria in juices, but has yet to be shown effective at reducing gram-positive bacteria. Apple cider containing Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 49445, a gram-positive bacterium, was RFEF processed under the following conditions: field strength of 0.15 to 15 kV/cm, temperature of 45 to 55 degrees C, frequency of 5 to 65 kHz, treatment time of 170 micros, and holding time of 5 to 50 s. The effect of refrigerating the inoculated cider prior to processing, the extent of sublethal injury, and the effect of storing the treated cider for 35 days were investigated. The population of L. plantarum was reduced by 1.0 log at 15 kV/cm, 20 kHz, and 50 degrees C, with a 5-s hold time. There is a synergistic effect between RFEF and heat above 50 degrees C. Inactivation significantly (P < 0.05) increased as frequency was decreased from 65 to 5 kHz. Inactivation increased linearly with field above 8 kV/cm. Holding cider at 55 degrees C after RFEF treatment for 5 and 50 s resulted in 2.5- and 3.1-log reductions, respectively. The surviving population was composed of 1.4-log sublethally injured cells. Storing processed cider at 4 degrees C for 35 days steadily and significantly (P < 0.05) reduced L. plantarum from 4.5 to 0.9 log CFU/ml. The electrical energy density was 51 J/ml. This provides the first evidence that nonthermal RFEF processing inactivates gram-positive bacteria, and that surviving cells may die off during refrigerated storage. PMID:19343959
Cell wall as a target for bacteria inactivation by pulsed electric fields
Pillet, Flavien; Formosa-Dague, Cécile; Baaziz, Houda; Dague, Etienne; Rols, Marie-Pierre
The integrity and morphology of bacteria is sustained by the cell wall, the target of the main microbial inactivation processes. One promising approach to inactivation is based on the use of pulsed electric fields (PEF). The current dogma is that irreversible cell membrane electro-permeabilisation causes the death of the bacteria. However, the actual effect on the cell-wall architecture has been poorly explored. Here we combine atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy to study the cell-wall organization of living Bacillus pumilus bacteria at the nanoscale. For vegetative bacteria, exposure to PEF led to structural disorganization correlated with morphological and mechanical alterations of the cell wall. For spores, PEF exposure led to the partial destruction of coat protein nanostructures, associated with internal alterations of cortex and core. Our findings reveal for the first time that the cell wall and coat architecture are directly involved in the electro-eradication of bacteria. PMID:26830154
A Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) bench static system to study bacteria inactivation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cortese, Pietro; Dellacasa, Giuseppe; Gemme, Roberto; Bonetta, Sara; Bonetta, Silvia; Carraro, Elisabetta; Motta, Francesca; Paganoni, Marco; Pizzichemi, Marco
Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) technology is a promising non-thermal processing method for inactivation of microorganisms. A small PEF bench system able to treat a 0.4 ml static liquid volume has been built and tested at the laboratories of the Università del Piemonte Orientale in Alessandria, Italy. The technique used to produce the required fields consists of charging high voltage cables of various lengths and subsequently discharge them on a cylindrical cell. The pulse intensity can be adjusted to reach a maximum electric field in the cell of about 35 kV/cm and the pulse frequency can reach 10 Hz. We describe the PEF system in some detail and, as a benchmark of its performances, we report preliminary results obtained on Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) at 10 9 Cfu/ml concentration suspended in a McIlvaine buffer (pH 7.2).
Inactivation of Penicillum expansum in sour cherry juice, peach and apricot nectars by pulsed electric fields.
Evrendilek, Gulsun Akdemir; Tok, Fatih M; Soylu, E Mine; Soylu, Soner
Inhibitory effects of pulsed electric fields (PEF) on Penicillum expansum inoculated into sour cherry juice, apricot and peach nectars were determined based on germination tube elongation, spore germination rate, and light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations in this study. After inoculation of juice/nectar samples with P. expansum spores at the level of 10(5)-10(6)cfu/mL, the samples were processed by bench scale PEF pulse generator as a function of differing electric field strengths (0, 13, 17, 20, 23, 27, 30 and 34kV/cm) and processing times (0, 62, 94, 123, 163, 198 and 218mus). Results revealed that with an increase in electric field strength and processing time, germination tube elongation and spore germination rate were completely inhibited. Light and SEM observations revealed considerable morphological alterations in fungal conidia such as cytoplasmic coagulation, vacuolations, shrinkage and protoplast leakage. PEF processing of juice/nectars was demonstrated to be effective in inactivating P. expansum. To our knowledge, this is the first study confirming the inhibitory effects of PEF on germination tube elongation and spore germination rate of P. expansum in fruit juice/nectars. PMID:18541164
Microbiological implications of electric field effects. II. Inactivation of yeast cells and repair of their cell envelope.
Jacob, H E; Förster, W; Berg, H
The inactivation of yeast cells in different growth phases by an electric field pulse was investigated. Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the logarithmic growth phase were found to be much more sensitive with respect to an electric discharge than those in the stationary phase. The influence of the electric field pulse characteristics on the inactivation as well as possible secondary effects were studied. The polyene antibiotic perhydrohexafungin (PHF) is used as a tool to sense defects in the yeast cell envelope brought about by electric field action. The repair kinetics of these defects was followed after the impulse. At least two repair stages can be distinguished, a fast one in the second range and a slower one which takes place after plating the cells on a nutrient medium. The obtained results are discussed in connection with current theories of reversible dielectric breakdown in biological membrane systems. PMID:7023081
Pulsed Electric Field inactivation of microbial cells: the use of ceramic layers to increase the efficiency of treatment
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pizzichemi, M.
The impact of Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) on bacteria and plant or animal cells has been investigated since the early 1960s. High electric fields pulses (20-70 kV/cm, 1-10 μs) are reported to cause rupture of the cellular lipid membrane, through the mechanism of irreversible electroporation. Quantitative description of cell inactivation kinetics is based on the analysis of stability of lipid bilayers under electric fields and the thermal fluctuations associated with the production of pores. PEF has been successfully applied to inactivation of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in many sorts of liquids, such as milk, fruit juices and liquid eggs. In all these media, the level of inactivation could reach the 5 Logs for an approximate range of pulses of 100-200, and an energy consumption of ˜ 10-100 kJ/kg. The advantages of PEF are the superior maintenance of functional and nutritional levels (if compared to traditional thermal treatment), continuous treatment and short processing times, while the current high costs of this technique make it more suitable for treatment of expensive media. We present a solution to the problem of volumes in PEF treatment through the use of high permittivity ceramics, while retaining the same inactivation efficiency and improving the duration of the electrodes.
Inactivation of Ricin Toxin by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields Including Evidences from Cell and Animal Toxicity
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wei, Kai; Li, Wei; Gao, Shan; Ji, Bin; Zang, Yating; Su, Bo; Wang, Kaile; Yao, Maosheng; Zhang, Jue; Wang, Jinglin
Ricin is one of the most toxic and easily produced plant protein toxin extracted from the castor oil plant, and it has been classified as a chemical warfare agent. Here, nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) at 30 kV/cm (pulse durations: 10 ns, 100 ns, and 300 ns) were applied to inactivating ricin up to 4.2 μg/mL. To investigate the efficacy, cells and mice were tested against the ricin treated by the nsPEFs via direct intraperitoneal injection and inhalation exposure. Results showed that nsPEFs treatments can effectively reduce the toxicity of the ricin. Without the nsPEFs treatment, 100% of mice were killed upon the 4 μg ricin injection on the first day, however 40% of the mice survived the ricin treated by the nsPEFs. Compared to injection, inhalation exposure even with higher ricin dose required longer time to observe mice fatality. Pathological observations revealed damages to heart, lung, kidney, and stomach after the ricin exposure, more pronounced for lung and kidney including severe bleeding. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) and circular dichroism (CD) analyses revealed that although the primary structure of ricin was not altered, its secondary structures (beta-sheet and beta-turn) underwent transition upon the nsPEFs treatment.
Inactivation of Ricin Toxin by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields Including Evidences from Cell and Animal Toxicity
Wei, Kai; Li, Wei; Gao, Shan; Ji, Bin; Zang, Yating; Su, Bo; Wang, Kaile; Yao, Maosheng; Zhang, Jue; Wang, Jinglin
Ricin is one of the most toxic and easily produced plant protein toxin extracted from the castor oil plant, and it has been classified as a chemical warfare agent. Here, nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) at 30 kV/cm (pulse durations: 10 ns, 100 ns, and 300 ns) were applied to inactivating ricin up to 4.2 μg/mL. To investigate the efficacy, cells and mice were tested against the ricin treated by the nsPEFs via direct intraperitoneal injection and inhalation exposure. Results showed that nsPEFs treatments can effectively reduce the toxicity of the ricin. Without the nsPEFs treatment, 100% of mice were killed upon the 4 μg ricin injection on the first day, however 40% of the mice survived the ricin treated by the nsPEFs. Compared to injection, inhalation exposure even with higher ricin dose required longer time to observe mice fatality. Pathological observations revealed damages to heart, lung, kidney, and stomach after the ricin exposure, more pronounced for lung and kidney including severe bleeding. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) and circular dichroism (CD) analyses revealed that although the primary structure of ricin was not altered, its secondary structures (beta-sheet and beta-turn) underwent transition upon the nsPEFs treatment. PMID:26728251
Inactivation of Ricin Toxin by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields Including Evidences from Cell and Animal Toxicity.
Wei, Kai; Li, Wei; Gao, Shan; Ji, Bin; Zang, Yating; Su, Bo; Wang, Kaile; Yao, Maosheng; Zhang, Jue; Wang, Jinglin
Ricin is one of the most toxic and easily produced plant protein toxin extracted from the castor oil plant, and it has been classified as a chemical warfare agent. Here, nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) at 30 kV/cm (pulse durations: 10 ns, 100 ns, and 300 ns) were applied to inactivating ricin up to 4.2 μg/mL. To investigate the efficacy, cells and mice were tested against the ricin treated by the nsPEFs via direct intraperitoneal injection and inhalation exposure. Results showed that nsPEFs treatments can effectively reduce the toxicity of the ricin. Without the nsPEFs treatment, 100% of mice were killed upon the 4 μg ricin injection on the first day, however 40% of the mice survived the ricin treated by the nsPEFs. Compared to injection, inhalation exposure even with higher ricin dose required longer time to observe mice fatality. Pathological observations revealed damages to heart, lung, kidney, and stomach after the ricin exposure, more pronounced for lung and kidney including severe bleeding. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) and circular dichroism (CD) analyses revealed that although the primary structure of ricin was not altered, its secondary structures (beta-sheet and beta-turn) underwent transition upon the nsPEFs treatment. PMID:26728251
Inactivation of Salmonella Typhimurium in orange juice containing antimicrobial agents by pulsed electric field.
Liang, Ziwei; Mittal, Gauri S; Griffiths, Mansel W
Combinations of different hurdles, including moderately high temperatures (<60 degrees C), antimicrobial compounds, and pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment, to reduce Salmonella in pasteurized and freshly squeezed orange juices (with and without pulp) were explored. Populations of Salmonella Typhimurium were found to decrease with an increase in pulse number and treatment temperature. At a field strength of 90 kV/cm, a pulse number of 20, and a temperature of 45 degrees C, PEF treatment did not have a notable effect on cell viability or injury. At and above 46 degrees C, however, cell death and injury were greatly increased. Salmonella numbers were reduced by 5.9 log cycles in freshly squeezed orange juice (without pulp) treated at 90 kV/cm, 50 pulses, and 55 degrees C. When PEF treatment was carried out in the presence of nisin (100 U/ml of orange juice), lysozyme (2,400 U/ml), or a mixture of nisin (27.5 U/ml) and lysozyme (690 U/ml), cell viability loss was increased by an additional 0.04 to 2.75 log cycles. The combination of nisin and lysozyme had a more pronounced bactericidal effect than did either nisin or lysozyme alone. An additional Salmonella count reduction of at least 1.37 log cycles was achieved when the two antimicrobial agents were used in combination. No significant difference (P > 0.05) in cell death was attained by lowering the pH value; only cell injury increased. Inactivation by PEF was significantly more extensive (P < 0.05) in pasteurized orange juice than in freshly squeezed orange juice under the same treatment conditions. This increase might be due to the effect of the chemical composition of the juices. PMID:12117238
A combined treatment of UV-light and radio frequency electric field for the inactivation of Escherichia coli K-12 in apple juice
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) and UV-light treatments have been reported to inactivate bacteria in liquid foods. However, information on the efficacy of bacterial inactivation by combined treatments of RFEF and UV-light technologies is limited. In this study, we investigated the relationshi...
Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Escherichia coli 8739 in apple juice by pulsed electric fields.
Evrendilek, G A; Zhang, Q H; Richter, E R
The effect of high voltage pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and generic E. coli 8739 in apple juice was investigated. Fresh apple juice samples inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli 8739 were treated by PEF with selected parameters including electric field strength, treatment time, and treatment temperature. Samples were exposed to bipolar pulses with electric field strengths of 30, 26, 22, and 18 kV/cm and total treatment times of 172, 144, 115, and 86 micros. A 5-log reduction in both cultures was determined by a standard nonselective medium spread plate laboratory procedure. Treatment temperature was kept below 35 degrees C. Results showed no difference in the sensitivities of E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli 8739 against PEF treatment. PEF is a promising technology for the inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli 8739 in apple juice. PMID:10419274
Radio Frequency Electric Fields Inactivation of Escherichia coli in Apple Cider
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Apple cider has been implicated in several outbreaks. Thermal pasteurization eliminates this threat, but it can detrimentally affect the quality of the cider. A nonthermal process using radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) was developed to pasteurize cider. An 80 kW RFEF pilot plant system was ...
Radio Frequency Electric Fields Inactivation of Lactobacillus plantarum in Apple Cider
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) nonthermal processing has recently been shown to be effective at reducing Escherichia coli in fruit juices. While considerable effort and progress have been made in studying the effect of RFEF processing on this gram negative bacteria, there is a total lack of...
Inactivation of Escherichia coli in a tropical fruit smoothie by a combination of heat and pulsed electric fields.
Walkling-Ribeiro, M; Noci, F; Cronin, D A; Lyng, J G; Morgan, D J
Moderate heat in combination with pulsed electric fields (PEF) was investigated as a potential alternative to thermal pasteurization of a tropical fruit smoothie based on pineapple, banana, and coconut milk, inoculated with Escherichia coli K12. The smoothie was heated from 25 degrees C to either 45 or 55 degrees C over 60 s and subsequently cooled to 10 degrees C. PEF was applied at electric field strengths of 24 and 34 kV/cm with specific energy inputs of 350, 500, and 650 kJ/L. Both processing technologies were combined using heat (45 or 55 degrees C) and the most effective set of PEF conditions. Bacterial inactivation was estimated on standard and NaCl-supplemented tryptone soy agar (TSA) to enumerate sublethally injured cells. By increasing the temperature from 45 to 55 degrees C, a higher reduction in E. coli numbers (1 compared with 1.7 log(10) colony forming units {CFU} per milliliter, P < 0.05) was achieved. Similarly, as the field strength was increased during stand-alone PEF treatment from 24 to 34 kV/cm, a greater number of E. coli cells were inactivated (2.8 compared with 4.2 log(10) CFU/mL, P < 0.05). An increase in heating temperature from 45 to 55 degrees C during a combined heat/PEF hurdle approach induced a higher inactivation (5.1 compared with 6.9 log(10) CFU/mL, respectively [P < 0.05]) with the latter value comparable to the bacterial reduction of 6.3 log(10) CFU/mL (P> or = 0.05) achieved by thermal pasteurization (72 degrees C, 15 s). A reversed hurdle processing sequence did not affect bacterial inactivation (P> or = 0.05). No differences were observed (P> or = 0.05) between the bacterial counts estimated on nonselective and selective TSA, suggesting that sublethal cell injury did not occur during single PEF treatments or combined heat/PEF treatments. PMID:19019120
Pulsed electric field processing of different fruit juices: impact of pH and temperature on inactivation of spoilage and pathogenic micro-organisms.
Timmermans, R A H; Nierop Groot, M N; Nederhoff, A L; van Boekel, M A J S; Matser, A M; Mastwijk, H C
Pulsed electrical field (PEF) technology can be used for the inactivation of micro-organisms and therefore for preservation of food products. It is a mild technology compared to thermal pasteurization because a lower temperature is used during processing, leading to a better retention of the quality. In this study, pathogenic and spoilage micro-organisms relevant in refrigerated fruit juices were studied to determine the impact of process parameters and juice composition on the effectiveness of the PEF process to inactivate the micro-organisms. Experiments were performed using a continuous-flow PEF system at an electrical field strength of 20 kV/cm with variable frequencies to evaluate the inactivation of Salmonella Panama, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in apple, orange and watermelon juices. Kinetic data showed that under the same conditions, S. cerevisiae was the most sensitive micro-organism, followed by S. Panama and E. coli, which displayed comparable inactivation kinetics. L. monocytogenes was the most resistant micro-organism towards the treatment conditions tested. A synergistic effect between temperature and electric pulses was observed at inlet temperatures above 35 °C, hence less energy for inactivation was required at higher temperatures. Different juice matrices resulted in a different degree of inactivation, predominantly determined by pH. The survival curves were nonlinear and could satisfactorily be modeled with the Weibull model. PMID:24418831
Ultraviolet and pulsed electric field treatments have additive effect on inactivation of E. coli in apple juice.
Gachovska, T K; Kumar, S; Thippareddi, H; Subbiah, J; Williams, F
Apple juice inoculated with Escherichia coli ATCC 23472 was processed continuously using either ultraviolet (UV), high-voltage pulsed electric field (PEF), or a combination of the PEF and UV treatment systems. Apple juice was pumped through either of the systems at 3 flow rates (8, 14, and 20 mL/min). E. coli was reduced by 3.46 log CFU/mL when exposed in a 50 cm length of UV treatment chamber at 8 mL/min (2.94 s treatment time with a product temperature increase of 13 degrees C). E. coli inactivation of 4.87 log CFU/mL was achieved with a peak electric field strength of 60 kV/cm and 11.3 pulses (average pulse width of 3.5 mus, product temperature increased to 52 degrees C). E. coli reductions resulting from a combination treatment of UV and PEF applied sequentially were evaluated. A maximum E. coli reduction of 5.35 log CFU/mL was achieved using PEF (electrical field strength of 60 kV/cm, specific energy of 162 J/mL, and 11.3 pulses) and UV treatments (length of 50 cm, treatment time of 2.94 s, and flow rate of 8 mL/min). An additive effect was observed for the combination treatments (PEF and UV), regardless of the order of treatment (P > 0.05). E. coli reductions of 5.35 and 5.30 log CFU/mL with PEF treatment (electrical field strength of 60 kV/cm, specific energy of 162 J/mL, and 11.3 pulses) followed by UV (length of 30 cm, treatment time of 1.8 s, and flow rate of 8 mL/min) and UV treatment followed by PEF (same treatment conditions), respectively. No synergistic effect was observed. PMID:19021811
Effects of pH and Temperature on Inactivation of Salmonella Tyhimurium DT104 in Liquid Whole Egg by Pulsed Electric Fields
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Pulsed electric fields (PEF) applies very short (microseconds) pulses of very high intensity (10 to 50 kV/cm) to foods to inactivate microorganisms by rupturing their lipid membranes. PEF process may be conducted at ambient temperature. The efficacy of PEF processing for pasteurization of liquid egg...
Inactivation of Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Lactobacillus brevis in Low-fat Milk by Pulsed Electric Field Treatment: A Pilot-scale Study
Han, Bok Kung; Choi, Hyuk Joon; Kang, Shin Ho; Baick, Seung Chun
We investigated the effects of a pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment on microbial inactivation and the physical properties of low-fat milk. Milk inoculated with Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or Lactobacillus brevis was supplied to a pilot-scale PEF treatment system at a flow rate of 30 L/h. Pulses with an electric field strength of 10 kV/cm and a pulse width of 30 μs were applied to the milk with total pulse energies of 50-250 kJ/L achieved by varying the pulse frequency. The inactivation curves of the test microorganisms were biphasic with an initial lag phase (or shoulder) followed by a phase of rapid inactivation. PEF treatments with a total pulse energy of 200 kJ/L resulted in a 4.5-log reduction in E. coli, a 4.4-log reduction in L. brevis, and a 6.0-log reduction in S. cerevisiae. Total pulse energies of 200 and 250 kJ/L resulted in greater than 5-log reductions in microbial counts in stored PEF-treated milk, and the growth of surviving microorganisms was slow during storage for 15 d at 4℃. PEF treatment did not change milk physical properties such as pH, color, or particle-size distribution (p<0.05). These results indicate that a relatively low electric-field strength of 10 kV/cm can be used to pasteurize low-fat milk. PMID:26877640
Pulsed electric field inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 and surrogate bacteria in orange juice
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Introduction: United States FDA juice HACCP rules mandate that orange juice (OJ) processors treat juice for a 5 log reduction of the target pathogen. Thermal pasteurization, however, reduces the sensory characteristics of OJ by removing or altering volatile compounds. Pulsed electric field (PEF) ...
Microbial inactivation and shelf life comparison of 'cold' hurdle processing with pulsed electric fields and microfiltration, and conventional thermal pasteurisation in skim milk.
Walkling-Ribeiro, M; Rodríguez-González, O; Jayaram, S; Griffiths, M W
Thermal pasteurisation (TP) is the established food technology for commercial processing of milk. However, degradation of valuable nutrients in milk and its sensory characteristics occurs during TP due to substantial heat exposure. Pulsed electric fields (PEF) and microfiltration (MF) both represent emerging food processing technologies allowing gentle milk preservation at lower temperatures and shorter treatment times for similar, or better, microbial inactivation and shelf stability when applied in a hurdle approach compared to TP. Incubated raw milk was used as an inoculum for the enrichment of skim milk with native microorganisms before PEF, MF, and TP processing. Inoculated milk was PEF-processed at electric field strengths between 16 and 42 kV/cm for treatment times from 612 to 2105 μs; accounting for energy densities between 407 and 815 kJ/L, while MF was applied with a transmembrane flux of 660 L/h m². Milk was TP-treated at 75°C for 24 s. Comparing PEF, MF, and TP for the reduction of the native microbial load in milk led to a 4.6 log₁₀ CFU/mL reduction in count for TP, which was similar to 3.7 log₁₀ CFU/mL obtained by MF (P≥0.05), and more effective than the 2.5 log₁₀ CFU/mL inactivation achieved by PEF inactivation (at 815 kJ/L (P<0.05)). Combined processing with MF followed by PEF (MF/PEF) produced a 4.1 (at 407 and 632 kJ/L), 4.4 (at 668 kJ/L) and 4.8 (at 815 kJ/L) log₁₀ CFU/mL reduction in count of the milk microorganisms, which was comparable to that of TP (P≥0.05). Reversed processing (PEF/MF) achieved comparable reductions of 4.9, 5.3 and 5.7 log₁₀ CFU/mL (at 407, 632 and 668 kJ/L, respectively (P≥0.05)) and a higher inactivation of 7.1 log₁₀ (at 815 kJ/mL (P<0.05)) in milk than for TP. Microbial shelf life of PEF/MF-treated (815 kJ/L) and TP-treated milk stored at 4°C was analysed over 35 days for total aerobic; enterobacteria; yeasts and moulds; lactobacilli; psychrotroph; thermoduric psychrotroph, mesophilic
A combined treatment of UV-light and radio frequency electric field for the inactivation of Escherichia coli K-12 in apple juice.
Ukuku, Dike O; Geveke, David J
Radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) and UV-light treatments have been reported to inactivate bacteria in liquid foods. However, information on the efficacy of bacterial inactivation by combined treatments of RFEF and UV-light technologies is limited. In this study, we investigated the relationship between cell injury and inactivation of Escherichia coli K-12 in apple juice treated with a combination of RFEF and UV-light. Apple juice purchased from a wholesale distributor was inoculated with E. coli K-12 at 7.8 log CFU/ml, processed with a laboratory scale RFEF unit at 20 kHz, 15 kV/cm for 170 micros at a flow rate of 540 ml/min followed by UV-light treatment (254 nm) for 12s at 25, 30 and 40 degrees C. Treated samples were analyzed for leakage of UV-substances as a function of membrane damage and were plated (0.1 ml) on Sorbitol MacConkey Agar (SMAC) and Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) plates to determine the viability loss and percent injury. At 40 degrees C, UV-light treatment alone caused 5.8 log reduction of E. coli in apple juice while RFEF caused only 2.8 log reduction. A combination of the two processing treatments did not increase cell injury or leakage of intracellular bacterial UV-substances more than that from the UV-light treatment. Similarly, the viability loss determined was not significantly (P<0.05) different than UV-light treatment alone. However, the UV-substances determined in apple juice treated with RFEF was significantly (P>0.05) different than UV-light treated samples. The results of this study suggest that RFEF treatment causes more injury to the bacterial cells leading to more leakage of intracellular UV-substances than cells treated with UV-light alone. Also, the effect of the two processing treatment combination on bacterial inactivation was not additive. PMID:20116875
Inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 and nonpathogenic E. coli in strawberry juice by pulsed electric field, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and citric acid
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Introduction: Current regulations require that juice processors effect a 5 log CFU/ml reduction of a target pathogen prior to distributing products. Whereas thermal pasteurization reduces the sensory characteristics of juice by altering flavor components, pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment may ...
Inactivation of bacteria by electric current in the presence of carbon nanotubes embedded within a polymeric membrane.
Zhu, Anna; Liu, Harris K; Long, Feng; Su, Erzheng; Klibanov, Alexander M
Uniform conductive composite membranes were prepared using a phase inversion method by blending carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a polysulfone polymer. At 6 % of the embedded CNTs, the membrane pore size measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was approximately 50 nm. Electric current in the presence of the composite membranes markedly inactivated the model pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with the extent of bacterial inactivation rising when the current was increased. Over 99.999 % inactivation of both bacteria was observed in deionized water after 40 min at 5 mA direct current (DC); importantly, no appreciable inactivation occurred in the absence of either the electric field or the CNTs within the membranes under otherwise the same conditions. A much lower, although still pronounced, inactivation was seen with alternating current (AC) in a 25 mM NaCl aqueous solution. PMID:25342266
Electric Field Imaging Project
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wilcutt, Terrence; Hughitt, Brian; Burke, Eric; Generazio, Edward
NDE historically has focused technology development in propagating wave phenomena with little attention to the field of electrostatics and emanating electric fields. This work is intended to bring electrostatic imaging to the forefront of new inspection technologies, and new technologies in general. The specific goals are to specify the electric potential and electric field including the electric field spatial components emanating from, to, and throughout volumes containing objects or in free space.
Nonthermal processing by radio frequency electric fields
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) processing is relatively new and has been shown to inactivate bacteria in apple juice, orange juice and apple cider at moderately low temperatures. Key equipment components of the process include a radio frequency power supply and a treatment chamber that is ca...
Cell separation using electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mangano, Joseph (Inventor); Eppich, Henry (Inventor)
The present invention involves methods and devices which enable discrete objects having a conducting inner core, surrounded by a dielectric membrane to be selectively inactivated by electric fields via irreversible breakdown of their dielectric membrane. One important application of the invention is in the selection, purification, and/or purging of desired or undesired biological cells from cell suspensions. According to the invention, electric fields can be utilized to selectively inactivate and render non-viable particular subpopulations of cells in a suspension, while not adversely affecting other desired subpopulations. According to the inventive methods, the cells can be selected on the basis of intrinsic or induced differences in a characteristic electroporation threshold, which can depend, for example, on a difference in cell size and/or critical dielectric membrane breakdown voltage. The invention enables effective cell separation without the need to employ undesirable exogenous agents, such as toxins or antibodies. The inventive method also enables relatively rapid cell separation involving a relatively low degree of trauma or modification to the selected, desired cells. The inventive method has a variety of potential applications in clinical medicine, research, etc., with two of the more important foreseeable applications being stem cell enrichment/isolation, and cancer cell purging.
Cell separation using electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mangano, Joseph A. (Inventor); Eppich, Henry M. (Inventor)
The present invention involves methods and devices which enable discrete objects having a conducting inner core, surrounded by a dielectric membrane to be selectively inactivated by electric fields via irreversible breakdown of their dielectric membrane. One important application of the invention is in the selection, purification, and/or purging of desired or undesired biological cells from cell suspensions. According to the invention, electric fields can be utilized to selectively inactivate and render non-viable particular subpopulations of cells in a suspension, while not adversely affecting other desired subpopulations. According to the inventive methods, the cells can be selected on the basis of intrinsic or induced differences in a characteristic electroporation threshold, which can depend, for example, on a difference in cell size and/or critical dielectric membrane breakdown voltage. The invention enables effective cell separation without the need to employ undesirable exogenous agents, such as toxins or antibodies. The inventive method also enables relatively rapid cell separation involving a relatively low degree of trauma or modification to the selected, desired cells. The inventive method has a variety of potential applications in clinical medicine, research, etc., with two of the more important foreseeable applications being stem cell enrichment/isolation, and cancer cell purging.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Arribas, E.; Gallardo, C.; Molina, M.; Sanjosé, V.
We present the computer program called LINES which is able to calculate and visualize the electric field lines due to seven different discrete configurations of electric point charges. Also we show two examples of the graphic screens generated by LINES.
Radio frequency electric fields as a nonthermal process
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
An overview is presented of the current state of art in microbial inactivation in food products by radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) processing. Critical process parameters determining inactivation are discussed. Some issues are offered that need further investigation in order to commercialize ...
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
The concept of pulsed electric fields (PEF) was first proposed in 1967 to change the behavior or microorganisms. The electric field phenomenon was identified as membrane rupture theory in the 1980s. Increasing the membrane permeability led to the application of PEF assisted extraction of cellular co...
Distillation under electric fields
Shah, V.M.; Blankenship, K.D.; Tsouris, C.
Distillation Is the most common separation process used in the chemical and petroleum industry. Major limitations in the applicability and efficiency of distillation come from thermodynamic equilibria, that is, vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE), and heat and mass transfer rates. In this work, electric fields are used to manipulate the VLE of mixtures. VLE experiments are performed for various binary mixtures in the presence of electric fields on the order of a few kilovolts per centimeter. The results show that the VLE is changed by electric fields, with changes in the separation factor as high as 10% being observed. Batch distillation experiments are also carried out for binary mixtures of 2-propanol and water with and without an applied electric field. Results show enhanced distillation rates and separation efficiency in the presence of an electric field but decreased separation enhancement when the electric current is increased. The latter phenomenon is caused by the formation at the surface of the liquid mixture of microdroplets that are entrained by the vapor. These observations suggest that there should be an electric field strength for each system for which the separation enhancement is maximum.
Comparative effects of ohmic, induction cooker, and electric stove heating on soymilk trypsin inhibitor inactivation.
Lu, Lu; Zhao, Luping; Zhang, Caimeng; Kong, Xiangzhen; Hua, Yufei; Chen, Yeming
During thermal treatment of soymilk, a rapid incorporation of Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) into protein aggregates by covalent (disulfide bond, SS) and/or noncovalent interactions with other proteins is responsible for its fast inactivation of trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA). In contrast, the slow cleavage of a single Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI) peptide bond is responsible for its slow inactivation of TIA and chymotrypsin inhibitor activity (CIA). In this study, the effects of Ohmic heating (220 V, 50 Hz) on soymilk TIA and CIA inactivation were examined and compared to induction cooker and electric stove heating with similar thermal histories. It was found that: (1) TIA and CIA inactivation was slower from 0 to 3 min, and faster after 3 min as compared to induction cooker and electric stove. (2) The thiol (SH) loss rate was slower from 0 to 3 min, and similar to induction cooker and electric stove after 3 min. (3) Ohmic heating slightly increased protein aggregate formation. (4) In addition to the cleavage of one BBI peptide bond, an additional reaction might occur to enhance BBI inactivation. (5) Ohmic heating was more energy-efficient for TIA and CIA inactivation. (6) TIA and CIA inactivation was accelerated with increasing electric voltage (110, 165, and 220 V) of Ohmic heating. It is likely that the enhanced inactivation of TIA by Ohmic heating is due to its combined electrochemical and thermal effects. PMID:25678063
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kaufman, H. R.; Robinson, R. S.; Etters, R. D.
A number of energy momentum anomalies are described that result from the use of Abraham-Lorentz electromagnetic theory. These anomalies have in common the motion of charged bodies or current carrying conductors relative to the observer. The anomalies can be avoided by using the nonflow approach, based on internal energy of the electromagnetic field. The anomalies can also be avoided by using the flow approach, if all contributions to flow work are included. The general objective of this research is a fundamental physical understanding of electric and magnetic fields which, in turn, might promote the development of new concepts in electric space propulsion. The approach taken is to investigate quantum representations of these fields.
Relationship between Sublethal Injury and Inactivation of Yeast Cells by the Combination of Sorbic Acid and Pulsed Electric Fields▿
Somolinos, M.; García, D.; Condón, S.; Mañas, P.; Pagán, R.
The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of sublethal injury after the pulsed-electric-field (PEF) treatment of two yeasts, Dekkera bruxellensis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as the relation of sublethal injury to the inactivating effect of the combination of PEF and sorbic acid. PEF caused sublethal injury in both yeasts: more than 90% of surviving D. bruxellensis cells and 99% of surviving S. cerevisiae cells were sublethally injured after 50 pulses at 12 kV/cm in buffer at pHs of both 7.0 and 4.0. The proportion of sublethally injured cells reached a maximum after 50 pulses at 12.0 kV/cm (S. cerevisiae) or 16.5 kV/cm (D. bruxellensis), and it kept constant or progressively decreased at greater electric field strengths and with longer PEF treatments. Sublethally PEF-injured cells showed sensitivity to the presence of sorbic acid at a concentration of 2,000 ppm. A synergistic inactivating effect of the combination of PEF and sorbic acid was observed. Survivors of the PEF treatment were progressively inactivated in the presence of 2,000 ppm of sorbic acid at pH 3.8, with the combined treatments achieving more than log10 5 cycles of dead cells under the conditions investigated. This study has demonstrated the occurrence of sublethal injury after exposure to PEF, so yeast inactivation by PEF is not an all-or-nothing event. The combination of PEF and sorbic acid has proven to be an effective method to achieve a higher level of yeast inactivation. This work contributes to the knowledge of the mechanism of microbial inactivation by PEF, and it may be useful for improving food preservation by PEF technology. PMID:17468278
Sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and citric acid induce sublethal injury and enhance pulsed electric field inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 and nonpathogenic surrogate E. coli in strawberry juice
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Current FDA regulations require that juice processors effect a 5 log CFU/ml reduction of a target pathogen prior to distributing products. Whereas thermal pasteurization reduces the sensory characteristics of juice by altering flavor components, pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment can be conducte...
Overview - Electric fields. [in magnetosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cauffman, D. P.
The electric fields session is designed to review progress in observation, theory, and modeling of magnetospheric electric fields, and to expose important new results. The present report comments on the state and prospects of electric field research, with particular emphasis on relevance to quantitative modeling of the magnetospheric processes. Attention is given to underlying theories and models. Modeling philosophy is discussed relative to explanatory models and representative models. Modeling of magnetospheric electric fields, while in its infancy, is developing rapidly on many fronts employing a variety of approaches. The general topic of magnetospheric electric fields is becoming of prime importance in understanding space plasmas.
Magnetospheric electric fields and currents
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mauk, B. H.; Zanetti, L. J.
The progress made in the years 1983-1986 in understanding the character and operation of magnetospheric electric fields and electric currents is discussed, with emphasis placed on the connection with the interior regions. Special attention is given to determinations of global electric-field configurations, measurements of the response of magnetospheric particle populations to the electric-field configurations, and observations of the magnetospheric currents at high altitude and during northward IMF. Global simulations of current distributions are discussed, and the sources of global electric fields and currents are examined. The topics discussed in the area of impulsive and small-scale phenomena include substorm current systems, impulsive electric fields and associated currents, and field-aligned electrodynamics. A key finding of these studies is that the electric fields and currents are interrelated and cannot be viewed as separate entities.
Transient electrical field across cellular membranes: pulsed electric field treatment of microbial cells
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Timoshkin, I. V.; MacGregor, S. J.; Fouracre, R. A.; Crichton, B. H.; Anderson, J. G.
The pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment of liquid and pumpable products contaminated with microorganisms has attracted significant interest from the pulsed power and bioscience research communities particularly because the inactivation mechanism is non-thermal, thereby allowing retention of the original nutritional and flavour characteristics of the product. Although the biological effects of PEF have been studied for several decades, the physical mechanisms of the interaction of the fields with microorganisms is still not fully understood. The present work is a study of the dynamics of the electrical field both in a PEF treatment chamber with dielectric barriers and in the plasma (cell) membrane of a microbial cell. It is shown that the transient process can be divided into three physical phases, and models for these phases are proposed and briefly discussed. The complete dynamics of the time development of the electric field in a spherical dielectric shell representing the cellular membrane is then obtained using an analytical solution of the Ohmic conduction problem. It was found that the field in the membrane reaches a maximum value that could be two orders of magnitude higher than the original Laplacian electrical field in the chamber, and this value was attained in a time comparable to the field relaxation time in the chamber. Thus, the optimal duration of the field during PEF treatment should be equal to such a time.
Electric Field Containerless Processing Technology
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Elleman, D. D.; Rhim, W. K.
The objective of this task is to develop the science and technology base required to design and construct a high temperature electric field positioning module that could be used by materials scientists to conduct containerless science experiments in a low gravity environment. Containerless science modules that employ electric fields to position and manipulate samples offer several advantages over acoustic or electromagnetic systems. The electric field system will operate not only at atmospheric pressures but also in a vacuum, in contrast to the acoustic modules which can only operate in atmosphere where the acoustic forces are sufficient. The electric field technique puts minimum energy into the sample, whereas the electromagnetic system can deposit energy into the sample through eddy current heat as well as physical mixing in the sample. Two types of electric field modules have been constructed and tested to date. One employs a charged sample and uses electrostatic forces to position and control the sample. The second type of module induces electrical polarization of the sample and electric field gradients to position and control the sample.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Roche, John
The clear introduction of basic concepts and definitions is crucial for teaching any topic in physics. I have always found it difficult to teach fields. While searching for better explanations I hit on an approach of reading foundational texts and electromagnetic textbooks in ten year lots, ranging from 1840 to the present. By combining this with modern techniques of textual interpretation I attempt to clarify three introductory concepts: how the field is defined; the principle of superposition and the role of the electrostatic field in a circuit.
Electric and magnetic field measurements
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
McKnight, R. H.; Kotter, F. R.; Misakian, M.; Ortiz, P.
The NBS program concerned with developing methods for evaluating and calibrating instrumentation for use in measuring the electric field and various ion-related electrical quantities in the vicinity of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines is described. Apparatus designed to simulate the transmission line environment is also considered.
Electric and magnetic field measurements
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
McKnight, R. H.; Kotter, F. R.; Misakian, M.; Hagler, J. N.
Methods for evaluating and calibrating instrumentation for use in measuring the electric field and various ion related electrical quantities in the vicinity of high voltage direct current transmission lines are developed. Apparatus designed to simulate the transmission line environment are also evaluated.
Pulsed electric field processing of foods: a review.
Jeyamkondan, S; Jayas, D S; Holley, R A
Use of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) for inactivation of microorganisms is one of the more promising nonthermal processing methods. Inactivation of microorganisms exposed to high-voltage PEFs is related to the electromechanical instability of the cell membrane. Electric field strength and treatment time are the two most important factors involved in PEF processing. Encouraging results are reported at the laboratory level, but scaling up to the industrial level escalates the cost of the command charging power supply and of the high-speed electrical switch. In this paper, we critically review the results of earlier experimental studies on PEFs and we suggest the future work that is required in this field. Inactivation tests in viscous foods and in liquid food containing particulates must be conducted. A successful continuous PEF processing system for industrial applications has yet to be designed. The high initial cost of setting up the PEF processing system is the major obstacle confronting those who would encourage the system's industrial application. Innovative developments in high-voltage pulse technology will reduce the cost of pulse generation and will make PEF processing competitive with thermal-processing methods. PMID:10492486
THOR Electric Field Instrument - EFI
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Khotyaintsev, Yuri; Bale, Stuart D.; Bonnell, John W.; Lindqvist, Per-Arne; Phal, Yamuna; Rothkaehl, Hanna; Soucek, Jan; Vaivads, Andris; Åhlen, Lennart
Turbulence Heating ObserveR (THOR) is the first mission ever flown in space dedicated to plasma turbulence. The Electric Field Instrument (EFI) will measure the vector electric field from 0 to 200 kHz. EFI consists of two sets of sensors: Spin-plane Double Probes (EFI-SDP) providing high sensitivity DC electric field in the spacecraft spin plane (2D), and the High-Frequency Antenna (EFI-HFA) providing 3D electric field at frequencies above ~1 kHz. EFI-SDP consists of 4 biased spherical probes extended on 50 m long wire booms, 90 degrees apart in the spin plane, giving a 100 m baseline for each of the two spin-plane electric field components. EFI-HFA consists of 6 x 1.25 m long monopoles, forming 3 dipolar antennas crossed at 90 degrees to each other. In addition to the sensors, EFI contains HFA and SDP pre-amplifiers, as well as bias electronics boards (BEBs) hosted in the man electronics box of the Field and Wave processor (FWP). As THOR spacecraft has a sun-pointing spin axis, EFI-SDP measures the electric field in the plane approximately orthogonal to the sun using long wire booms. The sun-pointing attitude greatly reduces errors due to wake effects and asymmetric photoelectron clouds, enabling the highly accurate in comparison to earlier missions ±0.1 mV/m near-DC electric field measurements. Interferometry using the electric field probes can be used to infer wavelengths and scale sizes at the smallest scales in the plasma. EFI also measures the floating potential of the satellite, which can be used to estimate the plasma density at very high time resolution (up to a few hundred Hz). The sun-pointing attitude greatly reduces changes in the illuminated area, and hence the associated spin-dependent errors. In combination with densities derived from the observed plasma frequency emission line, EFI monitors the plasma density from DC to a few hundred Hz. EFI measurements characterize electric field and density variations associated with kinetic scale plasma
Electric fields and quantum wormholes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Engelhardt, Dalit; Freivogel, Ben; Iqbal, Nabil
Electric fields can thread a classical Einstein-Rosen bridge. Maldacena and Susskind have recently suggested that in a theory of dynamical gravity the entanglement of ordinary perturbative quanta should be viewed as creating a quantum version of an Einstein-Rosen bridge between the particles, or a "quantum wormhole." We demonstrate within low-energy effective field theory that there is a precise sense in which electric fields can also thread such quantum wormholes. We define a nonperturbative "wormhole susceptibility" that measures the ease of passing an electric field through any sort of wormhole. The susceptibility of a quantum wormhole is suppressed by powers of the U (1 ) gauge coupling relative to that for a classical wormhole but can be made numerically equal with a sufficiently large amount of entangled matter.
Electric fields in the magnetosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Heppner, J. P.
Two techniques, tracking the motions of Ba(+) clouds and measuring the differences in floating potential between symmetric double probes, were successful in: (1) demonstrating the basic convective nature of magnetospheric electric fields, (2) mapping global patterns of convection at upper ionosphere levels, and (3) revealing the physics of electric currents in the ionosphere and the importance of magnetosphere-ionosphere feedback in altering the imposed convection.
Electrophoresis in strong electric fields.
Barany, Sandor
Two kinds of non-linear electrophoresis (ef) that can be detected in strong electric fields (several hundred V/cm) are considered. The first ("classical" non-linear ef) is due to the interaction of the outer field with field-induced ionic charges in the electric double layer (EDL) under conditions, when field-induced variations of electrolyte concentration remain to be small comparatively to its equilibrium value. According to the Shilov theory, the non-linear component of the electrophoretic velocity for dielectric particles is proportional to the cubic power of the applied field strength (cubic electrophoresis) and to the second power of the particles radius; it is independent of the zeta-potential but is determined by the surface conductivity of particles. The second one, the so-called "superfast electrophoresis" is connected with the interaction of a strong outer field with a secondary diffuse layer of counterions (space charge) that is induced outside the primary (classical) diffuse EDL by the external field itself because of concentration polarization. The Dukhin-Mishchuk theory of "superfast electrophoresis" predicts quadratic dependence of the electrophoretic velocity of unipolar (ionically or electronically) conducting particles on the external field gradient and linear dependence on the particle's size in strong electric fields. These are in sharp contrast to the laws of classical electrophoresis (no dependence of V(ef) on the particle's size and linear dependence on the electric field gradient). A new method to measure the ef velocity of particles in strong electric fields is developed that is based on separation of the effects of sedimentation and electrophoresis using videoimaging and a new flowcell and use of short electric pulses. To test the "classical" non-linear electrophoresis, we have measured the ef velocity of non-conducting polystyrene, aluminium-oxide and (semiconductor) graphite particles as well as Saccharomice cerevisiae yeast cells as a
Microstickies agglomeration by electric field.
Du, Xiaotang Tony; Hsieh, Jeffery S
Microstickies deposits on both paper machine and paper products when it agglomerates under step change in ionic strength, pH, temperature and chemical additives. These stickies increase the down time of the paper mill and decrease the quality of paper. The key property of microstickies is its smaller size, which leads to low removal efficiency and difficulties in measurement. Thus the increase of microstickies size help improve both removal efficiency and reduce measurement difficulty. In this paper, a new agglomeration technology based on electric field was investigated. The electric treatment could also increase the size of stickies particles by around 100 times. The synergetic effect between electric field treatment and detacky chemicals/dispersants, including polyvinyl alcohol, poly(diallylmethylammonium chloride) and lignosulfonate, was also studied. PMID:27332828
Electric field divertor plasma pump
Schaffer, M.J.
An electric field plasma pump includes a toroidal ring bias electrode positioned near the divertor strike point of a poloidal divertor of a tokamak, or similar plasma-confining apparatus. For optimum plasma pumping, the separatrix of the poloidal divertor contacts the ring electrode, which then also acts as a divertor plate. A plenum or other duct near the electrode includes an entrance aperture open to receive electrically-driven plasma. The electrode is insulated laterally with insulators, one of which is positioned opposite the electrode at the entrance aperture. An electric field E is established between the ring electrode and a vacuum vessel wall, with the polarity of the bias applied to the electrode being relative to the vessel wall selected such that the resultant electric field E interacts with the magnetic field B already existing in the tokamak to create an E [times] B/B[sup 2] drift velocity that drives plasma into the entrance aperture. The pumped plasma flow into the entrance aperture is insensitive to variations, intentional or otherwise, of the pump and divertor geometry. Pressure buildups in the plenum or duct connected to the entrance aperture in excess of 10 mtorr are achievable. 11 figs.
Electric field divertor plasma pump
Schaffer, Michael J.
An electric field plasma pump includes a toroidal ring bias electrode (56) positioned near the divertor strike point of a poloidal divertor of a tokamak (20), or similar plasma-confining apparatus. For optimum plasma pumping, the separatrix (40) of the poloidal divertor contacts the ring electrode (56), which then also acts as a divertor plate. A plenum (54) or other duct near the electrode (56) includes an entrance aperture open to receive electrically-driven plasma. The electrode (56) is insulated laterally with insulators (63,64), one of which (64) is positioned opposite the electrode at the entrance aperture. An electric field E is established between the ring electrode (56) and a vacuum vessel wall (22), with the polarity of the bias applied to the electrode being relative to the vessel wall selected such that the resultant electric field E interacts with the magnetic field B already existing in the tokamak to create an E.times.B/B.sup.2 drift velocity that drives plasma into the entrance aperture. The pumped plasma flow into the entrance aperture is insensitive to variations, intentional or otherwise, of the pump and divertor geometry. Pressure buildups in the plenum or duct connected to the entrance aperture in excess of 10 mtorr are achievable.
Linear electric field mass spectrometry
McComas, D.J.; Nordholt, J.E.
A mass spectrometer and methods for mass spectrometry are described. The apparatus is compact and of low weight and has a low power requirement, making it suitable for use on a space satellite and as a portable detector for the presence of substances. High mass resolution measurements are made by timing ions moving through a gridless cylindrically symmetric linear electric field. 8 figs.
Linear electric field mass spectrometry
McComas, David J.; Nordholt, Jane E.
A mass spectrometer and methods for mass spectrometry. The apparatus is compact and of low weight and has a low power requirement, making it suitable for use on a space satellite and as a portable detector for the presence of substances. High mass resolution measurements are made by timing ions moving through a gridless cylindrically symmetric linear electric field.
Place field expansion after focal MEC inactivations is consistent with loss of Fourier components and path integrator gain reduction
Ormond, Jake; McNaughton, Bruce L.
Both hippocampal place fields and medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) grid fields increase in scale along the dorsoventral axis. Because the connections from MEC to hippocampus are topographically organized and divergent, it has been hypothesized that place fields are generated by a Fourier-like summation of inputs over a range of spatial scales. This hypothesis predicts that inactivation of dorsal MEC should cause place field expansion, whereas inactivation of ventral MEC should cause field contraction. Inactivation of dorsal MEC caused substantial expansion of place fields; however, as inactivations were made more ventrally, the effect diminished but never switched to contraction. Expansion was accompanied by proportional decreases in theta power, intrinsic oscillation frequencies, phase precession slopes, and firing rates. Our results are most consistent with the predicted loss of specific Fourier components coupled with a path integration gain reduction, which raises the overall place field scale and masks the contraction expected from ventral inactivations. PMID:25733884
Apparatuses and methods for generating electric fields
Scott, Jill R; McJunkin, Timothy R; Tremblay, Paul L
Apparatuses and methods relating to generating an electric field are disclosed. An electric field generator may include a semiconductive material configured in a physical shape substantially different from a shape of an electric field to be generated thereby. The electric field is generated when a voltage drop exists across the semiconductive material. A method for generating an electric field may include applying a voltage to a shaped semiconductive material to generate a complex, substantially nonlinear electric field. The shape of the complex, substantially nonlinear electric field may be configured for directing charged particles to a desired location. Other apparatuses and methods are disclosed.
Nanoconfined water under electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Luzar, Alenka; Bratko, D.; Daub, C. D.
We study the effect of electric field on interfacial tension of nanoconfined water [1,2] using molecular simulations. Our analysis and simulations confirm that classical electrostriction characterizes usual electrowetting behavior in nanoscale hydrophobic channels and nanoporous materials [3]. We suggest a new mechanism to orient nanoparticles by an applied electric field even when the particles carry no charges or dipoles of their own. Coupling to the field can be accomplished trough solvent-mediated interaction between the electric field and a nanoparticle [4]. For nanoscale particles in water, we find the response to the applied field to be sufficiently fast to make this mechanism relevant for biological processes, design of novel nanostructures and sensors, and development of nanoengineering methods [5]. [1]C. D. Daub, D. Bratko, K. Leung and A. Luzar, J. Phys. Chem. C 111, 505 (2007). [2] D. Bratko, C. D. Daub, K. Leung and A. Luzar, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129, 2504 (2007) [3] D. Bratko, C. D. Daub and A. Luzar, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 10, 6807 (2008). [4] D. Bratko, C. D. Daub and A. Luzar, Faraday Discussions 141, 55 (2009). [5] C. D. Daub, D. Bratko, T. Ali and A. Luzar, Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 207801 (2009).
Electric Field Mediated Droplet Centering
Bei, Z.-M.; Jones, T.B.; Tucker-Schwartz, A.; Harding, D.R.
Double emulsion droplets subjected to a uniform ac electric field self-assemble into highly concentric structures via the dipole/dipole force if the outer droplet has a higher dielectric constant than the suspending liquid. The dielectric constant of the inner droplet has no influence. To minimize field-induced droplet distortion, the liquids must be density matched to ~0.1%. Centering of ~3 to 6 mm diameter droplets is achieved within ~60 s for field strengths of ~10^4 V_rms /m in liquids of viscosity ~10 cP. Effective centering depends strongly on frequency if the outer shell is conductive.
a Mean-Field Version of the Ssb Model for X-Chromosome Inactivation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gaeta, Giuseppe
Nicodemi and Prisco recently proposed a model for X-chromosome inactivation in mammals, explaining this phenomenon in terms of a spontaneous symmetry-breaking mechanism [{\\it Phys. Rev. Lett.} 99 (2007), 108104]. Here we provide a mean-field version of their model.
Mean-Field Theory of the Symmetry Breaking Model for X Chromosome Inactivation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Scialdone, A.; Barbieri, M.; Pallotti, D.; Nicodemi, M.
X Chromosome Inactivation (XCI) is the process in mammal femalecells whereby one of the X chromosomes is silenced to compensate dosage with respect to males. It is still mysterious how precisely one X chromosome is randomly chosen for inactivation. We discuss here a mean-field theory of the Symmetry Breaking (SB) model of XCI, a Statistical Mechanics model introduced to explain that process. The SB model poses that a single regulatory factor, an aggregate of molecules, is produced which acts to preserve from inactivation one of the X's. The model illustrates a physical mechanism, originating from a thermodynamic phase transition, for the self-assembling of such a single super-molecular aggregate which can spontaneously break the binding symmetry of equivalent targets. This results in a sharp, yet stochastic, regulatory mechanism of XCI. In particular, we focus here on how the model can predict the effects of genetic deletions.
Enhancements of contaminants removal and degradation in low permeability soils by electrical fields are achieved by the processes of electrical heating, electrokinetics, and electrochemical reactions. Electrical heating increases soil temperature resulting in the increase of cont...
Pulsed electric field increases reproduction.
Panagopoulos, Dimitris J
Purpose To study the effect of pulsed electric field - applied in corona discharge photography - on Drosophila melanogaster reproduction, possible induction of DNA fragmentation, and morphological alterations in the gonads. Materials and methods Animals were exposed to different field intensities (100, 200, 300, and 400 kV/m) during the first 2-5 days of their adult lives, and the effect on reproductive capacity was assessed. DNA fragmentation during early- and mid-oogenesis was investigated by application of the TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling) assay. Sections of follicles after fixation and embedding in resins were observed for possible morphological/developmental abnormalities. Results The field increased reproduction by up to 30% by increasing reproductive capacity in both sexes. The effect increased with increasing field intensities. The rate of increase diminished at the strongest intensities. Slight induction of DNA fragmentation was observed exclusively in the nurse (predominantly) and follicle cells, and exclusively at the two most sensitive developmental stages, i.e., germarium and predominantly stage 7-8. Sections of follicles from exposed females at stages of early and mid-oogennesis other than germarium and stages 7-8 did not reveal abnormalities. Conclusions (1) The specific type of electric field may represent a mild stress factor, inducing DNA fragmentation and cell death in a small percentage of gametes, triggering the reaction of the animal's reproductive system to increase the rate of gametogenesis in order to compensate the loss of a small number of gametes. (2) The nurse cells are the most sensitive from all three types of egg chamber cells. (3) The mid-oogenesis checkpoint (stage 7-8) is more sensitive to this field than the early oogenesis one (germarium) in contrast to microwave exposure. (4) Possible therapeutic applications, or applications in increasing fertility, should be investigated. PMID:26651869
Electrical field of electrical appliances versus distance: A preliminary analysis
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mustafa, Nur Badariah Ahmad; Hani Nordin, Farah; Ismail, Fakaruddin Ali Ahmad; Alkahtani, Ammar Ahmed; Balasubramaniam, Nagaletchumi; Hock, Goh Chin; Shariff, Z. A. M.
Every household electrical appliance that is plugged in emits electric field even if it is not operating. The source where the appliance is plugged into and the components of household electrical appliance contribute to electric field emission. The electric field may cause unknown disturbance to the environment or also affect the human health and the effect might depends on the strength of the electric field emitted by the appliance. This paper will investigate the strength of the electric field emitted by four different electrical appliances using spectrum analyser. The strength will be captured at three different distances; (i) 1m (ii) 2m and (iii) 3m and analysis of the strength of the electrical field is done based on the three different distances. The measurement results show that the strength of the electric field is strongest when it is captured at 1m and the weakest at 3m from the electrical appliance. The results proved that the farther an object is located from the electrical appliance; the less effect the magnetic field has.
Electric Field Effect in Intrinsic Josephson Junctions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Koyama, T.
The electric field effect in intrinsic Josephson junction stacks (IJJ's) is investigated on the basis of the capacitively-coupled IJJ model. We clarify the current-voltage characteristics of the IJJ's in the presence of an external electric field. It is predicted that the IJJ's show a dynamical transition to the voltage state as the external electric field is increased.
