Annual Report 2013 Institute for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology Jahresbericht 2013

The Institute for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology (Institut für Hochleistungsimpuls-und Mikrowellentechnik (IHM)) is doing research in the areas of pulsed power and high power microwave technologies. Both, research and development of high power sources as well as related applications are in the focus. Applications for pulsed power technologies are ranging from material processing to bioelectrics. High power microwave technologies are focusing on RF sources (gyrotrons) for electron cyclotron resonance heating of magnetically confined plasmas and on applications for material processing at microwave frequencies. IHM is doing research, development, academic education, and, in collaboration with the KIT Division IMA and industrial partners, the technology transfer. IHM is part of the Helmholtz Association (HGF). During ongoing HGF POF2 period (2009 – 2014), projects are running within following six HGF programs: Renewable During 2013, R&D work has been done in the following topics: fundamental theoretical and experimental research on the generation of intense electron beams, strong electromagnetic fields and their interaction with biomass, materials and plasmas; application of these methods in the areas of energy production through controlled thermonuclear fusion in magnetically confined plasmas, in material processing and in energy technology. Mentioned research areas require additionally the profound knowledge on modern electron beam optics, vacuum technologies, material technologies, high voltage technologies and high voltage measurement techniques. In environmental-and biotechnology the research and development is devoted to pulsed power technology with repetition rates up to 20 Hz, power in the Giga-Watt range and electric field strengths of 10 5-10 7 V/m. The research is concerned with short pulse (µs)-and with ultra-short pulse (ns) treatment of biological cells (electroporation). The focus is related to large-scale applications, treatment of large volumes, to the realization of a high component life time and to the overall process integration. Main directions of work in this field are the electroporation of biological cells for extraction of cell contents (KEA process), the dewatering and drying of green biomass, the treatment of micro algae for further energetic use and sustainable reduction of bacteria in contaminated effluents. Another key research topic is related to the surface modification and corrosion protection of metals and alloys using high-energy, large-area pulsed electron beams (GESA process). The research is focused on electron beam physics, the interaction of electron beams with material surfaces and the corresponding material specific characterization investigations. The goal is to develop a corrosion barrier for improved compatibility of structural nuclear reactor materials in …