Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O objetivo do presente trabalho é comparar, do ponto de vista elétrico, a membrana do neurônio ganglionar com a da célula de neuroblastoma, analisando os efeitos das cargas fixas sobre o potencial elétrico nas superfícies da bicamada lipídica e também sobre o comportamento do perfil de potencial através da membrana, considerando as condiçõesfísico-químicas do estado de repouso e do estado de potencial de ação. As condições para a ocorrência dos referidos estados foram baseadas em valores numéricos de parâmetros elétricos e químicos, característicos dessas células, obtidos na literatura. O neurônio ganglionar exemplifica um neurônio sadio, e a célula de neuroblastoma, que é uma célula tumoral, exemplifica um neurônio patológico, alterado por esta condição. O neuroblastoma é um tumor que se origina das células da crista neural (neuroblastos), que é uma estrutura embrionária que dá origem a muitas partes do sistema nervoso, podendo surgir em diversos locais do organismo, desde a região do crânio até a área mais inferior da coluna. O modelo adotado para simular a membrana de neurônio inclui: (a) as distribuições espaciais de cargas elétricas fixas no glicocálix e na rede de proteínas citoplasmáticas; (b) as distribuições de cargas na solução eletrolítica dos meios externo e interno; e (c) as cargas superficiais da bicamada lipídica. Os resultados que obtivemos mostraram que, nos estados de repouso e de ação, os potenciais superficiais da bicamada interno (ÁSbc) e externo (ÁSgb) da célula de neuroblastoma não sofrem alteração mensurável, quando a densidade de carga na superfície interna (QSbc) torna-se 50 vezes mais negativa, tanto para uma densidade de carga na superfície externa da bicamada nula (QSgb = 0), como para um valor de QSgb 6= 0. Porém, no estado de repouso, uma leve queda em ÁSbc do neur^onio ganglionar pode ser observada com este nível de variação de carga, sendo que ÁSgb do neurônio ganglionar é mais negativo quando QSgb = 1=1100 e/A2. No estado de ação, para QSgb = 0, o aumento da negatividade de QSbc não provoca alteração detectável de ÁSbc e ÁSgb para os dois neurônios. Quando consideramos QSgb = 1=1100 e/A2, ÁSgb do neurônio ganglionar se torna mais negativo, não se observando variações detectáveis nos potenciais superficiais da célula de neuroblastoma. Tanto no repouso quanto no estado de ação, ÁSgb das duas células não sofre variação sensível com o aumento da negatividade da carga fixa distribuída espacialmente no citoplasma. Já a ÁSbc sofre uma queda gradativa nos dois tipos celulares; porém, no estado de ação, esta queda é mais rápida. Descobrimos diferenças importantes nos perfis de potencial das duas células, especialmente na região do glicocálix. / The aim of our work is to compare, from the electrical point of view, the ganglion neuron membrane with the neuroblastoma cell's membrane, analyzing the effects of fixed charges on the electric potential of the surfaces of the lipidic bilayer and on the behavior of the potential profile across the membrane, considering the physicochemical conditions of the resting state and of the action potential state. The conditions for the occurrence of these states were defined, based on numerical values of electrical and chemical parameters of these cells, obtained in the literature. The ganglion neuron portrays a healthy neuron,and the neuroblastoma cell, which is a tumor cell, represents a pathologic neuron, different from the ganglion cell, due to this condition. A neuroblastoma is a tumor, originated from neural crest cells (neuroblasts), which is an embryonic structure that gives rise to many parts of the nervous system and can arise in various body sites, from the region of the skull all the way to the lower spinal column area.The model used to simulate the neuron membrane includes: (a) the spatial distribution of the fixed electric charges on the glycocalyx and on the network of cytoplasmic proteins; (b) the distribution of the charges in the electrolytic solution of outer and inner resources; and (c) the surface charges of the lipidic bilayer. The results we obtained show that, in the resting and action states, the inner (ÁSbc) and outer (ÁSgb) surface potential of neuroblastoma cells do not change measurably, when the charge density on the inner surface (QSbc) becomes 50 times more negative, for both null charge density on the outer surface (QSgb = 0) and for QSgb 6= 0. However, a slight drop in ÁSbc of a ganglion neuron can be observed with this level of charge variation, but ÁSgb of ganglion neuron is more negative when QSgb = 1=1100 e/A2. At action potential state, for QSgb = 0, the negative increase of QSbc does not measurably change ÁSbc and ÁSgb , for both neurons. When we consider QSgb = 1=1100 e/A2, for the ganglion neuron ÁSgb becomes more negative, with no significant detectable changes in the neuroblastoma cell's surface potentials. At the resting and action states, ÁSgb of both cells does not undergo substantial changes with the negative increasing of fixed charges uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm. However,ÁSbc undergoes a gradual decrease in both cell types, although for the action state, this fall is faster. We discovered important dierences among the potential profile of the two cells, especially in the glicocalyx region.

