High-voltage electrophoretic deposition of preferentially oriented films from multiferroic YMn2O5 nanopowders

Processing of the YMn2O5 powder is very challenging, since it decomposes to YMnO3 and Mn3O4 at temperatures close to 1180 °C, while samples consolidation commonly demands high temperatures. The main goal of this work is to investigate a possibility to prepare thick films of YMn2O5, since their deposition generally requires significantly lower temperatures. Multiferroic YMn 2O5 was synthesized by the hydrothermal method from Y(CH3COO)3·xH2O, Mn(CH 3COO)2·4H2O and KMnO4 precursors. XRD, FE-SEM and TEM analysis showed that the obtained powder was monophasic, with orthorhombic crystal structure and columnar particle shape with mean diameter and length of around 20 and 50 nm, respectively. The obtained powder was suspended in isopropyl alcohol with addition of appropriate binder and deflocculant. This suspension was used for electrophoretic deposition of YMn2O5 thick films under the high-voltage conditions and electric fields ranging from 250 to 2125 V/cm. The films obtained at 1000 V/cm and higher electric fields showed good adhesion, particle packing, homogeneity and very low porosity. It was shown that the deposition in extremely high electric fields (KC=2125 V/cm) can influence the crystal orientation of the films, resulting in formation of preferentially oriented films. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.

Optimal charging of electric vehicles considering constraints of the medium voltage distribution network

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Economic considerations governing the choice of voltage for power supply systems

Includes bibliography

Modelagem de um motor de indução trifásico operando com tensões desequilibradas por meio de redes neurais artificiais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bancada experimental para ensaios em geradores elétricos utilizados em aerogeradores de pequeno porte

Este trabalho apresenta uma bancada para testes em geradores elétricos, utilizados em aerogeradores de pequeno porte. O sistema é composto basicamente por um motor de indução trifásico, que simula um rotor eólico, acoplado mecanicamente ao gerador elétrico submetido ao ensaio; um inversor de frequência, usado para variação da velocidade do motor; transdutores de grandezas elétricas, que efetuam a medição dos parâmetros de interesse (tensões e correntes instantâneas) na saída do gerador; um sensor de velocidade angular, para medição da rotação que é fornecida ao eixo do motor; um microcomputador, para monitoração e armazenamento dos parâmetros medidos, e controle do inversor de frequência, por meio de um programa computacional desenvolvido; e uma placa de aquisição de dados, que serve como interface entre os transdutores/sensores e o microcomputador. A velocidade angular fornecida ao gerador em ensaio pode ser variada conforme valores fornecidos de velocidades de vento, as quais são associadas a valores correspondentes de rotação, a fim de simular o comportamento de um rotor eólico. Dessa forma, é possível traçar a curva de potência (potência versus velocidade de vento) do gerador ensaiado e analisar seu desempenho. Apresenta-se também neste trabalho os resultados de medições realizadas na bancada, referentes aos ensaios de um gerador comercial de pequena potência (1 kW) e de outro desenvolvido em projeto de pesquisa, ambos do tipo de imã permanente com fluxo axial.

Singular value analyses of voltage stability on power system considering wind generation variability

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS

Flashover phenomenon: an analysis with influence of the thickness of the layer pollution of the high voltage polluted insulators

Results of the analysis of dynamic behavior of flashover phenomenon on the high voltage-polluted insulators are presented. These results were taken from a mathematical and an experimental model that introduce the variable thickness influence of the layer pollution deposited on the high-voltage insulator surface. Analysis of the flashover was done by way of introducing a variation in the thickness of the channel of Obenaus' model, simulating a layer pollution of variable thickness. The objective was to obtain a better reproduction of the real layer pollution deposited on the insulator that works in the polluted regions. Two types of thickness variations were used: a sudden variation, using a step; and a soft variation, using a ramp; that were put along the way of the discharge. Comparison between the mathematical and experimental models showed that introduction of a ramp makes Obenaus' model more efficient in analyzing behavior of flashover phenomenon.

Teaching general concepts about sensors and transfer functions with a voltage divider

This work proposes the use of a simple voltage divider circuit composed by one potentiometer and one resistor to simulate the behavior of the electrical output signal of linear and nonlinear sensors. It is a low cost way to implement practical experiments in classroom and it also enables the analysis of interesting topics of electricity. This work induces naturally to a class guide where students can build and characterize a voltage divider to explore several concepts about sensors output signal. As the result of this teaching activity it is expected that students understand fundamentals of voltage divider, potentiometer operation, fundamental sensor characteristics, transfer function, and, besides, associate directly concepts of physics and mathematics with a practical approach.

Bilayer graphene on h-BN substrate: investigating the breakdown voltage and tuning the bandgap by electric field

By performing density functional theory calculations we show that it is possible to make the electronic bandgap in bilayer graphene supported on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) substrates tunable. We also show that, under applied electric fields, it is possible to insert states from h-BN into the bandgap, which generate a conduction channel through the substrate making the system metallic. In addition, we verify that the breakdown voltage strongly depends on the number of h-BN layers. We also show that both the breakdown voltage and the bandgap tuning are independent of the h-BN stacking order.

