A new flexible,reliable, and intelligent electrical energy delivery system

This paper proposes a new concept of an electric power delivery system for future decades. The power delivery network consists of a set of meshed networks spread over every demand-side block (city or town). On the end point of the power line network, quality improvement facilities (referred to as “quality improvement centers”) are installed, and each consumer can select an arbitrary quality of electricity. Thus the system can achieve multi-menu-services and uninterrupted power supply. The system contains small-scale energy storage and dispersed small-scale power generation systems. The main circuit breakers consist of power electronics devices, and communication networks are fully installed so as to control the power electronics devices or power flow according to system situations or the fault situations. The communication network also controls the demand-side management. From the above, the proposed power delivery network is flexible and reliable. The intelligent facilities (computers) are installed in the control centers as well as in the quality improvement centers. They keep the system as the most energy-conservative form. In this paper, the system is named FRIENDS (Flexible, Reliable and Intelligent Electrical eNergy Delivery system). The conclusion of this paper summarizes the major research areas that must be completed to realize the system. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 121(1): 26–34, 1997     

Electric-Field-Induced Crack Growth Behavior in PZT/Al2O3 Composites

Hard lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and PZT/Al₂O₃ composites were prepared and the alternating-electric-field-induced crack growth behavior of a precrack above the coercive field was evaluated via optical and scanning electron microscopy. The crack extension in the 1.0 vol% Al₂O₃ composite was significantly smaller than that in monolithic PZT and the 0.5 vol% Al₂O₃ composite. Secondary-phase Al₂O₃ dispersoids were found both at grain boundaries and within grains in the composites. A large number of dispersoids were observed at the grain boundaries in the 1.0 vol% Al₂O₃ composite. It appears that the Al₂O₃ dispersoids reinforce the grain boundaries of the PZT matrix as well as act as effective pins against microcrack propagation.     

Forming and Sintering of in Situ Alumina Composite with Hydraulic Inorganic Binder

Two types of barium aluminate binders were prepared by heat treatment of barium aluminate precursors, synthesized by using solution processes, at low temperatures ( T < 500°C). One was barium monoaluminate (BaAl₂O₄), and the other was barium aluminate binder (BAH binder) composed of amorphous phase, barium aluminate monohydrate (BaAl₂O₄·H₂O), and BaAl₂O₄. The setting time of the BAH binder was controlled by adjusting the heat-treatment temperature of the BAH binder precursor. The addition of the synthesized BaAl₂O₄ powders to Al₂O₃ powders improved the bending strength of Al₂O₃ matrix green bodies. The synthesized BaAl₂O₄ powders led to the in situ forming of barium hexaaluminate (BaO· x Al₂O₃, x = 6.9: BA6) platelets in the matrix by reacting with Al₂O₃ during sintering. The formed BA6 platelets inhibited the grain growth of the matrix Al₂O₃ grains.     

Analysis of electromagnetic waveguide bends by three-dimensional finite element method with edge elements

An approach based on the finite element method (FEM) with the rectangular-parallelepipd edge element is proposed for the analysis of electromagnetic waveguide bends. Here, to be permissible for analysis of various electromagnetic waveguides, the analytical relations in the uniform waveguide are constructed numerically by using the FEM with the rectangular edge element. To confirm the validity and versatility of this approach, bends of a hollow waveguide, a half-filled dielectric waveguide, and a finline are analyzed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Pannexin 1-Mediated ATP Signaling in the Trigeminal Spinal Subnucleus Caudalis Is Involved in Tongue Cancer Pain

