Showing papers on "Electric current published in 2015"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the necessary selectivity is achieved by differences in the conductivities of electrons and holes in two distinct regions of the device, which, for one charge carrier, allows transport to one contact and block transport to the other contact.
Abstract: The selective transport of electrons and holes to the two terminals of a solar cell is often attributed to an electric field, although well-known physics states that they are driven by gradients of quasi-Fermi energies. However, in an illuminated semiconductor, these forces are not selective, and they drive both charge carriers toward both contacts. This paper shows that the necessary selectivity is achieved by differences in the conductivities of electrons and holes in two distinct regions of the device, which, for one charge carrier, allows transport to one contact and block transport to the other contact.
338 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the intrinsic properties of atomically thin flakes are preserved by encapsulation with hexagonal boron nitride in inert atmosphere and this facile assembly method is used together with transmission electron microscopy and transport measurements to probe the nature of the 2D state and show that its conductance is dominated by discommensurations.
Abstract: The layered transition metal dichalcogenides host a rich collection of charge density wave phases in which both the conduction electrons and the atomic structure display translational symmetry breaking. Manipulating these complex states by purely electronic methods has been a long-sought scientific and technological goal. Here, we show how this can be achieved in 1T-TaS2 in the 2D limit. We first demonstrate that the intrinsic properties of atomically thin flakes are preserved by encapsulation with hexagonal boron nitride in inert atmosphere. We use this facile assembly method together with transmission electron microscopy and transport measurements to probe the nature of the 2D state and show that its conductance is dominated by discommensurations. The discommensuration structure can be precisely tuned in few-layer samples by an in-plane electric current, allowing continuous electrical control over the discommensuration-melting transition in 2D.
209 citations
TL;DR: In this article, bulk-like molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) thin films were deposited on the surface of p-type Si substrates using dc magnetron sputtering technique and MoS2/Si p-n junctions were formed.
Abstract: Bulk-like molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) thin films were deposited on the surface of p-type Si substrates using dc magnetron sputtering technique and MoS2/Si p-n junctions were formed. The vibrating modes of E12g and A1g were observed from the Raman spectrum of the MoS2 films. The current density versus voltage (J-V) characteristics of the junction were investigated. A typical J-V rectifying effect with a turn-on voltage of 0.2 V was shown. In different voltage range, the electrical transporting of the junction was dominated by diffusion current and recombination current, respectively. Under the light illumination of 15 mW cm−2, the p-n junction exhibited obvious photovoltaic characteristics with a short-circuit current density of 3.2 mA cm−2 and open-circuit voltage of 0.14 V. The fill factor and energy conversion efficiency were 42.4% and 1.3%, respectively. According to the determination of the Fermi-energy level (∼4.65 eV) and energy-band gap (∼1.45 eV) of the MoS2 films by capacitance-voltage curve and ...
134 citations
TL;DR: The rectification of voltage fluctuations in a system consisting of two Coulomb-coupled quantum dots is studied, finding maximum output currents are found in the nA region and output powers in the pW region.
Abstract: In a step toward the conversion of excess heat into electric current, researchers demonstrate a device that generates current in response to voltage fluctuations that mimic heat.
128 citations
TL;DR: Low Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGADs) as discussed by the authors are based on a n++-p+-p structure where appropriate doping of multiplication layer (p^+) is needed to achieve high fields and impact ionization.
Abstract: Novel silicon detectors with charge gain were designed (Low Gain Avalanche Detectors - LGAD) to be used in particle physics experiments, medical and timing applications. They are based on a n++-p+-p structure where appropriate doping of multiplication layer (p^+) is needed to achieve high fields and impact ionization. Several wafers were processed with different junction parameters resulting in gains of up to 16 at high voltages. In order to study radiation hardness of LGAD, which is one of key requirements for future high energy experiments, several sets of diodes were irradiated with reactor neutrons, 192 MeV pions and 800 MeV protons to the equivalent fluences of up to Φeq=1016 cm−2. Transient Current Technique and charge collection measurements with LHC speed electronics were employed to characterize the detectors. It was found that the gain decreases with irradiation, which was attributed to effective acceptor removal in the multiplication layer. Other important aspects of operation of irradiated detectors such as leakage current and noise in the presence of charge multiplication were also investigated.
108 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a physics-based model describing the thermal interaction between a lightning channel and a composite structure has been developed, which is applied for evaluation of thermal damage of the tip glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite panel of the Sandia 100-meter All-glass Baseline Wind Turbine Blade (SNL 100-00) subjected to lightning strike.
86 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the field distribution in a dielectric bilayer of XLPE and rubber materials, as representative of cable junctions, is estimated based on experimental data on field and temperature dependencies of conductivity.
Abstract: The design of transmission systems requires electric field distribution estimation, which, in case of HVDC application is strongly sensitive to thermal and electrical configuration as well as to the nature of dielectric materials being used owing to the resistive field distribution. In this paper, the field distribution in a dielectric bilayer of XLPE and rubber materials, as representative of cable junctions, is estimated based on experimental data on field and temperature dependencies of conductivity. Through space charge measurements on bi-layer dielectrics, it is shown that the space charge density and electric field distributions are to a first order estimation consistent with data issued from conductivity measurements. Most notably, the interface charge building up between the two dielectrics changes sign, depending on field and temperature. However, in the high field range (order of 20 kV/mm), charge build-up in the bulk of dielectric materials introduces further distortion to field distribution.
86 citations
Patent•
03 Mar 2015
TL;DR: In this article, a toroidal core is embedded in a continuous electrically conducting medium, which is adapted to have a shape that conforms to the contour of an arbitrarily oriented target body surface of a patient.
Abstract: Devices and systems are disclosed for the non-invasive treatment of medical conditions through delivery of energy to target tissue, comprising a source of electrical power, a magnetically permeable toroidal core, and a coil that is wound around the core. The coil and core are embedded in a continuous electrically conducting medium, which is adapted to have a shape that conforms to the contour of an arbitrarily oriented target body surface of a patient. The conducting medium is applied to that surface by any of several disclosed methods, and the source of power supplies a pulse of electric charge to the coil, such that the coil induces an electric current and/or an electric field within the patient, thereby stimulating tissue and/or one or more nerve fibers within the patient. The invention shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve. In one embodiment, the device comprises two toroidal cores that lie adjacent to one another.
68 citations
TL;DR: A better understanding of tissue inhomogeneity and anisotropy is needed to fully appreciate the neural basis of cell-field interaction as well as the biological effects of electric stimulation.
Abstract: In laboratory research and clinical practice, externally-applied electric fields have been widely used to control neuronal activity. It is generally accepted that neuronal excitability is controlled by electric current that depolarizes or hyperpolarizes the excitable cell membrane. What determines the amount of polarization? Research on the mechanisms of electric stimulation focus on the optimal control of the field properties (frequency, amplitude, and direction of the electric currents) to improve stimulation outcomes. Emerging evidence from modeling and experimental studies support the existence of interactions between the targeted neurons and the externally-applied electric fields. With cell-field interaction, we suggest a two-way process. When a neuron is positioned inside an electric field, the electric field will induce a change in the resting membrane potential by superimposing an electrically-induced transmembrane potential (ITP). At the same time, the electric field can be perturbed and re-distributed by the cell. This cell-field interaction may play a significant role in the overall effects of stimulation. The redistributed field can cause secondary effects to neighboring cells by altering their geometrical pattern and amount of membrane polarization. Neurons excited by the externally-applied electric field can also affect neighboring cells by ephaptic interaction. Both aspects of the cell-field interaction depend on the biophysical properties of the neuronal tissue, including geometric (i.e., size, shape, orientation to the field) and electric (i.e., conductivity and dielectricity) attributes of the cells. The biophysical basis of the cell-field interaction can be explained by the electromagnetism theory. Further experimental and simulation studies on electric stimulation of neuronal tissue should consider the prospect of a cell-field interaction, and a better understanding of tissue inhomogeneity and anisotropy is needed to fully appreciate the neural basis of cell-field interaction as well as the biological effects of electric stimulation.
66 citations
TL;DR: In this article, MR electric impedance tomography enables reconstruction of electric field distribution by allowing measurement of the electric current density distribution and electric conductivity of the treated subject during application of electric pulses by using MR imaging and numeric algorithms.
Abstract: MR electric impedance tomography enables reconstruction of electric field distribution by allowing measurement of the electric current density distribution and electric conductivity of the treated subject during application of electric pulses by using MR imaging and numeric algorithms.
62 citations
TL;DR: Quantitative results reveal that microvortices set in with an excess voltage drop and sustain an approximately constant electrical conductivity, destroying the initial ICP with significantly low viscous dissipation.
Abstract: We investigate the coupled dynamics of the local hydrodynamics and global electric response of an electrodialysis system, which consists of an electrolyte solution adjacent to a charge selective membrane under electric forcing. Under a dc electric current, counterions transport through the charged membrane while the passage of co-ions is restricted, thereby developing ion concentration polarization (ICP) or gradients. At sufficiently large currents, simultaneous measurements of voltage drop and flow field reveal several distinct dynamic regimes. Initially, the electrodialysis system displays a steady Ohmic voltage difference (ΔV ohm ) , followed by a constant voltage jump (ΔV c ) . Immediately after this voltage increase, microvortices set in and grow both in size and speed with time. After this growth, the resultant voltage levels off around a fixed value. The average vortex size and speed stabilize as well, while the individual vortices become unsteady and dynamic. These quantitative results reveal that microvortices set in with an excess voltage drop (above ΔV ohm +ΔV c ) and sustain an approximately constant electrical conductivity, destroying the initial ICP with significantly low viscous dissipation.
TL;DR: In this article, the energy barrier at the junctions between vacuum-deposited Ag, Au, and Pt thin films and TiO2 layers was investigated by recording their electrical current vs. voltage diagrams and spectra of optical responses.
Abstract: Nobel metal/TiO2 structures are used as catalysts in chemical reactors, active components in TiO2-based electronic devices, and connections between such devices and the outside circuitry. Here, we investigate the energy barrier at the junctions between vacuum-deposited Ag, Au, and Pt thin films and TiO2 layers by recording their electrical current vs. voltage diagrams and spectra of optical responses. Deposited Au/, Pt/, and Ag/TiO2 behave like contacts with zero junction energy barriers, but the thermal annealing of the reverse-biased devices for an hour at 523 K in air converts them to Schottky diodes with high junction energy barriers, decreasing their reverse electric currents up to 106 times. Similar thermal processing in vacuum or pure argon proved ineffective. The highest energy barrier and the lowest reverse current among the devices examined belong to the annealed Ag/TiO2 contacts. The observed electronic features are described based on the physicochemical parameters of the constituting materials...
TL;DR: The experimental observation of charge pumping is reported, in which a precessing ferromagnet pumps a charge current, demonstrating direct conversion of magnons into high-frequency currents via the relativistic spin-orbit interaction.
Abstract: The interplay between spin, charge and orbital degrees of freedom has led to the development of spintronic devices such as spin-torque oscillators and spin-transfer torque magnetic random-access memories. In this development, spin pumping represents a convenient way to electrically detect magnetization dynamics. The effect originates from direct conversion of low-energy quantized spin waves in the magnet, known as magnons, into a flow of spins from the precessing magnet to adjacent leads. In this case, a secondary spin-charge conversion element, such as heavy metals with large spin Hall angle or multilayer layouts, is required to convert the spin current into a charge signal. Here, we report the experimental observation of charge pumping in which a precessing ferromagnet pumps a charge current, demonstrating direct conversion of magnons into high-frequency currents via the relativistic spin-orbit interaction. The generated electric current, unlike spin currents generated by spin-pumping, can be directly detected without the need of any additional spin-charge conversion mechanism. The charge-pumping phenomenon is generic and gives a deeper understanding of its reciprocal effect, the spin orbit torque, which is currently attracting interest for their potential in manipulating magnetic information.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied the two-dimensional problem of a crack in thermoelectric materials and derived the general solution based on the complex variable method, which is obtained in closed-form for a crack subjected to remote electric current and heat flow.
