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Better insulation for high-voltage cables could keep them dry during deluges and cut transmission loss. Larry Greenemeier reports
具有更好絕緣性能的高壓電纜能夠在潮濕環境下保持干燥，從而減少電能的損耗。
High voltage cables are typically insulated with special water-resistant polymers that have high-dielectric strength. When the cables get whacked by an especially strong rain or snow storm the insulation may not block all of the moisture. The leaks can lead to a loss of electrical current or even damage to the cables. Typically, the insulation will regain its ability to block water hours, or even days, later.
通常高壓電纜使用的是特殊的防水高分子聚合材料，具有很高的絕緣強度。但是當電纜遭受到大雨或暴風雪的侵襲時，電纜的絕緣層就可能無法將水分完全排除在外。滲透進電纜中的水分將導致電流損耗甚至對電纜本身造成傷害。通常電纜的絕緣層在數小時甚至數天之后才能恢復其防水能力。
Engineers know that cable insulation can temporarily lose its ability to repel water under extreme conditions. Now researchers at IBM and Swiss electric-grid builder ABB think they can create an insulating material that can stay water repellent longer—or at least recover quicker. [Philip T. Shemella et al., "Surface Dynamics of Amorphous Polymers Used for High-Voltage Insulators," Journal of Physical Chemistry B]
工程師們已經了解到電纜絕緣層在極端條件下會暫時失去防水能力。現在，IBM公司和瑞士電網的承建商ABB公司也許可以創造出具有更長防水時間、或至少恢復能力更強的絕緣材料。
Using computer simulations, the researchers are studying the molecular dynamics of a new type of polymer under a variety of conditions. Based on the tests so far, the companies claim this virtual insulator can help prevent the 7 percent loss of electricity experienced on average in the U.S. during transmission.
在計算機模擬技術的幫助下，科研人員正在探究一種新型高分子聚合物在不同條件下的分子動力學特性。根據目前的試驗數據，IBM和ABB兩家公司宣稱這種模擬的絕緣材料在美國電網中可以減少7%的電能損失。
Anything that can reduce stress on overtaxed electrical grids would be welcome. Just ask the one million people still in the dark from last weekend's early season snow storm in the northeastern U.S. —Larry Greenemeier
事實上，任何能夠幫助不堪重負的電網減少其壓力的措施都是受歡迎的。上周末美國東北部由于罕見的暴風雪而被迫停電，只要問問那里的人們就知道了。
n. 緊張，壓力
v. 強調，著重
