Massively parallel arrays of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have attracted significant research interests because of their ability to (i) average out inhomogeneities of individual SWNTs, (ii) provide larger on currents, and (iii) reduce noise to provide higher cutoff frequency for radio frequency applications. However, the array contains both metallic and semiconducting SWNTs and the presence of metallic nanotube in an aligned array negatively affects the device properties. Therefore, it is essential to selectively remove metallic nanotubes to obtain better transistor properties. It was recently found that although such a selective removal can be effective for a low density array, it does not work in a high density array and lead to a correlated breakdown of the entire array giving rise to a nanofissure pattern. In order to obtain a deeper understanding of such a correlated SWNT breakdown, we studied the breakdown power in the successive electrical breakdown of both low ( < 2 /um) and high density ( > 10 /um) SWNT arrays. We show that the breakdown voltage in successive electrical breakdown increases for low density array while it decreases for high density arrays. The estimated power required for the breakdown remains constant for low density arrays while it decreases for high density arrays in successive electrical breakdowns. We also show that, while a simple model of parallel resistor network can explain the breakdown of low density array, it cannot explain the behavior for the high density array implying that the correlation between the closely spaced parallel nanotubes plays a big role in the successive breakdowns of the high density SWNTs.

The ageing of polymer insulation occurs under long-term exposure to high electric fields and has attracted research due its relevance to high voltage insulation. In this work, polymers that have been electrically aged via a number of methods have been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Despite some use in the investigation of outdoor insulation surfaces, XPS has not been used for investigations of polymer bulk electrical ageing before now. The first XPS measurements, using both small spot analysis and XPS imaging, are presented from the exposed inner surfaces of electrically aged artificial voids and electrical breakdown channels, as well as corona discharge aged surfaces and spark discharge by-products. XPS is shown to be a valuable technique for the investigation of polymer electrical ageing. Investigations into breakdown channels are supported by data acquired using X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Results show that the chemistry present at these surfaces takes the form of significant oxidation over a wide area with localised production of graphitic carbon. C-O-, C=O, and O-C=O species are detected in all cases. It is found that similar ageing products are present regardless of the ageing process or material investigated. However, the level of oxidation and relative ratio of the species seen with XPS is shown to be highly dependant on oxygen availability. Greater intensity of carbon oxides, and a shift towards highly oxidised species, is observed when there is more oxygen in the system. XPS imaging of breakdown channels reveals that high concentrations of oxidised components form on the outer edges of the channel, with graphitic carbon forming in the central regions. In addition, evidence for degradation is seen to extend at least 300 μm from channels in XPS imaging and at least ~650 μm in XPS line scans. Variation with the applied discharge energy was investigated for breakdown channels and spark discharge ageing. Evidence is seen for an energy dependence on the breakdown products, with higher energies producing relatively higher graphitic carbon and reduced oxidation products. Further, the relationship between the applied voltage and graphitic carbon concentration suggests an activated process with an energy barrier before graphitic carbon formation starts. XPS observations are supported by confocal Raman microprobe spectroscopy (CRMS) results from artificial voids and electrical breakdown channels, which identify graphitic carbon on a fluorescent background as the main features. XPS data indicate oxidised species are the origin of the fluorescence seen and provides quantitative information on the levels, chemical states and spatial distribution of these species and of graphitic carbon.