Abstract: The two-dimensional problem of a crack in thermoelectric materials is studied in this research. The general solution is derived based on the complex variable method. For the case of a crack subjected to remote electric current and heat flow, the solutions are obtained in closed-form. The results show that the fields of heat flow, electric current, and stress exhibit traditional square-root singularity at the crack tip. The remote electric current produces both type I and II stress intensity factor. Furthermore, the stress intensity factor has a linear relationship with the heat flux, but a non-linear relationship with the electric current.
TL;DR: In this article, a priori derivation for the extra free energy caused by the passing electric current in metal is presented, and the analytical expression and its discrete format in support of the numerical calculation of thermodynamics in electric current metallurgy are developed.
Abstract: A priori derivation for the extra free energy caused by the passing electric current in metal is presented. The analytical expression and its discrete format in support of the numerical calculation of thermodynamics in electric current metallurgy have been developed. This enables the calculation of electric current distribution, current induced temperature distribution and free energy sequence of various phase transitions in multiphase materials. The work is particularly suitable for the study of magnetic materials that contain various magnetic phases. The latter has not been considered in literature. The method has been validated against the analytical solution of current distribution and experimental observation of microstructure evolution. It provides a basis for the design, prediction and implementation of the electric current metallurgy. The applicability of the theory is discussed in the derivations.
TL;DR: In this article, a line-tied, quasi-static, photospheric twisting and shearing motions to a bipolar potential magnetic field were used to determine the conditions for the occurrence of net versus neutralized currents.
Abstract: There is a recurring question in solar physics regarding whether or not electric currents are neutralized in active regions (ARs). This question was recently revisited using three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulations of magnetic flux emergence into the solar atmosphere. Such simulations showed that flux emergence can generate a substantial net current in ARs. Other sources of AR currents are photospheric horizontal flows. Our aim is to determine the conditions for the occurrence of net versus neutralized currents with this second mechanism. Using 3D MHD simulations, we systematically impose line-tied, quasi-static, photospheric twisting and shearing motions to a bipolar potential magnetic field. We find that such flows: (1) produce both direct and return currents, (2) induce very weak compression currents—not observed in 2.5D—in the ambient field present in the close vicinity of the current-carrying field, and (3) can generate force-free magnetic fields with a net current. We demonstrate that neutralized currents are in general produced only in the absence of magnetic shear at the photospheric polarity inversion line—a special condition that is rarely observed. We conclude that photospheric flows, as magnetic flux emergence, can build up net currents in the solar atmosphere, in agreement with recent observations. These results thus provide support for eruption models based on pre-eruption magnetic fields that possess a net coronal current.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarize the main advances achieved recently in the field of thermal energy control with photons, and propose a new method to control heat fluxes carried by photons rather than phonons or electrons.
Abstract: The ability to control electric currents in solids using diodes and transistors is undoubtedly at the origin of the main developments in modern electronics which have revolutionized the daily life in the second half of 20th century. Surprisingly, until the year 2000 no thermal counterpart for such a control had been proposed. Since then, based on pioneering works on the control of phononic heat currents new devices were proposed which allow for the control of heat fluxes carried by photons rather than phonons or electrons. The goal of the present paper is to summarize the main advances achieved recently in the field of thermal energy control with photons.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors fabricated and characterized two-dimensional field effect transistors (FETs) based on hafnium diselenide (HfSe2) crystalline nanoflakes.
Abstract: We fabricated and characterized two-dimensional field-effect transistors (FETs) based on hafnium diselenide (HfSe2) crystalline nanoflakes. The HfSe2 FET exhibits an n-type semiconductor behavior with a high on/off current ratio exceeding 7.5 × 106. In the temperature range of 120 K–280 K, the thermally activated transport is observed at high carrier concentrations, while at low concentrations and low temperatures hopping conduction dominates the transport mechanism. We also observed the metal insulator transition at carrier density of ∼1.8 × 1012 cm−2. This initial report on the physical and electrical characterization of two dimensional HfSe2 material demonstrates the feasibility of this semiconducting material for electronic devices.
