Is floating photovoltaic better than conventional photovoltaic? Assessing environmental impacts

Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy installations are growing all over the world as a promising renewable alternative to generate electricity. However, many studies have highlighted some drawbacks associated with the installation and operation of conventional solar energy power plants. Thus, floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems have been emerging as a new concept in solar energy to lessen negative environmental impacts caused by allocation of conventional PV facilities. This paper is an overview of the potential negative and positive environmental impacts caused by photovoltaic systems with particular interest on large-scale conventional and floating photovoltaic. This study addresses and compares the impacts at all phases of project implementation, which covers planning, construction, and operation and decommissioning, focusing on ambient located in the tropics. The overall impacts associated with project allocation such as deforestation (for the project implementation and site accessing), bird mortality, erosion, runoff, and change in microclimate are expected to have higher magnitudes for the implementation of conventional PV facilities. The results highlight advantages of FPV over conventional PV during the operational and decommissioning phases as well. Though, further studies are required to assess both qualitative and quantitative aspects of installations in similar areas.     

The privileged sensing framework: A principled approach to improved human-autonomy integration

ABSTRACT

A primary goal for human-autonomy integration (HAI) is to balance the strengths of human and autonomy in order to achieve performance objectives more efficiently and robustly than either the human or autonomous agents would independently. This paper proposes the Privileged Sensing Framework (PSF) as a novel approach to HAI. This approach is based on the concept of dynamically ‘privileging’ information during the process of integration by dynamically bestowing special rights based on the characteristics of each individual agent, the task context, and the performance goals. The proposed framework is tested through a series of simulation experiments that provide a clear demonstration of increased accuracy and throughput of human-autonomy performance. These proof-of-concept simulations provide initial evidence of the utility of the PSF. Continued development of this approach has the potential to revolutionise capabilities of multi-agent cooperative teams across a broad range of applications.     

Photo‐stimulatory effect of LLLT on the proliferation rate of human monocytic leukaemia cells

Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) is a form of phototherapy used to promote cell proliferation. This study investigates the potential role of LLLT in cellular proliferation of human monocytic leukaemia cells Tamm‐Horsfall Protein 1 (THP‐1) under in vitro conditions. Cells were irradiated with an 850 nm diode laser and exposed to doses ranging from 0 to 26.8 J/cm². After irradiation, cells were incubated for 12 and 24 h to allow time for proliferation. Comet assay was conducted to evaluate genotoxicity of the irradiated cells. Trypan blue was used to estimate cytotoxicity, which peaked at the highest dose as expected. Preliminary results suggest that cell counts increase at low doses, whereas a decrease in cell number at high doses was noted compared with controls. Comet assay showed no significant difference between irradiated and non‐irradiated cells at low doses. In contrast, DNA damage increased at doses ≥8.9 J/cm² and was comparable with the 100 μM hydrogen peroxide positive control at the highest fluence. It could be concluded that LLLT has the ability to stimulate the THP‐1 cell line to proliferate if supplied with the correct energy and dose.Inspec keywords: photodynamic therapy, laser applications in medicine, cellular effects of radiation, biological effects of laser radiation, DNA, diseases, semiconductor lasersOther keywords: photo‐stimulatory effect, LLLT, human monocytic leukaemia cells, cell proliferation rate, low‐level laser therapy, phototherapy, THP‐1, Comet assay, Trypan blue, cytotoxicity, DNA damage, wavelength 850 nm, time 12 h, time 24 h     

Large capacitance and fast polarization response of thin electrolyte dielectrics by spin coating for two-dimensional MoS2 devices

Nano Research - A spin-coating method was applied to obtain thinner and smoother PEO/LiClO4 polymer electrolyte films (EFs) with a lower level of crystallization than those obtained using a...     

Electrical and Mechanical Behavior of Aerosol Jet–Printed Gold on Alumina Substrate for High-Temperature Applications

There is a growing interest in the development of microelectronics that can perform reliably and robustly at temperatures above 300 °C. Such devices require stable thermal properties, low thermal drift, and thermal cycling resistance. Conventional hybrid circuit technology demonstrates high-temperature packages, but the high costs and lead time are significant drawbacks. In contrast, additive manufacturing processes, including aerosol jet printing (AJP), offer cost and time benefits, as well as 3D structures and embedded features. However, the properties and reliability of additive packaging materials at extreme temperatures are not well known. Herein, the reliability at temperatures up to 750 °C in terms of electrical performance and mechanical strength of aerosol jet printed gold thick films onto ceramic substrates are assessed. Thermal coefficient of resistance of printed gold films is measured. The electrical resistance stability and leakage current of printed gold structures are also characterized during over 100 h of aging at temperatures up to 750 °C. Finally, the mechanical adhesion strength of the printed gold films is evaluated after aging for 100 h at temperatures up to 750 °C. The adhesion of the printed gold to the ceramic substrates remains high after aging, very stable resistances and minimal leakage currents have been observed.     

Software engineering programmes are not computer science programmes

Programmes in Software Engineering have become a source of contention in many universities. Some Computer Science departments, many of which have used that phrase to describe individual courses for decades, claim software engineering as part of their discipline. However, Engineering faculties claim Software Engineering as a new speciality in the family of engineering disciplines. This paper discusses the differences between traditional computer science programmes and most engineering programmes and argues that we need programmes that follow the traditional engineering approach to professional education and educate engineers whose speciality within engineering is software construction. One such programme is described.     

A nonlinear geometric approach to power system excitation control and stabilization

In this paper, a unified approach to the design of a nonlinear excitation controller/power system stabilizer for a synchronous generator/infinite bus power system is presented. The approach is based on a form of state feedback linearization, known as input–output feedback linearization, which provides an exact semi-global state transformation that is valid for a large class of operating points of the power system. With this transformation, the terminal voltage becomes a linear function of the control input. The excitation controller/power system stabilizer is then synthesized by using linear controller design techniques. The controller is proven to provide small signal stability and to provide local asymptotic tracking of admissible constant reference signals for a large class of operating points. A procedure is given to tune the controller gains to provide significant damping of the power angle oscillations.