No / Coalescence enhancement of water droplets in oil emulsions is commonly contemplated for the separation of an aqueous phase dispersed in a dielectric oil phase with a considerably lower dielectric constant than that of the dispersed phase. The characteristics and geometry of the electrode system have a large impact on the performance of an electrostatic coalescer and are actually strictly linked to the type of the applied electric field and the emulsion used. Furthermore, addition of chemicals and heating has also been revealed to further enhance the electrocoalescence of water droplets. In this work, the coalescence of two water drops sinking in a dielectric oil phase at an applied high voltage, pulsed dc electric field, in particular with regards to the effects of pressure and temperature on coalescence performance is investigated. The developed model should help to recognise and prove approaches to electrocoalescence mechanisms, the dispersion flow direction with respect to the applied electric field, as well as the electric field configuration.

A novel type of alternating-current (AC) powder electroluminescent (EL) device that relies on nanowire-phosphor heterogeneous junction structure has been developed. It shows promise for manufacturing of highly stable powder EL devices. To pursue this goal, manganese ion (Mn2+)-doped zinc germanate (Zn2GeO4:Mn) oxide phosphor was synthesized and used as EL powder material for the fabrication of the new types of AC powder EL devices. The Zn2GeO4:Mn oxide phosphor powder could eliminate the well-known degradation problem of zinc sulfide (ZnS)-based AC powder EL devices predominant in the current marketplace. In order to realize a high brightness at a relatively low operating voltage, a conductive semiconductor nanowire architecture using zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper oxide (CuO) nanowires with sharp-tip features, was created and integrated into conventional AC powder EL structures. Particularly, vertically-aligned n-type ZnO nanowires arrays were successfully synthesized on a Zn2GeO4:Mn polycrystalline substrate for the first time, and the growth behavior using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process was investigated. The density of the ZnO nanowires could be effectively controlled by some experimental parameters, such as the density of gold catalyst nanoparticles, and spatial distance between substrate and CVD source powders. This novel ZnO nanowire-decorated Zn2GeO4:Mn phosphor architecture was used to fabricate top-emission AC powder EL devices. On the other hand, a vertically-aligned ZnO nanowire array was directly synthesized on a thin film indium-tin-oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate for fabrication of bottom-emission AC powder EL device. The nanowires were adopted to form heterogeneous junction structures between the tips of the nanowires and the Zn2GeO4:Mn EL powders, so that the composites could have a similar electrical field enhancement as in the needle-like CuxS precipitates within widely-used ZnS:Cu EL powder materials. The behavior of these top- and bottom- emission AC powder EL devices was also studied. Alternatively, vertically-aligned p-type CuO nanowires were prepared by a thermal oxidation method. Reliable heterogeneous junction structures were formed by a simple drop-coating method. The CuO nanowire-based AC powder EL device has excellent brightness maintenance with a loss of luminescent intensity under 1 % at over 10 cd/m2 luminance during 360 hours of operation. The integrating of semiconductor nanowires into conventional AC powder EL device structures offers the very promising prospect of fabrication of simple, low-cost, scaled-up EL devices that could fundamentally solve the limited operational lifetime of current ZnS-based AC powder EL devices. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In this paper, the precorrected-FFT method is used to solve the electromagnetic scattering from two-dimensional cavities of arbitrary shape. The integral equation is discretized by the method of moments and the resultant matrix equation is solved iteratively by the generalized conjugate residual method. Instead of directly computing the matrix-vector multiplication, which requires N² operations, this approach reduces the computation complexity to O(N log N) as well as avoids the storage of large matrices. At the same time, a technique known as the complexifying k is applied to accelerate the convergence of the iterative method in solving this resonance problem. Some examples are considered and excellent agreements of radar cross sections between these computed using the present method and those from the direct solution are observed, demonstrating the feasibility and efficiency of the present method. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

This paper presents an accurate and efficient method-of-moments solution of the electrical-field integral equation (EFIE) for large, three-dimensional, arbitrarily shaped objects. In this method, the generalized conjugate residual method (GCR) is used to solve the matrix equation iteratively and the precorrected-FFT technique is then employed to accelerate the matrix-vector multiplication in iterations. The precorrected-FFT method eliminates the need to generate and store the usual square impedance matrix, thus leading to a great reduction in memory requirement and execution time. It is at best an O(N log N) algorithm and can be modified to fit a wide variety of systems with different Green’s functions without excessive effort. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and computational efficiency of the technique. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have attracted great interest during thelast decade due to their possession of a unique set of properties. In addition totheir strength, MWNTs have well defined morphologies, with large aspect ratiosand pores in the meso range, and intriguing transport properties, such as highelectrical and thermal conductivity.We are interested in how variations in the MWNT morphology affect areas ofpossible engineering applications. We have identified morphology as a criticalelement for the performance of MWNTs in engineering applications. Specificareas studied and reported here spans from surface adsorption and capillarycondensation, to dispersion and dispersion processes, and transport propertiesin relation to MWNT aspect ratio. This wide range of exploration is typicallyneeded for evaluating opportunities for new materials.MWNTs can be used in different types of adsorption systems and it should bepossible to tailor the MWNT morphology to suit a specific adsorption process.We found that the major part of butane, our model gas, adsorbs on the externalMWNT and only a small fraction ends up in the pores.The unusually large aspect ratio makes MWNTs ideal as fillers in polymermatrixes. Since MWNTs are electrically conductive, it is possible to align theMWNTs in the matrix before curing. We investigated the effect of AC-fields onaqueous MWNT dispersions and the possibility to align MWNTs in an electricalfield.It is also necessary to develop suitable dispersion methods, to enable theproduction of homogeneous dispersions and composites. We studied a numberof different mechanical dispersion methods and their effect on the MWNTmorphology.

La limitation de la production de biogaz liée aux substrats mobilisables à faible potentiel méthanogène et, les contraintes d’épandage qui conduisent au séchage du digestat, en vue de sa stabilisation ou de son transport, sont deux enjeux pour le développement du procédé de méthanisation. L’effet de la désintégration cellulaire induite par un prétraitement par Champs Électriques Pulsés (CEP) sur la production de biogaz a été évalué sur différents substrats. L’intensité de champ appliqué a varié entre 500 et 3600 V∙cm-1 et les indices de désintégration cellulaire correspondants ont été calculés. L’influence du prétraitement par CEP sur la production de méthane en réacteur batch de 500 mL a été étudiée en utilisant la méthodologie des plans d’expériences et en intégrant différents modes de préparation (taille de particules, préchauffage, hygiénisation). Les résultats obtenus montrent que le traitement CEP peut significativement intensifier la production de biogaz (+5,2 à +12,5 % de CH4). Pour le séchage des digestats, un système de séchage convectif par air chaud à température modérée (40 à 70°C) a été utilisé. D’une part, les effets de la vitesse d’air et de la température de séchage ont été étudiés. D’autre part, les effets de prétraitements par CEP, par micro-ondes, et après un cycle de congélation/décongélation ont également été testés. Nous avons identifié, en utilisant la seconde loi de Fick, les coefficients effectifs de diffusion et conclu à l’inefficacité des CEP pour le séchage des digestats et dans les conditions de séchage testées. / The limitation of the biogas production related to the accessibility of the substrates with a low biochemical methane potential, as well as the constraints of spreading which lead to the drying of the digestate, in order to stabilize or to transport the dried digestate, are two issues for the development of the methanisation process. The cellular disintegration’s effect induced by Pulsed Electrical Field (PEF) pretreatment on biogas production is evaluated on different substrates. The applied field’s strength is varied between 500 and 3600 V/cm and the corresponding cell disintegration index were calculated. The influence of PEF pretreatment on methane production was examined in a 500 mL batch reactor using the experimental design methodology and integrating different methods of preparation (size of particles, preheating, hygenisation). The obtained results show that PEF treatment can significantly increase the biogas production (+5.2 to +12.5% CH4). For the drying of the digestates, a convective drying system with hot air at a moderate temperature (40 to 70°C) is used. On the one hand, the effects of air velocity and drying temperature are evaluated. On the other hand, the effects of pre-processing by PEF, by microwaves, and after a freeze thawing cycle were also tested. Using the second Fick's law, the effective diffusion coefficients are identified and it was concluded that PEFs are ineffective for drying the digestates under the tested drying conditions.

