Elmar C. Fuchs

• Dipl.-Ing. Dr.
• Program Manager at Wetsus

This study investigates the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using a hyperbolic vortex plasma discharge under various plasma-atmospheric conditions demonstrating varied degradation times for PFAS of different chain lengths. Experiments with spiked long-chain perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in deionized (DI) water show that bipola...

This paper presents an experimental study comparing the aeration efficiencies of hyperbolic funnels and a cylindrical reactor, focusing on key parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, standard oxygen transfer rate (SOTR20), and standard aeration efficiency (SAE). The unique geometry of the hyperbolic funnel induces a helical water fl...

Experimental investigations into the characterization of vortices in hyperbolic funnels have shown efficient aeration properties. Certain regimes of vortices have been observed to exhibit high gas dissolution rates. This phenomenon has prompted inquiries into the underlying physical mechanisms at both micro and macroscopic scales. The present study...

The current absence of well-established and standardized methods for characterizing submicrometer- and nano-sized particles in water samples presents a significant analytical challenge. With the increasing utilization of nanomaterials, the potential for unintended exposure escalates. The widespread and persistent pollution of water by micro- and na...

The present study focuses on the characterization of a hyperbolic vortex plasma reactor through the comparison of various plasma-atmospheric regimes for the production efficiency of reactive nitrogen (RNS) and reactive oxygen (ROS) species. The research also explores effectiveness in the removal of micropollutants, including pharmaceuticals and per...

There was an omission in the original publication [...]

The drinking water scarcity is posing a threat to mankind, hence better water quality management methods are required. Magnetic water treatment, which has been reported to improve aesthetic water quality and reduce scaling problems, can be an important addition to the traditional disinfectant dependent treatment. Despite the extensive market applic...

Iron oxidation and removal from groundwater is a necessary and costly process in drinking water production. In most cases, iron removal is done via aeration, succeeded by precipitation. Most systems for aeration are based on increasing the interfacial area via injecting air in the system or spraying. Both methods have disadvantages, like clogging a...

Aeration is one of the most cost intensive steps in water and wastewater treatment due to the large energy requirement for the creation of large surfaces for sufficient gas exchange as well as for providing efficient liquid transport in order to exchange saturated liquid elements at the surface with unsaturated ones from the bulk. In this work we s...

Drinking water plumbing systems appear to be a unique environment for microorganisms as they contain few nutrients but a high mineral concentration. Interactions between mineral content and bacteria, such as microbial calcium carbonate precipitation (MCP) however, has not yet attracted too much attention in drinking water sector. This study aims to...

A horizontal electrohydrodynamic (EHD) liquid bridge (also known as a “floating water bridge”) is a phenomenon that forms when high voltage DC (kV·cm−1) is applied to pure water in two separate beakers. The bridge, a free-floating connection between the beakers, acts as a cylindrical lens and refracts light. Using an interferometric set-up with a l...

It has been shown that magnetic treatment of tap water using very weak magnets with strong magnetic inho-mogeneities (∇B ~ 0.8 kG m-1) accelerates the growth of nm-sized prenucleation clusters (dynamically ordered liquid like oxyanion polymers or "DOLLOPs") in tap water. In this work we demonstrate that the same treatment can affect the long-term b...

This work discusses nuclear magnetic relaxation effects in glycerol subject to a strong electric field. The methods used are 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), referenced by 9.4 T nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). While MRI allows a glycerol probe to be sampled with a high voltage (HV) of 16 kV applied to the probe, NMR provides precise molecu...

In this work, we present a feasibility study of integrated optofluidic chips to measure the ionic content in water using differential absorption spectroscopy. The second overtone of the OH-stretch vibration of water is used as indicator for both the type and concentration of the dissolved ions. The optofluidic chips are based on silicon nitride (Tr...

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: In all instances mentioning “2 kG·m−1”, these gradients should be replaced by “770 G·m−1 (WCM 62081992) and 740 G·m−1 (WCM 62083545)”: Abstract, page 1, line 4; Chapter 1 [...]

Introducing a hyperbolic vortex into a showerhead is a possibility to achieve higher spray velocities for a given discharge without reducing the nozzle diameter. Due to the introduction of air bubbles into the water by the vortex, the spray is pushed from a transition (dripping faucet) regime into a jetting regime, which results in higher droplet a...

During four solar eclipse events (two annular, one total and one partial) a correlation was observed between a change in water surface tension and the magnitude of the optical coverage. During one eclipse, evaporation experiments were carried out which showed a reduction in water evaporation at the same time as a rise in the surface tension. The ch...

