An estimate for thermal osmotic heat storage using precipitation of common salts

In this brief note, a first assessment on the possibilities for thermal osmotic storage by harnessing the thermal dependence of the solubility of common salts as an alternative method to sensible heat storage is discussed. In a recent study it was found that such a dependence could be used to run a heat powered cycle (osmotic heat engine). The question raised then is whether that approach could be suitable for thermal energy storage as well. The attractiveness of such a possibility lies in the capability to store energy for an indefinite period of time without using expensive isolation systems if one considers that osmotic energy only is released when both streams with different salinities are brought together. Utilizing a simplified model, a comparative study with sensible heat storage was performed. It is shown that thermal osmotic storage via thermal precipitation of common salts could be an attractive option when long thermal storage (days) and compactness is desired.     

Titanium–tin oxide protective films on a black cobalt photothermal absorber

We report the effect of covering an electrodeposited black cobalt absorber film with a Ti : Sn oxide film at various atomic ratios prepared by the sol–gel dip process. The resulting composite was characterized in its optical, structural and morphological properties. After thermal treatment at 400°C, the uncoated black cobalt film is oxidized and Co₃O₄ is formed. Samples covered with Ti : Sn films and thermally treated at the same temperature suffered lower oxidation maintaining in great extent the original metallic cobalt structure. The optical properties of the resulting material were affected by the presence of the Ti : Sn coating, and the best protective film obtained was a transparent Ti : Sn (8 : 2) atomic ratio oxide film, with a 210 nm thickness. This composite system exhibits an absorptance value of 0.91 and an emittance value of 0.34 after a 100 h, 400°C thermal treatment. A photothermal material composed of a layer of black cobalt and a protective oxide film coating seems then a promising solar energy absorber capable of withstanding high operating temperatures (400°C).     

Ocean thermal energy conversion by deliberate seawater salinization

Consideration is given to the possibility of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) by the deliberate salinization of surface seawater. The proposed technique is similar to traditional OTEC, with one important exception: rather than cold water being brought from the bottom to the surface, the warm surface water is circulated to the bottom, cooled there, and lifted back to the surface. The entire process is driven by the induced salinity gradient at the surface. As a result, there is no need for a pumping system to bring the cold bottom water to the surface. Two methods are explored for surface salinity enhancement, namely solar evaporation and the direct addition of salt to the seawater.     

Impurity ‘Hot Spots’ in MBE HgCdTe/CdZnTe

In this work, impurity ‘hot spot’ macro-defects—high impurity level macro-defect contaminates were examined. ‘Hot spots’ have very high localized concentrations of: K, Mg, Ni, Cr, Mn, Ca, Al, Na, Fe, and Cu. For example, these ‘hot spot’ macro-defects can have Cu concentrations >?1?×?10¹⁸ cm^?3. Focused ion beam scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis of four ‘hot spots’ was performed. The origin of ‘hot spot’ defects is unresolved—however, our analysis has shown ‘hot spots’ can arise due to molecular beam epitaxy spit defects and CdZnTe substrate defects. The estimated ‘hot spot’ density is ～?30 cm^?2. The presence of impurity ‘hot spot’ macro-defects in HgCdTe/CdZnTe is confirming evidence for the occurrence of L. Bubulac’s impurity ‘pipe’ mechanism.     

Assessment of the austemperability of high-silicon cast steels through Jominy hardenability tests

The austemperability of seven high silicon cast steels with different alloy contents was characteri sed. The maximum round bar diameter that can be fully austempered changed from about 10?mm for an unalloyed steel to more than 70?mm for a low-alloy steel. The austemperability was calculated by applying a procedure based on a standard Jominy test and the characterisation of the microstructure along the Jominy sample. The method, which was validated experimentally, creates a relatively simple procedure to measure austemperability. Processing factors such as the ability of the salt bath to extract heat and the austempering temperature are accounted for the method. The metallographic study revealed the influence of microsegregation on hardenability, which is particularly important for cast steels.     

Failure Analysis of Fan Motor Shafts of a Tunnel Dryer

This article details the analysis of two conducting shafts operating on blowers of a tunnel dryer. A deductive analysis was applied looking toward a successful recognition of root cause(s), where based on knowledge of background, and failure characteristics, multiple hypothesis are exposed that are further confirmed or rejected according to different tests, material analysis or maintenance history. In both shafts, failure arises from inadequate repairing. In order to confirm this, the failure analysis methodology included the following steps: technical review, visual inspection, fractography, penetrating inks, metallography, optic microscopy and stress analysis. Evidence obtained through these techniques indicates a fatigue failure induced by inadequate repairing procedures; therefore, main recommendation is to take the necessary precautions in order to guarantee minimal alterations on shaft geometry or material microstructure.     

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of a starch film with bioextracts microencapsulated from cactus fruits (Opuntia oligacantha)

Food Science and Biotechnology - The use of unconventional sources is very relevant in the food area. In the present study the development of active films with the addition of bioextract (BE) or...     

Scalable and flexible wireless distributed architecture for intelligent video surveillance systems

Multimedia Tools and Applications - This paper presents a novel distributed intelligent video surveillance architecture based on Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSNs). This architecture is...