Electric Field Induced Interfacial Instabilities
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kusner, Robert E.; Min, Kyung Yang; Wu, Xiao-lun; Onuki, Akira
The study of the interface in a charge-free, critical and near-critical binary fluid in the presence of an externally applied electric field is presented. At sufficiently large fields, the interface between the two phases of the binary fluid should become unstable and exhibit an undulation with a predefined wavelength on the order of the capillary length. As the critical point is approached, this wavelength is reduced, potentially approaching length-scales such as the correlation length or critical nucleation radius. At this point the critical properties of the system may be affected. In this paper, the flat interface of a marginally polar binary fluid mixture is stressed by a perpendicular alternating electric field and the resulting instability is characterized by the critical electric field E(sub c) and the pattern observed. The character of the surface dynamics at the onset of instability is found to be strongly dependent on the frequency f of the field applied. The plot of E(sub c) vs. f for a fixed temperature shows a sigmoidal shape, whose low and high frequency limits are well described by a power-law relationship, E(sub c) = epsilon(exp zeta) with zeta = 0.35 and zeta = 0.08, respectively. The low-limit exponent compares well with the value zeta = 4 for a system of conducting and non-conducting fluids. On the other hand, the high-limit exponent coincides with what was first predicted by Onuki. The instability manifests itself as the conducting phase penetrates the non-conducting phase. As the frequency increases, the shape of the pattern changes from an array of bifurcating strings to an array of column-like (or rod-like) protrusions, each of which spans the space between the plane interface and one of the electrodes. For an extremely high frequency, the disturbance quickly grows into a parabolic cone pointing toward the upper plate. As a result, the interface itself changes its shape from that of a plane to that of a high sloping pyramid.
The paper summarizes measurements in which both external electric field (applied by electrodes at the fabric surface) and flyash electrical charge (controlled by an upstream corona precharger) are independent variables in a factorial performance experiment carried out in a labora...
Sterilization of oil-field re-injection water using combination treatment of pulsed electric field and ultrasound.
Xin, Qing; Zhang, Xingwang; Li, Zhongjian; Lei, Lecheng
It was necessary to sterilize the oil-field re-injection water for biocorrosion inhibition. Saprophytic bacteria, iron bacteria and sulfate reducing bacteria were the three main microorganisms resulting in the microbial contamination. To enhance the sterilization efficiency of oil-field re-injection water by pulsed electric field (PEF), the combined treatment of PEF and ultrasound was explored in the study. Meanwhile, the effects of PEF, ultrasound and the combination treatment on the three bacteria inactivation were investigated. The combination treatment had higher inactivation efficiency than independent PEF as well as ultrasound. Obvious synergistic effects were also observed on the inactivation of saprophytic bacteria and iron bacteria by the combined treatment. PMID:18567526
MMS Observations of Parallel Electric Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ergun, R.; Goodrich, K.; Wilder, F. D.; Sturner, A. P.; Holmes, J.; Stawarz, J. E.; Malaspina, D.; Usanova, M.; Torbert, R. B.; Lindqvist, P. A.; Khotyaintsev, Y. V.; Burch, J. L.; Strangeway, R. J.; Russell, C. T.; Pollock, C. J.; Giles, B. L.; Hesse, M.; Goldman, M. V.; Drake, J. F.; Phan, T.; Nakamura, R.
Parallel electric fields are a necessary condition for magnetic reconnection with non-zero guide field and are ultimately accountable for topological reconfiguration of a magnetic field. Parallel electric fields also play a strong role in charged particle acceleration and turbulence. The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission targets these three universal plasma processes. The MMS satellites have an accurate three-dimensional electric field measurement, which can identify parallel electric fields as low as 1 mV/m at four adjacent locations. We present preliminary observations of parallel electric fields from MMS and provide an early interpretation of their impact on magnetic reconnection, in particular, where the topological change occurs. We also examine the role of parallel electric fields in particle acceleration. Direct particle acceleration by parallel electric fields is well established in the auroral region. Observations of double layers in by the Van Allan Probes suggest that acceleration by parallel electric fields may be significant in energizing some populations of the radiation belts. THEMIS observations also indicate that some of the largest parallel electric fields are found in regions of strong field-aligned currents associated with turbulence, suggesting a highly non-linear dissipation mechanism. We discuss how the MMS observations extend our understanding of the role of parallel electric fields in some of the most critical processes in the magnetosphere.
Electric Field Induced Interfacial Instabilities
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kusner, Robert E.; Min, Kyung Yang; Wu, Xiao-Lun; Onuki, Akira
The study of the interface in a charge-free, nonpolar, critical and near-critical binary fluid in the presence of an externally applied electric field is presented. At sufficiently large fields, the interface between the two phases of the binary fluid should become unstable and exhibit an undulation with a predefined wavelength on the order of the capillary length. As the critical point is approached, this wavelength is reduced, potentially approaching length-scales such as the correlation length or critical nucleation radius. At this point the critical properties of the system may be affected. In zero gravity, the interface is unstable at all long wavelengths in the presence of a field applied across it. It is conjectured that this will cause the binary fluid to break up into domains small enough to be outside the instability condition. The resulting pattern formation, and the effects on the critical properties as the domains approach the correlation length are of acute interest. With direct observation, laser light scattering, and interferometry, the phenomena can be probed to gain further understanding of interfacial instabilities and the pattern formation which results, and dimensional crossover in critical systems as the critical fluctuations in a particular direction are suppressed by external forces.
Effect of thermal and radio frequency electric fields treatments on Escherichia coli bacteria in apple juice
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
The need for a non-thermal intervention technology that can achieve microbial safety without altering nutritional quality of liquid foods led to the development of the radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) process. However, insight into the mechanism of bacterial inactivation by this technology is ...
Pair-production in inhomogeneous electric fields
Xue Shesheng
This is a preliminary study on the rate of electron-positron pair production in spatially inhomogeneous electric fields. We study the rate in the Sauter field and compare it to the rate in the homogeneous field.
Electric Dipole Moment Experiment Systematic from Electric Field Discharge Current
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Feinberg, B.; Gould, Harvey
A magnetic field, in the direction of the electric field and synchronous with the electric field reversal, will mimic an EDM signal. One might expect a discharge across the electric field plates to produce magnetic fields with only small or vanishing components parallel to the electric field, minimizing its systematic effect. Our experimental model, using simulated discharge currents, found otherwise: the discharge current may be at an angle to the normal, and thus generate a normal magnetic field. Comparison of data from the experimental model with the results from calculations will be presented, along with estimates of the time-averaged normal magnetic field seen by atoms in an electron EDM experiment using a fountain of laser-cooled francium, as a function of discharge current.
Charged Hadron Properties in Background Electric Fields
William Detmold, Brian C. Tiburzi, Andre Walker-Loud
We report on a lattice calculation demonstrating a novel new method to extract the electric polarizability of charged pseudo-scalar mesons by analyzing two point correlation functions computed in classical background electric fields.
Electric double layer of anisotropic dielectric colloids under electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Han, M.; Wu, H.; Luijten, E.
Anisotropic colloidal particles constitute an important class of building blocks for self-assembly directed by electrical fields. The aggregation of these building blocks is driven by induced dipole moments, which arise from an interplay between dielectric effects and the electric double layer. For particles that are anisotropic in shape, charge distribution, and dielectric properties, calculation of the electric double layer requires coupling of the ionic dynamics to a Poisson solver. We apply recently proposed methods to solve this problem for experimentally employed colloids in static and time-dependent electric fields. This allows us to predict the effects of field strength and frequency on the colloidal properties.
Tuning Photoluminescence Response by Electric Field in Electrically Soft Ferroelectrics.
Khatua, Dipak Kumar; Kalaskar, Abhijeet; Ranjan, Rajeev
We show that an electrically soft ferroelectric host can be used to tune the photoluminescence (PL) response of rare-earth emitter ions by external electric field. The proof of this concept is demonstrated by changing the PL response of the Eu^{3+} ion by electric field on a model system Eu-doped 0.94(Na_{1/2}Bi_{1/2}TiO_{3})-0.06(BaTiO_{3}). We also show that new channels of radiative transitions, forbidden otherwise, open up due to positional disorder in the system, which can as well be tuned by electric field. PMID:27035321
Compact Electric- And Magnetic-Field Sensor
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Winterhalter, Daniel; Smith, Edward
Compact sensor measures both electric and magnetic fields. Includes both short electric-field dipole and search-coil magnetometer. Three mounted orthogonally providing triaxial measurements of electromagnetic field at frequencies ranging from near 0 to about 10 kHz.
Hydrocarbon disperse systems in electric fields
Deinega, Y.F.
On the basis of method for regulating the smooth adjustment of the charge of the disperse phase of hydrocarbon systems in electric fields from positive to negative values by means of surfactants, a schematic electrokinetic picture of the behavior of the systems is derived. Changes in the structure of the disperse systems in electric fields have a substantial effect on the rheological properties of the system. The effect of electric fields on the formation of crystallization-condensation structures, the mechanism of electrical conduction with a high rate of deformation, and the many practical applications of electrical effects on hydrocarbon disperse systems are also studied.
Electric Field Analysis of Breast Tumor Cells
Sree, V. Gowri; Udayakumar, K.; Sundararajan, R.
An attractive alternative treatment for malignant tumors that are refractive to conventional therapies, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, is electrical-pulse-mediated drug delivery. Electric field distribution of tissue/tumor is important for effective treatment of tissues. This paper deals with the electric field distribution study of a tissue model using MAXWELL 3D Simulator. Our results indicate that tumor tissue had lower electric field strength compared to normal cells, which makes them susceptible to electrical-pulse-mediated drug delivery. This difference could be due to the altered properties of tumor cells compared to normal cells, and our results corroborate this. PMID:22295214
Entanglement generation by electric field background
Ebadi, Zahra Mirza, Behrouz
The quantum vacuum is unstable under the influence of an external electric field and decays into pairs of charged particles, a process which is known as the Schwinger pair production. We propose and demonstrate that this electric field can generate entanglement. Using the Schwinger pair production for constant and pulsed electric fields, we study entanglement for scalar particles with zero spins and Dirac fermions. One can observe the variation of the entanglement produced for bosonic and fermionic modes with respect to different parameters.
Electric fields in the ionosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kirchhoff, V. W. J. H.
F-region drift velocities, measured by incoherent-scatter radar were analyzed in terms of diurnal, seasonal, magnetic activity, and solar cycle effects. A comprehensive electric field model was developed that includes the effects of the E and F-region dynamos, magnetospheric sources, and ionospheric conductivities, for both the local and conjugate regions. The E-region dynamo dominates during the day but at night the F-region and convection are more important. This model provides much better agreement with observations of the F-region drifts than previous models. Results indicate that larger magnitudes occur at night, and that daily variation is dominated by the diurnal mode. Seasonal variations in conductivities and thermospheric winds indicate a reversal in direction in the early morning during winter from south to northward. On magnetic perturbed days and the drifts deviate rather strongly from the quiet days average, especially around 13 L.T. for the northward and 18 L.T. for the westward component.
Electric field soundings through thunderstorms
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Marshall, Thomas C.; Rust, W. D.
Twelve balloon soundings of the electric field in thunderstorms are reported. The maximum magnitude of E in the storms averaged 96 +/-28 kV/m, with the largest being 146 kV/m. The maximum was usually observed between vertically adjacent regions of opposite charge. Using a 1D approximation to Gauss' law, four to ten charge regions in the storms are inferred. The magnitude of the density in the charge regions varied between 0.2 and 13 nC/cu m. The vertical extent of the charge regions ranged from 130 to 2100 m. None of the present 12 storms had charge distributions that fit the long-accepted model of Simpson et al. (1937, 1941) of a lower positive charge, a main negative charge, and an upper positive charge. In addition to regions similar to the Simpson model, the present storms had screening layers at the upper and lower cloud boundaries and extra charge regions, usually in the lower part of the cloud.
Elimination of free-living amoebae in fresh water with pulsed electric fields.
Vernhes, M C; Benichou, A; Pernin, P; Cabanes, P A; Teissié, J
This study investigates the effects of pulsed electric fields on the inactivation of trophozoite form of Naegleria lovaniensis Ar9M-1 in batch and flow processes, systematically examining the lethal effect of field strength, pulse duration, number of pulses, and pulse frequency. Our results show that amoebae eradication is modulated by pulse parameters, composition of the pulsing medium, and physiological state of the cells. Cell survival is not related to the energy delivered to the cell suspension during the electrical treatment. For a given energy a strong field applied for a short cumulative pulse duration affects viability more than a weak field with a long cumulative pulsation. We also determine the optimal electrical conditions to obtain an inactivation rate higher than 95% while using the least energy. Flow processes allow to treat large-scale volumes. Our results show that the most efficient flow process for amoeba eradication requires a field parallel to the flow. Pulsed electric fields are a new and attractive method for inactivating amoebae in large volumes of fresh water. PMID:12230188
Manipulating Flames with AC Electric Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bishop, Kyle
Time-oscillating electric fields applied to plasmas present in flames create steady flows of gas capable of shaping, directing, enhancing, or even extinguishing flames. Interestingly, electric winds induced by AC electric fields can be stronger that those due to static fields of comparable magnitude. Furthermore, unlike static fields, the electric force due to AC fields is localized near the surface of the flame. Consequently, the AC response depends only on the local field at the surface of the flame - not on the position of the electrodes used to generate the field. These results suggest that oscillating electric fields can be used to manipulate and control combustion processes at a distance. To characterize and explain these effects, we investigate a simple experimental system comprising a laminar methane-air flame positioned between two parallel-plate electrodes. We quantify both the electric and hydrodynamic response of the flame as a function of frequency and magnitude of the applied field. A theoretical model shows how steady gas flows emerge from the time-averaged electrical force due to the field-induced motion of ions generated within the flame and by their disappearance by recombination. These results provide useful insights into the application of AC fields to direct combustion processes.
Modeling the electric field of weakly electric fish.
Babineau, David; Longtin, André; Lewis, John E
Weakly electric fish characterize the environment in which they live by sensing distortions in their self-generated electric field. These distortions result in electric images forming across their skin. In order to better understand electric field generation and image formation in one particular species of electric fish, Apteronotus leptorhynchus, we have developed three different numerical models of a two-dimensional cross-section of the fish's body and its surroundings. One of these models mimics the real contour of the fish; two other geometrically simple models allow for an independent study of the effects of the fish's body geometry and conductivity on electric field and image formation. Using these models, we show that the fish's tapered body shape is mainly responsible for the smooth, uniform field in the rostral region, where most electroreceptors are located. The fish's narrowing body geometry is also responsible for the relatively large electric potential in the caudal region. Numerical tests also confirm the previous hypothesis that the electric fish body acts approximately like an ideal voltage divider; this is true especially for the tail region. Next, we calculate electric images produced by simple objects and find they vary according to the current density profile assigned to the fish's electric organ. This explains some of the qualitative differences previously reported for different modeling approaches. The variation of the electric image's shape as a function of different object locations is explained in terms of the fish's geometrical and electrical parameters. Lastly, we discuss novel cues for determining an object's rostro-caudal location and lateral distance using these electric images. PMID:16943504
Substorm electric fields at nightside low latitude
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hashimoto, K. K.; Kikuchi, T.; Tomizawa, I.; Nagatsuma, T.
The convection electric field penetrates from the polar ionosphere to low latitude and drives the DP2 currents in the global ionosphere with an intensified equatorial electrojet (EEJ). The electric field often reverses its direction, that is, the overshielding occurs and causes the equatorial counterelectrojet (CEJ) during storm and substorms. In this paper we report that the overshielding electric field is detected by the HF Doppler sounders at low latitude on the nightside. We analyzed the Doppler frequency of the HF radio signals propagated over 120 km in Japan at frequencies of 5 and 8 MHz and compared with the equatorial EEJ/CEJ during the substorm expansion phase. We found that the overshielding electric field reaches around 2 mV/m during major substorms (AL <-1800 nT). Taking the geometrical attenuation into account, we estimate the equatorial electric field to be about 1.5 mV/m. We also found that the correlation coefficient was 0.94 between the overshielding electric field and eastward equatorial electrojet at YAP on the night side. The electric field drives the eastward electrojets in the equatorial ionosphere on the night side. It is to be noted that the overshielding electric field is observed on the nightside at low latitude during the major substorms, while the convection electric field is dominant during smaller size substorms, as the CEJ flows on the dayside. These results suggest that the overshielding electric field associated with the Region-2 field-aligned currents becomes dominant during substorms at low latitude on the nightside as well as on the dayside.
Large electric fields in the magnetosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mozer, F. S.; Boehm, M. H.; Cattell, C. A.; Temerin, M.; Wygant, J. R.
The Langmuir solitonlike structures which contain plasma frequency oscillations of 500 mV/m and parallel electric fields of about 100 mV/m, observed in the auroral zone below 1000 km, are studied. The characteristics of electrostatic shocks that contain perpendicular fields of 1000 mV/m and parallel fields of 100 mV/m, and of double layers that have parallel fields of 10 mV/m are described. Observations of the geomagnetic tail reveal the presence of 100 mV/m turbulent electric fields and 5-10 mV/m quasi-static fields in the high latitude boundary of the plasma sheet, and inside the plasma sheet fields of 5-10 mV/m are detected. The large amplitude quasi-static electric field fluctuations of 100 mV/m and the dc fields of approximately 5 mV/m observed in the bow shock are examined.
Electric field generation in martian dust devils
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Barth, Erika L.; Farrell, William M.; Rafkin, Scot C. R.
Terrestrial dust devils are known to generate electric fields from the vertical separation of charged dust particles. The particles present within the dust devils on Mars may also be subject to similar charging processes and so likely contribute to electric field generation there as well. However, to date, no Mars in situ instrumentation has been deployed to measure electric field strength. In order to explore the electric environment of dust devils on Mars, the triboelectric dust charging physics from the Macroscopic Triboelectric Simulation (MTS) code has been coupled to the Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (MRAMS). Using this model, we examine how macroscopic electric fields are generated within martian dust disturbances and attempt to quantify the time evolution of the electrodynamical system. Electric fields peak for several minutes within the dust devil simulations. The magnitude of the electric field is a strong function of the size of the particles present, the average charge on the particles and the number of particles lifted. Varying these parameters results in peak electric fields between tens of millivolts per meter and tens of kilovolts per meter.
Electric Field Dependence of the Electrical Conductivity of VOx
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Garcia, N.
We have observed non-ohmic behavior in the resistivity of VOx for very small electric fields. In an attempt to explain these results several models are considered. We suggest that the sharpening of the transition to the insulating state with applied electric field is due to a reduction of the length of time during which regions of the sample fluctuate into the insulating state.
Horizontal electric fields from lightning return strokes
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Thomson, E. M.; Medelius, P. J.; Rubinstein, M.; Uman, M. A.; Johnson, J.
An experiment to measure simultaneously the wideband horizontal and vertical electric fields from lightning return strokes is described. Typical wave shapes of the measured horizontal and vertical fields are presented, and the horizontal fields are characterized. The measured horizontal fields are compared with calculated horizontal fields obtained by applying the wavetilt formula to the vertical fields. The limitations and sources of error in the measurement technique are discussed.
Nanomechanical electric and electromagnetic field sensor
Datskos, Panagiotis George; Lavrik, Nickolay
The present invention provides a system for detecting and analyzing at least one of an electric field and an electromagnetic field. The system includes a micro/nanomechanical oscillator which oscillates in the presence of at least one of the electric field and the electromagnetic field. The micro/nanomechanical oscillator includes a dense array of cantilevers mounted to a substrate. A charge localized on a tip of each cantilever interacts with and oscillates in the presence of the electric and/or electromagnetic field. The system further includes a subsystem for recording the movement of the cantilever to extract information from the electric and/or electromagnetic field. The system further includes a means of adjusting a stiffness of the cantilever to heterodyne tune an operating frequency of the system over a frequency range.
Synergistic antibacterial effects of treatments with low temperature plasma jet and pulsed electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhang, Qian; Zhuang, Jie; von Woedtke, Thomas; Kolb, Juergen F.; Zhang, Jue; Fang, Jing; Weltmann, Klaus-Dieter
Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus by a non-thermal argon operated plasma jet and by microsecond pulsed electric fields (PEF) was investigated. The different methods were either applied by themselves or in combination with each other. Treatments with plasma alone or pulsed electric fields alone were found to result in significant but not complete inactivation. A 2-log reduction was observed for the longest plasma exposure time of 3 min or for the application of 300 consecutive electric field pulses with 100-μs duration and 15-kV/cm amplitude. For the combined treatment with non-thermal plasma and pulsed electric fields, significant synergistic antibacterial effects were observed when samples were treated with plasma first. However, only an additive or at most a slight synergistic effect was observed when samples were first treated with pulsed electric fields instead. The acidification of the bacteria suspension after plasma treatment is likely responsible for the support of subsequent reaction mechanisms that are induced by exposures to pulsed electric fields and is hence the reason for the observed synergy.
Interaction Between Flames and Electric Fields Studied
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Yuan, Zeng-Guang; Hegde, Uday
The interaction between flames and electric fields has long been an interesting research subject that has theoretical importance as well as practical significance. Many of the reactions in a flame follow an ionic pathway: that is, positive and negative ions are formed during the intermediate steps of the reaction. When an external electric field is applied, the ions move according to the electric force (the Coulomb force) exerted on them. The motion of the ions modifies the chemistry because the reacting species are altered, it changes the velocity field of the flame, and it alters the electric field distribution. As a result, the flame will change its shape and location to meet all thermal, chemical, and electrical constraints. In normal gravity, the strong buoyant effect often makes the flame multidimensional and, thus, hinders the detailed study of the problem.
Electric fields in the middle atmosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Holzworth, Robert H.
Middle atmospheric electrodynamics is characterized by discussing the present understanding of the background electrical conductivity and the sources for electric fields and currents within the medium. Results of recent research that contradicts the historical view of the region are presented. Of principal interest to the present direction of the field is the attempt to quantize the low and high altitude electric generators such as thunderstorms or ionospheric convection. It is noted that the many-fold increase in available electric parameter data from within the middle atmosphere has been a great stimulus to recent research; however, these measurements have tended to raise more questions than they give answers.
Molecular dynamics in high electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Apostol, M.; Cune, L. C.
Molecular rotation spectra, generated by the coupling of the molecular electric-dipole moments to an external time-dependent electric field, are discussed in a few particular conditions which can be of some experimental interest. First, the spherical-pendulum molecular model is reviewed, with the aim of introducing an approximate method which consists in the separation of the azimuthal and zenithal motions. Second, rotation spectra are considered in the presence of a static electric field. Two particular cases are analyzed, corresponding to strong and weak fields. In both cases the classical motion of the dipoles consists of rotations and vibrations about equilibrium positions; this motion may exhibit parametric resonances. For strong fields a large macroscopic electric polarization may appear. This situation may be relevant for polar matter (like pyroelectrics, ferroelectrics), or for heavy impurities embedded in a polar solid. The dipolar interaction is analyzed in polar condensed matter, where it is shown that new polarization modes appear for a spontaneous macroscopic electric polarization (these modes are tentatively called "dipolons"); one of the polarization modes is related to parametric resonances. The extension of these considerations to magnetic dipoles is briefly discussed. The treatment is extended to strong electric fields which oscillate with a high frequency, as those provided by high-power lasers. It is shown that the effect of such fields on molecular dynamics is governed by a much weaker, effective, renormalized, static electric field.
Axial current generation from electric field: chiral electric separation effect.
Huang, Xu-Guang; Liao, Jinfeng
We study a relativistic plasma containing charged chiral fermions in an external electric field. We show that with the presence of both vector and axial charge densities, the electric field can induce an axial current along its direction and thus cause chirality separation. We call it the chiral electric separation effect (CESE). On a very general basis, we argue that the strength of CESE is proportional to μ(V)μ(A) with μ(V) and μ(A) the chemical potentials for vector charge and axial charge. We then explicitly calculate this CESE conductivity coefficient in thermal QED at leading-log order. The CESE can manifest a new gapless wave mode propagating along the electric field. Potential observable effects of CESE in heavy-ion collisions are also discussed. PMID:25167486
Electric field replaces gravity in laboratory
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gorgolewski, S.
For several years experiments in physical laboratories and in the fitotron have shown that one can replace gravitational field with electrical fields for plants. First obvious experiments in strong electrical fields in the MV/m regi on show that any materials and living plants respond immediately to Coulomb forces. Such fields are found in nature during thunderstorms. One has to be very careful in handling such strong fields for safety reasons. The fair weather global electrical field is about 20,000 times weaker. The coulomb forces are proportional to the square of the field strength and are thus 400 milion times weaker for a field of the order of 100 V/m.Yet it was found that some plants respond to such "weak" fields. We must remember that the electrical field is a factor of 10 38 times stronger than gravitational interaction. In plants we have dissociated in water mineral salts and the ions are subject to such ernormous forces. It was shown and published that the positive charges in the air in fields of the order of 3kV/m enhance lettuce growth by a factor of four relative to fields about 30 times weaker (100V/m). Reversal of the field polarity reverses the direction of plant growth and retards the plant's growth. Such fields overpower the gravitropism in the laboratory. More so horizontal electrical field is othogonal to gravity, now the fields do not see each other. Lettuce now growth horizontally ignoring the gravitational field. We can thus select the plants whose electrotropism even in the laboratory overwhelms gravity. This is important for the long space flights that we must grow vegetarian food for the crew. The successful harvesting of wheat in orbit does not contradict our experimental findings because wheat is not electrotropic like all plants from the grass family. The results of fitotron experiments with kV/m electrical fields are richly illustrated with colour digital photographs. We also subjected the candle flame to very strong horizontal
Dipole relaxation in an electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Neumann, Richard M.
From Boltzmann's equation, S=k lnΩ, an expression for the orientational entropy, S of a rigid rod (electric dipole) is derived. The free energy of the dipole in an electric field is then calculated as a function of both the dipole's average orientation and the field strength. Application of the equilibrium criterion to the free energy yields the field dependence of the entropy of the dipole. Irreversible thermodynamics is used to derive the general form of the equation of motion of the dipole's average orientation. Subsequent application of Newton's second law of motion produces Debye's classical expression for the relaxation of an electric dipole in a viscous medium.
Considering effects of nanosecond pulsed electric fields on proteins.
Beebe, Stephen J
Most, if not all, effects of intense, pulsed electric fields are analyzed in terms of electrical charging of plasma membranes and/or subcellular membranes. However, not all cell responses from nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) are fully explained by poration of cell membranes. Observations that nsPEFs induce a Ca2-dependent dissipation of the mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm), which is enhanced when high frequency components are present in fast rise-fall waveforms, are not compatible with a poration event. Ca(2+) is shown to have little or no effect on propidium iodide uptake as a measure of plasma membrane poration and consequently intracellular membranes. Since most if not all Ca(2+)-regulated events are mediated by proteins, actions of nsPEFs on a protein(s) that regulate and/or affect the mitochondria membrane potential are possible. To show that nsPEFs can directly affect proteins, nsPEFs non-thermally inactivated the catalytic (phosphotransferase) activity of the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, which is the prototype of the protein kinase superfamily that share a common catalytic mechanism and whose functions are highly dependent on their structure. These studies present indirect and direct evidences that nsPEFs can affect proteins and their functions, at least in part, by affecting their structure. PMID:25218277
Control of magnetism by electric fields.
Matsukura, Fumihiro; Tokura, Yoshinori; Ohno, Hideo
The electrical manipulation of magnetism and magnetic properties has been achieved across a number of different material systems. For example, applying an electric field to a ferromagnetic material through an insulator alters its charge-carrier population. In the case of thin films of ferromagnetic semiconductors, this change in carrier density in turn affects the magnetic exchange interaction and magnetic anisotropy; in ferromagnetic metals, it instead changes the Fermi level position at the interface that governs the magnetic anisotropy of the metal. In multiferroics, an applied electric field couples with the magnetization through electrical polarization. This Review summarizes the experimental progress made in the electrical manipulation of magnetization in such materials, discusses our current understanding of the mechanisms, and finally presents the future prospects of the field. PMID:25740132
Nonlinear cell response to strong electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bardos, D. C.; Thompson, C. J.; Yang, Y. S.; Joyner, K. H.
The response of living cells to externally applied electric fields is of widespread interest. In particular, the intensification of electric fields across cell membranes is believed to be responsible, through membrane rupture and reversible membrane breakdown processes, for certain types of tissue damage in electrical trauma cases which cannot be attributed to Joule heating. Large elongated cells such as skeletal muscle fibres are particularly vulnerable to such damage. Previous theoretical studies of field intensification across cell membranes in such cells have assumed the membrane current to be linear in the applied field (Ohmic membrane conductivity) and were limited to sinusoidal applied fields. In this paper, we investigate a simple model of a long cylindrical cell, corresponding to nerve or skeletal muscle cells. Employing the electroquasistatic approximation, a system of coupled first-order differential equations for the membrane electric field is derived which incorporates arbitrary time dependence in the external field and nonlinear membrane response (non-Ohmic conductivity). The behaviour of this model is investigated for a variety of applied fields in both the linear and highly nonlinear regimes. We find that peak membrane fields predicted by the nonlinear model are approximately twice as intense, for low-frequency electrical trauma conditions, as those of the linear theory.
Collapse of DNA under Alternating Electric Fields
Zhou, Chunda; Riehn, Robert
Recent studies have shown that double-stranded DNA can collapse in presence of a strong electric field. Here we provide an in-depth study of the collapse of DNA under weak confinement in microchannels as a function of buffer strength, driving frequency, applied electric field strength, and molecule size. We find that the critical electric field at which DNA molecules collapse (10s of kV/cm) is strongly dependent on driving frequency dependent (100 … 800 Hz) and molecular size (20 … 160 kbp), and weakly dependent on the ionic strength (8 … 60 mM). We argue that an apparent stretching at very high electric fields is an artifact of the finite frame time of video microscopy. PACS numbers: 87.14.gk, 36.20.Ey, 82.35.Lr, 82.35.Rs PMID:26274209
Efficacy of a piglet-specific commercial inactivated vaccine against Porcine circovirus type 2 in clinical field trials
Han, Kiwon; Seo, Hwi Won; Oh, Yeonsu; Park, Changhoon; Kang, Ikjae; Jang, Hyun; Chae, Chanhee
The efficacy of a piglet-specific inactivated Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine was evaluated with clinical field trials, as recommended by the Republic of Korea's Animal, Plant & Fisheries Quarantine & Inspection Agency. Three farms were selected on the basis of their history of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. On each farm 60, 1-week-old pigs were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups: vaccination at 1 and 3 wk of age or no vaccination. The 2-dose schedule of vaccination with inactivated PCV2 vaccine improved the average daily weight gain from birth to 16 wk of age, the PCV2 load in the blood, and the frequency and severity of lymph node lesions. Inactivated PCV2 vaccine seems to be very effective in controlling PCV2 infection under field conditions. PMID:24101803
Electric/magnetic field sensor
Schill, Jr., Robert A.; Popek, Marc [Las Vegas, NV
A UNLV novel electric/magnetic dot sensor includes a loop of conductor having two ends to the loop, a first end and a second end; the first end of the conductor seamlessly secured to a first conductor within a first sheath; the second end of the conductor seamlessly secured to a second conductor within a second sheath; and the first sheath and the second sheath positioned adjacent each other. The UNLV novel sensor can be made by removing outer layers in a segment of coaxial cable, leaving a continuous link of essentially uncovered conductor between two coaxial cable legs.
Rotating Capacitor Measures Steady Electric Fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Johnston, A. R.; Kirkham, H.; Eng, B.
Portable sensor measures electric fields created by dc powerlines or other dc-high-voltage sources. Measures fields from 70 to 50,000 V/m with linearity of 2 percent. Sensor used at any height above ground. Measures both magnitude and direction of field and provides signals representing these measurements to remote readout device. Sensor functions with minimal disturbance of field it is measuring.
A controlled field trial of the effectiveness of acetone-dried and inactivated and heat-phenol-inactivated typhoid vaccines in Yugoslavia*
In 1954-60 a Yugoslav Typhoid Commission showed in the first controlled field trial of typhoid vaccines, carried out in Osijek, Yugoslavia, that heat-phenol-inactivated typhoid vaccine gave a relatively high and long-lasting immunity. However, this liquid vaccine preparation was unstable and laboratory potency tests were inconclusive, and it was therefore decided that stable, dried, heat-killed, phenol-preserved vaccine be tested together with an acetone-inactivated and -dried vaccine in controlled field trials, supported in part by the World Health Organization, in Yugoslavia and British Guiana. This is report on the controlled trials organized in two Yugoslav towns, Bitola and Priština. Three comparable groups were formed by random allocation of vaccines among 45 497 volunteers in the two towns. In each town one group received heat-phenol vaccine, the second group acetone-dried vaccine and the third (control) group tetanus toxoid. Two doses were given four weeks apart in the spring of 1960 and the vaccinated persons were followed up for 2 1/2 years. The effectiveness of the vaccines was measured by comparing typhoid morbidity rates in the three groups. It was found during an outbreak of typhoid fever in Priština two years after primary vaccination that both the acetone-dried and the heat-phenol vaccines were effective, the former being superior. PMID:14196811
Electric field measurements with stratospheric balloons
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Iversen, I. B.
Electric fields and currents in the middle atmosphere are important elements of the modern picture of this region. Balloon instruments, reaching the level of the stratosphere, were used extensively for the experimental work. The research has shown good progress, both in the MAP period and in the years before and after. The knowledge was increased about, e.g., the upper atmosphere potential, the electric properties of the medium itself and about the coupling with magnetospheric (ionospheric) fields and currents. Also various measurements have brought about a discussion of the possible existence of hitherto unknown sources. Throughout the MAP period the work on a possible definition of an electric index has continued.
Crystal growth under external electric fields
Uda, Satoshi; Koizumi, Haruhiko; Nozawa, Jun; Fujiwara, Kozo
This is a review article concerning the crystal growth under external electric fields that has been studied in our lab for the past 10 years. An external field is applied electrostatically either through an electrically insulating phase or a direct injection of an electric current to the solid-interface-liquid. The former changes the chemical potential of both solid and liquid and controls the phase relationship while the latter modifies the transport and partitioning of ionic solutes in the oxide melt during crystallization and changes the solute distribution in the crystal.
Pulsed electric fields versus thermal treatment: equivalent processes to obtain equally acceptable citrus juices.
Sentandreu, E; Carbonell, L; Rodrigo, D; Carbonell, J V
Pulsed electric field treatment has been claimed to produce more acceptable chilled citrus juices than those obtained by conventional thermal treatment. The pectin methylesterase activity and the acceptability of nine juices obtained from Clementine mandarins, Valencia oranges, and Ortanique fruits (hybrid of mandarin and orange), untreated, pasteurized (85 degrees C for 10 s), and treated by pulsed electric fields (25 kV/cm for 330 micros), were evaluated. The treatments, selected to reach a similar level of pectin methylesterase inactivation, produced juices that did not differ in acceptability from each other for the three varieties and in all cases were less acceptable than the untreated juice. PMID:16924935
Electric field induced spin-polarized current
Murakami, Shuichi; Nagaosa, Naoto; Zhang, Shoucheng
A device and a method for generating an electric-field-induced spin current are disclosed. A highly spin-polarized electric current is generated using a semiconductor structure and an applied electric field across the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure can be a hole-doped semiconductor having finite or zero bandgap or an undoped semiconductor of zero bandgap. In one embodiment, a device for injecting spin-polarized current into a current output terminal includes a semiconductor structure including first and second electrodes, along a first axis, receiving an applied electric field and a third electrode, along a direction perpendicular to the first axis, providing the spin-polarized current. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor material whose spin orbit coupling energy is greater than room temperature (300 Kelvin) times the Boltzmann constant. In one embodiment, the semiconductor structure is a hole-doped semiconductor structure, such as a p-type GaAs semiconductor layer.
Stability of Spherical Vesicles in Electric Fields
The stability of spherical vesicles in alternating (ac) electric fields is studied theoretically for asymmetric conductivity conditions across their membranes. The vesicle deformation is obtained from a balance between the curvature elastic energies and the work done by the Maxwell stresses. The present theory describes and clarifies the mechanisms for the four types of morphological transitions observed experimentally on vesicles exposed to ac fields in the frequency range from 500 to 2 × 107 Hz. The displacement currents across the membranes redirect the electric fields toward the membrane normal to accumulate electric charges by the Maxwell−Wagner mechanism. These accumulated electric charges provide the underlying molecular mechanism for the morphological transitions of vesicles as observed on the micrometer scale. PMID:20575588
Biological effects of electric fields: EPRI's role
Kavet, R.
Since 1973 the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has supported research to evaluate the biological effects which may result from exposure to electric fields produced by AC overhead transmission lines; more recently, EPRI has also begun DC research. Through 1981 EPRI will have expended $8.7M on these efforts. Ongoing AC projects are studying a variety of lifeforms exposed to electric fields; these include humans, miniature swine, rats, honeybees, chick embryos, and crops. The status of these projects is discussed. The DC program has not as yet produced data. These studies will add to the current data base so as to enable a more complete assessment of health risks which may be associated with exposure to electric fields at power frequencies.
Nanoparticle Near-Surface Electric Field.
Chkhartishvili, Levan
Theoretical studies show that surface reconstruction in some crystals involves splitting the surface atomic layer into two-upper and lower-sublayers consisting of atoms with only positive or only negative effective electric charges, respectively. In a macroscopic crystal with an almost infinite surface, the electric field induced by such a surface-dipole is practically totally concentrated between the sublayers. However, when the material is powdered and its particles are of sufficiently small sizes, an electric field of a significant magnitude can be induced outside the sublayers as well. We have calculated the distribution of the electric field and its potential induced at the surface of a disc-shaped particle. The suggested novel nanoscale effect explains the increase in physical reactivity of nanopowders with decreasing particle sizes. PMID:26831686
Rotationally Vibrating Electric-Field Mill
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kirkham, Harold
A proposed instrument for measuring a static electric field would be based partly on a conventional rotating-split-cylinder or rotating-split-sphere electric-field mill. However, the design of the proposed instrument would overcome the difficulty, encountered in conventional rotational field mills, of transferring measurement signals and power via either electrical or fiber-optic rotary couplings that must be aligned and installed in conjunction with rotary bearings. Instead of being made to rotate in one direction at a steady speed as in a conventional rotational field mill, a split-cylinder or split-sphere electrode assembly in the proposed instrument would be set into rotational vibration like that of a metronome. The rotational vibration, synchronized with appropriate rapid electronic switching of electrical connections between electric-current-measuring circuitry and the split-cylinder or split-sphere electrodes, would result in an electrical measurement effect equivalent to that of a conventional rotational field mill. A version of the proposed instrument is described.
Computer Simulation of Electric Field Lines.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kirkup, L.
Describes a computer program which plots electric field line plots. Includes program listing, sample diagrams produced on a BBC model B microcomputer (which could be produced on other microcomputers by modifying the program), and a discussion of the properties of field lines. (JN)
Electric field measurements from Halley, Antarctica
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nicoll, Keri; Harrison, R. Giles
Antarctica is a unique location for the study of atmospheric electricity. Not only is it one of the most pollutant free places on Earth, but its proximity to the south magnetic pole means that it is an ideal location to study the effects of solar variability on the atmospheric electric field. This is due to the reduced shielding effect of the geomagnetic field at the poles which leads to a greater flux of incoming Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) as well as an increased probability of energetic particle precipitation from SEPs and relativistic electrons. To investigate such effects, two electric field mills of different design were installed at the British Antarctic Survey Halley base in February 2015 (75. 58 degrees south, 26.66 degrees west). Halley is situated on the Brunt Ice Shelf in the south east of the Weddell Sea and has snow cover all year round. Preliminary analysis has focused on selection of fair weather criteria using wind speed and visibility measurements which are vital to assess the effects of falling snow, blowing snow and freezing fog on the electric field measurements. When the effects of such adverse weather conditions are removed clear evidence of the characteristic Carnegie Curve diurnal cycle exists in the Halley electric field measurements (with a mean value of 50V/m and showing a 40% peak to peak variation in comparison to the 34% variation in the Carnegie data). Since the Carnegie Curve represents the variation in thunderstorm activity across the Earth, its presence in the Halley data confirms the presence of the global atmospheric electric circuit signal at Halley. The work presented here will discuss the details of the Halley electric field dataset, including the variability in the fair weather measurements, with a particular focus on magnetic field fluctuations.
A nonuniform electrical field electroporation chamber design.
Hollon, T; Yoshimura, F K
We show an inexpensive design for an electroporation chamber which subjects electroporated cells to a nonuniform electrical field. Our design, which we call an electroporation cylinder, improved transfection efficiency over that of a uniform field design (electroporation cuvettes) by about sixfold when tested in five mouse cell lines with a transient gene expression assay. Electroporation cylinders subjected cells to electrical field strengths at least as powerful as those of electroporation cuvettes, as judged by comparing the percentages of cells killed by electroporation. Cylinder and cuvette designs were similar in their effect on the variability of transfection efficiency. Electroporation cylinders may be particularly useful when the optimal electrical field strength for a cell line is not known or is unattainable with a given power supply. PMID:2610341
Decontamination of collagen biomatrices with combined pulsed electric field and nisin treatment.
Griffiths, Sarah; Maclean, Michelle; Macgregor, Scott J; Anderson, John G; Helen Grant, M
Pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment has been proposed as a decontamination method for labile matrices used in tissue engineering applications. Through the application of PEF, a non-thermal treatment that causes bacterial inactivation through the irreversible rupture of microbial cell membranes, inactivation is achieved without loss of scaffold structure and function. However, some microorganisms are less susceptible to PEF treatment. This study shows that treatment with PEF and nisin, a food preservative bacteriocin, has a synergistic effect on the inactivation of Staphylococcus epidermidis in collagen gels. Almost complete inactivation of a 10(3) -10(4) CFU/mL S. epidermidis population was achieved when treated with a combination of PEF and 500 IU/mL nisin, with results demonstrating a 3.4 log(10) reduction, compared with 0.66 log(10) reduction with PEF alone. Nisin, at concentrations up to 3000 IU/mL, had no discernable toxicity to mammalian 3T3 cells when added to the culture medium or incorporated into the collagen gels. This combined decontamination method, involving PEF plus nisin, may provide a non-destructive process for inactivation of PEF-resistant bacteria in labile tissue engineering scaffolds. PMID:21210508
Membrane Damage and Viability Loss of Escherichia coli K-12 in Apple Juice Treated with Radio Frequency Electric Fields
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
The need for a nonthermal intervention technology that can achieve microbial safety without altering nutritional quality of liquid foods led to the development of radio frequency electric fields (RFEF) process. In order to understand the mechanism of inactivation of bacteria by RFEF, apple juice pur...
A bioluminescence ATP assay for estimating surface hydrophobicity and membrane damage of Escherichia coli cells treated with pulsed electric fields
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Pulse Electric Field (PEF) treatments, a non-thermal process have been reported to injure and inactivate bacteria in liquid foods. However, the effect of this treatment on bacterial cell surface charge and hydrophobicity has not been investigated. Apple juice (AJ, pH 3.8) purchased from a wholesale ...
Electric field profiles in obstructed helium discharge
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fendel, Peter; Ganguly, Biswa; Bletzinger, Peter
Axial and radial variations of electric field have been measured in dielectric shielded 25 mm diameter parallel plate electrode for 2 mA, 2250 V helium dc discharge at 1.75 Torr with 6.5 mm gap. The axial and radial electric field profiles have been measured from the polarization dependent Stark splitting of 21S --> 11 1P transition through collision induced fluorescence from 43D --> 23P. The electric field values showed a strong radial variation peaking up to 5 kV/cm near the cathode radial boundary, and decreasing to about 1 kV/cm near the anode, suggesting the formation of an obstructed discharge for this low Pd condition. Also, the on-axis electric field was nearly constant across the gap indicating a radially non-uniform current density. In order to obtain information about the space charge distribution in this obstructed discharge, it was modeled using the 2-d axisymmetric Poisson solver with COMSOL finite element modeling program. The model discharge dimensions were selected to match the experimental dimensions. The best fit to the measured electric field distribution was obtained with a space charge variation of ρ(r) =ρ0 (r/r0)3 , where ρ(r) is the local space charge density, ρ0 is the maximum space-charge density, r the local radial value and r0 the radius of the electrode.
Microwave electric field sensing with Rydberg atoms
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stack, Daniel T.; Kunz, Paul D.; Meyer, David H.; Solmeyer, Neal
Atoms form the basis of precise measurement for many quantities (time, acceleration, rotation, magnetic field, etc.). Measurements of microwave frequency electric fields by traditional methods (i.e. engineered antennas) have limited sensitivity and can be difficult to calibrate properly. Highly-excited (Rydberg) neutral atoms have very large electric-dipole moments and many dipole allowed transitions in the range of 1 - 500 GHz. It is possible to sensitively probe the electric field in this range using the combination of two quantum interference phenomena: electromagnetically induced transparency and the Autler-Townes effect. This technique allows for very sensitive field amplitude, polarization, and sub-wavelength imaging measurements. These quantities can be extracted by measuring properties of a probe laser beam as it passes through a warm rubidium vapor cell. Thus far, Rydberg microwave electrometry has relied upon the absorption of the probe laser. We report on our use of polarization rotation, which corresponds to the real part of the susceptibility, for measuring the properties of microwave frequency electric fields. Our simulations show that when a magnetic field is present and directed along the optical propagation direction a polarization rotation signal exists and can be used for microwave electrometry. One central advantage in using the polarization rotation signal rather than the absorption signal is that common mode laser noise is naturally eliminated leading to a potentially dramatic increase in signal-to-noise ratio.
Electric field controlled emulsion phase contactor
Scott, T.C.
A system is described for contacting liquid phases comprising a column for transporting a liquid phase contacting system, the column having upper and lower regions. The upper region has a nozzle for introducing a dispersed phase and means for applying thereto a vertically oriented high intensity pulsed electric field. This electric field allows improved flow rates while shattering the dispersed phase into many micro-droplets upon exiting the nozzle to form a dispersion within a continuous phase. The lower region employs means for applying to the dispersed phase a horizontally oriented high intensity pulsed electric field so that the dispersed phase undergoes continuous coalescence and redispersion while being urged from side to side as it progresses through the system, increasing greatly the mass transfer opportunity. 5 figs.
Electric field controlled emulsion phase contactor
Scott, Timothy C.
A system for contacting liquid phases comprising a column for transporting a liquid phase contacting system, the column having upper and lower regions. The upper region has a nozzle for introducing a dispersed phase and means for applying thereto a vertically oriented high intensity pulsed electric field. This electric field allows improved flow rates while shattering the dispersed phase into many micro-droplets upon exiting the nozzle to form a dispersion within a continuous phase. The lower region employs means for applying to the dispersed phase a horizontally oriented high intensity pulsed electric field so that the dispersed phase undergoes continuous coalescence and redispersion while being urged from side to side as it progresses through the system, increasing greatly the mass transfer opportunity.
Electric fields in the dayside auroral oval
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Jorgensen, T. S.; Mikkelsen, I. S.; Lassen, K.; Haerendel, G.; Reiger, E.; Valenzuela, A.; Mozer, F. S.; Temerin, M.; Holback, B.; Bjoern, L.
The results from four independent electric field experiments flown on three Black Brant 4 rockets in the forenoon dayside auroral oval in December 1974 and January 1975 are correlated with ground-based observations and rocket particle data. The electric field varied from zero to 150 mV/m. The predominant plasma convection was toward noon along the auroral oval with a smaller component directed toward the polar cap. In one case, however, a reversal occurred within the oval with plasma convection away from noon. Comparisons with magnetometer data indicate that in the dayside auroral oval, Hall currents sometimes are responsible for magnetic fluctuations observed on the ground. Comparisons with particle data show that the magnitude of the electric fields is inversely correlated with the electron energy flux.
Inactivation kinetics of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in a swine waste lagoon and spray field.
Jenkins, Michael B; Liotta, Janice L; Bowman, Dwight D
Because of outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis in humans, some Cryptosporidium spp. have become a public health concern. Commercial swine operations can be a source of this protozoan parasite. Although the species distribution of Cryptosporidium is likely dominated by Cryptosporidium suis , a fraction may be comprised of other Cryptosporidium species infectious to humans such as Cryptosporidium parvum . To better understand the survival dynamics of Cryptosporidium spp., oocysts associated with swine operations, 2 experiments were performed to determine die-off rates of C. parvum oocysts in a swine waste lagoon (2009 and 2010) and its spray field (2010 and 2011). Sentinel chambers containing a lagoon effluent suspension of C. parvum oocysts were submerged in the lagoon, and triplicate chambers were removed over time; oocysts were extracted and assayed for viability. For comparative purposes, inactivation rates of Ascaris suum eggs contained in sentinel chambers were also determined. For 2 spray field experiments, air-dried and sieved surface soil was placed in sentinel chambers, hydrated, and inoculated with a lagoon effluent suspension of C. parvum oocysts. Sentinel chambers and control oocysts in PBS contained in microcentrifuge tubes were buried 1.5 cm below the soil surface in 3 blocks. Triplicate chambers and controls were removed over time; oocysts were extracted and assayed for viability. Based on the first order decay equation, days to reach 99% die-off (T(99)) were determined. T(99)-values determined for the 2 lagoon experiments were 13.1 and 20.1 wk, respectively. A T(99)-value for C. parvum in the spray field was significantly longer at 38.0 wk than the control oocysts in PBS at 29.0 wk. The waste lagoon and spray field system of manure management at this large-scale farrowing operation appeared to reduce the load of C. parvum oocysts before they can be hydrologically transported off the operation and reduces their likelihood of contaminating surface waters
Microfluidic Screening of Electric Fields for Electroporation
Garcia, Paulo A.; Ge, Zhifei; Moran, Jeffrey L.; Buie, Cullen R.
Electroporation is commonly used to deliver molecules such as drugs, proteins, and/or DNA into cells, but the mechanism remains poorly understood. In this work a rapid microfluidic assay was developed to determine the critical electric field threshold required for inducing bacterial electroporation. The microfluidic device was designed to have a bilaterally converging channel to amplify the electric field to magnitudes sufficient to induce electroporation. The bacterial cells are introduced into the channel in the presence of SYTOX®, which fluorescently labels cells with compromised membranes. Upon delivery of an electric pulse, the cells fluoresce due to transmembrane influx of SYTOX® after disruption of the cell membranes. We calculate the critical electric field by capturing the location within the channel of the increase in fluorescence intensity after electroporation. Bacterial strains with industrial and therapeutic relevance such as Escherichia coli BL21 (3.65 ± 0.09 kV/cm), Corynebacterium glutamicum (5.20 ± 0.20 kV/cm), and Mycobacterium smegmatis (5.56 ± 0.08 kV/cm) have been successfully characterized. Determining the critical electric field for electroporation facilitates the development of electroporation protocols that minimize Joule heating and maximize cell viability. This assay will ultimately enable the genetic transformation of bacteria and archaea considered intractable and difficult-to-transfect, while facilitating fundamental genetic studies on numerous diverse microbes. PMID:26893024
Electric field control of the cell orientation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Westman, Christopher; Sabirianov, Renat
Many physiological processes depend on the response of biological cells to external forces. The natural electric field at a wound controls the orientation of the cell and its division.[1] We model the cell as an elongated elliptical particle with given Young's modulus with surface charge distribution in the external electric field. Using this simple theoretical model that includes the forces due to electrostatics and the elasticity of cells, we calculated analytically the response of the cell orientation and its dynamics in the presence of time varying electric field. The calculations reflect many experimentally observed features. Our model predicts the response of the cellular orientation to a sinusoidally varying applied electric field as a function of frequency similar to recent stress-induced effects.[2] *Bing Song, Min Zhao, John V. Forrester, and Colin D. McCaig, ``Electrical cues regulate the orientation and frequency of cell division and the rate of wound healing in vivo'', PNAS 2002, vol. 99 , 13577-13582. *R. De, A. Zemel, and S.A. Safran, ``Dynamics of cell orientation'', Nature Physics 2007, vol.3, 655.
Microfluidic Screening of Electric Fields for Electroporation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Garcia, Paulo A.; Ge, Zhifei; Moran, Jeffrey L.; Buie, Cullen R.
Electroporation is commonly used to deliver molecules such as drugs, proteins, and/or DNA into cells, but the mechanism remains poorly understood. In this work a rapid microfluidic assay was developed to determine the critical electric field threshold required for inducing bacterial electroporation. The microfluidic device was designed to have a bilaterally converging channel to amplify the electric field to magnitudes sufficient to induce electroporation. The bacterial cells are introduced into the channel in the presence of SYTOX®, which fluorescently labels cells with compromised membranes. Upon delivery of an electric pulse, the cells fluoresce due to transmembrane influx of SYTOX® after disruption of the cell membranes. We calculate the critical electric field by capturing the location within the channel of the increase in fluorescence intensity after electroporation. Bacterial strains with industrial and therapeutic relevance such as Escherichia coli BL21 (3.65 ± 0.09 kV/cm), Corynebacterium glutamicum (5.20 ± 0.20 kV/cm), and Mycobacterium smegmatis (5.56 ± 0.08 kV/cm) have been successfully characterized. Determining the critical electric field for electroporation facilitates the development of electroporation protocols that minimize Joule heating and maximize cell viability. This assay will ultimately enable the genetic transformation of bacteria and archaea considered intractable and difficult-to-transfect, while facilitating fundamental genetic studies on numerous diverse microbes.
Microfluidic Screening of Electric Fields for Electroporation.
Garcia, Paulo A; Ge, Zhifei; Moran, Jeffrey L; Buie, Cullen R
Electroporation is commonly used to deliver molecules such as drugs, proteins, and/or DNA into cells, but the mechanism remains poorly understood. In this work a rapid microfluidic assay was developed to determine the critical electric field threshold required for inducing bacterial electroporation. The microfluidic device was designed to have a bilaterally converging channel to amplify the electric field to magnitudes sufficient to induce electroporation. The bacterial cells are introduced into the channel in the presence of SYTOX(®), which fluorescently labels cells with compromised membranes. Upon delivery of an electric pulse, the cells fluoresce due to transmembrane influx of SYTOX(®) after disruption of the cell membranes. We calculate the critical electric field by capturing the location within the channel of the increase in fluorescence intensity after electroporation. Bacterial strains with industrial and therapeutic relevance such as Escherichia coli BL21 (3.65 ± 0.09 kV/cm), Corynebacterium glutamicum (5.20 ± 0.20 kV/cm), and Mycobacterium smegmatis (5.56 ± 0.08 kV/cm) have been successfully characterized. Determining the critical electric field for electroporation facilitates the development of electroporation protocols that minimize Joule heating and maximize cell viability. This assay will ultimately enable the genetic transformation of bacteria and archaea considered intractable and difficult-to-transfect, while facilitating fundamental genetic studies on numerous diverse microbes. PMID:26893024
Electric Field Quantitative Measurement System and Method
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Generazio, Edward R. (Inventor)
A method and system are provided for making a quantitative measurement of an electric field. A plurality of antennas separated from one another by known distances are arrayed in a region that extends in at least one dimension. A voltage difference between at least one selected pair of antennas is measured. Each voltage difference is divided by the known distance associated with the selected pair of antennas corresponding thereto to generate a resulting quantity. The plurality of resulting quantities defined over the region quantitatively describe an electric field therein.
Modeling of Nanoparticle-Mediated Electric Field Enhancement Inside Biological Cells Exposed to AC Electric Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tiwari, Pawan K.; Kang, Sung Kil; Kim, Gon Jun; Choi, Jun; Mohamed, A.-A. H.; Lee, Jae Koo
We present in this article the effect of alternating electric field at kilohertz (kHz) and megahertz (MHz) frequencies on the biological cells in presence and absence of nanoparticles. The induced electric field strength distribution in the region around cell membrane and nucleus envelope display different behavior at kHz and MHz frequencies. The attachment of gold nanoparticles (GNPs), especially gold nanowires around the surface of nucleus induce enhanced electric field strengths. The induced field strengths are dependent on the length of nanowire and create varying field regions when the length of nanowire is increased from 2 to 4 µm. The varying nanowire length increased the induced field strengths inside nucleoplasm and region adjacent to the nucleus in the cytoplasm. We investigated a process of electrostatic disruption of nucleus membrane when the induced electric field strength across the nucleus exceeds its tensile strength.