In this work we expand on findings previously reported [Wexler et al., PCCP, 2016, 18, 16281] on the experimental observation of a phase transition in a hydrogen bonded liquid manifesting in long range dipole-dipole interactions. The studied system, liquid water stressed by an electric field, exhibits collective oscillations brought about through s...

In a horizontal electrohydrodynamic bridge experiment, protons are created at the anode via high-voltage electrolysis. The hydrated protons can be observed both optically using shadowgraphy and Raman spectroscopy. If the system is taken out of its electrochemical equilibrium by a sudden disruption of the bridge, excess protons remain in the anolyte...

This work is focused on the role of temperature in the de-mixing of absorbance spectra measured in mixed aqueous and solutions. First, the influence of temperature on the absorbance spectrum of demineralized water was determined. Second, the absorbance spectra of five separate electrolytes (, , , , and NaOH) at three temperatures (4°C, 25°C, and 50...

Integrated optofluidic absorption spectroscopy has the potential to be used in the real-time identification and quantification of ionic content in drinking water. Such an approach requires single mode operation in combination with low propagation and bend losses. The design criteria for the realization of an integrated Near-infrared (NIR) sensor pl...

An aqueous electrohydrodynamic (EHD) floating liquid bridge is a unique environment for studying the influence of protonic currents (mA·cm⁻²) in strong DC electric fields (kV·cm⁻¹) on the behavior of microorganisms. It forms in between two beakers filled with water when high-voltage is applied to these beakers. We recently discovered that exposure...

In this experiment liquid water is subject to an inhomogeneous electric field (${\nabla}^2 E_a {\approx} 10^{10} \frac{V}{m^2}$ ) using a high voltage (20 kV) point-plane electrode system. With interferometry it was found that the application of a strong electric field gradient to water generates local changes in the refractive index of the liquid,...

Here we report on the feasibility and use of magnetic resonance imaging based methods to the study of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) liquid bridges. High speed tomographic recordings through the longitudinal axis of water bridges were used to characterize the mass transfer dynamics, mixing, and flow structure. By filling one beaker with heavy water and...

Here we report on the feasibility and use of magnetic resonance imaging based methods to the study of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) liquid bridges. High speed tomographic recordings through the longitudinal axis of water bridges were used to characterize the mass transfer dynamics, mixing, and flow structure. By filling one beaker with heavy water and...

In this experiment liquid water is subject to an inhomogeneous electric field (${\nabla}^2 E_a {\approx} 10^{10} \frac{V}{m^2}$ ) using a high voltage (20 kV) point-plane electrode system. With interferometry it was found that the application of a strong electric field gradient to water generates local changes in the refractive index of the liquid,...

In a floating water bridge the total radiation scattering of water stressed by a moderately strong electric field (1mV/nm) was compared to water without an applied electric field using X-ray and small angle neutron scattering. Structure refinement was carried out using the EPSR method and the TIP4P/2005 water model. These results did not reveal a s...

In 2012 Coey proposed a theory on the mechanism of magnetic water treatment based on the gradient of the applied field rather than its absolute strength. We tested this theory by measuring the effect of very weak field magnets (≤ 10 G) containing strong magnetic inhomogeneities (ΔB = 2 kG·m-1) on tap water samples by the use of electric impedance s...

Excess positive and negative Bjerrum-defect like charge (protonic and 'aterprotonic', from ancient Greek ατερ, 'without') in anolyte and catholyte of high voltage electrolysis of highly pure water was found during the so-called 'floating water bridge' experiment. The floating water bridge is a special case of an electrohydrodynamic liquid bridge an...

We have measured the quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) of an electrohydrodynamic liquid bridge formed between two beakers of pure water when a high voltage is applied, a set-up allowing to investigate water under high-voltage without high currents. From this experiment two proton populations were distinguished: one consisting of protons stron...

This work reports on proton production, transport, reduction and neutralization in floating aqueous bridges under the application of a high dc voltage (‘floating water bridge’). Recently possible mechanisms for proton transfer through the bridge were suggested. In this work we visualize and describe the production of protons in the anolyte and thei...

This study shows two novel fitting strategies applied to differential absorbance spectra for identification and quantification of electrolytes. The effects of 16 dissolved salts were investigated in the wavelength range from 14000 to 9091 wavenumbers (714–1100 nm) by linear fits of the differential absorbance values () recorded for each wavenumber...