Depuis les années 1960, les scientifiques se sont intéressés à l’étude d’effets biologiques provoqués par des champs électromagnétiques impulsionnels. Les premiers effets ont été observés avec des impulsions dont la durée va de quelques microsecondes à quelques millisecondes. Ce phénomène, appelé électroporation, est de nos jours utilisé dans des thérapies anticancéreuses appelées électrochimiothérapies. Les études en laboratoires avec des impulsions ont continuées, mais avec des impulsions de plus en plus courtes, notamment des impulsions pouvant atteindre une durée de quelques centaines de picosecondes avec des amplitudes de forts niveaux (100MV/m). Ces études sont encore émergentes et nécessitent d’être poursuivies, mais pour cela, il est nécessaire de concevoir des moyens d’expérimentations électromagnétiques fiables. Ce travail de thèse consistait à concevoir deux applicateurs de champ électrique : un applicateur in vitro, dans le but d’illuminer des cellules contenues dans des éprouvettes et un applicateur in vivo dans le but de prévoir de futures thérapies non invasives pour le patient. Pour l’applicateur in vitro, les différents résultats obtenus en simulations et expérimentalement sont très encourageant et montrent qu’il est déjà possible d’effectuer des expérimentations biologiques avec. Pour l’applicateur in vivo, qui s’agit de l’antenne PSIRA initialement développée par C. E. Baum, plusieurs problématiques ont été soulevées. Tout d’abord, il a été montré que les tissus biologiques tels que la peau où les muscles ont des permittivités relatives élevées et de fortes pertes pour des fréquences de l’ordre de quelques GHz et au-delà. Afin de maximiser la pénétration de champ électrique à l’intérieur de ces tissus, il a été décidé d’immerger l’antenne dans un milieu de forte permittivité, tels que la glycérine et l’eau. Ces liquides possèdent également des pertes diélectriques non négligeables. Ces pertes ont un fort impact négatif sur les performances de l’antenne. Pour rendre ce système opérationnel plusieurs modifications doivent être opérées, notamment en changeant le milieu d’immersion par un milieu sans pertes. / Since the years 1960, scientists have been interested to the study of biologic effects caused by pulsed electrical fields. The first effects were obtained with microseconds pulses and milliseconds pulses. This phenomenon has been called electroporation and it’s used in anticancerous therapies called electrochimiotherapies. Laboratory studies are continuing, but with shorter pulses like high level subnanoseconds pulses (100MV/m). These studies are emerging and must be pursued, but it’s necessary to design reliable electromagnetic systems. The goal of this thesis was to design two electrical field applicators: an in vitro applicator, to illuminate biologic cells contained in test tube and an in vivo applicator to predict future non invasive therapies. For the in vitro applicator, simulations and experimental results are very encouraging and biological experimentations would be possible with this system. For the applicator in vivo, which is the PSIRA antenna designed par C. E. Baum, many problems are highlighted. First, biological tissues like skin and muscle have high permittivity and high dielectric losses with frequencies in the order of GHz and behind. To maximize electric field penetration in these backgrounds it was decided to submerge the antenna in high permittivity background too, like glycerin and water. These liquids have high dielectric losses which have a strong negative impact on the antenna performances. To make this system operational, some modifications must be done, like changing the actual background with a no losses background.

During the Apollo 10 and 17 missions NASA astronauts reported that they saw streamers emanating from the surface of the moon. They concluded that the streamers were produced by light scattering from dust particles. The particles are believed to be transported by an ambient electric field. This theorized electric field has never been measured directly, although the electric potential on the surface and above it has. The exact behavior and origin of the electric field is unknown, but has been approximated to be between 1 and 12 V/m. To measure this electrical field a new type of instrument, called Multi Plate Field Mills (MPFM) has been developed. This type of instrument is capable of measuring both the amplitude and directionality of the electrical field. Three of these instruments will be mounted on a 1U CubeSat to be lunched with the PTS mission to the moon scheduled to Q4 2019. In this work the MPFM were characterized. The precision of the instrument for electrical fields applied along the z, y and x axis was found to be 0.6, 1.3, 1.4 (V/m)/(Hz)^(1/2) respectively for measurements in air and 0.14, 0.6, 0.6 (V/m)/(Hz)^(1/2) for measurements in vacuum. This sensitivity outperforms the current state of the art Field Mills and, in addition to that, it provides an assessment of the directionality of the electrical field. / Umeå Lunar Venture

