Modular Self‐Assembling Peptide Platform with a Tunable Thermoresponsiveness via a Single Amino Acid Substitution

The introduction of a stimulus‐responsive property is an effective way to increase the applicability of functional materials in the field of nanobiotechnology. Herein, a peptide platform is devised for constructing elastin‐like peptide amphiphiles (ELPAs) that exhibit a temperature‐responsiveness that can be easily tuned via a single N‐terminal amino acid substitution at the final step of peptide synthesis. Due to the modular property of peptides, the platform based on a miniaturized elastin‐like peptide (MELP) can be conjugated with various bioactive peptide sequences in diverse macromolecular topologies. First, the MELP platform is coupled with a short linear RGD peptide. The ELPAs of the peptide conjugates exhibit rapid aggregation (coacervation) and retard disaggregation in response to heating and cooling, respectively. Second, the platform is grafted with an α‐helical guest peptide in a lariat‐type structure, which forms ELPAs that undergo faster disassembly than the ELPAs without the guest peptide in response to temperature increases. Interestingly, the critical temperatures for the thermoresponsive behaviors are commonly dependent on the hydrophobic and aromatic properties of the N‐terminal amino acid residues. These results suggest that this peptide platform possesses great potential for use in the development of smart materials in wide‐ranging applications related to temperature change.     

A review on the features and technologies for energy efficiency of smart grid

In today's world striving for efficiency in every sector, especially power generation and distribution, smart grids emerge as the solution for efficiently meeting the increasing demand. They adjust themselves to optimally deliver energy at the lowest cost and highest quality possible. The grid successfully makes use of renewable energy resources, electric vehicles, and smart pricing techniques in its attempt to achieve energy efficiency. It also promotes a greener environment by striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Information communication technology (ICT) helps the grid in collecting consumption data from the consumers and in sharing tariff information. ICT also helps to gather information about the status of the grid with regard to aspects like power quality, faults etc. The purpose of this paper is to review recent literature with a view to comprehensively present the technologies employed in the smart grid for achieving energy efficiency and the challenges involved therein.     

Evaluation of the electrical integrity of E-textiles subjected to environmental conditions

E-textiles contain electrically conductive elements and electronic devices that are integrated in textile substrate. Wearable e-textiles are expected to perform like textiles in terms of breathability, conformability, and comfort despite the presence of the electrically conductive elements and electronics. E-textiles are also expected to provide reliable data and signal processing like electronic devices while they are subjected to normal wear and tear under different environmental conditions. The goal of this research was to investigate the electrical integrity of e-textiles while they are subjected to environmental conditions. Different woven samples of electronic-improved outer tactical vest with two narrow conductive traces woven in the warp direction were subjected to range of temperatures and humidity, including extreme conditions. The effects of formation parameters (e-yarn type, number of e-yarns/trace, and weldability), temperature, and humidity on the integrity of the e-textiles were studied. It was found that resistance of networks was affected by changes in air temperature and humidity and the quality of the weld had the greatest impact on electrical integrity of the conductive network. This impact was pronounced in more extreme environmental conditions, which revealed that there was a strong interaction between the weldability, temperature, and humidity.     

Automatic restraint and visual detection of fatigue crack growth when applying an anti-fatigue smart paste to bolt holes

An anti-fatigue smart paste, which consists of fine alumina particles and silicone grease with low viscosity, was applied to a bolt hole (and its periphery in some cases) in a steel plate specimen, and the effects of the smart paste on automatic restraint and visual detection of fatigue crack growth were experimentally investigated through fatigue tests. Fractographic observations using a scanning electron microscope were also carried out. As a result, approximately 20～410% increase in failure life was produced by the wedge effect of the alumina particles in the smart paste. When the smart paste was applied, remarkable black colour developed in the white paste along the paths of crack growth, exceedingly facilitating the visual detection of the crack growth.     

A new ship energy management algorithm to the smart electricity grid system

In this paper, a new energy management algorithm has been suggested for the ships connected with alternative energies considering the smart electricity grid features. The algorithm focuses on the use of optimum energy source on the shipboard based on the priorities of authorities such as the most economic, environmental, or both criteria at the ports. The algorithm is performed in MATLAB, and several case studies are simulated to validate the results. The 5 maritime nations, which are at different regions: United States, Belgium, Turkey, China, and Australia, are taken into account in the case studies. The actual data of a bulk carrier ship have been used to achieve tangible results in the simulations. The results of the case studies are compared to determine the changes of energy cost and released emission to meet demand of electricity on the ships. Capital cost of the proposed concept is also given to make an economic evaluation. The results show that the ship energy management algorithm provides the significant economic and environmental advantages. This paper aims to contribute to the importance of the ships in the smart electricity grid concept for the maritime and electricity sector representatives.     