Impedance spectroscopy is a useful tool for non-invasive and real time measurements of cell suspensions and a variety of biological tissues. The objective of this study was the investigation of the dielectric properties of living aquatic worms (Lumbriculus variegatus) using impedance spectroscopy in a frequency range between 100 Hz and 10 MHz. We d...

Horizontal and vertical liquid bridges are simple and powerful tools for exploring the interaction of high intensity electric fields (8-20 kV/cm) and polar dielectric liquids. These bridges are unique from capillary bridges in that they exhibit extensibility beyond a few millimeters, have complex bi-directional mass transfer patterns, and emit non-...

In this study, a multinozzle electrohydrodynamic atomization device was designed and studied for electrosprays in the simple-jet mode. Results have shown that the proposed device produces droplets with similar diameter in all nozzles, that the electric field creates a unique dispersion of the charged droplets and that it can operate under relativel...

When a high-voltage direct-current is applied to two beakers filled with water or polar liquid dielectrica, a horizontal bridge forms between the two beakers. This experiment was first carried out by Lord Armstrong in 1893 and then forgotten until recently. Such bridges are stable by the action of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) forces caused by electric...

Experiments were conducted in order to study and characterize electrohydrodynamic atomization in the simple-jet mode for inviscid liquids. The operational window of this mode regarding the electric potential and liquid flow rate is presented. From the data it could be concluded that this mode can be divided by the characteristics of its breakup mec...

We report on the infrared emission of aqueous bridges under the application of high dc voltage ('floating water bridge') over the range between 400 and 2500 cm −1 (4.0–10.3 µm). Comparison with bulk water of the same temperature reveals an additional broad peak at ∼2200 cm −1 as well as water vapour emission lines. Two complementary explanations ar...

Experiments were conducted in order to investigate the influences of flow rate, applied voltage, and electric conductivity on droplet size and size distribution of water electrosprays in the simple-jet mode. The results show that the electric potential decreases significantly the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the spray size distribution, wit...

When a high-voltage direct-current is applied to two beakers filled with water, a horizontal electrohydrodynamic (EHD) bridge forms between the two beakers. In this work we study the transport and behavior of bacterial cells added to an EHD bridge set-up. Organisms were added to one or to both beakers, and the transport of the cells through the bri...

When a high-voltage direct-current is applied to two beakers filled with polar liquid dielectrica like water or methanol, a horizontal bridge forms between the two beakers. By repeating a version of Pellat’s experiment, it is shown that a horizontal bridge is stable by the action of electrohydrodynamic pressure. Thus, the static and dynamic propert...

When a high-voltage direct-current is applied to two beakers filled with water or polar liquid dielectrica, a horizontal bridge forms between the two beakers. In this work such bridges made of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol are investigated with polarimetry and thermography. Whereas methanol, ethanol and 1-propanol bridges become warm...

Abatract—A novel device called the Bioscope System is investigated for feasibility as sensor for chemicals in aqueous solutions. Thereby a sample is examined by a pulsed voltage and electrical properties of that sample are measured. These electrical properties can be considered as a sum parameter of the sample in terms of conductivity and permittiv...

We report the energy relaxation of the OH stretch vibration of HDO molecules contained in an HDO:D(2)O water bridge using femtosecond mid-infrared pump-probe spectroscopy. We found that the vibrational lifetime is shorter (~630 ± 50 fs) than for HDO molecules in bulk HDO:D(2)O (~740 ± 40 fs). In contrast, the thermalization dynamics following the v...

When a high voltage is applied to a liquid pumped through a needle, charged microdroplets can be formed, which are carried along the electric field lines. This phenomenon is called electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA), or simply electrospray. In this work we show that in the case of water, droplets may reverse their paths flying back toward the l...

The original version of the article was published in Cent. Eur. J. Chem. 9(3) (2011), pp 391–403. Unfortunately, the original version of this article contains mistakes in the caption of the y-axis of Figs. 5,6 and 10 due to a font conversion problem. The actual units on the y-axis of these figures should be µS cm−1, not mS cm−1.

When high voltage is applied to distilled water filled into two beakers close to each other, a watery connection forms spontaneously, giving the impression of a floating water bridge [1-8]. In this work we present the first inelastic ultraviolet scattering data of such an electrohydrodynamic bridge revealing radial gradients of Stokes-and Anti-Stok...

