Data-driven parameterization of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell models via simultaneous local linear structured state space identification

In order to mitigate the degradation and prolong the lifetime of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, advanced, model-based control strategies are becoming indispensable. Thereby, the availability of accurate yet computationally efficient fuel cell models is of crucial importance. Associated with this is the need to efficiently parameterize a given model to a concise and cost-effective experimental data set. A challenging task due to the large number of unknown parameters and the resulting complex optimization problem. In this work, a parameterization scheme based on the simultaneous estimation of multiple structured state space models, obtained by analytic linearization of a candidate fuel cell stack model, is proposed. These local linear models have the advantage of high computational efficiency, regaining the desired flexibility required for the typically iterative task of model parameterization. Due to the analytic derivation of the local linear models, the relation to the original parameters of the non-linear model is retained. Furthermore, the local linear models enable a straight-forward parameter significance and identifiability analysis with respect to experimental data. The proposed method is demonstrated using experimental data from a 30 kW commercial polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack.     

Dynamics and control of a thermally self-sustaining energy storage system using integrated solid oxide cells for an islanded building

A solid oxide cell-based energy system is proposed for a solar-powered stand-alone building. The system is comprised of a 5 kW_el solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a 9.5 kW_el solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), and the required balance of plant. The SOFC supplies: 1- building demand in the absence of sufficient solar power, 2- heat for SOEC in endothermic and standby modes. Thermal integration of SOFC and SOEC is implemented through a network of heat exchangers, combined with set of control algorithms. Two control strategies were implemented to actuate the SOFC in response to endothermic heat demands of SOEC by manipulating: 1- electric power, 2- fuel utilization. The results of dynamic simulation of system for two scenarios (sunny day and cloudy day) showed successful compliance of temperature constraints with both methods. Manipulation of fuel utilization, however, resulted in better system performance in terms of efficiency and H₂ balance.     

Open-circuit voltage exceeding the outermost HOMO-LUMO offset in cascade organic solar cells

We demonstrate a planar organic solar cell with a four-layer cascade architecture that exhibits an open-circuit voltage (Voc) greater than the offset in energy between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the outermost donor and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the outermost acceptor. The device consists of a subphthalocyanine (SubPc)/fullerene (C60) heterojunction that is modified by inserting one or two additional donor layers between SubPc and the anode. We find that two-, three- and four-layer structures yield similar Voc (1.0 V, 0.91 V and 0.94 V, respectively), even though the outermost HOMO-LUMO offset decreases from 1.4 eV to 1.10 eV, and to 0.9 eV, respectively. Analysis of the turn-on voltage in dark provides further evidence that open-circuit voltage is not limited by the outermost HOMO-LUMO offset.     

Optimization of equipment capacity and an operational method based on cost analysis of a fuel cell microgrid

A microgrid requires a stable supply of electric power and heat, which is achieved by the cooperative operation of two or more pieces of equipment. The equipment capacity and the operational method of the equipment were optimized using a newly developed orthogonal array-GA (genetic algorithm) hybrid method for an independent microgrid accompanied by a fuel cell cascade system, solar water electrolysis, battery, and heat storage. This type of system had not been hardly developed until now. The objective function of the proposed system was the minimization of the total amount of equipment and fuel cost over ten years. For the first step in the proposed analysis method, the capacity of each piece of equipment and the operational method, which are considered to be close to the optimal solution of the system, are combined using the orthogonal array and factorial-effect chart, which are an experimental design technique. In the next step, the combination described above provides the initial values to the GA, and the GA searches for the optimal capacity and operational method for each piece of equipment in question. Compared with a simple GA, the convergence characteristic improves greatly using the proposed analysis method developed in this study.     

关于大型铝电解槽新型节能技术优化的探讨

阐述了具有新型结构的铝电解槽节能技术,并以特定电解槽为模型进行了计算,分析了这些节能技术应用的可行性。     

人工窖泥的研究进展

对近几年来人工窖泥的研究进展进行了综述,包括人工窖泥的培养、存在的问题和质量的提高三个方面,并对人工窖泥的发展进行了展望。     

Layered Nanoprobe for Long‐Lasting Fluorescent Cell Label

A long‐lasting particle‐based fluorescent label is designed for extended cell imaging studies. This onion‐like nanoprobe is constructed through layer‐by‐layer fabrication technology. The nanoprobes are assembled with multiple layers of optically quenched polyelectrolytes, the fluorescence signal of which can be released later by intracellular proteolysis. Upon incubation with cells, the assembled nanoprobes are taken up efficiently. The tight packing and layered assembly of the quenched polyelectrolytes slow subsequent intracellular degradation, and then result in a prolonged intracellular fluorescence signal for up to 3 weeks with no noticeable toxicity.     

