The role of hydrogen for the long term development of sustainable energy systems—a case study for Germany

Based on different current long-term energy scenarios the paper discusses the future perspectives of hydrogen in the German energy system as a representative example for the development of sustainable energy systems. The scenario analysis offers varying outlines of the future energy system that determine the possible role of hydrogen. The paper discusses the possibilities of expanding the share of renewable energy and the resulting prospects for establishing clean hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. Emphasis is given to the questions of an ecologically efficient allocation of limited renewable energy resources that can only be assessed from a systems analysis perspective. Findings from recent studies for Germany reveal a strong competition between the direct input into the electricity system and an indirect use as fuel in the transport sector. Moreover, the analysis underlines the paramount importance of reducing energy demand as the inevitable prerequisite for any renewable energy system.     

Synthetic Crystals of Silver with Carbon: 3D Epitaxy of Carbon Nanostructures in the Silver Lattice

Only minimum amounts of carbon can be incorporated into silver, gold, and copper in a thermodynamically stable form. Here, the structure of stable silver carbon alloys is described, which are produced by thermoelectrically charging molten silver with carbon ions. Transmission electron microscopy and Raman scattering are combined to establish that large amount of carbon is accommodated in the form of epitaxial graphene‐like sheets. The carbon bonds covalently to the silver matrix as predicted from density functional theory (DFT) calculations with bond energies in the range 1.1–2.2 eV per atom or vacancy. Graphitic‐like sheets embedded in the crystal lattice of silver form 3D epitaxial structures with the host metal with a strain of ≈13% compared to equilibrium graphene. The carbon nanostructures persist upon remelting and resolidification. A DFT‐based analysis of the phonon density of states confirms the presence of intense vibration modes related to the Ag? C bonds observed in the Raman spectra of the alloy. The solid silver–high carbon alloy, termed “Ag‐covetic,” displays room temperature electrical conductivity of 5.62 × 10⁷ S m^?1 even for carbon concentrations of up to ≈6 wt% (36 at%). This process of incorporation of carbon presents a new paradigm for electrocharging assisted bulk processing.     

On the Thermoelastic Martensitic Transformation in Tetragonal Zirconia

Recent evidence is summarized showing that the tetragonal ( t ) → monoclinic ( m ) martensitic transformation in ZrO₂ can occur thermoelastically in certain ZrO₂-containing ceramics, and that microcracking accompanying the transformation is more common than had previously been recognized. The implications of these new data for the conditions under which the stress-induced transformation is irreversible, and for the particle size dependence of the transformation start ( M _s), temperature, are discussed.     

Bericht vom FNN/ETG-Tutorial Schutz- und Leittechnik 2010

Am 9. und 10. Juni 2010 fand in Ulm das "Tutorial Schutz- und Leittechnik 2010" statt, welches vom Forum Netztechnik/Netzbetrieb im VDE (FNN) und der Energietechnischen Gesellschaft im VDE (ETG) in Zusammenarbeit mit der OGE (?sterreichische Gesellschaft für Energietechnik im OVE), der ETG von Electrosuisse und Oesterreichs Energie (vormals VE?) veranstaltet wurde. Das Tutorial war mit rund 300 Teilnehmern sehr gut besucht, was die Aktualit?t der gew?hlten Themen unterstreicht. Die Veranstaltung bestand aus Plenum-Vortr?gen und -Diskussionen, Workshops sowie einer Fachausstellung und bot dem Fachpublikum auf Hersteller- und Anwenderseite die Gelegenheit, die aktuellen Entwicklungen auf dem Gebiet der Schutz- und Leittechnik kennen zu lernen, sich zu informieren und auszutauschen. Zudem war auch eine Postersession in das Programm integriert.     

Defeating Mechanisms of Armours for Main Battle Tanks

The fundamental protection principles of the new armours for main battle tanks against kinetic energy projectiles(KE) and chemical energy weapons (CE)——shaped charges are shortly described and their efficiency against both threats discussed. The armour topics can be split into: “perpendicular or zero-degree armours”, such as rolled homogeneous armour (RHA), also with extremely high strength, ceramics, glass, liquid filled columns and explosive filled cells,“inclined armours”, as spaced RHA plates with their corner effects, bulging armour, additive and integrated explosive reactive armours (ERA) and “hard kill active defence possibilities” in different defeating distances.     

Effective Cavity Length of Gyrotrons

Megawatt-class gyrotron oscillators for electron cyclotron heating and non-inductive current drive (ECH&CD) in magnetically confined thermonuclear fusion plasmas have relatively low cavity quality factors in the range of 1000 to 2000. The effective length of their cavities cannot be simply deduced from the cavity electric field profile, since this has by far not a Gaussian shape. The present paper presents a novel method to estimate the effective length of a gyrotron cavity just from the eigenvalue of the operating TE_m,n mode, the cavity radius and the exact oscillation frequency which may be numerically computed or precisely measured. This effective cavity length then can be taken to calculate the Fresnel parameter in order to confirm that the cavity is not too short so that the transverse structure of any mode in the cavity is the same as that of the corresponding mode in a long circular waveguide with the same diameter.     

Forschungsgesellschaft Computer Automation

SciencenewsNeugrünoung

Forschungsgesellschaft Computer Automation     

Fiber Bragg Gratings in Small-Core Ge-Doped Photonic Crystal Fibers

This paper reports fiber Bragg gratings （FBGs） inscribed in a small-core Ge-doped photonic crystal fibers with a UV laser and a Talbot interferometer. The responses of such FBGs to temper- ature, strain, bending, and transverse-loading were systematically investigated. The Bragg wavelength of the FBGs shifts toward longer wavelengths with increasing temperature, tensile strain, and transverse-loading. The bending and transverse- loading properties of the FBGs are sensitive to the fiber orientations.     

Plant‐oil‐based lubricants and hydraulic fluids

It is estimated that, at present, approximately 50% of all lubricants sold worldwide end up in the environment via total loss applications, volatility, spills or accidents. More than 95% of these materials are currently mineral oil based. In view of their high ecotoxicity and low biodegradability, mineral oil‐based lubricants constitute a considerable threat to the environment. In contrast, most lubricants and hydraulic fluids based on plant oils are rapidly and completely biodegradable and are of low ecotoxicity; moreover, lubricants based on plant oils display excellent tribological properties and generally have very high viscosity indices and flashpoints. However, in order to compete with mineral‐oil‐based products, some of their inherent disadvantages must be corrected, such as their sensitivity to hydrolysis and oxidative attack, and their behaviour at low temperatures. Various methods to improve the undesirable properties of native plant oils will be discussed. In parallel, government regulations that encourage or enforce the use of bio‐based fluids, at least in ecologically sensitive areas, will help to increase their market share. Using the numerous possibilities for selective breeding and/or chemical improvement of the double bond systems of natural fatty acids by increased R&D, the major obstacles regarding the use of plant‐based raw materials for the production of lubricant base fluids can be overcome and bio‐based fluids should expect a future with increasing market shares. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry