The electric field responses of the average and local lattice strains and polar nanoregions of relaxor ferroelectric PMN-30PT single crystals were revealed by multi-scale and time-resolved X-ray diffraction under DC and AC electric fields.

Lead-based relaxor ferroelectrics exhibit giant piezoelectric properties owing to their heterogeneous structures. The average and local structures measured by single-crystal X-ray diffraction under DC and AC electric fields are reviewed in this article. The position-dependent local lattice strain and the distribution of polar nanodomains and nanoregions show strong electric field dependence, which contributes to the giant piezoelectric properties.

X-ray crystallography is an established tool to probe the structure of macromolecules with atomic resolution. Compared with alternative techniques such as single-particle cryo-electron microscopy and micro-electron diffraction, X-ray crystallography is uniquely suited to room-temperature studies and for obtaining a detailed picture of macromolecules subjected to an external electric field (EEF). The impact of an EEF on proteins has been extensively explored through single-crystal X-ray crystallography, which works well with larger high-quality protein crystals. This article introduces a novel design for a 3D-printed in situ crystallization plate that serves a dual purpose: fostering crystal growth and allowing the concurrent examination of the effects of an EEF on crystals of varying sizes. The plate's compatibility with established X-ray crystallography techniques is evaluated.

A team of scientists has used data obtained from a suborbital rocket used in the NASA Endurance mission a to reveal an electric field that is as widespread

A team of scientists has used data obtained from a suborbital rocket used in the NASA Endurance mission a to reveal an electric field that is as widespread

A mysterious electromagnetic mechanism may be more important than the firing of neurons in our brain to explain our awareness

Soft robotic structures walk forward, pick up objects, and even dance in response to electric fields

Soft robotic structures walk forward, pick up objects, and even dance in response to electric fields

Mechanosensory hairs covering bumblebees’ bodies detect the small electrical fields emitted by flowers

Bumblebees use the fine hairs covering their bodies to detect electrical fields produced by the flowers they feed on and pollinate, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Bristol. The findings, just published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may help to solve the mystery of how insects and other terrestrial creatures detect and respond to electric fields.

It’s well known that bumblebees use their sense of smell, as well as visual cues such as the colour, shape, and patterning of flowers, to find nectar, and in 2013, biologist Daniel Robert and his colleagues reported the surprising finding that they can also detect floral electric fields.

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Cells that are in the process division are vulnerable to damage by AC electric fields that have specific frequency and field strength characteristics. The selective destruction of rapidly dividing cells can therefore be accomplished by imposing an AC electric field in a target region for extended periods of time at particular frequencies with particular filed strengths. Some of the cells that divide while the field is applied will be damaged, but the cells that do not divide will not be harmed. This selectively damages rapidly dividing cells like bacteria, but does not harm normal cells that are not dividing. Since the vulnerability of the dividing cells is strongly related to the alignment between the long axis of the dividing cells and the lines of force of the electric field, improved results can be obtained when the field is sequentially imposed in different directions.

In one embodiment, an electric field sensor is provided including an elongated conductor; a circuit including an input and an output connected across the elongated conductor wherein said circuit includes a DC to AC signal converter; wherein said elongated conductor is operative to impose a DC signal on said circuit input in response to being exposed to an electric field and broadcast an AC signal converted from said DC signal in response to said electric field being greater than a threshold level.

The present disclosure relates to an electric field emission x-ray tube apparatus equipped with a built-in getter, and more particularly, to an electric field emission x-ray tube apparatus equipped with a built-in getter that makes it possible to reduce the size of an x-ray tube by forming a stacked structure, with electric insulation and predetermined gaps maintained for each electrode, by manufacturing an x-ray tube having a stacked structure by inserting insulating spacers (for example, ceramic) between an exhausting port, a cathode, a gate, a focusing electrode, and an anode and bonding them with an adhesive substance, and then inserting a spacer between a field emitter on a cathode substrate and a gate hole connected with a gate electrode.

A method for preparing an object to be tested, having a given relative permittivity, intended to be illuminated by an incident electromagnetic wave. The method includes: providing a part including a cavity for housing the object and at least one extension element made from a material having a relative permittivity that is preferably equal to that of the object, the extension element at least partially delimiting the cavity and extending to either side of the cavity in a passage direction of the cavity, over a length at least equal, on either side of the cavity, to one third of the length of the cavity in the passage direction, and placing the object in the cavity, such that the object is in contact with the extension element in the passage direction.

Online Resource

Interview with John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MHSc, MBA, author of Alternating Electric Fields for the Treatment of Glioblastoma

Soft robotic structures walk forward, pick up objects, and even dance in response to electric fields

Soft robotic structures walk forward, pick up objects, and even dance in response to electric fields