spannungsabhängige

Spannungsabhängige is an adjective used in German to describe a process, device, or behavior that depends on the electrical potential difference (Spannung). The term is common in physics, electronics and biology to indicate a response that varies with voltage and is often non-linear.

In electronics, spannungsabhängige Eigenschaften describe components whose behavior changes with the applied voltage. Examples include varistors (Spannungsabhängige Widerstände, oder VDRs) whose impedance changes to clamp surges, diodes with a strongly voltage-dependent current–voltage relationship, and transistors whose operation relies on gate or base voltage. Modeling such elements requires non-linear or piecewise descriptions, as their properties do not scale linearly with voltage.

In biology, spannungsabhängige Ionenkanäle (voltage-gated ion channels) open or close in response to changes in the cell membrane potential. This voltage gating controls excitability and signaling in neurons, muscle cells and other tissues. Well-known examples are voltage-gated sodium, potassium and calcium channels, each with characteristic voltage dependence and gating kinetics.

In materials science and sensing, some materials or devices exhibit spannungsabhängige Eigenschaften, where conductivity, resistance or capacitance changes with applied voltage. This includes memristive devices and certain electrochemical sensors, where the output depends on the magnitude and history of the voltage applied.

Etymology: spannungsabhängig combines Spannung (voltage) and abhängig (dependent). In use, the form spannungsabhängige is the attributive adjective describing a noun.