Preliminary<Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis> characterizations of a sol-gel derived bioactive glass-ceramic system

This study investigates quantitatively and qualitatively the sol-gel derived bioactive glass-ceramic system (BGS)—apatite-wollastonite (AW) type granules in the size range of 0.5–1 mm, as an effective graft material for bone augmentation and restoration. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the sintered granules revealed the rough material surface with micropores in the range 10–30 μm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the granules revealed the presence of crystalline phases of the hydroxyapatite and wollastonite, and the functional groups of the silicate and phosphates were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Thein vitro cell culture studies with L929 mouse fibroblast cell line showed very few cells adhered on the BGS disc after 24 h. This could be due to the highly reactive surface of the disc concomitant with the crystallization but not due to the cytotoxicity of the material, since the cellular viability (MTT assay) with the material was 80‰ Cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility studies proved that the material was non-toxic and biocompatible. After 12 weeks of implantation of the BGS granules in the tibia bone of New Zealand white rabbits, the granules were found to be well osteointegrated, as observed in the radiographs. Angiogram with barium sulphate and Indian ink after 12 weeks showed the presence of microcapillaries in the vicinity of the implant site implicating high vascularity. Gross observation of the implant site did not show any inflammation or necrosis. SEM of the implanted site after 24 weeks revealed good osteointegration of the material with the newly formed bone and host bone. New bone was also observed within the material, which was degrading. Histological evaluation of the bone healing with the BGS granules in the tibial defect at all time intervals was without inflammation or fibrous tissue encapsulation. After 2 weeks the new bone was observed as a trabeculae network around the granules, and by 6 weeks the defect was completely closed with immature woven bone. By 12 weeks mature woven bone was observed, and new immature woven bone was seen within the cracks of the granules. After 24 weeks the defect was completely healed with lamellar bone and the size of the granules decreased. Histomorphometrically the area percentage of new bone formed was 67.77% after 12 weeks and 63.37% after 24 weeks. Less bone formation after 24 weeks was due to an increased implant surface area contributed by the material degradation and active bone remodeling. The osteostimulative and osteoconductive potential of the BGS granules was established by tetracycline labelling of the mineralizing areas by 2 and 6 weeks. This sol-gel derived BGS granules proved to be bioactive and resorbable which in turn encouraged active bone formation.     

低剂量X射线照射诱导HeLa细胞存活的

采用集落形成法观察了低剂量X射线照射HeLa细胞的存活率，结果表明，小于0．5Gy的X射线照射细胞的存活率高于对照，得到了HeLa细胞存活的“兴奋效应”，而且在0．25Gy附近这种效应更为明显；低剂量D1（0．05，0．75Gy)的预照射降低了随后攻击量D2对细胞的损伤程度，反映出低剂量照射可诱发细胞存活的“适应性反应”。     

A dynamic linear programming approach to market allocation of renewable resources in the italian energy system: The case of solar thermal and biogas technologies

In Italy solar thermal energy and energy from biogas are two possible means of reducing dependence on energy imports. Using a multiperiod LP model (MARKAL) the authors assessed the likely potential of both technologies under various circumstances. The study covered the period 1980–2005, in five segments of five years. It focused only on the subsystem of the energy end-uses which can be substituted for by solar thermal and biogas technologies. The overall non-renewable sources which can be saved in 20 years by these technologies total 450 PJ (1 PJ = 10^{1 5} J) if the fuel prices rise at 0 per cent average annual, 1450 PJ if the fuel prices rise at 4.2 per cent average annual, 1860 PJ if the fuel prices rise at 7.2 per cent average annual and 3780 PJ if the fuel prices rise at 15 per cent average annual. However the most competitive technologies appear to be solar water heaters used mainly in the private and commercial sectors and biogas systems used mainly in the agricultural sector. The study was carried out by APRE under ENEA (formerly CNEN) contract and was intended to serve as an analytical basis for establishing an overall development and demonstration strategy for end-use renewable technologies in Italy.     

