bipolares

Bipolares is the plural form of bipolar in Spanish and Portuguese, used to describe things that involve two poles or two opposing states. The term appears in several fields, notably electronics and medicine, where it denotes distinct concepts that share a common idea of dual polarity or mood states.

In electronics, bipolar commonly refers to devices that use both types of charge carriers, most notably the bipolar junction transistor (BJT). A BJT has three regions: emitter, base, and collector, and can be built as NPN or PNP. It conducts via electrons and holes, and a small current into the base modulates a much larger current from collector to emitter, providing current gain. BJTs are used for amplification and switching in analog circuits, digital logic, and power electronics. Important specifications include current gain (beta or hFE), breakdown voltages, and switching speed.

In medical terminology, bipolar refers to bipolar disorder, a psychiatric condition characterized by recurrent mood episodes ranging from mania or hypomania to depression. Bipolar I requires at least one manic episode, often with depressive episodes; Bipolar II features hypomania and major depressive episodes. Symptoms can affect sleep, energy, mood, and functioning. Treatments typically include mood stabilizers such as lithium, anticonvulsants like valproate or lamotrigine, antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle measures. Early diagnosis and adherence to treatment reduce relapse risk and suicide risk.

See also: bipolar disorder; bipolar junction transistor.