This thesis is an account of various phenomena caused by the interaction of the motion of electrically conducting fluids with magnetic fields. Such phenomena, the study of which is usually known as Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), occur on a galactic, planetary or laboratory length scale; however in this thesis we concentrate on those phenomena which can be reproduced in the laboratory. In chapter 2 we study the laminar flow of uniformly conducting, incompressible fluids in rectangular ducts under the action of transverse magnetic fields. We begin by proving that when the duct has a constant cross-section the solution is unique and then analyse theoretically some of the curious effects on the flow of the duct's walls being electrically conducting. We find close agreement between the results of these theories and the experiments of Alty (1966) and Baylis (1966). We then analyse the flow in ducts with varying cross-sections. In chapter 3 we analyse some of the curious flows and current streamline patterns produced by placing electrodes on the non-conducting walls of a container, filled with a conducting fluid, and passing electric currents between the electrodes in the presence of a strong magnetic field. In chapter 4 we analyse some of the theoretical limitations on the use of Pitot tubes and electric potential (e.p.) probes in MHD flows, and provide some estimates of the errors to be expected. In chapter 5 we analyse the stability of parallel flows in parallel magnetic fields and also some aspects of the stability of the flows analysed in chapters 2 and 3. In chapters 6, 7 and 8 we describe our experimental apparatus, the experiments to investigate directly some of the flows analysed theoretically in chapters 2 and 3 by means of Pitot and e.p. probes, and experiments to measure the MHD errors inherent in the use of these probes. We concluded that the curious phenomena predicted actually exist. We also learnt much about the use of Pitot and e.p. probes, especially as some of the experimental results were as predicted in chapter 4.

Over the last two decades, electron tomography, the combination of tomographic methods and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), has considerably contributed to provide new insights into the three-dimensional structure of nanoscale materials. In particular, emerging advances in nanoscience are inevitably linked to developments in quantitative two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) TEM characterization techniques. In many cases, ET is employed to reconstruct the 3D shape (faceting of crystals) and the distribution or the arrangement (assembly) of nanoparticles down to the nanometer and atomic scale. Moreover, it is used to reconstruct the full 3D morphology of complex nanomaterials and composites, which can be evaluated further as a basis for quantitative modelling of physical properties. Beyond these capabilities, ET reveals the 3D chemical composition of nanostructures by combining it with spectroscopic methods, such as, electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). In specific cases, ET applied together with electron holography enables reconstructing electrostatic potentials in 3D, for example space-charge related diffusion potentials at pn-junctions in semiconductors. In ferromagnetic materials, this approach also allows for the 3D reconstruction of the internal remanent magnetic induction (B-field).

In this thesis, the morphology and electric potential of pristine and gold covered surfaces with the fluorite structure are investigated by non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). The pristine (111) surface of calcium difluride is prepared by cleaving. Cleavege ledges are composed of short alternating type I and type II steps having different atomic structures and polarities. With respect to the stoichiometric terrace, the surface potential is slightly reduced at ledges predominately composed of type I steps, while the potential of ledges predominantly composed of type II steps is significantly higher. Pristine (111) surfaces of ceria single crystals and ceria thick films are prepared by repeated cycles of sputtering and annealing. Annealing bulk samples at 1100 K results in small terraces with rounded ledges and steps with predominantly one O-Ce-O triple layer height while annealing at 1200 K produces well-ordered straight step edges in a hexagonal motif and step bunching. The morphology and topographic details of films are similar, however, films are destroyed upon heating above 1100 K. NC-AFM and KPFM images exhibit uniform and atomically perfect terraces on a single crystal surface while films exhibit significant inhomogeneities even for best possible preparation conditions. Applying X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS), a significant contamination of the bulk ceria sample with fluorine within the first 5 nm below the surface is found while a possible fluorine contamination of films is below the detection limits. After deposition of gold, a surprisingly strong interaction of gold adatoms to the (111) surface of bulk ceria is found. The pinning of individual adatoms to one specific surface site and the stability against sintering for annealing temperatures up to 520 K is discussed considering the fluorine contamination of bulk ceria samples. Additionally nanoscale gold clusters supported on ceria are fully characterized by employing elaborate NC-AFM and KPFM experiments gaining detailed information on their shape, crystalinity, epitaxy and binding to the substrate.

