Experiments on the suspension of spheres in inclined tubes—II. Suspension by air

Data are presented on the suspension of single spheres by air, in inclined tubes ranging in diameter from 0·97 to 5·13 cm. The angle of inclination of the tubes to the horizontal axis varied from 0 to 90°. The data, which relate the pressure drop and suspending velocity to the geometric and physical parameters of the system, are compared with data generated previously using water as the suspending fluid. Dimensionless expressions are presented which correlate both sets of data for pressure drop and suspending velocity in terms of sphere/tube diameter ratio, tube diameter, density of solid and fluid and angle of inclination of the tube.     

Friction factors in pulsed turbulent flow

An apparatus for investigating pulsed turbulent liquid flow in a 2 in. diameter, 80 ft. pipeline is described. The pulsation unit was powered by compressed air with a consumption of up to 2.7 std. cu.ft./min. at 35 lb/in² gauge. The pressure drop for water flowing at mean velocities of 7.66 to 12.28 ft./sec. has been measured, both for steady flow and for pulsed flow, at frequencies between 0.48 and 0.82 Hz. The experimentally measured pressure versus time curves for pulsed flow can be matched fairly closely by a solution of Euler's equation employing the friction factors measured under steady flow conditions.     

Discontinuous Space-Vector Modulation for Three-Level PWM Rectifiers

This paper presents the implementation and experimental verification of two discontinuous pulsewidth modulation (DPWM) methods for three-phase, three-level rectifiers. DPWM's features, such as improved waveform quality, lower switching losses, reduced ac-side passive component size, are investigated and compared to the conventional continuous pulsewidth modulation (CPWM). These features allow higher power density and/or efficiency to be achieved and are important targets for the next generation of power rectifiers. The implementation of the two DPWM strategies is explained by means of space-vectors representation and modulation functions. A detailed analysis of both ac-side and dc-side current waveforms is presented, and there is excellent agreement between the analytical, simulated and experimental results for the mains current ripple amplitude and output center-point current over the practical modulation range. Finally, the control of the center-point voltage is discussed.     

Megaspeed Drive Systems: Pushing Beyond 1 Million r/min

The latest research in mesoscale drive systems is targeting rotational speeds toward 1 million r/min for a power range of 1-1 kW. Emerging applications for megaspeed drives (MegaNdrives) are to be found in future turbo compressor systems for fuel cells and heat pumps, generators/starters for portable nanoscale gas turbines, printed circuit board drilling and machining spindles, and electric power generation from pressurized gas flow. The selection of the machine type and the challenges involved in designing a machine for megaspeed operation such as the winding concepts, a mechanical rotor design capable of 1 000 000 r/min, the selection of magnetic materials for the stator, and the optimization concerning high-frequency losses and torque density are presented. Furthermore, a review of the advantageous inverter topologies, taking into account the extremely low stator inductance and possible high-speed bearing types such as ball bearings, air bearings, foil bearings, and magnetic bearings, are given. Finally, prototypes and experimental results originating from MegaNdrive research at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich are discussed and extreme temperature operation and power microelectricalmechanical system are identified as targets for future research.     

A Regionally Applicable Model for Estimating Flow Velocity at Ungauged River Sites in the UK

Measurements of flow velocity are often required for a broad range of issues surrounding water-resource management, and a velocity-estimation method is therefore desirable where extensive field data are unavailable. This paper presents the development of a model for estimating flow velocity using readily available catchment characteristics, and flow and channel geometry data. The velocity equations were calibrated using UK data, so that their application at any river site in the UK is attainable. The calibrated equation uses the mean flow and the dimensionless magnitude of the flow on the day in question to estimate the mean reach velocity for flows at any river site in the UK.     

OXYGEN LIMITATION IN MICROFLUIDIC BIOFUEL CELLS

Biofuel cells are devices that use biocatalysts (enzymes or microbes) to convert biochemical energy directly into electrical energy. Microfluidic biofuel cells exploit the lack of active mixing at microscale dimensions to eliminate the use of proton exchange membranes that separate anolyte and catholyte streams. Simulation of this system, by solving the governing 3-D conservation equations (flow, species transport), reveals that oxygen availability limits the performance of the cathode. An exponential decay in the availability of oxygen at the cathode is observed along the length of the microchannel, indicating that increasing the number of electrode pairs reduces the overall current density. This conclusion is consistent with experimental observations. Increasing electrolyte flow rates can reduce the mass transport limitations by decreasing the diffusion boundary-layer thickness, but disparity between the flow rates of the anolyte and catholyte can induce wastage of dissolved oxygen.     

A frequency-domain analytical model of an uncontrolled single-phasevoltage-source rectifier

The harmonic currents generated by the single-phase rectifier are well known. As the levels of these currents become larger, the use of power conditioners, such as shunt active filters, to lower the levels is becoming more attractive. In order to analyze the interaction between the condition, AC system and rectifier, it is necessary to have an accurate model of the rectifier. This paper describes a frequency-domain analytical model of the single-phase rectifier. The model includes the dominant frequency transfer mechanisms. These are the direct transfer and that due to the modulation of the switching instants. A small-signal linearized analysis is presented and the behavior predicted is confirmed by perturbation analysis using time-domain simulation. Accurate results are obtained, and the importance of including the switching instant modulation is shown     

Hormonal factors in the development of differences in strength between boys and girls during adolescence: a longitudinal study

The mitochondrial transition pore (MTP) is implicated as a mediator of cell injury and death in many situations. The MTP opens in response to stimuli including reactive oxygen species and inhibition of the electron transport chain. Sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by oxidative stress and specifically involves a defect in complex I of the electron transport chain. To explore the possible involvement of the MTP in PD models, we tested the effects of the complex I inhibitor and apoptosis-inducing toxin N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) on cyclosporin A (CsA)-sensitive mitochondrial swelling and release of cytochrome c. In the presence of Ca2+ and Pi, MPP+ induced a permeability transition in both liver and brain mitochondria. MPP+ also caused release of cytochrome c from liver mitochondria. Rotenone, a classic non-competitive complex I inhibitor, completely inhibited MPP(+)-induced swelling and release of cytochrome c. The MPP(+)-induced permeability transition was synergistic with nitric oxide and the adenine nucleotide translocator inhibitor atractyloside, and additive with phenyl arsine oxide cross-linking of dithiol residues. MPP(+)-induced pore opening and cytochrome c release were blocked by CsA, the Ca2+ uniporter inhibitor ruthenium red, the hydrophobic disulfide reagent N-ethylmaleimide, butacaine, and the free radical scavenging enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase. MPP+ neurotoxicity may derive from not only its inhibition of complex I and consequent ATP depletion, but also from its ability to open the MTP and to release mitochondrial factors including Ca2+ and cytochrome c known to be involved in apoptosis.