Thermal characteristics of a double-glazed external wall system with roll screen in cooling season

A double-skin system (double-glazed external wall) is an effective passive system that can be used to decrease solar heat gain into buildings. Detailed information on the thermal distribution of double-skin facades is necessary to design better systems that can provide thermal comfort and conserve energy. In this study, the three-dimensional thermal characteristics of double-skin facades that had the ventilation opening installed partially and were screened partially by the adjacent buildings were investigated by field measurements. To that end, field measurements were carried out on the double-skin exterior wall (9.4 m high and 27.0 m wide) installed in an atrium located in the west of an existing building during cooling period for typical summer conditions. Maximum air change rate of natural ventilation through the bottom opening up to the top opening is about 20–25 [1/h], the reduction ratio of total solar heat gain compared with those of non-natural ventilation is about 25%. The exhaust solar heat gain is about 100 W/m² per inner glass surface area of the double-skin facades. Air temperature distribution of air space in the double skin was ranged from 30 °C to 44 °C, and heat gain difference ranged from 50 W/m² to 130 W/m². The influence of the ventilation openings and the shade conditions on temperature distribution of double skin is found to be significant and the double-skin system was verified to reduce the cooling loads effectively.     

Modeling the trajectory of window flames with regard to flow attachment to the adjacent wall

A model for predicting the trajectory of window flame ejected from a fire compartment was formulated incorporating the effect of wall above the opening. Based on the observation in the reduced scale experiments, window flames were divided into the following categories with regard to its trajectory configuration: the flow which ascends almost vertically up after ejection maintaining a certain separation from the wall; and the flow which ascends upward after ejection and gradually approaches to the wall in the downstream. In the model, trajectories of these flows were approximated by cubic polynomials whose coefficients were given as functions of a dimensionless parameter F*. The parameter F* was derived from the conservation equation of momentum which incorporates the effect of pressure gradient across the ascending flows. Critical condition for the occurrence of flow attachment was described as a proportion of the maximum separation from the wall versus the opening width. Trajectories predicted by the proposed model were then compared with the measurement data which indicated reasonable agreements.     

Modeling thermal behaviors of window flame ejected from a fire compartment

A series of reduced-scale experiments were carried out in order to investigate thermal behaviors of window flame, which exposes the upper floors as well as the adjacent buildings to potential risks of fire spread. A stainless pan filled with alcohol was used as the fire source and was placed inside a cubic compartment of 900 mm side. Temperatures and velocities at various points inside and outside of the compartment were measured. The compartment was pressurized during the experiment by mechanically supplying air at several mass inflow rates through an inlet duct set at the bottom part of the compartment. This was for simulating fire conditions under the effect of external wind pressure. On the basis of the experimental observation, line (i.e., two-dimensional) heat source assumption was adopted for developing a model of window flame behavior. A dimensionless parameter Q^′*${Q^{\prime }}^{*}$ was derived from the governing differential equations in order to generalize the measurement results. Expressions for temperature rise along the trajectory ΔT_m and characteristic flame width b_T were developed incorporating the parameter Q^′*${Q^{\prime }}^{*}$.     

Dynamic in situ observation of automotive catalysts for emission control using X-ray absorption fine structure

Two main pivotal subjects of research in automotive catalysts were studied by modern X-ray absorption analysis techniques. One is oxygen storage/release behaviour, and the other is sintering inhibition of Pt particles. First, three types of CeO₂–ZrO₂ (Ce:Zr = 1:1 molar ratio) compounds with different oxygen storage/release capacities and different structural properties were prepared, and the valence change of Ce as a function of temperature during oxygen release/storage processes was investigated. The reduction of surface Ce mainly occurred in the range 100–170 °C, and the reduction of bulk Ce progressed at high temperatures of 170 °C and above. The Ce reduction behaviour depended not only on the homogeneity of the Ce and Zr for bulk reduction at high temperatures but also on the particle size of the CeO₂–ZrO₂ samples for surface reduction at low temperatures. Secondly, sintering inhibition of Pt in Pt/Al₂O₃, Pt/MgO and Pt/ceria-based catalysts after 800 °C ageing in air was studied. We found that the Pt–O–M (M = Mg, Ce) bond acted as an anchor and inhibited the sintering of Pt particles on MgO or ceria-based oxide. Especially, it was noteworthy that the Pt–O–Ce⁴⁺ bond on the ceria-based support breaks easily through the reduction of Ce (Ce⁴⁺ → Ce³⁺) during the usual stoichiometric and reducing conditions.     