TL;DR: In this article, the degradation of the electrical and optical properties of InAlGaN-based multiple quantum well light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting near 308nm under different stress conditions has been studied.
Abstract: The degradation of the electrical and optical properties of (InAlGa)N-based multiple quantum well light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting near 308 nm under different stress conditions has been studied. LEDs with different emission areas were operated at room temperature and at constant current densities of 75 A/cm2, 150 A/cm2, and 225 A/cm2. In addition, the heat sink temperature was varied between 15 °C and 80 °C. Two main modes for the reduction of the optical power were found, which dominate at different times of operation: (1) Within the first 100 h, a fast drop of the optical power is observed scaling exponentially with the temperature and having an activation energy of about 0.13 eV. The drop in optical power is accompanied by changes of the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic. (2) For operation times beyond 100 h, the optical power decreases slowly which can be reasonably described by a square root time dependence. Here, the degradation rate depends on the current density, rather than the current. A...
TL;DR: In this article, a thin-sheet approximation is used to determine the electric field at the Earth's surface, which in turn allows the calculation of geomagnetic induced currents (GIC) in the earthing connections of highvoltage nodes within a power grid.
Abstract: Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) are created by the interaction of rapid changes in the magnitude of the magnetic field with the conductive subsurface of the Earth. The changing magnetic field induces electric currents, which are particularly strong along boundaries between regions of contrasting conductivity structure such as the land and sea. A technique known as the ‘thin-sheet approximation’ can be used to determine the electric field at the Earth’s surface, which in turn allows the calculation of GIC in the earthing connections of high-voltage nodes within a power grid. The thin-sheet approximation uses a spatially varying conductance over the region of interest on a 2D surface, combined with a 1D layered model of upper lithosphere conductance. We produce synthetic models of the auroral electrojet in different locations over the United Kingdom (UK) and investigate the effects of varying the 2D thin-sheet model. We assess different two-dimensional surface conductance models and vary the underlying 1D conductivity models to simulate the effects of resistant through to conductive lithosphere. With an advanced network model of high-voltage electrical distribution grid, we compute the expected GIC at each node in the system given the input surface electric fields from the various synthetic electrojets and conductivity models. We find that the electrojet location is the primary control on the size of GIC, with conductivity being a second-order effect in general, though it can be locally important.
TL;DR: In this article, the first direct evidence of plasma formation during electric current assisted sintering (ECAS) processing was presented, and it was shown that Spark Plasma Sintering under typical conditions (
Abstract: Despite the large amount of research on Electric Current Assisted Sintering (ECAS) processing, this paper presents the first direct evidence of plasma formation during ECAS. Atomic emission spectroscopy revealed that Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) under typical conditions (
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the electrical performance of silicon diodes impaired by radiation induced active defects and show an increase of the introduction rates of both point defects and small clusters with increasing energy.
Abstract: This work is focusing on generation, time evolution, and impact on the electrical performance of silicon diodes impaired by radiation induced active defects. n-type silicon diodes had been irradiated with electrons ranging from 1.5 MeV to 27 MeV. It is shown that the formation of small clusters starts already after irradiation with high fluence of 1.5 MeV electrons. An increase of the introduction rates of both point defects and small clusters with increasing energy is seen, showing saturation for electron energies above ∼15 MeV. The changes in the leakage current at low irradiation fluence-values proved to be determined by the change in the configuration of the tri-vacancy (V3). Similar to V3, other cluster related defects are showing bistability indicating that they might be associated with larger vacancy clusters. The change of the space charge density with irradiation and with annealing time after irradiation is fully described by accounting for the radiation induced trapping centers. High resolution ...
TL;DR: Using e-beam nanolithography, the current injection/transport area in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) was confined into a narrow linear structure with a minimum width of 50 nm.
Abstract: Using e-beam nanolithography, the current injection/transport area in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) was confined into a narrow linear structure with a minimum width of 50 nm. This caused suppression of Joule heating and partial separation of polarons and excitons, so the charge density where the electroluminescent efficiency decays to the half of the initial value (J0) was significantly improved. A device with a narrow current injection width of 50 nm exhibited a J0 that was almost two orders of magnitude higher compared with that of the unpatterned OLED.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on currents generated when stresses are applied to gabbro tiles, which start to flow already at low stress levels, i.e. electronic states associated with O− in a matrix of O2−, plus electrons, e′.
