High Voltage Electric Fields Have Potential to Create New Physical Pest Control Systems

An electric field is the space surrounding an electric charge, within which it is capable of exerting a perceptible force on another electric charge. Especially under high voltage, electric fields induce various electrostatic phenomena, some of which could be utilized to provide remarkable pest control measures. The main focus of the present study was to introduce an attractive force generated by a surface charge on an insulated electrified conductor, which was successfully used to construct an electric field screen that prevented airborne nuisances (spores, flying insects, pollen, and fine smoke) from entering the interiors of various facilities. Another focus was the disinclination of insects to enter the electric field, thus, giving the electric field screen the ability to repel insects. Charges accumulated on the surfaces of non-insulated conductors are mobile through discharge, based on their potential difference. Such arc discharge was strong enough to destroy insects that were exposed to it. Some precedent illustrative examples are cited to explain the principles of attraction, dielectrophoretic movement of spores, and discharge-mediated positive electrification of insects, and to discuss how electric fields are generated and used in electric field-based pest control strategies.

Analysis of the Possibility of Using Energy Harvesters to Power Wearable Electronics in Clothing

The purpose of this study is to analyze the state-of-art knowledge of the use of energy harvesters (EHs) to power the wearables of clothing. The study discusses some examples of clothing with incorporated different types of EHs, harvesting energy from body movement (based on piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and electrostatic phenomena) from temperature differences, as well as from solar radiation. In the performed analysis, particular attention was focused on the design of EHs, their principle of operation, advantages, disadvantages, and restrictions on use. Low energy requirements of wearable electronics (e.g., sensors and diodes) implemented to clothing indicate the possibility of using miniaturized EHs as a power source for such elements. Each of the discussed EH has both disadvantages and advantages. Therefore, the selection of EH should be preceded by a detailed analysis of the conditions of the garment use, its destination, the user’s physical activity, and the energy needs of the electronic devices incorporated in clothing. Despite a variety of research studies aimed at developing new EH, relatively few of them concern their implementation in the structure of clothing and tests of their functionality in the foreseeable conditions of use. In view of the above, these issues have been addressed in this publication based on the available literature.

A Modified Cooperative A* Algorithm for the Simultaneous Motion of Multiple Microparts on a “Smart Platform” with Electrostatic Fields

In this article, a method for microparts parallel manipulation with electrostatic forces, applied by conductive electrodes embedded on a Programmable “Smart Platform”, is introduced. The design of the platform and the layout of the electrodes underneath the rectangular microparts with respect to the platform’s geometry are presented. The electrostatic phenomena that result to the electrostatic forces applied to the microparts by the activated electrodes of the “Smart Platform” are studied in detail. Algorithms for the activation of the platform’s electrodes for the motion of the rectangular microparts are introduced and their motion is simulated. The Configuration-Space (C-Space) of the microparts on the “Smart Platform” is defined taking into account the static obstacles that are placed on the platform and the rest of moving microparts. Considering the layout of the platform, the activation algorithms, the motion and the C-Space of the microparts, a modified A* algorithm is proposed and the best path for every moving rectangular micropart on the “Smart Platform”, is computed with respect to time. Simulated experiments are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach and the results are discussed.

The Role of Supramolecular Intermediates in the Potential Energy Surface of the Diels-Alder Reaction

The potential energy surface of four stereoselective Diels-Alder reactions was studied, namely: cyclopentadiene-maleic anhydride, furan-maleic anhydride, the dimerization of cyclopentadiene, and cyclopentadiene-cyclopropene. For completeness, we also studied the reaction between ethylene and 2-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, a [5+2] cycloaddition reaction. For all cases at least a stationary state of supramolecular nature a van der Waals complex, was determined. These stationary states are complexes formed by the interaction between the reagents, minima located in the paths between the non-interacting molecules and the transition states. The existence of these complexes makes it necessary to reconsider the role of Secondary Orbital Interactions in the selectivity of these reactions. As it is the case with other complexes, the stability of these supramolecular intermediates depends on electrostatic phenomena such as dispersion forces. The observation of [5+2] intramolecular complexes in solution is important since up to now, this kind of van der Waals complexes had only been described in the gas phase.

Three Interactions of Holes in Two Dimensional Dimer Systems

Consider the unit triangular lattice in the plane with origin $O$, drawn so that one of the sets of lattice lines is vertical. Let $l$ and $l'$ denote respectively the vertical and horizontal lines that intersect $O$. Suppose the plane contains a pair of triangular holes of side length two, distributed symmetrically with respect to $l$ and $l'$ and oriented so that both holes point toward the origin. In the following article rhombus tilings of three different regions of the plane are considered, namely: tilings of the entire plane; tilings of the half plane that lies to the left of $l$ (where $l$ is considered a free boundary, so unit rhombi are allowed to protrude halfway across it); and tilings of the half plane that lies just below the fixed boundary $l'$. Asymptotic expressions for the interactions of the triangular holes in these three different regions are obtained thus providing further evidence for Ciucu's ongoing program that seeks to draw parallels between gaps in dimer systems on the hexagonal lattice and certain electrostatic phenomena.