Neste trabalho nós produzimos e caracterizamos superfícies de diamante policristalino com áreas seletivas oxidadas e fluoradas a partir de superfícies originalmente hidrogenadas, usando um canhão de plasma para bombardear a superfície do diamante. A técnica que foi utilizada para a produção de filmes de diamante com superfícies hidrogenadas foi a deposição química a vapor por plasma de microondas. A seletividade de área para posterior oxidação foi realizada através de litografia por feixe de elétrons. A oxidação e a fluoração das áreas selecionadas foi feita por plasma de oxigênio e hexaflureto de enxofre, respectivamente. As caracterizações foram realizadas através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura convencional, microscopia de força atômica, Kelvin Force Microscopy e medida de ângulo de contato. / In this work we have formed and characterized polycrystaline diamond films with surfaces having hydrogen terminations, oxygen terminations, or fluorine terminations, using a plasma gun to bombard the diamond surface. The technique used for diamond films deposition with surfaces having hydrogen terminations was microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition. The selected areas for oxidation and fluorination were prepared by electron beam lithography. The oxidation and fluorination of the selected areas were performed using oxygen and súlfur hexafluoride plasma, respectively. The samples were characterized by conventional scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Kelvin force microscopy and contact angle measurement.

Orientador: Fernando Galembeck / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T12:34:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gouveia_RubiaFigueredo_D.pdf: 6255414 bytes, checksum: b9783ee801d3d18f57579c596a700bab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Os fenômenos eletrostáticos e suas consequências são familiares para a maioria das pessoas, mas o conhecimento sobre este tópico ainda é bastante empírico. Persistem grandes dificuldades na correlação de idéias fundamentais da teoria atômico-molecular com observações experimentais da eletrostática de materiais isolantes. A hipótese explorada nessa tese é: a atmosfera é uma fonte de cargas elétricas em isolantes, devido à partição de grupos OH- e H+ associados à adsorção de água. Logo, interações específicas entre íons presentes na água e sólidos isolantes contribuem para os padrões de cargas. Neste trabalho foram analisados padrões eletrostáticos em uma superfície de sílica recoberta por eletrodos de ouro produzidos por técnicas microlitográficas e partículas amorfas de fosfato de alumínio e sílica de Stöber utilizando a microscopia de força Kelvin (KFM) sob umidade relativa controlada. Os potenciais elétricos sobre a superfície de sílica dependem fortemente da umidade relativa, bem como da polarização dos eletrodos de ouro. A formação e dissipação dos padrões eletrostáticos são mais rápidas sob altas umidades. Já em baixas umidades a preservação dos potenciais elétricos é mais efetiva. Os potenciais elétricos das partículas de sílica e fosfato de alumínio são fortemente influenciados pela umidade relativa, sendo alterados mesmo em um ambiente completamente isolado eletricamente e aterrado. Os potenciais são modificados por eventos de adsorção e dessorção de água: sílica de Stöber torna-se mais negativa com o aumento da umidade, enquanto o fosfato de alumínio torna-se menos negativo, na ausência de qualquer ação de indução por um campo elétrico. Os resultados mostraram que a adsorção de água modifica os padrões de cargas de superfícies inorgânicas em escala nanométrica e que a eletroneutralidade não é uma característica geral de materiais isolantes. Neste trabalho também foram examinadas propriedades mecânicas de rigidez e adesão em nanoescala de partículas de fosfato de alumínio e dióxido de titânio, utilizando a microscopia de força pulsada digital (DPFM). As partículas apresentam uma grande heterogeneidade mecânica, mostrando domínios bastante diferenciados entre si. A nanoindentação da ponteira do AFM sobre as partículas mostrou que o dióxido de