XPS analysis of CdS/CuInSe2 heterojunctions

CdS/CuInSe₂ (CIS) heterojunctions were investigated by XPS analysis. An In-excess layer which may form an ordered vacancy compound (OVC) was present at the as-deposited CIS surface and it remained after chemical bath deposition of a CdS layer. The In-excess layer was removed by preferential etching with NH₃ aqueous solution. This result implies that the surface of the as-deposited CIS film was converted from the OVC with n-type conductivity into the CIS with p-type by NH₃ treatment. The conduction band offsets at the CdS/p-CIS and CdS/n-OVC were determined to be 1.0 and 0.3 eV, respectively. The CIS solar cells fabricated with n-OVC surface layer exhibited higher cell efficiencies than those fabricated with p-CIS surface layer.     

CFD modeling of snowdrift around a building: An overview of models and evaluation of a new approach

The first part of this paper provides an overview of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of snowdrift around a building by reviewing previous research including the authors’ in order to clarify its applicability and limitations. It is clarified that a quantitative validation study in particular by predicting snow depth distribution near a building is not enough, even though many models have been proposed. The latter part presents the results of CFD prediction of snowdrift around a cubic building model using a new approach of a snowdrift model based on experimental and numerical studies by the authors. The numerical results are compared with data obtained from detailed field measurements and previous CFD in order to confirm the accuracy of the new model. This new approach shows good correspondence with results obtained from field measurements and wind tunnel experiments in terms of not only snowdrift patterns but also quantitative distribution of snow depth.     

Processing of ethanol fermentation broths by Candida krusei to separate bioethanol by pervaporation using silicone rubber‐coated silicalite membranes

BACKGROUND: Pervaporation employing ethanol‐permselective silicalite membranes as an alternative to distillation is a promising approach for refining low‐concentration bioethanol solutions. However, to make the separation process practicable, it is extremely important to avoid the problems caused by the adsorption of succinate on the membrane during the separation process. In this work, the pervaporation of an ethanol fermentation broth without succinate was investigated, as well as the influence of several fermentation broth nutrient components. RESULTS: Candida krusei IA‐1 produces an extremely low level of succinate. The decrease in permeate ethanol concentration through a silicone rubber‐coated silicalite membrane during the separation of low‐succinate C. krusei IA‐1 fermentation broth was significantly improved when compared with that obtained using Saccharomyces cerevisiae broth. By treating the fermentation broth with activated carbon, bioethanol was concentrated as efficiently as with binary mixtures of ethanol/water. The total flux was improved upto 56% of that obtained from the separation of binary mixtures, compared with 43% before the addition of activated carbon. Nutrients such as peptone, yeast extract and corn steep liquor had a negative effect on pervaporation, but this response was distinct from that caused by succinate. CONCLUSION: For consistent separation of bioethanol from C. krusei IA‐1 fermentation broth by pervaporation, it is useful to treat the low nutrient broth with activated carbon. To further improve pervaporation performance, it will be necessary to suppress the accumulation of glycerol. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Relation between Mechanical Twinning and Cracking in Stoichiometric Lithium Niobate Single Crystals

The relationships between cracking and mechanical twinning, and between ferroelectric polarization and mechanical twinning, in stoichiometric LiNbO₃ were investigated in the present study. Three sets of mechanical twins crossed one another, and the crossed points of those twins provided preferred sites for the nucleation of cracks. Mechanical twins of LiNbO₃ revealed a head-to-tail arrangement of ferroelectric polarization, and complicated polarization states were observed at the crossed points. Some possible mechanisms of crack nucleation and propagation are proposed in this paper.     

Enzymatic enrichment of arachidonic acid from Mortierella single-cell oil

An attempt was made to enrich arachidonic acid (AA) from Mortierella single-cell oil, which had an AA content of 25%. The first step involved the hydrolysis of the oil with Pseudomonas sp. lipase. A mixture of 2.5 g oil, 2.5 g water, and 4000 units (U) Pseudomonas lipase was incubated at 40°C for 40 h with stirring at 500 rpm. The hydrolysis was 90% complete after 40 h, and the resulting free fatty acids (FFA) were extracted with n-hexane (AA content, 25%; recovery of AA, 91%). The second step involved the selective esterification of the fatty acids with lauryl alcohol and Candida rugosa lipase. A mixture of 3.5 g fatty acids/lauryl alcohol (1:1, mol/mol), 1.5 g water, and 1000 U Candida lipase was incubated at 30°C for 16 h with stirring at 500 rpm. Under these conditions, 55% of the fatty acids were esterified, and the AA content in the FFA fraction was raised to 51% with a 92% yield. The long-chain saturated fatty acids in the FFA fraction were eliminated as urea adducts. This procedure raised the AA content to 63%. To further elevate the AA content, the fatty acids were esterified again in the same manner with Candida lipase. The repeated esterification raised the AA content to 75% with a recovery of 71% of its initial content.     

