Electrical properties of dielectric foil for embedded PCB capacitors

One of the methods of achieving high packaging density of passive elements on the PCB is using the capacitors embedded in multilayer PCB. Test structures consisting of embedded capacitors were fabricated using the FaradFlex? capacitive internal layers. Impedance spectroscopy and equivalent circuit modelling was used to determine their electrical properties such as the capacitance, parasitic resistance and inductance. The use of several stages of accelerated ageing allowed us to test the durability of the structures. The results showed good quality stability of the embedded elements. The spatial distribution of the capacitance of the test structures on the surface of the PCB form was tested. The influence of the process parameters during lamination on the values of embedded capacitors was revealed.     

Market perspectives of stationary fuel cells in a sustainable energy supply system—long-term scenarios for Germany

Because of high efficiency, low environmental impacts and a potential role in transforming our energy system into a hydrogen economy, fuel cells are often considered as a key technology for a sustainable energy supply. However, the future framing conditions under which stationary fuel cells have to prove their technical and economic competitiveness are most likely characterised by a reduced demand for space heating, and a growing contribution of renewable energy sources to heat and electricity supply, which both directly limit the potential for combined heat and power generation, and thus also for fuel cells. Taking Germany as a case study, this paper explores the market potential of stationary fuel cells under the structural changes of the energy demand and supply system required to achieve a sustainable energy supply. Results indicate that among the scenarios analysed it is in particular a strategy oriented towards ambitious CO₂-reduction targets, which due to its changes in the supply structure is in a position to mobilise a market potential that might be large enough for a successful fuel cell commercialisation. However, under the conditions of a business-as-usual trajectory the sales targets of fuel cell manufacturers cannot be met.     

Laparoscopic management of ovarian tumors

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy can be used with minimal operative morbidity to evaluate adnexal masses. We report our experience with the endoscopic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian tumors. In particular, we describe 11 patients who incidentally underwent laparoscopy and in whom the ovarian masses were found to be malignant. METHODS: Between September 1994 and September 1996, 292 patients with 316 ovarian tumors were treated laparoscopically in the Department of Obstetrics-Gynaecology, University of Ulm. We assessed vaginal ultrasonography, clinical assessment, the tumor marker CA 12-5, and the intraoperative low-power magnification for their value in predicting the final diagnosis in all laparoscopically treated ovarian tumors. RESULTS: From a total of 292 patients with ovarian tumors, 11 were diagnosed, intraoperatively or after final histologic examination, as having a malignant or borderline ovarian tumor. All applied pre- and intraoperative diagnostic procedures were by themselves too unreliable to exclude early stages of ovarian carcinoma exactly. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the present findings, we are tempted to conclude that laparoscopic surgery is justified in the management of ovarian tumors. Even with an accurate preoperative selection of suitable patients for laparoscopic surgery, the presence of an undetected ovarian carcinoma cannot be entirely excluded.     

Analytical solutions in nonuniform multiconductor transmission linetheory

The theory of nonuniform multiconductor transmission lines (NMTLs) is characterized by generalized telegrapher equations. Formally, these are straightforwardly solved, but an explicit construction of the solution turns out to be mathematically demanding. This paper discusses and reports on recently proposed reduction schemes that simplify the structure of the solution and make it suitable for direct evaluation. Applications of these results are described, as well as field theoretical extensions of the existing formalism     

Impedance spectroscopy of suspension plasma sprayed titania coatings

Two TiO₂ coatings were plasma sprayed, using an aqueous suspension as a feedstock onto initially prepared alumina substrates. Their thickness was about 7 and 15 μm. The coatings were tested using impedance spectroscopy (IS) in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 2 MHz at temperatures ranging from 320 to 1020 K. The measurements allowed to find the Nyquist plots and equivalent circuits of the tested samples. The IS results were interpreted by the microstructural features of the deposits such as chemical composition, atomic structural and phase analysis. The mechanism of electric current conduction in tested coatings was proposed.     

The role of hydrogen for the long term development of sustainable energy systems—a case study for Germany

Based on different current long-term energy scenarios the paper discusses the future perspectives of hydrogen in the German energy system as a representative example for the development of sustainable energy systems. The scenario analysis offers varying outlines of the future energy system that determine the possible role of hydrogen. The paper discusses the possibilities of expanding the share of renewable energy and the resulting prospects for establishing clean hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. Emphasis is given to the questions of an ecologically efficient allocation of limited renewable energy resources that can only be assessed from a systems analysis perspective. Findings from recent studies for Germany reveal a strong competition between the direct input into the electricity system and an indirect use as fuel in the transport sector. Moreover, the analysis underlines the paramount importance of reducing energy demand as the inevitable prerequisite for any renewable energy system.