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The primary aim of the power system grounding is to safeguard the person and satisfying the performance of the power system to maintain reliable operation. With equal conductor spacing grounding grid design, the distribution of the current in the grid is not uniform. Hence, unequal grid conductor span in which grid conductors are concentrated more at the periphery is safer to practice than equal spacing. This paper presents the comparative analysis of two novel techniques that create unequal spacing among the grid conductors: the least-square curve fitting technique and the compression ratio technique with equal grid configuration for both square and rectangular grids. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is adopted for finding out one optimal feasible solution among many feasible solutions of equal grid configuration for both square and rectangular grids. Comparative analysis is also carried out between square and rectangular grids using the least square curve fitting technique as it results in only one unequal grid configuration. Simulation results are obtained by the MATLAB software developed. Percentage of improvement in ground potential rise, step voltage, touch voltage, and grid resistance with variation in compression ratios are plotted.

Ion channels regulate a variety of physiological processes and represent an important class of drug target. Among the many methods of studying ion channel function, patch clamp electrophysiology is considered the gold standard by providing the ultimate precision and flexibility. However, its utility in ion channel drug discovery is impeded by low throughput. Additionally, characterization of endogenous ion channels in primary cells remains technical challenging. In recent years, many automated patch clamp (APC) platforms have been developed to overcome these challenges, albeit with varying throughput, data quality and success rate. In this study, we utilized SyncroPatch 768PE, one of the latest generation APC platforms which conducts parallel recording from two-384 modules with giga-seal data quality, to push these 2 boundaries. By optimizing various cell patching parameters and a two-step voltage protocol, we developed a high throughput APC assay for the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7. By testing a group of Nav1.7 reference compounds' IC50, this assay was proved to be highly consistent with manual patch clamp (R > 0.9). In a pilot screening of 10,000 compounds, the success rate, defined by > 500 MΩ seal resistance and >500 pA peak current, was 79%. The assay was robust with daily throughput ~ 6,000 data points and Z' factor 0.72. Using the same platform, we also successfully recorded endogenous voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 in primary T cells. Together, our data suggest that SyncroPatch 768PE provides a powerful platform for ion channel research and drug discovery.

This paper presents study of the Electrohydrodynamic Drop-on-Demand (DOD) phenomena by applying the multi-step pulse voltage. The multi-step voltage was generated through the high voltage power source connected with pulse generator. A DOD phenomenon was observed with the help of high speed camera. For study purpose the experiments were performed on ethanol by changing the operating parameters such as multi-step pulsed voltage, frequency of applied pulsed voltage and flow-rate. For DOD printing purpose conductive ink is used and patterns were made on the glass substrate and analyzed on different operating conditions. The minimum droplet diameter of approximately 40μm at 325Hz frequency was achieved on the glass substrate. The printed pattern exhibited the linear ohmic behavior and pattern material is characterized through XRD. This study will help in better understanding of the Electrohydrodynamic DOD phenomena for the printing purpose.

In this paper, the transient breakdown voltage (TrBV) of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) laterally diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) device was increased by introducing a step P-type doping buried layer (SPBL) below the buried oxide (BOX). Device simulation software MEDICI 0.13.2 was used to investigate the electrical characteristics of the new devices. When the device was turned off, the SPBL could enhance the reduced surface field (RESURF) effect and modulate the lateral electric field in the drift region to ensure that the surface electric field was evenly distributed, thus increasing the lateral breakdown voltage (BVlat). The enhancement of the RESURF effect while maintaining a high doping concentration in the drift region (Nd) in the SPBL SOI LDMOS resulted in a reduction in the substrate doping concentration (Psub) and an expansion of the substrate depletion layer. Therefore, the SPBL both improved the vertical breakdown voltage (BVver) and suppressed an increase in the specific on-resistance (Ron,sp). The results of simulations showed a 14.46% higher TrBV and a 46.25% lower Ron,sp for the SPBL SOI LDMOS compared to those of the SOI LDMOS. As the SPBL optimized the vertical electric field at the drain, the turn-off non-breakdown time (Tnonbv) of the SPBL SOI LDMOS was 65.64% longer than that of the SOI LDMOS. The SPBL SOI LDMOS also demonstrated that TrBV was 10% higher, Ron,sp was 37.74% lower, and Tnonbv was 10% longer than those of the double RESURF SOI LDMOS.