Field-aligned currents and large scale magnetospheric electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Dangelo, N.
D'Angelo's model of polar cap electric fields (1977) was used to visualize how high-latitude field-aligned currents are driven by the solar wind generator. The region 1 and region 2 currents of Iijima and Potemra (1976) and the cusp field-aligned currents of Wilhjelm et al. (1978) and McDiarmid et al. (1978) are apparently driven by different generators, although in both cases the solar wind is their ultimate source.
Electric Field Effects in RUS Measurements
Darling, Timothy W; Ten Cate, James A; Allured, Bradley; Carpenter, Michael A
Much of the power of the Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS) technique is the ability to make mechanical resonance measurements while the environment of the sample is changed. Temperature and magnetic field are important examples. Due to the common use of piezoelectric transducers near the sample, applied electric fields introduce complications, but many materials have technologically interesting responses to applied static and RF electric fields. Non-contact optical, buffered, or shielded transducers permit the application of charge and externally applied electric fields while making RUS measurements. For conducting samples, in vacuum, charging produces a small negative pressure in the volume of the material - a state rarely explored. At very high charges we influence the electron density near the surface so the propagation of surface waves and their resonances may give us a handle on the relationship of electron density to bond strength and elasticity. Our preliminary results indicate a charge sign dependent effect, but we are studying a number of possible other effects induced by charging. In dielectric materials, external electric fields influence the strain response, particularly in ferroelectrics. Experiments to study this connection at phase transformations are planned. The fact that many geological samples contain single crystal quartz suggests a possible use of the piezoelectric response to drive vibrations using applied RF fields. In polycrystals, averaging of strains in randomly oriented crystals implies using the 'statistical residual' strain as the drive. The ability to excite vibrations in quartzite polycrystals and arenites is explored. We present results of experimental and theoretical approaches to electric field effects using RUS methods.
Electric field effects in RUS measurements.
Darling, Timothy W; Allured, Bradley; Tencate, James A; Carpenter, Michael A
Much of the power of the Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS) technique is the ability to make mechanical resonance measurements while the environment of the sample is changed. Temperature and magnetic field are important examples. Due to the common use of piezoelectric transducers near the sample, applied electric fields introduce complications, but many materials have technologically interesting responses to applied static and RF electric fields. Non-contact optical, buffered, or shielded transducers permit the application of charge and externally applied electric fields while making RUS measurements. For conducting samples, in vacuum, charging produces a small negative pressure in the volume of the material--a state rarely explored. At very high charges we influence the electron density near the surface so the propagation of surface waves and their resonances may give us a handle on the relationship of electron density to bond strength and elasticity. Our preliminary results indicate a charge sign dependent effect, but we are studying a number of possible other effects induced by charging. In dielectric materials, external electric fields influence the strain response, particularly in ferroelectrics. Experiments to study this connection at phase transformations are planned. The fact that many geological samples contain single crystal quartz suggests a possible use of the piezoelectric response to drive vibrations using applied RF fields. In polycrystals, averaging of strains in randomly oriented crystals implies using the "statistical residual" strain as the drive. The ability to excite vibrations in quartzite polycrystals and arenites is explored. We present results of experimental and theoretical approaches to electric field effects using RUS methods. PMID:19850314
Electric field stimulated growth of Zn whiskers
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Niraula, D.; McCulloch, J.; Warrell, G. R.; Irving, R.; Karpov, V. G.; Shvydka, Diana
We have investigated the impact of strong (˜104 V/cm) electric fields on the development of Zn whiskers. The original samples, with considerable whisker infestation were cut from Zn-coated steel floors and then exposed to electric fields stresses for 10-20 hours at room temperature. We used various electric field sources, from charges accumulated in samples irradiated by: (1) the electron beam of a scanning electron microscope (SEM), (2) the electron beam of a medical linear accelerator, and (3) the ion beam of a linear accelerator; we also used (4) the electric field produced by a Van der Graaf generator. In all cases, the exposed samples exhibited a considerable (tens of percent) increase in whiskers concentration compared to the control sample. The acceleration factor defined as the ratio of the measured whisker growth rate over that in zero field, was estimated to approach several hundred. The statistics of lengths of e-beam induced whiskers was found to follow the log-normal distribution known previously for metal whiskers. The observed accelerated whisker growth is attributed to electrostatic effects. These results offer promise for establishing whisker-related accelerated life testing protocols.
Electric fields and double layers in plasmas
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Singh, Nagendra; Thiemann, H.; Schunk, R. W.
Various mechanisms for driving double layers in plasmas are briefly described, including applied potential drops, currents, contact potentials, and plasma expansions. Some dynamical features of the double layers are discussed. These features, as seen in simulations, laboratory experiments, and theory, indicate that double layers and the currents through them undergo slow oscillations which are determined by the ion transit time across an effective length of the system in which double layers form. It is shown that a localized potential dip forms at the low potential end of a double layer, which interrupts the electron current through it according to the Langmuir criterion, whenever the ion flux into the double is disrupted. The generation of electric fields perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field by contact potentials is also discussed. Two different situations were considered; in one, a low-density hot plasma is sandwiched between high-density cold plasmas, while in the other a high-density current sheet permeates a low-density background plasma. Perpendicular electric fields develop near the contact surfaces. In the case of the current sheet, the creation of parallel electric fields and the formation of double layers are also discussed when the current sheet thickness is varied. Finally, the generation of electric fields and double layers in an expanding plasma is discussed.
Performance optimization in electric field gradient focusing.
Sun, Xuefei; Farnsworth, Paul B; Tolley, H Dennis; Warnick, Karl F; Woolley, Adam T; Lee, Milton L
Electric field gradient focusing (EFGF) is a technique used to simultaneously separate and concentrate biomacromolecules, such as proteins, based on the opposing forces of an electric field gradient and a hydrodynamic flow. Recently, we reported EFGF devices fabricated completely from copolymers functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol), which display excellent resistance to protein adsorption. However, the previous devices did not provide the predicted linear electric field gradient and stable current. To improve performance, Tris-HCl buffer that was previously doped in the hydrogel was replaced with a phosphate buffer containing a salt (i.e., potassium chloride, KCl) with high mobility ions. The new devices exhibited stable current, good reproducibility, and a linear electric field distribution in agreement with the shaped gradient region design due to improved ion transport in the hydrogel. The field gradient was calculated based on theory to be approximately 5.76 V/cm(2) for R-phycoerythrin when the applied voltage was 500 V. The effect of EFGF separation channel dimensions was also investigated; a narrower focused band was achieved in a smaller diameter channel. The relationship between the bandwidth and channel diameter is consistent with theory. Three model proteins were resolved in an EFGF channel of this design. The improved device demonstrated 14,000-fold concentration of a protein sample (from 2 ng/mL to 27 microg/mL). PMID:19081099
DC Electric Fields at the Magnetopause
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Laakso, H. E.; Escoubet, C. P.; Masson, A.
In order to understand the transfer of energy, momentum and mass through the magnetopause one needs to know several plasma and field parameters including the DC electric field which is known to be challenging to measure in tenuous plasma regions, e.g. in the inner side of the magnetopause where the density drops below 1/cc. However, each of the Cluster spacecraft carries five different experiments that can provide information about DC electric fields, i.e. double probe antenna (EFW) and electron drift meter (EDI) as well as electron and ion spectrometers (PEACE, CIS-HIA, CIS-CODIF). Each technique is very different and has its own strengths and limitations. Therefore it is important to compare all available measurements before making a judgement on DC electric field variation at the magnetopause; note that only very rarely all five measurements are available at the same time. Although the full-resolution observations in the Cluster archive are calibrated, they can still contain various errors. However, when two experiments show the same field, it is quite likely that this is the right field because the different measurements are based on so complimentary techniques and the field varies so much when the spacecraft moves from the magnetosheath through the magnetopause into the magnetosphere, or vice versa. In this presentation we present several cases of the magnetopause crossings and how the different measurements agree and disagree around the magnetopause region.
Pulsed-field map of Xq13 in the region of the human X inactivation center
Lafreniere, R.G.; Willard, H.F. )
The authors have used human/mouse hybrid cell lines to derive a pulsed-field map of the Xq13 region of the human X chromosome, in the vicinity of the X inactivation center (XIC). They have mapped nine loci within two separate clusters (I and II). Cluster I contains three loci (DXS227, XIST, and DXS128) linked within 1700 kb. This cluster also includes the breakpoint of a translocated X;14 chromosome used to define the proximal border of the XIC region. Cluster II covers an additional 1800 kb and physically links six loci (DXS56, DXS171, DXS325, DXS347, DXS356, and DXS441) located between the XIC and the genes for Menkes disease (MNK) and PGK1. Maps of cluster I loci derived from active (X[sub a]) or inactive (X[sub i]) X chromosomes differed, presumably due to methylation differences between the X[sub a] and X[sub i]. This map provides a basis for examining the organization of the Xq13.2-q13.3 region, in the around the XIC, and will assist in the further cloning of expressed sequences from this region. 13 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
Tuning Bimolecular Chemical Reactions by Electric Fields.
Tscherbul, Timur V; Krems, Roman V
We develop a theoretical method for solving the quantum mechanical reactive scattering problem in the presence of external fields based on a hyperspherical coordinate description of the reaction complex combined with the total angular momentum representation for collisions in external fields. The method allows us to obtain converged results for the chemical reaction LiF+H→Li+HF in an electric field. Our calculations demonstrate that, by inducing couplings between states of different total angular momenta, electric fields with magnitudes <150 kV/cm give rise to resonant scattering and a significant modification of the total reaction probabilities, product state distributions, and the branching ratios for reactive versus inelastic scattering. PMID:26207466
Tuning Bimolecular Chemical Reactions by Electric Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tscherbul, Timur V.; Krems, Roman V.
We develop a theoretical method for solving the quantum mechanical reactive scattering problem in the presence of external fields based on a hyperspherical coordinate description of the reaction complex combined with the total angular momentum representation for collisions in external fields. The method allows us to obtain converged results for the chemical reaction LiF +H →Li +HF in an electric field. Our calculations demonstrate that, by inducing couplings between states of different total angular momenta, electric fields with magnitudes <150 kV /cm give rise to resonant scattering and a significant modification of the total reaction probabilities, product state distributions, and the branching ratios for reactive versus inelastic scattering.
Models of the earth's electric field
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stern, D.
Detailed models of the electric field of the magnetosphere are derived in several stages. For all, the conductivity along field lines is assumed to be high enough to ensure the vanishing of E B everywhere except in the ionosphere. At first the rotation of the earth is ignored completely and a simple model is constructed which fits certain observed properties. Next, the rotation of the earth is taken into account, but the field is assumed to be that of a magnetic dipole rotating around its symmetry axis. This allows the concept of the electric potential to be retained, which permits the derivation of interesting properties including the use of a conjugate potential which paces the drift of charged particles in the field. Finally, the general case involving asymmetrical rotation is briefly discussed.
Large-scale electric fields in post-flare loops
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hinata, Satoshi
As the electrical conductivity along the magnetic field in the solar atmosphere is large, parallel electric fields have been neglected in most investigations. The importance of such fields is demonstrated for post-flare loops, and a model for them is introduced which takes into account the effect of parallel electric fields. The electric field calculated from the model is consistent with the electric field observed by Foukal et al. (1983).
Electric field mediated colloidal assembly and control
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Juarez, Jaime Javier
This dissertation presents video microscopy measurements and computer simulations of colloidal particle interactions in inhomogeneous, high-frequency AC electric fields. The interactions of particles with each other and inhomogeneous electric fields are quantified as a function of concentration, field amplitude, and frequency. Visual state diagrams show that these interactions in concentrated systems produce quasi-two dimensional microstructures including confined hard disk fluids, oriented dipolar chains, and oriented hexagonal close packed crystals. The interaction of a particle interacting with an electric field is directly measured with analyses of a single diffusing colloid within electric fields in the absence of many body effects. Concentrated systems are characterized in terms of density profiles across the electrode gap and angular pair distribution functions. An inverse Monte Carlo analysis extracted the induced dipole-induced dipole interaction from concentrated measurements. A single adjustable parameter consistently modified the induced dipole-field potential and the induced dipole-induced dipole potential to account for modification of the local electric field as the result of the local particle concentration, frequency and configuration. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) perform sensitive measurements of internal three dimensional structure of crystals assembled in an interfacial quadrupole electrode device. Radial distributions as functions of elevation are used to characterize the equilibrium structure. A single adjustable parameter modified known potentials to match Monte Carlo simulations with experiment. The local density from experiment and simulation matched the expected density calculated from a balance of osmotic pressure and dielectrophoretic compression. Simulations qualitatively matched experimental observations of microstructure as a function of field amplitude. Programmable assembly for colloidal crystals is implemented in the
Health of workers exposed to electric fields.
Broadbent, D E; Broadbent, M H; Male, J C; Jones, M R
The results of health questionnaire interviews with 390 electrical power transmission and distribution workers, together with long term estimates of their exposure to 50 Hz electric fields, and short term measurements of the actual exposure for 287 of them are reported. Twenty eight workers received measurable exposures, averaging about 30 kVm-1h over the two week measurement period. Estimated exposure rates were considerably greater, but showed fair correlation with the measurements. Although the general level of health was higher than we have found in manual workers in other industries, there were significant differences in the health measures between different categories of job, different parts of the country, and in association with factors such as overtime, working alone, or frequently changing shift. After allowing for the effects of job and location, however, we found no significant correlations of health with either measured or estimated exposure to electric fields. PMID:3970875
The primary focus of this program is to obtain a fundamental understanding of the effects of electric fields on polar and nonpolar mixtures in gas and liquid phases, with the ultimate goal of using this understanding in devising novel means to dramatically improve existing enviro...
Swarm Equatorial Electric Field Inversion Chain
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Alken, Patrick; Maus, Stefan; Vigneron, Pierre; Sirol, Olivier; Hulot, Gauthier
The day-time eastward equatorial electric field (EEF) in the ionospheric E-region plays a crucial role in equatorial ionospheric dynamics. It is responsible for driving the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) current system, equatorial vertical ion drifts, and the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA). Due to its importance, there is much interest in accurately measuring and modeling the EEF for both climatological and near real-time studies. The Swarm satellite mission offers a unique opportunity to estimate the equatorial electric field from measurements of the geomagnetic field. Due to the near-polar orbits of each satellite, the on-board magnetometers record a full profile in latitude of the ionospheric current signatures at satellite altitude. These latitudinal magnetic profiles are then modeled using a first principles approach with empirical climatological inputs specifying the state of the ionosphere, in order to recover the EEF. We will present preliminary estimates of the EEF using the first Swarm geomagnetic field measurements, and compare them with independently measured electric fields from the JULIA ground-based radar in Peru.
Field-aligned currents and ionospheric electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Yasuhara, F.; Akasofu, S.-I.
It is shown that the observed distribution of the ionospheric electric field can be deduced from an equation combining Ohm's law with the current continuity equation by using the 'observed' distribution of field-aligned currents as the boundary condition for two models of the ionosphere. The first model has one conductive annular ring representing the quiet-time auroral precipitation belt; the second has two conductive annular rings that simulate the discrete and diffuse auroral regions. An analysis is performed to determine how well the electric-field distribution can be reproduced. The results indicate that the first model reproduces the Sq(p)-type distribution, the second model reproduces reasonably well a substorm-type potential and ionospheric current patterns together with the Harang discontinuity, and that the distribution of field-aligned currents is the same for both models.
Observations of large transient magnetospheric electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Aggson, T. L.; Heppner, J. P.
Transient electric field events were observed with the long, double probe instrumentation carried by the IMP-6 satellite. Nine, clearly defined, exceptionally large amplitude events are presented here. The events are observed in the midnight sector at geocentric distances 3.5 to .5.5 R sub e at middle latitudes within a magnetic L-shell range of 4.8 to 7.5. They usually have a total duration of one to several minutes, with peak power spectra amplitudes occurring at a frequency of about 0.3 Hz. The events occur under magnetically disturbed conditions, and in most cases they can be associated with negative dH/dt excursions at magnetic observatories located near the foot of the magnetic field line intersecting IMP-6. The magnetospheric motions calculated for these electric fields indicated a quasi-stochastical diffusive process rather than the general inward magnetospheric collapsing motion expected during the expansive phases of auroral substorm activity.
Electric fields in Scanning Electron Microscopy simulations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Arat, K. T.; Bolten, J.; Klimpel, T.; Unal, N.
The electric field distribution and charging effects in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were studied by extending a Monte-Carlo based SEM simulator by a fast and accurate multigrid (MG) based 3D electric field solver. The main focus is on enabling short simulation times with maintaining sufficient accuracy, so that SEM simulation can be used in practical applications. The implementation demonstrates a gain in computation speed, when compared to a Gauss-Seidel based reference solver is roughly factor of 40, with negligible differences in the result (~10-6 𝑉). In addition, the simulations were compared with experimental SEM measurements using also complex 3D sample, showing that i) the modelling of e-fields improves the simulation accuracy, and ii) multigrid method provide a significant benefit in terms of simulation time.
Swarm equatorial electric field chain: First results
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Alken, P.; Maus, S.; Chulliat, A.; Vigneron, P.; Sirol, O.; Hulot, G.
The eastward equatorial electric field (EEF) in the E region ionosphere drives many important phenomena at low latitudes. We developed a method of estimating the EEF from magnetometer measurements of near-polar orbiting satellites as they cross the magnetic equator, by recovering a clean signal of the equatorial electrojet current and modeling the observed current to determine the electric field present during the satellite pass. This algorithm is now implemented as an official Level-2 Swarm product. Here we present first results of EEF estimates from nearly a year of Swarm data. We find excellent agreement with independent measurements from the ground-based coherent scatter radar at Jicamarca, Peru, as well as horizontal field measurements from the West African Magnetometer Network magnetic observatory chain. We also calculate longitudinal gradients of EEF measurements made by the A and C lower satellite pair and find gradients up to about 0.05 mV/m/deg with significant longitudinal variability.
A dynamic model of thundercloud electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Nisbet, J. S.
A description is given of the first results obtained with a new type of dynamic electrical model of a thundercloud that allows the charge rearrangement produced in arc breakdown, as well as the conduction and displacement currents, to be calculated with realistic generator configurations. The model demonstrates the great complexity of behavior of thunderclouds owing to the interaction of the nonlinear breakdown mechanisms, the energy stored in the electric field, and a conductivity that varies with altitude. It is also seen that dynamic charge distributions and electric fields are quite different from static distributions. It is noted that these differences affect the initial conditions before and after lightning strokes. The conduction current density to the ionosphere is very much larger in the dynamic cases than in static simulations. Such basic properties of thunderclouds as the production of cloud-to-ground strokes are seen as compatible only with a very limited range of thundercloud models. Another finding is that coronal and convection currents cause the electric fields at the surface to be much smaller than they would be in their absence.
Influence of electric field on cellular migration
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Guido, Isabella; Bodenschatz, Eberhard
Cells have the ability to detect continuous current electric fields (EFs) and respond to them with a directed migratory movement. Dictyostelium discoideum (D.d.) cells, a key model organism for the study of eukaryotic chemotaxis, orient and migrate toward the cathode under the influence of an EF. The underlying sensing mechanism and whether it is shared by the chemotactic response pathway remains unknown. Whereas genes and proteins that mediate the electric sensing as well as that define the migration direction have been previously investigated in D.d. cells, a deeper knowledge about the cellular kinematic effects caused by the EF is still lacking. Here we show that besides triggering a directional bias the electric field influences the cellular kinematics by accelerating the movement of cells along their path. We found that the migratory velocity of the cells in an EF increases linearly with the exposure time. Through the analysis of the PI3K and Phg2 distribution in the cytosol and of the cellular adherence to the substrate we aim at elucidating whereas this speed up effect in the electric field is due to either a molecular signalling or the interaction with the substrate. This work is part of the MaxSynBio Consortium which is jointly funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany and the Max Planck Society.
Electric field distribution characteristics of photoconductive antennas
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zou, Sheng-Wu; Zhang, Tong-Yi
Photoexcitation of biased semiconductor photoconductive antennas by femtosecond pulses is the most common and convenient technique for generating strong terahertz (THz) pulses. In this paper, we use the three-dimensional (3D) finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) to analyze electric field distribution of THz pulses in the near-field from a photoconductive antenna. The simulation is based on solving Maxwell's equations and the carrier rate equations simultaneously on realistic dipole antenna structures. The 3D FDTD simulation gives detailed features of THz electric field distribution in and out of the antenna. It is found that the difference of near-field distribution between the substrate and free space is considerably large. The fields of the alternating-current dipole exhibit an unsymmetrical distribution and a large deviation from those calculated using the simple Hertzian dipole theory. The magnitude of THz field in and out of the substrate attenuates rapidly while it holds the line in the gap center. The high-frequency components of THz radiation emission come only from the dipole antenna, while the low-frequency components are from both the center electrodes and coplanar stripline waveguide. This work can be used to optimize the design of antenna geometry and raise the radiation field power.
Transmission electron microscopy of Listeria innocua treated by pulsed electric fields and nisin in skimmed milk.
Calderón-Miranda, M L; Barbosa-Cánovas, G V; Swanson, B G
Pulsed electric fields (PEF) is a nonthermal food preservation process where organoleptic and nutritional properties of the food are maintained. PEF is known to inactivate microorganisms by causing dielectric breakdown of the cell membrane, thus altering the functionality of the membrane as a semipermeable barrier. The extent of damage of the cell membrane, whether visible in the form of a pore or as loss of membrane functionality leads to the inactivation of the microorganism. The objective of this study was to investigate under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) the morphological changes on Listerit innocua as a result of PEF treatment in skimmed milk containing nisin. L. innocua was subjected to PEF at selected electric field intensities of 30, 40, and 50 kV/cm. L. innocua was treated by PEF in both skimmed milk with and without 37 IU nisin/ml. L. innocua treated by PEF in skimmed milk exhibited an increase in the cell wall roughness. cytoplasmic clumping, leakage of cellular material, and rupture of the cell walls and cell membranes. L. innocua subjected to PEF in skimmed milk containing 37 IU nisin/ml exhibited an increased cell wall width. At the highest electric field intensity, 50 kV/cm, elongation of the cell length was observed. There were no morphological differences between cells treated by PEF in skimmed milk with or without nisin. The combination of PEF and nisin exhibit an additive effect in the morphological damage observed on L. innocua. Pore formation was observed on L. innocua for an electric field intensity of 40 kV/cm. The inactivation of L. innocua was a consequence of rupture of the cell membrane and loss of cell membrane functionality. PMID:10563461
Interaction of Electric Fields with Vascular Cells
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Taghian, Toloo; Sheikh, Abdul; Narmoneva, Daria; Kogan, Andrei
Electrical stimulation has been shown to be effective in improving healing rate of the non-healing or slow-healing wounds, a significant high-cost clinical issue. In order to optimize this process, identifying the mechanisms underlying the interaction of vascular cells with electric field (EF) is of interest. We have developed a 3D model of the cultured cells to simulate EF distribution in the cell membrane. The electrical stimulation of cells has been performed using our novel device that generates EF without any contact between electrodes and cells. The results indicate that cells respond to EF by releasing a specific growth factor (PlGF) which is important for blood vessel growth during wound healing.
Numerical simulation of electric field assisted sintering
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
McWilliams, Brandon A.
A fully coupled thermal-electric-sintering finite element model was developed and implemented to explore electric field assisted sintering techniques (FAST). FAST is a single step processing operation for producing bulk materials from powders, in which the powder is heated by the application of electric current under pressure. This process differs from other powder processing techniques such as hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and traditional press and sinter operations where the powder or compact is heated externally, in that the powder is heated directly as a result of internal Joule heating (for conductive powders) and/or by direct conduction from the die and punches. The overall result is much more efficient heating which allows heating rates of >1000°C/min to be achieved which is desirable for sintering bulk nanocrystalline and other novel high performance materials. Previous modeling efforts on FAST have only considered the thermal-electric aspect of the problem and have neglected densification. In addition to the introduction of a sintering model, a detailed thermal-electric study of process parameters was carried out in order to identify key system variables and quantify their effect on the overall system response and subsequent thermal history of a consolidated sample. This analysis was compared to empirical data from a parallel experimental study and shown to satisfactorily predict the observed trends. This model was then integrated with a phenomenologically based sintering model to capture the densification of the sample. This fully coupled model was used to predict densification kinetics under FAST like conditions and examine the evolution of material properties as the sample transitions from a loose powder to a fully dense compact and the resulting effect on the electrical and thermal fields within the compact. This model was also used to explore the effect of non-uniform thermal, electrical, stress and density fields on the final geometry and local
Method of electric field flow fractionation wherein the polarity of the electric field is periodically reversed
Stevens, Fred J.
A novel method of electric field flow fractionation for separating solute molecules from a carrier solution is disclosed. The method of the invention utilizes an electric field that is periodically reversed in polarity, in a time-dependent, wave-like manner. The parameters of the waveform, including amplitude, frequency and wave shape may be varied to optimize separation of solute species. The waveform may further include discontinuities to enhance separation.
Electric field quench, equilibration, and universal behavior
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Amiri-Sharifi, S.; Ali-Akbari, M.; Sepangi, H. R.
We study electric field quench in N =2 strongly coupled gauge theory, using the AdS/CFT correspondence. To do so, we consider the aforementioned system which is subjected to a time-dependent electric field indicating an out of equilibrium system. Defining the equilibration time teq , at which the system relaxes to its final equilibrium state after injecting the energy, we find that the rescaled equilibration time k-1teq decreases as the transition time k increases. Therefore, we expect that for sufficiently large transition time, k →∞, the relaxation of the system to its final equilibrium can be an adiabatic process. On the other hand, we observe a universal behavior for the fast quenches, k ≪1 , meaning that the rescaled equilibration time does not depend on the final value of the time-dependent electric field. Our calculations generalized to systems in various dimensions also confirm the universalization process which seems to be a typical feature of all strongly coupled gauge theories that admit a gravitational dual.
Parametric excitation of magnetization by electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, Yu-Jin; Lee, Han Kyu; Verba, Roman; Katine, Jordan; Tiberkevich, Vasil; Slavin, Andrei; Barsukov, Igor; Krivorotov, Ilya
Manipulation of magnetization by electric field is of primary importance for development of low-power spintronic devices. We present the first experimental demonstration of parametric generation of magnetic oscillations by electric field. We realize the parametric generation in CoFeB/MgO/SAF nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). The magnetization of the free layer is perpendicular to the sample plane while the magnetizations of the synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) lie in the plane. We apply microwave voltage to the MTJ at 2 f, where f is the ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the free layer. In this configuration, the oscillations can only be driven parametrically via voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) whereby electric field across the MgO barrier modulates the free layer anisotropy. The parametrically driven oscillations are detected via microwave voltage from the MTJ near f and show resonant character, observed only in a narrow range of drive frequencies near 2 f. The excitation also exhibits a well-pronounced threshold drive voltage of approximately 0.1 Volts. Our work demonstrates a low threshold for parametric excitation of magnetization by VCMA that holds promise for the development of energy-efficient nanoscale spin wave devices.
Spin generation by strong inhomogeneous electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Finkler, Ilya; Engel, Hans-Andreas; Rashba, Emmanuel; Halperin, Bertrand
Motivated by recent experiments [1], we propose a model with extrinsic spin-orbit interaction, where an inhomogeneous electric field E in the x-y plane can give rise, through nonlinear effects, to a spin polarization with non-zero sz, away from the sample boundaries. The field E induces a spin current js^z= z x(αjc+βE), where jc=σE is the charge current, and the two terms represent,respectively, the skew scattering and side-jump contributions. [2]. The coefficients α and β are assumed to be E- independent, but conductivity σ is field dependent. We find the spin density sz by solving the equation for spin diffusion and relaxation with a source term ∇.js^z. For sufficiently low fields, jc is linear in E, and the source term vanishes, implying that sz=0 away from the edges. However, for large fields, σ varies with E. Solving the diffusion equation in a T-shaped geometry, where the electric current propagates along the main channel, we find spin accumulation near the entrance of the side channel, similar to experimental findings [1]. Also, we present a toy model where spin accumulation away from the boundary results from a nonlinear and anisotropic conductivity. [1] V. Sih, et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 096605 (2006). [2] H.-A. Engel, B.I. Halperin, E.I.Rashba, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 166605 (2005).
Sterilization of liquid foods by pulsed electric fields-an innovative ultra-high temperature process.
Reineke, Kai; Schottroff, Felix; Meneses, Nicolas; Knorr, Dietrich
The intention of this study was to investigate the inactivation of endospores by a combined thermal and pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment. Therefore, self-cultivated spores of Bacillus subtilis and commercial Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores with certified heat resistance were utilized. Spores of both strains were suspended in saline water (5.3 mS cm(-1)), skim milk (0.3% fat; 5.3 mS cm(-1)) and fresh prepared carrot juice (7.73 mS cm(-1)). The combination of moderate preheating (70-90°C) and an insulated PEF-chamber, combined with a holding tube (65 cm) and a heat exchanger for cooling, enabled a rapid heat up to 105-140°C (measured above the PEF chamber) within 92.2-368.9 μs. To compare the PEF process with a pure thermal inactivation, each spore suspension was heat treated in thin glass capillaries and D-values from 90 to 130°C and its corresponding z-values were calculated. For a comparison of the inactivation data, F-values for the temperature fields of both processes were calculated by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A preheating of saline water to 70°C with a flow rate of 5 l h(-1), a frequency of 150 Hz and an energy input of 226.5 kJ kg(-1), resulted in a measured outlet temperature of 117°C and a 4.67 log10 inactivation of B. subtilis. The thermal process with identical F-value caused only a 3.71 log10 inactivation. This synergism of moderate preheating and PEF was even more pronounced for G. stearothermophilus spores in saline water. A preheating to 95°C and an energy input of 144 kJ kg(-1) resulted in an outlet temperature of 126°C and a 3.28 log10 inactivation, whereas nearly no inactivation (0.2 log10) was achieved during the thermal treatment. Hence, the PEF technology was evaluated as an alternative ultra-high temperature process. However, for an industrial scale application of this process for sterilization, optimization of the treatment chamber design is needed to reduce the occurring inhomogeneous temperature fields
Electron distribution functions in electric field environments
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rudolph, Terence H.
The amount of current carried by an electric discharge in its early stages of growth is strongly dependent on its geometrical shape. Discharges with a large number of branches, each funnelling current to a common stem, tend to carry more current than those with fewer branches. The fractal character of typical discharges was simulated using stochastic models based on solutions of the Laplace equation. Extension of these models requires the use of electron distribution functions to describe the behavior of electrons in the undisturbed medium ahead of the discharge. These electrons, interacting with the electric field, determine the propagation of branches in the discharge and the way in which further branching occurs. The first phase in the extension of the referenced models , the calculation of simple electron distribution functions in an air/electric field medium, is discussed. Two techniques are investigated: (1) the solution of the Boltzmann equation in homogeneous, steady state environments, and (2) the use of Monte Carlo simulations. Distribution functions calculated from both techniques are illustrated. Advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed.
Carbon nanotube bundles under electric field perturbations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hammes, I.; Latgé, A.
Here we address the important role played by electric fields applied in carbon nanotube bundles in providing convenient scenarios for their use in electronic devices. We show that a gap modulation may be derived depending on the bundle configuration and the details of the applied field configuration. The system is described by a tight binding Hamiltonian and the Green function formalism is used to calculate the local density of states. Small bundles were used to validate our model on the basis of ab initio calculations. Further analysis shows that the number of tubes, geometrical configuration details and field intensities may be controlled to tune the electronic structure close to the Fermi energy, envisaging atomic-scale devices.
Electrical Grounding - a Field for Geophysicists and Electrical Engineers Partnership
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Freire, P. F.; Pane, E.; Guaraldo, N.
, layered stratified or showing lateral variations, ranging down to several tens of kilometers deep, reaching the crust-mantle interface (typically with the order of 30-40 km). This work aims to analyze the constraints of the current soil models being used for grounding electrodes design, and suggests the need of a soil modeling methodology compatible with large grounding systems. Concerning the aspects related to soil modeling, electrical engineers need to get aware of geophysics resources, such as: - geophysical techniques for soil electrical resistivity prospection (down to about 15 kilometers deep); and - techniques for converting field measured data, from many different geophysical techniques, into adequate soil models for grounding grid simulation. It is also important to equalize the basic knowledge for the professionals that are working together for the specific purpose of soil modeling for electrical grounding studies. The authors have experienced the situation of electrical engineers working with geophysicists, but it was not clear for the latter the effective need of the electrical engineers, and for the engineers it was unknown the available geophysical resources, and also, what to do convert the large amount of soil resistivity data into a reliable soil model.
Low frequency electric and magnetic fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Spaniol, Craig
Following preliminary investigations of the low frequency electric and magnetic fields that may exists in the Earth-ionospheric cavity, measurements were taken with state-of-the art spectrum analyzers. As a follow up to this activity, an investigation was initiated to determine sources and values for possible low frequency signal that would appear in the cavity. The lowest cavity resonance is estimated at about 8 Hz, but lower frequencies may be an important component of our electromagnetic environment. The potential field frequencies produced by the electron were investigated by a classical model that included possible cross coupling of the electric and gravitation fields. During this work, an interesting relationship was found that related the high frequency charge field with the extremely low frequency of the gravitation field. The results of numerical calculations were surprisingly accurate and this area of investigation is continuing. The work toward continued development of a standardized monitoring facility is continuing with the potential of installing the prototype at West Virginia State College early in 1990. This installation would be capable of real time monitoring of ELF signals in the Earth-ionoshpere cavity and would provide some directional information. A high gain, low noise, 1/f frequency corrected preamplifier was designed and tested for the ferrite core magnetic sensor. The potential application of a super conducting sensor for the ELF magnetic field detection is under investigation. It is hoped that a fully operational monitoring network could pinpoint the location of ELF signal sources and provide new information on where these signals originate and what causes them, assuming that they are natural in origin.
Electron transport in argon in crossed electric and magnetic fields
Ness; Makabe
An investigation of electron transport in argon in the presence of crossed electric and magnetic fields is carried out over a wide range of values of electric and magnetic field strengths. Values of mean energy, ionization rate, drift velocity, and diffusion tensor are reported here. Two unexpected phenomena arise; for certain values of electric and magnetic field we find regions where the swarm mean energy decreases with increasing electric fields for a fixed magnetic field and regions where swarm mean energy increases with increasing magnetic field for a fixed electric field. PMID:11088933
Hydrogel Actuation by Electric Field Driven Effects
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Morales, Daniel Humphrey
Hydrogels are networks of crosslinked, hydrophilic polymers capable of absorbing and releasing large amounts of water while maintaining their structural integrity. Polyelectrolyte hydrogels are a subset of hydrogels that contain ionizable moieties, which render the network sensitive to the pH and the ionic strength of the media and provide mobile counterions, which impart conductivity. These networks are part of a class of "smart" material systems that can sense and adjust their shape in response to the external environment. Hence, the ability to program and modulate hydrogel shape change has great potential for novel biomaterial and soft robotics applications. We utilized electric field driven effects to manipulate the interaction of ions within polyelectrolyte hydrogels in order to induce controlled deformation and patterning. Additionally, electric fields can be used to promote the interactions of separate gel networks, as modular components, and particle assemblies within gel networks to develop new types of soft composite systems. First, we present and analyze a walking gel actuator comprised of cationic and anionic gel legs attached by electric field-promoted polyion complexation. We characterize the electro-osmotic response of the hydrogels as a function of charge density and external salt concentration. The gel walkers achieve unidirectional motion on flat elastomer substrates and exemplify a simple way to move and manipulate soft matter devices in aqueous solutions. An 'ionoprinting' technique is presented with the capability to topographically structure and actuate hydrated gels in two and three dimensions by locally patterning ions induced by electric fields. The bound charges change the local mechanical properties of the gel to induce relief patterns and evoke localized stress, causing rapid folding in air. The ionically patterned hydrogels exhibit programmable temporal and spatial shape transitions which can be tuned by the duration and/or strength of
Electric field-free gas breakdown in explosively driven generators
Shkuratov, Sergey I.; Baird, Jason; Talantsev, Evgueni F.; Altgilbers, Larry L.
All known types of gas discharges require an electric field to initiate them. We are reporting on a unique type of gas breakdown in explosively driven generators that does not require an electric field.
Rocket borne instrument to measure electric fields inside electrified clouds
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Ruhnke, L. H.
Simple electric field measuring system is mounted on small rocket and consists of two voltage probes, one extending from nose and other on tail fin. Electric field through which rocket passes is determined by potential difference between probes.
Radial-Electric-Field Piezoelectric Diaphragm Pumps
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bryant, Robert G.; Working, Dennis C.; Mossi, Karla; Castro, Nicholas D.; Mane, Pooma
In a recently invented class of piezoelectric diaphragm pumps, the electrode patterns on the piezoelectric diaphragms are configured so that the electric fields in the diaphragms have symmetrical radial (along-the-surface) components in addition to through-the-thickness components. Previously, it was accepted in the piezoelectric-transducer art that in order to produce the out-of-plane bending displacement of a diaphragm needed for pumping, one must make the electric field asymmetrical through the thickness, typically by means of electrodes placed on only one side of the piezoelectric material. In the present invention, electrodes are placed on both sides and patterned so as to produce substantial radial as well as through-the-thickness components. Moreover, unlike in the prior art, the electric field can be symmetrical through the thickness. Tests have shown in a given diaphragm that an electrode configuration according to this invention produces more displacement than does a conventional one-sided electrode pattern. The invention admits of numerous variations characterized by various degrees of complexity. Figure 1 is a simplified depiction of a basic version. As in other piezoelectric diaphragm pumps of similar basic design, the prime mover is a piezoelectric diaphragm. Application of a suitable voltage to the electrodes on the diaphragm causes it to undergo out-of-plane bending. The bending displacement pushes a fluid out of, or pulls the fluid into, a chamber bounded partly by the diaphragm. Also as in other diaphragm pumps in general, check valves ensure that the fluid flows only in through one port and only out through another port.
Electric field effect in "metallic" polymers
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hsu, Fang-Chi
The charge transport properties of the "metallic" polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS), with a conductivity around 30 S/cm are studied in this thesis. The PEDOT:PSS is incorporated into a field effect transistor (FET) structure as an active component. Considering the screening effect of metals, it is unexpected to observe a dramatic conductance change in PEDOT:PSS under the application of a gate electric field. The conventional FET model is used to further investigate this phenomenon. Though the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of PEDOT:PSS devices are similar to the conventional field effect transistors (FETs), the extracted field effect mobility (mu FET) from I-V curves is two orders of magnitude larger than that estimated from the conductivity. Further investigating the I-V curves, a hysteresis behavior is observed and varies with drain voltage sweeping rate. This hysteresis phenomenon suggests ion motion is involved in the PEDOT:PSS conductance suppression. Since the structure of the metallic polymers is viewed as metallic ordered regions embedded in poorly conducting disordered media, charge carriers conduct electricity by hopping over or resonant tunneling through the localized states in the disordered regions. Therefore, several experiments are performed to understand the origin of the electric field penetration inside the metallic polymer. Using the transient current measurements, the relationship between inserted ion charges and PEDOT:PSS conductance variation is examined. Around 2% replacement of hole charges on the PEDOT:PSS backbone with inserted ionic charges enables the modulation of the conductance of PEDOT:PSS by three orders of magnitude. This small fraction of charge compensation of counterions by inserted ion charges suggests a percolation phenomenon for PEDOT:PSS conduction suppression. The role of inserted ions is further investigated by measurements of the temperature dependence of
Electrostatic air filters generated by electric fields
Bergman, W.; Biermann, A.H.; Hebard, H.D.; Lum, B.Y.; Kuhl, W.D.
This paper presents theoretical and experimental findings on fibrous filters converted to electrostatic operation by a nonionizing electric field. Compared to a conventional fibrous filter, the electrostatic filter has a higher efficiency and a longer, useful life. The increased efficiency is attributed to a time independent attraction between polarized fibers and charged, polarized particles and a time dependent attraction between charged fibers and charged, polarized particles. The charge on the fibers results from a dynamic process of charge accumulation due to the particle deposits and a charge dissipation due to the fiber conductivity.
Perturbative renormalization of the electric field correlator
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Christensen, C.; Laine, M.
The momentum diffusion coefficient of a heavy quark in a hot QCD plasma can be extracted as a transport coefficient related to the correlator of two colour-electric fields dressing a Polyakov loop. We determine the perturbative renormalization factor for a particular lattice discretization of this correlator within Wilson's SU(3) gauge theory, finding a ∼ 12% NLO correction for values of the bare coupling used in the current generation of simulations. The impact of this result on existing lattice determinations is commented upon, and a possibility for non-perturbative renormalization through the gradient flow is pointed out.
Impact of electric fields on honey bees
Bindokas, V.P.
Biological effects in honey bee colonies under a 765-kV, 60-Hz transmission line (electric (E) field = 7 kV/m) were confirmed using controlled dosimetry and treatment reversal to replicate findings within the same season. Hives in the same environment but shielded from E field are normal, suggesting effects are caused by interaction of E field with the hive. Bees flying through the ambient E field are not demonstrably affected. Different thresholds and severity of effects were found in colonies exposed to 7, 5.5, 4.1, 1.8, and 0.65 to 0.85 kV/m at incremental distances from the line. Most colonies exposed at 7 kV/m failed in 8 weeks and failed to overwinter at greater than or equal to4.1 kV/m. Data suggest the limit of a biological effects corridor lies between 15 and 27 m (4.1 and 1.8 kV/m) beyond the outer phase of the transmission line. Mechanisms to explain colony disturbance fall into two categories, direct perception of enhanced in-hive E fields, and perception of shock from induced currents. The same effects induced in colonies with total-hive E-field exposure can be reproduced with shock or E-field exposure of worker bees in extended hive entranceways (= porches). Full-scale experiments demonstrate bee exposure to E fields including 100 kV/m under moisture-free conditions within a non-conductive porch causes no detectable effect on colony behavior. Exposure of bees on a conductive (e.g. wet) substrate produces been disturbance, increased mortality, abnormal propolization, and possible impairment of colony growth. Thresholds for effects caused by step-potential-induced currents are: 275-350 nA - disturbance of single bees; 600 nA - onset of abnormal propolization; and 900 nA - sting.
Phosphate vibrations probe local electric fields and hydration in biomolecules
Levinson, Nicholas M.; Bolte, Erin E.; Miller, Carrie S.
The role of electric fields in important biological processes like binding and catalysis has been studied almost exclusively by computational methods. Experimental measurements of the local electric field in macromolecules are possible using suitably calibrated vibrational probes. Here we demonstrate that the vibrational transitions of phosphate groups are highly sensitive to an electric field and quantify that sensitivity, allowing local electric field measurements to be made in phosphate-containing biological systems without chemical modification. PMID:21809829
Field enhanced photocatalytic inactivation of Escherichia coli using immobilized titanium dioxide nanotube arrays
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Huber, Jeffrey M.
A batch reactor device utilizing photocatalysis and a flow reactor combining photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis were developed for bacterial disinfection in lab-synthesized and natural waters. The batch reactor provided a 90% decrease in initial concentration (~1 x 103 CFU/mL) after 60 minutes when subjected to incident light at 100 mW/cm2 and continuous mixing via aeration. A combination of photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis in the flow reactor provided complete inactivation of contaminated waters with flow rates of 50 mL/min. Both devices consisted of immobilized titanium dioxide nanotube arrays as the catalyzing medium. The flow reactor used an applied bias of up to 6 V without noticeable water splitting. Light intensity, applied voltage, and background electrolytes and concentration were all found to impact the device performance. Complete inactivation of E. coli W3110 (800 CFU/mL) occurred in 15 seconds in the flow reactor irradiated at 25 mW/cm2 with an applied voltage of 4 V in a 100 ppm NaCl solution. Disinfection in natural water was inhibited by the presence of inorganic ions and other constituents that are commonly found in natural water. To simulate natural scenarios in which a point-of-use device might be employed, testing was conducted in a natural environment using source water from Emigration Creek in Salt Lake City, Utah. A higher voltage of 6 V was required to reach 100% inactivation in natural surface water. The nanotube flow through disinfection chamber shows promise as a personal point-of use device for E. coli inactivation.
Electric field induced Lyman-α emission of a hydrogen beam for electric field measurements.
Chérigier-Kovacic, L; Ström, P; Lejeune, A; Doveil, F
Electric field induced Lyman-α emission is a new way of measuring weak electric fields in vacuum and in a plasma. It is based on the emission of Lyman-α radiation (121.6 nm) by a low-energy metastable H atom beam due to Stark-quenching of the 2s level induced by the field. In this paper, we describe the technique in detail. Test measurements have been performed in vacuum between two plates polarized at a controlled voltage. The intensity of emitted radiation, proportional to the square of the field modulus, has been recorded by a lock-in technique, which gives an excellent signal to noise ratio. These measurements provide an in situ calibration that can be used to obtain the absolute value of the electric field. A diagnostic of this type can help to address a long standing challenge in plasma physics, namely, the problem of measuring electric fields without disturbing the equilibrium of the system that is being studied. PMID:26133836
Electric field induced Lyman-α emission of a hydrogen beam for electric field measurements
Chérigier-Kovacic, L. Doveil, F.; Ström, P.; Lejeune, A.
Electric field induced Lyman-α emission is a new way of measuring weak electric fields in vacuum and in a plasma. It is based on the emission of Lyman-α radiation (121.6 nm) by a low-energy metastable H atom beam due to Stark-quenching of the 2s level induced by the field. In this paper, we describe the technique in detail. Test measurements have been performed in vacuum between two plates polarized at a controlled voltage. The intensity of emitted radiation, proportional to the square of the field modulus, has been recorded by a lock-in technique, which gives an excellent signal to noise ratio. These measurements provide an in situ calibration that can be used to obtain the absolute value of the electric field. A diagnostic of this type can help to address a long standing challenge in plasma physics, namely, the problem of measuring electric fields without disturbing the equilibrium of the system that is being studied.
Brownian dipole rotator in alternating electric field.
Rozenbaum, V M; Vovchenko, O Ye; Korochkova, T Ye
The study addresses the azimuthal jumping motion of an adsorbed polar molecule in a periodic n -well potential under the action of an external alternating electric field. Starting from the perturbation theory of the Pauli equation with respect to the weak field intensity, explicit analytical expressions have been derived for the time dependence of the average dipole moment as well as the frequency dependences of polarizability and the average angular velocity, the three quantities exhibiting conspicuous stochastic resonance. As shown, unidirectional rotation can arise only provided simultaneous modulation of the minima and maxima of the potential by an external alternating field. For a symmetric potential of hindered rotation, the average angular velocity, if calculated by the second-order perturbation theory with respect to the field intensity, has a nonzero value only at n=2 , i.e., when two azimuthal wells specify a selected axis in the system. Particular consideration is given to the effect caused by the asymmetry of the two-well potential on the dielectric loss spectrum and other Brownian motion parameters. When the asymmetric potential in a system of dipole rotators arises from the average local fields induced by an orientational phase transition, the characteristics concerned show certain peculiarities which enable detection of the phase transition and determination of its parameters. PMID:18643221
Brownian dipole rotator in alternating electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rozenbaum, V. M.; Vovchenko, O. Ye.; Korochkova, T. Ye.
The study addresses the azimuthal jumping motion of an adsorbed polar molecule in a periodic n -well potential under the action of an external alternating electric field. Starting from the perturbation theory of the Pauli equation with respect to the weak field intensity, explicit analytical expressions have been derived for the time dependence of the average dipole moment as well as the frequency dependences of polarizability and the average angular velocity, the three quantities exhibiting conspicuous stochastic resonance. As shown, unidirectional rotation can arise only provided simultaneous modulation of the minima and maxima of the potential by an external alternating field. For a symmetric potential of hindered rotation, the average angular velocity, if calculated by the second-order perturbation theory with respect to the field intensity, has a nonzero value only at n=2 , i.e., when two azimuthal wells specify a selected axis in the system. Particular consideration is given to the effect caused by the asymmetry of the two-well potential on the dielectric loss spectrum and other Brownian motion parameters. When the asymmetric potential in a system of dipole rotators arises from the average local fields induced by an orientational phase transition, the characteristics concerned show certain peculiarities which enable detection of the phase transition and determination of its parameters.
Electric field effects on droplet burning
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Patyal, Advitya; Kyritsis, Dimitrios; Matalon, Moshe
The effects of an externally applied electric field are studied on the burning characteristics of a spherically symmetric fuel drop including the structure, mass burning rate and extinction characteristics of the diffusion flame. A reduced three-step chemical kinetic mechanism that reflects the chemi-ionization process for general hydrocarbon fuels has been proposed to capture the production and destruction of ions inside the flame zone. Due to the imposed symmetry, the effect of the ionic wind is simply to modify the pressure field. Our study thus focuses exclusively on the effects of Ohmic heating and kinetic effects on the burning process. Two distinguished limits of weak and strong field are identified, highlighting the relative strength of the internal charge barrier compared to the externally applied field, and numerically simulated. For both limits, significantly different charged species distributions are observed. An increase in the mass burning rate is noticed with increasing field in either limit with negligible change in the flame temperature. Increasing external voltages pushes the flame away from the droplet and causes a strengthening of the flame with a reduction in the extinction Damkhöler number.
Electric field control of Skyrmions in magnetic nanodisks
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nakatani, Y.; Hayashi, M.; Kanai, S.; Fukami, S.; Ohno, H.
The control of magnetic Skyrmions confined in a nanometer scale disk using electric field pulses is studied by micromagnetic simulation. A stable Skyrmion can be created and annihilated by an electric field pulse depending on the polarity of the electric field. Moreover, the core direction of the Skyrmion can be switched using the same electric field pulses. Such creation and annihilation of Skyrmions, and its core switching do not require any magnetic field and precise control of the pulse length. This unconventional manipulation of magnetic texture using electric field pulses allows a robust way of controlling magnetic Skyrmions in nanodiscs, a path toward building ultralow power memory devices.
Soil Identification using Field Electrical Resistivity Method
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hazreek, Z. A. M.; Rosli, S.; Chitral, W. D.; Fauziah, A.; Azhar, A. T. S.; Aziman, M.; Ismail, B.
Geotechnical site investigation with particular reference to soil identification was important in civil engineering works since it reports the soil condition in order to relate the design and construction of the proposed works. In the past, electrical resistivity method (ERM) has widely being used in soil characterization but experienced several black boxes which related to its results and interpretations. Hence, this study performed a field electrical resistivity method (ERM) using ABEM SAS (4000) at two different types of soils (Gravelly SAND and Silty SAND) in order to discover the behavior of electrical resistivity values (ERV) with type of soils studied. Soil basic physical properties was determine thru density (p), moisture content (w) and particle size distribution (d) in order to verify the ERV obtained from each type of soil investigated. It was found that the ERV of Gravelly SAND (278 Ωm & 285 Ωm) was slightly higher than SiltySAND (223 Ωm & 199 Ωm) due to the uncertainties nature of soils. This finding has showed that the results obtained from ERM need to be interpreted based on strong supported findings such as using direct test from soil laboratory data. Furthermore, this study was able to prove that the ERM can be established as an alternative tool in soil identification provided it was being verified thru other relevance information such as using geotechnical properties.
Electric fields and double layers in plasmas
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Singh, Nagendra; Thiemann, H.; Schunk, R. W.
Various mechanisms for driving double layers (DLs) in plasmas are described, including applied potential drops, currents, contact potentials, and plasma expansions. Somne dynamic features of the DLs are discussed; and it is demonstrated that DLs and the currents through them undergo slow oscillations, determined by the ion transit time across an effective length of the system in which the DLs form. It is shown that a localized potential dip forms at the low potential end of a DL, which interrupts the electron current through it according to the Langmuir criterion whenever the ion flux into the DL is disrupted. Also considered is the generation of electric fields perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field by contact potentials.
Enhanced fog collection with electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Damak, Maher; Mahmoudi, Seyed Reza; Varanasi, Kripa
Fog harvesting is a promising source of fresh water in remote areas. However, the efficiency of current collectors, consisting in fine meshes standing perpendicularly to the wind, is dramatically low. Fog-laden flows generally have low Stokes numbers, which leads to the deviation of fog droplets in the vicinity of the mesh wires. Here, we propose to overcome this aerodynamic limitation using a combination of electric fields and specific collecting surfaces. We show that our system largely increases the fog collection efficiency. We study the trajectories of individual particles and use the results to derive a model to predict the collection efficiency of the system. We finally identify and quantify the mechanisms that can limit the collection of fog particles. The understanding of these mechanisms leads us to construct a design chart that can be used to determine the optimal design parameters that should be used in fog collection applications as a function of the field conditions.
Fusion of bacterial spheroplasts by electric fields.
Ruthe, H J; Adler, J
Spheroplasts of Escherichia coli or Salmonella typhimurium were found to fuse in an electric field. We employed the fusion method developed by Zimmermann and Scheurich (1981): Close membrane contact between cells is established by dielectrophoresis (formation of chains of cells by an a.c. field), then membrane fusion is induced by the application of short pulses of direct current. Under optimum conditions the fusion yield was routinely 90%. Fusable spheroplasts were obtained by first growing filamentous bacteria in the presence of cephalexin, then converting these to spheroplasts by the use of lysozyme. The fusion products were viable and regenerated to the regular bacterial form. Fusion of genetically different spheroplasts resulted in strains of bacteria possessing a combination of genetic markers. Fusion could not be achieved with spheroplasts obtained by growing the cells in the presence of penicillin or by using lysozyme on bacteria of usual size. PMID:3899175
DH(*) in chiral smectics under electric field.
Meyer, C; Rabette, C; Gisse, P; Antonova, K; Dozov, I
The behavior of double helices (DH(*) formed in the temperature interval N(*) -SmA(*) in compounds of non-chiral liquid crystals doped with chiral molecules was investigated. Two different systems presenting left-handed and right-handed chirality were studied. A statistics of the handedness of the DH(*) revealed a correlation with the mixture chirality, as predicted theoretically in C. Meyer, Yu. A. Nastishin, M. Kleman, Phys. Rev. E 82, 031704 (2010). By applying a gradually increasing AC electric field, one can observe the shrinking of the cylinder circumscribing the DH(*) . This shrink is accompanied by a reduction of the DH(*) 's pitch. This effect was similar to the one produced by the decrease of temperature in the absence of the field. PMID:27465656
Assembly of LIGA using Electric Fields
The goal of this project was to develop a device that uses electric fields to grasp and possibly levitate LIGA parts. This non-contact form of grasping would solve many of the problems associated with grasping parts that are only a few microns in dimensions. Scaling laws show that for parts this size, electrostatic and electromagnetic forces are dominant over gravitational forces. This is why micro-parts often stick to mechanical tweezers. If these forces can be controlled under feedback control, the parts could be levitated, possibly even rotated in air. In this project, we designed, fabricated, and tested several grippers that use electrostatic and electromagnetic fields to grasp and release metal LIGA parts. The eventual use of this tool will be to assemble metal and non-metal LIGA parts into small electromechanical systems.
Planned waveguide electric field breakdown studies
Wang Faya; Li Zenghai
This paper presents an experimental setup for X-band rf breakdown studies. The setup is composed of a section of WR90 waveguide with a tapered pin located at the middle of the waveguide E-plane. Another pin is used to rf match the waveguide so it operates in a travelling wave mode. By adjusting the penetration depth of the tapered pin, different surface electric field enhancements can be obtained. The setup will be used to study the rf breakdown rate dependence on power flow in the waveguide for a constant maximum surface electric field on the pin. Two groups of pins have been designed. The Q of one group is different and very low. The other has a similar Q. With the test of the two groups of pins, we should be able to discern how the net power flow and Q affect the breakdown. Furthermore, we will apply an electron beam treatment to the pins to study its effect on breakdown. Overall, these experiments should be very helpful in understanding rf breakdown phenomena and could significantly benefit the design of high gradient accelerator structures.