TL;DR: This work studies ice nucleation in electrowetted water droplets, wherein there is no electric field inside the droplet resting on a dielectric layer, and there is an interfacial electric field and charge buildup at the solid-liquid interface.
Abstract: Electrofreezing is the electrically induced nucleation of ice from supercooled water. This work studies ice nucleation in electrowetted water droplets, wherein there is no electric field inside the droplet resting on a dielectric layer. Instead, there is an interfacial electric field and charge buildup at the solid-liquid interface. This situation is in contrast to most previous electrofreezing studies, which have used bare electrodes, involve current flow, and have a volumetric electric field inside the liquid. Infrared and high-speed visualizations of static water droplets are used to analyze surface electrofreezing. Ultrahigh electric fields of up to 80 V/μm are applied, which is one order of magnitude higher than in previous studies. The results facilitate an in-depth understanding of various mechanisms underlying electrofreezing. First, it is seen that interfacial electric fields alone can significantly elevate freezing temperatures by more than 15 °C, in the absence of current flow. Second, the magnitude of electrofreezing induced temperature elevation saturates at high electric field strengths. Third, the polarity of the interfacial charge does not significantly influence electrofreezing. Overall, it is seen that electrofreezing nucleation kinetics is primarily influenced by the three-phase boundary and not the solid-liquid interface. Through careful electrofreezing measurements on dielectric layers with pinholes to allow current flow, the individual role of electric fields and electric currents on electrofreezing is isolated. It is seen that both the electric field and the electric current influence electrofreezing; however, the physical mechanisms are very different.
TL;DR: Comparing high precision experimental measurements of CCEP within a microfluidic system to equally detailed theoretical predictions on the motion of a conductive particle between parallel electrodes finds remarkable agreement between theory and experiment, suggesting that particle motion can be accurately captured by a combination of classical electrostatics and low-Reynolds number hydrodynamics.
Abstract: Contact charge electrophoresis (CCEP) uses steady electric fields to drive the continuous, oscillatory motion of conductive particles and droplets between two or more electrodes. These rapid oscillations can be rectified to direct the motion of objects within microfluidic environments using low-power, dc voltage. Here, we compare high precision experimental measurements of CCEP within a microfluidic system to equally detailed theoretical predictions on the motion of a conductive particle between parallel electrodes. We use a simple, capillary microfluidic platform that combines high-speed imaging with precision electrical measurements to enable the synchronized acquisition of both the particle location and the electric current due to particle motion. The experimental results are compared to those of a theoretical model, which relies on a Stokesian dynamics approach to accurately describe both the electrostatic and hydrodynamic problems governing particle motion. We find remarkable agreement between theory and experiment, suggesting that particle motion can be accurately captured by a combination of classical electrostatics and low-Reynolds number hydrodynamics. Building on this agreement, we offer new insight into the charge transfer process that occurs when the particle nears contact with an electrode surface. In particular, we find that the particle does not make mechanical contact with the electrode but rather that charge transfer occurs at finite surface separations of >0.1 μm by means of an electric discharge through a thin lubricating film. We discuss the implications of these findings on the charging of the particle and its subsequent dynamics.
TL;DR: In this article, angle-dependent transverse magnetoresistance in bismuth has been studied, with a magnetic field perpendicular to the applied electric current and rotating in three distinct crystallographic planes.
Abstract: We present an extensive study of angle-dependent transverse magnetoresistance in bismuth, with a magnetic field perpendicular to the applied electric current and rotating in three distinct crystallographic planes. The observed angular oscillations are confronted with the expectations of semi-classic transport theory for a multi-valley system with anisotropic mobility and the agreement allows us to quantify the components of the mobility tensor for both electrons and holes. A quadratic temperature dependence is resolved. As Hartman argued long ago, this indicates that inelastic resistivity in bismuth is dominated by carrier-carrier scattering. At low temperature and high magnetic field, the threefold symmetry of the lattice is suddenly lost. Specifically, a $2\pi/3$ rotation of magnetic field around the trigonal axis modifies the amplitude of the magneto-resistance below a field-dependent temperature. By following the evolution of this anomaly as a function of temperature and magnetic field, we mapped the boundary in the (field, temperature) plane separating two electronic states. In the less-symmetric state, confined to low temperature and high magnetic field, the three Dirac valleys cease to be rotationally invariant. We discuss the possible origins of this spontaneous valley polarization, including a valley-nematic scenario.