This paper proposes a high-precision automated testing system based on a LabVIEW-Python collaborative architecture for evaluating the dynamic response of solenoid valves. The system integrates LabVIEW’s high-precision data acquisition capabilities with Python’s automated feature extraction tools, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional single-platform solutions. During testing, a step voltage signal is applied to the solenoid valve while the drive current and output pressure responses are synchronously acquired at a 5 kHz sampling rate. Using the current signal as a time reference, the analysis algorithm automatically extracts seven dynamic parameters, including the opening time (T2), closing time (tE1), pressure build-up gradient (Gu), and pressure release gradient (Gd). Experimental results demonstrate a 40% improvement in testing efficiency and a 60% improvement in parameter extraction completeness compared to conventional methods. The measured values (T2 = 154.4 ms, Gu = 46.4 bar/s, tE1 = 138.8 ms, Gd = 46.83 bar/s) show high consistency with the acquired waveforms. The testing process strictly adheres to the ISO 12238:2023 standard. This system provides an efficient, reliable, and standardized solution for validating solenoid valve performance and establishes a foundation for integrating machine learning technologies to enable intelligent diagnostics and predictive maintenance.

TNAs have been synthesized using a two-step anodization method by increasing the second-step voltages. The titanium (Ti) foil was used as the anode, and the first step of anodization layer was removed by sonication in the deionized water. The second anodization step was conducted using the same electrolyte but at a higher potential. The modification of the second-step voltage was discussed with correlation for the morphology and photoelectrochemical performance of TNAs. Increasing the second voltage of two-step anodization leads to a decrease in the bandgap of the anatase phase of TNAs at 3.09 eV. The highly ordered TNAs were formed by increasing the second-step voltage based on the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) images with a higher regularity ratio (RR) with 30 V for 30 min in the first step and 40 V for 30 min in the second step. The tube length of TNAs was produced in a short time of anodization. The photocurrent density of TNAs prepared by increasing voltage in the second step is higher than that of the one-step anodization. Graphical abstract

Traditional on-load tap charger (OLTC) transformer use mechanical switch or anti-parallel thyristor as on-load tap changers. By changing the position of the tap chargers, the transformation ratio is changed, so as to achieve discrete step voltage regulation function. In this paper a novel Flexible On-Load Voltage Regulator (Flexible OLVR) is proposed, which is integrated design of Power Electronic Converter (PEC) and OLTC transformer. The converter is set at the primary side of the transformer, and it could control the output voltage accurately to relize the stepless voltage regulation when there is grid voltage fluctuation. The topology and operating principle of 10kV/0.4kV Flexible OLVR are given in this paper. Secondly, the main parameter design criteria is discussed through a group of design examples. Finally, the feasibility of the scheme is verified by the simulation waveform.

This paper aims to propose a method for the design of the substation grounding grid in China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR). In order to evaluate the safety of the grounding grid, Electrical Transient Analysis Program (ETAP) was used to simulate the fault current, contact voltage, and step voltage, and the results are compared with theoretical calculations to verify the correctness of the design. This will help reduce faults caused by the defects of grounding grid This method is special in that the designed grounding grid not only meets the requirements of relevant standards, but also reduces the number of conductors. During the design process, factors such as voltage level, fault location, and soil resistivity were fully considered to adapt to different occasions. This method can also guide the design and renovation of grounding grids for other buildings in CFETR.

This study presents a full methodological approach to designing and verifying differential sample and hold switched-capacitor circuits generally used in analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs). It provides a step-by-step process for translating system requirements such as signal-to-noise ratio and sampling frequency into ADC requirements and subsequently into operational amplifier topology and specifications. It also includes the design process of a switched-capacitor common mode feedback circuit to control the common mode output voltage. Furthermore, this study discusses the noise aspects of the switched-capacitor circuits. It also provides practical methods for verifying the stability of the system by using step voltage and step current techniques. A design and simulation example for a differential sample and hold switched-capacitor circuit operating in a system requiring a 5 MHz sampling frequency and a 6-bit ADC is provided. Mentor Graphics CAD tools were used in the design and the simulations process by using 180 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) device models. This study can be used as a resource for the design engineers in the industry as well as the universities teaching graduate level advanced electronics and data converter courses.

KCNQ4 -encoded K V 7.4 voltage-gated potassium channels are expressed in hair-cells of the inner ear. Loss-of-function variants in KCNQ4 cause non-syndromic progressive hearing loss (DFNA2). K V 7.4 pore opening requires voltage-dependent conformational changes (activation) of the voltage-sensor domains (VSDs); however, how fast charge displacement during VSD activation is coupled to slow channel opening is currently unclear. Here, we optically tracked K V 7.4 VSD activation with voltage-clamp fluorometry, leveraging two fluorophores and pulsed excitation, and found that VSD activation comprises several voltage-dependent transitions, some with kinetics and voltage-dependence matching those of channel opening and closing. The DFNA2-causing R216H mutation impairs VSD movement and channel opening by destabilizing the active VSD configuration, a result confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations. We propose that the K V 7.4 VSD activates in two steps: a fast movement representing a first transition to an intermediate activation state, followed by slower component(s) that fully activate the VSD and drive channel opening. Kv7.4 channels regulate auditory function. Here, authors use electrophysiological, optical and computational methods to investigate the structural changes that drive Kv7.4-channel opening, and how these are impaired by a deafness-causing mutation