Talk:Johnsen-Rahbek effect

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[edit] Needs a good explaination of the physics

A good explaination of the physics would be helpful. I've provided some links as a starting point, but I'm not qualified to write on the physics of this obscure effect. --John Nagle (talk) 18:12, 15 December 2007 (UTC)

I've edited the article a little. The IBM reference specifically states that the Edison patent does not involve this effect, only resembles it, so I removed the claim that it was the first use.

Although a device disclosed in a patent3 issued to Edison in 1879 does not depend upon the Johnsen-Rahbek effect for its operation, it nevertheless resemblesa Johnsen-Rahbek clutch

I also changed the basic definition: the effect creates an attractive force between the two surface. This has the side-effect of increasing the frictional force, but could have other consequences as well. I used this paper as a reference, as well as the IBM paper already mentioned. It contains some more info about the exact physics behind the effect, should anyone wish to pursue that, but I just skimmed it. --Starwed (talk) 13:33, 21 May 2008 (UTC)