A parametric study of a photovoltaic panel with cylindrical fins under still and moving air conditions in Iraq

Photovoltaic (PV) panel temperature plays a vital role in the performance of PV panels. When PV temperature increases, the electrical power and efficiency decrease. In the present study, a simple simulated model is derived and implemented for a 70‐W finned PV panel and the results are compared with those for a reference (unfinned) PV panel. The effect of various parameters including fin diameter, fin height, ambient temperature, fin coverage‐to‐area ratio, and solar irradiance level on PV performance are examined. It is concluded that more electrical power is generated under moving air than under still air conditions as solar irradiance increases. The optimum values for fin diameter, fin height, and fin coverage‐to‐area ratio are 0.005 m, 0.25 m, and 50%, respectively. The maximum simulated power difference between the finned and unfinned PV panels is 5 W under realistic weather conditions. The amount of power generated during the summer season would be about 3.32 kW·h greater than that by the reference PV panel over the same period. The root square percent deviation values between the results of the proposed model and previously published experimental data for panel temperature, electrical power, and electrical efficiency are 3.36%, 5.26%, and 5.48%, respectively.     

Reactivity feedback coefficients of a material test research reactor fueled with high-density U3Si2 dispersion fuels

The reactivity feedback coefficients of a material test research reactor fueled with high-density U₃Si₂ dispersion fuels were calculated. For this purpose, the low-density LEU fuel of an MTR was replaced with high-density U₃Si₂ LEU fuels currently being developed under the RERTR program. Calculations were carried out to find the fuel temperature reactivity coefficient, moderator temperature reactivity coefficient and moderator density reactivity coefficient. Nuclear reactor analysis codes including WIMS-D4 and CITATION were employed to carry out these calculations. It is observed that the average values of fuel temperature reactivity feedback coefficient, moderator temperature reactivity coefficient and moderator density reactivity coefficient from 20 °C to 100 °C, at the beginning of life, followed the relationships (in units of Δk/k × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹) −2.116 − 0.118 ρ_U, 0.713 − 37.309/ρ_U and −12.765 − 34.309/ρ_U, respectively for 4.0 ≤ ρ_U (g/cm³) ≤ 6.0.     

Thermally stable hydrogels from enzymatically oxidized polysaccharides

Polysaccharides guar galactomannan (guar gum), locust bean galactomannan (locust bean gum) and tamarind galactoxyloglucan were selectively oxidized by galactose oxidase. The degrees of oxidation of the products were 18-28% for guar galactomannan, 10-16% for locust bean galactomannan and 12-14% for tamarind galactoxyloglucan, calculated from the ratio of oxidized galactose units and total carbohydrates. The rheological properties of the unoxidized and oxidized polysaccharide solutions were investigated by determining their viscosities, storage and loss moduli, and temperature dependence of moduli from 20 °C to 90 °C. All the studied oxidized polysaccharides formed hydrogels throughout the entire temperature range. Concentration (0.2-1% w/v) and degree of oxidation had an effect on the gel formation. The oxidized galactomannans formed stable gels already in low concentrations, such as 0.2-0.4% w/v, while oxidized galactoxyloglucan required a concentration of 0.8% w/v to be stable up to 90 °C. The oxidized polysaccharide hydrogels are highly potential materials for food and medical applications requiring thermal stability.     

Fabrication of embedded microfluidic channels in low temperature co-fired ceramic technology using laser machining and progressive lamination

This paper describes the application of laser micromachining techniques for the fabrication of microfluidic channels in low temperature co-fired ceramic, LTCC, technology. It is shown that embedded cavities can be successfully realised by employing a recently proposed progressive lamination process with no additional fugitive material. Various microfluidic structures have been fabricated and X-ray imaging has been used to assess the quality of the embedded channels after firing. The problem of achieving accurate alignment between LTCC layers is addressed such that deeper channels, spanning more than one layer, can be fabricated using a pre-lamination technique. A number of possible applications for the presented microfluidic structures are discussed and an H-filter particle separator in LTCC is demonstrated.     

Output parameters for thermoelectric modules based on metal/Last(T) hot side contacts. Part II

This investigation reports the output parameters of thermoelectric modules on based on metal/LAST(T) hot side contacts.     

Understanding the charge transfer and defect states in ZnO/In2O3 composite nanostructures (CNs)

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - This report presents the VLS synthesis and the study of the charge carrier transport through defect states across the interface in ZnO/In2O3...     

VR and AR virtual welding for psychomotor skills: a systematic review

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) continue to play an important role in vocational training in the current pandemic and Industrial Revolution 4.0...