Optimization of Electrode Topology for Electrostatic Pollination: A Finite Element Simulation Approach for Sustainable Agriculture
摘要
Electrostatics forces have substantial effect on natural pollination process, which can be potentially employed for artificial pollination technique. In an electrostatic pollinator, configurations of high-voltage electrostatic electrode significantly impact the electric field strength and its distribution pattern, initiating pollen detachment process. This study investigates the effect of electrode geometries, namely, ring, spherical, cylindrical and conical type electrode, on electric field generation and distribution by finite element analysis using ANSYS Maxwell 2024 R1.1. This paper also evaluates the effect of high voltage applied on the electrode and pollen-electrode distance on electric field. Simulation results demonstrate the intensification of electric field strength with increase in electrode voltage, which is highly dependent on the shape and arrangement of electrode. Ring and cylindrical electrodes generate uniform electric field, with maximum intensity of 1.01 × 106 V·m−1and 5.33 × 106 V·m−1 respectively. But in contrast conical electrodes produce localized high-intensity regions (Emax 1.07 × 106 V·m−1), which may induce corona discharge. Besides, the spherical electrode produces symmetrically distributed electric field due to uniform surface charge distribution. Conversely, reduction in the pollen-electrode distance resulted in a stronger electric field. Ring electrode offers relatively uniform and high electric fields suitable for broad-area electrostatic pollination, while spherical electrode provide lower, more localized fields advantageous for targeted applications. The findings highlights the pivotal role of electrode topology in enhancing electrostatic applications such as artificial pollination, controlled droplet delivery and particle collection, with broader implications for environmental sustainability and global food security.