Ten years of research on electrostatics at the University of Grenoble 1942-1952

The emphasis is on the practical development and application of electrostatic generators, rather than on theoretical considerations. The small cylindrical compressed-gas generators with conducting segments proved very satisfactory for powers of the order of 30 W at voltages of 70 kV. In attempts to increase the output multiplate generators with conducting segments were evolved which reached 750 W at 250 kV, but beyond this range difficulties of mechanical construction proved formidable. After disproving the current view that charge slip was responsible for the low output of moving insulator machines, a cylindrical generator of this type was constructed with highly encouraging results. Further development continues.