Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Zener Diodes

Zener Diodes

Zener diodes are specialized semiconductor devices designed to operate in the reverse breakdown region, where they allow current to flow into the cathode, making it positive relative to the anode. This reverse operation distinguishes Zener diodes from conventional diodes and enables their use in various applications, most notably as voltage regulators. One of the defining characteristics of Zener diodes is their nearly vertical I-V (current-voltage) characteristic curve above a certain...

Modeling of Diode Reverse Characteristics

Modeling of Diode Reverse Characteristics

In electronic circuits, reverse-biased diode configurations are critical for regulating voltage levels. Zener diodes exploit the reverse breakdown phenomenon and exhibit a controlled breakdown at a specific Zener voltage (VZ). They are designed to maintain a constant voltage across their terminals and are commonly used for voltage regulation in circuits.
When a reverse voltage applied to a Zener diode exceeds its breakdown voltage, the diode enters the breakdown region. At this point, the...

Diode: Reverse bias

Diode: Reverse bias

A diode is reverse-biased when the positive terminal of an external voltage source is connected to the n-type material and the negative terminal to the p-type material. This configuration opposes the natural direction of current flow through the diode, effectively increasing the width of the depletion region and the barrier potential. The reverse bias condition produces a minimal leakage current, primarily due to minority charge carriers. This leakage becomes significant when the reverse...

Modeling of Diode Forward Characteristics

Modeling of Diode Forward Characteristics

Understanding the behavior of diodes when forward-biased is a fundamental aspect of electronic circuit design and analysis. This analysis primarily utilizes two models: the exponential diode model and the constant-voltage-drop model. The exponential model comes into play when the source voltage exceeds 0.5 volts, pushing the diode current to rise exponentially above the saturation current. This relationship is graphically depicted in the current-voltage (I-V) curve, illustrating the diode's...

Diode: Forward bias

Diode: Forward bias

In semiconductor devices, diodes play a crucial role in directing current flow, and its operation is primarily categorized into forward bias and reverse bias. A diode is said to be forward-biased when its p-type region is connected to the positive terminal of a battery and its n-type region is linked to the negative terminal. This configuration reduces the potential barrier within the diode, allowing current to flow easily from the p to the n-type region.
The behavior of a diode in forward bias...

Small-signal Diode Model

Small-signal Diode Model

In analyzing the behavior of diodes in circuits, the relationship between the current through a diode and the voltage across it is of particular interest, especially when considering the effect of a direct current (DC) bias voltage. When applied, this DC bias influences the diode's operating point, known as the Q point, around which the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic of the diode exhibits exponential behavior. Introducing a small, time-varying signal on top of this bias aids in...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Asymmetry between the dorsal and ventral digging valves of the female locust: function and mechanics.

BMC biology·2024

Same author

Strategies for Anisotropic Fibrillar Hydrogels: Design, Cell Alignment, and Applications in Tissue Engineering.

Biomacromolecules·2023

Same author

Percolation in Networks of Liquid Diodes.

The journal of physical chemistry letters·2023

Same author

The biomechanics of the locust ovipositor valves: a unique digging apparatus.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2022

Same author

Automated Manipulation of Miniature Objects Underwater Using Air Capillary Bridges: Pick-and-Place, Surface Cleaning, and Underwater Origami.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2022

Same author

How Droplets Move on Surfaces with Directional Chemical Heterogeneities.

The journal of physical chemistry letters·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2025

Fabrication of Schottky Diodes on Zn-polar BeMgZnO/ZnO Heterostructure Grown by Plasma-assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Fabrication of Schottky Diodes on Zn-polar BeMgZnO/ZnO Heterostructure Grown by Plasma-assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Published on: October 23, 2018

Liquid Zener diodes.

Camilla Sammartino¹, Bat-El Pinchasik^1,2

¹Tel-Aviv University School of Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Engineering, 6997801 Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Materials Horizons

|September 26, 2024

Summary

Inspired by Zener diodes, researchers created flexible liquid diodes that can be controlled by bending or compression. These liquid diodes enable sequence-dependent liquid flow in capillary networks, paving the way for dynamic fluidic systems.

More Related Videos

Synthesis and Characterization of High c-axis ZnO Thin Film by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition System and its UV Photodetector Application

Synthesis and Characterization of High c-axis ZnO Thin Film by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition System and its UV Photodetector Application

Published on: October 3, 2015

The Preparation of Electrohydrodynamic Bridges from Polar Dielectric Liquids

The Preparation of Electrohydrodynamic Bridges from Polar Dielectric Liquids

Published on: September 30, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2025

Fabrication of Schottky Diodes on Zn-polar BeMgZnO/ZnO Heterostructure Grown by Plasma-assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Fabrication of Schottky Diodes on Zn-polar BeMgZnO/ZnO Heterostructure Grown by Plasma-assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Published on: October 23, 2018

Synthesis and Characterization of High c-axis ZnO Thin Film by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition System and its UV Photodetector Application

Synthesis and Characterization of High c-axis ZnO Thin Film by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition System and its UV Photodetector Application

Published on: October 3, 2015

The Preparation of Electrohydrodynamic Bridges from Polar Dielectric Liquids

The Preparation of Electrohydrodynamic Bridges from Polar Dielectric Liquids

Published on: September 30, 2014

Area of Science:

Physics
Materials Science
Fluid Dynamics

Background:

Zener diodes (Z-diodes) are electronic components designed for reverse breakdown voltage regulation.
Liquid diodes are microscale structures that enable unidirectional liquid flow, mimicking natural biological functions.
Current liquid diodes are typically deterministic, lacking responsiveness to external stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop flexible liquid diodes that respond to external mechanical stimuli.
To investigate the actuation of pump-free liquid flow in capillary networks.
To explore sequence-dependent liquid propagation and its applications.

Main Methods:

Inspired by Zener diode principles, flexible liquid diodes were engineered.
Global compression and bending were applied as external stimuli.
The formation of capillary bridges and liquid flow dynamics were analyzed under deformation.

Main Results:

Flexural deformations locally broke the diodic behavior of liquid diodes.
Capillary bridges formed in the reverse flow direction under specific conditions.
Actuated liquid flow was localized, preserving the function of other liquid diodes.

Conclusions:

Flexible liquid diodes can be dynamically controlled by mechanical stimuli.
This work introduces sequence-dependent liquid propagation in capillary networks.
Potential applications include network memory, reaction-dependent actuation, and dynamic capillary systems.