Performance of electrokinetic treatment of fine-grained problematic soils

Electrokinetic (EK) treatment is an innovative, cost-effective in situ ground modification technology. The EK treatment uses a combination of low-voltage direct-current, electrodes, and ionic solutions across problematic soil to improve the ground conditions. This study aims to model the effect of changing electrode length (le) on the performance of the EK treatment on the engineering properties of fine-grained problematic soils. The consideration of the changing electrode lengths (le), varying soil depths (ds), and lengthwise anode to cathode distances (dA↔E), in the soil block samples, is in the form of the laboratory model test tank. The significant performance of the experimental tests was with changing electrode lengths of 0.25le (7.5 cm), 0.50le (15.0 cm), 0.75le (22.5 cm), and 1.0le (30.0 cm). The study analyzed the test data obtained from the Atterberg limit and one-dimensional swelling tests at different extraction points of the EK treated soils in the test tanks. Furthermore, the study carefully analyzed the effect of changing electrode length (le) on the performance of the EK treatment. The results of the Design of Experiment (DOE) model analysis revealed that the effect of changing electrode length (le) on the plasticity index (PI), and swelling potential (SP) of the EK treated soils, was significant. For a specific soil depth (ds), the electrode lengths (le) of 0.50le and 0.75le were significantly effective in reducing the PI, and the SP of the EK treated soils. Unlike other studies in the literature, the use of DOE analysis in the present study enabled the detection of the significant input factors and their interactive effects on the PI and the SP, thus, enabling the practicing engineers to navigate accurate design models for large in situ applications.

Longevity and reliability of chronic unit recordings using the Utah, intracortical multi-electrode arrays

Objective. Microelectrode arrays are standard tools for conducting chronic electrophysiological experiments, allowing researchers to simultaneously record from large numbers of neurons. Specifically, Utah electrode arrays (UEAs) have been utilized by scientists in many species, including rodents, rhesus macaques, marmosets, and human participants. The field of clinical human brain-computer interfaces currently relies on the UEA as a number of research groups have FDA clearance for this device through the investigational device exemption pathway. Despite its widespread usage in systems neuroscience, few studies have comprehensively evaluated the reliability and signal quality of the Utah array over long periods of time in a large dataset. Approach. We collected and analyzed over 6000 recorded datasets from various cortical areas spanning almost 9 years of experiments, totaling 17 rhesus macaques (Macaca Mulatta) and 2 human subjects, and 55 separate microelectrode Utah arrays. The scale of this dataset allowed us to evaluate the average life of these arrays, based primarily on the signal-to-noise ratio of each electrode over time. Main Results. Using implants in primary motor, premotor, prefrontal, and somatosensory cortices, we found that the average lifespan of available recordings from UEAs was 622 days, although we provide several examples of these UEAs lasting over 1000 days and one up to 9 years; human implants were also shown to last longer than non-human primate implants. We also found that electrode length did not affect longevity and quality, but iridium oxide metallization on the electrode tip exhibited superior yield as compared to platinum metallization.

Modelling Surface Electric Discharge Propagation on Polluted Insulators under AC Voltage

In this contribution, a mathematical model allowing for the prediction of the AC surface arc propagation on polluted insulators under non-uniform electric field is proposed. The approach is based on the experimental concept of Claverie and Porcheron. The proposed model, which makes it possible to reproduce the surface electric discharge, includes a condition for arrest of the propagating discharge. The electric field at the tip of the discharge is the key parameter governing its random propagation. A finite element approach allows for mapping of the electric field distribution while the discharge propagation process is simulated in two dimensions. The voltage drop along the arc discharge path at each propagation step is also taken into account. The simulation results are validated against experimental data, taking into account several electro-geometric parameters (distance between electrodes, pollution conductivity, radius of high-voltage electrode, length of the plane electrode). Good agreement between computed and experimental results were obtained for various test configurations.

Investigation of the Kerr effect on polarised light

A constructed Kerr cell with brass electrodes and liquid nitrobenzene was used for studying the Kerr effect on polarised light. Laser light was plane polarised and passed through an energised Kerr cell. The plane polarised light after travelling a path length equal to the cell electrode length in a birefringent medium, suffered optical retardance before passing through an analyser which then transmitted light of certain intensity to a photodiode. Data used were generated from experiments and theoretical considerations using Kerr’s law and Malus’ law. With crossed Polaroids, the Kerr cell behaved as an electro-optic shutter and the maximum light intensity transmitted rose steadily with increased phase difference to about 0.82. With parallel Polaroids, the maximum light intensity transmitted was higher and found to be 0.89 at zero phase difference. This value indicates a large phase delay and decreased to a non-zero value. At maximum electric field intensity, a ‘climbing’ of the nitrobenzene on the Kerr cell walls and electrodes was observed with more nitrobenzene attracted to the anode. The effect suspected to be of electrostatic origin may have been driven by the predominant ions in the nitrobenzene. Furthermore, the higher level of the nitrobenzene meniscus at the anode probably suggests that while the cathode injected carriers of negative charge into the liquid the injection of carriers from the anode was weaker. For better results, attention should be given to Polaroid quality, the purity of the liquid nitrobenzene and the length of the electrodes used.