A Gravitational Experiment Involving Inhomogeneous Electric Fields
Datta, T.; Yin Ming; Vargas, Jose
Unification of gravitation with other forms of interactions, particularly with electromagnetism, will have tremendous impacts on technology and our understanding of nature. The economic impact of such an achievement will also be unprecedented and far more extensive than the impact experienced in the past century due to the unification of electricity with magnetism and optics. Theoretical unification of gravitation with electromagnetism using classical differential geometry has been pursued since the late nineteen twenties, when Einstein and Cartan used teleparallelism for the task. Recently, Vargas and Torr have followed the same line of research with more powerful mathematics in a more general geometric framework, which allows for the presence of other interactions. Their approach also uses Kaehler generalization of Cartan's exterior calculus, which constitutes a language appropriate for both classical and quantum physics. Given the compelling nature of teleparallelism (path-independent equality of vectors at a distance) and the problems still existing with energy-momentum in general relativity, it is important to seek experimental evidence for such expectations. Such experimental programs are likely to provide quantitative guidance to the further development of current and future theories. We too, have undertaken an experimental search for potential electrically induced gravitational (EIG) effects. This presentation describes some of the practical concerns that relates to our investigation of electrical influences on laboratory size test masses. Preliminary results, appear to indicate a correlation between the application of a spatially inhomogeneous electric field and the appearance of an additional force on the test mass. If confirmed, the presence of such a force will be consistent with the predictions of Vargas-Torr. More importantly, proven results will shed new light and clearer understanding of the interactions between gravitational and electromagnetic
Extracting Nucleon Magnetic Moments and Electric Polarizabilities from Lattice QCD in Background Electric Fields
William Detmold; Tiburzi, Brian C.; Walker-Loud, Andre
Nucleon properties are investigated in background electric fields. As the magnetic moments of baryons affect their relativistic propagation in constant electric fields, electric polarizabilities cannot be determined without knowledge of magnetic moments. We devise combinations of baryon two-point functions in external electric fields to isolate both observables. Using an ensemble of anisotropic gauge configurations with dynamical clover fermions, we demonstrate how magnetic moments and electric polarizabilities can be determined from lattice QCD simulations in background electric fields. We obtain results for both the neutron and proton. Our study is currently limited to electrically neutral sea quarks.
Crystallization to polycrystalline silicon thin film and simultaneous inactivation of electrical defects by underwater laser annealing
Machida, Emi; Horita, Masahiro; Ishikawa, Yasuaki; Uraoka, Yukiharu; Ikenoue, Hiroshi
We propose a low-temperature laser annealing method of a underwater laser annealing (WLA) for polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) films. We performed crystallization to poly-Si films by laser irradiation in flowing deionized-water where KrF excimer laser was used for annealing. We demonstrated that the maximum value of maximum grain size of WLA samples was 1.5 {mu}m, and that of the average grain size was 2.8 times larger than that of conventional laser annealing in air (LA) samples. Moreover, WLA forms poly-Si films which show lower conductivity and larger carrier life time attributed to fewer electrical defects as compared to LA poly-Si films.
Emitting waves from heterogeneity by a rotating electric field.
Zhao, Ye-Hua; Lou, Qin; Chen, Jiang-Xing; Sun, Wei-Gang; Ma, Jun; Ying, He-Ping
In a generic model of excitable media, we simulate wave emission from a heterogeneity (WEH) induced by an electric field. Based on the WEH effect, a rotating electric field is proposed to terminate existed spatiotemporal turbulence. Compared with the effects resulted by a periodic pulsed electric field, the rotating electric field displays several improvements, such as lower required intensity, emitting waves on smaller obstacles, and shorter suppression time. Furthermore, due to rotation of the electric field, it can automatically source waves from the boundary of an obstacle with small curvature. PMID:24089977
Inhibition of brain tumor cell proliferation by alternating electric fields
Jeong, Hyesun; Oh, Seung-ick; Hong, Sunghoi E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com; Sung, Jiwon; Jeong, Seonghoon; Yoon, Myonggeun E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com; Koh, Eui Kwan
This study was designed to investigate the mechanism by which electric fields affect cell function, and to determine the optimal conditions for electric field inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. Low-intensity (<2 V/cm) and intermediate-frequency (100–300 kHz) alternating electric fields were applied to glioblastoma cell lines. These electric fields inhibited cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest and abnormal mitosis due to the malformation of microtubules. These effects were significantly dependent on the intensity and frequency of applied electric fields.
What Are Electric and Magnetic Fields? (EMF)
... Puzzles Riddles Songs Activities Be a Scientist Coloring Science ... Electricity is an essential part of our lives. Electricity powers all sorts of things around us, from computers to refrigerators Use of electric power is something ...
Saturation of the Electric Field Transmitted to the Magnetosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Lyatsky, Wladislaw; Khazanov, George V.; Slavin, James A.
We reexamined the processes leading to saturation of the electric field, transmitted into the Earth's ionosphere from the solar wind, incorporating features of the coupled system previously ignored. We took into account that the electric field is transmitted into the ionosphere through a region of open field lines, and that the ionospheric conductivity in the polar cap and auroral zone may be different. Penetration of the electric field into the magnetosphere is linked with the generation of the Alfven wave, going out from the ionosphere into the solar wind and being coupled with the field-aligned currents at the boundary of the open field limes. The electric field of the outgoing Alfven wave reduces the original electric field and provides the saturation effect in the electric field and currents during strong geomagnetic disturbances, associated with increasing ionospheric conductivity. The electric field and field-aligned currents of this Alfven wave are dependent on the ionospheric and solar wind parameters and may significantly affect the electric field and field-aligned currents, generated in the polar ionosphere. Estimating the magnitude of the saturation effect in the electric field and field-aligned currents allows us to improve the correlation between solar wind parameters and resulting disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere.
Nonlinear response of electric fields at a neutral point
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Berkovsky, Mikhail; Dufty, James W.; Calisti, Annette; Stamm, Roland; Talin, Bernard
The complex dynamics of electric fields at a neutral point in a plasma is studied via a model of noninteracting ``quasiparticles.'' The simplicity of the model allows the reduction of the many-body problem to an effective single-particle analysis-all properties of interest can be reduced to quadratures. Still, the final calculations to extract a quantitative or even qualitative understanding of the field dynamics can be difficult. Attention here is focused on the dynamics of the conditional electric field: the field value at time t for a given initial value of the field. In addition to the relevant linear response function (electric field time correlation function), this property provides the complete nonlinear response of the electric field to arbitrary initial field perturbations. The static properties (distribution of electric fields and field time derivatives) and the electric field time correlation function have been known for some time for this model. We compare these results and the present result for the conditional electric field with molecular dynamics simulations including interactions. The comparisons suggest that the model provides a quantitative representation of electric field dynamics in real plasmas, except at strong coupling. The exact theoretical results are compared also with those obtained by modeling the electric field as a stochastic variable obeying a kangaroo process. The latter can be constructed to yield both the exact stationary distribution and the exact electric field time correlation function. However, we find that the conditional field is never well approximated by this process. An alternative representation of the joint distribution for electric fields, consistent with the exact stationary distribution, field correlation function, and conditional electric field, is suggested.
Introduction to power-frequency electric and magnetic fields.
Kaune, W T
This paper introduces the reader to electric and magnetic fields, particularly those fields produced by electric power systems and other sources using frequencies in the power-frequency range. Electric fields are produced by electric charges; a magnetic field also is produced if these charges are in motion. Electric fields exert forces on other charges; if in motion, these charges will experience magnetic forces. Power-frequency electric and magnetic fields induce electric currents in conducting bodies such as living organisms. The current density vector is used to describe the distribution of current within a body. The surface of the human body is an excellent shield for power-frequency electric fields, but power-frequency magnetic fields penetrate without significant attenuation; the electric fields induced inside the body by either exposure are comparable in magnitude. Electric fields induced inside a human by most environmental electric and magnetic fields appear to be small in magnitude compared to levels naturally occurring in living tissues. Detection of such fields thus would seem to require the existence of unknown biological mechanisms. Complete characterization of a power-frequency field requires measurement of the magnitudes and electrical phases of the fundamental and harmonic amplitudes of its three vector components. Most available instrumentation measures only a small subset, or some weighted average, of these quantities. Hand-held survey meters have been used widely to measure power-frequency electric and magnetic fields. Automated data-acquisition systems have come into use more recently to make electric- and magnetic-field recordings, covering periods of hours to days, in residences and other environments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:8206045
Manipulation of molecules with electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Meijer, Gerard
During the last few years we have been experimentally exploring the possibilities of manipulating neutral polar molecules with electric fields [1]. Arrays of time-varying, inhomogeneous electric fields have been used to reduce in a stepwise fashion the forward velocity of molecules in a beam. With this so-called 'Stark-decelerator', the equivalent of a LINear ACcelerator (LINAC) for charged particles, one can transfer the high phase-space density that is present in the moving frame of a pulsed molecular beam to a reference frame at any desired velocity; molecular beams with a computer-controlled (calibrated) velocity and with a narrow velocity distribution, corresponding to sub-mK longitudinal temperatures, can be produced. These decelerated beams offer new possibilities for collision studies, for instance, and enable spectroscopic studies with an improved spectral resolution; first proof-of-principle high-resolution spectroscopic studies have been performed. These decelerated beams have also been used to load neutral ammonia molecules in an electrostatic trap at a density of (better than) 10^7 mol/cm^3 and at temperatures of around 25 mK. In another experiment, a decelerated beam of ammonia molecules is injected in an electrostatic storage ring. The package of molecules in the ring can be observed for more than 50 distinct round trips, corresponding to 40 meter in circular orbit and almost 0.5 sec. storage time, sufficiently long for a first investigation of its transversal motion in the ring. A scaled up version of the Stark-decelerator and molecular beam machine has just become operational, and has been used to produce decelerated beams of ground-state OH and electronically excited (metastable) NH radicals. The NH radical is particularly interesting, as an optical pumping scheme enables the accumulation of decelerated bunches of slow NH molecules, either in a magnetic or in an optical trap. By miniaturizing the electrode geometries, high electric fields can be
Aircraft measurement of electric field - Self-calibration
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Winn, W. P.
Aircraft measurement of electric fields is difficult as the electrically conducting surface of the aircraft distorts the electric field. Calibration requires determining the relations between the undistorted electric field in the absence of the vehicle and the signals from electric field meters that sense the local distorted fields in their immediate vicinity. This paper describes a generalization of a calibration method which uses pitch and roll maneuvers. The technique determines both the calibration coefficients and the direction of the electric vector. The calibration of individual electric field meters and the elimination of the aircraft's self-charge are described. Linear combinations of field mill signals are examined and absolute calibration and error analysis are discussed. The calibration method was applied to data obtained during a flight near thunderstorms.
Liquid methanol under a static electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cassone, Giuseppe; Giaquinta, Paolo V.; Saija, Franz; Saitta, A. Marco
We report on an ab initio molecular dynamics study of liquid methanol under the effect of a static electric field. We found that the hydrogen-bond structure of methanol is more robust and persistent for field intensities below the molecular dissociation threshold whose value (≈0.31 V/Å) turns out to be moderately larger than the corresponding estimate obtained for liquid water. A sustained ionic current, with ohmic current-voltage behavior, flows in this material for field intensities above 0.36 V/Å, as is also the case of water, but the resulting ionic conductivity (≈0.40 S cm-1) is at least one order of magnitude lower than that of water, a circumstance that evidences a lower efficiency of proton transfer processes. We surmise that this study may be relevant for the understanding of the properties and functioning of technological materials which exploit ionic conduction, such as direct-methanol fuel cells and Nafion membranes.
Empirical models of high latitude electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Heppner, J. P.
Model cross sections of the high latitude dawn-dusk electric field based on OGO-6 data are presented for the signature profiles, most frequently encountered for both + and -Y orientations of the interplanetary magnetic field. Line integrals give a total potential of 76 keV in each case. To illustrate extremes, examples of model cross-sections with total potentials of 23 keV and 140 keV are also given. Model convection patterns are also presented utilizing OGO-6 data on boundary locations at other magnetic local times. When this information is combined with characteristic field geometries in the region of the Harang discontinuity, and is supplemented by data from Ba+ cloud motions in the polar cap, it becomes possible to construct realistic convection patterns on the nightside which deviate from the usual sun-aligned patterns. The observational models presented are of limited applicability as a consequence of the variability of observed distributions. These limitations are emphasized with particular attention given to several types of recurrent deviations which have not previously been discussed.
Liquid methanol under a static electric field
Cassone, Giuseppe; Giaquinta, Paolo V.; Saija, Franz; Saitta, A. Marco
We report on an ab initio molecular dynamics study of liquid methanol under the effect of a static electric field. We found that the hydrogen-bond structure of methanol is more robust and persistent for field intensities below the molecular dissociation threshold whose value (≈0.31 V/Å) turns out to be moderately larger than the corresponding estimate obtained for liquid water. A sustained ionic current, with ohmic current-voltage behavior, flows in this material for field intensities above 0.36 V/Å, as is also the case of water, but the resulting ionic conductivity (≈0.40 S cm{sup −1}) is at least one order of magnitude lower than that of water, a circumstance that evidences a lower efficiency of proton transfer processes. We surmise that this study may be relevant for the understanding of the properties and functioning of technological materials which exploit ionic conduction, such as direct-methanol fuel cells and Nafion membranes.
Behavior of pulsed electric field injured Escherichia coli O157:H7 cells in apple juice amended with pyruvate and catalase
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
Pulse Electric Field (PEF) treatment has been used to inactivate bacteria in liquid foods. However, information on the behavior of PEF injured Escherichia coli bacteria in media during storage at 5 and 23C are limited. In this study, we investigated the fate of E. coli O157:H7 cells at 6.8 log CFU/m...
Use of a Sentinel System for Field Measurements of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocyst Inactivation in Soil and Animal Waste
Jenkins, M. B.; Walker, M. J.; Bowman, D. D.; Anthony, L. C.; Ghiorse, W. C.
A small-volume sentinel chamber was developed to assess the effects of environmental stresses on survival of sucrose-Percoll-purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in soil and animal wastes. Chambers were tested for their ability to equilibrate with external chemical and moisture conditions. Sentinel oocysts were then exposed to stresses of the external environment that affected their viability (potential infectivity), as indicated by results of a dye permeability assay. Preliminary laboratory experiments indicated that temperatures between 35 and 50°C and decreases in soil water potential (−0.003 to −3.20 MPa) increased oocyst inactivation rates. The effects of two common animal waste management practices on oocyst survival were investigated on three dairy farms in Delaware County, N.Y., within the New York City watershed: (i) piling wastes from dairy youngstock (including neonatal calves) and (ii) spreading wastes as a soil amendment on an agricultural field. Sentinel containers filled with air-dried and sieved (2-mm mesh) youngstock waste or field soil were wetted and inoculated with 2 million oocysts in an aqueous suspension and then placed in waste piles on two different farms and in soil within a cropped field on one farm. Controls consisted of purified oocysts in either phosphate-buffered saline or distilled water contained in sealed microcentrifuge tubes. Two microdata loggers recorded the ambient temperature at each field site. Sentinel experiments were conducted during the fall and winter (1996 to 1997) and winter (1998). Sentinel containers and controls were removed at 2- to 4-week intervals, and oocysts were extracted and tested by the dye permeability assay. The proportions of potentially infective oocysts exposed to the soil and waste pile material decreased more rapidly than their counterpart controls exposed to buffer or water, indicating that factors other than temperature affected oocyst inactivation in the waste piles and soil. The effect
Electropumping of water with rotating electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
De Luca, Sergio; Todd, B. D.; Hansen, J. S.; Daivis, Peter J.
Pumping of fluids confined to nanometer dimension spaces is a technically challenging yet vitally important technological application with far reaching consequences for lab-on-a-chip devices, biomimetic nanoscale reactors, nanoscale filtration devices and the like. All current pumping mechanisms require some sort of direct intrusion into the nanofluidic system, and involve mechanical or electronic components. In this paper, we present the first nonequilibrium molecular dynamics results to demonstrate that non-intrusive electropumping of liquid water on the nanoscale can be performed by subtly exploiting the coupling of spin angular momentum to linear streaming momentum. A spatially uniform rotating electric field is applied to water molecules, which couples to their permanent electric dipole moments. The resulting molecular rotational momentum is converted into linear streaming momentum of the fluid. By selectively tuning the degree of hydrophobicity of the solid walls one can generate a net unidirectional flow. Our results for the linear streaming and angular velocities of the confined water are in general agreement with the extended hydrodynamical theory for this process, though also suggest refinements to the theory are required. These numerical experiments confirm that this new concept for pumping of polar nanofluids can be employed under laboratory conditions, opening up significant new technological possibilities.
Nonminimal black holes with regular electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Balakin, Alexander B.; Zayats, Alexei E.
We discuss the problem of identification of coupling constants, which describe interactions between photons and spacetime curvature, using exact regular solutions to the extended equations of the nonminimal Einstein-Maxwell theory. We argue the idea that three nonminimal coupling constants in this theory can be reduced to the single guiding parameter, which plays the role of nonminimal radius. We base our consideration on two examples of exact solutions obtained earlier in our works: the first of them describes a nonminimal spherically symmetric object (star or black hole) with regular radial electric field; the second example represents a nonminimal Dirac-type object (monopole or black hole) with regular metric. We demonstrate that one of the inflexion points of the regular metric function identifies a specific nonminimal radius, thus marking the domain of dominance of nonminimal interactions.
Electrical integrity of oxides in a radiation field
Zinkle, S.J.; Kinoshita, C.
In the absence of an applied electric field, irradiation generally produces a decrease in the permanent (beam-off) electrical conductivity of ceramic insulators. However, in the past 6 years several research groups have reported a phenomenon known as radiation induced electrical degradation (RIED), which produces significant permanent increases in the electrical conductivity of ceramic insulators irradiated with an applied electric field. RIED has been reported to occur at temperatures between 420 and 800 K with applied electric fields as low as 20 V/mm.
Three-dimensional electric field visualization utilizing electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation in nematic liquid crystals
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, I.-Hsiu; Chu, Shi-Wei; Bresson, Francois; Tien, Ming-Chun; Shi, Jin-Wei; Sun, Chi-Kuang
An electric-field-induced second-harmonic-generation signal in a nematic liquid crystal is used to map the electric field in an integrated-circuit-like sample. Since the electric-field-induced second-harmonic-generation signal intensity exhibits a strong dependence on the polarization of the incident laser beam, both the amplitude and the orientation of the electric field vectors can be measured. Combined with scanning second-harmonic-generation microscopy, three-dimensional electric field distribution can be easily visualized with high spatial resolution of the order of 1 μm.
Difficulties in Learning the Concept of Electric Field.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Furio, C.; Guisasola, J.
Analyzes students' main difficulties in learning the concept of electric field. Briefly describes the main conceptual profiles within which electric interactions can be interpreted and concludes that most students have difficulty using the idea of electric field. Contains 28 references. (DDR)
Effects of pulsed electric fields on pathogenic microorganisms of major concern in fluid foods: a review.
Mosqueda-Melgar, Jonathan; Elez-Martínez, Pedro; Raybaudi-Massilia, Rosa M; Martín-Belloso, Olga
Pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Campylobacter jejuni have been implicated in foodborne diseases and outbreaks worldwide. These bacteria have been associated with the consumption of fresh fruit juices, milk, and dairy products, which are foodstuff, highly demanded by consumers in retails and supermarkets. Nowadays, consumers require high quality, fresh-like, and safe foods. Pulsed electric field (PEF) is a non-thermal preservation method, able to inactivate pathogenic microorganisms without significant loss of the organoleptic and nutritional properties of food. The PEF treatment effectiveness to destroy bacteria such as Listeria innocua, E. coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli 8739 at pasteurization levels (> or = 5.0 log(10) cycles) in some fluid foods was reported. However, data on the inactivation of some microorganisms such as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Campylobacter jejuni in fluid foods by PEF processing is very limited. Therefore, future works should be focused toward the inactivation of these pathogenic bacteria in real foods. PMID:18756397
Review Of Fiber-Optic Electric-Field Sensors
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
De Paula, Ramon P.; Jarzynski, Jacek
Tutorial paper reviews state of art in fiber-optic sensors of alternating electric fields. Because such sensors are made entirely of dielectric materials, they are relatively transparent to incident electric fields; they do not distort fields significantly. Paper presents equations that express relationships among stress, strain, and electric field in piezoactive plastic and equations for phase shift in terms of photoelastic coefficients and strains in optical fiber.
Pulsed electric field processing of egg products: a review.
Yogesh, K
Thermal processing ensures safety and enhances the shelf-life of most of the food products. It alters the structural-chemical composition, modifies heat labile components, as well as affects the functional properties of food products. This has driven the development of non-thermal food processing techniques, primarily for extending the shelf-life of different food products. These techniques are currently also being evaluated for their effects on product processing, quality and other safety parameters. Pulsed electric field (PEF) is an example of non-thermal technique which can be applied for a variety of purpose in the food processing industry. PEF can be used for antimicrobial treatment of various food products to improve the storability or food safety, for extraction and recovery of some high-value compounds from a food matrix or for stabilization of various food products through inactivation of some enzymes or catalysts. Research on the application of PEF to control spoilage or pathogenic microorganisms in different egg products is being currently focused. It has been reported that PEF effectively reduces the activity of various microorganisms in a variety of egg products. However, the PEF treatment also alters the structural and functional properties to some extent and there is a high degree of variability between different studies. In addition to integrating findings, the present review also provides several explanations for the inconsistency in findings between different studies related to PEF processing of egg products. Several specific recommendations for future research directions on PEF processing are well discussed in this review. PMID:27162373
Role of random electric fields in relaxors
Phelan, Daniel; Stock, Christopher; Rodriguez-Rivera, Jose A.; Chi, Songxue; Leão, Juscelino; Long, Xifa; Xie, Yujuan; Bokov, Alexei A.; Ye, Zuo-Guang; Ganesh, Panchapakesan; Gehring, Peter M.
PbZr1–xTixO3 (PZT) and Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)1–xTixO3 (PMN-xPT) are complex lead-oxide perovskites that display exceptional piezoelectric properties for pseudorhombohedral compositions near a tetragonal phase boundary. In PZT these compositions are ferroelectrics, but in PMN-xPT they are relaxors because the dielectric permittivity is frequency dependent and exhibits non-Arrhenius behavior. We show that the nanoscale structure unique to PMN-xPT and other lead-oxide perovskite relaxors is absent in PZT and correlates with a greater than 100% enhancement of the longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient in PMN-xPT relative to that in PZT. By comparing dielectric, structural, lattice dynamical, and piezoelectric measurements on PZT and PMN-xPT, two nearly identical compounds that represent weak and strong random electric field limits, we show that quenched (static) random fields establish the relaxor phase and identify the order parameter. PMID:24449912
Biological effects of electric fields: an overview
Anderson, L.E.; Phillips, R.D.
An overview of the literature suggests tha electric-field exposure is an environmental agent/influence of relatively low potential toxicity to biological systems. Generally, many of the biological effects which have been reported are quite subtle and differences between exposed and unexposed subjects may be masked by normal biological variations. However, several recent reports indicate possibly more serious consequences from chronic exposure, emphasizing the need for more research in epidemiology and laboratory experiments. This paper presents a cursory overview of investigations on the biological consequences of exposure to ELF electromagnetic fields. Three important topics are discussed, including: 1) the general methodology of exposure experiments, including those elements which are critical for definitive studies in biological systems; 2) a brief discussion of epidemiological and clinical studies conducted to date; and 3) a somewhat more extensive examination of animal experiments representing major areas of investigation (behavior, biological rhythms, nervous and endocrine systems, bone growth and repair, cardiovascular system and blood chemistry, immunology, reproduction, growth and development mortality and pathology, cellular and membrane studies, and mutagenesis). A discussion of current concepts, possible mechanisms and future directions of research is presented. 110 references.
Inactivation of Microorganisms
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Alzamora, Stella Maris; Guerrero, Sandra N.; Schenk, Marcela; Raffellini, Silvia; López-Malo, Aurelio
Minimal processing techniques for food preservation allow better retention of product flavor, texture, color, and nutrient content than comparable conventional treatments. A wide range of novel alternative physical factors have been intensely investigated in the last two decades. These physical factors can cause inactivation of microorganisms at ambient or sublethal temperatures (e.g., high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, pulsed light, and ultraviolet light). These technologies have been reported to reduce microorganism population in foods while avoiding the deleterious effects of severe heating on quality. Among technologies, high-energy ultrasound (i.e., intensities higher than 1 W/cm2, frequencies between 18 and 100 kHz) has attracted considerable interest for food preservation applications (Mason et al., 1996; Povey and Mason, 1998).
Silica microwire-based interferometric electric field sensor.
Han, Chunyang; Lv, Fangxing; Sun, Chen; Ding, Hui
Silica microwire, as an optical waveguide whose diameter is close to or smaller than the wavelength of the guided light, is of great interest because it exhibits a number of excellent properties such as tight confinement, large evanescent fields, and great configurability. Here, we report a silica microwire-based compact photonic sensor for real-time detection of high electric field. This device contains an interferometer with propylene carbonate cladding. Based on the Kerr electro-optic effect of propylene carbonate, the applied intensive transient electric field can change the refractive index of propylene carbonate, which shifts the interferometric fringe. Therefore, the electric field could be demodulated by monitoring the fringe shift. The sensor was successfully used to detect alternating electric field with frequency of 50 Hz and impulse electric field with duration time of 200 μs. This work lays a foundation for future applications in electric field sensing. PMID:26274634
The Influence of Electric Field and Confinement on Cell Motility
Huang, Yu-Ja; Samorajski, Justin; Kreimer, Rachel; Searson, Peter C.
The ability of cells to sense and respond to endogenous electric fields is important in processes such as wound healing, development, and nerve regeneration. In cell culture, many epithelial and endothelial cell types respond to an electric field of magnitude similar to endogenous electric fields by moving preferentially either parallel or antiparallel to the field vector, a process known as galvanotaxis. Here we report on the influence of dc electric field and confinement on the motility of fibroblast cells using a chip-based platform. From analysis of cell paths we show that the influence of electric field on motility is much more complex than simply imposing a directional bias towards the cathode or anode. The cell velocity, directedness, as well as the parallel and perpendicular components of the segments along the cell path are dependent on the magnitude of the electric field. Forces in the directions perpendicular and parallel to the electric field are in competition with one another in a voltage-dependent manner, which ultimately govern the trajectories of the cells in the presence of an electric field. To further investigate the effects of cell reorientation in the presence of a field, cells are confined within microchannels to physically prohibit the alignment seen in 2D environment. Interestingly, we found that confinement results in an increase in cell velocity both in the absence and presence of an electric field compared to migration in 2D. PMID:23555674
A new probe for measuring small electric fields in plasmas
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stenzel, R. L.
A dipolar double probe has been developed for in situ measurements of small electric fields in laboratory plasmas. The probe measures dc to ac electric fields (f values between 0 and 20 MHz) with high sensitivity (Emin about 10 microV/cm) and responds to both space charge electric fields and inductive electric fields. Using voltage-to-frequency conversion, the probe signal is obtained free of errors and loading effects by a transmission line. Various examples of useful applications for the new probe are presented, such as measurements of dc ambipolar fields, ac space-charge fields of ion acoustic waves, ac inductive fields of whistler waves, and mixed inductive and space-charge electric fields in current-carrying magnetoplasmas.
Production of plasma with variable, radial electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kustom, B.; Merlino, R. L.; Dangelo, N.
A device is described suitable for plasma wave experiments requiring relatively large, variable, radial electric fields perpendicular to a static magnetic field. By separately adjusting the potentials of two independent, coaxial discharge plasmas, the authors produced plasmas with a radial electric field E sub r less than approximately 5 V/cm.
Computation of induced electric field for the sacral nerve activation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hirata, Akimasa; Hattori, Junya; Laakso, Ilkka; Takagi, Airi; Shimada, Takuo
The induced electric field/current in the sacral nerve by stimulation devices for the treatment of bladder overactivity is investigated. Implanted and transcutaneous electrode configurations are considered. The electric field induced in the sacral nerve by the implanted electrode is largely affected by its surrounding tissues, which is attributable to the variation in the input impedance of the electrode. In contrast, the electric field induced by the transcutaneous electrode is affected by the tissue conductivity and anatomical composition of the body. In addition, the electric field induced in the subcutaneous fat in close proximity of the electrode is comparable with the estimated threshold electric field for pain. These computational findings explain the clinically observed weakness and side effect of each configuration. For the transcutaneous stimulator, we suggest that the electrode contact area be increased to reduce the induced electric field in the subcutaneous fat.
Flow-driven cell migration under external electric fields
Li, Yizeng; Mori, Yoichiro; Sun, Sean X.
Electric fields influence many aspects of cell physiology, including various forms of cell migration. Many cells are sensitive to electric fields, and can migrate toward a cathode or an anode, depending on the cell type. In this paper, we examine an actomyosin-independent mode of cell migration under electrical fields. Our theory considers a one-dimensional cell with water and ionic fluxes at the cell boundary. Water fluxes through the membrane are governed by the osmotic pressure difference across the cell membrane. Fluxes of cations and anions across the cell membrane are determined by the properties of the ion channels as well as the external electric field. Results show that without actin polymerization and myosin contraction, electric fields can also drive cell migration, even when the cell is not polarized. The direction of migration with respect to the electric field direction is influenced by the properties of ion channels, and are cell-type dependent. PMID:26765031
Flow-Driven Cell Migration under External Electric Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, Yizeng; Mori, Yoichiro; Sun, Sean X.
Electric fields influence many aspects of cell physiology, including various forms of cell migration. Many cells are sensitive to electric fields, and they can migrate toward a cathode or an anode, depending on the cell type. In this Letter, we examine an actomyosin-independent mode of cell migration under electrical fields. Our theory considers a one-dimensional cell with water and ionic fluxes at the cell boundary. Water fluxes through the membrane are governed by the osmotic pressure difference across the cell membrane. Fluxes of cations and anions across the cell membrane are determined by the properties of the ion channels as well as the external electric field. Results show that without actin polymerization and myosin contraction, electric fields can also drive cell migration, even when the cell is not polarized. The direction of migration with respect to the electric field direction is influenced by the properties of ion channels, and are cell-type dependent.
Measurements of the vertical atmospheric electric field and of the electrical conductivity with stratospheric balloons
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Iversen, I. B.; Madsen, M. M.; Dangelo, N.
Measurements of the atmospheric (vertical) electric field with balloons in the stratosphere are reported. The atmospheric electrical conductivity is also measured and the current density inferred. The average vertical current shows the expected variation with universal time and is also seen to be influenced by external (magnetospheric) electric fields.
Electric field induced bacterial flocculation of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli 042
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kumar, Aloke; Mortensen, Ninell P.; Mukherjee, Partha P.; Retterer, Scott T.; Doktycz, Mitchel J.
A response of the aggregation dynamics of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli under low magnitude steady and oscillating electric fields is presented. The presence of uniform electric fields hampered microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on a transverse glass surface, but instead promoted the formation of flocs. Extremely heterogenous distribution of live and dead cells was observed among the flocs. Moreover, floc formation was largely observed to be independent of the frequency of alternating electric fields.
Electric field induced bacterial flocculation of Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli 042
Kumar, Aloke; Mortensen, Ninell P; Mukherjee, Partha P; Retterer, Scott T; Doktycz, Mitchel John
A response of the aggregation dynamics of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli under low magnitude steady and oscillating electric fields is presented. The presence of uniform electric fields hampered microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on a transverse glass surface, but instead promoted the formation of flocs. Extremely heterogeneous distribution of live and dead cells was observed among the flocs. Moreover, floc formation was largely observed to be independent of the frequency of alternating electric fields.
Electric field breakdown in single molecule junctions.
Li, Haixing; Su, Timothy A; Zhang, Vivian; Steigerwald, Michael L; Nuckolls, Colin; Venkataraman, Latha
Here we study the stability and rupture of molecular junctions under high voltage bias at the single molecule/single bond level using the scanning tunneling microscope-based break-junction technique. We synthesize carbon-, silicon-, and germanium-based molecular wires terminated by aurophilic linker groups and study how the molecular backbone and linker group affect the probability of voltage-induced junction rupture. First, we find that junctions formed with covalent S-Au bonds are robust under high voltage and their rupture does not demonstrate bias dependence within our bias range. In contrast, junctions formed through donor-acceptor bonds rupture more frequently, and their rupture probability demonstrates a strong bias dependence. Moreover, we find that the junction rupture probability increases significantly above ∼1 V in junctions formed from methylthiol-terminated disilanes and digermanes, indicating a voltage-induced rupture of individual Si-Si and Ge-Ge bonds. Finally, we compare the rupture probabilities of the thiol-terminated silane derivatives containing Si-Si, Si-C, and Si-O bonds and find that Si-C backbones have higher probabilities of sustaining the highest voltage. These results establish a new method for studying electric field breakdown phenomena at the single molecule level. PMID:25675085
Crystalline electric fields in mixed valent systems
Shapiro, S.M.
The inelastic neutron studies of rare-earth-based mixed valent systems have all shown remarkably similar results: a broad quasielastic line with half width on the order of 10 MeV. This width exhibits a strong temperature dependence in those systems which undergo a valence transition and is only weakly temperature dependent in those systems which show no transition. A surprising result was the absence of crystalline electric field (CEF) excitations. Recent measurements on the alloy Ce/sub .9-x/La/sub x/Th/sub .1/ have revealed the existence of CEF excitations. For x = 0, the valence transition is strongly first order and occurs near T/sub 0/ approx. 150 K. The inelastic spectra exhibit the typical broad quasielastic scattering. As x increases, T/sub 0/ decreases due to internal pressure effects, and a well-defined, but broad, excitation appears near E = 15 MeV. This is interpreted as a CEF excitation between the GAMMA/sub 7/ and GAMMA/sub 8/ levels of the Ce/sup 3/+ ion. For x = 0.40, the valence transition is almost completely suppressed and the excitation becomes even sharper.
Electric Field Driven Torque in ATP Synthase
Miller, John H.; Rajapakshe, Kimal I.; Infante, Hans L.; Claycomb, James R.
FO-ATP synthase (FO) is a rotary motor that converts potential energy from ions, usually protons, moving from high- to low-potential sides of a membrane into torque and rotary motion. Here we propose a mechanism whereby electric fields emanating from the proton entry and exit channels act on asymmetric charge distributions in the c-ring, due to protonated and deprotonated sites, and drive it to rotate. The model predicts a scaling between time-averaged torque and proton motive force, which can be hindered by mutations that adversely affect the channels. The torque created by the c-ring of FO drives the γ-subunit to rotate within the ATP-producing complex (F1) overcoming, with the aid of thermal fluctuations, an opposing torque that rises and falls with angular position. Using the analogy with thermal Brownian motion of a particle in a tilted washboard potential, we compute ATP production rates vs. proton motive force. The latter shows a minimum, needed to drive ATP production, which scales inversely with the number of proton binding sites on the c-ring. PMID:24040370
High electric field measurement using slab-coupled optical sensors.
Stan, Nikola; Seng, Frederick; Shumway, LeGrand; King, Rex; Selfridge, Richard; Schultz, Stephen
A fiber-optic electric field sensor was developed to measure electric field up to 18 MV/m. The sensor uses resonant coupling between an optical fiber and a nonlinear electro-optical crystal. The sensing system uses high dielectric strength materials to eliminate dielectric breakdown. A postprocessing nonlinear calibration method is developed that maps voltage change to wavelength shift and then converts the wavelength shift to electric field using the transmission spectrum. The nonlinear calibration method is compared against the linear method with electric field pulses having magnitudes from 1.5 to 18 MV/m. PMID:26835936
Linear electric field time-of-flight ion mass spectrometer
Funsten, Herbert O.; Feldman, William C.
A linear electric field ion mass spectrometer having an evacuated enclosure with means for generating a linear electric field located in the evacuated enclosure and means for injecting a sample material into the linear electric field. A source of pulsed ionizing radiation injects ionizing radiation into the linear electric field to ionize atoms or molecules of the sample material, and timing means determine the time elapsed between ionization of atoms or molecules and arrival of an ion out of the ionized atoms or molecules at a predetermined position.
Electric Field Enhanced Diffusion of Salicylic Acid through Polyacrylamide Hydrogels
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Niamlang, Sumonman; Sirivat, Anuvat
The release mechanisms and the diffusion coefficients of salicylic acid -loaded polyacrylamide hydrogels were investigated experimentally by using a modified Franz-diffusion cell at 37 ^oC to determine the effects of crosslinking ratio and electric field strength. A significant amount of salicylic acid is released within 48 hours from the hydrogels of various crosslinking ratios, with and without electric field. The release characteristic follows the Q vs. t^1/2 linear relationship. Diffusion coefficient initially increases with increasing electric field strength and reaches the maximum value at electric field strength of 0.1 V; beyond that it decreases with electric field strength and becomes saturated at electric field strength of 5 V. The diffusion coefficient increases at low electric field strength (less 0.1 V) as a result of the electrophoresis of the salicylic acid, the expansion of pore size, and the induced pathway in pigskin. For electric field strength higher than 0.1 V, the decrease in the diffusion coefficient is due to the reduction of the polyacrylamide pore size. The diffusion coefficient obeys the scaling behavior D/Do=(drug size/pore size)^m, with the scaling exponent m equal to 0.93 and 0.42 at electric fields of 0 and 0.1 V, respectively.
Measuring electric fields from surface contaminants with neutral atoms
Obrecht, J. M.; Wild, R. J.; Cornell, E. A.
In this paper we demonstrate a technique of utilizing magnetically trapped neutral {sup 87}Rb atoms to measure the magnitude and direction of stray electric fields emanating from surface contaminants. We apply an alternating external electric field that adds to (or subtracts from) the stray field in such a way as to resonantly drive the trapped atoms into a mechanical dipole oscillation. The growth rate of the oscillation's amplitude provides information about the magnitude and sign of the stray field gradient. Using this measurement technique, we are able to reconstruct the vector electric field produced by surface contaminants. In addition, we can accurately measure the electric fields generated from adsorbed atoms purposely placed onto the surface and account for their systematic effects, which can plague a precision surface-force measurement. We show that baking the substrate can reduce the electric fields emanating from adsorbate and that the mechanism for reduction is likely surface diffusion, not desorption.
Surface electric fields for North America during historical geomagnetic storms
Wei, Lisa H.; Homeier, Nichole; Gannon, Jennifer L.
To better understand the impact of geomagnetic disturbances on the electric grid, we recreate surface electric fields from two historical geomagnetic storms—the 1989 "Quebec" storm and the 2003 "Halloween" storms. Using the Spherical Elementary Current Systems method, we interpolate sparsely distributed magnetometer data across North America. We find good agreement between the measured and interpolated data, with larger RMS deviations at higher latitudes corresponding to larger magnetic field variations. The interpolated magnetic field data are combined with surface impedances for 25 unique physiographic regions from the United States Geological Survey and literature to estimate the horizontal, orthogonal surface electric fields in 1 min time steps. The induced horizontal electric field strongly depends on the local surface impedance, resulting in surprisingly strong electric field amplitudes along the Atlantic and Gulf Coast. The relative peak electric field amplitude of each physiographic region, normalized to the value in the Interior Plains region, varies by a factor of 2 for different input magnetic field time series. The order of peak electric field amplitudes (largest to smallest), however, does not depend much on the input. These results suggest that regions at lower magnetic latitudes with high ground resistivities are also at risk from the effect of geomagnetically induced currents. The historical electric field time series are useful for estimating the flow of the induced currents through long transmission lines to study power flow and grid stability during geomagnetic disturbances.
Inactivation of MS2 bacteriophage by streamer corona discharge in water.
Lee, Changha; Kim, Jaeeun; Yoon, Jeyong
Electrical discharge processes are emerging as water treatment technologies applicable to both the degradation of organic contaminants as well as inactivation of pathogens. Particularly as a disinfection technology, electrical discharge processes do not produce toxic byproducts, and effectively inactivate a wide spectrum of microorganisms by multiple lethal actions generated by the formation of plasma channels. This study demonstrates the inactivation of a virus using the streamer corona discharge process (SCDP) with MS2 phage as a surrogate. A rapid inactivation of MS2 phage (i.e., approximately 4 log inactivation in 5 min) was observed in all experimental runs conducted. Discharge conditions such as applied voltage and storage capacitance significantly affected the inactivation efficiency of MS2 phage, whereas the influence of water quality parameters was minor. In order to elucidate the mechanism of MS2 phage inactivation, potentially lethal factors that can be generated by the SCDP were selected, and their roles in the inactivation of MS2 phage were examined. As a result, effects of UV radiation, chemical oxidants, and pulsed electric fields were found to be insignificant. The shockwave generated upon plasma channel formation appears to be the most important factor responsible for MS2 phage inactivation. PMID:21144553
High-frequency electric field measurement using a toroidal antenna
Lee, Ki Ha
A simple and compact method and apparatus for detecting high frequency electric fields, particularly in the frequency range of 1 MHz to 100 MHz, uses a compact toroidal antenna. For typical geophysical applications the sensor will be used to detect electric fields for a wide range of spectrum starting from about 1 MHz, in particular in the frequency range between 1 to 100 MHz, to detect small objects in the upper few meters of the ground. Time-varying magnetic fields associated with time-varying electric fields induce an emf (voltage) in a toroidal coil. The electric field at the center of (and perpendicular to the plane of) the toroid is shown to be linearly related to this induced voltage. By measuring the voltage across a toroidal coil one can easily and accurately determine the electric field.
Nanoscale Electric Field Sensor-Development and Testing
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Brame, Jon; Woods, Nathan
The goal of this project is to test a carbon nanotube based electric field sensing device. The device consists of a miniature gold needle suspended on a mat of carbon nanotubes over a trench on a Si/Si02 substrate. Field tests were made by recording the electric field inside dust devils in a Nevada desert, and those electric fields were simulated in a lab environment. Further tests to determine the device sensitivity were performed by manually manipulating the gold needle with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) tip. We report on fabrication techniques, field and lab test results and AFM testing results.
Inner Magnetospheric Electric Fields Derived from IMAGE EUV
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gallagher, D. L.; Adrian, M. L.
The local and global patterns of plasmaspheric plasma transport reflect the influence of electric fields imposed by all sources in the inner magnetosphere. Image sequences of thermal plasma G:istribution obtained from the IMAGE Mission Extreme Ultraviolet Imager can be used to derive plasma motions and, using a magnetic field model, the corresponding electric fields. These motions and fields directly reflect the dynamic coupling of injected plasmasheet plasma and the ionosphere, in addition to solar wind and atmospheric drivers. What is being learned about the morphology of inner magnetospheric electric fields during storm and quite conditions from this new empirical tool will be presented and discussed.
Simultaneous electric-field measurements on nearby balloons.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mozer, F. S.
Electric-field payloads were flown simultaneously on two balloons from Great Whale River, Canada, on September 21, 1971, to provide data at two points in the upper atmosphere that differed in altitude by more than one atmospheric density scale height and in horizontal position by 30-140 km. The altitude dependences in the two sets of data prove conclusively that the vertical electric field at balloon altitudes stems from fair-weather atmospheric electricity sources and that the horizontal fields are mapped down ionospheric fields, since the weather-associated horizontal fields were smaller than 2 mV/m.
Middle atmospheric electric fields over thunderstorms
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Holzworth, Robert H.
This grant has supported a variety of investigations all having to do with the external electrodynamics of thunderstorms. The grant was a continuation of work begun while the PI was at the Aerospace Corporation (under NASA Grant NAS6-3109) and the general line of investigation continues today under NASA Grants NAG5-685 and NAG6-111. This report will briefly identify the subject areas of the research and associated results. The period actually covered by the grant NAG5-604 included the following analysis and flights: (1) analysis of five successful balloon flights in 1980 and 1981 (under the predecessor NASA grant) in the stratosphere over thunderstorms; (2) development and flight of the Hy-wire tethered balloon system for direct measurement of the atmospheric potential to 250 kV (this involved multiple tethered balloon flight periods from 1981 through 1986 from several locations including Wallops Island, VA, Poker Flat and Ft. Greely, AK and Holloman AFB, NM.); (3) balloon flights in the stratosphere over thunderstorms to measure vector electric fields and associated parameters in 1986 (2 flights), 1987 (4 flights), and 1988 (2 flights); and (4) rocket-borne optical lightning flash detectors on two rocket flights (1987 and 1988) (the same detector design that was used for the balloon flights listed under #3). In summary this grant supported 8 stratospheric zero-pressure balloon flights, tethered aerostat flights every year between 1982-1985, instruments on 2 rockets, and analysis of data from 6 stratospheric flights in 1980/81.
Dipole Relaxation in an Electric Field.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Neumann, Richard M.
Derives an expression for the orientational entropy of a rigid rod (electric dipole) from Boltzmann's equation. Subsequent application of Newton's second law of motion produces Debye's classical expression for the relaxation of an electric dipole in a viscous medium. (Author/GS)
Electric and magnetic fields measured during a sudden impulse
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Schutz, S.; Adams, G. J.; Mozer, F. S.
The electric field in the ionosphere and the magnetic field at the earth's surface in the mid-latitude region were both measured during a sudden impulse. Ionospheric conductivities deduced from this data were consistent with expectations, thus suggesting that the fluctuations in the magnetic field at the earth's surface were caused by overhead ionospheric currents that were driven by an electric field associated with the sudden impulse.
Exposure assessment for power frequency electric and magnetic fields.
Bracken, T D
Over the past decade considerable data have been collected on electric and magnetic fields in occupational environments. These data have taken the form of area measurements, source characterizations, and personal exposure measurements. Occupational EMF levels are highly variable in space and time. Exposures associated with these fields exhibit similar large variations during a day, between days, and between individuals within a group. The distribution of exposure measures is skewed over several decades with only a few values occurring at the maximum field levels. The skewness of exposure measures implies that large sample sizes may be required for assessments and that multiple statistical descriptors are preferred to describe individual and group exposures. Except for the relatively few occupational settings where high voltage sources are prevalent, electric fields encountered in the workplace are probably similar to residential exposures. Consequently, high electric field exposures are essentially limited to utility environments and occupations. Within the electric utility industry, it is definitely possible to identify occupations with high electric field exposures relative to those of office workers or other groups. The highly exposed utility occupations are linemen, substation operators, and utility electricians. The distribution of electric field exposures in the utility worker population is very skewed even within a given occupation. As with electric fields, magnetic fields in the workplace appear to be comparable with residential levels, unless a clearly defined high-current source is present. Since high-current sources are more prevalent than high-voltage sources, environments with relatively high magnetic field exposures encompass a more diverse set of occupations than do those with high electric fields. Within the electric utility industry, it is possible to identify occupational environments with high magnetic field exposure relative to the office
Reception and learning of electric fields in bees
Greggers, Uwe; Koch, Gesche; Schmidt, Viola; Dürr, Aron; Floriou-Servou, Amalia; Piepenbrock, David; Göpfert, Martin C.; Menzel, Randolf
Honeybees, like other insects, accumulate electric charge in flight, and when their body parts are moved or rubbed together. We report that bees emit constant and modulated electric fields when flying, landing, walking and during the waggle dance. The electric fields emitted by dancing bees consist of low- and high-frequency components. Both components induce passive antennal movements in stationary bees according to Coulomb's law. Bees learn both the constant and the modulated electric field components in the context of appetitive proboscis extension response conditioning. Using this paradigm, we identify mechanoreceptors in both joints of the antennae as sensors. Other mechanoreceptors on the bee body are potentially involved but are less sensitive. Using laser vibrometry, we show that the electrically charged flagellum is moved by constant and modulated electric fields and more strongly so if sound and electric fields interact. Recordings from axons of the Johnston organ document its sensitivity to electric field stimuli. Our analyses identify electric fields emanating from the surface charge of bees as stimuli for mechanoreceptors, and as biologically relevant stimuli, which may play a role in social communication. PMID:23536603
Rocket borne instrument to measure electric fields inside electrified clouds
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Ruhnke, L. H. (Inventor)
An apparatus for measuring the electric field in the atmosphere which includes a pair of sensors carried on a rocket for sensing the voltages in the atmosphere being measured is described. One of the sensors is an elongated probe with a fine point which causes a corona current to be produced as it passes through the electric field. An electric circuit is coupled between the probe and the other sensor and includes a high ohm resistor which linearizes the relationship between the corona current and the electric field being measured. A relaxation oscillator and transmitter are provided for generating and transmitting an electric signal having a frequency corresponding to the magnitude of the electric field.
Disrupting long-range polar order with an electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Guo, Hanzheng; Liu, Xiaoming; Xue, Fei; Chen, Long-Qing; Hong, Wei; Tan, Xiaoli
Electric fields are known to favor long-range polar order through the aligning of electric dipoles in relation to Coulomb's force. Therefore, it would be surprising to observe a disordered polar state induced from an ordered state by electric fields. Here we show such an unusual phenomenon in a polycrystalline oxide where electric fields induce a ferroelectric-to-relaxor phase transition. The nonergodic relaxor phase with disordered dipoles appears as an intermediate state under electric fields during polarization reversal of the ferroelectric phase. Using the phenomenological theory, the underlying mechanism for this unexpected behavior can be attributed to the slow kinetics of the ferroelectric-to-relaxor phase transition, as well as its competition against domain switching during electric reversal. The demonstrated material could also serve as a model system to study the transient stages in first-order phase transitions; the slow kinetics does not require the use of sophisticated ultrafast tools.
Electrical Field Effects in Phthalocyanine Film Growth by Vapor Deposition
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Banks, Curtis E.; Zhu, Shen; Frazier, Donald O.; Penn, Benjamin; Abdeldayem, Hossin; Hicks, Roslin; Sarkisov, Sergey
Phthalocyanine, an organic material, is a very good candidate for non-linear optical application, such as high-speed switching and optical storage devices. Phthalocyanine films have been synthesized by vapor deposition on quartz substrates. Some substrates were coated with a very thin gold film for introducing electrical field. These films have been characterized by surface morphology, material structure, chemical and thermal stability, non-linear optical parameters, and electrical behaviors. The films have excellent chemical and optical stability. However, the surface of these films grown without electrical field shows flower-like morphology. When films are deposited under an electrical field ( an aligned structure is revealed on the surface. A comparison of the optical and electrical properties and the growth mechanism for these films grown with and without an electrical field will be discussed.
Fetal exposure to low frequency electric and magnetic fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cech, R.; Leitgeb, N.; Pediaditis, M.
To investigate the interaction of low frequency electric and magnetic fields with pregnant women and in particular with the fetus, an anatomical voxel model of an 89 kg woman at week 30 of pregnancy was developed. Intracorporal electric current density distributions due to exposure to homogeneous 50 Hz electric and magnetic fields were calculated and results were compared with basic restrictions recommended by ICNIRP guidelines. It could be shown that the basic restriction is met within the central nervous system (CNS) of the mother at exposure to reference level of either electric or magnetic fields. However, within the fetus the basic restriction is considerably exceeded. Revision of reference levels might be necessary.
Temperature-mediated variations in cellular membrane fatty acid composition of Staphylococcus aureus in resistance to pulsed electric fields.
Wang, Lang-Hong; Wang, Man-Sheng; Zeng, Xin-An; Liu, Zhi-Wei
Effects of growth temperature on cell membrane fatty acid composition, fluidity and lethal and sublethal injury by pulsed electric fields (PEF) in Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 (S. aureus) in the stationary phase were investigated. Analysis of the membrane fatty acids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed that branched chain fatty acids (iso C14:0, iso C15:0, anteiso C15:0 and anteiso C17:0) and straight chain fatty acids (C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C17:0 and C18:0) were primary constituents in the membrane. The S. aureus changed its membrane fatty acid composition and its overall fluidity when exposed to different temperatures. The PEF lethal and sublethal effects were assessed, and results suggested that the degree of inactivation depended on the cell membrane structure, electric field strength and treatment time. The PEF inactivation kinetics including lethal and sublethal injury fractions were fitted with non-linear Weibull distribution, suggesting that inactivation of the first log cycle of S. aureus population was significantly affected by growth temperature, and the membrane of cells became more fluid, and easier to induce electroportion in low temperatures. Moreover, the morphology of S. aureus cells were investigated by electron microscopy, showing that various temperature-modified cells were distorted to differing extents and some even collapsed due to deep irreversible electroporation after PEF treatment. PMID:27155566
Effects of Radial Electric Fields on ICRF Waves
C.K. Phillips; J.C. Hosea; M. Ono; J.R. Wilson
Equilibrium considerations infer that large localized radial electric fields are associated with internal transport barrier structures in tokamaks and other toroidal magnetic confinement configurations. In this paper, the effects of an equilibrium electric field on fast magnetosonic wave propagation are considered in the context of a cold plasma model.
High School Students' Representations and Understandings of Electric Fields
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cao, Ying; Brizuela, Bárbara M.
This study investigates the representations and understandings of electric fields expressed by Chinese high school students 15 to 16 years old who have not received high school level physics instruction. The physics education research literature has reported students' conceptions of electric fields post-instruction as indicated by students'…
Electric and Magnetic Field Detection in Elasmobranch Fishes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kalmijn, Ad. J.
Sharks, skates, and rays receive electrical information about the positions of their prey, the drift of ocean currents, and their magnetic compass headings. At sea, dogfish and blue sharks were observed to execute apparent feeding responses to dipole electric fields designed to mimic prey. In training experiments, stingrays showed the ability to orient relative to uniform electric fields similar to those produced by ocean currents. Voltage gradients of only 5 nanovolts per centimeter would elicit either behavior.
Bound states of neutral particles in external electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lin, Qiong-Gui
Neutral fermions of spin 12 with magnetic moment can interact with electromagnetic fields through nonminimal coupling. The Dirac-Pauli equation for such a fermion coupled to a spherically symmetric or central electric field can be reduced to two simultaneous ordinary differential equations by separation of variables in spherical coordinates. For a wide variety of central electric fields, bound-state solutions of critical energy values can be found analytically. The degeneracy of these energy levels turns out to be numerably infinite. This reveals the possibility of condensing infinitely many fermions into a single energy level. For radially constant and radially linear electric fields, the system of ordinary differential equations can be completely solved, and all bound-state solutions are obtained in closed forms. The radially constant field supports scattering solutions as well. For radially linear fields, more energy levels (in addition to the critical one) are infinitely degenerate. The simultaneous presence of central magnetic and electric fields is discussed.
Electric Field Distribution of Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT)
Yang,G.; Bolotnikov, A.; Camarda, G.S.; Cui, Y.; Hossain, A.; Kim, K.; James, R.B.
Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) is attracting increasing interest with its promise as a room-temperature nuclear-radiation-detector material. The distribution of the electric field in CZT detectors substantially affects their detection performance. At Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), we employed a synchrotron X-Ray mapping technique and a Pockels-effect measurement system to investigate this distribution in different detectors. Here, we report our latest experimental results with three detectors of different width/height ratios. A decrease in this ratio aggravates the non-uniform distribution of electric field, and focuses it on the central volume. Raising the bias voltage effectively can minimize such non-uniformity of the electric field distribution. The position of the maximum electric field is independent of the bias voltage; the difference between its maximum- and minimum-intensity of electric field increases with the applied bias voltage.
Satellite measurements of high latitude convection electric fields.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cauffman, D. P.; Gurnett, D. A.
This paper reviews the first results of satellite experiments to measure magnetospheric convection electric fields using the double-probe technique. The earliest successful measurements were made with the low-altitude (680-2530 km) polar orbiting Injun-5 spacecraft. The Injun-5 results are compared with the initial findings of the electric field experiment on the polar orbiting OGO-6 satellite. Electric field measurements from the OGO-6 satellite have substantiated many of the initial Injun-5 observations with improved accuracy and sensitivity. The OGO-6 detector revealed the persistent occurrence of anti-sunward convection across the polar cap region at velocities not generally detectable with the Injun-5 experiment. The OGO-6 observations also provided information indicating that the location of the electric field reversal shifts equatorward during periods of increased magnetic activity. The implications of the electric field measurements for magnetospheric and auroral structure are summarized, and a list of specific recommendations for improving future experiments is presented.