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Ο εξοπλισμός και οι αγωγοί που μεταφέρουν την υψηλή τάση ακολουθούν συγκεκριμένες τιμές ασφάλειας και ελέγχου. Με τον όρο υπερτάσεις εννοούμε τις τάσεις που εμφανίζονται στα ηλεκτρικά δίκτυα και που συνήθως έχουν εύρος μεγαλύτερο από εκείνο της κανονικής τάσης λειτουργίας. Οι υπερτάσεις έχουν κατά κανόνα ανώμαλη μορφή και είναι ικανές να προκαλέσουν διηλεκτρικές καταπονήσεις μεγάλου μεγέθους στις μονώσεις ενός συστήματος. Κατά τον σχεδιασμό της μόνωσης ενός συστήματος υπάρχουν δύο εξαιρετικά σημαντικές παράμετροι που πρέπει να ληφθούν υπ’όψην από τους κατασκευαστές: 1) Ο καθορισμός της μορφής των τάσεων που καταπονούν την μόνωση 2) Ο καθορισμός της αντοχής της μόνωσης όταν υφίσταται καταπόνηση από συγκεκριμένες μορφές τάσεων. Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η ανάλυση της καταπόνησης που υφίσταται διάκενο ακίδα-πλάκα συνολικού μήκους 6cm στο οποίο παρεμβλήθηκε μετακινούμενο διάφραγμα. Τα συμπεράσματα που εξήχθησαν αφορούν την μελέτη της τάσης διάσπασης και τον τρόπο με τον οποίο αυτή μεταβάλλεται σε σχέση με την γεωμετρία του διακένου αλλά και τις ατμοσφαιρικές συνθηκες. Τα συμπεράσματα που προκύπτουν από την ανάλυση της καταπόνησης που υφίσταται διάκενο ακίδας-πλάκας είναι ότι καθώς απομακρύνεται το διάφραγμα από την ακίδα η τάση διάσπασης μειώνεται. Αξίζει επίσης να σημειωθεί ότι όσο πλησιάζει το διάφραγμα την ακίδα μειώνεται η τυχαιότητα του φαινομένου της διάσπασης πράγμα το οποιό σημαίνει πως ο σχεδιασμός ενός συστήματος μόνωσης δύναται να γίνει πιο ακριβής. Τέλος παρατηρείται ότι ανάμεσα σε σετ μετρήσεων με ίδια απόσταση διαφράγματος από την ακίδα υπάρχει μια απόκλιση στις τιμές της U50%. Αυτή η απόκλιση οφείλεται σε διάφορους παράγοντες. Ένας εξ’αυτών είναι η μικρή μεταβολή των ατμοσφαιρικών συνθηκών κατά την χρονική απόσταση που παρεμβλήθηκε ανάμεσα στα σετ μετρήσεων. Έναν δεύτερο παράγοντα αποτελούν οι πιθανές υπερπηδήσεις που συνέβησαν κατά την διάρκεια των επιβολών τάσης στο διάκενο. / The equipment and conductors that "carry" high voltage are taking specific values of security and control. Using the term, hyper-voltage, the researchers mean those voltages that appear in electricity networks and they usually have a width value greater than the normal operating voltage. Most of the times, hyper-voltages are typically have irregular form and they are capable of causing large dielectric stresses in the insulation of a system. When designing an insulation system there are two very important parameters that have to be taken under consideration by the manufacturers: 1) The determination of a voltage form that stresses the insulation equipment 2) The determination of the insulation resistance when there is strain from specific voltage forms. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the voltage stress that is happening in a 6cm gap of pin-plate which was inserted by removable diaphragm. The conclusions drawn are concerning the study of breakdown voltage and how it changes with respect to the geometry of the gap and the atmospheric conditions. One conclusion that arises from the stress analysis of the pin-plate gap is that when the diaphragm is moving away from the pin the breakdown voltage is decreasing. It is also worth noting that as the diaphragm is moving towards the pin, the breakdown phenomenon is becoming less random. This means that the design of an insulation system can be made more accurate. Another conclusion is related to the discrepancy in the values of U50% between different sets of measurements. The distance between the diaphragm and the spike is influencing the above observation. This discrepancy is due to several factors. The first factor is related to the small change of weather conditions during the different sets of measurements. The second factor is related to the possible jumps that occurred during the voltage imposition in the gap.

We have developed a novel method of producing ultra-short channel graphene field effect devices on SiO2 substrates and have studied their electrical transport properties. A nonlinear current behavior is observed coupled with a quasi-saturation effect. An analytical model is developed to explain this behavior using ballistic transport, where the charge carriers experience minimal scattering. We also observe multilevel resistive switching after the device is electrically stressed. In addition, we have studied the evolution of the electrical transport properties of few-layer graphene during electrical breakdown. We are able to significantly increase the time scale of break junction formation, and we are able to observe changes occurring close to breakdown regime. A decrease in conductivity along with p−type doping of the graphene channel is observed as the device is broken. The addition of structural defects generated by thermal stress caused by high current densities is attributed to the observed evolution of electrical properties during the process of breakdown. We have also studied the effects of the local environment on graphene devices. We encapsulate graphene with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer and study the electrical transport through in situ measurements. We have observed an overall decrease in doping level after low-temperature annealing in dry-nitrogen, indicating that the solvent in the polymer plays an important role in doping. For few-layer encapsulated graphene devices, we observe stable n−doping. Applying the solvent onto encapsulated devices demonstrates enhanced hysteretic switching between p and n−doped states.

