Dielectric Breakdown of Film by High Voltage

Different film types mainly Kodak color transparency film E100 Ectochrome 100 Kodak is placed between the poles of a wimshurst electrostatic generator. The wimshurst produces high voltage with relatively low current and is often used in science classrooms to demonstrate static electricity. The voltage and current from the device is relatively safe. When the electric filed gets too strong for the film, the film allows the electricity to flow through it in a conditions called dielectric breakdown. The patterns have been studied in film for over one hundred years.

The resulting patterns are captured in the Ectochrome film. After the film is processed, the film is scanned in a large format transparency scanner. This is E100 Ectochrome film.