A novel self consistent calculation approach for the capacitance-voltage characteristics of semiconductor quantum wire transistors based on a split-gate configuration

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop an efficient numerical algorithm for the self-consistent solution of Schrodinger and Poisson equations in one-dimensional systems. The goal is to compute the charge-control and capacitance-voltage characteristics of quantum wire transistors. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents a numerical formulation employing a non-uniform finite difference discretization scheme, in which the wavefunctions and electronic energy levels are obtained by solving the Schrodinger equation through the split-operator method while a relaxation method in the FTCS scheme ("Forward Time Centered Space") is used to solve the two-dimensional Poisson equation. Findings - The numerical model is validated by taking previously published results as a benchmark and then applying them to yield the charge-control characteristics and the capacitance-voltage relationship for a split-gate quantum wire device. Originality/value - The paper helps to fulfill the need for C-V models of quantum wire device. To do so, the authors implemented a straightforward calculation method for the two-dimensional electronic carrier density n(x,y). The formulation reduces the computational procedure to a much simpler problem, similar to the one-dimensional quantization case, significantly diminishing running time.

Improved low-voltage-ride-through capability of fixed-speed wind turbines using decentralised control of STATCOM with energy storage system

The design and implementation of a new control scheme for reactive power compensation, voltage regulation and transient stability enhancement for wind turbines equipped with fixed-speed induction generators (IGs) in large interconnected power systems is presented in this study. The low-voltage-ride-through (LVRT) capability is provided by extending the range of the operation of the controlled system to include typical post-fault conditions. A systematic procedure is proposed to design decentralised multi-variable controllers for large interconnected power systems using the linear quadratic (LQ) output-feedback control design method and the controller design procedure is formulated as an optimisation problem involving rank-constrained linear matrix inequality (LMI). In this study, it is shown that a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) with energy storage system (ESS), controlled via robust control technique, is an effective device for improving the LVRT capability of fixed-speed wind turbines.

A Low Power CMOS Voltage Regulator for a Wireless Blood Pressure Biosensor

This paper describes a CMOS implementation of a linear voltage regulator (LVR) used to power up implanted physiological signal systems, as it is the case of a wireless blood pressure biosensor. The topology is based on a classical structure of a linear low-dropout regulator. The circuit is powered up from an RF link, thus characterizing a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The LVR was designed to meet important features such as low power consumption and small silicon area, without the need for any external discrete components. The low power operation represents an essential condition to avoid a high-energy RF link, thus minimizing the transmitted power and therefore minimizing the thermal effects on the patient's tissues. The project was implemented in a 0.35-mu m CMOS process, and the prototypes were tested to validate the overall performance. The LVR output is regulated at 1 V and supplies a maximum load current of 0.5 mA at 37 degrees C. The load regulation is 13 mV/mA, and the line regulation is 39 mV/V. The LVR total power consumption is 1.2 mW.

HIGH VOLTAGE PULSED CURRENT STIMULATION OF THE SCIATIC NERVE IN RATS: ANALYSIS BY THE SFI

Objective: To analyze the efficiency of high voltage pulsed current (HVPC) with early application in three different sites, in the regeneration of the sciatic nerve in rats submitted to crush injury, the sciatic functional index (SFI) was used to assess the functional recovery. Methods: After crushing of the nerve, 57 animals were submitted to cathodal HVPC at frequency of 50Hz and voltage of 100V, 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week. The rats were divided into five groups: control group; ganglion group; ganglion + muscle group; muscle group; and sham group. The SFI was determined weekly for seven weeks, from the preoperative period to the 6th postoperative week. Results: Compared with the control group, the results showed a significantly better performance of group 2 for the first 3 weeks; group 3 showed significantly better performance in the third week; and group 4 showed a significantly negative performance during the 481 and 6th weeks. Conclusion: Early application of HVPC had a positive effect in the treatment of the spinal cord region and the sciatic nerve root ganglion with a dispersive electrode on the contralateral lumbar region or on the gastrocnemius. However, HVPC had a negative effect in the treatment with an active electrode on the gastrocnemius and a dispersive electrode on the contralateral thigh. Level of evidence II, Prospective comparative study.

Analytical tools to assess the voltage stability of induction-based distributed generators

The installation of induction distributed generators should be preceded by a careful study in order to determine if the point of common coupling is suitable for transmission of the generated power, keeping acceptable power quality and system stability. In this sense, this paper presents a simple analytical formulation that allows a fast and comprehensive evaluation of the maximum power delivered by the induction generator, without losing voltage stability. Moreover, this formulation can be used to identify voltage stability issues that limit the generator output power. All the formulation is developed by using the equivalent circuit of squirrel-cage induction machine. Simulation results are used to validate the method, which enables the approach to be used as a guide to reduce the simulation efforts necessary to assess the maximum output power and voltage stability of induction generators. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dependence of Generation-Recombination Noise With Gate Voltage in FD SOI MOSFETs

A model for computing the generation-recombination noise due to traps within the semiconductor film of fully depleted silicon-on-insulator MOSFET transistors is presented. Dependence of the corner frequency of the Lorentzian spectra on the gate voltage is addressed in this paper, which is different to the constant behavior expected for bulk transistors. The shift in the corner frequency makes the characterization process easier. It helps to identify the energy position, capture cross sections, and densities of the traps. This characterization task is carried out considering noise measurements of two different candidate structures for single-transistor dynamic random access memory devices.