Paul Ohodnicki named new Center for Energy Director at University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Paul Ohodnicki joins as permanent director, succeeding Heng Ban; to expand energy research and education capabilities across multiple disciplines.
Direct Current
Articles tagged with Direct Current
Novel fast charging solution for electric vehicles
Researchers at IISc have developed a novel cascaded H-bridge-based multiport DC converter to directly connect to the medium-voltage AC grid, eliminating the need for large and expensive LFTs. This technology offers a 3-5% improvement in energy efficiency and reduces costs, making electric vehicle charging stations environmentally frien...
Strong driving to realize super-Bloch oscillations
An international team successfully realizes periodic oscillations and transportation for optical pulses using a synthetic temporal lattice. They observe the features of SBO collapse, including vanishing oscillation amplitude and flip of initial oscillation direction.
NUS researchers develop new battery-free technology to power electronic devices using ambient radiofrequency signals
A team of NUS researchers developed a compact and sensitive rectifier technology that uses nanoscale spin-rectifiers to convert ambient wireless radio frequency signals into DC voltage. The technology overcomes challenges in existing energy harvesting modules, enabling battery-free operation for small electronic devices.
Offshore windfarms – A threat for electro-sensitive sharks?
New research reveals offshore windfarm electromagnetic fields have minimal impact on shark growth and survival, but ongoing studies aim to improve understanding of effects on marine species. The study focused on small-spotted catshark development under control and windfarm-impacted conditions using AC or DC currents.
A flexible and efficient DC power converter for sustainable-energy microgrids
A new DC-DC power converter designed by Kobe University team offers superior voltage ratio, system stability, and simplicity, achieving an impressive efficiency of up to 98.3%. The device can efficiently interface with various energy sources, making it suitable for renewable energy integration and electric vehicle applications.
Virtual reality exposure plus electric brain stimulation offers a promising treatment for PTSD
A new study combines virtual reality exposure with transcranial direct current stimulation to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans. The innovative approach shows significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity and accelerates psychological adjustment, offering hope for an effective treatment.
Study offers details on using electric fields to tune thermal properties of ferroelectric materials
Scientists from NC State University have discovered a way to manipulate the flow of heat through ferroelectric materials by applying different electric fields. The study, published in Advanced Materials, found that varying electric field strengths, types (AC/DC), time, and frequency can alter the thermal properties of these materials.
UCF researchers create technology that harvests radio waves for energy
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have created a technology that converts radio frequency signals into direct current electricity, reducing the need for batteries in wireless systems. This innovation can help promote a more sustainable future by harnessing ambient energy from radio waves.
US coastal zones have seen high historical and current development, making them especially vulnerable to sea level rise and hurricane damage
Research highlights the impact of historical development on US coastal zones' exposure to sea level rise and hurricanes. The study uses historical data to better understand how development contributes to increased vulnerability.
Direct current stimulation of the brain over Wernicke's area can help people learn new words
The study found that cathodal tDCS enhances the acquisition of abstract semantics, while anodal tDCS shows more success in learning concrete concepts. The results suggest that different neural mechanisms are involved in processing abstract and concrete word meanings.
Transcranial direct current stimulation is a safe treatment
Researchers found no clinically significant changes in metabolite levels after transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatment. The study's results support the understanding of tDCS as a safe treatment option, even when considering metabolic effects.
Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine names Dr. Potter-Baker winner of Ernest Bors, MD Award
Dr. Potter-Baker received the award for her research on transcranial direct current stimulation for upper limb functional recovery after spinal cord injury. The study was published in 2017 and has shown promising results.
A new system optimizes electric transmission from offshore wind farms
A new system developed by UC3M researchers allows for efficient energy transmission from offshore wind farms to the mainland electrical grid. The system uses a distributed control system and diode rectifier stations to synchronize wind turbine voltage and frequency, reducing costs by up to 30%.
Direct electrical current used to preferentially inhibit pain-transmitting neurons
Researchers have developed a concept to preferentially inhibit pain-transmitting neurons using direct electrical current. The new approach could reduce side effects of conventional devices, allowing for more precise targeting of pain-transmitting nerve cells.
Transcranial stimulation and/or physical therapy improves walking speed in Parkinson's disease
A clinical trial found that noninvasive brain stimulation and physical therapy alone or in combination improve some measures of walking ability in patients with Parkinson's disease. Walking speed increased by an average of 19 percent, with improvements lasting for at least eight weeks after treatment.
Transcranial direct current stimulation improves mental manipulation of body part imagery
Researchers at Kanazawa University found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the lateral occipito-temporal cortex (LOTC) improved mental manipulation of body part imagery. This improvement was observed in healthy adults, indicating potential benefits for exercise learning and rehabilitation outcomes.
Low levels of brain stimulation with electrodes may temporarily lessen bulimia symptoms
Researchers found that a 20-minute session of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improves bulimia symptoms, mood, and self-regulatory control. This breakthrough study offers hope for a new therapy for the mental health condition.
Calcium waves in the brain alleviate depressive behavior in mice
Researchers found that transcranial direct current stimulation causes synchronized calcium surges from astrocytes, reducing depressive symptoms and increasing neural plasticity. This effect is absent when blocking astrocytic calcium surges, highlighting their importance in therapeutic outcomes.
First optical rectenna -- combined rectifier and antenna -- converts light to DC current
The team uses multiwall carbon nanotubes and tiny rectifiers to create an antenna that captures light from the sun or other sources, producing a small direct current. The efficiency of the devices is below one percent, but the researchers hope to boost it through optimization techniques.
Non-invasive brain stimulation technique could transform learning
Researchers have developed a new non-invasive brain stimulation technique that increases brain excitability, potentially improving physical performance and treating neurological disorders. The technique, called transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS), produces larger changes in the brain than conventional methods.
Weak electric current to the brain may improve thinking in people with schizophrenia
Researchers found that transcranial direct current stimulation led to improvements in short-term memory and subtle changes in word retrieval in people with schizophrenia. The study suggests that this type of brain stimulation might ease some cognitive difficulties, enabling individuals to lead a more normal life.
Helping general electric upgrade the US power grid
Researchers at General Electric and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have collaborated on designing a plasma-based power switch, which could contribute to the US power grid's advancement and reliability. The switch utilizes a compact, low-cost design, potentially reducing utility bills and enhancing grid efficiency.
Direct current, another option to improve the electrical power transmission
Researchers propose using direct current lines to improve power transmission and balance renewable energy production. The GISEL group develops new VSC technology for converters, offering advantages in controlling power transmission and reducing losses.
How does electrical stimulation modulate electrophysiological environment after SCI?
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences found that electrical stimulation with a reversed polarity can effectively modulate injury potentials and promote the spontaneous repair of cell membranes in rats with spinal cord injuries. This study proposes a method to define stimulation intensity based on injury potential values.
Electrical brain stimulation can alleviate swallowing disorders after stroke
A new study published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience has shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance the outcome of swallowing therapy for post-stroke dysphagia. tDCS improved post-stroke dysphagia in patients with long-lasting effects observed over three months.
Brain stimulation improves dexterity
Researchers found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve delicate task performance by 24%, outperforming single-hemisphere and sham treatments. The study used healthy volunteers to test the effects of dual-hemisphere tDCS, showing significant benefits for non-dominant hand skills.
Smaller, lighter power adaptors take the weight off laptops
Researchers have developed smaller and lighter power adapters that can convert AC to DC power for laptops, enabling compact designs. The piezoelectric transformers are suitable for various appliances requiring an AC-DC converter and transformer.