titânio apresenta maiores valores de rigidez, módulo de Young, força e energia de adesão e de histerese na deformação de suas superfícies. / Abstract: Electrostatic charging is familiar to most persons but knowledge on this topic is still rather empiric, mainly because fundamental ideas on the structure of matter are not well connected to the phenomenology of insulator charging. This thesis explores the following hypothesis: the atmosphere is as an electric charge reservoir for insulators, due to the partition of OH- and H+ groups associated to water adsorption. Thus, specific interactions between ions of adsorbed layers of water and insulating solids contribute to charge patterning. In this work, electrostatic patterning was examined in a silica surface partially covered with sets of interdigitated gold electrodes produced by microlithography techniques and also in aluminum phosphate and Stöber silica amorphous particles, using Kelvin force microscopy (KFM) under controlled relative humidity. Electric potentials acquired from the silica surface depend largely on the relative humidity as well as on the applied potentials at the gold electrodes. Pattern formation and dissipation are much faster under high relative humidity while the charged or discharged silica states are both more stable at low humidity. The electric potential measured along the surface of amorphous particles changes with relative humidity within an electrically shielded and grounded environment. Thus, water adsorption and desorption modify charge status of these particles: Stöber silica surface becomes more negative at higher humidity while aluminum phosphate becomes less negative, without any external electric potential or inductive input. These results show that water adsorption modifies charge status of inorganic surfaces and that electroneutrality is not a widespread characteristic of insulating materials. Another section of the thesis describes local nanomechanical stiffness and adhesion properties for aluminum phosphate and titanium dioxide particles, using digital pulsed force microscopy (DPFM). Aluminum phosphate and titanium dioxide particle domains present a large degree of heterogeneity. Aluminum phosphate particles are softer materials than titanium dioxide, undergoing greater nanoindentation of the AFM tip. On the other hand, titanium dioxide particle surfaces present larger stiffness, Young modulus, tipadhesion force, energy dissipated by hysteresis and detachment energy than aluminum phosphate particles. / Doutorado / Físico-Química / Doutor em Ciências

Neste trabalho nós produzimos e caracterizamos superfícies de diamante policristalino com áreas seletivas oxidadas e fluoradas a partir de superfícies originalmente hidrogenadas, usando um canhão de plasma para bombardear a superfície do diamante. A técnica que foi utilizada para a produção de filmes de diamante com superfícies hidrogenadas foi a deposição química a vapor por plasma de microondas. A seletividade de área para posterior oxidação foi realizada através de litografia por feixe de elétrons. A oxidação e a fluoração das áreas selecionadas foi feita por plasma de oxigênio e hexaflureto de enxofre, respectivamente. As caracterizações foram realizadas através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura convencional, microscopia de força atômica, Kelvin Force Microscopy e medida de ângulo de contato. / In this work we have formed and characterized polycrystaline diamond films with surfaces having hydrogen terminations, oxygen terminations, or fluorine terminations, using a plasma gun to bombard the diamond surface. The technique used for diamond films deposition with surfaces having hydrogen terminations was microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition. The selected areas for oxidation and fluorination were prepared by electron beam lithography. The oxidation and fluorination of the selected areas were performed using oxygen and súlfur hexafluoride plasma, respectively. The samples were characterized by conventional scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Kelvin force microscopy and contact angle measurement.