The concept of More Electric Aircraft, where is to utilize the electrical power to drive more or all aircraft subsystem instead of conventional combination of pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical and electrical power, can be recalled to World War II. It has been proven to have more advantages for decades in terms of energy efficiency, environmental issues, logistics and operational maintenance. It can also enhance aircraft weight, volume and battle damage reconfigurability.Thanks to the new electronics technologies and the emergence of new materials, It becomes feasible for high power density electrical power components to drive the majority of aircraft subsystem. However, sustaining the transmission of hundreds of kilowatts of electrical power at low voltages is not feasible owing to the penalties incurred due to high cable weights and voltage drop may become critical. It is very easy to come up with the solution of the increase of voltage. However, higher voltage will introduce other problems such as the reliability of insulation coordination on the aircraft due to the increased probability of electrical discharge. For aircraft designers, it is very important to understand the rules of insulation coordination on the aircraft including determining clearance and creepage distances, and also have a clear investigation of the phenomena and mechanism of electrical discharges. Past research has identified a number of the concerns of operating electrical systems at higher voltages in an aerospace environment, especially for dimensioning of clearances. However, there is little study on dimensioning of creepage distances and relevantly flashover and electrical tracking on solid insulating material surfaces. This thesis firstly discusses the rules for determining clearances and creepage distances. The experimental validation work was done for breakdown in air gap and on the solid insulating material surfaces under dry condition so that some standard recommended values can be evaluated not only with theoretical values such Paschen's law. Suggestions of application of those standards were provided. Secondly, the complex electrical discharge under wet condition on solid insulating material surfaces was discussed. A mathematical model to predict this type of electrical failure -electrical tracking (the electrical discharges on solid insulation materials which will lead to physical damage in the materials) with the consideration of different environmental conditions including air pressure, ambient temperature, and pollution degrees was developed. A series of electrical tracking tests were carried out on organic materials to find out the mechanism of electrical tracking and validate the finding by the mathematic model. Finite element analysis simulations were also conducted to find out the background thermal transfer mechanism to support our explanation of those phenomena of electrical tracking. Different test techniques have ben developed for specific impact factors. Finally, the suggestions for utilization of the standards and feasible test techniques for electrical tracking under wet conditions were provided.

Στην παρούσα Διδακτορική Διατριβή παρουσιάζονται τρíα νέα στοχαστικά μοντέλα, τα οποία αναπτύχθηκαν με σκοπό την εξομοίωση της διάδοσης των streamers και των leaders, και της επακόλουθης ηλεκτρικής διάσπασης σε διάκενα αέρα μεγαλύτερα από 5cm υπό ατμοσφαιρική πίεση. Η εξομοίωση της διαδικασίας διάσπασης με την χρήση των στοχαστικών μοντέλων, οδήγησε στην εξαγωγή αποτελεσμάτων που αφορούσαν την τάση διάσπασης U50 καθώς και την τυπική απόκλιση σ, όταν τα διάκενα καταπονούνται από συνεχείς και κρουστικές (1,2/50μsec) τάσεις, θετικής πολικότητας. Εξήχθησαν επίσης αποτελέσματα που αφορούσαν τη μέση και στιγμιαία ταχύτητα διάδοσης των streamers μέσα σε διάκενα αέρα μήκους έως 20cm. / At the present PhD Thesis three new stochastic fractal models were introduced. The stochastic models were developed in order to simulate the propagation of streamers and leaders in air gaps, in a wide range of gap distances, under the application of DC and impulse (1,2/50μsec) voltage of positive polarity. Various results, concerning breakdown voltage U50 and standard deviation σ, were obtained. Results concerning mean and instantaneous propagation velocity of streamers (only for gaps up to 20cm), were also obtained.

Electrical bushings are a type of hollow or solid conductor withinsulation designed to allow a conductor to pass through a conductingbarrier without making electrical contact and are very important forsafe transportation of electricity. The bushings vary in size, but allbushings have a solid or hollow conductor.This project aims to investigate which resistivities of the siliconerubber, in combination with different air conditions for the airsurrounding the bushing (dry, average and humid air) and theirrespective resistivities, to see which combinations allow for anelectrical field that allows the bushing to safely work without beingdamaged. The different air conditions are an important factor since theyall correspond to different absolute humidities present in the air,which have a direct impact on the strength of the electrical fieldsurrounding the bushing. Since this cannot be done by hand, a computersoftware called COMSOL Multiphysics will be used. COMSOL is aMultiphysics software, meaning one can simulate many types of physics atonce. With the help of this software, and a model provided by HitachiEnergy, results could be found stating that dry air overall is the bestcondition of air for the bushing, followed by average (not either dry orhumid) air and lastly humid air.