Use of a Metal-mould Process in the Development of Hemispherical Heavy-walled Castings

The exacting quality required of hemispherical heavy-walled steel castings, used in nuclear power applications, has been remarkably improved by the adoption of a newly developed metal-mould process. This technique is dependent on the use of a metal core. The optimum conditions for solidification were determined by the finite element analytical method. The appropriate wall-thickness of the chill elements was also investigated using data based on actual experience. The core was designed in such a manner that the surface carried a series of concave “dimples” in the manner of a golf-ball, the pattern being intended to prevent the formation of cracks, generated on the casting surface when in contact with a metal mould. Stresses caused by solidification shrinkage were reduced by splitting the core. In the event, the casting structure conformed well to the results of the solidification analysis. Radiographic examination revealed a high level of soundness, with no trace of internal defects. No anisotropy was detected in mechanical properties. It is shown that this process is being currently employed in the manufacture of actual products.     

Estimating reflection parameters from a single color image

This article proposes a method for estimating various parameters of a reflection model from a single color image of an object. We used an RGB charge-coupled device (CCD) camera for imaging and parameter estimation. We assumed the object surface is composed of an inhomogeneous dielectric material and used the Phong model to describe the surface's dichromatic reflection. This approach also generalizes to objects with smooth convex surfaces     

Characterization of endogenous enzymes of milled rice and its application to rice cooking

The relationship between the activities of endogenous enzymes in milled rice and accumulation of chemical components in the rice grains during cooking was investigated. Maltose and soluble starch were optimally hydrolyzed around 60 °C by both crude extracts and purified α-glucosidases of milled rice. Gelatinization onset temperature of rice flour was determined to be 63 °C with DSC analysis under usual cooking condition. Hydrolytic activities on carbohydrates and proteolytic activities of milled rice were enhanced at pH 5 compared to pH 7 at the range of 4–80 °C. When rice was cooked at pH 5, glucose and amino acids highly accumulated with soaking for 16 h before heating. We propose a new method of cooking with prolonged soaking at acidic pH, which is effective for increasing the amounts of chemical components in cooked rice.     

Identification of characterization factor for power system oscillation based on multiple synchronized phasor measurements

Electric power systems in Japan are composed of remote and distributed location of generators and loads mainly concentrated in large‐demand areas. The structures having long‐distance transmission tend to produce heavy power flow with increasing electric power demand. In addition, some independent power producers (IPP) and power producer and suppliers (PPS) are participating in the power generation business, which makes power system dynamics more complex. However, there was little observation as a whole power system. In this paper the authors present a global monitoring system of power system dynamics by using the synchronized phasor measurement of demand‐side outlets. Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) are synchronized based on the global positioning system (GPS). The purpose of this paper is to show oscillation characteristics and methods for processing original data obtained from PMU after certain power system disturbances triggered by accidents. This analysis resulted in the observation of the lowest and the second lowest frequency mode. The derivation of eigenvalue with the two‐degree‐of‐freedom model brings a monitoring of two oscillation modes. Signal processing based on wavelet analysis and simulation studies to illustrate the obtained phenomena are presented in detail. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 163(3): 10– 18, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20316     

Power flow congestion relief by using customer‐side energy storage systems

In recent years, energy storage systems have increasingly been expected as a means of load leveling of the annual load factor. Of course there is an effect of installing the energy storage systems at the substation. But some customers operate their storage system in an integrated way and it also has an effect of increasing the load factor. In this paper the authors proposed that the energy storage systems on the customer side be used for congestion relief on transmission networks. However, it is not clear which kind of customer has the effect of relieving transmission line congestion. First, this paper assumes the authors determine the optimal configuration of energy equipment including energy storage systems. We propose a new contract whereby electric utility subsidizes a part of the entrance cost of the energy storage systems and customers change the output pattern of energy storage according to the request of the electric utility. This paper evaluates the possibility that the contract gives merit to both the electric utility and the customer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(1): 36–45, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20299