Voltage stability analysis with optimum size and location based synchronous machine DG

Power loss of a distribution system can be reduced significantly by using optimum size and location of distributed generation (DG). Proper allocation of DG with appropriate size maximizes overall system efficiency. Moreover it improves the reliability and voltage profile of the distribution system. In this paper, IEEE 123 node test feeder has been considered to determine the optimum size and location of a synchronous machine based DG for loss reduction of the system. This paper also investigates the steady-state and dynamic voltage profile of that three phase unbalance distribution network in presence of DG with optimum size. This analysis shows that optimum size of DG at proper location minimizes the power loss as well as improves the dynamic voltage profile of the distribution system.

Reducing electrowetting-on-dielectric actuation voltage using a novel electrode shape and a multi-layer dielectric coating

This paper presents design and fabrication of an electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) device using a novel electrode shape and a multi-layer dielectric coating that reduce the actuation voltage of the device to less than 12.6 V. The fabrication of the EWOD electrodes is carried out in several steps including laser exposure, wet developing, etching, and stripping. A high-dielectric-constant multi-layer dielectric coating containing a 770 nm thick Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) layer and a 1 µm thick Cyanoethyl pullulan (CEP) layer, is deposited on the EWOD electrodes for insulation. This multi-layer dielectric structure exhibits a high capacitance per unit area, and the novel electrode shape changes the actuation force at the droplet contact line reducing the voltage required to operate the device. In addition, an overlaying Teflon layer of 50 nm is placed on top of the dielectric structure to provide a hydrophobic surface for droplet manipulation. It is observed from the experiments that the electrode shape and the dielectric structure have contributed to the reduction of the actuation voltage of the EWOD device.