基于智能电表海量数据的台区运行态势分析与应用

随着智能电网的快速推进，配网智能化水平越来越高。用户智能电表的覆盖率逐年提升，利用用户智能电表每十五分钟一次采集形成的海量数据，辅以公变终端运行数据，从低压台区线损、故障、网架分析三个视角入手开展台区运行态势分析和应用。通过精益化线损分析，研判线损异常的原因，对配网变户一致性进行研判，对智能装置数据准确性进行评价；通过低压台区回路阻抗模型计算，利用阻抗值实现了配网异常情况的预判和网架阻抗评估；通过配网故障研究分析，及时实现不同类型故障的准确主动研判，进一步提升供电服务“最后一公里”服务效率。本文通过深入挖掘智能电网领域大数据价值，促进业务创新、绩效提升，细化客户分类，满足智能化、多样化用电需要，提升配电网感知度。     

薄板坯连铸连轧过程控制技术的发展、应用及展望

薄板坯连铸连轧面临品种和规格拓展、产品质量提升、生产成本降低及智能化生产等方面的改进以提升产线竞争力。从辊底式隧道加热炉智能燃烧系统、高精度轧制过程控制模型、兼顾全幅宽和多目标的板形综合控制技术3个方面，介绍了薄板坯连铸连轧过程控制关键共性技术的研发进展，并通过数据网关+双系统并行的在线替换模式，实现了新的过程控制技术零停机时间的工业应用。新技术应用后，加热炉实现了全自动烧钢，吨钢煤气消耗下降了19.4%，氧化烧损下降了3.8%，钢坯加热质量大幅度提升；在设备及其他系统不变的情况下，轧线产品质量及轧制稳定性显著提高，薄规格生产能力由2.0 mm扩展至1.2 mm，实现了双流异钢种交叉混合轧制和铁素体轧制，非计划过渡材显著减少，重点计划执行率由20%提高到95%以上，整体提升了薄板坯连铸连轧流程的效益和竞争力。最后，对薄板坯连铸连轧过程控制技术的发展方向进行了展望。     

基于VR技术的智能变电站运行仿真培训系统

为了更加真实、直观地呈现智能变电站的运行整体结构,构建基于VR技术的智能变电站运行仿真培训系统。该系统通过5个模块协同完成智能变电站运行仿真培训,结合实际变电站的设备情况,采用二维纹理映射方法完成变电站设备仿真建模;系统利用虚拟现实交互模块呈现培训场景,参与培训人员能够通过人机交互设备,实现场景漫游和相关培训内容操作。测试结果表明:该系统能够较好地模拟出智能变电站的实际运行情况,参与培训的人员可以身临其境地完成整个变电站的巡视,更真实、直观地呈现智能变电站的整体状态。     

Effects of excessive use of mobile phone technology in India on human health during COVID-19 lockdown

ObjectiveThe global health crisis in the form of COVID-19 has forced people to shift their routine activities into a remote environment with the help of technology. The outbreak of the COVID-19 has caused several organizations to be shut down and forced them to initiate work from home employing technology. Now more than ever, it's important for people and institutions to understand the impact of excessive use of mobile phone technology and electronic gadgets on human health, cognition, and behavior. It is important to understand their perspective and how individuals are coping with this challenge in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation is an effort to answer the research question: whether dependency on technology during lockdown has more effects on human health in comparison to normal times.MethodsThe study included participants from India (n = 122). A questionnaire was framed and the mode of conducting the survey chosen was online to maintain social distancing during the time of the Pandemic. The gathered data was statistically analysed employing RStudio and multiple regression techniques.ResultsThe statistical analysis confirms that lockdown scenarios have led to an increase in the usage of mobile phone technology which has been confirmed by around 90% of participants. Moreover, 95% of the participants perceive an increased risk of developing certain health problems due to excessive usage of mobile phones and technology. It has been evaluated that participants under the age group 15–30 years are highly affected (45.9%) during lockdown due to excessive dependence on technology. And, amongst different professions, participants involved in online teaching-learning are the most affected (42.6%).ConclusionThe findings indicate that dependency on technology during lockdown has more health effects as compared to normal times. So, it is suggested that as more waves of pandemics are being predicted, strategies should be planned to decrease the psychological and physiological effects of the overuse of technology during lockdown due to pandemics. As the lockdown situation unfolds, people and organization functioning styles should be rolled back to the limited dependency on technology.     

A Smart Wellness Service Platform and Its Practical Implementation

Advances in the field of medical sciences and medical technology, and present-day challenges, such as an aging population, rising medical expenses, and lifestyle-related diseases, have collectively catalyzed a research ecosystem termed “smart wellness.” This article describes the establishment of a smart wellness service platform designed to empower individuals to create a sense of balance in their lives. Step-by-step details include service model, design, and architectural considerations. As a proof of concept, implementation details of a Health Improvement and Management Systems (HIMS) Hub, a Smart Wellness Service Platform deployed in six cities in South Korea, are presented. An on-site survey conducted in Busan Metropolitan City reveals the percentage of satisfied users to be 91.3%. Furthermore, data gathered from 27,236 physical evaluations of users from a Busan city center over the period of April 2013 to May 2018 reveal that males and females in their 50s and 60s account for the highest number of participants, while males in their 70s have a higher rate of participation than females in the same age group.