L'objectif principal de la thèse a été d'étudier le comportement triboélectrique des contacts glissants à sec entre matériaux polymères (ABS, PE, PP, PS et deux types de PVC), incluant la possibilité de contrôler et d'optimiser les résultats générés, en termes de charge électrique et d’usure. Un tribomètre linéaire a été conçu et construit, afin de permettre le réglage des principales variables de contrôle du processus de charge triboélectrique : force normale, vitesse de glissement, durée et course. Ce dispositif facilite la mesure de certaines grandeurs physiques caractérisant les conditions de frottement: les variations des forces normale et tangentielle, ainsi que le déplacement relatif entre les éprouvettes. De plus, la charge électrique générée et l’augmentation de la température à la surface du polymère ont été aussi été mesurées et mise en relation avec les propriétés tribologiques. Les expériences ont montré que le niveau et la distribution de la charge générée par le frottement sec dépendent de la force normale appliquée, du temps de frottement (le nombre de cycles), de la vitesse de glissement, des propriétés mécaniques des matériaux et de la rugosité ou de la texture des surfaces en contact. La décharge couronne peut être utilisée pour déposer une charge initiale sur les surfaces avant le glissement. La modélisation du processus de charge triboélectrique a été faite avec la méthodologie des plans d’expériences. Les résultats peuvent alors être utilisés pour prédire et optimiser la charge triboélectrique. Des cartes de contrôle peuvent assurer le monitoring du processus et la détection de variations non-maîtrisés de la charge générée par effet triboélectrique. / The main objective of the thesis was to study the triboelectric behavior of dry sliding contacts between polymeric materials (ABS, PE, PP, PS and two types of PVC), including the possibility to control and optimize the results in terms of either surface charge generated or wear. A linear tribometer with tribocharging capabilities was designed and built, to enable the study of the sliding contact between solids and to allow the adjustment of main tribocharging control variables: normal force, sliding speed, time and stroke. This device also provided measurement data to characterize the friction condition: the variations of the normal and tangential forces, as well as the relative displacement between the specimens. Furthermore, the electric charge generated and temperature raise due to rubbing on the surface of the polymer were measured, so that to investigate the relationship between the tribological properties. The experiments showed that the level and distribution of the charge generated by dry friction depends on the normal force applied, friction time (cycle), sliding speed, material mechanical properties and surface roughness or texture. Corona discharge may be used to provide initial charge on the surfaces before sliding. Modelling of tribocharging processes was done using the design of experiments methodology. The models can be used to predict and optimize the tribocharging. Control charts were used to monitor the process and detect the special causes of variation in the charge generated by triboelectric effect.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-08-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:56:04Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lopes_prm_me_rcla.pdf: 1045225 bytes, checksum: 8dbfcc24e7204a8d46227309e36b3b87 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O interesse científico e comercial pela catálise ambiental expandiu-se significativamente, nos últimos anos, devido ao aumento contínuo das restrições legais sobre a qualidade das emissões. Cada vez mais, surgem demandas pelo desenvolvimento de tecnologias de tratamento e remediação de água. Com isso, a catálise pode ser a peça chave neste desenvolvimento. Os efluentes industriais, como os provenientes das refinarias de petróleo, indústrias petroquímicas e coquearias, freqüentemente contêm compostos fenólicos que são tóxicos ao ambiente aquático e ao homem. Estes compostos são tratados convencionalmente através de processos biológicos, de extração e adsorção. Entretanto, estas técnicas apresentam limitações para aplicação em sistemas de concentrações intermediárias e em presença de multicomponentes fenólicos, além de representarem um elevado custo de tratamento. Dessa forma, o uso de tecnologias avançadas de oxidação catalítica vem se consolidando como uma das tendências de desenvolvimentos futuros em catálise, como a fotocatálise. Neste contexto, estão os processos oxidativos avançados (POAs), os quais se caracterizam pela capacidade de gerar radicais hidroxila que são responsáveis por oxidar compostos orgânicos. Dentre os POAs se encontra o processo fotocatalítico. A fotocatálise heterogênea é baseada na irradiação de um fotocatalisador, geralmente um semicondutor inorgânico, como o TiO2, cuja energia do fóton deve ser maior ou igual a energia do band gap do semicondutor para provocar uma transição eletrônica (excitação). Assim, o processo é capaz de oxidar os compostos orgânicos à CO2 e H2O. Entretanto, a aplicação prática da fotocatálise heterogênea em suspensões de TiO2 apresenta algumas desvantagens, como a separação final das partículas do catalisador e o baixo rendimento quântico. Através de eletrodos térmicos... / Scientific and commercial interest in environmental catalysis expanded significantly in last years due to restrictions about the emissions quality. Even more, it has been increasing the demands for the development of technologies for water treatment and remediation. Thus, catalysis may be an important technique in this area. Industrial effluents, such as petrochemical wastewater, often present phenolic compounds that are toxic to aquatic environment and humans. These compounds are conventionally treated by biological, extraction and adsorption process. However, these processes have limitation in systems with intermediate concentrations and in presence of phenol derivates, besides of represent high cost. Therefore, the use of advanced technologies of catalytic oxidation has been consolidated as one of tendencies in future developments in catalysis, such as the photocatalysis. In this context are the advanced oxidative processes (AOPs), which are able to generate hydroxyl radicals that are responsible for oxidizing organic compounds. And, within the AOPs is the photocatalysis. The heterogeneous photocatalysis is based on irradiation of a photocatalyzer that is usually an inorganic semiconductor, such as TiO2. Photon energy must be greater or equal to the semiconductor’s band gap energy to cause an electronic transition (excitation). Hence, the process is able to oxidize organic compounds to CO2 and H2O. Nevertheless, heterogeneous photocatalysis application with TiO2 suspensions presents some disadvantages, for example the final separation of catalyst particles and the low quantum yield. Through Ti/TiO2 thermal electrodes, these problems can be solves, because it becomes unnecessary the final separation of particles and it is also possible the application of an electric potential on electrode. Electric potential improves the photocatalytic efficiency due to the electronic drainage that... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-03-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:49:17Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silvafilho_eb_me_ilha.pdf: 1002165 bytes, checksum: 7b47e608bd37c2b8a03cccc84f847230 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Este trabalho analisa a aplicação em linhas de transmissão do método dos elementos de contorno para cálculo de potencial e campo elétrico, com um enfoque em eletrostática. O método dos elementos de contorno baseia-se numa formulação integral que elimina a discretização do domínio, restando apenas o contorno, permitindo o cálculo do potencial e do campo elétrico no contorno e na região estudada. O trabalho configura-se como uma revisão sobre eletrostática, ressaltando as equações de Laplace e Poisson, que serão utilizadas para encontrar as equações integrais do contorno. Há também vários tópicos relacionados ao campo elétrico de linhas de transmissão, bem como, ás normas brasileiras e recomendações internacionais que devem ser utilizadas no projeto de linhas de transmissão. O método dos elementos de contorno utiliza tais equações integrais para encontrar o potencial e o campo no contorno, e após conhecidos o potencial e o campo no contorno, pode-se aplicar o método em todo o domínio, obtendo o potencial e o campo. Para isso, apenas o contorno do domínio de interesse deve ser discretizado, o que trás uma enorme vantagem sobre os métodos que utilizam formulação diferencial. Neste trabalho, serão descritas as principais características do código computacional desenvolvido e suas sub-rotinas mais importantes. Para validar o programa, os resultados serão comparados com aqueles calculados por um procedimento analítico, sendo mostrada a eficiência da discretização do solo. São apresentados os resultados obtidos da análise do campo elétrico gerado por algumas silhuetas de linhas de transmissão. Os valores do campo elétrico gerado por estruturas compactas são comparados com estruturas convencionais e estruturas reduzidas (semi-compactas), também serão comparados os valores do gradiente de potencial na superfície dos condutores e suas capacitâncias equivalentes. / This paper analyses the application in transmission lines of the Boundary Element Method (BEM) of the calculation of potential and electric field, with a focus on electrostatic. The Boundary Element Method is based on an integral formulation that eliminates the discretisation of the domain, remaining only the contour, allowing the calculation of the potential and the electric field in the contour and in the region studied. The work is configured as revision on electrostatic, underscoring the equations of Laplace and Poisson, which will be used to find the integral equations of the contour. There are also several topics related to the electric field of transmission lines, as well as to the standards Brazilian and international recommendations to be used in the design of transmission lines. The Boundary Element Method uses such integral equations for finding the potential and electric field in the contour, and after having known the potential and electric field in the contour, the BEM can be applied in the whole domain, and getting the potential and electric field. Therefore, only the contours of the domain of interest should just be discretized, which backward an enormous advantage on the methods that use formulation differential. This paper will describe the main characteristics of computer code developed and their sub-routines more important. To validate the program, the results will be compared with those calculated by an analytic procedure, being shown the efficiency of discretisation of the soil. The results obtained from analysis of the electric field generated by some silhouettes of transmission lines are presented. The values of the electric field generated by compact structures are compared with conventional structures and reduced structures, also will be compared the values of the gradient of potential on the surface of the conductors and their equivalents capacitances.