On-chip cell sorting system using laser-induced heating of a thermoreversible gelation polymer to control flow

We have developed a microfabricated fluorescence-activated cell sorter system using a thermoreversible gelation polymer (TGP) as a switching valve. The glass sorter chip has Y-shaped microchannels with one inlet and two outlets. A biological specimen containing fluorescently labeled cells is mixed with a solution containing a thermoreversible sol-gel polymer. The mixed solution is then introduced into the sorter chip through the inlet. The sol-gel transformation was locally induced by site-directed infrared laser irradiation to plug one of the outlets. The fluorescently labeled target cells were detected with sensitive fluorescence microscopy. In the absence of a fluorescence signal, the collection channel is plugged through laser irradiation of the TGP and the specimens are directed to the waste channel. Upon detection of a fluorescence signal from the target cells, the laser beam is then used to plug the waste channel, allowing the fluorescent cells to be channeled into the collection reservoir. The response time of the sol-gel transformation was 3 ms, and a flow switching time of 120 ms was achieved. Using this system, we have demonstrated the sorting of fluorescent microspheres and Escherichia coli cells expressing fluorescent proteins. These cells were found to be viable after extraction from the sorting system, indicating no damage to the cells.     

Radiochemical analysis of rubble and trees collected from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

To characterize the rubble and trees contaminated by radionuclides released by the recent accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the radiochemical analysis protocols were modified using those developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency for the waste generated by research, industrial, and medical facilities. The radioactivity concentrations of gamma-ray-emitting nuclides ⁶⁰Co, ⁹⁴Nb, ¹⁵²Eu, and ¹⁵⁴Eu, and beta-particle-emitting nuclides ¹⁴C, ¹²⁹I, ³⁶Cl, ⁷⁹Se, and ⁹⁹Tc were successfully applied by the modified analytical method. In contrast, the radioactivity concentrations of ³H, ⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs, and alpha-particle-emitting nuclides were applied by the conventional method. Unfortunately, ³⁶Cl, ⁹⁴Nb, ¹²⁹I, ¹⁵²Eu, ¹⁵⁴Eu, and alpha-particle-emitting nuclides were below the detection limit of the conventional method. The measured radioactivity concentrations, except for that of ³H, were not uniform in the area but depended on the reactor unit. Although the radioactivity concentrations were varied widely, this analysis successfully clarified the characteristics of the radioactivity concentrations of the rubble and trees.     

Electric double‐layer capacitor module with series‐parallel reconfigurable cell voltage equalizers

When electric double‐layer capacitors (EDLCs) are connected in series, a cell voltage imbalance occurs due to nonuniform cell properties. Cell voltage imbalance should be minimized to prolong cycle lives and maximize the available energy of cells. In this study, we propose a series‐parallel reconfigurable cell voltage equalizer that is considered suitable for energy storage systems using EDLCs instead of traditional secondary batteries as the main energy storage sources. The proposed equalizer requires only EDLCs and switches as its main circuit elements, and it utilizes EDLCs not only for energy storage but also for equalization. An equivalent circuit model using equivalent resistors that can be regarded as an index of equalization speed is developed. Current distribution and cell voltage imbalancing during operation are quantitatively generalized. Experimental charge–discharge tests were performed on the EDLC modules to demonstrate the performance of the cell voltage equalizer. All the cells in the modules could be charged/discharged uniformly even when a degradation‐mimicking cell was intentionally included in the module. The resultant cell voltage imbalances and current distributions were in good agreement with those predicted by mathematical analyses. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 181(4): 38–50, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21287     

Active device‐less voltage equalization charger using capacitors,diodes, and an AC power source

Conventional cell/module voltage equalizers or equalization chargers based on traditional DC‐DC converters require numerous switches or transformers as the number of series connections increases; therefore, their cost and complexity tend to increase and their reliability decreases as the number of connections increases. This paper proposes a novel voltage equalization charger that consists only of passive components such as capacitors, diodes, and a transformer. The fundamental operating principle, major features, and derivation of equivalent DC circuits are presented. A symmetrical configuration is also proposed to mitigate the RMS current flowing through energy storage cells in the charging process. Simulations and experimental charging and cycle tests were performed on series‐connected electric double‐layer capacitor modules to demonstrate the equalization performance. The experimental and simulation results were in good agreement, and the voltage imbalances were gradually eliminated as time elapsed even during charge‐discharge cycling. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 181(3): 39‐48, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.21288     

Role of Cooper pairs for the generation of entangled photon pairs from single quantum dots

Generation of entangled photon pairs from semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is highly desirable for realizing practical solid-state photon sources for quantum information processing and quantum cryptography. However, the energy splitting of exciton states in QDs almost prevent the generation of entangled photon pairs. This paper discusses the new possibility with the injection of electron as well as hole Cooper pairs into QDs.     

Uncooled 25 Gbit/s direct modulation of semi-insulating buried-heterostructure 1.3 μm AlGaInAs quantum-well DFB lasers

Uncooled 25 Gbit/s direct modulation of 1.3 mum DFB lasers is demonstrated. The 150 mum-long semi-insulating buried-heterostructure AIGalnAs quantum-well DFB lasers show clear eye-openings with dynamic extinction ratio of 5 dB up to 70degC. 13 km singlemode-fibre transmission experiments using the devices show low power penalty within 1.3 dB between 25 and 70degC. These characteristics are the first achievement by 1.3 mum directly modulated lasers.