Pulsed power applications with conductive (carbon-loaded) composite polymer electrodes - requirements and characterization

Pulsed power (PP) is a technology where energy is released to a load in a short time. Every device using this technology needs electrodes to transfer the electric energy to the load. Recent developments in composite conductive polymers make them suitable as electrodes for new or existing PP applications, where normally metals were used. Composite polymers, consisting of conductive filler and a nonconductive matrix, can solve several specific problems in common and to be developed (PP) applications, due to their ability to conduct current or to store electrical charge, in combination with their elasticity. In general, polymer electrodes behave differently on pulsed stimuli compared to a static load and metal electrodes. An overview of many existing characterization methods and a newly developed technique suited for characterization of conductive polymers for PP applications in particular is described. For three different applications, artificial muscles, cell electroporation, and biofouling prevention, the requirements for the polymer electrodes and specific application-related issues are addressed with examples.