A TRNSYS-based simulation framework for the analysis of solar thermal and heat pump systems

The modeling and simulation of combined solar and heat pump (SHP) systems is a challenging task as it requires expert knowledge in modeling as well as in the behavior of the real systems. As an example of a SHP system, this work considers parallel solar thermal and heat pump systems with ground or air source heat pumps for the efficient energy supply of buildings. An introduction to SHP systems and the considered system concepts is given and the challenges in designing new models within the simulation environment TRNSYS are described. Finally, a TRNSYS-based stand-alone tool (SHP-SimFrame) ispresented which enables users to analyze predefined SHP concepts with hardly any knowledge in modeling and simulation itself.     

Distributed power generation versus grid extension: an assessment of solar photovoltaics for rural electrification in Northern Ghana

The competitiveness of distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation for rural electrification in northern Ghana is assessed and compared with the conventional option of extending the national grid and increasing the capacity for centralised power generation. A model is constructed to calculate the life‐cycle cost (LCC) of the two options and to test the sensitivity of different parameters. All calculations are based on information from the GEF/UNDP pilot region in the East Mamprusi District. In addition to the economic aspect, issues of quality and environmental effects are discussed. The LCC of distributed PV is lower than that of a grid extension for an electricity demand corresponding to solar home systems of 140 W_p or smaller. Thus, distributed PV is cost competitive for purposes of lighting, entertainment, information and basic public facilities, such as schools and hospitals. The LCC for the option of grid extension with central power generation is dominated by the cost of low‐voltage micro‐grids within the communities. Important factors are the density of households and the penetration (fraction of households electrified), as they affect the line length per connected household. The relatively low cost of regional medium‐voltage grids makes the geographical location of each community less important than expected. Battery replacement every fifth year makes up the major part of the LCC of solar home systems and is also responsible for the large energy input in the production of the systems. This could limit both future cost reductions of distributed PV and its potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antibacterial Surface Coatings from Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Embedded in Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel Surface Layers

Despite multiple research approaches to prevent bacterial colonization on surfaces, device‐associated infections are currently responsible for about 50% of nosocomial infections in Europe and significantly increase health care costs, which demands development of advanced antibacterial surface coatings. Here, novel antimicrobial composite materials incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) into biocompatible poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel layers are prepared by mixing the PNIPAAm prepolymer with ZnO NP, followed by spin‐coating and photocrosslinking. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization of the composite film morphology reveals a homogeneous distribution of the ZnO NP throughout the film for every applied NP/polymer ratio. The optical properties of the embedded NP are not affected by the matrix as confirmed by UV‐vis spectroscopy. The nanocomposite films exhibit bactericidal behavior towards Escherichia coli (E. coli) for a ZnO concentration as low as ≈0.74 μg cm^?2 (1.33 mmol cm^?3), which is determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. In contrast, the coatings are found to be non‐cytotoxic towards a mammalian cell line (NIH/3T3) at bactericidal loadings of ZnO over an extended period of seven days. The differential toxicity of the ZnO/hydrogel nanocomposite thin films between bacterial and cellular species qualifies them as promising candidates for novel biomedical device coatings.     

Combined Mutagenesis and Kinetics Characterization of the Bilin‐Binding GAF Domain of the Protein Slr1393 from the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803

The gene slr1393 from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 encodes a protein composed of three GAF domains, a PAS domain, and a histidine kinase domain. GAF3 is the sole domain able to bind phycocyanobilin (PCB) as chromophore and to accomplish photochemistry: switching between a red‐absorbing parental and a green‐absorbing photoproduct state (λ_max=649 and 536 nm, respectively). Conversions in both directions were followed by time‐resolved absorption spectroscopy with the separately expressed GAF3 domain of Slr1393. Global fit analysis of the recorded absorbance changes yielded three lifetimes (3.2 μs, 390 μs, and 1.5 ms) for the red‐to‐green conversion, and 1.2 μs, 340 μs, and 1 ms for the green‐to‐red conversion. In addition to the wild‐type (WT) protein, 24 mutated proteins were studied spectroscopically. The design of these site‐directed mutations was based on sequence alignments with related proteins and by employing the crystal structure of AnPixJg2 (PDB ID: 3W2Z), a Slr1393 orthologous from Anabaena sp. PCC7120. The structure of AnPixJg2 was also used as template for model building, thus confirming the strong structural similarity between the proteins, and for identifying amino acids to target for mutagenesis. Only amino acids in close proximity to the chromophore were exchanged, as these were considered likely to have an impact on the spectral and dynamic properties. Three groups of mutants were found: some showed absorption features similar to the WT protein, a second group showed modified absorbance properties, and the third group had lost the ability to bind the chromophore. The most unexpected result was obtained for the exchange at residue 532 (N532Y). In vivo assembly yielded a red‐absorbing, WT‐like protein. Irradiation, however, not only converted it into the green‐absorbing form, but also produced a 660 nm, further‐red‐shifted absorbance band. This photoproduct was fully reversible to the parental form upon green light irradiation.     