Investigation of the Effects of Electrode Geometry on the Performance of C4D Sensor with Radial Configuration

Electrodes are basic components of C4D (capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection) sensors, and different electrode structures (the configuration pattern or the electrode geometry) can lead to different measurement results. In this work, the effects of electrode geometry of radial configuration on the measurement performance of C4D sensors are investigated. Two geometrical parameters, the electrode length and the electrode angle, are considered. A FEM (finite element method) model based on the C4D method is developed. With the FEM model, corresponding simulation results of conductivity measurement with different electrode geometry are obtained. Meanwhile, practical experiments of conductivity measurement are also conducted. According to the simulation results and experimental results, the optimal electrode geometry of the C4D sensor with radial configuration is discussed and proposed. The recommended electrode length is 5–10 times of the pipe inner diameter and the recommended electrode angle is 120–160°.

General Approach for Inline Electrode Wear Monitoring at Resistance Spot Welding

Electrodes for resistance spot welding inevitably wear out. In order to extend their service life, the tip-dressing process restores their original geometry. So far, however, the point in time for tip-dressing is mainly based on experience and not on process data. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the in-situ or inline wear during the welding process without using additional sensors, and to base the timing for tip-dressing on continuous process monitoring, extending electrode life even further. Under laboratory conditions, electrode wear is analyzed by topographical measurements deepening the knowledge of the known main wear modes of resistance-spot-welding electrodes, mushrooming and plateau forming, and characterizing an electrode length delta over the number of spot welds. In general, electrode wear results in deformation of the electrode contact area, which influences process parameters and thereby weld quality. The conducted tests show correlation between this deformed contact area and the electrode length delta. The study shows that this electrode length delta is visible in actual process data, and can therefore be used as a criterion to characterize the wear of electrodes. Furthermore, this study gives reason to question commonly used spot-welding quality criteria and suggests different approaches, such as basing spot-welding quality on the possibility of nondestructive testing.

Conductance-Based Interface Detection for Multi-Phase Pipe Flow

Sediment and flow depth monitoring in sewers is important for informing flow models and for predicting and mitigating against sewer blockage formation and surcharge. In this study, a novel sensor based on conductance measurement has been developed and tested under a laboratory environment and validated by a finite-element model. The relative conductance is measured between pairs of adjacent electrodes to provide a conductance profile along the sensor length. A piecewise linear relationship between conductance and electrode length was derived and the interface positions between sediment, water, and air can be determined from the profile. The results demonstrated that the root mean square error of the model and the measured interface level are within 1.4% and 2.6% of sensor’s measurement range. An error distribution of interface height shows that all anticipated errors are within the resolution of the electrode length increments. Furthermore, it was found that the conductivity of the measured medium is proportional to the gradient of the linear relationship of conductance and electrode length. It could therefore prove a valuable new tool for the accurate quantification of sediment and flow levels in sewer conduits, coastal environments, drainage systems for transport networks, and other industrial or academic applications.

Optimal Design of the Vertical Earthing with Electrodes Arranged in Line

The design methods of earthing from standards recommend the choice of electrode lengths and propose that the distances between electrodes to be 1–3 times larger than their length. The number of electrodes is determined from the condition of achieving the design earth resistance, while the design ends with the choice of one of the variants. This paper presents the methodology for calculating the earthing system with cylindrical, vertical electrodes arranged in a line. The main variables are the length and the number of earth electrodes, as well as the distance between adjacent ones. Firstly, a set of technologically advantageous values for the earth electrode length is established (e.g., 10 values). For each value of the electrode length and different numbers of electrodes (e.g., 11 values), the distance between adjacent electrodes is determined (e.g., for 110 cases), which leads to the design value resistance. Finally, optimal solutions are identified based on the five optimal applied criteria. The proposed optimal criteria for earthing design are the footprint area, the total earthing volume, the total dispersion surface, the total metal mass, and the investment costs. Comparing the optimal solutions with other technically possible solutions clearly highlights substantial savings concerning space, material, and cost.