Lower Atmospheric Electric Field due to Cloud Charge Distribution
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Paul, Suman; Haldar, Dilip kumar; Sundar De, Syam; Ghosh, Abhijit; Hazra, Pranab; Bandyopadhyay, Bijoy
The distributions of electric charge in the electrified clouds introduce important effects in the ionosphere and into the region between the ionosphere and the Earth. The electrical properties of the medium are changed greatly between thundercloud altitudes and the magnetosphere. A model for the penetration of DC thundercloud electric field between the Earth's upper and lower atmosphere has been presented here. The model deals with the electromagnetic responses of the atmosphere simulated through Maxwell's equations together with a time-varying source charge distribution. The modified ellipsoidal-Gaussian profile has been taken for the charge distribution of the electrified cloud. The conductivity profile of the medium is taken to be isotropic below 70 km height and anisotropic above 70 km. The Earth's surface is considered to be perfectly conducting. A general form of equation representing the thundercloud electric field component is deduced. In spite of assumptions for axial symmetry of thundercloud charge distribution considered in the model, the results are obtained giving the electric field variation in the upper atmosphere. The vertical component of the electric field would relate the global electric circuit while the radial component showed the electrical coupling between the lower atmosphere and the ionized Earth's environment. The variations of the values of field components for different heights as well as Maxwell's current have been evaluated. Coupling between the troposphere and the ionosphere is critically dependent on the height variations of electrical conductivity. Field-aligned electron density irregularities in the ionosphere may be investigated through the present analyses.
Electric field-mediated processing of polymer blend solutions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wnek, G. E.; Krause, S.
Multiphase polymer blends in which the minor phases are oriented in a desired direction may demonstrate unique optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. While morphology development in shear fields was studied extensively, little work has focused on effects of electric fields on phase structure. The use of electric fields for blend morphology modulation with particular attention given to solvent casting of blends in d.c. fields was explored. Both homopolymer blends (average phase sizes of several microns) and diblock copolymer/homopolymer blends (average phase sizes of hundreds of Angstroms) were investigated. Summarized are important observations and conclusions.
Novel electric field effects on Landau levels in graphene.
Lukose, Vinu; Shankar, R; Baskaran, G
A new effect in graphene in the presence of crossed uniform electric and magnetic fields is predicted. Landau levels are shown to be modified in an unexpected fashion by the electric field, leading to a collapse of the spectrum, when the value of electric to magnetic field ratio exceeds a certain critical value. Our theoretical results, strikingly different from the standard 2D electron gas, are explained using a "Lorentz boost," and as an "instability of a relativistic quantum field vacuum." It is a remarkable case of emergent relativistic type phenomena in nonrelativistic graphene. We also discuss few possible experimental consequence. PMID:17501075
Quality-related enzymes in plant-based products: effects of novel food processing technologies part 2: pulsed electric field processing.
Terefe, Netsanet Shiferaw; Buckow, Roman; Versteeg, Cornelis
Pulsed electric field (PEF) processing is an effective technique for the preservation of pumpable food products as it inactivates vegetative microbial cells at ambient to moderate temperature without significantly affecting the nutritional and sensorial quality of the product. However, conflicting views are expressed about the effect of PEF on enzymes. In this review, which is part 2 of a series of reviews dealing with the effectiveness of novel food preservation technologies for controlling enzymes, the scientific literature over the last decade on the effect of PEF on plant enzymes is critically reviewed to shed more light on the issue. The existing evidence indicates that PEF can result in substantial inactivation of most enzymes, although a much more intense process is required compared to microbial inactivation. Depending on the processing condition and the origin of the enzyme, up to 97% inactivation of pectin methylesterase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase as well as no inactivation have been reported following PEF treatment. Both electrochemical effects and Ohmic heating appear to contribute to the observed inactivation, although the relative contribution depends on a number of factors including the origin of the enzyme, the design of the PEF treatment chamber, the processing condition, and the composition of the medium. PMID:24915412
Defining treatment conditions for pulsed electric field pasteurization of apple juice.
Saldaña, G; Puértolas, E; Monfort, S; Raso, J; Alvarez, I
The influence of temperature and the presence of N(α)-lauroyl ethylester (ethyl lauroyl arginate, LAE) on the inactivation caused by continuous pulsed electric field treatments (PEF) in Escherichia coli O157:H7 suspended in apple juice have been investigated to define treatment conditions applicable at industrial scale that promote an equivalent safety level when compared with thermal processing. In the range of experimental conditions investigated (outlet temperature: 20-40 °C, electric field strength: 20-30 kV, treatment time: 5-125 μs) at outlet temperatures equal or lower than 55±1 °C, the inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 treated in apple juice ranged from 0.4 to 3.6 Log₁₀ cycles reduction and treated in apple juice supplemented with LAE (50 ppm) ranged from 0.9 to 6.7 Log₁₀ cycles reduction. An empirical mathematical model was developed to estimate the treatment time and total specific energy input to obtain 5 Log₁₀ cycles reduction in the population of E. coli O157:H7 suspended in apple juice supplemented with 50 ppm of LAE at different electric field strengths and inlet temperatures. Treatment conditions established for E. coli O157:H7 were validated with other PEF resistant Gram-positive (Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium) strains. When the treatment was applied to the apple juice, a treatment of 25 kV/cm for 63 μs corresponding with an outlet temperature of 65 °C and input energy of 125 kJ/kg was required to achieve more than 5 Log₁₀ cycles in the four strains investigated. The addition of LAE reduced the treatment time required to obtain an equivalent inactivation (>5 Log₁₀ cycles) in the four microorganisms to 38.4 μs, the outlet temperature to 55 °C, and the input energy to 83.2 kJ/kg. PMID:21880388
A dipole probe for electric field measurements in the LVPD
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Srivastava, P. K.; Awasthi, L. M.; Ravi, G.; Kumar, Sunil; Mattoo, S. K.
This paper describes the design, construction, and calibration of an electric dipole probe and demonstrates its capability by presenting results on the measurement of electric field excited by a ring electrode in the Large Volume Plasma Device (LVPD). It measures the electric field in vacuum and plasma conditions in a frequency range lying between 1-10 \\text{MHz} . The results show that it measures electric field ≥slant 2 mV cm-1 for frequency ≤slant 10 \\text{MHz} . The developed dipole probe works on the principle of amplitude modulation. The probe signal is transmitted through a carrier of 418 MHz, a much higher frequency than the available sources of noise present in the surrounding environment. The amplitude modulation concept of signal transmission is used to make the measurement; it is qualitatively better and less corrupted as it is not affected by the errors introduced by ac pickups. The probe is capable of measuring a variety of electric fields, namely (1) space charge field, (2) time varying field, (3) inductive field and (4) a mixed field containing both space charge and inductive fields. This makes it a useful tool for measuring electric fields in laboratory plasma devices.
Electric-field-induced rotation of Brownian metal nanowires.
Arcenegui, Juan J; García-Sánchez, Pablo; Morgan, Hywel; Ramos, Antonio
We describe the physical mechanism responsible for the rotation of Brownian metal nanowires suspended in an electrolyte exposed to a rotating electric field. The electric field interacts with the induced charge in the electrical double layer at the metal-electrolyte interface, causing rotation due to the torque on the induced dipole and to the induced-charge electro-osmotic flow around the particle. Experiments demonstrate that the primary driving mechanism is the former of these two. Our analysis contrasts with previous work describing the electrical manipulation of metallic particles with electric fields, which neglected the electrical double layer. Theoretical values for the rotation speed are calculated and good agreement with experiments is found. PMID:24125362
Effects of an Electric Field on White Sharks: In Situ Testing of an Electric Deterrent
Huveneers, Charlie; Rogers, Paul J.; Semmens, Jayson M.; Beckmann, Crystal; Kock, Alison A.; Page, Brad; Goldsworthy, Simon D.
Elasmobranchs can detect minute electromagnetic fields, <1 nVcm–1, using their ampullae of Lorenzini. Behavioural responses to electric fields have been investigated in various species, sometimes with the aim to develop shark deterrents to improve human safety. The present study tested the effects of the Shark Shield Freedom7™ electric deterrent on (1) the behaviour of 18 white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) near a static bait, and (2) the rates of attacks on a towed seal decoy. In the first experiment, 116 trials using a static bait were performed at the Neptune Islands, South Australia. The proportion of baits taken during static bait trials was not affected by the electric field. The electric field, however, increased the time it took them to consume the bait, the number of interactions per approach, and decreased the proportion of interactions within two metres of the field source. The effect of the electric field was not uniform across all sharks. In the second experiment, 189 tows using a seal decoy were conducted near Seal Island, South Africa. No breaches and only two surface interactions were observed during the tows when the electric field was activated, compared with 16 breaches and 27 surface interactions without the electric field. The present study suggests that the behavioural response of white sharks and the level of risk reduction resulting from the electric field is contextually specific, and depends on the motivational state of sharks. PMID:23658766
Effects of an electric field on white sharks: in situ testing of an electric deterrent.
Huveneers, Charlie; Rogers, Paul J; Semmens, Jayson M; Beckmann, Crystal; Kock, Alison A; Page, Brad; Goldsworthy, Simon D
Elasmobranchs can detect minute electromagnetic fields, <1 nV cm(-1), using their ampullae of Lorenzini. Behavioural responses to electric fields have been investigated in various species, sometimes with the aim to develop shark deterrents to improve human safety. The present study tested the effects of the Shark Shield Freedom7™ electric deterrent on (1) the behaviour of 18 white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) near a static bait, and (2) the rates of attacks on a towed seal decoy. In the first experiment, 116 trials using a static bait were performed at the Neptune Islands, South Australia. The proportion of baits taken during static bait trials was not affected by the electric field. The electric field, however, increased the time it took them to consume the bait, the number of interactions per approach, and decreased the proportion of interactions within two metres of the field source. The effect of the electric field was not uniform across all sharks. In the second experiment, 189 tows using a seal decoy were conducted near Seal Island, South Africa. No breaches and only two surface interactions were observed during the tows when the electric field was activated, compared with 16 breaches and 27 surface interactions without the electric field. The present study suggests that the behavioural response of white sharks and the level of risk reduction resulting from the electric field is contextually specific, and depends on the motivational state of sharks. PMID:23658766
Beyond Orientation: The Impact of Electric Fields on Block Copolymers
Liedel, Clemens; Boker, A.; Pester, Christian; Ruppel, Markus A; Urban, Volker S
Since the first report on electric field-induced alignment of block copolymers (BCPs) in 1991, electric fields have been shown not only to direct the orientation of BCP nanostructures in bulk, solution, and thin films, but also to reversibly induce order-order transitions, affect the order-disorder transition temperature, and control morphologies' dimensions with nanometer precision. Theoretical and experimental results of the past years in this very interesting field of research are summarized and future perspectives are outlined.
Electric field in 3D gravity with torsion
Blagojevic, M.; Cvetkovic, B.
It is shown that in static and spherically symmetric configurations of the system of Maxwell field coupled to 3D gravity with torsion, at least one of the Maxwell field components has to vanish. Restricting our attention to the electric sector of the theory, we find an interesting exact solution, corresponding to the azimuthal electric field. Its geometric structure is to a large extent influenced by the values of two different central charges, associated to the asymptotic AdS structure of spacetime.
Electric Field-Mediated Processing of Polymers. Appendix 1
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wnek, G. E.; Bowlin, G. L.; Haas, T. W.
Significant opportunities exist for the processing of polymers (homopolymers and blends) using electric fields. We suggest that a broad range of properties can be achieved using a relatively small number of polymers, with electric fields providing the ability to tailor properties via the control of shape, morphology, and orientation. Specific attention is given to electrospinning, but we note that electroaerosol formation and field-modulated film casting represent additional processing options.
dc electric field meter with fiber-optic readout
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Johnston, Alan R.; Kirkham, Harold; Eng, Bjorn T.
The design of a dc electric field meter capable of measuring the magnitude and direction of the electric field at an arbitrary location above the ground plane is described. The meter is based on measuring induced charge on a split cylindrical electrode pair which is rotated around its axis of symmetry. Data readout is by fiber-optic cable using pulse frequency encoding. The sensing head is electrically isolated. Initial results are reported from a series of tests at General Electric's High Voltage Transmission Research Facility, Pittsfield, MA. The electric field was measured in a large test cage and under a dc test line. Measurement of field magnitude and direction around a human subject standing under the conductor was demonstrated.
Mechanosensory hairs in bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) detect weak electric fields
Sutton, Gregory P.; Clarke, Dominic; Morley, Erica L.; Robert, Daniel
Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) use information from surrounding electric fields to make foraging decisions. Electroreception in air, a nonconductive medium, is a recently discovered sensory capacity of insects, yet the sensory mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we investigate two putative electric field sensors: antennae and mechanosensory hairs. Examining their mechanical and neural response, we show that electric fields cause deflections in both antennae and hairs. Hairs respond with a greater median velocity, displacement, and angular displacement than antennae. Extracellular recordings from the antennae do not show any electrophysiological correlates to these mechanical deflections. In contrast, hair deflections in response to an electric field elicited neural activity. Mechanical deflections of both hairs and antennae increase with the electric charge carried by the bumblebee. From this evidence, we conclude that sensory hairs are a site of electroreception in the bumblebee. PMID:27247399
Mechanosensory hairs in bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) detect weak electric fields.
Sutton, Gregory P; Clarke, Dominic; Morley, Erica L; Robert, Daniel
Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) use information from surrounding electric fields to make foraging decisions. Electroreception in air, a nonconductive medium, is a recently discovered sensory capacity of insects, yet the sensory mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we investigate two putative electric field sensors: antennae and mechanosensory hairs. Examining their mechanical and neural response, we show that electric fields cause deflections in both antennae and hairs. Hairs respond with a greater median velocity, displacement, and angular displacement than antennae. Extracellular recordings from the antennae do not show any electrophysiological correlates to these mechanical deflections. In contrast, hair deflections in response to an electric field elicited neural activity. Mechanical deflections of both hairs and antennae increase with the electric charge carried by the bumblebee. From this evidence, we conclude that sensory hairs are a site of electroreception in the bumblebee. PMID:27247399
Variation of The Magnetotail Electric Fields During Magnetospheric Substorms
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pudovkin, M.; Zaitseva, S.; Nakamura, R.
The behaviour of the midtail electric fields during two magnetospheric substorms on November, 22, 1995, is investigated. The magnetospheric electric field is supposed to consist of two components: a potential electric field penetrating into the magneto- sphere from the solar wind, and an inductive electric field associated with variation of the geomagnetic field. The first component is supposed to be proportional (with some time delay) to the Y -component of the solar wind electric field, and the second one is estimated from the time derivative of the tail lobe magnetic flux. The latter is obtained by converting total pressure to lobe magnetic field by assuming pressure balance be- tween lobe and plasma sheet (Nakamura et al., 1999). The Y -component of the total electric field is calculated from GEOTAIL spacecraft data as Ey = -[v × B]y. Analysis of experimental data shows that the inductive electric field (Ec) is "switched on" in the magnetotail practically simultaneously with the intensification of the IMF southern component. At the preliminary phase of the substorm, the Ec field within the plasmasheet is directed from dusk to dawn compensating the potential field Ep, so that the total field Ey is rather small there (Semenov and Sergeev, 1981). With the beginning of the active phase, the Ec changes its sign, and adding to the Ep, provides a rapid increase of the dawndusk Ey field. As the intensity of Ep during the active phase of the substorm is less than the intensity of the induced field, Ey is determined during this period by the latter mainly and does not correlate with the Esw field. However, the intensity of the potential electric field at this time may be obtained from the data on the velocity of the auroral arc motion (Pudovkin et al., 1992). So, judging by the dynamics of aurorae at the Poker Flat (Alaska) station, Ep field in the inner magnetosphere (X -10 RE) amounts the value of 0.7 mV/m, and it varies in proportion to Esw with the time delay of
Effects of an electric field on interaction of aromatic systems.
Youn, Il Seung; Cho, Woo Jong; Kim, Kwang S
The effect of uniform external electric field on the interactions between small aromatic compounds and an argon atom is investigated using post-HF (MP2, SCS-MP2, and CCSD(T)) and density functional (PBE0-D3, PBE0-TS, and vdW-DF2) methods. The electric field effect is quantified by the difference of interaction energy calculated in the presence and absence of the electric field. All the post-HF methods describe electric field effects accurately although the interaction energy itself is overestimated by MP2. The electric field effect is explained by classical electrostatic models, where the permanent dipole moment from mutual polarization mainly determines its sign. The size of π-conjugated system does not have significant effect on the electric field dependence. We found out that PBE0-based methods give reasonable interaction energies and electric field response in every case, while vdW-DF2 sometimes shows spurious artifact owing to its sensitivity toward the real space electron density. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. PMID:26696236
The hydrogen atom in plasmas with an external electric field
Bahar, M. K.; Soylu, A.
We numerically solve the Schrödinger equation, using a more general exponential cosine screened Coulomb (MGECSC) potential with an electric field, in order to investigate the screening and weak external electric field effects on the hydrogen atom in plasmas. The MGECSC potential is examined for four different cases, corresponding to different screening parameters of the potential and the external electric field. The influences of the different screening parameters and the weak external electric field on the energy eigenvalues are determined by solving the corresponding equations using the asymptotic iteration method (AIM). It is found that the corresponding energy values shift when a weak external electric field is applied to the hydrogen atom in a plasma. This study shows that a more general exponential cosine screened Coulomb potential allows the influence of an applied, weak, external electric field on the hydrogen atom to be investigated in detail, for both Debye and quantum plasmas simultaneously. This suggests that such a potential would be useful in modeling similar effects in other applications of plasma physics, and that AIM is an appropriate method for solving the Schrödinger equation, the solution of which becomes more complex due to the use of the MGECSC potential with an applied external electric field.
Enhancement of antibacterial properties of Ag nanorods by electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Akhavan, Omid; Ghaderi, Elham
The effect of an electric field on the antibacterial activity of columnar aligned silver nanorods was investigated. Silver nanorods with a polygonal cross section, a width of 20-60 nm and a length of 260-550 nm, were grown on a titanium interlayer by applying an electric field perpendicular to the surface of a Ag/Ti/Si(100) thin film during its heat treatment at 700 °C in an Ar+H2 environment. The optical absorption spectrum of the silver nanorods exhibited two peaks at wavelengths of 350 and 395 nm corresponding to the main surface plasmon resonance bands of the one-dimensional silver nanostructures. It was found that the silver nanorods with an fcc structure were bounded mainly by {100} facets. The antibacterial activity of the silver nanorods against Escherichia coli bacteria was evaluated at various electric fields applied in the direction of the nanorods without any electrical connection between the nanorods and the capacitor plates producing the electric field. Increasing the electric field from 0 to 50 V cm-1 resulted in an exponential increase in the relative rate of reduction of the bacteria from 3.9×10-2 to 10.5×10-2 min-1. This indicates that the antibacterial activity of silver nanorods can be enhanced by applying an electric field, for application in medical and food-preserving fields.
Electron electric-dipole-moment experiment using electric-field quantized slow cesium atoms
Amini, Jason M.; Munger, Charles T. Jr.; Gould, Harvey
A proof-of-principle electron electric-dipole-moment (e-EDM) experiment using slow cesium atoms, nulled magnetic fields, and electric-field quantization has been performed. With the ambient magnetic fields seen by the atoms reduced to less than 200 pT, an electric field of 6 MV/m lifts the degeneracy between states of unequal |m{sub F}| and, along with the low ({approx_equal}3 m/s) velocity, suppresses the systematic effect from the motional magnetic field. The low velocity and small residual magnetic field have made it possible to induce transitions between states and to perform state preparation, analysis, and detection in regions free of applied static magnetic and electric fields. This experiment demonstrates techniques that may be used to improve the e-EDM limit by two orders of magnitude, but it is not in itself a sensitive e-EDM search, mostly due to limitations of the laser system.
Molecular-scale measurements of electric fields at electrochemical interfaces.
Hayden, Carl C.; Farrow, Roger L.
Spatially resolved measurements of electric fields at electrochemical interfaces would be a critical step toward further understanding and modeling the detailed structure of electric double layers. The goal of this project was to perform proof-of-principle experiments to demonstrate the use of field-sensitive dyes for optical measurements of fields in electrochemical systems. A confocal microscope was developed that provides sensitive detection of the lifetime and high resolution spectra of excited fluorescence for dyes tethered to electrically conductive surfaces. Excited state lifetimes for the dyes were measured and found to be relatively unquenched when linked to indium tin oxide, but strongly quenched on gold surfaces. However, our fluorescence detection is sufficiently sensitive to measure spectra of submonolayer dye coatings even when the fluorescence was strongly quenched. Further work to create dye labeled interfaces on flat, uniform and durable substrates is necessary to make electric field measurements at interfaces using field sensitive dyes.
Optical Remote Sensing of Electric Fields Above Thunderstorms
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Burns, B. M.; Carlson, B. E.; Lauben, D.; Cohen, M.; Smith, D.; Inan, U. S.
Measurement of thunderstorm electric fields typically require balloon-borne measurements in the region of interest. Such measurements are cumbersome and provide limited information at a single point. Remote sensing of electric fields by Kerr-effect induced optical polarization changes of background skylight circumvents many of these difficulties and can in principle provide a high-speed movie of electric field behavior. Above-thundercloud 100 kV/m quasi-static electric fields are predicted to produce polarization changes at above the part in one million level that should be detectable at a ground instrument featuring 1 cm2sr geometric factor and 1 kHz bandwidth (though more sensitivity is nonetheless desired). Currently available optical and electronic components may meet these requirements. We review the principles of this measurement and discuss the current status of a field-ready prototype instrument currently in construction.
Electromechanical analysis of tapered piezoelectric bimorph at high electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chattaraj, Nilanjan; Ganguli, Ranjan
Piezoelectric bimorph laminar actuator of tapered width exhibits better performance for out-of-plane deflection compared to the rectangular surface area, while consuming equal surface area. This paper contains electromechanical analysis and modeling of a tapered width piezoelectric bimorph laminar actuator at high electric field in static state. The analysis is based on the second order constitutive equations of piezoelectric material, assuming small strain and large electric field to capture its behavior at high electric field. Analytical expressions are developed for block force, output strain energy, output energy density, input electrical energy, capacitance and energy efficiency at high electric field. The analytical expressions show that for fixed length, thickness, and surface area of the actuator, how the block force and output strain energy gets improved in a tapered surface actuator compared to a rectangular surface. Constant thickness, constant length and constant surface area of the actuator ensure constant mass, and constant electrical capacitance. We consider high electric field in both series and parallel electrical connection for the analysis. Part of the analytical results is validated with the experimental results, which are reported in earlier literature.
Electric field studies: TLE-induced waveforms and ground conductivity impact on electric field propagation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Farges, Thomas; Garcia, Geraldine; Blanc, Elisabeth
We review in this paper main results obtained from electric field (from VLF to HF) measurement campaigns realized by CEA in the framework of the Eurosprite program [Neubert et al., 2005, 2008] from 2003 to 2009 in France in different configurations. Two main topics have been studied: sprite or elve induced phenomena (radiation or perturbation) and wave propagation. Using a network of 4 stations, VLF radiations from sprite have been successfully located at 10 km from the sprite parent lightning, in agreement with possible sprite location, generally displaced from the parent lightning. The MF (300 kHz - 3 MHz) source bursts were identified simultaneously with the occurrence of sprites observed with cameras [Farges et al., 2004; Neubert et al., 2008]. These observations are compared to recent broadband measurements, assumed to be due to relativistic electron beam radiation related to sprites [Fullekrug et al., 2009]. Recently, in 2009, with a new instrumentation, an ELF tail has been clearly measured after the lightning waveform, while sprites were observed at about 500 km from our station. This ELF tail is usually observed at distances higher than thousand km and is associated to sprite generation. This opens the capacity to measure the charge moment of the parent-lightning, using such measurement close to the source. Farges et al. [2007] showed that just after a lightning return stroke, a strong transient attenuation is very frequently observed in the MF waves of radio transmissions. They showed that this perturbation is due to heating of the lower ionosphere by the lightning-induced EMP during few milliseconds. These perturbations are then the MF radio signature of the lightning EMP effects on the lower ionosphere, in the same way as elves correspond to their optical signature. The experiment also provided the electric field waveforms directly associated to elves, while lightning were not detected by Météorage. Many of them present a double peak feature. The
Spiral waves in oscillatory media with an applied electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gabbay, Michael; Ott, Edward; Guzdar, Parvez N.
Spiral waves in oscillatory reaction-diffusion systems under the influence of a uniform, time-independent electric field are modeled by the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation extended to include a convective term with complex coefficient. Results for the spiral drift, deformation, and frequency shift due to the electric field are obtained. The coefficient of the additional convective term is derived from the original reaction-diffusion system. The equation provides a good qualitative model of experimentally seen distortion of spiral waves in the presence of an applied electric field.
Membrane tubulation from giant lipid vesicles in alternating electric fields.
Antonova, K; Vitkova, V; Meyer, C
We report on the formation of tubular membrane protrusions from giant unilamellar vesicles in alternating electric fields. The construction of the experimental chamber permitted the application of external AC fields with strength of dozens of V/mm and kHz frequency during relatively long time periods (several minutes). Besides the vesicle electrodeformation from quasispherical to prolate ellipsoidal shape, the formation of long tubular membrane protrusions with length of up to several vesicle diameters, arising from the vesicular surface in the field direction, was registered and analyzed. The threshold electric field at which the electro-induced protrusions appeared was lower than the field strengths inducing membrane electroporation. PMID:26871107
The source of the electric field in the nightside magnetosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stern, D. P.
In the open magnetosphere model magnetic field lines from the polar caps connect to the interplanetary magnetic field and conduct an electric field from interplanetary space to the polar ionosphere. By examining the magnetic flux involved it is concluded that only slightly more than half of the magnetic flux in the polar caps belongs to open field lines and that such field lines enter or leave the magnetosphere through narrow elongated windows stretching the tail. These window regions are identified with the tail's boundary region and shift their position with changes in the interplanetary magnetic field, in particular when a change of interplanetary magnetic sector occurs. The circuit providing electric current in the magnetopause and the plasma sheet is extended across those windows; thus energy is drained from the interplanetary electric field and an electric potential drop is produced across the plasma sheet. The polar cap receives its electric field from interplanetary space on the day side from open magnetic field lines and on the night side from closed field lines leading to the plasma sheet. The theory described provides improved understanding of magnetic flux bookkeeping, of the origin of Birkeland currents, and of the boundary layer of the geomagnetic tail.
Vertical Electric Field Measurements with Copper Plates by Sounding Balloon
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wen, Shao-Chun; Chiu, Cheng-Hsiu; Bing-Chih Chen, Alfred; Hsu, Rue-Ron; Su, Han-Tzong
The vertical electric field plays an important role in driving the circulation of the global electric circuit, and crucial to the formation of the transient luminous events (TLEs). The in-situ measurement of the electric field in the upper atmosphere, especially from cloud top to the bottom of the ionosphere is very challenging but essential. Limited by the flight vehicle, the measurements of the electric field in and above cloud, especiall thundercloud, is rare up to now. A light-weight electric field meter was developed independently and sent to 30 km height by small meteorological balloons successfully. Other than the existing long-spaced, spherical probe design, an improved electric field meter has been built and tested carefully. A new circuit with ultra high input impedance and a high voltage amplifier is implemented to reduce the AC noise induced by the voltage divider. Two copper plates are used to replace the double spherical probes which is spaced by a long fiberglass boom. The in-lab calibration and tests show that this new model is superior to the existing design and very sensitive to the variation of the DC electric field. In this poster, the design and the in-lab tests will be presented, and preliminary results of the flight experiments are also discussed.
Electric fields are novel determinants of human macrophage functions.
Hoare, Joseph I; Rajnicek, Ann M; McCaig, Colin D; Barker, Robert N; Wilson, Heather M
Macrophages are key cells in inflammation and repair, and their activity requires close regulation. The characterization of cues coordinating macrophage function has focused on biologic and soluble mediators, with little known about their responses to physical stimuli, such as the electrical fields that are generated naturally in injured tissue and which accelerate wound healing. To address this gap in understanding, we tested how properties of human monocyte-derived macrophages are regulated by applied electrical fields, similar in strengths to those established naturally. With the use of live-cell video microscopy, we show that macrophage migration is directed anodally by electrical fields as low as 5 mV/mm and is electrical field strength dependent, with effects peaking ∼300 mV/mm. Monocytes, as macrophage precursors, migrate in the opposite, cathodal direction. Strikingly, we show for the first time that electrical fields significantly enhance macrophage phagocytic uptake of a variety of targets, including carboxylate beads, apoptotic neutrophils, and the nominal opportunist pathogen Candida albicans, which engage different classes of surface receptors. These electrical field-induced functional changes are accompanied by clustering of phagocytic receptors, enhanced PI3K and ERK activation, mobilization of intracellular calcium, and actin polarization. Electrical fields also modulate cytokine production selectively and can augment some effects of conventional polarizing stimuli on cytokine secretion. Taken together, electrical signals have been identified as major contributors to the coordination and regulation of important human macrophage functions, including those essential for microbial clearance and healing. Our results open up a new area of research into effects of naturally occurring and clinically applied electrical fields in conditions where macrophage activity is critical. PMID:26718542
Leukemia following occupational exposure to 60-Hz electric and magnetic fields among Ontario electric utility workers.
Miller, A B; To, T; Agnew, D A; Wall, C; Green, L M
In a nested case-control study of 1,484 cancer cases and 2,179 matched controls from a cohort of 31,543 Ontario Hydro male employees, the authors evaluated associations of cancer risk with electric field exposure and reevaluated the previously reported findings for magnetic fields. Pensioners were followed from January 1, 1970, and active workers (including those who left the corporation) from January 1, 1973, with both groups followed through December 31, 1988. Exposures to electric and magnetic fields and to potential occupational confounders were estimated through job exposure matrices. Odds ratios were elevated for hematopoietic malignancies with cumulative electric field exposure. After adjustment, the odds ratio for leukemia in the upper tertile was 4.45 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-19.7). Odds ratios were also elevated for acute nonlymphoid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic lymphoid leukemia. For cumulative magnetic field exposure, there were similar elevations that fell with adjustment. Evaluation of the combined effect of electric and magnetic fields for leukemia showed significant elevations of risk for high exposure to both, with a dose-response relation for increasing exposure to electric fields and an inconsistent effect for magnetic fields. There was some evidence of a nonsignificant association for brain cancer and benign brain tumors with magnetic fields. For lung cancer, the odds ratio for high exposure to electric and magnetic fields was 1.84 (95% CI 0.69-4.94). PMID:8678046
Richard G. Mallinson; Lance L. Lobban
This report summarizes the conditions and results of this multifaceted program. Detailed experimental descriptions and results and discussion can be found in the publications cited in the Appendix. The goal of this project is the development of novel, economical, processes for the conversion of natural gas to more valuable projects such as synthesis gas or direct conversion to methanol, ethylene and other organic oxygenates or higher hydrocarbons. The methodologies of the project are to investigate and develop low temperature electric discharges and electric discharge-enhanced catalysis for carrying out these conversions. With the electric discharge-enhanced conversion, the operating temperatures are expected to be far below those currently required for such processes as oxidative coupling, thereby allowing for a higher degree of catalytic selectivity while maintaining high activity. In the case of low temperature discharges, the conversion is carried out at ambient temperature, trading high temperature thermal energy for electric energy as the driving force for conversion. The low operating temperatures remove thermodynamic constraints on the product distribution due to the non-equilibrium nature of the low temperature plasma. This also removes the requirements of large thermal masses that need very large-scale operation to maximize efficiency that is the characteristic of current technologies, including high temperature plasma processes. This potentially allows much smaller scale processes to be efficient. Additionally, a gas conversion process that is electrically driven provides an internal use for excess power generated by proposed Fischer Tropsch gas-to-liquids processes and can increase their internal thermal efficiency and reduce capital costs. This project has studied three primary types of low temperature plasma reactor and operating conditions. The organization of this program is shown schematically in the report. Typical small scale laboratory reactor
Electric field effect in ultrathin zigzag graphene nanoribbons
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhang, Wen-Xing; Liu, Yun-Xiao; Tian, Hua; Xu, Jun-Wei; Feng, Lin
The electric field effect in ultrathin zigzag graphene nanoribbons containing only three or four zigzag carbon chains is studied by first-principles calculations, and the change of conducting mechanism is observed with increasing in-plane electric field perpendicular to the ribbon. Wider zigzag graphene nanoribbons have been predicted to be spin-splitted for both valence band maximum (VBM) and conduction band minimum (CBM) with an applied electric field and become half-metal due to the vanishing band gap of one spin with increasing applied field. The change of VBM for the ultrathin zigzag graphene nanoribbons is similar to that for the wider ones when an electric field is applied. However, in the ultrathin zigzag graphene nanoribbons, there are two kinds of CBMs, one is spin-degenerate and the other is spin-splitted, and both are tunable by the electric field. Moreover, the two CBMs are spatially separated in momentum space. The conducting mechanism changes from spin-degenerate CBM to spin-splitted CBM with increasing applied electric field. Our results are confirmed by density functional calculations with both LDA and GGA functionals, in which the LDA always underestimates the band gap while the GGA normally produces a bigger band gap than the LDA. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11204201 and 11147142) and the Natural Science Foundation for Young Scientists of Shanxi Province, China (Grant No. 2013021010-1).
Insurance for electric and magnetic field litigation: Are you covered
Anderson, E.R.; Stewart, C.A. III
Electrical power generating companies, power transmission companies and large generators and users of electrical power recently felt the sting of a second shock. The first shock came when lawsuits were first filed against companies in the electrical power industry claiming real or imagined damages from electrical and magnetic fields ([open quotes]EMFs[close quotes]). The new and second shock is potentially more devastating because it comes from the [open quotes]safe hands[close quotes] of the insurance industry. Standard-form comprehensive general liability ([open quotes]CGL[close quotes]) insurance policies purchased by nearly every company in the electrical power industry for generations are supposed to cover EMF bodily injury and property damage claims. Not so, say the lawyers for the most prominent insurance company selling insurance coverage to electric utilities, Associated Electric Gas Insurance Services, Ltd. ([open quotes]AEGIS[close quotes]).
Drop oscillation and mass transfer in alternating electric fields
Carleson, T.E.
In certain cases droplet direct contact heat transfer rates can be significantly enhanced by the application of an alternating electric field. This field can produce shape oscillations in a droplet which will enhance mixing. The theoretical evaluation of the effect of the interaction of the field with drop charge on the hydrodynamics has been completed for small amplitude oscillations. Previous work with a zero order perturbation method was followed up with a first order perturbation method to evaluate the effect of drop distortion on drop charge and field distribution. The first order perturbation results show secondary drop oscillations of four modes and two frequencies in each mode. The most significant secondary oscillation has the same mode and frequency as the second mode oscillation predicted from the first order perturbation work. The resonant frequency of all oscillations decrease with increasing electric field strength and drop charge. Work is currently underway to evaluate the heat transfer enhancement from an applied alternating electric field.
Evaluation of electrical fields inside a biological structure.
Drago, G. P.; Ridella, S.
A digital computer simulation has been carried out of exposure of a cell, modelled as a multilayered spherical structure, to an alternating electrical field. Electrical quantities of possible biological interest can be evaluated everywhere inside the cell. A strong frequency selective behaviour in the range 0-10 MHz has been obtained. PMID:6279135
Injun 5 observations of magnetospheric electric fields and plasma convection
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gurnett, D. A.
Recent measurements of magnetospheric electric fields with the satellite Injun 5 have provided a comprehensive global survey of plasma convection at low altitudes in the magnetosphere. A persistent feature of these electric field observations is the occurrence of an abrupt reversal in the convection electric field at auroral zone latitudes. The plasma convection velocities associated with these reversals are generally directed east-west, away from the sun on the poleward side of the reversal, and toward the sun on the equatorward side of the reversal. Convection velocities over the polar cap region are normally less than those observed near the reversal region. The electric field reversal is observed to be coincident with the trapping boundary for electrons with energies E greater than 45 keV.
Communication: Control of chemical reactions using electric field gradients
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Deshmukh, Shivaraj D.; Tsori, Yoav
We examine theoretically a new idea for spatial and temporal control of chemical reactions. When chemical reactions take place in a mixture of solvents, an external electric field can alter the local mixture composition, thereby accelerating or decelerating the rate of reaction. The spatial distribution of electric field strength can be non-trivial and depends on the arrangement of the electrodes producing it. In the absence of electric field, the mixture is homogeneous and the reaction takes place uniformly in the reactor volume. When an electric field is applied, the solvents separate and the reactants are concentrated in the same phase or separate to different phases, depending on their relative miscibility in the solvents, and this can have a large effect on the kinetics of the reaction. This method could provide an alternative way to control runaway reactions and to increase the reaction rate without using catalysts.
Communication: Control of chemical reactions using electric field gradients.
Deshmukh, Shivaraj D; Tsori, Yoav
We examine theoretically a new idea for spatial and temporal control of chemical reactions. When chemical reactions take place in a mixture of solvents, an external electric field can alter the local mixture composition, thereby accelerating or decelerating the rate of reaction. The spatial distribution of electric field strength can be non-trivial and depends on the arrangement of the electrodes producing it. In the absence of electric field, the mixture is homogeneous and the reaction takes place uniformly in the reactor volume. When an electric field is applied, the solvents separate and the reactants are concentrated in the same phase or separate to different phases, depending on their relative miscibility in the solvents, and this can have a large effect on the kinetics of the reaction. This method could provide an alternative way to control runaway reactions and to increase the reaction rate without using catalysts. PMID:27208928
Controlling flow direction in nanochannels by electric field strength
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gao, Xiang; Zhao, Tianshou; Li, Zhigang
Molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to study the flow behavior of CsF solutions in nanochannels under external electric fields E . It is found that the channel surface energy greatly affects the flow behavior. In channels of high surface energy, water molecules, on average, move in the same direction as that of the electric field regardless of the strength of E . In low surface energy channels, however, water transports in the opposite direction to the electric field at weak E and the flow direction is changed when E becomes sufficiently large. The direction change of water flow is attributed to the coupled effects of different water-ion interactions, inhomogeneous water viscosity, and ion distribution changes caused by the electric field. The flow direction change observed in this work may be employed for flow control in complex micro- or nanofluidic systems.
School Facilities and Electric and Magnetic Field Radiation.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Carr, Richard L.
The possibility that electric and magnetic field radiation poses a health hazard should be recognized during the planning and designing of a school. A preconstruction assessment of possible exposure should be evaluated before the start of construction. (MLF)
The plasmaspheric electric field as measured by ISEE 1
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Maynard, N. C.; Aggson, T. L.; Heppner, J. P.
The electrodynamics of the plasmasphere has been a topic of considerable interest. Models predict a space charge buildup, or Alfven layer, at the inner edge of the ring current which opposes the dawn-dusk convection electric field in the magnetosphere and thus shields the plasmasphere from the convection electric field. The current study has the objective to present data from the ISEE 1 double cylindrical probe instrument. All measurements reported were made in the plasmasphere with electron densities of the order of 30-50 or greater per cu cm. The average electric field pattern for quiet conditions is found to be qualitatively consistent with previous average results from whistler measurements and radar backscattering measurements. The magnitudes and gross patterns are in qualitative agreement with representative ionospheric dynamo models. The basic convective flow vectors from the penetration of the magnetospheric electric field tend to follow contours which are parallel to those of the average plasmapause boundary on the nightside.
On the field-aligned electric field in the polar cap
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wing, Simon; Fairfield, Donald H.; Johnson, Jay R.; Ohtani, Shin-I.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory open-field line particle precipitation model predicts downward field-aligned electric field to maintain charge quasi-neutrality. Previous studies confirmed the existence of such electric fields. However, the present study shows that upward field-aligned electric field can be found within upward field-aligned current (FAC) region. In the upward FAC region, upward electric field that accelerates electron downward is seen with the occurrence rates of 82%-96%. In contrast, the occurrence rates in the downward FAC regions are 3%-11%. Polar rain electrons located in the upward FAC region adjacent to closed field lines often show a ramping up of energy with increasing latitude before reaching a plateau. This plateau may be attributed to the magnetosheath electrons that progressively have higher antisunward velocity and lower density with increasing distance from the subsolar point before they asymptotically reach the solar wind values.
Effects Of Electric Field On Hydrocarbon-Fueled Flames
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Yuan, Z.-G.; Hegde, U.
It has been observed that flames are susceptible to electric fields that are much weaker than the breakdown field strength of the flame gases. When an external electric field is imposed on a flame, the ions generated in the flame reaction zone drift in the direction of the electric forces exerted on them. The moving ions collide with the neutral species and change the velocity distribution in the affected region. This is often referred to as ionic wind effect. In addition, the removal of ions from the flame reaction zone can alter the chemical reaction pathway of the flame. On the other hand, the presence of space charges carried by moving ions affects the electric field distribution. As a result, the flame often changes its shape, location and color once an external electric field is applied. The interplay between the flame movement and the change of electric field makes it difficult to determine the flame location for a given configuration of electrodes and fuel source. In normal gravity, the buoyancy-induced flow often complicates the problem and hinders detailed study of the interaction between the flame and the electric field. In this work, the microgravity environment established at the 2.2 Second Drop Tower at the NASA Glenn Research Center is utilized to effectively remove the buoyant acceleration. The interaction between the flame and the electric field is studied in a one-dimensional domain. A specially designed electrode makes flame current measurements possible; thus, the mobility of ions, ion density, and ionic wind effect can be evaluated.
Electric field in media with power-law spatial dispersion
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tarasov, Vasily E.
In this paper, we consider electric fields in media with power-law spatial dispersion (PLSD). Spatial dispersion means that the absolute permittivity of the media depends on the wave vector. Power-law type of this dispersion is described by derivatives and integrals of non-integer orders. We consider electric fields of point charge and dipole in media with PLSD, infinite charged wire, uniformly charged disk, capacitance of spherical capacitor and multipole expansion for PLSD-media.
Ionizing gas breakdown waves in strong electric fields.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Klingbeil, R.; Tidman, D. A.; Fernsler, R. F.
A previous analysis by Albright and Tidman (1972) of the structure of an ionizing potential wave driven through a dense gas by a strong electric field is extended to include atomic structure details of the background atoms and radiative effects, especially, photoionization. It is found that photoionization plays an important role in avalanche propagation. Velocities, electron densities, and temperatures are presented as a function of electric field for both negative and positive breakdown waves in nitrogen.
Stress-Wave Probing of Electric Field Distributions in Dielectrics
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Alquie, C.; Dreyfus, G.; Lewiner, J.
The spatial distribution of the electric field within a dielectric sample is shown to be obtainable unambiguously from the time dependence of the open-circuit voltage or short-circuit current during the propagation of a stress wave across the sample. Experiments in which the pressure wave is generated by the impact of a pulsed laser beam on a metal target bonded to the dielectric plate under investigation have led to the first straightforward visualization of electric field distributions in solid dielectrics.
Large amplitude middle atmospheric electric fields - Fact or fiction?
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kelley, M. C.; Siefring, C. L.; Pfaff, R. F., Jr.
An analysis of the measurements of large apparent dc fields in the middle atmosphere, previously gathered by two sounding rockets, shows these fields to be spurious. In the case of one of the rockets, the evidence presented suggests that the measured electric fields, aligned with the rocket's velocity vector, may be due to a negatively charged wake. A comparison of measurements made by various electric field booms also suggests that the insulating boom coatings in one experiment may have affected the results obtained. It is recommended that insulating coatings should not be used at mesospheric altitudes, because of the detrimental effects that frictional charging may have.
Electric Field Measurements in Non-Equilibrium Electric Discharge Plasmas Using Picosecond Four-Wave Mixing
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Goldberg, Benjamin M.
This dissertation presents the results of development of a picosecond four wave mixing technique and its use for electric field measurements in nanosecond pulse discharges. This technique is similar to coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy and is well suited for electric field measurements in high pressure plasmas with high spatial and temporal resolution. The results show that the signal intensity scales proportionally to the square of the electric field, the signal is emitted as a coherent beam, and is polarized parallel to the electric field vector, making possible electric field vector component measurements. The signal is generated when a collinear pair of pump and Stokes beams, which are generated in a stimulated Raman shifting cell (SRS), generate coherent excitation of molecules into a higher energy level, hydrogen for the present work. The coherent excitation mixes with a dipole moment induced by an external electric field. The mixing of these three "waves'" allows the molecules to radiate at their Raman frequency, producing a fourth, signal, wave which is proportional to the square of the electric field. The time resolution of this technique is limited by the coherence decay time of the molecules, which is a few hundred picoseconds.
Migration of amoeba cells in an electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Guido, Isabella; Bodenschatz, Eberhard
Exogenous and endogenous electric fields play a role in cell physiology as a guiding mechanism for the orientation and migration of cells. Electrotaxis of living cells has been observed for several cell types, e.g. neurons, fibroblasts, leukocytes, neural crest cells, cancer cells. Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd), an intensively investigated chemotactic model organism, also exhibits a strong electrotactic behavior moving toward the cathode under the influence of electric fields. Here we report experiments on the effects of DC electric fields on the directional migration of Dd cells. We apply the electric field to cells seeded into microfluidic devices equipped with agar bridges to avoid any harmful effects of the electric field on the cells (ions formation, pH changes, etc.) and a constant flow to prevent the build-up of chemical gradient that elicits chemotaxis. Our results show that the cells linearly increase their speed over time when a constant electric field is applied for a prolonged duration (2 hours). This novel phenomenon cannot be attributed to mechanotaxis as the drag force of the electroosmotic flow is too small to produce shear forces that can reorient cells. It is independent of the cellular developmental stage and to our knowledge, it was not observed in chemotaxis. This work is supported by MaxSynBio project of the Max Planck Society.
Effect of superheat and electric field on saturated film boiling
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pandey, Vinod; Biswas, Gautam; Dalal, Amaresh
The objective of this investigation is to study the influence of superheat temperature and applied uniform electric field across the liquid-vapor interface during film boiling using a coupled level set and volume of fluid algorithm. The hydrodynamics of bubble growth, detachment, and its morphological variation with electrohydrodynamic forces are studied considering the medium to be incompressible, viscous, and perfectly dielectric at near critical pressure. The transition in interfacial instability behavior occurs with increase in superheat, the bubble release being periodic both in space and time. Discrete bubble growth occurs at a smaller superheat whereas vapor columns form at the higher superheat values. Destabilization of interfacial motion due to applied electric field results in decrease in bubble separation distance and increase in bubble release rate culminating in enhanced heat transfer rate. A comparison of maximum bubble height owing to application of different intensities of electric field is performed at a smaller superheat. The change in dynamics of bubble growth due to increasing superheat at a high intensity of electric field is studied. The effect of increasing intensity of electric field on the heat transfer rate at different superheats is determined. The boiling characteristic is found to be influenced significantly only above a minimum critical intensity of the electric field.
Ponderomotive Force in the Presence of Electric Fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Khazanov, G. V.; Krivorutsky, E. N.
This paper presents averaged equations of particle motion in an electromagnetic wave of arbitrary frequency with its wave vector directed along the ambient magnetic field. The particle is also subjected to an E cross B drift and a background electric field slowly changing in space and acting along the magnetic field line. The fields, wave amplitude, and the wave vector depend on the coordinate along the magnetic field line. The derivations of the ponderomotive forces are done by assuming that the drift velocity in the ambient magnetic field is comparable to the particle velocity. Such a scenario leads to new ponderomotive forces, dependent on the wave magnetic field intensity, and, as a result, to the additional energy exchange between the wave and the plasma particles. It is found that the parallel electric field can lead to the change of the particle-wave energy exchange rate comparable to that produced by the previously discussed ponderomotive forces.
A novel high-sensitivity electrostatic biased electric field sensor
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Huang, Jing'ao; Wu, Xiaoming; Wang, Xiaohong; Yan, Xiaojun; Lin, Liwei
In this paper, an electric field sensor (EFS) with high sensitivity is proposed for low-frequency weak-strength ac electric field (E-field) measurements. The EFS is based on a piezoelectric cantilever biased by a strong electrostatic field. The electrostatic bias can enhance the electric field force of a weak ac E-field, thus the cantilever can oscillate in a weak ac E-field and the device sensitivity improves. Theoretical analyses have been established and suggest that a stronger strength of electrostatic field bias would produce a higher sensitivity improvement. In the experiment, a demonstrated sensor consisting of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric cantilever and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) electret was built and tested. Instead of extra voltage sources, the PTFE electret was charged to provide the electrostatic field, allowing the EFS a low energy consumption and a simple electric circuit design. The experiment results show good agreement with the simulation. The sensitivity of the cantilever E-field sensor reached 0.84 mV (kV/m)-1 when the surface potential of the electret was -770 V.
Report on Non-Contact DC Electric Field Sensors
Miles, R; Bond, T; Meyer, G
This document reports on methods used to measure DC electrostatic fields in the range of 100 to 4000 V/m using a non-contact method. The project for which this report is written requires this capability. Non-contact measurements of DC fields is complicated by the effect of the accumulation of random space-charges near the sensors which interfere with the measurement of the field-of-interest and consequently, many forms of field measurements are either limited to AC measurements or use oscillating devices to create pseudo-AC fields. The intent of this document is to report on methods discussed in the literature for non-contact measurement of DC fields. Electric field meters report either the electric field expressed in volts per distance or the voltage measured with respect to a ground reference. Common commercial applications for measuring static (DC) electric fields include measurement of surface charge on materials near electronic equipment to prevent arcing which can destroy sensitive electronic components, measurement of the potential for lightning to strike buildings or other exposed assets, measurement of the electric fields under power lines to investigate potential health risks from exposure to EM fields and measurement of fields emanating from the brain for brain diagnostic purposes. Companies that make electric field sensors include Trek (Medina, NY), MKS Instruments, Boltek, Campbell Systems, Mission Instruments, Monroe Electronics, AlphaLab, Inc. and others. In addition to commercial vendors, there are research activities continuing in the MEMS and optical arenas to make compact devices using the principles applied to the larger commercial sensors.
Electric field and temperature effects in irradiated MOSFETs
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Silveira, M. A. G.; Santos, R. B. B.; Leite, F. G.; Araújo, N. E.; Cirne, K. H.; Melo, M. A. A.; Rallo, A.; Aguiar, Vitor. A. P.; Aguirre, F.; Macchione, E. L. A.; Added, N.; Medina, N. H.
Electronic devices exposed to ionizing radiation exhibit degradation on their electrical characteristics, which may compromise the functionality of the device. Understanding the physical phenomena responsible for radiation damage, which may be specific to a particular technology, it is of extreme importance to develop methods for testing and recovering the devices. The aim of this work is to check the influence of thermal annealing processes and electric field applied during irradiation of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFET) in total ionizing dose experiments analyzing the changes in the electrical parameters in these devices
Electric field-induced softening of alkali silicate glasses
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
McLaren, C.; Heffner, W.; Tessarollo, R.; Raj, R.; Jain, H.
Motivated by the advantages of two-electrode flash sintering over normal sintering, we have investigated the effect of an external electric field on the viscosity of glass. The results show remarkable electric field-induced softening (EFIS), as application of DC field significantly lowers the softening temperature of glass. To establish the origin of EFIS, the effect is compared for single vs. mixed-alkali silicate glasses with fixed mole percentage of the alkali ions such that the mobility of alkali ions is greatly reduced while the basic network structure does not change much. The sodium silicate and lithium-sodium mixed alkali silicate glasses were tested mechanically in situ under compression in external electric field ranging from 0 to 250 V/cm in specially designed equipment. A comparison of data for different compositions indicates a complex mechanical response, which is observed as field-induced viscous flow due to a combination of Joule heating, electrolysis and dielectric breakdown.
Electric field-induced softening of alkali silicate glasses
McLaren, C.; Heffner, W.; Jain, H.; Tessarollo, R.; Raj, R.
Motivated by the advantages of two-electrode flash sintering over normal sintering, we have investigated the effect of an external electric field on the viscosity of glass. The results show remarkable electric field-induced softening (EFIS), as application of DC field significantly lowers the softening temperature of glass. To establish the origin of EFIS, the effect is compared for single vs. mixed-alkali silicate glasses with fixed mole percentage of the alkali ions such that the mobility of alkali ions is greatly reduced while the basic network structure does not change much. The sodium silicate and lithium-sodium mixed alkali silicate glasses were tested mechanically in situ under compression in external electric field ranging from 0 to 250 V/cm in specially designed equipment. A comparison of data for different compositions indicates a complex mechanical response, which is observed as field-induced viscous flow due to a combination of Joule heating, electrolysis and dielectric breakdown.
Ionisation of a quantum dot by electric fields
Eminov, P A; Gordeeva, S V
We have derived analytical formulas for differential and total ionisation probabilities of a two-dimensional quantum dot by a constant electric field. In the adiabatic approximation, we have calculated the probability of this process in the field of a plane electromagnetic wave and in a superposition of constant and alternating electric fields. The imaginary-time method is used to obtain the momentum distribution of the ionisation probability of a bound system by an intense field generated by a superposition of parallel constant and alternating electric fields. The total probability of the process per unit time is calculated with exponential accuracy. The dependence of the results obtained on the characteristic parameters of the problem is investigated. (laser applications and other topics in quantum electronics)
Full 180° Magnetization Reversal with Electric Fields
Wang, J. J.; Hu, J. M.; Ma, J.; Zhang, J. X.; Chen, L. Q.; Nan, C. W.
Achieving 180° magnetization reversal with an electric field rather than a current or magnetic field is a fundamental challenge and represents a technological breakthrough towards new memory cell designs. Here we propose a mesoscale morphological engineering approach to accomplishing full 180° magnetization reversals with electric fields by utilizing both the in-plane piezostrains and magnetic shape anisotropy of a multiferroic heterostructure. Using phase-field simulations, we examined a patterned single-domain nanomagnet with four-fold magnetic axis on a ferroelectric layer with electric-field-induced uniaxial strains. We demonstrated that the uniaxial piezostrains, if non-collinear to the magnetic easy axis of the nanomagnet at certain angles, induce two successive, deterministic 90° magnetization rotations, thereby leading to full 180° magnetization reversals. PMID:25512070
Relationships between the Birkeland currents, ionospheric currents, and electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bleuler, E.; Li, C. H.; Nisbet, J. S.
Currents and electric fields in the ionosphere are calculated using a global model of the electron density including conjugate coupling along field lines. Incoherent scatter and rocket measurements of high-latitude electron densities are used to derive realistic variations of the polar conductivities as a function of magnetic activity. The Birkeland currents are specified in terms of three indices, and the relationship between these parameters and the auroral electrojets indices is examined along with the polar cap potential and the electric field at lower latitudes. A mathematical model of the currents, electric fields, and energy inputs produced by field aligned currents is developed, which is consistent with and specifiable in terms of measured geophysical indices.
Reversible electric-field control of magnetization at oxide interfaces.
Cuellar, F A; Liu, Y H; Salafranca, J; Nemes, N; Iborra, E; Sanchez-Santolino, G; Varela, M; Garcia Hernandez, M; Freeland, J W; Zhernenkov, M; Fitzsimmons, M R; Okamoto, S; Pennycook, S J; Bibes, M; Barthélémy, A; te Velthuis, S G E; Sefrioui, Z; Leon, C; Santamaria, J
Electric-field control of magnetism has remained a major challenge which would greatly impact data storage technology. Although progress in this direction has been recently achieved, reversible magnetization switching by an electric field requires the assistance of a bias magnetic field. Here we take advantage of the novel electronic phenomena emerging at interfaces between correlated oxides and demonstrate reversible, voltage-driven magnetization switching without magnetic field. Sandwiching a non-superconducting cuprate between two manganese oxide layers, we find a novel form of magnetoelectric coupling arising from the orbital reconstruction at the interface between interfacial Mn spins and localized states in the CuO2 planes. This results in a ferromagnetic coupling between the manganite layers that can be controlled by a voltage. Consequently, magnetic tunnel junctions can be electrically toggled between two magnetization states, and the corresponding spin-dependent resistance states, in the absence of a magnetic field. PMID:24953219
Zhao, J. S.; Wu, D. J.; Lu, J. Y.
This study investigates the spectral structure of the kinetic Alfven turbulence in the low-beta plasmas. We consider a strong turbulence resulting from collisions between counterpropagating wavepackets with equal energy. Our results show that (1) the spectra of the magnetic and electric field fluctuations display a transition at the electron inertial length scale, (2) the turbulence cascades mainly toward the magnetic field direction as the cascade scale is smaller than the electron inertial length, and (3) the parallel electric field increases as the turbulent scale decreases. We also show that the parallel electric field in the solar flare loops can be 10{sup 2}-10{sup 4} times the Dreicer field as the turbulence reaches the electron inertial length scale.