This thesis examined how and why TRPV1 function is being modulated in sensory neuropathy and explored the potential of its rescue in the urinary bladder of STZ-­‐induced diabetic rats. Diabetes induced a rapid decline in TRPV1 function and changes in neurogenically mediated electrically-­‐evoked responses together with a gradual decline in muscarinic function. Diabetic bladder was also deficient in muscarinic and TRPV1 organ bath temperature-­‐induced changes but not in those affecting spontaneous contractile activity. Exposure to a potential neuropathy causative agent, methylglyoxal was studied and its mechanism of action explored through the use of TRPA1 ligands. Methylglyoxal exposure mimicked some of the effects of diabetes on TRPV1, neurogenic electrically evoked responses and muscarinic function. Methylglyoxal effects were seen to be partly through TRPA1 receptor activation but other as yet undefined pathways were also involved. Use of TRPA1 ligands revealed an unexpected complexity of the interaction of the TRPA1 receptor with TRPV1. Finally the potential of reversing the diminished TRPV1 response was examined through the use of three known sensitising agents, bradykinin, NGF and insulin. Bradykinin was the only agent seen to reverse the TRPV1 diminished response back up to to control equivalent levels and through the use of bradykinin selective ligands, it was seen that the dual activation of BK-­‐1 and BK-­‐2 receptor was necessary to rescue the TRPV1 response. The likely mechanism of action of bradykinin was through prostaglandin production as indomethacin blocked TRPV1 rescue. In the acute stage of diabetes, TRPV1 function is downregulated and may be caused by exposure to a neuropathy-­‐causing metabolite such as methylglyoxal. The TRPV1 function still retains plasticity at this acute stage because function could be enhanced back to control levels by bradykinin receptor activation : a potential for early therapeutic intervention.

Atlikus literatūros apžvalgą, remiantis teoriniais ir eksperimentiniais tyrimais, įsitikinta, kad elektromagnetiniai laukai turi įtakos žmogui ir aplinkai. Elektromagnetinio lauko poveikiui daugiausiai jautri centrinė nervinė ir neuroendokrininė sistemos. Didžiausi elektromagnetinių laukų šaltiniai, gyvenamojoje ir darbo aplinkoje, yra buitiniai prietaisai, elektros perdavimo, transformavimo ir skirstomieji įrenginiai. Elektros įrengimų kuriami elektromagnetiniai laukai, erdvėje sklinda pagal 1/r3; 1/r2 ir 1/r dėsnius. Tai charakteringa tiek elektrinių, tiek magnetinių laukų verčių kitimui. Elektromagnetinių laukų parametrų vertę apsprendžia elektros įrenginių įtampa, srovė ir tiriamo taško padėtis įrenginių atžvilgiu. Įvertinant labai platų mūsų šalies energetikos tinklą, naudojamų elektros įrenginių, kuriančių elektromagnetinius laukus gyvenamoje ir darbo aplinkoje, duomenys apie tai įgauna ženklią socialinę prasmę, sudaroma galimybė prognozuoti galimas silpnų elektromagnetinių laukų poveikio reikšmes, numatyti priemones joms pašalinti. / Literary review, according to theoretical and experimental researches, it was noticed that electromagnetic fields of industrial frequency influence the human and environment. The most sensitive parts to the effect of electromagnetic fields are the nervous system and the neuroendocrine system. The biggest sources of electromagnetic fields are the domestic appliances, the installations of electricity transmission, transference and the distributing installations in residential and working places. Electromagnetic fields are generated with electric installations and spread in space by 1/r3; 1/r2 and 1/r law. It is typical of the value change of electric and magnetic fields. Parameter value of electromagnetic fields is solved with electricity installations tension, stream and the location of analyzed point in point of installations. Summing up the wide energetic net of our country, the fact of usable electric installations (which create electromagnetic fields in residential and working places) assume the marked social signification, there is posed the opportunity to forecast the available values of low electromagnetic fields effect, and to forecast means to remove it.