Boundary integral computation of electric fields in multielectrode galvanic systems using normally continuous elements

A conservative boundary element method is applied to computations of steady conduction fields in multielectrode galvanic systems composed of thin and lengthy structures of any shape and topology. As unknown variables, the method exploits two types of equivalent source located on the median surfaces of the electrodes: an electric current tangential to the median surface, and a double layer representing the jump of the electric potential across this surface. The variables are approximated in discrete spaces related to Whitney elements: the use of normally continuous (facet) elements together with generalised gauging procedures ensures the exact balance of currents in the system. Two numerical examples illustrate the validity of the method and its advantage over the conservative surface charge method used earlier