High electric field phenomena in insulation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Laghari, J. R.; Sarjeant, W. J.
The present study extends previous work to include electron radiation-induced changes in monoisopropyl biphenyl (MIPB)-impregnated polypropylene film as well as the effects of neutron/gamma radiation on dry polypropylene films. Effects that were quite similar were induced by both electron and neutron radiation on the properties of interest of the polypropylene films. Impregnation of the film with MIPB had a mitigatory effect on the degradation of the properties. This report also contains the results of a simultaneous electrical and thermal aging study of a capacitor-grade polypropylene film. The data obtained in this study was fitted to models that will enable realistic prediction of lifetimes under operating conditions.
Polarization electric field in subalfvenic plasma jet under condition of field- aligned currents generation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sobyanin, D.; Gavrilov, B.; Podgorny, I.
The subalfvenic magnetized plasma jet propagating across the geomagnetic field generates field-aligned currents in the ionospheric plasma. As a result the transverse polarization electric field Ep =-VxB/c in the jet should be reduced (plasma jet depolarization). These phenomena are investigated in the laboratory experiment. It was revealed that the depolarization is accompanied by the appearing of the electric field E along the plasma velocity vector. The value of E is comparable with theaa transverse electric field. It results in the plasma jet deflection. The possibility of manifestation of these effects in the NORTH STAR Russian-American active rocket experiment is discussed.
Effect of electrical field strength applied by PEF processing and storage temperature on the outgrowth of yeasts and moulds naturally present in a fresh fruit smoothie.
Timmermans, R A H; Nederhoff, A L; Nierop Groot, M N; van Boekel, M A J S; Mastwijk, H C
Pulsed electrical field (PEF) technology offers an alternative to thermal pasteurisation of high-acid fruit juices, by extending the shelf life of food products, while retaining its fresh taste and nutritional value. Substantial research has been performed on the effect of electrical field strength on the inactivation kinetics of spoilage and pathogenic micro-organisms and on the outgrowth of spoilage micro-organisms during shelf life. However, studies on the effect of electrical field strength on the inactivation and outgrowth of surviving populations during shelf life are missing. In this study, we assessed the influence of electrical field strength applied by PEF processing and storage temperature on the outgrowth of surviving yeast and mould populations naturally present in fresh fruit smoothie in time. Therefore, an apple-strawberry-banana smoothie was treated in a continuous-flow PEF system (130L/h), using similar inlet and outlet conditions (preheating temperature 41°C, maximum temperature 58°C) to assure that the amount of energy across the different conditions was kept constant. Smoothies treated with variable electrical field strengths (13.5, 17.0, 20.0 and 24.0kV/cm) were compared to smoothies without treatment for outgrowth of yeasts and moulds. Outgrowth of yeasts and moulds stored at 4°C and 7°C was analysed by plating and visual observation and yeast growth was modelled using the modified logistic growth model (Zwietering model). Results showed that the intensity of the electrical field strength had an influence on the degree of inactivation of yeast cells, resulting in a faster outgrowth over time at lower electrical field strength. Outgrowth of moulds over time was not affected by the intensity of the electrical field strength used. Application of PEF introduces a trade-off between type of spoilage: in untreated smoothie yeasts lead to spoilage after 8days when stored at 4 or 7°C, whereas in PEF treated smoothie yeasts were (partly
Electric field by pick-up ions and electrons
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yamauchi, Masatoshi; Behar, Etienne; Nilsson, Hans; Holmstrom, Mats
Observations by the Rosetta Plasma Consortium (RPC) showed increasing distortion of the solar wind flow as Rosetta approached the Sun, i.e., as the density of the newly born ions increased. This indicates azimuthal momentum transfer from the solar wind to the newly born ions because they are displaced by the solar wind electric field up to the ion gyroradius this the solar wind velocity, and conservation of the momentum (center of the mass) makes the solar wind to azimuthally shift by "counter action" of these pick-up ion motions. To understand this azimuthal momentum transfer, it is inevitable to model the electric field by the displacement of these pick-up ions and electrons. Although the E×B drift does not make charge separation when the scale size is larger than the ion gyroradius, ions and electrons move in the opposite direction to each other within the short distance up to a gyroradius, and therefore, the charge separation occurs. Thus, the newly-ionized neutrals (ion-electron pairs) create the electric field in the opposite (shielding) direction to the solar wind electric field (like the ionopause of Venus and Mars). However, such a newly induced "shielding" electric field will simultaneously be weakened by the solar wind electrons because the solar wind is also moved by this shielding electric field to reduce it, in the same way as the plasma oscillation (time scale of about 10‑4 s). In other words, the solar wind tries to maintain the solar wind electric field as far as the momentum allows. These two opposite effects must be combined when modelling the azimuthal electric field, and resultant ion/electron motions within a gyroradius, like the case for ROSETTA. Furthermore, the effect of the induced electric field by the pick-up ions and electrons will be different when the newly born ions are created as the result of photo-ionization and of the charge exchange because the electron effect is different between them. In the presentation, we model the
Limiting electric fields of HVDC overhead power lines.
Leitgeb, N
As a consequence of the increased use of renewable energy and the now long distances between energy generation and consumption, in Europe, electric power transfer by high-voltage (HV) direct current (DC) overhead power lines gains increasing importance. Thousands of kilometers of them are going to be built within the next years. However, existing guidelines and regulations do not yet contain recommendations to limit static electric fields, which are one of the most important criteria for HVDC overhead power lines in terms of tower design, span width and ground clearance. Based on theoretical and experimental data, in this article, static electric fields associated with adverse health effects are analysed and various criteria are derived for limiting static electric field strengths. PMID:24573710
Controlling Growth Orientation of Phthalocyanine Films by Electrical Fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Zhu, S.; Banks, C. E.; Frazier, D. O.; Ila, D.; Muntele, I.; Penn, B. G.; Sharma, A.; Rose, M. Franklin (Technical Monitor)
Organic Phthalocyanine films have many applications ranging from data storage to various non-linear optical devices whose quality is affected by the growth orientation of Phthalocyanine films. Due to the structural and electrical properties of Phthalocyanine molecules, the film growth orientation depends strongly on the substrate surface states. In this presentation, an electrical field up to 4000 V/cm is introduced during film growth. The Phthalocyanine films are synthesized on quartz substrates using thermal evaporation. An intermediate layer is deposited on some substrates for introducing the electrical field. Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used for measuring surface morphology, film structure, and optical properties, respectively. The comparison of Phthalocyanine films grown with and without the electrical field reveals different morphology, film density, and growth orientation, which eventually change optical properties of these films. These results suggest that the growth method in the electrical field can be used to synthesized Phthalocyanine films with a preferred crystal orientation as well as propose an interaction mechanism between the substrate surface and the depositing molecules. The details of growth conditions and of the growth model of how the Phthalocyanine molecules grow in the electrical field will be discussed.
Using Gravitational Analogies to Introduce Elementary Electrical Field Theory Concepts
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Saeli, Susan; MacIsaac, Dan
Since electrical field concepts are usually unfamiliar, abstract, and difficult to visualize, conceptual analogies from familiar gravitational phenomena are valuable for teaching. Such analogies emphasize the underlying continuity of field concepts in physics and support the spiral development of student understanding. We find the following four…
Mapping transient electric fields with picosecond electron bunches.
Chen, Long; Li, Runze; Chen, Jie; Zhu, Pengfei; Liu, Feng; Cao, Jianming; Sheng, Zhengming; Zhang, Jie
Transient electric fields, which are an important but hardly explored parameter of laser plasmas, can now be diagnosed experimentally with combined ultrafast temporal resolution and field sensitivity, using femtosecond to picosecond electron or proton pulses as probes. However, poor spatial resolution poses great challenges to simultaneously recording both the global and local field features. Here, we present a direct 3D measurement of a transient electric field by time-resolved electron schlieren radiography with simultaneous 80-μm spatial and 3.7-ps temporal resolutions, analyzed using an Abel inversion algorithm. The electric field here is built up at the front of an aluminum foil irradiated with a femtosecond laser pulse at 1.9 × 10(12) W/cm(2), where electrons are emitted at a speed of 4 × 10(6) m/s, resulting in a unique "peak-valley" transient electric field map with the field strength up to 10(5) V/m. Furthermore, time-resolved schlieren radiography with charged particle pulses should enable the mapping of various fast-evolving field structures including those found in plasma-based particle accelerators. PMID:26554022
Mapping transient electric fields with picosecond electron bunches
Chen, Long; Li, Runze; Chen, Jie; Zhu, Pengfei; Liu, Feng; Cao, Jianming; Sheng, Zhengming; Zhang, Jie
Transient electric fields, which are an important but hardly explored parameter of laser plasmas, can now be diagnosed experimentally with combined ultrafast temporal resolution and field sensitivity, using femtosecond to picosecond electron or proton pulses as probes. However, poor spatial resolution poses great challenges to simultaneously recording both the global and local field features. Here, we present a direct 3D measurement of a transient electric field by time-resolved electron schlieren radiography with simultaneous 80-μm spatial and 3.7-ps temporal resolutions, analyzed using an Abel inversion algorithm. The electric field here is built up at the front of an aluminum foil irradiated with a femtosecond laser pulse at 1.9 × 1012 W/cm2, where electrons are emitted at a speed of 4 × 106 m/s, resulting in a unique "peak–valley" transient electric field map with the field strength up to 105 V/m. Furthermore, time-resolved schlieren radiography with charged particle pulses should enable the mapping of various fast-evolving field structures including those found in plasma-based particle accelerators. PMID:26554022
Electric Field Driven Self-Assembly of Colloidal Rods
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Juarez, Jaime; Chaudhary, Kundan; Chen, Qian; Granick, Steve; Lewis, Jennifer
The ability to assemble anisotropic colloidal building blocks into ordered configurations is of both scientific and technological importance. We are studying how electric field-induced interactions guide the self-assembly of these blocks into well aligned microstructures. Specifically, we present observations of the assembly of colloidal silica rods (L/D ˜ 4) within planar electrode cells as a function of different electric field parameters. Results from video microscopy and image analysis demonstrate that aligned microstructures form due to the competition between equilibrium interactions of induced dipoles and non-equilibrium processes (i.e., electro-osmosis). Under the appropriate electric field conditions (˜ kHZ AC fields), aligned colloidal rod fluids form over large areas on the electrode surface. The superposition of a DC electric field to this aligned colloidal rod fluid initiates their condensation into a vertically oriented crystalline phase. Ongoing work is now focused on exploring how temporal changes to electric fields influence colloidal rod dynamics and, hence, the assembly kinetics of aligned colloidal monolayers.
Endogenous Cortical Oscillations Constrain Neuromodulation by Weak Electric Fields
Schmidt, Stephen L.; Iyengar, Apoorva K.; Foulser, A. Alban; Boyle, Michael R.; Fröhlich, Flavio
Background Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation modality that may modulate cognition by enhancing endogenous neocortical oscillations with the application of sine-wave electric fields. Yet, the role of endogenous network activity in enabling and shaping the effects of tACS has remained unclear. Objective We combined optogenetic stimulation and multichannel slice electrophysiology to elucidate how the effect of weak sine-wave electric field depends on the ongoing cortical oscillatory activity. We hypothesized that the structure of the response to stimulation depended on matching the stimulation frequency to the endogenous cortical oscillation. Methods We studied the effect of weak sine-wave electric fields on oscillatory activity in mouse neocortical slices. Optogenetic control of the network activity enabled the generation of in vivo like cortical oscillations for studying the temporal relationship between network activity and sine-wave electric field stimulation. Results Weak electric fields enhanced endogenous oscillations but failed to induce a frequency shift of the ongoing oscillation for stimulation frequencies that were not matched to the endogenous oscillation. This constraint on the effect of electric field stimulation imposed by endogenous network dynamics was limited to the case of weak electric fields targeting in vivo-like network dynamics. Together, these results suggest that the key mechanism of tACS may be enhancing but not overriding of intrinsic network dynamics. Conclusion Our results contribute to understanding the inconsistent tACS results from human studies and propose that stimulation precisely adjusted in frequency to the endogenous oscillations is key to rational design of non-invasive brain stimulation paradigms. PMID:25129402
Streamer Initiation from Hydrometeors in Weak Thundercloud Electric Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sadighi, S.; Liu, N.; Dwyer, J. R.; Rassoul, H. K.
How atmospheric lightning initiates in thunderclouds has been a scientific puzzle for decades. One theory of air electrical breakdown that has been applied to explaining the initiation of lightning discharges is the conventional breakdown theory [e.g., MacGorman and Rust, p. 86, 1998; Rakov and Uman, p. 121, 2003]. A critical component of this theory is to demonstrate that streamers are able to form and propagate in the field with a magnitude similar to the observed thundercloud electric fields. The observed maximum value of this field varies from 0.13-0.3E_k [Stolzenburg et al., 2007], where E_k is the conventional breakdown threshold field. This value fails to provide a sufficient condition for the initiation of electron avalanches and then the electrical breakdown process. To overcome this obstacle, the theory of streamer initiation from thundercloud hydrometeors (water drops, ice crystals, etc.) was brought forward [e.g., Dawson, JGR, 74 (28), 6859, 1969; Griffiths and Latham, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc., 100, 163, 1974; Griffiths and Phelps, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc., 102, 4019, 1976]. Hydrometeors are abundant in thunderclouds and they can cause significant field enhancement in their vicinity. For this study, the streamer discharge model reported by Liu and Pasko [JGR, 109, A04301, 2004] is utilized and modified to investigate whether streamers can successfully originate from isolated hydrometeors in the thundercloud electric field. The thundercloud hydrometeors are modeled using a neutral plasma column. Our simulation results show successful formation of streamers from model hydrometeors in a uniform applied electric field below the conventional breakdown threshold field. We report detailed modeling results at thundercloud altitude for the applied electric fields close to the observed maximum thundercloud field. It is demonstrated that the dimensions, i.e., length and radius, of the plasma column have a critical effect on the initiation of streamers
Dirac oscillator in perpendicular magnetic and transverse electric fields
Nath, D.; Roy, P.
We study (2+1) dimensional massless Dirac oscillator in the presence of perpendicular magnetic and transverse electric fields. Exact solutions are obtained and it is shown that there exists a critical magnetic field B{sub c} such that the spectrum is different in the two regions B>B{sub c} and Belectric field. • Exact solutions are found. • Critical cases have been examined.
Decay of H atoms excited in small electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
van Zyl, B.; van Zyl, B. K.; Westerveld, W. B.
The way that various H-emission intensities observed during proton auroras are influenced by the motion of fast-emitting H atoms across the earth's magnetic field is investigated. Branching-ratio data calculated by Rouze et al. (1986) for the decay of the 3l excited states of H are extended to higher principal quantum numbers, with particular emphasis on electric fields in the range of 1 or 2 V/cm. The results show that branching ratios depend quite strongly on electric-field magnitude, pointing to the need to exercise caution in measurements of H emissions and in application of the available data to other problems.
PIC simulation of electrodeless plasma thruster with rotating electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nomura, Ryosuke; Ohnishi, Naofumi; Nishida, Hiroyuki
For longer lifetime of electric propulsion system, an electrodeless plasma thruster with rotating electric field have been proposed utilizing a helicon plasma source. The rotating electric field may produce so-called Lissajous acceleration of helicon plasma in the presence of diverging magnetic field through a complicated mechanism originating from many parameters. Two-dimensional simulations of the Lissajous acceleration were conducted by a code based on Particle-In-Cell (PIC) method and Monte Carlo Collision (MCC) method for understanding plasma motion in acceleration area and for finding the optimal condition. Obtained results show that azimuthal current depends on ratio of electron drift radius to plasma region length, AC frequency, and axial magnetic field. When ratio of cyclotron frequency to the AC frequency is higher than unity, reduction of the azimuthal current by collision effect is little or nothing.
Electric field evidence for tailward flow at substorm onset
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Nishida, A.; Tulunay, Y. K.; Mozer, F. S.; Cattell, C. A.; Hones, E. W., Jr.; Birn, J.
Electric field observations made near the neutral sheet of the magnetotail provide additional support for the view that reconnection occurs in the near-earth region of the tail. Southward turnings of the magnetic field that start at, or shortly after, substorm onsets are accompanied by enhancements in the dawn-to-dusk electric field, resulting in a tailward E x B drift velocity. Both the magnetic and the electric fields in the tailward-flowing plasma are nonuniform and vary with inferred spatial scales of several earth radii in the events examined in this paper. These nonuniformities may be the consequence of the tearing-mode process. The E x B flow was also towards the neutral sheet and away from midnight in the events studied.
Intense ionospheric electric and magnetic field pulses generated by lightning
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kelley, M. C.; Ding, J. G.; Holzworth, R. H.
Electric and magnetic field measurements have been made in the ionosphere over an active thunderstorm and an optical detector onboard the same rocket yielded an excellent time base for the study of waves radiated into space from the discharge. In addition to detection of intense, but generally well understood whistler mode waves, very unusual electric and magnetic field pulses preceded the 1-10 kHz component of the radiated signal. These pulses lasted several ms and had a significant electric field component parallel to the magnetic field. No known propagating wave mode has this polarization nor a signal propagation velocity as high as those measured here. This study investigated and rejected an explanation based on an anomalous skin depth effect. Although only a hypothesis at this time, a more promising explanation involving the generation of the pulse via a nonlinear decay of whistler mode waves in the frequency range 10-80 kHz is being investigated.
Skin rejuvenation with non-invasive pulsed electric fields.
Golberg, Alexander; Khan, Saiqa; Belov, Vasily; Quinn, Kyle P; Albadawi, Hassan; Felix Broelsch, G; Watkins, Michael T; Georgakoudi, Irene; Papisov, Mikhail; Mihm, Martin C; Austen, William G; Yarmush, Martin L
Degenerative skin diseases affect one third of individuals over the age of sixty. Current therapies use various physical and chemical methods to rejuvenate skin; but since the therapies affect many tissue components including cells and extracellular matrix, they may also induce significant side effects, such as scarring. Here we report on a new, non-invasive, non-thermal technique to rejuvenate skin with pulsed electric fields. The fields destroy cells while simultaneously completely preserving the extracellular matrix architecture and releasing multiple growth factors locally that induce new cells and tissue growth. We have identified the specific pulsed electric field parameters in rats that lead to prominent proliferation of the epidermis, formation of microvasculature, and secretion of new collagen at treated areas without scarring. Our results suggest that pulsed electric fields can improve skin function and thus can potentially serve as a novel non-invasive skin therapy for multiple degenerative skin diseases. PMID:25965851
Skin Rejuvenation with Non-Invasive Pulsed Electric Fields
Golberg, Alexander; Khan, Saiqa; Belov, Vasily; Quinn, Kyle P.; Albadawi, Hassan; Felix Broelsch, G.; Watkins, Michael T.; Georgakoudi, Irene; Papisov, Mikhail; Mihm Jr., Martin C.; Austen Jr., William G.; Yarmush, Martin L.
Degenerative skin diseases affect one third of individuals over the age of sixty. Current therapies use various physical and chemical methods to rejuvenate skin; but since the therapies affect many tissue components including cells and extracellular matrix, they may also induce significant side effects, such as scarring. Here we report on a new, non-invasive, non-thermal technique to rejuvenate skin with pulsed electric fields. The fields destroy cells while simultaneously completely preserving the extracellular matrix architecture and releasing multiple growth factors locally that induce new cells and tissue growth. We have identified the specific pulsed electric field parameters in rats that lead to prominent proliferation of the epidermis, formation of microvasculature, and secretion of new collagen at treated areas without scarring. Our results suggest that pulsed electric fields can improve skin function and thus can potentially serve as a novel non-invasive skin therapy for multiple degenerative skin diseases. PMID:25965851
The electric field and global electrodynamics of the magnetosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stern, D. P.
The conception of the electrodynamics of the quiet-time magnetosphere obtained during the last four years of magnetospheric study is presented. Current understandings of the open magnetosphere, convective plasma flows in the plasma sheet, the shielding of the inner magnetosphere from the convective magnetospheric electric field, the space charge produced when injected electrons drift towards dawn and injected ions drift towards dusk, the disruption of the flow of the Birkeland current by plasma instabilities and the shielding of the convective electric field by the dayside magnetopause are discussed. Attention is also given to changes of magnetic field line topology magnetic storms and substorms. Unresolved questions and new tools which may play a role in the further understanding of magnetospheric electrodynamics and the role of the magnetospheric electric field are presented.
Strong electric fields from positive lightning strokes in the stratosphere
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Holzworth, R. H.; McCarthy, M. P.; Thomas, J. N.; Chin, J.; Chinowsky, T. M.; Taylor, M. J.; Pinto, O.
A balloon payload launched in Brazil has measured vector electric fields from lightning at least an order of magnitude larger than previously reported above 30 km in the stratosphere. During the flight hundreds of lightning events were recorded, including several positive cloud to ground lightning strokes. A two stroke flash, with small (15 kA peak current) and moderate (53 kA) positive strokes at a horizontal range of 34 km, produced field changes over 140 V/m at 34 km altitude. On-board optical lightning detection, recorded with GPS timing, coupled with ground based lightning location gives high time resolution for study of the electric field transient propagation. These measurements imply that lightning electric fields in the mesosphere over large thunderstorms may be much larger than previously measured.
PIC simulation of electrodeless plasma thruster with rotating electric field
Nomura, Ryosuke; Ohnishi, Naofumi; Nishida, Hiroyuki
For longer lifetime of electric propulsion system, an electrodeless plasma thruster with rotating electric field have been proposed utilizing a helicon plasma source. The rotating electric field may produce so-called Lissajous acceleration of helicon plasma in the presence of diverging magnetic field through a complicated mechanism originating from many parameters. Two-dimensional simulations of the Lissajous acceleration were conducted by a code based on Particle-In-Cell (PIC) method and Monte Carlo Collision (MCC) method for understanding plasma motion in acceleration area and for finding the optimal condition. Obtained results show that azimuthal current depends on ratio of electron drift radius to plasma region length, AC frequency, and axial magnetic field. When ratio of cyclotron frequency to the AC frequency is higher than unity, reduction of the azimuthal current by collision effect is little or nothing.
Skin Rejuvenation with Non-Invasive Pulsed Electric Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Golberg, Alexander; Khan, Saiqa; Belov, Vasily; Quinn, Kyle P.; Albadawi, Hassan; Felix Broelsch, G.; Watkins, Michael T.; Georgakoudi, Irene; Papisov, Mikhail; Mihm, Martin C., Jr.; Austen, William G., Jr.; Yarmush, Martin L.
Degenerative skin diseases affect one third of individuals over the age of sixty. Current therapies use various physical and chemical methods to rejuvenate skin; but since the therapies affect many tissue components including cells and extracellular matrix, they may also induce significant side effects, such as scarring. Here we report on a new, non-invasive, non-thermal technique to rejuvenate skin with pulsed electric fields. The fields destroy cells while simultaneously completely preserving the extracellular matrix architecture and releasing multiple growth factors locally that induce new cells and tissue growth. We have identified the specific pulsed electric field parameters in rats that lead to prominent proliferation of the epidermis, formation of microvasculature, and secretion of new collagen at treated areas without scarring. Our results suggest that pulsed electric fields can improve skin function and thus can potentially serve as a novel non-invasive skin therapy for multiple degenerative skin diseases.
Manipulation of red blood cells with electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Saboonchi, Hossain; Esmaeeli, Asghar
Manipulation of bioparticles and macromolecules is the central task in many biological and biotechnological processes. The current methods for physical manipulation takes advantage of different forces such as acoustic, centrifugal, magnetic, electromagnetic, and electric forces, as well as using optical tweezers or filtration. Among all these methods, however, the electrical forces are particularly attractive because of their favorable scale up with the system size which makes them well-suited for miniaturization. Currently the electric field is used for transportation, poration, fusion, rotation, and separation of biological cells. The aim of the current research is to gain fundamental understanding of the effect of electric field on the human red blood cells (RBCs) using direct numerical simulation. A front tracking/finite difference technique is used to solve the fluid flow and electric field equations, where the fluid in the cell and the blood (plasma) is modeled as Newtonian and incompressible, and the interface separating the two is treated as an elastic membrane. The behavior of RBCs is investigated as a function of the controlling parameters of the problem such as the strength of the electric field.
Relations between transverse electric fields and field-aligned currents. [in magnetosphere and ionosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mallinckrodt, A. J.; Carlson, C. W.
A model for the field-aligned propagation of transverse electric fields and associated field-aligned sheet currents is presented which takes into account the wave nature of the process. The model is applied to the separate cases of ionospheric and magnetospheric sources, and the resulting ionospheric electric field to field-aligned sheet current ratios are determined for comparison with experimental observations. It is found that the magnetospheric wave 'conductivity' for shear mode Alfven waves is small with respect to typical values of the height-integrated ionospheric Pedersen conductivity. For plasma convecting across a stationary disturbance a dynamic equilibrium is achieved in which field-aligned currents flow continuously away from the source on convecting field lines. Consistency with typical ionospheric electric fields requires that the field-aligned sheet currents are limited to around 0.1 A/m for ionospheric polarization sources, while magnetospheric sources are easily capable of 1 A/m or more.
Electric field absorption and emission as an indicator of active electromagnetic nature of organisms--preliminary report.
Skarja, Metod; Jerman, Igor; Ruzic, Romana; Leskovar, Robert T; Jejcic, Luka
Measurements of the response of organisms to the near field exposure show that this response, i.e., its absorption, transmission, and emission (ATE) of the organism, markedly differs from the behavior expected if one treats the organism as a simple dissipative conductive body. The results point to the at least partial active response of the organism. This active electrical response can be attributed at least partially to the response of the endogenous electromagnetic field of organisms, first postulated by Frohlich, and to the material structures that form an inseparable whole with this field. The near electric field influence, both on the organism and of the organism on the sensors, can be established either through the vicinity or through a direct nonconductive contact. This response correlates with the physiological state of an organism. Measurements performed with mealworm beetles indicated that the normal living organisms absorb and use some energy of the near electric field and therefore the transmitted (re-emitted) signal is weaker. The inactivated or the dead organisms are more passive electrical absorbers. PMID:19337899
Magnetic field-aligned electric potentials in nonideal plasma flows
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Schindler, K.; Hesse, M.; Birn, J.
The electric field component parallel to the magnetic field arising from plasma flows which violate the frozen-in field condition of ideal magnetohydrodynamics is discussed. The quantity of interest is the potential U = integral E parallel ds where the integral is extended along field lines. It is shown that U can be directly related to magnetic field properties, expressed by Euler potentials, even when time-dependence is included. These results are applicable to earth's magnetosphere, to solar flares, to aligned-rotator models of compact objects, and to galactic rotation. On the basis of order-of-magnitude estimates, these results support the view that parallel electric fields associated with nonideal plasma flows might play an important role in cosmic particle acceleration.
Electric field effect in ultrathin black phosphorus
Koenig, Steven P.; Schmidt, Hennrik; Doganov, Rostislav A.; Castro Neto, A. H.; Özyilmaz, Barbaros
Black phosphorus exhibits a layered structure similar to graphene, allowing mechanical exfoliation of ultrathin single crystals. Here, we demonstrate few-layer black phosphorus field effect devices on Si/SiO{sub 2} and measure charge carrier mobility in a four-probe configuration as well as drain current modulation in a two-point configuration. We find room-temperature mobilities of up to 300 cm{sup 2}/Vs and drain current modulation of over 10{sup 3}. At low temperatures, the on-off ratio exceeds 10{sup 5}, and the device exhibits both electron and hole conduction. Using atomic force microscopy, we observe significant surface roughening of thin black phosphorus crystals over the course of 1 h after exfoliation.
Water-methanol separation with carbon nanotubes and electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Winarto, Affa; Takaiwa, Daisuke; Yamamoto, Eiji; Yasuoka, Kenji
Methanol is used in various applications, such as fuel for transportation vehicles, fuel cells, and in chemical industrial processes. Conventionally, separation of methanol from aqueous solution is by distillation. However, this method consumes a large amount of energy; hence development of a new method is needed. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the effect of an electric field on water-methanol separation by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with diameters of 0.81 to 4.07 nm. Without an electric field, methanol molecules fill the CNTs in preference to water molecules. The preference of methanol to occupy the CNTs over water results in a separation effect. This separation effect is strong for small CNT diameters and significantly decreases with increasing diameter. In contrast, under an electric field, water molecules strongly prefer to occupy the CNTs over methanol molecules, resulting in a separation effect for water. More interestingly, the separation effect for water does not decrease with increasing CNT diameter. Formation of water structures in CNTs induced by an electric field has an important role in the separation of water from methanol.Methanol is used in various applications, such as fuel for transportation vehicles, fuel cells, and in chemical industrial processes. Conventionally, separation of methanol from aqueous solution is by distillation. However, this method consumes a large amount of energy; hence development of a new method is needed. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the effect of an electric field on water-methanol separation by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with diameters of 0.81 to 4.07 nm. Without an electric field, methanol molecules fill the CNTs in preference to water molecules. The preference of methanol to occupy the CNTs over water results in a separation effect. This separation effect is strong for small CNT diameters and significantly decreases with increasing
ELF electric and magnetic fields: Pacific Northwest Laboratory studies
Anderson, L.E.
Studies have been conducted at Battelle, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, to examine extremely-low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields for possible biological effects in animals. Three areas of investigation are reported here: (1) studies on the nervous system, including behavior and neuroendocrine function, (2) experiments on cancer development in animals, and (3) measurements of currents and electric fields induced in animal models by exposure to external magnetic fields. In behavioral experiments, rats have been shown to be responsive to ELF electric field exposure. Furthermore, experimental data indicate that short-term memory may be affected in albino rats exposed to combined ELF and static magnetic fields. Neuroendocrine studies have been conducted to demonstrate an apparent stress-related response in rats exposed to 60-Hz electric fields. Nighttime pineal melatonin levels have been shown to be significantly depressed in animals exposed to either electric or magnetic fields. A number of animal tumor models are currently under investigation to examine possible relationships between ELF exposure and carcinogenesis. Finally, theoretical and experimental measurements have been performed which form the basis for animals and human exposure comparisons.
Electric-field induced ferromagnetic phase in paraelectric antiferromagnets
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Glinchuk, Maya D.; Eliseev, Eugene A.; Gu, Yijia; Chen, Long-Qing; Gopalan, Venkatraman; Morozovska, Anna N.
The phase diagram of a quantum paraelectric antiferromagnet EuTiO3 under an external electric field is calculated using Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire theory. The application of an electric field E in the absence of strain leads to the appearance of a ferromagnetic (FM) phase due to the magnetoelectric (ME) coupling. At an electric field greater than a critical field, Ecr, the antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase disappears for all considered temperatures, and FM becomes the only stable magnetic phase. The calculated value of the critical field is close to the values reported recently by Ryan et al. [Nat. Commun. 4, 1334 (2013), 10.1038/ncomms2329] for EuTiO3 film under a compressive strain. The FM phase can also be induced by an E-field in other paraelectric antiferromagnetic oxides with a positive AFM-type ME coupling coefficient and a negative FM-type ME coupling coefficient. The results show the possibility of controlling multiferroicity, including the FM and AFM phases, with help of an electric field application.
Laser Assisted Electric Field Monitoring in a Cryogenic Environment
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Broering, Mark; Abney, Josh; Swank, Christopher; Filippone, Brad; Yao, Weijun; Korsch, Wolfgang; SNS-nEDM Collaboration
The neutron EDM collaboration at the Spallation Neutron Source (ORNL) is using ultra-cold neutrons in liquid helium to improve the nEDM limit by two orders of magnitude. These neutrons will be stored in target cells located in a strong, stable electric field. Local radiation will generate charged particles which build up on the target cell walls reducing field strength and stability. The field fluctuations need to be kept below 1%, making it necessary to study this cell charging behavior, determine its effect on the experiment and find ways to mitigate this. A more compact test setup was designed to study this effect using smaller electrodes and cell. Charged particles are generated by ionizing the helium with a 137Cs source and the electric field is monitored via the electro-optic Kerr effect. Linearly polarized light is passed through the helium. The Kerr effect then introduces an ellipticity to the polarization that is proportional to the electric field squared. This allows an effective means of field monitoring. Nitrogen has a much stronger response to electric fields. This makes liquid nitrogen an ideal candidate for first tests. First results on the liquid nitrogen tests will be presented. This research is supported by DOE Grants: DE-FG02-99ER41101, DE-AC05-00OR22725.
Spectral Study of the Equatorial Electric and Magnetic Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kelley, M. C.; Rothman, R.; Nicolls, M. J.
We report on the spectral analysis of four years of daytime electric and magnetic field data obtained near the magnetic equator. The former were obtained using the JULIA radar system at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory using the so-called 150 km echo, which can be used reliably to determine the zonal electric field component during daytime. The magnetic field data were obtained using magnetometers located at Jicamarca and Piura in Peru. Due to the nighttime data gap, we can study variations with periods longer than two days and shorter than eight hours. Our goal for the longer periods is to study the variability of atmospheric drivers of the equatorial electrojet. This is straightforward for the electric field, but requires subtracting the ring current and other external effects from the magnetic field data. This is done by using the Gonzales/Anderson technique and employing the two magnetic field measurements. The electrojet strength decreased almost linearly over the four-year period as the solar cycle wound down. Spectral analysis reveals a clear semi-annual peak with maxima at the equinoxes and a secondary peak with a period of fourteen days. The latter seems to indicate that the lunar gravitational tide adds constructively to the semi-diurnal solar thermal tide. At higher frequencies the data must be parsed according to magnetic activity and solar wind conditions due to the importance of penetrating electric fields from the solar wind, and will be presented in this format.
Probing electric field control of magnetism using ferromagnetic resonance.
Zhou, Ziyao; Trassin, Morgan; Gao, Ya; Gao, Yuan; Qiu, Diana; Ashraf, Khalid; Nan, Tianxiang; Yang, Xi; Bowden, S R; Pierce, D T; Stiles, M D; Unguris, J; Liu, Ming; Howe, Brandon M; Brown, Gail J; Salahuddin, S; Ramesh, R; Sun, Nian X
Exchange coupled CoFe/BiFeO3 thin-film heterostructures show great promise for power-efficient electric field-induced 180° magnetization switching. However, the coupling mechanism and precise qualification of the exchange coupling in CoFe/BiFeO3 heterostructures have been elusive. Here we show direct evidence for electric field control of the magnetic state in exchange coupled CoFe/BiFeO3 through electric field-dependent ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy and nanoscale spatially resolved magnetic imaging. Scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis images reveal the coupling of the magnetization in the CoFe layer to the canted moment in the BiFeO3 layer. Electric field-dependent ferromagnetic resonance measurements quantify the exchange coupling strength and reveal that the CoFe magnetization is directly and reversibly modulated by the applied electric field through a ~180° switching of the canted moment in BiFeO3. This constitutes an important step towards robust repeatable and non-volatile voltage-induced 180° magnetization switching in thin-film multiferroic heterostructures and tunable RF/microwave devices. PMID:25631924
Electric Field Detection in Sawfish and Shovelnose Rays
Wueringer, Barbara E.; Jnr, Lyle Squire; Kajiura, Stephen M.; Tibbetts, Ian R.; Hart, Nathan S.; Collin, Shaun P.
In the aquatic environment, living organisms emit weak dipole electric fields, which spread in the surrounding water. Elasmobranchs detect these dipole electric fields with their highly sensitive electroreceptors, the ampullae of Lorenzini. Freshwater sawfish, Pristis microdon, and two species of shovelnose rays, Glaucostegus typus and Aptychotrema rostrata were tested for their reactions towards weak artificial electric dipole fields. The comparison of sawfishes and shovelnose rays sheds light on the evolution and function of the elongated rostrum ('saw') of sawfish, as both groups evolved from a shovelnose ray-like ancestor. Electric stimuli were presented both on the substrate (to mimic benthic prey) and suspended in the water column (to mimic free-swimming prey). Analysis of around 480 behavioural sequences shows that all three species are highly sensitive towards weak electric dipole fields, and initiate behavioural responses at median field strengths between 5.15 and 79.6 nVcm−1. The response behaviours used by sawfish and shovelnose rays depended on the location of the dipoles. The elongation of the sawfish's rostrum clearly expanded their electroreceptive search area into the water column and enables them to target free-swimming prey. PMID:22848543
Additional electric field in real trench MOS barrier Schottky diode
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mamedov, R. K.; Aslanova, A. R.
In real trench MOS barrier Schottky diode (TMBS diode) additional electric field (AEF) the whole is formed in the near contact region of the semiconductor and its propagation space is limited with the barrier metal and the metallic electrodes of MOS structures. Effective potential barrier height TMBS diode is formed via resulting electric field of superposition AEF and electric field of space charge region (SCR) semiconductor. The dependence of the resulting electric field intensity of the distance towards the inside the semiconductor is nonlinear and characterized by a peak at a certain distance from the interface. The thickness of the SCR in TMBS diode becomes equal to the trench depth. Force and energy parameters of the AEF, and thus resulting electric field in the SCR region, become dependent on the geometric design parameters TMBS diode. The forward I-V characteristic TMBS diode is described by the thermionic emission theory as in conventional flat Scottky diode, and in the reverse bias, current is virtually absent at initial voltage, appears abruptly at a certain critical voltage.
Carrier heating in disordered conjugated polymers in electric field
Vukmirovic, Nenad; Wang, Lin-Wang
The electric field dependence of charge carrier transport and the effect of carrier heating in disordered conjugated polymers were investigated. A parameter-free multiscale methodology consisting of classical molecular dynamics simulation for the generation of the atomic structure, large system electronic structure and electron-phonon coupling constants calculations and the procedure for extracting the bulk polymer mobility, was used. The results suggested that the mobility of a fully disordered poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) polymer increases with electric field which is consistent with the experimental results on samples of regiorandom P3HT and different from the results on more ordered regioregular P3HT polymers, where the opposite trend is often observed at low electric fields. We calculated the electric field dependence of the effective carrier temperature and showed however that the effective temperature cannot be used to replace the joint effect of temperature and electric field, in contrast to previous theoretical results from phenomenological models. Such a difference was traced to originate from the use of simplified Miller-Abrahams hopping rates in phenomenological models in contrast to our considerations that explicitly take into account the electronic state wave functions and the interaction with all phonon modes.
Rotary motion driven by a direct current electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Takinoue, Masahiro; Atsumi, Yu; Yoshikawa, Kenichi
We report the rotary motion of an aqueous microdroplet in an oil phase under a stationary direct current electric field. A droplet exhibits rotary motion under a suitable geometrical arrangement of positive and negative electrodes. Rotary motion appears above a certain critical electric potential and its frequency increases with an increase in the potential. A simple theoretical model is proposed to describe the occurrence of this rotary motion, together with an argument for the future expansion of this micro rotary motor system.
Relation between mechanical dynamic processes and the accompanying electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bivin, Yu. K.
The dependence of the electric field in the plane of motion of a nylon string on the string velocity is experimentally studied. The shape and number of the charges that accompany the motion of solid bodies, which have various geometric parameters, in air up to transonic velocities are determined. The formation and shape of electric charges of different signs in an initially neutral dielectric rod are investigated during the motion of a deformation pulse of the same sign along the rod.
DC link stabilized field oriented control of electric propulsion systems
Sudhoff, S.D.; Corzine, K.A.; Glover, S.F.; Hegner, H.J.; Robey, H.N. Jr.
Induction motor based electric propulsion systems can be used in a wide variety of applications including locomotives, hybrid electric vehicles, and ships. Field oriented control of these drives is attractive since it allows the torque to be tightly and nearly instantaneously controlled. However, such systems can be prone to negative impedance instability of the DC link. This paper examines this type of instability and sets forth a readily implemented albeit nonlinear control strategy to mitigate this potential problem.
Formation of electric dipoles in pea stem tissue due to an electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ahmadi, Fatemeh; Farahani, Elham
For examining the effect of an electrical field (DC) on pea seed, we exposed the pea seeds to electric fields with intensities 1, 4 and 7 kV/cm for 30, 230, 430 and 630 seconds. The tests were repeated three times, and each iteration had 5 seeds. Then, the seeds were moved to packaged plates. Finally, microscopic observation of the pea stem tissue showed that the application of a DC electrical field caused a deformation in the pea stem tissue. The results led us to examine the deformation of the tissue theoretically and to address that deformation as an electrostatic problem. In this regard, we modeled the pea stem based on the formation of electric dipoles. Then, theoretically, we calculated the force acting on each xylem section by coding, and the results were consistent with the experimental data.
Electron acceleration by parallel and perpendicular electric fields during magnetic reconnection without guide field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bessho, N.; Chen, L.-J.; Germaschewski, K.; Bhattacharjee, A.
Electron acceleration due to the electric field parallel to the background magnetic field during magnetic reconnection with no guide field is investigated by theory and two-dimensional electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulations and compared with acceleration due to the electric field perpendicular to the magnetic field. The magnitude of the parallel electric potential shows dependence on the ratio of the plasma frequency to the electron cyclotron frequency as (ωpe/Ωe)-2 and on the background plasma density as nb-1/2. In the Earth's magnetotail, the parameter ωpe/Ωe˜9 and the background (lobe) density can be of the order of 0.01 cm-3, and it is expected that the parallel electric potential is not large enough to accelerate electrons up to 100 keV. Therefore, we must consider the effect of the perpendicular electric field to account for electron energization in excess of 100 keV in the Earth's magnetotail. Trajectories for high-energy electrons are traced in a simulation to demonstrate that acceleration due to the perpendicular electric field in the diffusion region is the dominant acceleration mechanism, rather than acceleration due to the parallel electric fields in the exhaust regions. For energetic electrons accelerated near the X line due to the perpendicular electric field, pitch angle scattering converts the perpendicular momentum to the parallel momentum. On the other hand, for passing electrons that are mainly accelerated by the parallel electric field, pitch angle scattering converting the parallel momentum to the perpendicular momentum occurs. In this way, particle acceleration and pitch angle scattering will generate heated electrons in the exhaust regions.
The threshold electric field of 180° domain switching in the misfit strain-external electric field phase diagram
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhu, Z.; Zheng, X. J.; Jiang, D. D.; Yang, Z. C.
The single domain treatment on the selected single grain was performed by the negative DC bias in order to obtain the single-domain state, and the opposite color contrasts within the selected grain in piezoelectric phase images of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 ferroelectric thin film were observed by piezoelectric force microscopy. Based on nonlinear thermodynamic theory, the a1c- and r- phases with the negative P3 component are introduced to describe the electric-generated domain switching, and the external misfit strain-electric field phase diagram and the electric field-polarization components curve are simulated at the simplification of uniform stress/electric distribution for the single-domain state of a single grain. In phase diagram, the electric field at the misfit strain -0.002 evaluated by x ray diffraction is 139 kV/cm for the phase transition from a1c- phase to c+ phase, and it is corresponding to the threshold electric field for 180° domain switching observed by the piezoelectric phase images.
Transduction of nanovolt signals: Limits of electric-field detection
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kalmijn, J.
Life scientists discussed the extreme electrical sensitivity of marine sharks, skates, and rays. After reviewing the results of earlier studies on the electric sense at the animal and system levels, the participants discussed the basic process of signal transduction in terms of voltage-sensitive ionic channels. Struck by the small charge displacements needed for excitation, they strongly recommended that sensory biologists, physiologists, and biophysicists join in a concerted effort to initiate new research on the ionic mechanisms of electric field detection. To obtain detailed information on the electroreceptive membrane and its ionic channels, high resolution recording techniques will be mandatory.
Melrose, D. B.; Yuen Rai
Pulsar electrodynamics has been built up by taking ingredients from two models, the vacuum-dipole model, which ignores the magnetosphere but includes the inductive electric field due to the obliquely rotating magnetic dipole, and the corotating-magnetosphere model, which neglects the vacuum inductive electric field and assumes a corotating magnetosphere. We argue that the inductive field can be neglected only if it is screened by a current, J{sub sc}, which we calculate for a rigidly rotating magnetosphere. Screening of the parallel component of the inductive field can be effective, but the perpendicular component cannot be screened in a pulsar magnetosphere. The incompletely screened inductive electric field has not been included in any model for a pulsar magnetosphere, and taking it into account has important implications. One effect is that it implies that the magnetosphere cannot be corotating, and we suggest that drift relative to corotation offers a natural explanation for the drifting of subpulses. A second effect is that this screening of the parallel inductive electric field must break down in the outer magnetosphere, and this offers a natural explanation for the acceleration of the electrons that produce pulsed gamma-ray emission.
Microspacecraft and Earth observation: Electrical Field (ELF) measurement project
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
There is a need for an inexpensive, extensive, long-lasting global electric field measurement system (ELF). The primary performance driver of this mission is the need to measure the attitude of each spacecraft in the Earth's electric field very accurately. In addition, it is necessary to know the electric charge generated by the satellite as it crosses the magnetic field lines (E equals V times B). In order to achieve the desired global coverage, a constellation of about 50 satellites in at least 18 different orbits will be used. To reduce the cost of each satellite, off-the-shelf, proven technology will be used whenever possible. Researchers have set a limit of $500,000 per satellite. Researchers expect the program cost, including the deployment of the entire constellation, to be less than $100 million. The minimum projected mission life is five years.
Electric field suppression of ultracold confined chemical reactions
Quemener, Goulven; Bohn, John L.
We consider ultracold collisions of polar molecules confined in a one-dimensional optical lattice. Using a quantum scattering formalism and a frame transformation method, we calculate elastic and chemical quenching rate constants for fermionic molecules. Taking {sup 40}K{sup 87}Rb molecules as a prototype, we find that the rate of quenching collisions is enhanced at zero electric field as the confinement is increased but that this rate is suppressed when the electric field is turned on. For molecules with 500 nK of collision energy, for realistic molecular densities, and for achievable experimental electric fields and trap confinements, we predict lifetimes for KRb molecules to be 1 s. We find a ratio of elastic to quenching collision rates of about 100, which may be sufficient to achieve efficient evaporative cooling of polar KRb molecules.
Method of using an electric field controlled emulsion phase contactor
Scott, T.C.
A system is described for contacting liquid phases comprising a column for transporting a liquid phase contacting system, the column having upper and lower regions. The upper region has a nozzle for introducing a dispersed phase and means for applying thereto a vertically oriented high intensity pulsed electric field. This electric field allows improved flow rates while shattering the dispersed phase into many micro-droplets upon exiting the nozzle to form a dispersion within a continuous phase. The lower region employs means for applying to the dispersed phase a horizontally oriented high intensity pulsed electric field so that the dispersed phase undergoes continuous coalescence and redispersion while being urged from side to side as it progresses through the system, increasing greatly the mass transfer opportunity. 5 figures.
Method of using an electric field controlled emulsion phase contactor
Scott, Timothy C.
A system for contacting liquid phases comprising a column for transporting a liquid phase contacting system, the column having upper and lower regions. The upper region has a nozzle for introducing a dispersed phase and means for applying thereto a vertically oriented high intensity pulsed electric field. This electric field allows improved flow rates while shattering the dispersed phase into many micro-droplets upon exiting the nozzle to form a dispersion within a continuous phase. The lower region employs means for applying to the dispersed phase a horizontally oriented high intensity pulsed electric field so that the dispersed phase undergoes continuous coalescence and redispersion while being urged from side to side as it progresses through the system, increasing greatly the mass transfer opportunity.
Conductivity and electric field variations with altitude in the stratosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Holzworth, Robert H.
Data regarding electric field, derived current density, and conductivity are presented for two balloons from the Electrodynamics of the Middle Atmosphere experiment which underwent the longest period of daily altitude variation. The magnetic L values range from 4.3 to 9.5 for the 18 days of Southern Hemisphere statistics, and the average conductivity and vertical electric fields are given. Simultaneous measurements of the average conductivity scale height and the vertical electric-field scale height indicate that vertical current density does not vary with altitude in the 10-28-km range. The measured conductivity varies significantly at a given altitude on a particular day, and some conductivity data sets are similar to other measurements between 10 and 30 km. Comparisons of the measured data to predictions from models of stratospheric conductivity demonstrate significant discrepancies.
Magnetospheric observation of large sub-auroral electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Maynard, N. C.; Aggson, T. L.; Heppner, J. P.
An example of large subauroral poleward electric fields similar to those observed on OGO-6, S3-2 and AE-C (SAID) has been found in the magnetosphere near L = 4 and 2300 MLT using ISEE-1 electric field data. The event is located adjacent to and outside the plasmapause and occurs 1 1/2 hours into a substorm. The event is accompaned by a significant penetration of the convection electric field inside the plasmasphere. Data from similar regions on the next orbit occurring near the beginning of a substorm did not exhibit these effects. Recent theoretical models predict SAID to occur in the trough regions, where substorm dynamics force currents to flow in regions of low conductivity. These models provide a first-order interpretation of this phenomena; however, the overal picture is more complex.
Modeling Electric Fields of Peripheral Nerve Block Needles.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Davis, James Ch.; Anderson, Norman E.; Meisel, Mark W.; Ramirez, Jason G.; Kayser Enneking, F.
Peripheral nerve blocks present an alternative to general anesthesia in certain surgical procedures and a means of acute pain relief through continuous blockades. They have been shown to decrease the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, reduce oral narcotic side effects, and improve sleep quality. Injecting needles, which carry small stimulating currents, are often used to aid in locating the target nerve bundle. With this technique, muscle responses indicate needle proximity to the corresponding nerve bundle. Failure rates in first injection attempts prompted our study of electric field distributions. Finite difference methods were used to solve for the electric fields generated by two widely used needles. Geometric differences in the needles effect variations in their electric field and current distributions. Further investigations may suggest needle modifications that result in a reduction of initial probing failures.
Modeling Electric Fields of Peripheral Nerve Block Needles.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Davis, James Ch.; Ramirez, Jason G.
Peripheral nerve blocks present an alternative to general anesthesia in certain surgical procedures and a means of acute pain relief through continuous blockades. They have been shown to decrease the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, reduce oral narcotic side effects, and improve sleep quality. Injecting needles, which carry small stimulating currents, are often used to aid in locating the target nerve bundle. With this technique, muscle responses indicate needle proximity to the corresponding nerve bundle. Failure rates in first injection attempts prompted our study of electric field distributions. Finite difference methods were used to solve for the electric fields generated by two widely used needles. Differences in geometry between needles are seen to effect changes in electric field and current distributions. Further investigations may suggest needle modifications that result in a reduction of initial probing failures.
Electric currents and voltage drops along auroral field lines
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stern, D. P.
An assessment is presented of the current state of knowledge concerning Birkeland currents and the parallel electric field, with discussions focusing on the Birkeland primary region 1 sheets, the region 2 sheets which parallel them and appear to close in the partial ring current, the cusp currents (which may be correlated with the interplanetary B(y) component), and the Harang filament. The energy required by the parallel electric field and the associated particle acceleration processes appears to be derived from the Birkeland currents, for which evidence is adduced from particles, inverted V spectra, rising ion beams and expanded loss cones. Conics may on the other hand signify acceleration by electrostatic ion cyclotron waves associated with beams accelerated by the parallel electric field.
Dielectronic recombination as a function of electric field strength
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Reisenfeld, Daniel B.
Dielectronic recombination (DR) is the dominant recombination mechanism at coronal temperatures and densities. We present a procedure for calculating DR rate coefficients as a function of electric field strength and apply this method to carbon ions. We focus on the competing effects of enhancement by plasma microfields and rate decrease through collisional excitation and ionization. We find that, in the case of C(3+), a significant rate enhancement results, leading to a reinterpretation of C IV emission-line intensities in the sun and late-type stars. We further consider how macroscopic electric fields, in particular motional electric fields, can affect DR rate coefficients, demonstrating dramatic rate increases for a number of the carbon ions.
Simulations of particle structuring driven by electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hu, Yi; Vlahovska, Petia; Miksis, Michael
Recent experiments (Ouriemi and Vlahovska, 2014) show intriguing surface patterns when a uniform electric field is applied to a droplet covered with colloidal particles. Depending on the particle properties and the electric field intensity, particles organize into an equatorial belt, pole-to-pole chains, or dynamic vortices. Here we present 3D simulations of the collective particle dynamics, which account for electrohydrodynamic flow and dielectrophoresis of particles. In stronger electric fields, particles are expected to undergo Quincke rotation and impose disturbance to the ambient flow. Transition from ribbon-shaped belt to rotating clusters is observed in the presence of the rotation-induced hydrodynamical interactions. Our results provide insight into the various particle assembles discovered in the experiments.
Anomalous Capacitive Sheath with Deep Radio Frequency Electric Field Penetration
Igor D. Kaganovich
A novel nonlinear effect of anomalously deep penetration of an external radio-frequency electric field into a plasma is described. A self-consistent kinetic treatment reveals a transition region between the sheath and the plasma. Because of the electron velocity modulation in the sheath, bunches in the energetic electron density are formed in the transition region adjusted to the sheath. The width of the region is of order V(subscript T)/omega, where V(subscript T) is the electron thermal velocity, and w is frequency of the electric field. The presence of the electric field in the transition region results in a cooling of the energetic electrons and an additional heating of the cold electrons in comparison with the case when the transition region is neglected.
Magnetic and electric fields induce directional responses in Steinernema carpocapsae.
Ilan, Teva; Kim-Shapiro, Daniel B; Bock, Clive H; Shapiro-Ilan, David I
Entomopathogenic nematode species respond directionally to various cues including electrical stimuli. For example, in prior research Steinernema carpocapsae was shown to be attracted to an electrical current that was applied to an agar dish. Thus, we hypothesised that these nematodes may use electromagnetic reception to assist in navigating through the soil and finding a host. In this study we discovered that S. carpocapsae also responds to electrical fields (without current) and to magnetic fields; to our knowledge this is the first report of nematode directional movement in response to a magnetic field. Our research expands on the range of known stimuli that entomopathogenic nematodes respond to. The findings may have implications for foraging behavior. PMID:23792299
Fourier analysis of polar cap electric field and current distributions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Barbosa, D. D.
A theoretical study of high-latitude electric fields and currents, using analytic Fourier analysis methods, is conducted. A two-dimensional planar model of the ionosphere with an enhanced conductivity auroral belt and field-aligned currents at the edges is employed. Two separate topics are treated. A field-aligned current element near the cusp region of the polar cap is included to investigate the modifications to the convection pattern by the east-west component of the interplanetary magnetic field. It is shown that a sizable one-cell structure is induced near the cusp which diverts equipotential contours to the dawnside or duskside, depending on the sign of the cusp current. This produces characteristic dawn-dusk asymmetries to the electric field that have been previously observed over the polar cap. The second topic is concerned with the electric field configuration obtained in the limit of perfect shielding, where the field is totally excluded equatorward of the auroral oval. When realistic field-aligned current distributions are used, the result is to produce severely distorted, crescent-shaped equipotential contours over the cap. Exact, analytic formulae applicable to this case are also provided.
Control of the Electric Field Profile in the Hall Thruster
A. Fruchtman; N. J. Fisch; Y. Raitses
Control of the electric field profile in the Hall Thruster through the positioning of an additional electrode along the channel is shown theoretically to enhance the efficiency. The reduction of the potential drop near the anode by use of the additional electrode increases the plasma density there, through the increase of the electron and ion transit times, causing the ionization in the vicinity of the anode to increase. The resulting separation of the ionization and acceleration regions increases the propellant and energy utilizations. An abrupt sonic transition is forced to occur at the axial location of the additional electrode, accompanied by the generation of a large (theoretically infinite) electric field. This ability to generate a large electric field at a specific location along the channel, in addition to the ability to specify the electric potential there, allows one further control of the electric field profile in the thruster. In particular, when the electron temperature is high, a large abrupt voltage drop is induced at the vicinity of the additional electrode, a voltage drop that can comprise a significant part of the applied voltage.