Effect of nanofillers on the flame retardant properties of a polyethylene–calcium carbonate–silicone elastomer system

This study shows the effects of three different nanofillers on the viscosity properties and fire behavior of a halogen‐free flame retardant system. The original system, based on ethylene‐acrylate copolymer, calcium carbonate, and a silicone elastomer, shows good flame retardant properties. One of the nanofillers, montmorillonite (MMT), significantly increases the viscosity above 250^°C, resulting in reduced dripping and decreased heat release rate. The ash residue, however, is very brittle, indicating poor interactions between the MMT and other components of the system. The second nanofiller, sepiolite, shows no improvement on the flame retardant properties of the system. Reduced dripping is observed when a small amount of the third nanofiller, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, POSS, is incorporated into the system. In this case, high silica content on the surface indicates char formation originating from the POSS. However, an increased heat release is observed when POSS is used in the system. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and polymerization of alkyl halide-functional cyclic carbonates

To increase the diversity in functional aliphatic polycarbonates, a series of novel chloro- and bromo-functional six-membered cyclic carbonate monomers were synthesized. Despite asymmetry in the monomer functionalities, homopolymerization of the monomers afforded semicrystalline polycarbonates with a high tendency to crystallize from the melt and/or on precipitation from a THF solution. Melting points were found in the 90-105 °C or 120-155 °C range for polymers comprising methyl or ethyl moieties, respectively, in the backbone. The monomers were further copolymerized with trimethylene carbonate to form random copolymers. Even among some of these random copolymers elements of semicrystallinity were found as confirmed by melting endotherms in DSC. The results clearly show that the incorporation of alkyl halide functionalities in aliphatic polycarbonates may lead to materials with a high ability to form crystallites, even in random copolymers, likely driven by polar interactions due to the presence of the halide functionalities.     

Scalable production of graphene sheets by mechanical delamination

Mono- and multilayer graphene sheets have been successfully produced from commercial graphite powder in a wet grinding process under mild milling conditions. The shear forces in the milling chamber lead to a continuous delamination of ultrathin graphene flakes which are dispersed in a liquid medium. To avoid agglomeration of the exfoliated flakes the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate was used. By adjusting the process parameters in a way to overcome the weak interlayer forces between the sheets without breaking them leads to the fabrication of thin flakes with high aspect ratios. The presented scalable process allows a high-yield and low-cost production of free-standing graphene sheets for various applications.     

Human Anti-Oxidation Protein A1M—A Potential Kidney Protection Agent in Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has been in clinical use for 15 years to treat metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. PRRT is limited by reabsorption and retention of the administered radiolabeled somatostatin analogues in the proximal tubule. Consequently, it is essential to develop and employ methods to protect the kidneys during PRRT. Today, infusion of positively charged amino acids is the standard method of kidney protection. Other methods, such as administration of amifostine, are still under evaluation and show promising results. α₁-microglobulin (A1M) is a reductase and radical scavenging protein ubiquitously present in plasma and extravascular tissue. Human A1M has antioxidation properties and has been shown to prevent radiation-induced in vitro cell damage and protect non-irradiated surrounding cells. It has recently been shown in mice that exogenously infused A1M and the somatostatin analogue octreotide are co-localized in proximal tubules of the kidney after intravenous infusion. In this review we describe the current situation of kidney protection during PRRT, discuss the necessity and implications of more precise dosimetry and present A1M as a new, potential candidate for renal protection during PRRT and related targeted radionuclide therapies.