Hydrogel photocatalysts for efficient energy conversion and environmental treatment

Photocatalysts have attracted great research interest owing to their excellent properties and potential for simultaneously addressing challenges related to energy needs and environmental pollution. Photocatalytic particles need to be in contact with their respective media to exhibit efficient photocatalytic performances. However, it is difficult to separate nanometer-sized photocatalytic materials from reaction media later, which may lead to secondary pollution and a poor recycling performance. Hydrogel photocatalysts with a three-dimensional (3D) network structures are promising support materials for photocatalysts based on features such as high specific surface areas and adsorption capacities and good environmental compatibility. In this review, hydrogel photocatalysts are classified into two different categories depending on their elemental composition and recent progresses in the methods for preparing hydrogel photocatalysts are summarized. Moreover, current applications of hydrogel photocatalysts in energy conversion and environmental remediation are reviewed. Furthermore, a comprehensive outlook and highlight future challenges in the development of hydrogel photocatalysts are presented.     

Propagation Characteristics of kHz Band PLC Signal on MV–LV Distribution System

The kHz band power line communication (PLC) is one of the convincing mediums of the communication system for smart meter reading. Data transmission between medium‐voltage (MV) and low‐voltage (LV) points to pass the transformer by PLC is interested. In this paper, the PLC signal propagation characteristics between points of MV at substation and LV at customer are calculated and analyzed. The results show that direct communication between points on MV distribution line and most LV customers is impossible due to large propagation losses at MV–LV transformer and on LV distribution line.     

Soft x-ray tomographic reconstruction of Heliotron J plasma for the study of magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium and stability

The preparation for an experimental soft x-ray tomography study on the Heliotron J (H-J) machine is carried out, with the objectives of evaluating the capability of the current soft x-ray tomographic system in terms of the identification of different mode structures and their poloidal rotation, and the axis shift with different plasma and machine parameters, and fixing the physics goals for the experimental study. These preparations were carried out via a simulated soft x-ray data set arising from different plasma conditions, such as magnetic islands, low beta and high beta. Soft x-ray tomography (SXT) is performed by the discrete pixel method including singular value decomposition and Phillips–Tikhonov regularization, to obtain clear and smooth images. The H-J soft x-ray tomography results from simulated soft x-rays for the equilibrium H-J plasma sensed the magnetic axis shift clearly and an estimate was also achieved. Successful reconstruction for mode structure m=1/n=1 was obtained along with the realization of the poloidal rotation of the structure. The reconstruction for the m=2/n=1 mode was not very clear for the current soft x-ray diagnostic design. Effective mode identification was not possible due to the lack of measurements. The SXT from the current soft x-ray diagnostic on H-J, the magnetic axis shift can be estimated and the m=1/n=1 mode can be studied. Study of higher poloidal modes is difficult with the current design.     

Prototype Experiments on a 1/32‐Scale Model Via‐Wheel Power Transfer Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicles (EVs) are expected to play a leading role in the changeover from fossil fuels to clean energy. However, EVs are currently not very popular, owing to their short cruising distance and long charging time. Wireless power transfer from the infrastructure to running EVs is expected to be the solution to these problems. Electric vehicle and electrified roadway (EVER) has been proposed as a wireless power transfer system for EVs while in motion. Via‐wheel power transfer (V‐WPT) is expected to be a wireless power transfer scheme for EVER. We designed and prototyped a 1:32 scale model of a V‐WPT system that consists of an RF inverter, an electrified roadway, a rectifier, and an EV with a dc motor. The output power of the prototype RF inverter was 5.9 W and the dc–RF conversion efficiency was 36.6%. The LC matching circuits for the V‐WPT were designed with two‐port conjugate matching because S₁₁ of the V‐WPT was intrinsically –0.06 dB. After matching, the S₁₁ value was reduced to –21.5 dB. The power transmission efficiency of the V‐WPT system was 75%. The RF–dc conversion efficiency of the rectifier was 62%. The total efficiency of the EVER system was 24.2%.     

Basic Study on Islanding Detection Method for PV Systems by Harmonic Impedance Detection in Case of Including Induction Motor in Load System

It is important that photovoltaic (PV) systems detect islanding caused by power system faults to ensure electrical safety. Thus we propose a novel islanding detection method which detects the harmonic impedance by injecting harmonic currents synchronized with the exciting current harmonics of the pole transformer. For the case in which an induction motor load is included in the load system, basic experiments on islanding detection and simulation analysis are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Development of Reference Shunt for Short‐Time Alternating High Current Tests and Study of Measuring System

Short‐circuit tests for power circuit breakers and others require alternative short‐time current measurement, from a few kA to over several tens kA. However, the reference measurement system as a national standard or a specified secondary standard instrument to directly perform comparative test as a complete calibration test in high current class has not yet been established globally. The Japan Short‐Circuit Testing Committee (hereinafter referred to as “JSTC”) has therefore developed a shunt resistor that can be used as a standard instrument for high current measurement. Reference system using this shunt resistor is also considered by JSTC. The performance of the newly developed shunt resistor has been checked through several methods, such as resistance measurement, high power current test, high frequency current test, temperature rise test, and interference test. The results of the tests proved satisfactory performance. Resistance of the shunt resistor before and after the tests was invariant and stable. This makes the shunt resistor adequate for a reference in practical use. In addition, evaluation of uncertainty of the whole reference system including this shunt resistor satisfactorily fulfills the requirements of IEC 62475 edition 1.0, 2010.     

Feedback realizations in linear multivariable systems: model-following with stability and disturbance rejection

This paper deals with the problems of constructing a compensator for linear multi-variable systems that simultaneously ensures: (I) model-following with stability and (ii) disturbance rejection. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of the problems are given by using a geometric approach. The solvability conditions are explicit and the constructive procedure for finding a solution does not require any additional conditions for the plant.     

Invar36合金搅拌摩擦焊焊缝的低温韧性

为了研究Invar36合金搅拌摩擦焊焊缝的低温韧性,采用小冲杆试验方法（small punch test）对焊接速度2mm／s,搅拌头旋转频率200一1000r／min的Invar36合金焊缝进行低温（77K）和室温（298K）韧性测试．298K下,所有焊接工艺的焊缝小冲杆试验能均高于母材,焊缝韧性随搅拌头旋转频率的提...     

Novel active-R synthesis of a driving-point impedance

A novel active-R synthesis baaed on the single-pole rolloff characteristics of operational amplifiers is described. Various types of driving-point impedance, such as an inductance, frequency-dependent negative-resistance and frequency-dependent negative-inductance are systematically derived by the suitable choice of the amplifier transfer function. It is shown by experiments that the inductance simulator presents reliable high frequency performance.