体外消化/Caco-2细胞模型分析发酵对面粉铁生物利用率的影响

中国居民膳食以谷物为主食,谷物中铁吸收率低是造成营养性贫血的主要原因,适当的加工方式可缓解谷物中植酸、多酚等物质对铁生物利用率(Fe bioavailability,FeBV)的影响。为考察酵母发酵对面粉FeBV的影响,采用体外消化/Caco-2细胞模型。结果表明,面团在发酵后pH值呈下降趋势,酸度呈上升趋势;多酚、植酸含量降低,植酸酶活性升高,以上各指标在发酵前后差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。发酵后面粉样品的FeBV增加约5%~38%,大多数面粉FeBV发酵前后比较,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:发酵可降低面粉的pH值,增加酸度,有利于面粉多酚和植酸的降解以及植酸酶活力的升高,可有效提高面粉FeBV。     

Direct Application of Rep‐PCR on Type I Sourdough Matrix to Monitor the Dominance and Persistence of a Lactobacillus plantarum Starter Throughout Back‐Slopping

This study describes the optimization and application of repetitive element‐PCR (rep‐PCR) technique directly on microbial DNA extracted from type I sourdoughs for fast monitoring of a Lb. plantarum starter strain (P1FMC) throughout daily back‐slopping. The challenge was to follow and study the performance of a starter culture directly in sourdoughs without cultivation on selective media. The extraction of good quality microbial DNA suitable for amplification from a complex matrix such as dough was the first target. In addition, the objective to obtain a clear rep‐PCR profile referable to a specific starter strain among a microbial community was pursued. Co‐inoculum trials, in flour matrix, with Lb. plantarum P1FMC and L. lactis LC71 strains and, subsequently, type I sourdough back‐slopping trials were performed. The rep‐PCR amplification profiles obtained were clearly referable to that of Lb. plantarum P1FMC starter in both co‐inoculum trials (also when it was present with one order of magnitude less with respect to L. lactis LC71) and back‐slopping trials where it dominated the fermentation process with loads of 10⁸ cfu g^?1 and prevailed on the autochthonous microbiota. Thus, the approach proposed in this paper could be considered a methodological advancement, based on a culture‐independent one‐step rep‐PCR, suitable for fast monitoring of starter performance.     

Microstructural characterization of spray-dried NiO-8YSZ particles as plasma sprayable anode materials for metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell

The plasma spray method is widely used to produce NiO-8YSZ (composed of nickel oxide (NiO) and 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia) anode layers in metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Flowability control of microsized particles is important for achieving consistent performance of the SOFC anode layer. When microsized particles are fabricated via spray drying and sintering, the most significant factors that influence flowability are their sizes, distribution, and surface conditions. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze the fabrication conditions for microsized NiO-8YSZ cermet particles made from a nanoscale, sinterable NiO-8YSZ dispersion solution by using an appropriate spray-drying and sintering process. The characteristics of the as-sprayed and sintered NiO-8YSZ composite particles (such as size, distribution, roughness, and nanostructure) were analyzed via field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), particle size distribution (PSD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The as-sprayed microsized NiO-8YSZ particles became smaller and more uniformly distributed as the rotational speed used for spray drying increased. As a result of sintering, the extent of shrinkage of as-sprayed microsized NiO-8YSZ particles generated at high RPMs was lower than that of particles formed at low RPMs. No significant difference was observed in the distribution of the nanosized NiO and 8YSZ particles at different rotational speeds. Furthermore, the highest BET surface areas were observed for particles generated at 8000 RPM before sintering at 13.74 m²/g. After sintering, the highest BET surface area was 0.94 m²/g for particles generated at 16,000 RPM. Differences in nanostructure and surface roughness between as-sprayed and sintered microsized NiO-8YSZ particles were identified via AFM. This study is expected to provide important fundamental information useful for optimizing SOFC efficiency by promoting flowability control during the production of SOFC anodes via plasma spraying.