The formation of aqueous bridges containing phenol and ethylene glycol as well as bisphenol-A, hydrochinone and p-cresol under the application of high voltage DC (“liquid bridges”) is reported. Detailed studies were made for phenol and glycol with concentrations from 0.005 to 0.531 mol L−1. Conductivity as well as substance and mass transfers throu...

When high voltage is applied to pure water filled into two beakers close to each other, a connection forms spontaneously, giving the impression of a floating water bridge (Armstrong 1893 The Electrical Engineer pp 154–45, Uhlig W 2005 personal communication, Fuchs et al 2007 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 40 6112–4, Fuchs et al 2008 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys...

In 1893 Sir William Armstrong placed a cotton thread between two wine glasses filled with chemically pure water. After applying a high voltage, a watery connection formed, and after some time, the cotton thread was pulled into one of the glasses, leaving a rope of water suspended between the two glasses. Although being a very simple experiment, it...

When high voltage is applied to pure water filled into two beakers close to each other, a connection forms spontaneously, giving the impression of a floating water bridge 1-8 . This phenomenon is of special interest, since it comprises a number of phenomena currently tackled in modern water science. In this work, the charge and mass transfer throug...

When a high voltage is applied to pure water filling two beakers kept close to each other, a connection forms spontaneously, giving the impression of a floating water bridge. This phenomenon is of special interest, since it comprises a number of phenomena currently tackled in modern water science. The formation and the main properties of this float...

When a high voltage is applied to pure water in two filled beakers kept close to each other, a connection forms spontaneously, giving the impression of a floating water bridge. This phenomenon is of special interest, since it comprises a number of phenomena currently tackled in modern water science. In this work, the first two-dimensional structura...

When high voltage is applied to distilled water filled into two beakers close to each other, a water connection forms spontaneously, giving the impression of a floating water bridge (Fuchs et al 2007 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 40 6112–4, 2008 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 41 185502). This phenomenon is of special interest, since it comprises a number of phe...

Polycrystalline sub-micron-sized GdAl3(BO3)4 phosphors co-doped with Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+ and Tm3+ have been prepared by combustion synthesis with urea. The phosphors have been characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, excitation and emission spectroscopy. The chromaticity co-ordinates and the colour temperatures of the fluoresc...

In a high-voltage direct-current experiment, a watery connection formed between two beakers filled with deionized water, giving the impression of a ‘floating water bridge’. Having a few millimeters diameter and up to 2.5cm length, this watery connection reveals a number of interesting phenomena currently discussed in water science. Focusing on opti...

A colour change of doped YAB crystals and microcrystalline powders takes place upon illumination with different white light sources. This paper presents extensive experimental data on the new materials Ho,Nd:YAB; Ho,Cr:YAB, Nd,Cr:YAB and Ho,Nd,Cr:YAB, resulting in a chart providing the observed crystal colours and chromaticity differences of the ma...

When high voltage is applied to distilled water filled into two beakers close to each other, a water connection forms spontaneously, giving the impression of a floating water bridge (Fuchs et al 2007 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 40 6112–4). This phenomenon is of special interest, since it comprises a number of phenomena currently tackled in modern water...

Three new zinc(II) azide complexes, namely {[Zn2(N3)4(py-tetrazole)2](py-tetrazole)}n (1), {[Zn2(N3)4(3-OHpy)] · 2H2O}n (2) and [Zn(N3)2(pym)]n (3), where py-tetrazole = tetrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine, 3-OHpy = 3-hydroxypyridine and pym = pyrimidine, have been synthesized by the hydrothermal methods and structurally characterized. The ligand py-tetrazole...

When high voltage is applied to distilled water filled in two glass beakers which are in contact, a stable water connection forms spontaneously, giving the impression of a floating water bridge. A detailed experimental analysis reveals static and dynamic structures as well as heat and mass transfer through this bridge.

Extracts from pollen of timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.) contain up to 20% arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). Separation of the AGP polysaccharide moieties by tryptic digestion, size exclusion chromatography (GPC), and reverse phase HPLC yielded arabinogalactan fractions AG-1 and AG-2 with molecular weights of approximately 15,000 and approximately...

Single crystals of yttrium aluminium borate, YAl 3 (BO 3) 4 , (referred to as YAB) doped with 20 and 40 mol% of Nd 3; were grown using a 6ux growth method. Inconsistencies in regard to the reported ground state splitting of the doped material are pointed out. A consistent splitting and assignment of the 4 I 9/2 ground state levels of the Kramers-io...