Cost of energy analysis of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant with respect to CO2 capture ratio under climate change scenarios

This paper presents the results of the cost of energy (COE) analysis of an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant with respect to CO₂ capture ratio under the climate change scenarios. To obtain process data for a COE analysis, simulation models of IGCC power plants and an IGCC with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) power plant, developed by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), have been adopted and simulated using Aspen Plus. The concept of 20-year levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and the climate change scenarios suggested by International Energy Agency (IEA) are also adopted to compare the COE of IGCC power plants with respect to CO₂ capture ratio more realistically. Since previous studies did not consider fuel price and CO₂ price changes, the reliability of previous results of LCOE is not good enough to be accepted for an economic comparison of IGCC power plants with respect to CO₂ capture ratio. In this study, LCOEs which consider price changes of fuel and CO₂ with respect to the climate change scenarios are proposed in order to increase the reliability of an economic comparison. And the results of proposed LCOEs of an IGCC without CCS power plant and IGCC with CCS (30%, 50%, 70% and 90% capture-mole basis- of CO₂ in syngas stream) power plants are presented.     

A study on thermal analysis of MgH2 powder made by hydriding chemical vapor deposition method

The desorption kinetics of Mg hydride made by the HCVD method was assessed by thermal analysis in order to study desorption behavior. Desorption kinetics was analyzed by the theoretical equation which was derived on the basis of a continuous moving boundary model. At various initial hydride wt% from 1.65 to 7.42, the sample was heated to 573 K at a rate of 1.0 K/min. The starting temperature of evolution of hydrogen rises higher as the initial hydride wt% increases. The number of thermal desorption peaks corresponds to the occupation sites of hydrogen. As the heating rate was increased, the peak temperatures increased; the peak temperatures for heating rates 1, 2, 3 and 4 K/min were 667, 683, 690 and 698 K, respectively. The pressure range is 0.1 to 0.2 atm for measuring. The activation energy for the decomposition of Mg hydride made by HCVD method was 166 kJ/ mol.     

Immobilization of laccase on carbon nanomaterials

Laccase from Trametes versicolor was readily immobilized on carbon nanomaterials including multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT-COOHs), and graphene oxides (GOs), by physical adsorption without using coupling agents. The immobilized amount of laccase strongly depends on the pH of the aqueous buffers of the immobilization mixture. As the pH of the aqueous buffer for immobilization increases, the immobilized amount of laccase decreases. The activity of the immobilized laccase on the three carbon nanomaterials exhibits a bell-shaped dependence on the pH of the immobilization solution with maximum activity at pH 6 or 7. When the immobilization solution becomes acidic or basic, the activity of the immobilized laccase declines significantly. The amount and the activity of immobilized laccase were maximum for graphene oxides as substrate material for immobilization.     

π-Conjugated cyanostilbene derivatives: a unique self-assembly motif for molecular nanostructures with enhanced emission and transport

π-Conjugated organic molecules represent an attractive platform for the design and fabrication of a wide range of nano- and microstructures for use in organic optoelectronics. The desirable optical and electrical properties of π-conjugated molecules for these applications depend on their primary molecular structure and their intermolecular interactions such as molecular packing or ordering in the condensed states. Because of the difficulty in satisfying these rigorous structural requirements for photoluminescence and charge transport, the development of novel high-performance π-conjugated systems for nano-optoelectronics has remained a challenge. This Account describes our recent discovery of a novel class of self-assembling π-conjugated organic molecules with a built-in molecular elastic twist. These molecules consist of a cyano-substituted stilbenic π-conjugated backbone and various terminal functional groups, and they offer excellent optical, electrical, and self-assembly properties for use in various nano-optoelectronic devices. The characteristic "twist elasticity" behavior of these molecules occurs in response to molecular interactions. These large torsional or conformational changes in the cyanostilbene backbone play an important role in achieving favorable intermolecular interactions that lead to both high photoluminescence and good charge carrier mobility in self-assembled nanostructures. Conventional π-conjugated molecules in the solid state typically show concentration (aggregation) fluorescence quenching. Initially, we describe the unique photoluminescence properties, aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE), of these new cyanostilbene derivatives that elegantly circumvent these problems. These elastic twist π-conjugated backbones serve as versatile scaffolds for the preparation of well-defined patterned nanosized architectures through facile self-assembly processes. We discuss in particular detail the preparation of 1D nanowire structures through programmed self-assembly. This Account describes the importance of utilizing AIEE effects to explore optical device applications, such as organic semiconducting lasers (OSLs), optical memory, and sensors. We demonstrate the rich electronic properties, including the electrical conductivity, field-effect carrier mobility, and electroluminescence of highly crystalline 1D nanowire and coaxial donor-acceptor nanocable structures composed of elastic twist π-conjugated molecules. The electronic properties were measured using various techniques, including current-voltage (I-V), conducting-probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM), and space-charge-limited-current (SCLC) measurements. We prepared and characterized several electronic device structures, including organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and organic light-emitting field-effect transistors (OLETs).     