TL;DR: In this article, a three dimensional numerical model of a quinone/hydroquinone couple flow battery with a flow through electrode has been developed, where the electric current density and the ion current density along the electrode thickness under different specific areas and different electrode conductivities are analyzed, accounting for the electrodes thickness effect on the cell performance.
TL;DR: In this article, an electro-thermo-mechanical finite element study of an electrically assisted uniaxial tensile test of Al5052 alloy is performed to isolate the thermal effect.
Abstract: Application of intermittent electric pulses during uniaxial tensile test changes the mechanical behavior owing to electroplastic effect. The electric current increases the temperature of the specimen due to Joule heating. It is, therefore, necessary to decouple the thermal effect from the overall behavior to understand the contribution of electric current in the mechanical behavior. In the present work, an electro-thermo-mechanical finite element study of an electrically assisted uniaxial tensile test of Al5052 alloy is performed to isolate the thermal effect. The simulated results yielded the thermal effect due to the electric current. By comparing the experimental and simulated results, the contribution of electric current is decoupled from that of thermal effect. It is found that the thermal component contributes significantly to the instantaneous stress drop and long-range permanent softening observed in experiment. The electric current, in addition to the instantaneous stress drop and permanent softening, affects the reloading behavior. The present work can be utilized to develop simpler constitutive models for the mechanical behavior of metals subjected to pulsed electric current.
TL;DR: Hesketh and Mahdavifar as mentioned in this paper developed a new measurement method and hardware configuration based on the processing of the transient response of a low thermal mass TCD to an electric current step.
Abstract: Micro-thermal conductivity detector (µTCD) gas sensors work by detecting changes in the thermal conductivity of the surrounding medium and are used as detectors in many applications such as gas chromatography systems. Conventional TCDs use steady-state resistance (i.e., temperature) measurements of a micro-heater. In this work, we developed a new measurement method and hardware configuration based on the processing of the transient response of a low thermal mass TCD to an electric current step. The method was implemented for a 100-µm-long and 1-µm-thick micro-fabricated bridge that consisted of doped polysilicon conductive film passivated with a 200-nm silicon nitride layer. Transient resistance variations of the µTCD in response to a square current pulse were studied in multiple mixtures of dilute gases in nitrogen. Simulations and experimental results are presented and compared for the time resolved and steady-state regime of the sensor response. Thermal analysis and simulation show that the sensor response is exponential in the transient state, that the time constant of this exponential variation was a linear function of the thermal conductivity of the gas ambient, and that the sensor was able to quantify the mixture composition. The level of detection in nitrogen was estimated to be from 25 ppm for helium to 178 ppm for carbon dioxide. With this novel approach, the sensor requires approximately 3.6 nJ for a single measurement and needs only 300 µs of sampling time. This is less than the energy and time required for steady-state DC measurements. Researchers in the USA have developed a fast, energy-efficient measurement technique for use in micrometer-sized thermal gas sensors. Small and fast sensors are crucial for gas chromatography and other applications. Thermal gas sensors operate by measuring the characteristic thermal conductivity of gasses and gas mixtures. Peter Hesketh and Alireza Mahdavifar from the Georgia Institute of Technology and co-workers heated a 100-micrometers-long silicon bridge on a chip using pulsed electrical currents then measured the electrical resistance of the element as it changed with temperature. The time-dependent changes of the electrical resistance were characteristic of the thermal conductivity of the surrounding gas, providing a gas-specific detection mechanism that takes less than 300 μs and uses only 3.6 nJ per measurement. These robust sensors are particularly attractive because their use of electrical pulses means that they consume far less energy than DC-based techniques.