electrostatic generator

Main Entry: Van de Graaff generator
Pronunciation: 'van-d&-"graf-
Function: noun
: an apparatus for the production of electrical discharges at highvoltage commonly consisting of an insulated hollow conducting sphere that accumulates in its interior the charge continuously conveyed from a source of direct current by an endless belt of flexiblenonconducting material called also electrostatic generator
Van de Graaff, Robert Jenison (1901–1967), American physicist. Van de Graaff developed his generator asa device for producing the very high voltages necessary to accelerate particles to energies high enough to create new elements heavier than uranium. He built his first machine in the early 1930s, andin 1946 he cofounded a company to manufacture particle accelerators incorporating the Van de Graaff generator. These particle accelerators have found widespread use in medicine and industry as well asin high-energy physics research.

Van de Graaff generator   (click for larger image in new window) A type of electrostatic generator used to build up static electrical charge of very high voltages by transferring electric charge from a power supply to a spherical metal terminal. A high-voltage source transfers charge to a nonconducting conveyor belt, usually made of silk or rubber, which continuously redeposits the charge on the insulated metal terminal, where it accumulates. Even small Van de Graaff generators can accumulate a static charge of 100,000 volts; the largest, up to 10 million volts.