Ce travail de thèse concerne l’utilisation des décharges électriques de haute tension (DEHT) en milieu aqueux comme méthode d’extraction des polyphénols à partir de pépins de raisin.Les arcs électriques produits en milieu aqueux provoquent une succession de phénomènes (ondes de choc, bulles de cavitation) qui ont pour effet de fragmenter toute matière première située à proximité de l’arc électrique. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’étudier ces phénomènes afin d’améliorer la compréhension et l’efficacité des DEHT en tant que méthode d’extraction.Dans un premier temps, une étude des conditions d’apparition de l’arc électrique dans l’eau a permis de montrer que l’arc apparaît initialement dans des bulles de vapeur générées à la surface de l’électrode à cause de l’échauffement du liquide par effet Joule. Des mesures électriques, des prises de vues à haute vitesse, ainsi qu’une simulation numérique du problème ont permis de vérifier cette hypothèse. Une étude paramétrique des phénomènes générés par l’arc électrique (onde de choc et bulle de cavitation) a été menée. Grâce à des mesures de la pression des ondes de choc, des mesures de la taille des bulles de cavitation, et grâce des mesures électriques précises (notamment de la résistance électrique de l’arc), il apparaît que l’amplitude des phénomènes dépendent essentiellement de l’énergie dépensée dans l’arc. Cette énergie doit être distinguée de l’énergie totale d’une impulsion électrique, dont une partie est dépensée avant le claquage, mais également de l’énergie disponible au moment du claquage, dont une partie importante est dépensée dans le circuit électrique. La partition de cette énergie entre l’arc et le circuit électrique dépend du rapport entre la résistance du circuit et la résistance de l’arc. Ainsi une méthode pour augmenter significativement l’amplitude des phénomènes étudiés, et donc l’efficacité du procédé est d’améliorer le rapport entre ces résistances. Il a par exemple été observé qu’en augmentant la longueur de l’arc électrique de 2.5 mm à 2 cm, la résistance de l’arc augmente de 40 m à 0.55, et l’amplitude de l’onde de choc augmente de 135%. Pour finir, une étude paramétrique sur l’efficacité des DEHT comme procédé d’extraction des polyphénols des pépins de raisin a été menée. Entre autres, les effets sur l’extraction de la conductivité du liquide, du rapport liquide-solide, du nombre d’impulsion, de l’énergie par impulsion, de la distance inter-électrode ont été étudiés. Ces études ont mis en évidence l’importance de la répartition de l’énergie totale d’une impulsion en énergie dépensée avant le claquage, énergie dépensée au claquage dans le circuit électrique et énergie dépensée dans l’arc électrique. Ces études ont montré comment cette répartition est influencée par ces différents paramètres, et comment cela influence l’efficacité d’extraction. L’influence de la distance inter-électrode, et donc de la longueur de l’arc, a été particulièrement été mise en évidence par les résultats d’extraction. / This thesis work focuses on the use of high voltage electrical discharges (HVED) in aqueous media as a method for extracting polyphenols from grape seeds. Electric arcs generated in an aqueous environment cause a succession of phenomena (shock waves, cavitation bubbles) that have the effect of fragmenting any raw material located near the electric arc. The objective of this thesis is to study these phenomena in order to improve the understanding and effectiveness ofHVED as an extraction method. First, a study of the conditions under which the electric arc appears in water showed that the arc initially appears in vapour bubbles generated on the electrode surface due to the heating of the liquid due to Joule effect. Electrical measurements, high-speed photography and a numerical simulation of the problem have allowed this hypothesis to be verified. A parametric study of the phenomena generated by the electric arc (shock wave and cavitation bubble) was carried out. Through measurements of shock wave pressure, of cavitation bubble size, and precise electrical measurements (including the electrical resistance of the arc), it appears that the amplitude of the phenomena depends essentially on the energy consumed in the arc. This energy mustbe distinguished from the total energy of an electrical pulse, part of which is spent before the breakdown. The energy spent in the electric arc must also be distinguishedfrom the energy available at electrical breakdown, as a significant part of breakdown energy is spent in the electrical circuit. The partition of breakdown energy between the arc and the electrical circuit depends on the ratio between the resistance of the circuit and that of the arc. Thus a method to significantly increase the amplitude of the studied phenomena (and therefore the efficiency of the process), is to improve the ratio between these resistances. For example, it has been observed that by increasing the length of the electric arc from 2.5 mm to 2 cm, the resistance of the arc increases from 40 m to 0.55, and the amplitude of the shock wave increases by 135%. Finally, a parametric study on the efficiency of DEHT as a process for extracting polyphenols from grape seedswas carried out. Among other things, the effects on the extraction of liquid conductivity, liquid-solid ratio, number of pulses, energy per pulse, and distance between electrodes were studied. These studies highlighted the importance of the distribution of the total pulse energy into energy spent before the breakdown, energy spent after breakdown in the electrical circuit and energy spent in the arc. These studies have shown howthis distribution is influenced by these different parameters, and how it influences extraction efficiency. The influence of the inter-electrode distance, and therefore the length of the arc, was particularly highlighted by the extraction results.

<p>As the interest in intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI) increases, so does the need of a suitable antenna which endures those demanding conditions. The ultrawideband (UWB) technology provides an elegant way of generating high-voltage UWB pulses which can be used for IEMI. One UWB antenna, invented solely for the purpose of radiating pulses, is the impulse radiating antenna (IRA). In the course of this master thesis work, a suitable geometry of the IRA is suggested, and modelled, for the high-voltage application of 90 kV.</p>