Surface Energy Analysis of Treated Graphite Fibers

Wettability measurements and surface energy analysis are applied to isolate the (London-d) and (Keesom-p) polar contributions to solid-vapor surface tension γ_sv=γ^d_sv + γ^p_sv of surface treated graphite fibers. Surface treatments include metal coatings with Al, Cu, and Ni, chemically reducing heat treatments in H₂ and vacuum, and films of highly chlorinated polymers such as polyhexachlorobutadiene and polychloral. This study shows that the highly polar surface properties γ^p_sv|γ_sv ≃ γ^d_sv|γ_sv ≃ 0.50 of commercial graphite fibers can be modified by surface treatment to display dominant dispersion character with γ^d_sv|γ_sv ≃ 0.79 to 0.92 without substantial reduction in total surface energy γ_sv. For adsorption bonded fiber/matrix interfaces a new method of mapping the surface energy effects of an immersion phase upon the Griffith fracture energy γ_G is applied to define criteria for strong interfacial bonding under both air and water immersion.     

Solar-plus-storage economics: What works where,and why?

This paper explores the economics of solar-plus-storage projects for commercial-scale, behind-the-meter applications. It provides insight into the near-term and future solar-plus-storage market opportunities across the U.S. We explore the impacts of location, building load profile, technology cost, utility rate structure, and policies on solar-plus-storage economic viability, and identify which factors are most significant to project economics. While savings from storage-only projects are largely derived from demand charge reductions, solar combined with storage also provides significant energy charge savings. A common assumption is that load profiles with peaks are likely candidates for savings from storage, due to the opportunity for demand charge reduction. Our results indicate that potential for savings from combining solar with storage is independent of building load variability, likely due to the energy cost reductions from the solar. Systems are more often economical under time of use and demand charge rates, particularly when demand charges are >$10 per kilowatt. Where systems were found to be economical, expected lifetime savings averaged between 7%–10%, with savings of 30% in numerous cases. Near term markets exist for solar-plus-storage in locations such as California and New York. As technology prices drop, the number of building types that can benefit increase, and additional markets appear in Colorado, New Mexico, and Alaska. All data from the study and interactive modeling results are available at: https://openei.org/wiki/Solar+Storage.     

Electrical field measurements on an EPRI two-pole, 20-hp WrittenPole motor

The recent introduction of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) single-phase Written Pole soft-start motor may open new possibilities and marketing opportunities for rural electric cooperatives. The new single-phase high-efficiency AC motor technology promises soft-start capabilities that allow designs and application of up to 60 hp 240 V motors. This paper summarizes some of the technical aspects of the new single-phase motor technology. An actual field test and application of a Written Pole motor is also be used to compare motor starting currents and line flicker with manufacturer's literature and specifications     

Upregulation of Anti-Oxidative Stress Response Improves Metabolic Changes in L-Selectin-Deficient Mice but Does Not Prevent NAFLD Progression or Fecal Microbiota Shifts

(1) Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing global health problem. NAFLD progression involves a complex interplay of imbalanced inflammatory cell populations and inflammatory signals such as reactive oxygen species and cytokines. These signals can derive from the liver itself but also from adipose tissue or be mediated via changes in the gut microbiome. We analyzed the effects of a simultaneous migration blockade caused by L-selectin-deficiency and an enhancement of the anti-oxidative stress response triggered by hepatocytic Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) deletion on NAFLD progression. (2) Methods: L-selectin-deficient mice (Lsel^−/−Keap1^flx/flx) and littermates with selective hepatic Keap1 deletion (Lsel^−/−Keap1^Δhepa) were compared in a 24-week Western-style diet (WD) model. (3) Results: Lsel^−/−Keap1^Δhepa mice exhibited increased expression of erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) target genes in the liver, decreased body weight, reduced epidydimal white adipose tissue with decreased immune cell frequencies, and improved glucose response when compared to their Lsel^−/−Keap1^flx/flx littermates. Although WD feeding caused drastic changes in fecal microbiota profiles with decreased microbial diversity, no genotype-dependent shifts were observed. (4) Conclusions: Upregulation of the anti-oxidative stress response improves metabolic changes in L-selectin-deficient mice but does not prevent NAFLD progression and shifts in the gut microbiota.     

Developing an Antibody–Drug Conjugate Approach to Selective Inhibition of an Extracellular Protein

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are a growing class of therapeutics that harness the specificity of antibodies and the cell-killing potency of small-molecule drugs. Beyond cytotoxics, there are few examples of the application of an ADC approach to difficult drug discovery targets. Here, we present the initial development of a non-internalising ADC, with a view to selectively inhibiting an extracellular protein. Employing the wellinvestigated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as our model, we adapted a broad-spectrum, nonselective MMP inhibitor for conjugation and linked this to a MMP-9-targeting antibody. The resulting ADC fully inhibits MMP-9, and ELISA results suggest antibody targeting can direct a nonselective inhibitor.     

An Investigation into Parameters Affecting Crystal Purity of Urea in a Stirred Tank and an Oscillatory Baffled Crystallizer

Confidential industrial trials showed that higher purity crystals were produced in an oscillatory baffled crystallizer (OBC) compared to a stirred tank crystallizer (STC) when operating at similar conditions. This trend is verified in this work using urea as the test compound that is different from that was employed in industrial tests. We have observed that a higher supersaturation level at nucleation coupled with a lower nucleation temperature was measured in the STC at all investigated conditions compared to that in the OBC. This led to a higher nucleation rate in the STC, consequently producing smaller crystals. Crystal size distributions and imaging analyses suggest that these smaller crystals were more likely to form agglomerates in the STC, trapping either mother liquor or impurity or both and leading to the lower purity observed when compared to that in the OBC.     

The Reactivity of Difluorocarbene with Hydroxylamines: Synthesis of Carbamoyl Fluorides

Carbamoyl fluorides are formed in reactions of hydroxylamines with difluorocarbene generated from sodium bromodifluoroacetate as readily available and non‐toxic carbene precursor. The process shows a high functional group tolerance, and the reaction path has been rationalized by computational calculations.