Electric Field Effect on Bubble Detachment in Variable Gravity Environment
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Iacona, Estelle; Herman, Cila; Chang, Shinan
The subject of the present study, the process of bubble detachment from an orifice in a plane surface, shows some resemblance to bubble departure in boiling. Because of the high heat transfer coefficients associated with phase change processes, boiling is utilized in many industrial operations and is an attractive solution to cooling problems in aerospace engineering. In terrestrial conditions, buoyancy is responsible for bubble removal from the surface. In space, the gravity level being orders of magnitude smaller than on earth, bubbles formed during boiling remain attached at the surface. As a result, the amount of heat removed from the heated surface can decrease considerably. The use of electric fields is proposed to control bubble behavior and help bubble removal from the surface on which they form. The objective of the study is to investigate the behavior of individual air bubbles injected through an orifice into an electrically insulating liquid under the influence of a static electric field. Bubble cycle life were visualized in terrestrial conditions and for several reduced gravity levels. Bubble volume, dimensions and contact angle at detachment were measured and analyzed for different parameters as gravity level and electric field magnitude. Situations were considered with uniform or non-uni form electric field. Results show that these parameters significantly affect bubble behavior, shape, volume and dimensions.
Electric field-treated MEAs for improved fuel cell performance
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, Zhi-Tao; Wang, Yu-Xin; Xu, Li; Gao, Qi-Jun; Wei, Guo-Qiang; Lu, Jun
In this paper, electric field assisted fabrication of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for fuel cells is proposed, with the aim of improving the electronic and ionic connections in the catalyst layers and increasing the efficiency of catalyst utilization. Anodic and cathodic electrodes have been prepared by the perpendicular application of a low-frequency ac electric field to the catalyst ink spread on the surface of a gas diffusion layer (GDL) while the ink is drying. The thus prepared electrodes were hot-pressed onto a Nafion membrane to form the MEAs. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) with the electric field-treated MEAs (E-MEA) showed a substantial improvement in performance as compared with common MEAs (C-MEA) without electric field treatment. Under the same operating conditions, the maximum power density of a DMFC was increased from 42.3 to 60.0 mW cm -2 when a C-MEA was replaced by an E-MEA treated with a 5000 V cm -1 and 0.1 Hz ac electric field. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements have shown that the through-plane ohmic resistances in the E-MEAs are lower than that in the C-MEA, while both the electronic and ionic resistances of the catalyst layer in the in-plane direction are higher for the E-MEAs, suggesting the formation of an oriented structure in the catalyst layers under the electric field treatment. EIS measurements have also shown that both the total reaction resistance and the anode reaction resistance in the E-MEAs are lower than in the C-MEA. Based on cyclic voltammetry (CV) data, it has been shown that Pt utilization in the cathode reaches a maximum of 62% for the E-MEA, as opposed to 37% for the C-MEA.
Linear oscillations of a drop in uniform alternating electric fields
Yang, Wenrui; Carleson, T.E.
Oscillations of a conducting drop immersed in a dielectric fluid in an alternating electric field has been modelled in order to understand the enhancement of the transport processes by the electric field. Numerical solutions for oscillation amplitude, velocity distribution, resonant frequency and streamlines were obtained. The effects of viscosity and density on the resonant frequency and the velocity distribution were investigated. It was found that the resonant frequency of viscous fluids was always smaller than the free oscillation frequency of the same droplet. The predicted scanning frequency response curve and the streamlines agree well with the experimental observations.
Aligned Immobilization of Proteins Using AC Electric Fields.
Laux, Eva-Maria; Knigge, Xenia; Bier, Frank F; Wenger, Christian; Hölzel, Ralph
Protein molecules are aligned and immobilized from solution by AC electric fields. In a single-step experiment, the enhanced green fluorescent proteins are immobilized on the surface as well as at the edges of planar nanoelectrodes. Alignment is found to follow the molecules' geometrical shape with their longitudinal axes parallel to the electric field. Simultaneous dielectrophoretic attraction and AC electroosmotic flow are identified as the dominant forces causing protein movement and alignment. Molecular orientation is determined by fluorescence microscopy based on polarized excitation of the proteins' chromophores. The chromophores' orientation with respect to the whole molecule supports X-ray crystal data. PMID:26779699
Lipid Bilayer Vesicle Dynamics in AC Electric Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
McConnell, Lane; Vlahovska, Petia; Miksis, Michael
Vesicles are closed, fluid-filled lipid bilayers which are mechanically similar to biological cells and which undergo shape transitions in the presence of electric fields. Here we model the vesicle membrane as an infinitely thin, capacitive, area-incompressible interface with the surrounding fluids acting as charge-advecting leaky dielectrics. We then implement the boundary integral method to numerically investigate the dynamics of a vesicle in various AC electric field profiles. Our numerical results are then compared with recent small deformation theory and experimental data. We also note our observation of a new theoretical vesicle behavior that has yet to be observed experimentally.
High-latitude dayside electric field and particle measurements
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Maynard, N. C.; Johnstone, A. D.
Two rockets carrying electric field and low energy particle instrumentation were launched near noon at 80 deg magnetic latitude. One flight encountered polar cap conditions only while the other traversed part of the polar cusp. Although weak particle precipitation was measured on both flights, bursts of intense magnetosheath-type electron fluxes were detected on the latter. Strong electric fields such as would result from anti-sunward convection were observed during both flights. The measurements are compared with results obtained by other types of space craft and interpreted in the light of those data.
Effect of electric field on spray deposited zinc sulphide films
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Swami, Sanjay Kumar; Chaturvedi, Neha; Kumar, Anuj; Dutta, Viresh
Zinc sulphide (ZnS) thin films were deposited on soda lime glass substrate using spray technique with a DC voltage (300 V) applied to the nozzle to create an electric field during the spray deposition. Spray deposition of ZnS film under an electric field, resulted in change of the surface morphology, transmission, and enhancement in crystallinity of the film. The band gap of the spray deposited ZnS film was found to be 3.62 eV. Transparent ZnS film with the benefit of large area and low cost spray technique can be suitable for solar cell window layer application.
Electric field measuring and display system. [for cloud formations
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wojtasinski, R. J.; Lovall, D. D. (Inventor)
An apparatus is described for monitoring the electric fields of cloud formations within a particular area. It utilizes capacitor plates that are alternately shielded from the clouds for generating an alternating signal corresponding to the intensity of the electric field of the clouds. A synchronizing signal is produced for controlling sampling of the alternating signal. Such samplings are fed through a filter and converted by an analogue to digital converter into digital form and subsequently fed to a transmitter for transmission to the control station for recording.
Drifts of auroral structures and magnetospheric electric fields
Nakamura, Rumi; Oguti, Takasi )
Drifts of pulsating auroral patches and discrete auroral arc fragments are analyzed on the basis of all-sky TV observations of auroras. The drifts of auroral structures in this study correspond on a gross scale with other measurements of magnetospheric convection. The result strongly suggests that not only auroral patches but also arc fragments, when detached from the main body of the discrete aurora, drift owing to the magnetospheric electric fields. The measurement of the drifts of auroral structures could possibly provide us with a convenient and accurate method to estimate the magnetospheric electric fields.
Electric-field mediated propulsion in binary colloidal suspensions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Colon-Melendez, Laura; Spellings, Matthew; Glotzer, Sharon C.; Solomon, Michael J.
We observe propulsion of pairs of unequally sized dielectric colloidal spheres in a plane perpendicular to the applied AC electric field. The fully reversible and reconfigurable effect is observed at different applied voltages and frequencies. Using confocal microscopy and particle tracking methods, we study the degree of active motion as a function of the number of particles in the dynamic clusters. The observed phenomenon is consistent with previous observations of asymmetric dumbbell propulsion in electric fields attributed to asymmetric electrohydrodynamic flow (Ma et al., PNAS 2015 112 (20) 6307-6312).
Resistivity of flame plasma in an electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ikuta, Kazunari
A generalized Ohm's law is obtained for a flame plasma in an electric field for the study of arc resistivity in an electromagnetic launcher (EML). The resistivity of flame plasma is reduced by the particle source, which suggests the injection of premixed combustible fuel into the arc plasma as the particle source in order to reduce the arc voltage. Reduction of the voltage in the arc is desirable to reduce the damage of electrodes in EML since the electric field in the arc plasma energizes charged particles which can bombard the electrodes.
Role of the electric double layer in the ice nucleation of water droplets under an electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhang, Xiang-Xiong; Li, Xin-Hao; Chen, Min
Figuring out the mechanism of ice nucleation on charged aerosols or in thunderstorms is of fundamental importance in atmospheric science. However, findings on whether the electric field promotes or suppresses heterogeneous ice nucleation are conflicting. In this work, we design an apparatus and test the influence of the electric field on ice nucleation by freezing a series of deionized water droplets resting on solid surfaces with an electric field perpendicular to the substrates. Results show that ice nucleation is obviously promoted under the electric field and is independent of the field direction. Theoretic analyses show that the promotion is due to the reduction of Gibbs free energy which can be partially rationalized by the electric field sustained in the electric double layer at the solid-water interface, with strength about two orders higher than that of the external electric field. Moreover, water-droplet deformation under the electric field is not expected to be the cause of the ice-nucleation promotion.
Selection of surrogate bacteria in place of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium for pulsed electric field treatment of orange juice.
Gurtler, Joshua B; Rivera, Rebecca B; Zhang, Howard Q; Geveke, David J
Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology has been used for the inactivation of microorganisms and to prevent flavor loss in liquid foods and beverages in place of thermal pasteurization. When used to pasteurize orange juice, PEF may prevent loss of volatile sensory attributes. Enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 (EHEC), two strains of Salmonella Typhimurium, and twenty strains of non-pathogenic bacteria were screened for inactivation in orange juice by PEF at 22 and 20kV/cm at 45 and 55 degrees C, respectively. Higher populations of both salmonellae were inactivated (2.81 and 3.54 log CFU/ml) at 55 degrees C, in comparison with the reduction of EHEC (2.22 log). When tested under the same conditions, inactivation of EHEC was slightly greater than that of a non-pathogenic E. coli (NPEC) ATCC 35218 (2.02 log). NPEC was further tested as a surrogate for EHEC by comparing inactivation kinetics at 45, 50 and 55 degrees C at field strengths of between 7.86 and 32.55kV/cm. Statistical comparison of revealed that EHEC and NPEC inactivation curves were homogeneous at outlet temperatures of 45 and 50 degrees C; however, EHEC was slightly more sensitive to PEF than the surrogate NPEC at 55 degrees C. The higher PEF resistance of non-pathogenic E. coli 35218 at 55 degrees C may provide a desirable margin of safety when used in pilot plant challenge studies in place of E. coli O157:H7. PMID:20223544
Measurements of middle-atmosphere electric fields and associated electrical conductivities
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hale, L. C.; Croskey, C. L.; Mitchell, J. D.
A simple antenna for measuring the vertical electric field in the 'middle atmosphere' has been flown on a number of rocket-launched parachute-borne payloads. The data from the first nine such flights, launched under a variety of geophysical conditions, are presented, along with electrical conductivities measured simultaneously. The data include indications of layered peaks of several volts per meter in the mesospheric field at high and low latitudes in situations of relatively low conductivity. During an auroral 'REP' event the electric field reversed direction in the lower stratosphere, accompanied by a substantial enhancement in conductivity. The data generally do not confirm speculations based only on the extension of the thunderstorm circuit from below or the mapping of ionospheric and magnetospheric fields from above, but seem to require, in addition, internal generation processes in the middle atmosphere.
Visualizing Simulated Electrical Fields from Electroencephalography and Transcranial Electric Brain Stimulation: A Comparative Evaluation
Eichelbaum, Sebastian; Dannhauer, Moritz; Hlawitschka, Mario; Brooks, Dana; Knösche, Thomas R.; Scheuermann, Gerik
Electrical activity of neuronal populations is a crucial aspect of brain activity. This activity is not measured directly but recorded as electrical potential changes using head surface electrodes (electroencephalogram - EEG). Head surface electrodes can also be deployed to inject electrical currents in order to modulate brain activity (transcranial electric stimulation techniques) for therapeutic and neuroscientific purposes. In electroencephalography and noninvasive electric brain stimulation, electrical fields mediate between electrical signal sources and regions of interest (ROI). These fields can be very complicated in structure, and are influenced in a complex way by the conductivity profile of the human head. Visualization techniques play a central role to grasp the nature of those fields because such techniques allow for an effective conveyance of complex data and enable quick qualitative and quantitative assessments. The examination of volume conduction effects of particular head model parameterizations (e.g., skull thickness and layering), of brain anomalies (e.g., holes in the skull, tumors), location and extent of active brain areas (e.g., high concentrations of current densities) and around current injecting electrodes can be investigated using visualization. Here, we evaluate a number of widely used visualization techniques, based on either the potential distribution or on the current-flow. In particular, we focus on the extractability of quantitative and qualitative information from the obtained images, their effective integration of anatomical context information, and their interaction. We present illustrative examples from clinically and neuroscientifically relevant cases and discuss the pros and cons of the various visualization techniques. PMID:24821532
Influence of an Electric Field on the Propagation of a Photon in a Magnetic field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Katkov, V. M.
In this work, a constant and uniform magnetic field is less than the Schwinger critical value. In turn, an additional constant and uniform electric field is taken much smaller than the magnetic field value. The propagation of a photon in this electromagnetic field is investigating. In particular, in the presence of a weak electric field, the root divergence is absent in the photon effective mass near the thresholds of pair creation. The effective mass of a real photon with a preset polarization is considered in the quantum energy region as well as in the quasiclassical one.
The Electric Fields of Radio Pulsars with Asymmetric Nondipolar Magnetic Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kantor, E. M.; Tsygan, A. I.
The effect of the curvature of open magnetic field lines on the generation of electric fields in radio pulsars is considered in the framework of a Goldreich-Julian model, for both a regime with a free outflow of electrons from the neutron-star surface and the case of a small thermoemission current. An expression for the electron thermoemission current in a strong magnetic field is derived. The electric field associated with the curvature of the magnetic flux tubes is comparable to the field generated by the relativistic dragging of the inertial frames.
Pumping of water through carbon nanotubes by rotating electric field and rotating magnetic field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, Xiao-Peng; Kong, Gao-Pan; Zhang, Xing; He, Guo-Wei
Using molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate pumping of water through a carbon nanotube by applying the combination of a rotating electric field and a rotating magnetic field. The driving force is a Lorentz force generated from the motion of charges in the magnetic field, and the motion is caused by the rotation of the electric field. We find that there exits a linear relationship between the average pumping velocity v and magnetic field strength B, which can be used to control the flux of the continuous unidirectional water flow. This approach is expected to be used in liquid circulation without a pressure gradient.
Electric fields in the solar atmosphere - A review
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Foukal, P.; Hinata, S.
A review is presented of remote sensing techniques which measure the electric field component transverse to the line of sight and achieve a sensitivity range of 5-10 V/cm. Three models are shown to predict quasistatic, macroscopic values of E(parallel), the electric field component parallel to the magnetic vector, beyond the sensitivity range considered. These processes are: the discharge model of flares; the models of return currents related to flare particle beams; and the models of neutral sheets related to two-ribbon flares and postflare loops. Time dependent electric fields related to MHD and plasma waves, and to plasma disturbance, may allow the detection of both E components (parallel and perpendicular). The uncertainty relating to the emission measures, time scales, volumes, and plasma conditions of these flares and electrified plasma volumes is emphasized. It is pointed out, however, that important information can be obtained by observing electric fields at existing sensitivity levels. By measuring these E-fields, the understanding of flares and related dynamic events can be improved.
AC Electric Field Communication for Human-Area Networking
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kado, Yuichi; Shinagawa, Mitsuru
We have proposed a human-area networking technology that uses the surface of the human body as a data transmission path and uses an AC electric field signal below the resonant frequency of the human body. This technology aims to achieve a "touch and connect" intuitive form of communication by using the electric field signal that propagates along the surface of the human body, while suppressing both the electric field radiating from the human body and mutual interference. To suppress the radiation field, the frequency of the AC signal that excites the transmitter electrode must be lowered, and the sensitivity of the receiver must be raised while reducing transmission power to its minimally required level. We describe how we are developing AC electric field communication technologies to promote the further evolution of a human-area network in support of ubiquitous services, focusing on three main characteristics, enabling-transceiver technique, application-scenario modeling, and communications quality evaluation. Special attention is paid to the relationship between electro-magnetic compatibility evaluation and regulations for extremely low-power radio stations based on Japan's Radio Law.
Cardiovascular response of rats exposed to 60-Hz electric fields
Hilton, D.I.; Phillips, R.D.
Recently, it has been reported that exposure to high-strength electric fields can influence electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns, heart rates, and blood pressures in various species of animals. Our studies were designed to evaluate these reported effects and to help clarify some of the disagreement present in the literature. Various cardiovascular variables were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed or sham-exposed to 60-Hz electric fields at 80 to 100 kV/m for periods up to four months. No significant differences in heart rates, ECG patterns, blood pressures, or vascular reactivity were observed between exposed and sham-exposed rats after 8 hours, 40 hours, 1 month, or 4 months of exposure. Our studies cannot be directly compared to the work of other investigators because of differences in animal species and electric-field characteristics. However, our failure to detect any cardiovascular changes may have been the result of (1) eliminating secondary field effects such as shocks, audible noise, corona, and ozone; (2) minimizing steady-state microcurrents between the mouth of the animal and watering devices; and (3) minimizing electric-field-induced vibration of the electrodes and animal cages.
Electric Field Controlled Self-Assembly of Hierarchically Ordered Membranes
Velichko, Yuri S.; Mantei, Jason R.; Bitton, Ronit; Carvajal, Daniel; Shull, Kenneth R.; Stupp, Samuel I.
Self-assembly in the presence of external forces is an adaptive, directed organization of molecular components under nonequilibrium conditions. While forces may be generated as a result of spontaneous interactions among components of a system, intervention with external forces can significantly alter the final outcome of self-assembly. Superimposing these intrinsic and extrinsic forces provides greater degrees of freedom to control the structure and function of self-assembling materials. In this work we investigate the role of electric fields during the dynamic self-assembly of a negatively charged polyelectrolyte and a positively charged peptide amphiphile in water leading to the formation of an ordered membrane. In the absence of electric fields, contact between the two solutions of oppositely charged molecules triggers the growth of closed membranes with vertically oriented fibrils that encapsulate the polyelectrolyte solution. This process of self-assembly is intrinsically driven by excess osmotic pressure of counterions, and the electric field is found to modify the kinetics of membrane formation, and also its morphology and properties. Depending on the strength and orientation of the field we observe a significant increase or decrease of up to nearly 100% in membrane thickness, as well as the controlled rotation of nanofiber growth direction by 90 degrees, resulting in a significant increase in mechanical stiffness. These results suggest the possibility of using electric fields to control structure in self-assembly processes involving diffusion of oppositely charged molecules. PMID:23166533
Electric Field Controlled Self-Assembly of Hierarchically Ordered Membranes.
Velichko, Yuri S; Mantei, Jason R; Bitton, Ronit; Carvajal, Daniel; Shull, Kenneth R; Stupp, Samuel I
Self-assembly in the presence of external forces is an adaptive, directed organization of molecular components under nonequilibrium conditions. While forces may be generated as a result of spontaneous interactions among components of a system, intervention with external forces can significantly alter the final outcome of self-assembly. Superimposing these intrinsic and extrinsic forces provides greater degrees of freedom to control the structure and function of self-assembling materials. In this work we investigate the role of electric fields during the dynamic self-assembly of a negatively charged polyelectrolyte and a positively charged peptide amphiphile in water leading to the formation of an ordered membrane. In the absence of electric fields, contact between the two solutions of oppositely charged molecules triggers the growth of closed membranes with vertically oriented fibrils that encapsulate the polyelectrolyte solution. This process of self-assembly is intrinsically driven by excess osmotic pressure of counterions, and the electric field is found to modify the kinetics of membrane formation, and also its morphology and properties. Depending on the strength and orientation of the field we observe a significant increase or decrease of up to nearly 100% in membrane thickness, as well as the controlled rotation of nanofiber growth direction by 90 degrees, resulting in a significant increase in mechanical stiffness. These results suggest the possibility of using electric fields to control structure in self-assembly processes involving diffusion of oppositely charged molecules. PMID:23166533
Properties of bare strange stars associated with surface electric fields
Picanco Negreiros, Rodrigo; Mishustin, Igor N.; Schramm, Stefan; Weber, Fridolin
In this paper we investigate the electrodynamic surface properties of bare strange quark stars. The surfaces of such objects are characterized by the formation of ultrahigh electric surface fields which might be as high as {approx}10{sup 19} V/cm. These fields result from the formation of electric dipole layers at the stellar surfaces. We calculate the increase in gravitational mass associated with the energy stored in the electric dipole field, which turns out to be only significant if the star possesses a sufficiently strong net electric charge distribution. In the second part of the paper, we explore the intriguing possibility of what happens when the electron layer (sphere) rotates with respect to the stellar strange matter body. We find that in this event magnetic fields can be generated which, for moderate effective rotational frequencies between the electron layer and the stellar body, agree with the magnetic fields inferred for several central compact objects. These objects could thus be comfortably interpreted as strange stars whose electron atmospheres rotate at frequencies that are moderately different ({approx}10 Hz) from the rotational frequencies of the strange star itself.
Proteins in the electric field near the surface of mica.
Starzyk, Anna; Cieplak, Marek
We elucidate the nature of the electric field produced by a model mica surface and show that above some 0.4 nm it is nearly uniform and of order 12 V/nm. The presence of ions in the solvent above the surface, up to the concentration of about 300 mM, does not modify the nature of the field much. We study the conformational changes of a small protein, the tryptophan cage, as induced by (a) uniform electric field and (b) the electric field near mica. We use all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and provide evidence for the existence of unfolded and deformed conformations in each of these cases. The two behaviors are characterized by distinct properties of the radius of gyration and of the distortion parameter that distinguishes between elongated and globular shapes. The overall geometry of the conformations shifts with the strengths of the uniform field in a manner that depends on the nature of the simulation box--whether it is bounded by neutral walls or not--and on the ionic concentration. Near the mica surface, on the other hand, the fraction of unfolded conformations is close to 1/6 at the ionic strength of 350 mM compared to 1/2 at 20 mM. When the electric charge on the mica is fully neutralized by bringing more ions of the opposite charge then unfolded conformations stay unfolded but an evolution from the native state does not lead to any unfolding. PMID:23902027
Proteins in the electric field near the surface of mica
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Starzyk, Anna; Cieplak, Marek
We elucidate the nature of the electric field produced by a model mica surface and show that above some 0.4 nm it is nearly uniform and of order 12 V/nm. The presence of ions in the solvent above the surface, up to the concentration of about 300 mM, does not modify the nature of the field much. We study the conformational changes of a small protein, the tryptophan cage, as induced by (a) uniform electric field and (b) the electric field near mica. We use all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and provide evidence for the existence of unfolded and deformed conformations in each of these cases. The two behaviors are characterized by distinct properties of the radius of gyration and of the distortion parameter that distinguishes between elongated and globular shapes. The overall geometry of the conformations shifts with the strengths of the uniform field in a manner that depends on the nature of the simulation box — whether it is bounded by neutral walls or not — and on the ionic concentration. Near the mica surface, on the other hand, the fraction of unfolded conformations is close to 1/6 at the ionic strength of 350 mM compared to 1/2 at 20 mM. When the electric charge on the mica is fully neutralized by bringing more ions of the opposite charge then unfolded conformations stay unfolded but an evolution from the native state does not lead to any unfolding.
Effects of strong electric fields in a polyacetylene chain
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Muniz, C. R.; Cunha, M. S.
In this work, we study the effects related to the creation of electron/hole pairs via application of an external electric field that acts on a pristine trans-polyacetylene molecular chain at zero-temperature. This phenomenon is termed Schwinger-Landau-Zener (SLZ) effect and arises when a physical system, which can even be the vacuum, is under the action of a strong, static and spatially homogeneous electric field. Initially, we investigate how the electrical conductivity of the polyacetylene changes with the applied field, by considering the carriers production as well as the variation of the interband gap according to certain ab initio models. Next, we analyse the competition between the SLZ effect and another one associated with the incidence of an uniform electric field on one-dimensional crystals - the Bloch oscillations. We evaluate the conditions in which these latter can be destroyed by the particles created through the same field that induces them, and verify the possibility of occurrence of the Bloch oscillations inside the trans-polyacetylene with frequencies equal to or higher than the terahertz scale.
Imaging of electric and magnetic fields near plasmonic nanowires
Kabakova, I. V.; de Hoogh, A.; van der Wel, R. E. C.; Wulf , M.; le Feber, B.; Kuipers, L.
Near-field imaging is a powerful tool to investigate the complex structure of light at the nanoscale. Recent advances in near-field imaging have indicated the possibility for the complete reconstruction of both electric and magnetic components of the evanescent field. Here we study the electro-magnetic field structure of surface plasmon polariton waves propagating along subwavelength gold nanowires by performing phase- and polarization-resolved near-field microscopy in collection mode. By applying the optical reciprocity theorem, we describe the signal collected by the probe as an overlap integral of the nanowire's evanescent field and the probe's response function. As a result, we find that the probe's sensitivity to the magnetic field is approximately equal to its sensitivity to the electric field. Through rigorous modeling of the nanowire mode as well as the aperture probe response function, we obtain a good agreement between experimentally measured signals and a numerical model. Our findings provide a better understanding of aperture-based near-field imaging of the nanoscopic plasmonic and photonic structures and are helpful for the interpretation of future near-field experiments. PMID:26947124
Imaging of electric and magnetic fields near plasmonic nanowires
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kabakova, I. V.; de Hoogh, A.; van der Wel, R. E. C.; Wulf, M.; Le Feber, B.; Kuipers, L.
Near-field imaging is a powerful tool to investigate the complex structure of light at the nanoscale. Recent advances in near-field imaging have indicated the possibility for the complete reconstruction of both electric and magnetic components of the evanescent field. Here we study the electro-magnetic field structure of surface plasmon polariton waves propagating along subwavelength gold nanowires by performing phase- and polarization-resolved near-field microscopy in collection mode. By applying the optical reciprocity theorem, we describe the signal collected by the probe as an overlap integral of the nanowire's evanescent field and the probe's response function. As a result, we find that the probe's sensitivity to the magnetic field is approximately equal to its sensitivity to the electric field. Through rigorous modeling of the nanowire mode as well as the aperture probe response function, we obtain a good agreement between experimentally measured signals and a numerical model. Our findings provide a better understanding of aperture-based near-field imaging of the nanoscopic plasmonic and photonic structures and are helpful for the interpretation of future near-field experiments.
Imaging of electric and magnetic fields near plasmonic nanowires.
Kabakova, I V; de Hoogh, A; van der Wel, R E C; Wulf, M; le Feber, B; Kuipers, L
Near-field imaging is a powerful tool to investigate the complex structure of light at the nanoscale. Recent advances in near-field imaging have indicated the possibility for the complete reconstruction of both electric and magnetic components of the evanescent field. Here we study the electro-magnetic field structure of surface plasmon polariton waves propagating along subwavelength gold nanowires by performing phase- and polarization-resolved near-field microscopy in collection mode. By applying the optical reciprocity theorem, we describe the signal collected by the probe as an overlap integral of the nanowire's evanescent field and the probe's response function. As a result, we find that the probe's sensitivity to the magnetic field is approximately equal to its sensitivity to the electric field. Through rigorous modeling of the nanowire mode as well as the aperture probe response function, we obtain a good agreement between experimentally measured signals and a numerical model. Our findings provide a better understanding of aperture-based near-field imaging of the nanoscopic plasmonic and photonic structures and are helpful for the interpretation of future near-field experiments. PMID:26947124
Electric field control of exchange-spring behavior
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhang, Yue; Zhou, Qianqian; Ding, Jinjun; Yang, Zhi; Zhu, Benpeng; Yang, Xiaofei; Chen, Shi; Ou-Yang, Jun
We study the electric field control of exchange-spring (ES) behavior in a piezoelectric/ES multi-layer using the micromagnetic simulation method. In the composite, PZT or PZN-PT forms the piezoelectric substrate, while the ES bilayer is composed of hard-magnetic (HM) CoFe2O4 (CFO) and soft-magnetic (SM) Fe3O4 or Co43Fe43B14 materials. The stress as a function of electric-field strength (E) and the external magnetic field was set to align in plane. The results reveal an E-sensitive magnetic property in the PZN-PT/Co43Fe43B14/CFO system. The ES bilayer in this system experienced a transition from rigid magnetism to ES behavior with E changing from 2 MV/m to -2 MV/m. The E-related nucleation field and switching field exhibit strong dependences on the thickness ratio between the HM and SM phases. Additionally, when the magnetic field was applied at an acute angle to the easy axis of the HM or the SM phase, a multi-jump hysteresis loop was observed under a negative E bias. These results may be attributed to a change in the effective magnetic anisotropy constant resulting from the transfer of stress from the piezoelectric substrate to the ES bilayer under an electric field.
Non-stationary corona around multi-point system in atmospheric electric field: I. Onset electric field and discharge current
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bazelyan, E. M.; Raizer, Yu. P.; Aleksandrov, N. L.
The properties of a non-stationary glow corona maintained near the tips of a multi-point ground system in a time-varying thundercloud electric field have been studied numerically and analytically. Computer and analytical models were developed to simulate the corona discharge initiated from a system of identical vertical conductive electrodes distributed uniformly over a grounded plane surface. The simulation was based on a solution of the electrostatic equation for electric field and continuity equations for light and aerosol ions. The development of individual corona space charge layers from different points and the formation of a united plane layer were considered. The effect of system dimensions and that of the distance between electrodes on the external electric field corresponding to corona onset near the rod tips was investigated. The evolution in time of the corona current was calculated for systems with various numbers of coronating rods in time-varying atmospheric electric field. In the limit of infinite number of coronating rods, reasonable agreement was obtained between numerical calculations and analytical theory considering the effect of surrounding rods on the corona discharge from a given rod in a simplified integral way. Conditions were determined under which the corona properties of a multi-point system are similar to the properties of a plane surface emitting ions into the atmosphere. In this case, the corona current density is governed by the time derivative of the thundercloud electric field and is independent of the ion mobility and of the coronating system dimensions. The total corona space charge injected into the atmosphere per unit area by a given instant is controlled by the thundercloud electric field at this instant and depends on the geometrical parameters of the system only indirectly, through the corona onset atmospheric electric field. This simple model could be used to simulate a corona discharge during thunderstorms at the earth�
Radiation from electrons in graphene in strong electric field
Yokomizo, N.
We study the interaction of electrons in graphene with the quantized electromagnetic field in the presence of an applied uniform electric field using the Dirac model of graphene. Electronic states are represented by exact solutions of the Dirac equation in the electric background, and amplitudes of first-order Feynman diagrams describing the interaction with the photon field are calculated for massive Dirac particles in both valleys. Photon emission probabilities from a single electron and from a many-electron system at the charge neutrality point are derived, including the angular and frequency dependence, and several limiting cases are analyzed. The pattern of photon emission at the Dirac point in a strong field is determined by an interplay between the nonperturbative creation of electron–hole pairs and spontaneous emission, allowing for the possibility of observing the Schwinger effect in measurements of the radiation emitted by pristine graphene under DC voltage.
Electric-field-driven hole carriers and superconductivity in diamond
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nakamura, K.; Rhim, S. H.; Sugiyama, A.; Sano, K.; Akiyama, T.; Ito, T.; Weinert, M.; Freeman, A. J.
First-principles calculations of electric-field-driven superconductivity at the hydrogenated diamond (110) surface are presented. While the hydrogens on the surface effectively maintain the intrinsic sp3 covalent nature of diamond, the hole carriers induced by an external negative electric field (E-field) lead to a metallic surface region. Importantly, the concentration of hole carriers, confined within a few carbon layers of thickness ˜5-10 Å below the surface, exceeds 1021 cm-3, which is larger than the critical hole density responsible for superconductivity in the boron-doped diamond, while the calculated electron-phonon coupling constants are comparable in magnitude, suggesting the possibility of superconductivity with enhanced critical field.
Purely electric-field-driven perpendicular magnetization reversal.
Hu, Jia-Mian; Yang, Tiannan; Wang, Jianjun; Huang, Houbing; Zhang, Jinxing; Chen, Long-Qing; Nan, Ce-Wen
If achieved, magnetization reversal purely with an electric field has the potential to revolutionize the spintronic devices that currently utilize power-dissipating currents. However, all existing proposals involve the use of a magnetic field. Here we use phase-field simulations to study the piezoelectric and magnetoelectric responses in a three-dimensional multiferroic nanostructure consisting of a perpendicularly magnetized nanomagnet with an in-plane long axis and a juxtaposed ferroelectric nanoisland. For the first time, we demonstrate a full reversal of perpendicular magnetization via successive precession and damping, driven purely by a perpendicular electric-field pulse of certain pulse duration across the nanoferroelectric. We discuss the materials selection and size dependence of both nanoferroelctrics and nanomagnets for experimental verification. These results offer new inspiration to the design of spintronic devices that simultaneously possess high density, high thermal stability, and high reliability. PMID:25549019
Mechanical strains and electric fields applied to topologically imprinted elastomers
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Burridge, D. J.; Mao, Y.; Warner, M.
We analyze and predict the behavior of a chirally imprinted elastomer under a mechanical strain and an electric field, applied along the helical axis. As the strain and/or field increases, the system is deformed from a conical or transverse imprinted state towards an ultimately nematic one. At a critical strain and/or field there is a first-order transition to a low imprinting efficiency state. This transition is accompanied by a discontinuous global rotation of the director toward the axis of the imprinted helix, measured by the cone angle, θ . We show that the threshold electric field required for switching this transition can be conveniently low, provided an appropriate prestrain is imposed. We suggest that these properties may give rise to a "chiral pump."
Imaging of magnetic and electric fields by electron microscopy.
Zweck, Josef
Nanostructured materials become more and more a part of our daily life, partly as self-assembled particles or artificially patterned. These nanostructures often possess intrinsic magnetic and/or electric fields which determine (at least partially) their physical properties. Therefore it is important to be able to measure these fields reliably on a nanometre scale. A rather common instrument for the investigation of these fields is the transmission electron microscope as it offers high spatial resolution. The use of an electron microscope to image electric and magnetic fields on a micron down to sub-nanometre scale is treated in detail for transmission electron microscopes (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM). The formation of contrast is described for the most common imaging modes, the specific advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed and examples are given. In addition, the experimental requirements for the use of the techniques described are listed and explained. PMID:27536873
Electric field vector measurements in a surface ionization wave discharge
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Goldberg, Benjamin M.; Böhm, Patrick S.; Czarnetzki, Uwe; Adamovich, Igor V.; Lempert, Walter R.
This work presents the results of time-resolved electric field vector measurements in a short pulse duration (60 ns full width at half maximum), surface ionization wave discharge in hydrogen using a picosecond four-wave mixing technique. Electric field vector components are measured separately, using pump and Stokes beams linearly polarized in the horizontal and vertical planes, and a polarizer placed in front of the infrared detector. The time-resolved electric field vector is measured at three different locations across the discharge gap, and for three different heights above the alumina ceramic dielectric surface, ~100, 600, and 1100 μm (total of nine different locations). The results show that after breakdown, the discharge develops as an ionization wave propagating along the dielectric surface at an average speed of 1 mm ns-1. The surface ionization wave forms near the high voltage electrode, close to the dielectric surface (~100 μm). The wave front is characterized by significant overshoot of both vertical and horizontal electric field vector components. Behind the wave front, the vertical field component is rapidly reduced. As the wave propagates along the dielectric surface, it also extends further away from the dielectric surface, up to ~1 mm near the grounded electrode. The horizontal field component behind the wave front remains quite significant, to sustain the electron current toward the high voltage electrode. After the wave reaches the grounded electrode, the horizontal field component experiences a secondary rise in the quasi-dc discharge, where it sustains the current along the near-surface plasma sheet. The measurement results indicate presence of a cathode layer formed near the grounded electrode with significant cathode voltage fall, ≈3 kV, due to high current density in the discharge. The peak reduced electric field in the surface ionization wave is 85-95 Td, consistent with dc breakdown field estimated from the Paschen curve for
Magnetic field and electric current structure in the chromosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Dravins, D.
The three-dimensional vector magnetic field structure in the chromosphere above an active region is deduced by using high-resolution H-alpha filtergrams together with a simultaneous digital magnetogram. An analog model of the field is made with 400 metal wires representing field lines that outline the H-alpha structure. The height extent of the field is determined from vertical field-gradient observations around sunspots, from observed fibril heights, and from an assumption that the sources of the field are largely local. The computed electric currents (typically 10 mA/sq m) are found to flow in patterns not similar to observed features and not parallel to magnetic fields. Force structures correspond to observed solar features; the dynamics to be expected include: downward motion in bipolar areas in the lower chromosphere, an outflow of the outer chromosphere into the corona with radially outward flow above bipolar plage regions, and motion of arch filament systems.
Electric field-induced deformation of polyelectrolyte gels
Adolf, D.; Hance, B.G.
Water-swollen polyelectrolyte gels deform in an electric field. We observed that the sign and magnitude of the deformation is dependent on the nature of the salt bath in which the gel is immersed and electrocuted. These results are compatible with a deformation mechanism based upon creation of ion density gradients by the field which, in turn, creates osmotic pressure gradients within the gel. A consistent interpretation results only if gel mobility is allowed as well as free ion diffusion and migration.
Electric Field Assisted Assembly of Perpendicular Oriented NanorodSuperlattices
Ryan, Kevin M.; Mastroianni, Alex; Stancil, Kimani A.; Liu,Haitao; Alivisatos, Paul A.
We observe the assembly of CdS nanorod superlattices by thecombination of a DC electric field and solvent evaporation. In eachelectric field (1 V/um) assisted assembly, CdS nanorods (5 x 30 nm)suspended initially in toluene were observed to align perpendicularly tothe substrate. Azimuthal alignment along the nanorod crystal faces andthe presence of stacking faults indicate that both 2D and 3D assemblieswere formed by a process of controlled super crystal growth.
Electric Field Controlled Magnetic Anisotropy in a Single Molecule
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zyazin, Alexander S.; van den Berg, Johan W. G.; Osorio, Edgar A.; van der Zant, Herre S. J.; Konstantinidis, Nikolaos P.; Leijnse, Martin; Wegewijs, Maarten R.; May, Falk; Hofstetter, Walter; Danieli, Chiara; Cornia, Andrea
We have measured quantum transport through an individual Fe$_4$ single-molecule magnet embedded in a three-terminal device geometry. The characteristic zero-field splittings of adjacent charge states and their magnetic field evolution are observed in inelastic tunneling spectroscopy. We demonstrate that the molecule retains its magnetic properties, and moreover, that the magnetic anisotropy is significantly enhanced by reversible electron addition / subtraction controlled with the gate voltage. Single-molecule magnetism can thus be electrically controlled.
Electric field controlled magnetic anisotropy in a single molecule.
Zyazin, Alexander S; van den Berg, Johan W G; Osorio, Edgar A; van der Zant, Herre S J; Konstantinidis, Nikolaos P; Leijnse, Martin; Wegewijs, Maarten R; May, Falk; Hofstetter, Walter; Danieli, Chiara; Cornia, Andrea
We have measured quantum transport through an individual Fe(4) single-molecule magnet embedded in a three-terminal device geometry. The characteristic zero-field splittings of adjacent charge states and their magnetic field evolution are observed in inelastic tunneling spectroscopy. We demonstrate that the molecule retains its magnetic properties and, moreover, that the magnetic anisotropy is significantly enhanced by reversible electron addition/subtraction controlled with the gate voltage. Single-molecule magnetism can thus be electrically controlled. PMID:20687519
Dynamics of a charged drop in a quadrupole electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Das, Sudip; Mayya, Y. S.; Thaokar, Rochish
Quadrupole electric fields are commonly employed for confining charged conducting drops in Paul traps for studying Rayleigh instability characteristics. We investigate the effect of these fields on the deformation and stability characteristics of a charged liquid drop, using the axisymmetric boundary integral method (BIM). Different combinations of the amount of charge and strength of the electric field give rise to different equilibrium shapes. Interestingly, unlike in the case of uniform fields, stable oblate equilibrium drop shapes are sustained in quadrupole fields. In a positive endcap configuration of the quadrupole setup a drop carrying a small negative charge displays a transition from oblate to prolate as the field strength increases. On the other hand, for the case of a highly charged drop, a shift in the Rayleigh critical charge is observed in the presence of a weak quadrupole field. The Rayleigh instability displays imperfect transcritical bifurcation characteristics with respect to imposed prolate and oblate perturbations. Results are of significance in i) interpreting deformation and the Rayleigh stability effects using Paul traps with quadrupole fields, ii) designing more efficient quadrupole-field-based technologies for emulsification of water in oil.
Electric field control of magnetization dynamics in multiferroics
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Risinggard, Vetle; Kulagina, Iryna; Linder, Jacob
Multiferroics with a strong magnetoelectric coupling hold great promise in spintronics because they enable magnetic control of the electric polarization as well as electric control of the magnetization. We take an analytical approach, using the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation to describe the dynamic state of the magnetization. In particular, we show that in insulating multiferroics which exhibit the inhomogeneous magnetoelectric effect there exists an electrically controlled magnon-induced torque that acts even on a homogeneous magnetization. Unlike the magnon-induced torques that arise from Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions or in the proximity of a topological insulator, the strength and direction of this torque is tunable by the externally applied electric field.
Easily installable behavioral monitoring system with electric field sensor.
Tsukamoto, Sosuke; Machida, Yuichiro; Kameda, Noriyuki; Hoshino, Hiroshi; Tamura, Toshiyo
This paper describes a wireless behavioral monitoring system equipped with an electric field sensor. The sensor unit was designed to obtain information regarding the usage of home electric appliances such as the television, microwave oven, coffee maker, etc. by measuring the electric field surrounding them. It is assumed that these usage statistics could provide information regarding the indoor behavior of a subject. Since the sensor can be used by simply attaching it to an appliance and does not require any wiring for its installation, this system can be temporarily installed in any ordinary house. A simple interface for selecting the threshold value of appliances' power on/off states was introduced. The experimental results reveal that the proposed system can be installed by individuals in their residences in a short time and the usage statistics of home appliances can be gathered. PMID:18002891
Spatial sampling of head electrical fields: the geodesic sensor net.
Tucker, D M
In studying brain electrical activity from scalp sensors (electrodes), the optimal measurement would sample the potential field over the entire surface of the braincase, with a sufficient density to avoid spatial aliasing of the surface electrical fields. The geodesic sensor net organizes an array of sensors, each enclosed in a saline sponge, in a geodesic tension structure comprised of elastic threads. By fixing a sensor pedestal at each geodesic vertex, the geometry of the tension structure insures insures that the sensor array is distributed evenly across the accessible head surface. Furthermore, the tension of the network is translated into compression that is divided equally among the sensor pedestals and directed along head-radial vectors. Various geodesic partitioning frequencies may be selected to provide an even surface distribution of the dense sensor arrays (e.g., 64, 128, or 256) that appear to be necessary to provide adequate spatial sampling of brain electrical events. PMID:7691542
Behavior in Electric Fields of Simple Biological Membranes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Honciuc, Maria; Slavnicu, Elena
The latest studies in biophysics and biochemistry have revealed the major role that liquid crystals (LC) and related phenomena play in biological processes. To account for a number of membrane mechanisms in view of the theoretical model developed by S. J. Singer, studies were carried out on mixtures of fatty acids (arachidic, lauric, butyric) and cholesterol in different weight percentages. Such mixtures may help one understand some mechanisms on which the operation of biological membranes relies. To this end, the way these mixtures behave in an electric field was studied. Electric measurements were conducted from which the average time of electric relaxation (τ) and average electric permittivity (ɛr) were determined. Depending on cholesterol percentage, changes by more than one order of magnitude were found to occur in the electric relaxation time. The ratio between the various fatty acid components did not influence the average time τ in any significant manner. By contrast, the relative electric permittivity ɛr was seen to decrease by at least one order of magnitude with raising the cholesterol percentage. The electric properties of such systems essentially depend on changing the amount of cholesterol in the system.
Electric field variations during substorms: OGO-6 measurements
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Heppner, J. P.
The OGO-6 electric field measurements make it clear that the general pattern of high latitude electric fields in magnetic time-invariant latitude coordinates is not highly variable and that when unusual variations, or field distributions, occur they are relatively isolated in time and spatial extent. Thus, electric field changes on a global scale cannot, in general, be evoked as a direct cause of substorms. Polar traverses along the 18(h) to 6(h) magnetic time meridian show that the sum of potential drops across the evening auroral belt and morning auroral belt approximately equals the potential drop across the polar cap. The integrated polar cap potential drop ranges from 20 to 100 keV and values in the center of this range are most common under conditions of moderate magnetic disturbance. Roughly near 18(h) magnetic local time, a latitudinally narrow strip at the transition between auroral belt and polar cap fields exhibits unusually large field fluctuations immediately following the sudden onset of a negative bay at later magnetic local times. It appears likely that this spatially isolated correlation is related to an effect rather than a cause of substorm enhancement.
Swarm Measurements of Ionospheric Electric Field and Plasma
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Burchill, J.; Knudsen, D.; Eriksson, A.
Swarm is a three-spacecraft European Space Agency Earth Explorer mission that will include precision in-situ measurements of magnetic field, electric field, and plasma parameters at altitudes up to 530 km, twice per second for four years beginning in late 2010. Electric fields in the direction perpendicular to the local magnetic field will be measured by the Swarm Electric Field Instruments (EFI) using a technique based on measurements of ion drift. The Swarm EFI's represent a new generation of ion drift measurement in that they use an intensified CCD-based technique to generate 2-D images of low-energy ion distribution functions from which both ion drift velocity and temperature are derived. These measurements will be complemented by Langmuir-probe measurements of electron density, electron temperature and spacecraft potential. We present an overview of the mission and of the predicted performance characteristics of the EFI, and examine the benefits of the Swarm configuration for ionospheric research relative to previous precision magnetic field research missions such as Ørsted and CHAMP.
Endocrinological effects of strong 60-Hz electric fields on rats
Free, M.J.; Kaune, W.T.; Phillips, R.D.; Cheng, H.C.
Adult male rats were exposed or sham-exposed to 60-Hz electric fields without spark discharges, ozone, or significant levels or other secondary variables. No effects were discharges, ozone, or significant levels of other secondary variables. No effects were observed on body weights or plasma hormone levels after 30 days of exposure at an effective field strength of 68 kV/m. After 120 days of exposure (effective field strength = 64 kV/m), effects were inconsistent, with signficant reductions in body weight and plasma levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and corticosterone occurring in one replicate experiment but not in the other. Plasma testosterone levels were significantly reduced after 120 days of exposure in one experiment, with a similar but not statistically significant reduction in a replicate experiment. Weanling rats, exposed or sham-exposed in electric fields with an effective field strength of 80 kV/m from 20 to 56 days of age, exhibited identical or closely similar growth trends in body and organ weights. Hormone levels in exposed and sham-exposed groups were also similar. However, there was an apparent phase shift between the two groups in the cyclic variations of concentrations of hormones at different stages of development, particularly with respect to follicle-stimulating hormone and corticosterone. We concluded that 60-Hz electric fields may bring about subtle changes in the endocrine system of rats, and that these changes may be related to alterations in episodic rhythms.
Field Evaluation of Broadband Electrical Impedance Tomography Measurements
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kelter, M.; Huisman, J. A.; Zimmermann, E.; Treichel, A.; Kemna, A.; Vereecken, H.
Laboratory measurements of the complex electrical conductivity in a broad frequency range (i.e. mHz to kHz) using spectral induced polarization (SIP) measurements have shown great promise to characterize important hydrological properties (e.g. hydraulic conductivity) and biogeochemical processes. However, translating these findings to field applications remains challenging, and significant improvements in spectral electrical impedance tomography (EIT) are still required to obtain images of the complex electrical conductivity with sufficient accuracy in the field. The aim of this study is to present recent improvements in the inversion and processing of broadband field EIT measurements, and to evaluate the accuracy and spectral consistency of the obtained images of the real and imaginary part of the electrical conductivity. In a first case study, time-lapse surface EIT measurements were performed during an infiltration experiment to investigate the spectral complex electrical conductivity as a function of water content. State-of-the-art data processing and inversion approaches were used to obtain images of the complex electrical conductivity in a frequency range of 100 mHz to 1 kHz, and integral parameters were obtained using Debye decomposition. Results showed consistent spectral and spatial variation of the phase of the complex electrical conductivity in a broad frequency range, and a complex dependence on water saturation that was reasonably consistent with laboratory EIT measurements. In a second case study, borehole EIT measurements were made in a well-characterized aquifer. These measurements were inverted to obtain broadband images of the complex conductivity after correction for inductive and capacitive coupling using recently developed procedures. The results showed good correspondence with reference laboratory SIP measurements in a broad frequency bandwidth up to 1 kHz only after application of the correction procedures.
Deformation of an elastic capsule in a uniform electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Karyappa, Rahul B.; Deshmukh, Shivraj. D.; Thaokar, Rochish. M.
The deformation of a thin elastic capsule subjected to a uniform electric field is investigated in the Stokes flow regime. The electrohydrodynamic flow is analyzed using a perfect conductor and a perfect dielectric model for the capsule and the fluid phase, respectively. A theoretical analysis is carried out using an asymptotic expansion in the electric capillary number (Ca) (a ratio of the electric stress to the elastic tension) in the small deformation limit using the finite deformation Hooke's law. The analysis is used to determine the elasticity of polysiloxane capsules suspended in oil, the deformation of which is obtained using videography. The boundary element method is implemented to seek numerical solutions to the hydrodynamic, elastic, and electrostatics equations. The finite deformation Hooke's law, the Mooney-Rivlin, and Skalak's model for elasticity are employed. The effect of electric capillary number, unstressed geometry, and the type of membrane material on the deformation of a capsule is presented in the high Ca number limit using numerical simulation. Capsules synthesized with higher monomer concentration displayed electric stress induced wrinkling process at high electric field strengths. Burst of a capsule is characterized by poration of the polymer membrane, which could be symmetric or asymmetric at the two poles, depending upon the value of the capillary number. The results should be useful in understanding the response of elastic capsules such as red blood cells and polymerized membranes, to an electric field, in applications such as electrodeformation and electroporation. It also provides a theoretical framework for a possible way of determining the elastic parameters of a capsule.
Electric field enhancement in metallic and multilayer dielectric gratings
Shore, B.W.; Feit, M.D.; Perry, M.D.; Boyd, R.D.; Britten, J.A.; Li, Lifeng
Successful operation of large-scale high-power lasers, such as those in use and planned at LLNL and elsewhere, require optical elements that can withstand extremely high fluences without suffering damage. Of particular concern are gratings used for pulse compression. Laser induced damage to bulk dielectric material originates with coupling of the electric field of the radiation to bound electrons, proceeding through a succession of mechanisms that couple the electron kinetic energy to lattice energy and ultimately to macroscopic structural changes (e.g. fracture, melting, ablation, etc.). The constructive interference that is responsible for the diffractive behavior of a grating or the reflective properties of a multilayer dielectric stack can enhance the electric field above values that would occur in unstructured homogeneous material. The presence of nonuniform electric fields, resulting from diffractive coherence, has the potential to affect damage thresholds We describe aspects of LLNL work directed towards understanding the influence of dielectric structures upon damage, with particular emphasis on electric fields within multilayer dielectric stacks.
Cosmic rays as probes of atmospheric electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Scholten, O.; Trinh, G. T. N.; Schellart, P.; Ebert, U.; Rutjes, C.; Nelles, A.; Buitink, S.; ter Veen, S.; Horandel, J.; Corstanje, A.; Rachen, J. P.; Thoudam, S.; Falcke, H.; Koehn, C. C.; van den Berg, A. A. M.; de Vries, K. K. D.; Rossetto, L.
Energetic cosmic rays impinging on the atmosphere create a particle avalanche called an extensive air shower. In the leading plasma of this shower electric currents are induced that generate radio waves which have been detected with LOFAR, a large and dense array of simple antennas primarily developed for radio-astronomy observations.LOFAR has observed air showers under fair-weather conditions as well as under atmospheric conditions where thunderstorms occur. For air showers under fair-weather conditions the intensity as well as the polarization of the radio emission can be understood rather accurately from the present models.For air showers measured under thunderstorm conditions we observe large differences in the intensity and polarization patterns from the fair weather models. We will show that the linear as well as the circular polarization of the radio waves carry clear information on the orientation of the electric fields at different heights in the thunderstorm clouds. We will show for the first time that the circular polarization of the radio waves tells about the change of orientation of the fields with altitude. We will show that from the measured data at LOFAR the thunderstorm electric fields can be reconstructed.We thus have established the measurement of radio emission from extensive air showers induced by cosmic rays as a new tool to probe the atmospheric electric fields present in thunderclouds in a non-intrusive way.
Pulsed electric field processing for fruit and vegetables
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
This month's column reviews the theory and current applications of pulsed electric field (PEF) processing for fruits and vegetables to improve their safety and quality. This month's column coauthor, Stefan Toepfl, is advanced research manager at the German Institute of Food Technologies and professo...
Radio-frequency and microwave energies, magnetic and electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Michaelson, S. M.
The biological effects of radio frequency, including microwave, radiation are considered. Effects on body temperature, the eye, reproductive systems, internal organs, blood cells, the cardiovascular system, and the central nervous system are included. Generalized effects of electric and magnetic fields are also discussed. Experimentation with animals and clinical studies on humans are cited, and possible mechanisms of the effects observed are suggested.
The spherical probe electric field and wave experiment. [Cluster mission
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gustafsson, G.; Aggson, T.; Bostrom, R.; Block, L. P.; Cattell, C.; Decreau, P. M. E.; Egeland, A.; Falthammar, C.-G.; Grard, R. J. L.; Gurnett, D. A.
The experiment is designed to measure the electric field and density fluctuations with sampling rates up to 40,000 samples/sec. The description includes Langmuir sweeps that can be made to determine the electron density and temperature, the study of nonlinear processes that result in acceleration of plasma, and the analysis of large scale phenomena where all four spacecraft are needed.
Nonphysical Results with the Electric-Field Mapping Experiment.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ayars, Eric
Discusses the behavior of the current near the end of the paper in the electric-field mapping experiment and approaches to solving problems associated with this behavior. Presents programs that can be used to model the boundary condition computationally. (JRH)
Pulsed electric field (PEF)research at USDA, ARS, ERRC
Technology Transfer Automated Retrieval System (TEKTRAN)
This article summarizes the effects of pulsed electric fields on the microbiological safety and quality aspects of various liquid food matrices, obtained at USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center under CRIS Project No. 1935-41420-013-00D, Processing Intervention Technologies for Enhancing the S...
Water–methanol separation with carbon nanotubes and electric fields.
Winarto; Takaiwa, Daisuke; Yamamoto, Eiji; Yasuoka, Kenji
Methanol is used in various applications, such as fuel for transportation vehicles, fuel cells, and in chemical industrial processes. Conventionally, separation of methanol from aqueous solution is by distillation. However, this method consumes a large amount of energy; hence development of a new method is needed. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the effect of an electric field on water–methanol separation by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with diameters of 0.81 to 4.07 nm. Without an electric field, methanol molecules fill the CNTs in preference to water molecules. The preference of methanol to occupy the CNTs over water results in a separation effect. This separation effect is strong for small CNT diameters and significantly decreases with increasing diameter. In contrast, under an electric field, water molecules strongly prefer to occupy the CNTs over methanol molecules, resulting in a separation effect for water. More interestingly, the separation effect for water does not decrease with increasing CNT diameter. Formation of water structures in CNTs induced by an electric field has an important role in the separation of water from methanol. PMID:26397004
Viscosity Reduction in Liquid Suspensions by Electric or Magnetic Fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tao, R.; Xu, X.
Reducing the viscosity of liquid suspensions is of great importance in science and engineering. We present a theory and experiments that a suitable electric or magnetic field pulse can effectively reduce the viscosity for several hours with no appreciable change of temperature. Positive experimental results with magnetorheological fluids and crude oil suggest a broad range of practical applications.
Multi-axial fiber-optic electric field sensor
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Perry, D.; Gibson, R.; Schreeve, B.; Schultz, S.; Selfridge, D.
