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Abstract-In this paper we present an approach to increase the interest of pupils and high school students in modern science and technology. To achieve this, we developed a versatile experimentation platform for the use in schools and school projects, called VenDASys (Versatile Control and Data Acquisition System). VenDASys allows the interfacing of individual (micro-)sensors or complete experimental set ups while minimizing the required electronics, which are often frustrating for students and teachers alike due to limited experience in this field. Thus, students (and teachers) can directly concentrate on and successfully deal with different sensors and experiments based on these sensors. We present the concept with an example project on blood pressure monitoring. Getting involved in comprehensible MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems)-applications and solvable problems at a relatively early stage of their education will definitely increase the chances that high school students decide to choose a technical education later.

For drying building structures [1], dielectric heating using RF energy (in this case 13.56 MHz) is an efficient and fast alternative to conventional heating methods based on heat transfer from the surface to the interior of the masonry. Another innovative application of volumetric RF heating is the chemical-free pest control in wood-based materials [2]. For such applications where the RF systems often are not completely shielded, the propagation or coupling of the electromagnetic wave into wires that are placed inside the field cannot be neglected which represents a certain risk. Depending on the different electromagnetic coupling mechanisms, several interference signals can be generated. In order to protect electrical equipment in the surrounding, these interferences have to be significantly reduced by electrical filters. For this purpose, initially a cost-effective (at least in comparison to standard RF measurement systems) and more robust measuring concept was developed. With the help of this system, the common mode (I_CM) interference could be identified as the dominant part and the differential mode (I_DM) interference as a minor disturbance. Based on the experimental evaluation, a cost-effective filter for the respective disturbance was constructed and successfully tested.

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