Pain is one of the most severe concerns in tongue cancer patients. However, the underlying mechanisms of tongue cancer pain are not fully understood. We investigated the molecular mechanisms of tongue cancer-induced mechanical allodynia in the tongue by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) inoculation in rats. The head-withdrawal threshold of mechanical stimulation (MHWT) to the tongue was reduced following SCC inoculation, which was inhibited by intracisternal administration of 10Panx, an inhibitory peptide for pannexin 1 (PANX1) channels. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the expression of PANX1 was upregulated in the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) following SCC inoculation. The majority of PANX1 immunofluorescence was merged with ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) fluorescence and a part of it was merged with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) fluorescence. Spike frequencies of Vc nociceptive neurons to noxious mechanical stimulation were significantly enhanced in SCC-inoculated rats, which was suppressed by intracisternal 10Panx administration. Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK)-immunoreactive (IR) neurons increased significantly in the Vc after SCC inoculation, which was inhibited by intracisternal 10Panx administration. SCC inoculation-induced MHWT reduction and increased pERK-IR Vc neuron numbers were inhibited by P2X7 purinoceptor (P2X7R) antagonism. Conversely, these effects were observed in the presence of P2X7R agonist in SCC-inoculated rats with PANX1 inhibition. SCC inoculation-induced MHWT reduction was significantly recovered by intracisternal interleukin-1 receptor antagonist administration. These observations suggest that SCC inoculation causes PANX1 upregulation in Vc microglia and adenosine triphosphate released through PANX1 sensitizes nociceptive neurons in the Vc, resulting in tongue cancer pain.     

Case Study: Hydraulic Modeling of Runoff Processes in Ghanaian Inland Valleys

The inland valleys of West Africa are strategic in terms of food security and poverty alleviation, but scientific studies on hydrologic processes happening in these environments have not been well documented. Modeling approaches presented in this paper are an attempt to better comprehend hydraulic phenomena occurring in inland valleys. An inland valley situated in the Northern Region of Ghana is set as the study site. The inland valley comprises well-drained uplands and hydromorphic valley bottoms. There are several earthen dams across the valley bottoms, which are at the same time seasonal wetlands cultivated to rice during the rainy season. A finite volume model for the shallow water equations is developed to numerically simulate surface runoff flows in the valley bottoms during flood events. Innovation is necessitated to handle a series of different hydraulic phenomena. Flux-splitting and data reconstruction techniques are used to achieve stable computation in the complex topography of the valley bottoms. Standard problems of oblique hydraulic jump and dam break flows are used to test the accuracy of the numerical model. The Manning’s roughness coefficient is determined from calibration in another Ghanaian watershed located in the Eastern Region. Using actually observed time series data of rainfall intensity, surface flows during the rainfall events are simulated in the computational domain representing the valley bottoms of the study area. Observed data of water levels in the dams are compared to predictions, and discrepancies between them are examined from the hydrological point of view. In the case of a hypothetical flood event, cascading collapses of the dams and flooding of cultivated fields are reproduced.     

Characterization of porous silicon nitride ceramics using bentonite as binder and sintering additive

The effect of bentonite addition on extrusion behavior, open porosity, microstructure, and mechanical properties was investigated. The results showed that paste with an appropriate amount of bentonite had a good extrusion behavior. The resultant microstructures consisted of rod-like silicon nitride grains and some intergranular amorphous phase. Furthermore, superior mechanical properties were obtained. Using cheap but effective bentonite as inorganic binder as well as sintering aid is a promising eco-friendly preparation route for cost-effective porous silicon nitride ceramics.     

A Thin Carbon‐Fiber Web as a Scaffold for Bone‐Tissue Regeneration

Due to the rapid progress being made in tissue regeneration therapy, biomaterials used as scaffolds are expected to play an important role in future clinical application. We report the development of a 3D web (sheet) consisting of high‐purity carbon fibers in a nanoscale structure. When the thin carbon‐fiber web (TCFW) and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP‐2) composite is implanted in the murine back muscle, new ectopic bone is formed, and the values of the bone mineral content and bone mineral density are significantly higher than those obtained with a collagen sheet. Observation of the interface between the carbon fibers and bone matrix reveal that the fibers are directly integrated into the bone matrix, indicating high bone‐tissue compatibility. Further, the rhBMP‐2/TCFW composite repairs a critical‐size bone defect within a short time period. These results suggest that the TCFW functions as an effective scaffold material and will play an important role in tissue regeneration in the future.     

Fabrication and efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue over CuO/BiVO4 composite under visible-light irradiation

CuO/BiVO₄ composite photocatalysts were prepared by solution combustion synthesis method and impregnation technique. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission scan electron microscopy and UV-vis diffusion reflectance spectra were used to identify the physical properties and photophysical properties of CuO/BiVO₄ composite photocatalysts. The photocatalysts exhibit the enhanced photocatalytic properties for degradation of methylene blue under visible-light (λ > 420 nm). The mechanism of improved photocatalytic activity is also discussed.