High powered microwave weapons use electric fields to overload electronics. We developed a non-intrusive sensor using a technology based on slab coupled optical sensing (SCOS). Each sensor detects the electric field component normal to the surface of the slab. By mounting two of these sensors orthogonally to each other, a more complete image of the electrical field can be obtained. One of the major hurdles of creating a multi-axial SCOS is keeping the size of the sensor small. The size is limited by (1) the size of the sensing material and (2) the ability to package the sensor to maintain its structural integrity and orientation. Good sensitivity is attained with SCOS with a length less than 3 mm and the D-fiber platform has a small core which allows for much less bending loss than standard single mode fiber. We have developed a mounting system that is heat resistant and structurally robust to protect the sensor that is extremely small when compared to traditional electric field sensors.
Clay-oil droplet suspensions in electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rozynek, Zbigniew; Fossum, Jon Otto; Kjerstad, Knut; Mikkelsen, Alexander; Castberg, Rene
Silicone oil droplets containing synthetic smectite clay submerged in immiscible organic oil have been studied by observing clay particle movement and oil circulation when an electric field is applied. Results show how electric field strength, dielectric and electrorheological properties as well as electrohydrodynamics determine the fluid flow and clay particle formation. In a presence of the DC electric fields the clay particles formed a ribbon-like structure onto the inner surface of the droplet. The structure consists of short chain-like clay elements orienting parallel to the electric field direction. It is suggested that a combination of two phenomena, namely the induced viscous flow (electrohydrodynamic effect) and the polarization of the clay particles (dielectric effect), contribute to the ribbon-like structure formation. -/abstract- References [1] G. Taylor, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences 291 (1966) 159--166. [2] J. R. Melcher and G. I. Taylor, Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics 1 (1969) 111--146. [3] H. Sato, N. Kaji, T. Mochizuki, and Y. H. Mori, Physics of Fluids 18 (2006) 127101. [4] D. A. Saville, Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics 29 (1997) 27--64. [5] J. O. Fossum, Y. M'eheust, K. P. S. Parmar, K. D. Knudsen, K. J. Måløy, and D. M. Fonseca Europhysics Letters 74
Phase equilibria modification by electric fields. 1997 annual progress report
Tsouris, C.; Shah, V.M.
'In this research program, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is investigating the modification of phase equilibria and interface transport enhancement-caused by electric fields. The majority of environmental and waste treatment processes involve complex chemical separations and reactions. The treatment efficiency in such processes is governed by thermodynamic equilibria and transport. The objective of this project is to use electric fields to favorably manipulate the thermodynamic and transport properties of mixtures so that higher separation efficiencies can be achieved. An understanding of the mechanisms of the underlying phenomena of molecular and fluid interactions with electric fields will lead to the development of efficient remediation methods for contaminated natural environments and wastes. Research Statement The main focus of this project is to understand and quantify the influence of electric fields on thermodynamic equilibria and transport properties of fluid mixtures and to determine the conditions and properties of the systems for which this influence is of practical significance. The specific objectives of the project are discussed.'
Holographic gratings in photorefractive polymers without external electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kukhtarev, Nickolai V.; Lyuksyutov, Sergei F.; Buchhave, Preben; Volodin, Boris L.
Using anomalous large diffusion we report a recording of reflection type gratings in a PVK-based photorefractive polymer without any external electric field. Diffraction efficiency of the gratings was measured to be 7%. An efficient modulation of beams during two-beam coupling up to 12% was demonstrated by using phase mutilation technique. This practical scheme can be used in dynamic vibration measurements.
Electric field induced gap modification in ultrathin blue phosphorus
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ghosh, Barun; Nahas, Suhas; Bhowmick, Somnath; Agarwal, Amit
We investigate the possibility of band structure engineering in the recently predicted 2D layered form of blue phosphorus via an electric field (Ez) applied perpendicular to the layer(s). Using density functional theory, we study the effect of a transverse electric field in monolayer as well as three differently stacked bilayer structures of blue phosphorus. We find that for Ez>0.2 V/Å the direct energy gap at the Γ point, which is much larger than the default indirect band gap of mono- and bilayer blue phosphorus, decreases linearly with the increasing electric field, becomes comparable to the default indirect band gap at Ez≈0.45 (0.35 ) V/Å for monolayer (bilayers), and decreases further until the semiconductor to metal transition of 2D blue phosphorus takes place at Ez≈0.7 (0.5 ) V/Å for monolayer (bilayers). Calculated values of the electron and hole effective masses along various high symmetry directions in the reciprocal lattice suggests that the mobility of charge carriers is also influenced by the applied electric field.
Scattering in an external electric field asymptotically constant in time
Adachi, Tadayoshi; Ishida, Atsuhide
We show the asymptotic completeness for two-body quantum systems in an external electric field asymptotically non-zero constant in time. One of the main ingredients of this paper is to give some propagation estimates for physical propagators generated by time-dependent Hamiltonians which govern the systems under consideration.
Calibration of Electric Field Induced Energy Level Shifts in Argon
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hebner, Greg
Argon is a commonly used gas in a number of discharges. As such it is an ideal candidate for spectroscopic based electric field measurements within the sheath and bulk discharge regions. Recently, measurements demonstrated the use of the Stark induced shifts of high lying energy levels in Argon to make spatially and temporally resolved electric field measurements [1]. However, that method relied on the cross calibration of known and calculable shifts in helium discharges to calibrate, in-situ, the energy level shifts in Argon. This poster shows the use of an atomic beam system to calibrate the electric field induced shift of high lying energy levels directly. In addition, data on very high lying argon levels, up to the 20 F manifold, were obtained. Comparison of our electric field induced energy level shift calibration curves with previous work will be shown. The possibility of using this system to calibrate energy level shifts in other gases of technological interest to the microelectronics and lighting industry will be discussed. [1]. J. B. Kim, K. Kawamura, Y. W. Choi, M. D. Bowden, K. Muraoka and V. Helbig, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, 26(5), 1556 (1998). This work was performed at Sandia National Laboratories and supported by the United States Department of Energy (DE-AC04-94AL85000).
Possible Electric-Field-Induced Superconducting States in Doped Silicene
Zhang, Li-Da; Yang, Fan; Yao, Yugui
Silicene has been synthesized recently, with experimental evidence showing possible superconductivity in the doped case. The noncoplanar low-buckled structure of this material inspires us to study the pairing symmetry of the doped system under a perpendicular external electric field. Our study reveals that the electric field induces an interesting quantum phase transition from the singlet chiral d + id′-wave superconducting phase to the triplet f-wave one. The emergence of the f-wave pairing results from the sublattice-symmetry-breaking caused by the electric field and the ferromagnetic-like intra-sublattice spin correlations at low dopings. Due to the enhanced density of states, the superconducting critical temperature of the system is enhanced by the electric field remarkably. Furthermore, we design a particular dc SQUID experiment to detect the quantum phase transition predicted here. Our results, if confirmed, will inject a new vitality to the familiar Si-based industry through adopting doped silicene as a tunable platform to study different types of exotic unconventional superconductivities. PMID:25644143
C/NOFS Observations of AC Electric Field Fields Associated with Equatorial Spread-F
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Pfaff, R.; Liebrecht, C.
The Vector Electric Field Investigation (VEFI) on the C/NOFS equatorial satellite provides a unique data set in which to acquire detailed knowledge of irregularities associated with the equatorial ionosphere and in particular with spread-F depletions. We present vector AC electric field observations, primarily gathered within the ELF band (1 Hz to 250 Hz) on C/NOFS that address a variety of key questions regarding how plasma irregularities, from meter to kilometer scales, are created and evolve. The data will be used to explore the anisotropy/isotropy of the waves, their wavelength and phase velocity, as well as their spectral distributions. When analyzed in conjunction with the driving DC electric fields and detailed plasma number density measurements, the combined data reveal important information concerning the instability mechanisms themselves. We also present high resolution, vector measurements of intense lower hybrid waves that have been detected on numerous occasions by the VEFI burst memory VLF electric field channels.
Relationship of the interplanetary electric field to the high-latitude ionospheric electric field and currents Observations and model simulation
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Clauer, C. R.; Banks, P. M.
The electrical coupling between the solar wind, magnetosphere, and ionosphere is studied. The coupling is analyzed using observations of high-latitude ion convection measured by the Sondre Stromfjord radar in Greenland and a computer simulation. The computer simulation calculates the ionospheric electric potential distribution for a given configuration of field-aligned currents and conductivity distribution. The technique for measuring F-region in velocities at high time resolution over a large range of latitudes is described. Variations in the currents on ionospheric plasma convection are examined using a model of field-aligned currents linking the solar wind with the dayside, high-latitude ionosphere. The data reveal that high-latitude ionospheric convection patterns, electric fields, and field-aligned currents are dependent on IMF orientation; it is observed that the electric field, which drives the F-region plasma curve, responds within about 14 minutes to IMF variations in the magnetopause. Comparisons of the simulated plasma convection with the ion velocity measurements reveal good correlation between the data.
The manipulation of magnetic coercive field and orientation of magnetic anisotropy via electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Xiang, Jun-Sen; Ye, Jun; Yang, Yun-Long; Xie, Yong; Li, Wei; Chen, Zi-Yu
We report the effects of the electric field on the magnetic coercive field (H c) and uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (UMA) orientation of polycrystalline Ni film grown on an unpoled (0 1 1) [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3](1‑x)–[PbTiO3] x (PMN-PT) single crystal substrate. Under various electric fields, normalized magnetic hysteresis loops of Ni films change in width; this represents the change of coercive field (ΔH c). Loop shapes are found to depend on the angle between the magnetic field and the sample, where changes in the shape reveal a small rotation of UMA. All these changes show that the magnetic properties vary periodically with a periodic electric field, by strain-mediated magnetoelectric coupling in the Ni/Ag/PMN-PT/Ag heterostructure. The poled PMN-PT produces strains under electric fields in the range of ‑4.2 kV cm‑1 ⩽ E ⩽ 4.2 kV cm‑1, then transfers it to Ni films resulting in changes to its H c and UMA. The curves of the in-plane H c and strain, at two mutually orthogonal directions, represent butterfly patterns versus the applied electric field. In addition, the changes observed in both the H c and strain show asymmetric features in two orthogonal directions, which results in a small rotation angle of the UMA of Ni as the electric field decreases. The effective manipulation of magnitude and orientation of magnetic anisotropy via electric fields in ferromagnetic/ferroelectric (FM/FE) heterostructures is an important step towards controlling the magnetic tunnel junctions.
Quasistatic electric field structures and field-aligned currents in the polar cusp region
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jacobsen, K. S.; Moen, J. I.; Pedersen, A.
Cluster data have been examined for quasi-stationary electric field structures and field-aligned currents (FACs) in the vicinity of the dayside cusp region. We have related the measurements to the Region 1/Region 2 (R1/R2) current system and the cusp current system. It has been theoretically proposed that the dayside R1 current may be located on open field lines, and experimental evidence has been shown for R1 currents partially on open field lines. We document that R1 currents may flow entirely on open field lines. The electric field structures are found to occur at plasma density gradients in the cusp. They are associated with strong FACs with current directions that are consistent with the cusp currents. This indicates that the electric field structures are closely coupled to the cusp current system. The electric equipotential structures linking the perpendicular electric fields seen at Cluster altitudes to field-aligned electric fields at lower altitudes fall into one of two categories: S shape or U shape. Both types are found at both the equatorward edge of the cusp ion dispersion and at the equatorward edge of injection events within the cusp. Previous studies in the nightside auroral region attributed the S-shaped potential structures to the boundary transition between the low-density polar cap and the high-density plasma sheet, concluding that the shape of the electric potential structure depends on whether the plasma populations on each side of the structure can support intense currents. This explanation is not applicable for the S-shaped structures observed in the dayside cusp region.
The role of magnetic-field-aligned electric fields in auroral acceleration
Block, L.P.; Faelthammar, C.G. )
Electric field measurements on the Swedish satellite Viking have confirmed and extended earlier observations on S3-3 and provided further evidence of the role of dc electric fields in auroral acceleration processes. On auroral magnetic field lines the electric field is strongly fluctuating both transverse and parallel to the magnetic field. The significance of these fluctuations for the auroral acceleration process is discussed. A definition of dc electric fields is given in terms of their effects on charged particles. Fluctuations below several hertz are experienced as dc by typical auroral electrons if the acceleration length is a few thousand kilometers. For ions the same is true below about 0.1 Hz. The magnetic-field-aligned (as well as the transverse) component of the electric field fluctuations has a maximum below 1 Hz, in a frequency range that appears as dc to the electrons but not to the ions. This allows it to cause a selective acceleration, which may be important in explaining some of the observed characteristics of auroral particle distributions. The electric field observations on Viking support the conclusion that magnetic-field-aligned potential drops play an important role in auroral acceleration, in good agreement with particle observations boht on Viking and on the DE satellites. They also show that a large part, or even all, of the accelerating potential drop may be accounted for by numerous weak (about a volt) electric double layers, in agreement with earlier observations on the S3-3 satellite and with an early theoretical suggestion by L. Block.
Penetration of Large Scale Electric Field to Inner Magnetosphere
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, S. H.; Fok, M. C. H.; Sibeck, D. G.; Wygant, J. R.; Spence, H. E.; Larsen, B.; Reeves, G. D.; Funsten, H. O.
The direct penetration of large scale global electric field to the inner magnetosphere is a critical element in controlling how the background thermal plasma populates within the radiation belts. These plasma populations provide the source of particles and free energy needed for the generation and growth of various plasma waves that, at critical points of resonances in time and phase space, can scatter or energize radiation belt particles to regulate the flux level of the relativistic electrons in the system. At high geomagnetic activity levels, the distribution of large scale electric fields serves as an important indicator of how prevalence of strong wave-particle interactions extend over local times and radial distances. To understand the complex relationship between the global electric fields and thermal plasmas, particularly due to the ionospheric dynamo and the magnetospheric convection effects, and their relations to the geomagnetic activities, we analyze the electric field and cold plasma measurements from Van Allen Probes over more than two years period and simulate a geomagnetic storm event using Coupled Inner Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Model (CIMI). Our statistical analysis of the measurements from Van Allan Probes and CIMI simulations of the March 17, 2013 storm event indicate that: (1) Global dawn-dusk electric field can penetrate the inner magnetosphere inside the inner belt below L~2. (2) Stronger convections occurred in the dusk and midnight sectors than those in the noon and dawn sectors. (3) Strong convections at multiple locations exist at all activity levels but more complex at higher activity levels. (4) At the high activity levels, strongest convections occur in the midnight sectors at larger distances from the Earth and in the dusk sector at closer distances. (5) Two plasma populations of distinct ion temperature isotropies divided at L-Shell ~2, indicating distinct heating mechanisms between inner and outer radiation belts. (6) CIMI
Evolution of Auroral Electric Fields Observed By Cluster
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Marklund, G.; Cluster Auroral Team
Cluster observations on nightside auroral field lines are used to study the existence and temporal evolution of quasi-static electric field structures on time scales of min- utes. Results are presented for two events characterized by intense and narrow-scale divergent electric fields. These were encountered at the boundary between the Cen- tral Plasma Sheet and the Plasma Sheet Boundary Layer associated with a large-scale plasma density gradient and a downward field-aligned current. The structures main- tain their bipolar shape but increase in magnitude and width between the crossings by the four spacecraft, each separated by a few minutes in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic field. The perpendicular electric potential calculated for the first event in- creased for about 200 s, following closely the increase in the characteristic energy of the upgoing electron beam. At the time of the last satellite crossing the structure had faded, the energy of the beam was much reduced, and the downward current, main- taining a constant total value throughout the Cluster crossings, was distributed over a much wider region than initially. In this way access was given to a wide collection area of return current electrons. For the other event, the electric field increase was accompanied by a deepening of a density cavity superposed on a larger scale density gradient and a downward field-aligned current that remained roughly constant during the crossings. The divergent structures are likely to represent the high-altitude exten- sion of quasi-static positive potential structures developing on a time scale of several hundred seconds which is comparable to the evacuation time for the return current electrons in the E- and lower F-region. The evolving potential structure and associated hole formation represent a growing load in the return current leg of the auroral current circuit with possible direct impact on the aurora.
Biaxial Flexural Strength of Poled Lead Zirconate Titanate under High Electric Field with Extended Field Range
Zhang, Kewei; Zeng, Fan W; Wang, Hong; Lin, Hua-Tay
In the present work, as-received poled lead zirconate titanate, or PZT 5A, was examined using ball-on-ring (BoR) mechanical testing coupled with an electric field. Electric fields in the range of 4Ec (Ec, coercive field) with controlled loading paths were applied, and mechanical tests at a substantial number of characteristic electric field levels were conducted. Commercial electronic liquid FC-40 was used to prevent the setup from dielectric breakdown under a high electric field. Weibull strength distribution was used to interpret the mechanical strength data. The data showed that the strength levels of the PZT-5A tested under OC (open circuit) in air and in FC-40 were almost the same. It was further revealed that , for the studied cases, the effect of loading history on the biaxial flexural strength of the PZT was significant in -Ec, but not in OC or zero field as well as 4Ec . An asymmetry V curve was observed for the characteristic strength-electric field graph, and the bottom of V curve was located near the negative coercive field. Microscopy analysis showed that surface-located volume-distributed flaws were the strength limiter and responsible for the failure of the tested PZT under electromechanical loadings.
Spatiotemporal structure of intracranial electric fields induced by transcranial electric stimulation in humans and nonhuman primates.
Opitz, Alexander; Falchier, Arnaud; Yan, Chao-Gan; Yeagle, Erin M; Linn, Gary S; Megevand, Pierre; Thielscher, Axel; Deborah A, Ross; Milham, Michael P; Mehta, Ashesh D; Schroeder, Charles E
Transcranial electric stimulation (TES) is an emerging technique, developed to non-invasively modulate brain function. However, the spatiotemporal distribution of the intracranial electric fields induced by TES remains poorly understood. In particular, it is unclear how much current actually reaches the brain, and how it distributes across the brain. Lack of this basic information precludes a firm mechanistic understanding of TES effects. In this study we directly measure the spatial and temporal characteristics of the electric field generated by TES using stereotactic EEG (s-EEG) electrode arrays implanted in cebus monkeys and surgical epilepsy patients. We found a small frequency dependent decrease (10%) in magnitudes of TES induced potentials and negligible phase shifts over space. Electric field strengths were strongest in superficial brain regions with maximum values of about 0.5 mV/mm. Our results provide crucial information of the underlying biophysics in TES applications in humans and the optimization and design of TES stimulation protocols. In addition, our findings have broad implications concerning electric field propagation in non-invasive recording techniques such as EEG/MEG. PMID:27535462
Spatiotemporal structure of intracranial electric fields induced by transcranial electric stimulation in humans and nonhuman primates
Opitz, Alexander; Falchier, Arnaud; Yan, Chao-Gan; Yeagle, Erin M.; Linn, Gary S.; Megevand, Pierre; Thielscher, Axel; Deborah A., Ross; Milham, Michael P.; Mehta, Ashesh D.; Schroeder, Charles E.
Transcranial electric stimulation (TES) is an emerging technique, developed to non-invasively modulate brain function. However, the spatiotemporal distribution of the intracranial electric fields induced by TES remains poorly understood. In particular, it is unclear how much current actually reaches the brain, and how it distributes across the brain. Lack of this basic information precludes a firm mechanistic understanding of TES effects. In this study we directly measure the spatial and temporal characteristics of the electric field generated by TES using stereotactic EEG (s-EEG) electrode arrays implanted in cebus monkeys and surgical epilepsy patients. We found a small frequency dependent decrease (10%) in magnitudes of TES induced potentials and negligible phase shifts over space. Electric field strengths were strongest in superficial brain regions with maximum values of about 0.5 mV/mm. Our results provide crucial information of the underlying biophysics in TES applications in humans and the optimization and design of TES stimulation protocols. In addition, our findings have broad implications concerning electric field propagation in non-invasive recording techniques such as EEG/MEG. PMID:27535462
High-frequency electric field measurement using a toroidal antenna
Lee, K.H.
In this paper the author describes an innovative method of measuring high-frequency electric fields using a toroid. For typical geophysical applications the new sensor will detect electric fields for a wide range of spectrum starting from 1.0 MHz. This window, in particular the lower frequency range between 1.0 to 100 MHz, has not been used for existing electromagnetic or radar systems to detect small objects in the upper few meters of the ground. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) can be used successfully in this depth range if the ground is resistive but most soils are, in fact, conductive (0.01 to 1.0 S/m) rendering GPR inefficient. Other factors controlling the resolution of GPR system for small objects is the spatial averaging inherent in the electric dipole antenna and the scattering caused by soil inhomogeneities of dimensions comparable to the wavelength (and antenna size). For maximum resolution it is desirable to use the highest frequencies but the scattering is large and target identification is poor. Time-varying magnetic fields induce an emf (voltage) in a toroid. The electric field at the center of the toroid is shown to be linearly related to this induced voltage. By measuring the voltage across a toroid one can easily and accurately determine the electric field. The new sensor will greatly simplify the cumbersome procedure involved with GPR measurements with its center frequency less than 100 MHz. The overall size of the toroidal sensor can be as small as a few inches. It is this size advantage that will not only allow easy fabrication and deployment of multi-component devices either on the surface or in a borehole, but it will render greatly improved resolution over conventional systems.
Determinants of the electric field during transcranial direct current stimulation.
Opitz, Alexander; Paulus, Walter; Will, Susanne; Antunes, Andre; Thielscher, Axel
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) causes a complex spatial distribution of the electric current flow in the head which hampers the accurate localization of the stimulated brain areas. In this study we show how various anatomical features systematically shape the electric field distribution in the brain during tDCS. We constructed anatomically realistic finite element (FEM) models of two individual heads including conductivity anisotropy and different skull layers. We simulated a widely employed electrode montage to induce motor cortex plasticity and moved the stimulating electrode over the motor cortex in small steps to examine the resulting changes of the electric field distribution in the underlying cortex. We examined the effect of skull thickness and composition on the passing currents showing that thinner skull regions lead to higher electric field strengths. This effect is counteracted by a larger proportion of higher conducting spongy bone in thicker regions leading to a more homogenous current over the skull. Using a multiple regression model we could identify key factors that determine the field distribution to a significant extent, namely the thicknesses of the cerebrospinal fluid and the skull, the gyral depth and the distance to the anode and cathode. These factors account for up to 50% of the spatial variation of the electric field strength. Further, we demonstrate that individual anatomical factors can lead to stimulation "hotspots" which are partly resistant to electrode positioning. Our results give valuable novel insights in the biophysical foundation of tDCS and highlight the importance to account for individual anatomical factors when choosing an electrode montage. PMID:25613437
Video-rate terahertz electric-field vector imaging
Takai, Mayuko; Takeda, Masatoshi; Sasaki, Manabu; Tachizaki, Takehiro; Yasumatsu, Naoya; Watanabe, Shinichi
We present an experimental setup to dramatically reduce a measurement time for obtaining spatial distributions of terahertz electric-field (E-field) vectors. The method utilizes the electro-optic sampling, and we use a charge-coupled device to detect a spatial distribution of the probe beam polarization rotation by the E-field-induced Pockels effect in a 〈110〉-oriented ZnTe crystal. A quick rotation of the ZnTe crystal allows analyzing the terahertz E-field direction at each image position, and the terahertz E-field vector mapping at a fixed position of an optical delay line is achieved within 21 ms. Video-rate mapping of terahertz E-field vectors is likely to be useful for achieving real-time sensing of terahertz vector beams, vector vortices, and surface topography. The method is also useful for a fast polarization analysis of terahertz beams.
Structural and electrical properties of electric field assisted spray deposited pea structured ZnO film
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chaturvedi, Neha; Swami, Sanjay Kumar; Dutta, Viresh
Spray deposition of ZnO film was carried out. The uneven growth of ZnO nanostructures is resulted for spray deposited ZnO film. Application of DC voltage (1000V) during spray deposition provides formation of pea like structures with uniform coverage over the substrate. Electric field assisted spray deposition provides increased crystallinity with reduced resistivity and improved mobility of the ZnO film as compared to spray deposited ZnO film without electric field. This with large area deposition makes the process more efficient than other techniques.
Calculations of the Electric Fields in Liquid Solutions
Fried, Stephen D.; Wang, Lee-Ping; Boxer, Steven G.; Ren, Pengyu; Pande, Vijay S.
The electric field created by a condensed phase environment is a powerful and convenient descriptor for intermolecular interactions. Not only does it provide a unifying language to compare many different types of interactions, but it also possesses clear connections to experimental observables, such as vibrational Stark effects. We calculate here the electric fields experienced by a vibrational chromophore (the carbonyl group of acetophenone) in an array of solvents of diverse polarities using molecular dynamics simulations with the AMOEBA polarizable force field. The mean and variance of the calculated electric fields correlate well with solvent-induced frequency shifts and band broadening, suggesting Stark effects as the underlying mechanism of these key solution phase spectral effects. Compared to fixed-charge and continuum models, AMOEBA was the only model examined that could describe non-polar, polar, and hydrogen bonding environments in a consistent fashion. Nevertheless, we found that fixed-charge force fields and continuum models were able to replicate some results of the polarizable simulations accurately, allowing us to clearly identify which properties and situations require explicit polarization and/or atomistic representations to be modeled properly, and for which properties and situations simpler models are sufficient. We also discuss the ramifications of these results for modeling electrostatics in complex environments, such as proteins. PMID:24304155
Ionization of highly excited helium atoms in an electric field
van de Water, W.; Mariani, D.R.; Koch, P.M.
We present detailed measurements of ionization of highly excited triplet helium atoms in a static electric field. The atoms were prepared in states with energy E close to the saddle-point threshold E = -2(F(a.u.))/sup 1/2/. The electric field F was sufficiently strong for the states to be characterized by total spin S and absolute value of the magnetic quantum number M/sub L/. For M/sub L/ = 0 states the experiments measured ionization properties of adiabatic states. In another case, Vertical BarM/sub L/Vertical Bar = 2, they predominantly measured those of diabatic states. In both cases the ionization rate was found to be a highly nonmonotonic function of the field strength. The observations are analyzed in terms of a theory of the helium density of states in an electric field. A companion paper (D. A. Harmin, Phys. Rev. A 30, 2413 (1984)) develops in detail the general theory, which uses quantum defects to parametrize the effect of the core interaction. The agreement between measured and calculated ionization curves is good, indicating that the field ionization of a nonhydrogenic atom can now be understood in a detailed, quantitative, and predictive sense.
Role of inductive electric fields in substorm development
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Heikkila, Walter J.
A study discussing and investigating the role of inductive electric fields in substorm development is presented. It is common to use the scalar potential phi to calculate the electrostatic field E(sup ES)-(inverted Delta)(phi). However, vector potential A has not been extensively used to analyze results by the relation for the inductive electric field E(sup IND)-delta A/delta t. Because of the weak dependence in distance (1/r) these potentials show the effect of distant sources, unlike MHD (Magnetohydrodynamic) theory which is strictly local. The two can be separated by the choice of the Coulomb (transverse) gauge. It is proper to consider that the plasma polarizes to counteract the activation of the inductive electric field; this is a matter of cause and effect. However, such polarization produces a curl free electrostatic field and thus cannot alter the electromotive force due to induction. This idea has some interesting consequences for plasma physics, including violations of MHD theory, creation of the substorm current diversion, and a fresh look at dayside merging via plasma transfer events.
Hierarchical assembly of anisotropic particles in AC electric fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Torres Diaz, Isaac; Rupp, Bradley; Hua, Xiaoqing; Yang, Yuguang; Bevan, Michael A.
Hierarchical microstructures composed of colloids are of great interest for technological applications and advanced materials such as metamaterials and microfluidic devices. The dynamics of spherical colloidal particles has been analyzed previously for several systems, and has led to the control of the formation of perfect crystals using AC electric fields. However, spherical particles do not have a dependence on its orientation as anisotropic particles. Recently, researchers reported experiments showing the capabilities of anisotropic particles to assemble in different configurations, yet a detailed understanding of the mechanism and control is lacking. This work shows both theoretical and experimental results of the control of a colloidal system composed of anisotropic colloidal particles with a tri-axial ellipsoidal shape subjected to a non-uniform electric field close to a planar wall. We show that particles pack into different structures and orientations as a function of the applied electric field amplitude and frequency by taking into account dipole-field, dipole-dipole, and colloidal interactions. This analysis provides a theoretical framework for the equilibrium and non-equilibrium structures that can be formed via field mediated interaction, which are validated by experimental microscopy results, and can ultimately be used to engineer the hierarchical assembly of anisotropic particles.
Interferometric methods for mapping static electric and magnetic fields
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pozzi, Giulio; Beleggia, Marco; Kasama, Takeshi; Dunin-Borkowski, Rafal E.
The mapping of static electric and magnetic fields using electron probes with a resolution and sensitivity that are sufficient to reveal nanoscale features in materials requires the use of phase-sensitive methods such as the shadow technique, coherent Foucault imaging and the Transport of Intensity Equation. Among these approaches, image-plane off-axis electron holography in the transmission electron microscope has acquired a prominent role thanks to its quantitative capabilities and broad range of applicability. After a brief overview of the main ideas and methods behind field mapping, we focus on theoretical models that form the basis of the quantitative interpretation of electron holographic data. We review the application of electron holography to a variety of samples (including electric fields associated with p-n junctions in semiconductors, quantized magnetic flux in superconductors and magnetization topographies in nanoparticles and other magnetic materials) and electron-optical geometries (including multiple biprism, amplitude and mixed-type set-ups). We conclude by highlighting the emerging perspectives of (i) three-dimensional field mapping using electron holographic tomography and (ii) the model-independent determination of the locations and magnitudes of field sources (electric charges and magnetic dipoles) directly from electron holographic data.
Magnetic Anisotropy and Crystalline Electric Field in Quaternary Intermetallic Compounds
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lee, W. C.
All isostructural compounds RNi2B2C (R =Er, Ho, Dy) show some magnetic transitions in magnetization isotherms at certain applied magnetic fields and temperatures above and below Neel and superconducting temperatures (TN, TC) where TN/TC varies from 0.57 to 1.66 for ErNi2B2C and DyNi2B2C. By using theoretical group analysis of D4h (I4/mmm) to the energy level scheme of crystalline electric field of magnetization isotherms anisotropy at various temperatures, we have obtained some possible ground state energy levels such as singlet Γ4 and first excited doublet state Γ5 in addition to another excited singlet Γ1 . Our crystalline electric field energy scheme analysis shows some qualitative agreement between theoretical calculation and experiments at high magnetic fields regime only, which means the interplay between antiferromagnetsm and superconductivity should be included. Magnetic Anisotropy and Crystalline Electric Field in Quaternary Intermetallic Compounds.
Effect of electric-field fluctuations on rotational revival amplitudes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pearson, Andrew J.; Antonsen, Thomas M.
We study numerically the behavior of rotational revivals in a molecular gas when subject to the fluctuating electric field of a background plasma. We model a molecule using a rigid rotor Hamiltonian and couple it to an electric field using permanent and induced multipole interaction terms. The evolution of the density matrix for the molecule is calculated for a short intense laser pulse, followed by a fluctuating background electric field. A broad superposition of angular momentum eigenstates of a molecule is created by the laser field, and the result of an ensemble average over initial molecular orientation is a set of recurring peaks in the probability density for observing a particular orientation—the so-called "rotational revivals." The fluctuating background field is created using the dressed particle technique, and the result is a loss of coherence between the phases of the various basis states of the molecule, which causes a decreasing amplitude for subsequent alignment peaks. Modern short-pulse lasers operate with sufficient intensity to make this effect relevant to experiments in molecular alignment.
Electric fields and chiral magnetic effect in Cu + Au collisions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Deng, Wei-Tian; Huang, Xu-Guang
The non-central Cu + Au collisions can create strong out-of-plane magnetic fields and in-plane electric fields. By using the HIJING model, we study the general properties of the electromagnetic fields in Cu + Au collisions at 200 GeV and their impacts on the charge-dependent two-particle correlator γq1q2 = < cos (ϕ1 +ϕ2 - 2ψRP) > (see main text for definition) which was used for the detection of the chiral magnetic effect (CME). Compared with Au + Au collisions, we find that the in-plane electric fields in Cu + Au collisions can strongly suppress the two-particle correlator or even reverse its sign if the lifetime of the electric fields is long. Combining with the expectation that if γq1q2 is induced by elliptic-flow driven effects we would not see such strong suppression or reversion, our results suggest to use Cu + Au collisions to test CME and understand the mechanisms that underlie γq1q2.
Adsorbate electric fields on a cryogenic atom chip.
Chan, K S; Siercke, M; Hufnagel, C; Dumke, R
We investigate the behavior of electric fields originating from adsorbates deposited on a cryogenic atom chip as it is cooled from room temperature to cryogenic temperature. Using Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency, we measure the field strength versus distance from a 1 mm square of yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) patterned onto a yttria stabilized zirconia chip substrate. We find a localized and stable dipole field at room temperature and attribute it to a saturated layer of chemically adsorbed rubidium atoms on the YBCO. As the chip is cooled towards 83 K we observe a change in sign of the electric field as well as a transition from a localized to a delocalized dipole density. We relate these changes to the onset of physisorption on the chip surface when the van der Waals attraction overcomes the thermal desorption mechanisms. Our findings suggest that through careful selection of substrate materials, it may be possible to reduce the electric fields caused by atomic adsorption on chips, opening up experiments to controlled Rydberg-surface coupling schemes. PMID:24484028
Estimating of pulsed electric fields using optical measurements.
Flanagan, Timothy McGuire; Chantler, Gary R.
We performed optical electric field measurements ion nanosecond time scales using the electrooptic crystal beta barium borate (BBO). Tests were based on a preliminary bench top design intended to be a proofofprinciple stepping stone towards a modulardesign optical Efield diagnostic that has no metal in the interrogated environment. The long term goal is to field a modular version of the diagnostic in experiments on large scale xray source facilities, or similarly harsh environments.
Analytical model for electromagnetic cascades in rotating electric field
Nerush, E. N.; Bashmakov, V. F.; Kostyukov, I. Yu.
Electromagnetic cascades attract a lot of attention as an important quantum electrodynamics effect that will reveal itself in various electromagnetic field configurations at ultrahigh intensities. We study cascade dynamics in rotating electric field analytically and numerically. The kinetic equations for the electron-positron plasma and gamma-quanta are formulated. The scaling laws are derived and analyzed. For the cascades arising far above the threshold the dependence of the cascade parameters on the field frequency is derived. The spectra of high-energy cascade particles are calculated. The analytical results are verified by numerical simulations.
Electric field controlled columnar and planar patterning of cholesteric colloids.
D'Adamo, G; Marenduzzo, D; Micheletti, C; Orlandini, E
We study how dispersions of colloidal particles in a cholesteric liquid crystal behave under a time-dependent electric field. By controlling the amplitude and shape of the applied field wave, we show that the system can be reproducibly driven out of equilibrium through different kinetic pathways and navigated through a glassylike free energy landscape encompassing many competing metastable equilibria. Such states range from simple Saturn rings to complex structures featuring amorphous defect networks, or stacks of disclination loops. A nonequilibrium electric field can also trigger the alignment of particles into columnar arrays, through defect-mediated force impulses, or their repositioning within a plane. Our results are promising in terms of providing new avenues towards controlled patterning and self-assembly of soft colloid-liquid crystal composite materials. PMID:25978263
Numerical simulations of double layers and auroral electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Singh, N.; Schunk, R. W.; Thiemann, H.
Recent one-dimensional and two-dimensional numerical simulations of double layers (DLs) in the electric fields of the auroral plasma are reviewed, with reference to observational data. It is found that two-dimensional DLs driven by current sheets of finite thickness have different characteristics, depending on whether the layer thickness is less than or much greater than the ion gyroradius: When thickness is less than ion gyroradius, V-shaped DLs form with nearly equal parallel and perpendicular potential drops; when layer thickness is much greater than ion gyroradius the major parallel potential drop occurs outside the current sheet and the perpendicular electric fields are localized at the edges of the current sheet. It is shown that some features of the simulated fields, such as the amplitudes and scale lengths, are qualitatively similar to those observed in space.
Directing Soft Matter in Water Using Electric Fields.
van der Asdonk, Pim; Kragt, Stijn; Kouwer, Paul H J
Directing the spatial organization of functional supramolecular and polymeric materials at larger length scales is essential for many biological and molecular optoelectronic applications. Although the application of electrical fields is one of the most powerful approaches to induce spatial control, it is rarely applied experimentally in aqueous solutions, since the low susceptibility of soft and biological materials requires the use of high fields, which leads to parasitic heating and electrochemical degradation. In this work, we demonstrate that we can apply electric fields when we use a mineral liquid crystal as a responsive template. Besides aligning and positioning functional soft matter, we show that the concentration of the liquid crystal template controls the morphology of the assembly. As our setup is very easy to operate and our approach lacks specific molecular interactions, we believe it will be applicable for a wide range of (aqueous) materials. PMID:27269124
Alignment of atmospheric mineral dust due to electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ulanowski, Z.; Bailey, J.; Lucas, P. W.; Hough, J. H.; Hirst, E.
Optical polarimetry observations on La Palma, Canary Islands, during a Saharan dust episode show dichroic extinction indicating the presence of vertically aligned particles in the atmosphere. Modelling of the extinction together with particle orientation indicates that the alignment could have been due to an electric field of the order of 2 kV/m. Two alternative mechanisms for the origin of the field are examined: the effect of reduced atmospheric conductivity and charging of the dust layer, the latter effect being a more likely candidate. It is concluded that partial alignment may be a common feature of Saharan dust layers. The modelling indicates that the alignment can significantly alter dust optical depth. This "Venetian blind effect" may have decreased optical thickness in the vertical direction by as much as 10% for the case reported here. It is also possible that the alignment and the electric field modify dust transport.
Global ionospheric electric field measurements in April 1978
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Holzworth, R.; Kishi, A.; Wygant, J.; Mozer, F.; Gonzales, C.; Greenwald, R.; Blanc, M.; Vickrey, J.
This paper presents an introduction to a global campaign of simultaneous quasi-static electric field measurements from radars, balloons, and satellites at various places within the earth's environment for April 8-14, 1978. The 7-day time period encompassed both extended magnetically quiet times as well as two magnetic storms. These storms were related to SSCs that followed solar flares, one of which included a day-long solar proton event. The wide variety of instrumentation and associated operating modes involved in this campaign is described. Sample conjunctions between satellites and ionospheric measurements are shown that demonstrate that field line mapping is valid under certain circumstances. Some of the largest ionospheric electric fields ever reported with greater than 100-km scale size occurred on April 11, and these events are discussed in detail.
The study of piezoelectric lateral-electric-field-excited resonator.
Zaitsev, Boris; Kuznetsova, Iren; Shikhabudinov, Alexander; Teplykh, Andrey; Borodina, Irina
The piezoelectric lateral-electric-field-excited resonator based on an X-cut lithium niobate plate has been investigated. Two rectangular electrodes were applied on one side of the plate so that the lateral electric field components were parallel to the crystallographic Y-axis and excited the longitudinal wave in the gap between the electrodes. The region around the electrodes was covered with a special absorbing varnish to suppress the spurious oscillations. The effect of the absorbing coating width on the resonant frequency and Q-factor of the lateral field-excited resonator was studied in detail with the series and parallel resonances for different width of the gap between the electrodes. As a result, we found experimentally the parameter regions of pure resonances and the boundaries of value variation for resonance frequency, Q-factor, and effective electromechanical coupling coefficient. PMID:24402903
Electric field in the vicinity of long thin conducting rods
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rezinkina, M. M.; Rezinkin, O. L.; Svetlichnaya, E. E.
We report on the results of numerical and analytical calculations of distributions of potentials and electric fields in the vicinity of thin conducting rods that model the leader channel of lightning and lightning rods. We consider rods represented in the form of a uniformly charged filament, a conducting ellipsoid with a free charge on its surface, as well an ellipsoid or a cylinder in a uniform external electric field. The effect of parameters of conducting rods modeling the leader channel of lightning and lightning rods, as well as the region containing a space charge around the tip of the leader channel, on the distribution of potentials and field strengths are analyzed. The conditions for the propagation of the counter leader from the lightning rod are specified.
A composite piezoelectric resonator with a lateral electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zaitsev, B. D.; Shikhabudinov, A. M.; Borodina, I. A.; Teplykh, A. A.; Kuznetsova, I. E.
A new method of suppressing parasitic oscillations in a piezoelectric resonator with excitation of the transverse electric field is proposed. The method is based on spatial separation of the high-frequency electric field of a source and the resonating piezoelectric plate by means of an air gap. In this case, the tangential components of field in the piezoelectric plate are practically not attenuated, while the normal components are significantly reduced. The method is implemented by means of a composite resonator consisting of a glass plate with rectangular electrodes, an air gap, and a plate of lithium niobate 1of 128 Y- X cut. It is shown that there is an optimal width of the air gap that provides a good quality of series and parallel resonance in a frequency range of 3-4 MHz with a maximum quality factor of ˜15000 in both cases.
Influence of the strength of polarizing electric field on free relaxation of electric birefringence in poly(butyl-isocyanate) solutions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tsvetkov, N. V.; Mikhailova, M. E.; Lebedeva, E. V.; Lezov, A. A.; Rogozhin, V. B.; Rotinyan, T. A.
Free relaxation of electric birefringence in tetrachloromethane solution of high molecular weight poly(butyl-isocyanate) was studied. The effect of electric field strength on the average relaxation time was observed. The relaxation spectrum was analyzed using the Rouse and Zimm theories. With increase in the electric field strength, the contribution of fast (deformation) relaxation modes also increased significantly. It is assumed that certain changes in intramolecular mobility occur under the influence of electric field.
Ionospheric Processes Associated with Intense Sub-Auroral Electric Fields.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Providakes, James Fred
Observations of ionospheric parameters were obtained near the equatorward edge of the auroral oval with a clustered set of instrumentation that included the Millstone Hill Incoherent Scatter Radar, the Boston University Mobile Ionospheric Observatory, and the HILAT, DMSP F6 and DMSP F7 satellites. On the evenings of April 20 and 21, 1985, during an intense magnetic storm (DST > 150 nT), large ionospheric electric fields (E > 80 mV/m) were detected along the edge of the auroral oval with the Millstone Hill Incoherent Scatter Radar. In this thesis, using both the experimental data and theory, we will discuss the ionospheric response to such substorm related intense localized electric fields at sub-auroral latitudes. A deep depletion in the ionospheric electron density was found to be colocated with these large electric fields at magnetic latitudes as low as 53^circ . We show that the associated fields aligned currents are very weak in this region and that it is the F region structure which dominates the conductivity gradient rather than the E region. The experimental data also indicate that the trough develops much more quickly than present theories predict, at least near the F peak. By developing a numerical model that includes Pedersen transport, enhanced recombination, a localized electric field, and F layer maintenance equatorward (by southward directed neutral winds) and poleward (by particle precipitation) of the trough, we were able to explain many trough features. We also show that when a sheared or turbulent velocity field is present within a scattering volume, the ISR spectra will be distorted. We study two different cases (large scale velocity shear and small scale turbulent velocity fluctuations) and compare the theory with observed distorted spectra obtained in scattering volumes known from in situ data to contain perpendicular velocity fluctuations. For both cases, we show that when standard ISR fitting programs were used to estimate the plasma
Measurements of electric fields in the solar wind: Interpretation difficulties
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chertkov, A. D.
The traditionally measured electric fields in the solar wind plasma (about 1-10 mV/m) are not the natural, primordial ones but are the result of plasma-vehicle interaction. The theory of this interaction is not complete now and current interpretation of the measurements can fail. The state of fully ionized plasma depends on the entropy of the creating source and on the process in which plasma is involved. The increasing twofold of a moving volume in the solar wind (with energy transfer across its surface which is comparable with its whole internal energy) is a more rapid process than the relaxation for the pressure. The presumptive source of the solar wind creation - the induction electric field of the solar origin - has very low entropy. The state of plasma must be very far from the state of thermodynamic equilibrium. The internal energy of plasma can be contained mainly in plasma waves, resonant plasma oscillations, and electric currents. The primordial microscopic oscillating electric fields could be about 1 V/m. It can be checked by special measurements, not ruining the natural plasma state. The tool should be a dielectrical microelectroscope outside the distortion zone of the spacecraft, having been observed from the latter.
Quasistatic electric field structures and field-aligned currents in the polar cusp region
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jacobsen, Knut; Moen, Joran; Pedersen, Arne
Quasistatic electric field structures in the vicinity of the cusp have been studied using Cluster data. There are two categories of electric potential structures, S-shaped and U-shaped. In previous studies in the nightside auroral region, the S-shaped potential was uniquely related to the boundary transition between low density and high density plasma regimes, leading to the conclusion that the electric field profile depends on whether the plasma populations on each side of the boundary can support intense field-aligned and Pedersen currents. In this study in the dayside cusp this is not the case, and a different explanation has to be sought. Most electric field structures are associated with the start of the cusp ion dispersion or with injection signatures within the cusp, and the field-aligned currents associated with these structures are found to be consistent with the cusp currents expected for the IMF By polarity at the time. This indicates that the electric field structures are generated by the cusp current system, or modified by the cusp current system to be consistent with the required currents. Furthermore, we provide firm evidence for the dayside Region 1 current to be located on open field lines, which have been postulated but to our knowledge heretofore not experimentally verified.
Interaction of gravitational waves with magnetic and electric fields
Barrabes, C.; Hogan, P. A.
The existence of large-scale magnetic fields in the universe has led to the observation that if gravitational waves propagating in a cosmological environment encounter even a small magnetic field then electromagnetic radiation is produced. To study this phenomenon in more detail we take it out of the cosmological context and at the same time simplify the gravitational radiation to impulsive waves. Specifically, to illustrate our findings, we describe the following three physical situations: (1) a cylindrical impulsive gravitational wave propagating into a universe with a magnetic field, (2) an axially symmetric impulsive gravitational wave propagating into a universe with an electric field and (3) a 'spherical' impulsive gravitational wave propagating into a universe with a small magnetic field. In cases (1) and (3) electromagnetic radiation is produced behind the gravitational wave. In case (2) no electromagnetic radiation appears after the wave unless a current is established behind the wave breaking the Maxwell vacuum. In all three cases the presence of the magnetic or electric fields results in a modification of the amplitude of the incoming gravitational wave which is explicitly calculated using the Einstein-Maxwell vacuum field equations.
Electric-field-driven resistive switching in dissipative Hubbard model
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, Jiajun; Aron, Camille; Kotliar, Gabriel; Han, Jong
Understanding of solids driven out of equilibrium by external fields has been one of the central goals in condensed matter physics for the past century and is relevant to nanotechnology applications such as resistive transitions. We study how strongly correlated electrons on a dissipative lattice evolve from equilibrium when driven by a constant electric field, focusing on the extent of the linear regime and hysteretic non-linear effects at higher fields. We access the non-equilibrium steady states, non-perturbatively in both the field and the electronic interactions, by means of a non-equilibrium dynamical mean-field theory in the Coulomb gauge. The linear response regime is limited by Joule heating effects and breaks down at fields orders of magnitude smaller than the quasi-particle energy scale. For large electronic interactions, strong but experimentally accessible electric fields can induce a resistive switching by driving the strongly correlated metal into a Mott insulator. Hysteretic I- V curves suggest that the non-equilibrium current is carried through a spatially inhomogeneous metal-insulator mixed state.
Electric-field Induced Microdynamics of Charged Rods
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kang, Kyongok
Electric-field induced phase/state transitions are observed in AC electric fields with small amplitudes and low frequencies in suspensions of charged fibrous viruses (fd), which are model systems for highly charged rod-like colloids. Texture- and particle-dynamics in these field-induced states, and on crossing transition lines, are explored by image time-correlation and dynamic light scattering, respectively. At relatively low frequencies, starting from a system within the isotropic-nematic coexistence region, a transition from a nematic to a chiral nematic is observed, as well as a dynamical state where nematic domains melt and reform. These transitions are preliminary due to field-induced dissociation/association of condensed ions. At higher frequencies a uniform state is formed that is stabilized by hydrodynamic interactions through field-induced electro-osmotic flow where the rods align along the field direction. There is a point in the field-amplitude versus frequency plane where various transition lines meet. This point can be identified as a "non-equilibrium critical point", in the sense that a length scale and a time scale diverge on approach of that point. The microscopic dynamics exhibits discontinuities on crossing transition lines that were identified independently by means of image and signal correlation spectroscopy.
Radiated electric field measurements in U.S. Army helicopters.
Bruckart, J E
Aircraft systems and medical devices generate electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can cause faulty operation of aircraft systems or medical devices and endanger patients or aircraft crewmembers. A ground and inflight study was conducted to describe the electromagnetic fields in typical operations. Broadband isotropic field sensors measured electric fields from 5 kHz to 3 MHz, 3 to 500 MHz, and 0.5 MHz to 6 GHz. Fields were measured at 0.5 m space intervals in JOH-58A, JUH-1H, and JUH-60A helicopters with systems off, operating RPM, 5-ft hover, 50-ft hover, and cruise. Electric fields in the environment were homogeneous and less than 0.1 V/m. Fields in the helicopters increased during ascent, but remained less than 2 V/m except during radio transmissions. EMI effect of the Physio Control Lifepack 8 was demonstrated during FM radio transmission. The results are useful in evaluating electromagnetic emissions and predicting operations that may result in an inflight malfunction of a medical device or aircraft system. PMID:1445153
Radiated electric field measurements in U.S. Army helicopters
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bruckart, James E.
Aircraft systems and medical devices generate electromagnetic fields. EMI can cause faulty operation of aircraft systems or medical devices and endanger patients or aircraft crewmembers. A ground and inflight study was conducted to describe the electromagnetic fields in typical operations. Broadband isotropic field sensors measured electric fields from 5 kHz to 3 MHz, 3 to 500 MHz, and 0.5 MHz to 6 GHz. Fields were measured at 0.5 m space intervals in JOH-58A, JUH-1H, and JUH-60A helicopters with systems off, operating RPM, 5-ft hover, 50-ft hover, and cruise. Electric fields in the environment were homogeneous and less than 0.1 V/m. Fields in the helicopters increased during ascent, but remained less than 2 V/m except during radio transmissions. EMI effect of the Physio Control Lifepack 8 was demonstrated during FM radio transmission. The results are useful in evaluating electromagnetic emissions and predicting operations that may result in an inflight malfunction of a medical device or aircraft system.
Computer simulations of single particles in external electric fields.
Zhou, Jiajia; Schmid, Friederike
Applying electric fields is an attractive way to control and manipulate single particles or molecules, e.g., in lab-on-a-chip devices. However, the response of nanosize objects in electrolyte solution to external fields is far from trivial. It is the result of a variety of dynamical processes taking place in the ion cloud surrounding charged particles and in the bulk electrolyte, and it is governed by an intricate interplay of electrostatic and hydrodynamic interactions. Already systems composed of one single particle in electrolyte solution exhibit a complex dynamical behaviour. In this review, we discuss recent coarse-grained simulations that have been performed to obtain a molecular-level understanding of the dynamic and dielectric response of single particles and single macromolecules to external electric fields. We address both the response of charged particles to constant fields (DC fields), which can be characterized by an electrophoretic mobility, and the dielectric response of both uncharged and charged particles to alternating fields (AC fields), which is described by a complex polarizability. Furthermore, we give a brief survey of simulation algorithms and highlight some recent developments. PMID:26238433
Wave packet dynamics under effect of a pulsed electric field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
da Silva, A. R. C. B.; de Moura, F. A. B. F.; Dias, W. S.
We studied the dynamics of an electron in a crystalline one-dimensional model under effect of a time-dependent Gaussian field. The time evolution of an initially Gaussian wave packet it was obtained through the numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. Our analysis consists of computing the electronic centroid as well as the mean square displacement. We observe that the electrical pulse is able to promote a special kind of displacement along the chain. We demonstrated a direct relation between the group velocity of the wave packet and the applied electrical pulses. We compare those numerical calculations with a semi-classical approach.
The electric field close to an undulating interface
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kallunki, Jouni; Alava, Mikko; Hellén, E. K. O.
The electric potential close to a boundary between two dielectric material layers reflects the geometry of such an interface. The local variations arise from the combination of material parameters and from the nature of the inhomogeneity. Here, the arising electric field is considered for both a sinusoidally varying boundary and for a "rough," Gaussian test case. We discuss the applicability of a one-dimensional model with the varying layer thickness as a parameter and the generic scaling of the results. As an application we consider the effect of paper roughness on toner transfer in electrophotographic printing.
Oxidation of interconnect alloys in an electric field
Holcomb, G.R.; Alman, D.E.; Adler, T.A.; Jablonski, P.D.
The effect of an electric field on the oxidation of interconnect alloys was examined with a representative array of materials: an iron-base ferritic chromia former (E-brite), an iron-base ferritic chromia former with Mn and La (Crofer 22APU), a nickel-base chromia former (IN-718), and a nickelbase chromia former with Mn and La (Haynes 230). Environmental variables include temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The resulting scales were examined to determine if applied electrical current induces changes in mechanism or scale growth kinetics.
Atmospheric Electric Field Measurements at 100 Hz and High Frequency Electric Phenomena
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Conceição, Ricardo; Gonçalves da Silva, Hugo; Matthews, James; Bennett, Alec; Chubb, John
Spectral response of Atmospheric Electric Potential Gradient (PG), symmetric to the Atmospheric Electric Field, gives important information about phenomena affecting these measurements with characteristic time-scales that appear in the spectra as specific periodicities. This is the case of urban pollution that has a clear weekly dependence and reveals itself on PG measurements by a ~7 day periodicity (Silva et al., 2014). While long-term time-scales (low frequencies) have been exhaustively explored in literature, short-term time-scales (high frequencies), above 1 Hz, have comparatively received much less attention (Anisimov et al., 1999). This is mainly because of the technical difficulties related with the storage of such a huge amount of data (for 100 Hz sampling two days of data uses a ~1 Gb file) and the response degradation of the field-meters at such frequencies. Nevertheless, important Electric Phenomena occurs for frequencies above 1 Hz that are worth pursuing, e.g. the Schumann Resonances have a signature of worldwide thunderstorm activity at frequencies that go from ~8 up to ~40 Hz. To that end the present work shows preliminary results on PG measurements at 100 Hz that took place on two clear-sky days (17th and 18th June 2015) on the South of Portugal, Évora (38.50° N, 7.91° W). The field-mill used is a JCI 131F installed in the University of Évora campus (at 2 m height) with a few trees and two buildings in its surroundings (~50 m away). This device was developed by John Chubb (Chubb, 2014) and manufactured by Chilworth (UK). It was calibrated in December 2013 and recent work by the author (who is honored in this study for his overwhelming contribution to atmospheric electricity) reveals basically a flat spectral response of the device up to frequencies of 100 Hz (Chubb, 2015). This makes this device suitable for the study of High Frequency Electric Phenomena. Anisimov, S.V., et al. (1999). On the generation and evolution of aeroelectric structures
Study of the electric field formation in a multi-cusped magnetic field
Liu, Hui Yu, Daren; Wu, Huan; Zhao, Yinjian; Ma, Chengyu; Wang, Di; Wei, Haoyu
The multi-cusped field thruster is a kind of electric thruster adopting a cusped magnetic field to achieve a potentially longer lifetime. It is observed in some experiments that the main electric potential drop forms near the exhaust plane, but the formation mechanism of the electric field in this kind of thrusters is not fully clear yet. Based on the analysis of the electron movement, a 2D Particle-in-Cell plus Monte Carlo model is built to reveal the difference of the constraint to electrons between the central leak path and the lateral region of the thruster. Electron trajectories from cathode are analyzed furthermore. It is found that the central leak path inside the discharge channel may play a significant role in the formation of the main electric potential drop near the exhaust plane.
Electrical Capacitance of Polyethylene under Application of High DC Electric Field
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sakamoto, Hidenobu; Yahagi, Kichinosuke
An increase in the electrical capacitance of polyethylene is detected when a high dc electric field is applied with a variable-frequency oscillator. The increment of capacitance increases in proportion to the square of the applied field and changes reversibly below about 30 MV/m for gold electrodes. This change in capacitance is due to the effect of electromechanical compressive stress. Above 30 MV/m, the capacitance undergoes an irreversible change and the increase in capacitance is discussed in terms of the polarization of trapped electronic space charges injected from the electrode. In the region above about 90 MV/m, where the conduction current obeys Child's law, the increment of capacitance with field again becomes proportional to the square of the applied field and may be explained by free carrier polarization.