Performance of a Yeast-mediated Biological Fuel Cell

Saccharomyces cerevisiae present in common Baker’s yeast was used in a microbial fuel cell in which glucose was the carbon source. Methylene blue was used as the electronophore in the anode compartment, while potassium ferricyanide and methylene blue were tested as electron acceptors in the cathode compartment. Microbes in a mediator-free environment were used as the control. The experiment was performed in both open and closed circuit configurations under different loads ranging from 100 kΩ to 400Ω. The eukaryotic S. cerevisiae-based fuel cell showed improved performance when methylene blue and ferricyanide were used as electron mediators, rendering a maximum power generation of 146.71±7.7 mW/m³. The fuel cell generated a maximum open circuit voltage of 383.6±1.5 mV and recorded a maximum efficiency of 28±1.8 % under 100 kΩ of external load.     

用热分析法研究硝化棉的熔化过程

用ＭＤＳＣ，显微镜温台熔点测定仪和固体原位反应池／快速扫描傅立叶变换红外光谱联用装置考察了硝化棉的熔化过程。ＭＤＳＣ曲线表明吸热过程是可逆的，它系由ＮＣ和部分分解凝聚相产物的混合物的固液相变所引起。由ＮＣ的ＭＤＳＣ曲线得到的熔点，熔化含，熔化熵，分解含和分解反应热温熵分别为４７６．８４Ｋ，２０５．６Ｊ．ｇ＾－１，０．４３１２Ｊ．ｇ＾－１．Ｋ＾－１，－２４７５．０Ｊ．ｇ＾－１，－５．２４２Ｊ．ｇ＾－     

On modeling the design of cellular manufacturing systems

A new optimization model is discussed for the design of cellular manufacturing systems. It is based on an integer programming formulation that updates some other models by eliminating redundant machine assignment and cost coefficients dependent on cell configuration. To reduce computational burdens, a simplified integer programming model and a decomposition algorithm are proposed. Several computer solutions were performed to evaluate the performance of the new model. The computational results are discussed.     

Probabilistic cell modelling of cleavage fracture

Various aspects on probabilistic modelling of cleavage fracture are discussed. The investigation involves consideration of a unit cell with an explicitly modelled void. The results from this model are compared with results for the case when the void content is accounted for in the sense of a Gurson-Tvergaard law. It is found that explicit modelling of the void can give substantially different results for the fracture probability. The effect depends on the exponent in the assumed Weibull distribution, the threshold stress, the constraint conditions and the hardening of the material. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

液相对流对固液界面稳定性的影响

以模型合金丁二腈－乙醇的强制性晶体生长为基础，利用自行研制的液相对流驱动装置，详细考查了液相自然对流及强迫对流作用下，模型合金平界面失稳的动态生长过程，证实了液相的流动加快了液相温度与浓度分布的均匀化，从而增强了液／固界面的稳定性。并且随流动速度的增加，界面稳定性提高。     

Phase relations in the system ln-CulnS2

By DTA and x-ray diffraction the phase relations in the pseudobinary system In-CuInS₂ have been investigated. CuInS₂ hs a melting point of 1090° C and within this system there is a broad region of liquid immiscibility. A four phase invariant reaction exists at 633° C which is of the form: L₂ = L₁+ CuInS₂ + InS.     

The distribution of nutrient elements in cell wall and other fractions of the herbage of some grasses and legumes

The distribution of 10 nutrient elements was assessed in three fractions of herbage samples of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, white clover and lucerne. The cell wall fraction, prepared by mechanical disintegration of undried material, contained the following proportions of the total herbage content of the major elements: N, 2.9–16.4%; P, 3.0–6.9%; S, 3.6–17.2%; Ca, 11.3–51.8%; Mg. 6.4–27.6% and K, 0.1–1.7%. Substantial though more variable proportions of the trace element cations, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were also present in the cell wall fraction. The extent to which the elements were soluble in water was assessed by analysis of the water-insoluble fraction prepared from freeze-dried samples of each herbage. The proportions of the total herbage content of the major elements soluble in water were: N, 30–57%; P, 80–92%; S, 35–71%; Ca, 48–69%; Mg. 65–83% and K, 90–96%. With the trace element cations the proportions soluble in water were more variable, though they were generally less than 70% of the total. The extent to which the various elements were soluble in 80% aqueous ethanol was assessed by analysis of the insoluble fraction prepared from freeze-dried materials. With each of the major elements, smaller proportions of the total herbage content were soluble in 80% ethanol than in water, which may reflect in part the lower solubility of proteins and pectin. With the trace element cations, the differences in solubility between 80% ethanol and water were generally small and inconsistent.     

A new alloy design concept for austenitic stainless steel with tungsten modification for bipolar plate application in PEMFC

The feasibility of a new alloy design concept utilizing the principle of ‘tungsten bronze effect’ is critically evaluated for the development of metallic bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). An austenitic stainless steel (ASS) is modified with W and La to improve the stability of the passive film in an acidic environment as well as to reduce the contact resistance by the tungsten bronze effect. The experimental ASS containing W and La was evaluated in a simulated PEMFC environment of H₃PO₄ and H₂SO₄ solutions at 80 °C, and the electrical property was evaluated by performing a contact resistance test. The test results show that the ASS modified with W and La has good passive film stability for corrosion resistance and low contact resistance. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis clearly suggests the possibility of the tungsten bronze effect from the change in valency state of W⁶⁺ to W⁵⁺ in the passive film formed on the modified ASS. The feasibility of a new alloy design concept utilizing the ‘tungsten bronze effect’ is well demonstrated; however, more study is highly required for the development of metallic bipolar plates of PEMFC.     

太阳能热利用的现状和发展

开发利用新能源，尤其是太阳能，对人类环境的改善和社会的发展具有重要的战略意义。综述了国内外在太阳能热利用方面的现状及发展前景     

ANALYSIS OF OPEN SUN DRYING EXPERIMENTS

Open sun drying has lost its previous importance due to the fact that different factors affect its reliability and the quality of the products obtained.

One of the set-backs for the analysis of solar drying exoeriments is their deoendence on a non-controlled source of energy, i.e. solar radiation depends on climatic conditions and experiments are difficult to compare. It is thus necessary to investigate the advantages of a particular set up as well as the climatic influences. Open sun drying could constitute the natural reference, allowing the comparison of different drying strategies.

A new way of standardizing drying times, based on solar radiation inout, is proposed, to allow better evaluation of the experiments. An equivalent time is defined, allowing comparison of experiments carried out under different circumstances. Carrots and potatoes were used in these experiments.

The use of the average daily solar radiation 15.28 MJ m^-2.d^-1 in Palma de Mallorca (39.33°N, 2.37°E), is proposed for comparison purposes. An improvement of more than 12 % in the explained variance was observed, the unexplained variance being lower than 1 %.