Hydrogen production in solar reactors

The present work summarizes the recent activities of our laboratory in the field of solar-aided hydrogen production with structured monolithic solar reactors. This reactor concept, “transferred” from the well-known automobile exhaust catalytic after-treatment systems, employs ceramic supports optimized to absorb effectively solar radiation and develop sufficiently high temperatures, that are coated with active materials capable to perform/catalyze a variety of “solar-aided” reactions for the production of hydrogen such as water splitting or natural gas reforming. Our work evolves in an integrated approach starting from the synthesis of active powders tailored to particular hydrogen production reactions, their deposition upon porous absorbers, testing of relevant properties of merit such as thermomechanical stability and hydrogen yield and finally to the design, operation simulation and performance optimization of structured monolithic solar hydrogen production reactors. This approach, among other things, has culminated to the world's first closed, solar-thermochemical cycle in operation that is capable of continuous hydrogen production employing entirely renewable and abundant energy sources and raw materials – solar energy and water, respectively – without any CO₂ emissions and holds, thus, a significant potential for large-scale, emissions-free hydrogen production, particularly for regions of the world that lack indigenous resources but are endowed with ample solar energy.     

Fuel cell techno-personal milestones 1984–2006

This paper is based on my award acceptance talk on the occasion of receiving the Grove Medal for Fuel Cell Science and Technology, at the 2006 Grove meeting in Torino, Italy. I chose to name the talk: “Fuel Cell Techno-Personal Milestones 1984–2006”, trying to reflect on important milestones in the history of the science and technology of hydrogen/air and methanol/air polymer electrolyte fuel cells, in which I was fortunate to be involved for over 20 years.     

Strategies to increase CdTe solar-cell voltage

There is a significant difference in performance between today's highest efficiency of CdTe solar cells and single-crystal cells of comparable band gap. The largest contribution to this difference is the voltage, where the values for the best CdTe cells are about 230 mV below the best GaAs cells when an appropriate adjustment is made for band gap. CdTe voltage and fill-factor are currently compromised by low recombination lifetime (near 1 ns), low hole density (near 10¹⁴ cm^− 3), and in some cases an excessive back-contact barrier. Numerical simulation is used to evaluate how combinations of lifetime, carrier density, back electron reflection, and interfacial properties affect voltage and cell performance. Two different strategies for improving voltage and performance are explored.     

侧插自焙槽系列的综合改造经验

近几年来，随着原材料和电价上涨及环保部门和政府对环境条件的严格要求，使传统的侧插自焙阳极电解生产的前途产生了一系列的问题，为了适应新的形势，本叙述了对侧插自焙阳极电解槽的综合改造，论述了在不停产时对自焙阳极电解槽进行改造过程的经验，提出改造过程是应重点抓住的几个环节。     

晶体硅薄膜电池制备技术及研究现状

晶体硅薄膜太阳电池近些年来得到广泛的研究和初步的商业化探索。根据所采用的晶体硅薄膜沉积工艺中温度范围的不同，晶体硅薄膜电池研究可分为高温路线和低温路线两个不同发展方向。本文分别从这两个方向综述了目前国外晶体硅薄膜电池制备技术的最新进展，最新实验室研究结果。报导了晶体硅薄膜电池商业化进展状况，指出了晶体硅薄膜电池实现产业化必须解决的问题。     

An asymmetric line-axis compound parabolic concentrating single basin solar still

An asymmetric line-axis compound parabolic concentrating single basin solar still of concentration 1.15, exit aperture 0.24 metres and length 0.48 metres, 30° inclination and 60° half acceptance angle has been designed fabricated and tested.     

Experimental results of a solar assisted heat pump rice drying system

In the last rice harvest season, experimental results have been obtained on the efficiency and drying quality of a solar assisted heat pump drying prototype system. The system has been operated as a solar and heat pump system and drying curves for the different options have been obtained. The advantage of the low temperature and better control in the drier shows that the heat pump assisted solar drying system is an excellent alternative to traditional drying systems.