Isoflurane Protects Against Human Endothelial Cell Apoptosis by Inducing Sphingosine Kinase-1 via ERK MAPK

Endothelial dysfunction is a major clinical problem affecting virtually every patient requiring critical care. Volatile anesthetics are frequently used during the perioperative period and protect the heart and kidney against ischemia and reperfusion injury. We aimed to determine whether isoflurane, the most commonly used volatile anesthetic in the USA, protects against endothelial apoptosis and necrosis and the mechanisms involved in this protection. Human endothelial EA.hy926 cells were pretreated with isoflurane or carrier gas (95% room air + 5% CO(2)) then subjected to apoptosis with tumor necrosis factor-α or to necrosis with hydrogen peroxide. DNA laddering and in situ Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Biotin-dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) staining determined EA.hy926 cell apoptosis and percent LDH released determined necrosis. We also determined whether isoflurane modulates the expression and activity of sphingosine kinase-1 (SK1) and induces the phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK MAPK) as both enzymes are known to protect against cell death. Isoflurane pretreatment significantly decreased apoptosis in EA.hy926 cells as evidenced by reduced TUNEL staining and DNA laddering without affecting necrosis. Mechanistically, isoflurane induces the phosphorylation of ERK MAPK and increased SK1 expression and activity in EA.hy926 cells. Finally, selective blockade of SK1 (with SKI-II) or S1P(1) receptor (with W146) abolished the anti-apoptotic effects of isoflurane. Taken together, we demonstrate that isoflurane, in addition to its potent analgesic and anesthetic properties, protects against endothelial apoptosis most likely via SK1 and ERK MAPK activation. Our findings have significant clinical implication for protection of endothelial cells during the perioperative period and patients requiring critical care.     

Structural and thermoelectric properties of hydrothermal-processed Ag-doped Fe2O3

Fe_2-xAg_xO₃ (0?≤?x?≤?0.04) nanopowders with various Ag contents were synthesized at different hydrothermal reaction temperatures (150?°C and 180?°C). Their structural properties were fully investigated through an X-ray diffraction, a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrothermal reaction temperature, time, and Ag content remarkably affected the morphological characteristics and crystal structure of the synthesized powders. The Fe_2-xAg_xO₃ (0?≤?x?≤?0.04) powders synthesized at 150?°C for 6?h and the Fe_2-xAg_xO₃ (0.02?≤?x?≤?0.04) powders synthesized at 180?°C for 12?h formed the orthorhombic α-FeOOH phase with a rod-like morphology, whereas the Fe_2-xAg_xO₃ (0?≤?x?≤?0.01) powders synthesized at 180?°C for 12?h formed the rhombohedral α-Fe₂O₃ phase with a spherical-like morphology. The Fe_1.98Ag_0.02O₃ fabricated by utilizing Fe_1.98Ag_0.02O₃ powders synthesized at 180?°C showed the largest power factor (0.64?×10^?5 Wm^?1 K^?2) and dimensionless figure-of-merit (0.0036) at 800?°C.     

Single-walled carbon nanotube/silicone rubber composites for compliant electrodes

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/silicone rubber composites that can be used in fabricating compliant electrodes are prepared by spraying a mixed solution of ionic-liquid-based SWCNT gel and silicone rubber onto an elastic substrate. Subsequently, the composites are exposed to nitric acid vapor. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images of the composites show that the SWCNTs are finely dispersed in the polymer matrix due to the addition of the ionic liquid. Doping of the SWCNTs by nitric acid can significantly lower the sheet resistance (R_s) of the composites; samples with 4 wt% of SWCNT content exhibit the lowest R_s value (50 Ω sq^?1). This sheet resistance corresponds to a conductivity value of 63 S cm^?1. In addition, the composites retain a high conductivity after several tensile strains are applied. Stretching the composite sample to 300% of the original length increased the R_s value to 320 Ω sq^?1 (19 S cm^?1). Even after 20th stretch/release/stretch cycle, the conductivity remains constant at a value of 18 S cm^?1. These results provide a scalable route for preparing highly stretchable and conductive SWCNT composites with relatively low SWCNT concentrations.     

Simple and cost-effective reduction of graphite oxide by sulfuric acid

We report a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally benign process for reducing graphite oxide by treating solely with sulfuric acid. The suggested process consists of a two-step reduction of graphite oxide, first in aqueous sulfuric acid at room temperature and then in concentrated sulfuric acid with refluxing. X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the graphite oxide was reduced effectively and was comparable in composition to reduced graphite oxide prepared using previously described methods that rely on toxic and hazardous reducing agents, such as hydrazine, sodium borohydride, or hydrohalic acids.