SAHPPA: a novel power pinch analysis approach for the design of off-grid hybrid energy systems

This work proposes a novel approach called stand-alone hybrid system power pinch analysis (SAHPPA), which is particularly applicable for the design of off-grid distributed energy generation systems. The enhanced graphical tool employs new ways of utilising the recently introduced demand composite curve and supply composite curve while honouring and adapting fundamental energy systems engineering concepts. The SAHPPA method is capable of optimising the capacity of both the power generators and energy storage for biomass (i.e. non-intermittent) and solar photovoltaic (i.e. intermittent) energy technologies, which is a contribution to the emerging area of power pinch analysis. In addition, the procedure considers all possible efficiency losses in the overall system encompassing the charging–discharging and current inversion processes.     

An efficient microwave-assisted Suzuki reaction using Pd/MCM-41 and Pd/SBA-15 as catalysts in solvent-free condition

Palladium catalysts, Pd/MCM-41 and Pd/SBA-15 were prepared by impregnation of an aqueous solution of [Pd(NH₃)₄]Cl₂ on MCM-41 and SBA-15. Palladium contents of Pd/MCM-41 and Pd/SBA-15 are 8.4% and 8.7%, respectively. It has been shown that these catalysts are very suitable to microwave-assisted Suzuki reactions under solvent-free condition. It is also found that the base additives for this reaction are K₂CO₃, Cs₂CO₃ or CsF. Thus, phenylboronic acid and phenyl iodide with Pd/MCM-41 produce biphenyl by microwave irradiation for 10 min in 97.4% yield. Phenyl bromide, instead of phenyl iodide, also proceeds the reaction with phenylboronic acid using Pd/MCM-41 or Pd/SBA-15 yielding biphenyl by microwave irradiation for 10 min in excellent yield. Whereas the reaction of phenyl chloride with phenylboronic acid gives poor yield in same condition. Various aryl iodides and aryl bromides are tested. In this paper our recent results of microwave-assisted Suzuki reaction using Pd/MCM-41 and Pd/SBA-15 under solvent-free condition are described.     

Angle estimation error reduction method using weighted IMM and least squares

International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems - This paper proposes a new approach to reduce target estimation error, especially the measurement angle, when applied to medium- and...     

Oxygen-dependent enhancement of hydrogen production by engineering bacterial hemoglobin in Escherichia coli

H₂ production under aerobic conditions has been proposed as an alternative method to overcome the fundamentally low yield of H₂ production by fermentative bacteria by maximizing the number of electrons that are available for H₂. Here, we engineered Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) in Escherichia coli to study the effects of this versatile oxygen (O₂)-binding protein on oxic H₂ production in a closed batch system that was supplemented with glucose. The H₂ yields that were obtained with the VHb-expressing E. coli were greatly enhanced in comparison to the negative control cells in culture that started with high O₂ tensions. The formate hydrogen lyase (FHL) activity of oxically cultured, VHb-expressing cells was also much higher than that of the negative control cells. Through inhibitor studies and time-course experiments, VHb was shown to contribute to the improved H₂ yield primarily by increasing the efficiency of cellular metabolism during the aerobic phase before the onset of H₂ production and not by working as an O₂-scavenger during H₂ production. This new approach allowed more substrate to remain to be further utilized for the production of more H₂ from limited resources. We expect that VHb can be successfully engineered in potential aerobic H₂-producing microbial systems to enhance the overall H₂ production yield. In addition, the remarkably high FHL activity of oxically grown, VHb-expressing cells may make this engineered strain an attractive whole-cell biocatalyst for converting formate to H₂.     

Modelling the accuracy of image data reprojection

Data transformation and reprojection are required for integrating remotely sensed data and geographical information system data into one map projection. At global or continental scales, the reprojection procedure may bring significant distortion of original pixel values. This research investigated a scale factor model to explain the amount of distortion. Specifically, model results were compared with experimental results. Six possible reprojections among the Equal-area Cylindrical projection, the Mollweide projection, and the Sinusoidal projection were tested. Results showed that reprojection accuracy could be explained using the ratios of scale factor changes along vertical and horizontal axes between source and target projections. The reprojection accuracy was the reciprocal of the maximum scale factor change either along the vertical or horizontal axis. However, the model accuracy was very sensitive to the skew effect that leads to significant increase of accuracy. Spatial autocorrelation and the number of unique pixels were found to affect the accuracy of reprojection. Considering the increasing use of global and continental datasets, this research suggests that reprojection of raster image data should be performed very carefully.     

Conductive adhesive with transient liquid‐phase sintering technology for high‐power device applications

A highly reliable conductive adhesive obtained by transient liquid‐phase sintering (TLPS) technologies is studied for use in high‐power device packaging. TLPS involves the low‐temperature reaction of a low‐melting metal or alloy with a high‐melting metal or alloy to form a reacted metal matrix. For a TLPS material (consisting of Ag‐coated Cu, a Sn96.5‐Ag3.0‐Cu0.5 solder, and a volatile fluxing resin) used herein, the melting temperature of the metal matrix exceeds the bonding temperature. After bonding of the TLPS material, a unique melting peak of TLPS is observed at 356 °C, consistent with the transient behavior of Ag₃Sn + Cu₆Sn₅ → liquid + Cu₃Sn reported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The TLPS material shows superior thermal conductivity as compared with other commercially available Ag pastes under the same specimen preparation conditions. In conclusion, the TLPS material can be a promising candidate for a highly reliable conductive adhesive in power device packaging because remelting of the SAC305 solder, which is widely used in conventional power modules, is not observed.     

Nontoxic poly(ethylene oxide phosphonamidate) hydrogels as templates for biomimetic mineralization of calcium carbonate and hydroxyapatite architectures

A simple protocol has been developed for the creation of the biomimetic hybrid materials, calcium carbonate, and hydroxyapatite, by in situ growth and mineralization in newly developed nontoxic hydrogel templates. A series of poly(ethylene oxide phosphonamidate) hydrogels with different network structures were synthesized by reacting various poly(ethylene glycol)s with phosphorous oxychloride and diamines in a one-pot protocol, which exhibits promising advantages including a short reaction time, an easy separation, and a high yield with a mass producible feasibility. The hydrogels were proven to be nontoxic according to an in vitro viability assay using human embryonic kidney 293T cells. Careful control of growth and mineralization conditions such as ions transport rate, pH, type of hydrogel, and mineralization temperature resulted in a variety of calcium carbonate and hydroxylapatite architectures including nanorods, nanowires, and well-defined hybrid structures. The resulting materials were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, electron microscopes, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction.