Methods and systems for micro transmissions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stalford, Harold L

2014-12-23

Methods and systems for micro transmissions for a micro machine may comprise an input shaft assembly coupled to a micro actuator, an output shaft assembly coupled to a micro shaft, and one or more power conversion elements operable to convert a first type of movement from the micro actuator into a second, disparate type of movement for the micro shaft.

Conversion of stranded waste-stream carbon and nutrients into value-added products via metabolically coupled binary heterotroph-photoautotroph system.

PubMed

Bohutskyi, Pavlo; Kucek, Leo A; Hill, Eric; Pinchuk, Grigoriy E; Mundree, Sagadevan G; Beliaev, Alexander S

2018-07-01

Growth of heterotrophic bacterium Bacillus subtilis was metabolically coupled with the photosynthetic activity of an astaxanthin-producing alga Haematococcus pluvialis for conversion of starch-containing waste stream into carotenoid-enriched biomass. The H. pluvialis accounted for 63% of the produced co-culture biomass of 2.2 g/L. Importantly, the binary system requires neither exogenous supply of gaseous substrates nor application of energy-intensive mass transfer technologies due to in-situ exchange in CO 2 and O 2 . The maximum reduction in COD, total nitrogen and phosphorus reached 65%, 55% and 30%, respectively. Conducted techno-economic assessment suggested that the astaxanthin-rich biomass may potentially offset the costs of waste treatment, and, with specific productivity enhancements (induction of astaxanthin to 2% and increase H. pluvialis fraction to 80%), provide and additional revenue stream. The outcome of this study demonstrates a successful proof-of-principle for conversion of waste carbon and nutrients into value-added products through metabolic coupling of heterotrophic and phototrophic metabolisms. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Preliminary evaluation of a space AMTEC power conversion system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crowley, Christopher J.; Sievers, Robert K.

1991-01-01

As original evaluation of a space solar energy source coupled with Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Conversion (AMTEC) is presented here. This study indicates that an AMTEC system would have 30 percent of the mass of a photovoltaic system and 70 percent of the mass of a Stirling cycle system at the 35-kWe level of power generation modules typical of the baseline for the U.S. Space Station. The operating temperatures and sodium heat pipe components for solar receiver/TES hardware (currently being developed by NASA) integrate well with AMTEC power conversion. AMTEC is therefore an attractive alternative specifically for space solar power generation.

Interactions of soil-derived dissolved organic matter with phenol in peroxidase-catalyzed oxidative coupling reactions.

PubMed

Huang, Qingguo; Weber, Walter J

2004-01-01

The influence of dissolved soil organic matter (DSOM) derived from three geosorbents of different chemical composition and diagenetic history on the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyzed oxidative coupling reactions of phenol was investigated. Phenol conversion and precipitate-product formation were measured, respectively, by HPLC and radiolabeled species analysis. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and capillary electrophoresis (CE) were used to characterize the products of enzymatic coupling, and the acute toxicities of the soluble products were determined by Microtox assay. Phenol conversion and precipitate formation were both significantly influenced by cross-coupling of phenol with dissolved organic matter, particularly in the cases of the more reactive and soluble DSOMs derived from two diagenetically "young" humic-type geosorbents. FTIR and CE characterizations indicate that enzymatic cross-coupling in these two cases leads to incorporation of phenol in DSOM macromolecules, yielding nontoxic soluble products. Conversely, cross-coupling appears to proceed in parallel with self-coupling in the presence of the relatively inert and more hydrophobic DSOM derived from a diagenetically "old" kerogen-type shale material. The products formed in this system have lower solubility and precipitate more readily, although their soluble forms tend to be more toxic than those formed by dominant cross-coupling reactions in the humic-type DSOM solutions. Several of the findings reported may be critically important with respect to feasibility evaluations and the engineering design of associated remediation schemes.

Communication: GAIMS—Generalized Ab Initio Multiple Spawning for both internal conversion and intersystem crossing processes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Curchod, Basile F. E.; Martínez, Todd J., E-mail: toddjmartinez@gmail.com; SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025

2016-03-14

Full multiple spawning is a formally exact method to describe the excited-state dynamics of molecular systems beyond the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. However, it has been limited until now to the description of radiationless transitions taking place between electronic states with the same spin multiplicity. This Communication presents a generalization of the full and ab initio multiple spawning methods to both internal conversion (mediated by nonadiabatic coupling terms) and intersystem crossing events (triggered by spin-orbit coupling matrix elements) based on a spin-diabatic representation. The results of two numerical applications, a model system and the deactivation of thioformaldehyde, validate the presented formalism andmore » its implementation.« less

Advanced thermionic energy conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Developments towards space and terrestrial applications of thermionic energy conversion are presented. Significant accomplishments for the three month period include: (1) devised a blade-type distributed lead design with many advantages compared to the stud-type distributed lead; (2) completed design of Marchuk tube test apparatus; (3) concluded, based on current understanding, that residual hydrogen should not contribute to a negative space charge barrier at the collector; (4) modified THX design program to include series-coupled designs as well as inductively-coupled designs; (5) initiated work on the heat transfer technology, THX test module, output power transfer system, heat transfer system, and conceptual plant design tasks; and (6) reached 2200 hours of operation in JPL-5 cylindrical converter envelope test.

Communication: GAIMS—generalized ab initio multiple spawning for both internal conversion and intersystem crossing processes

DOE PAGES

Curchod, Basile F. E.; Rauer, Clemens; Marquetand, Philipp; ...

2016-03-11

Full Multiple Spawning is a formally exact method to describe the excited-state dynamics of molecular systems beyond the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. However, it has been limited until now to the description of radiationless transitions taking place between electronic states with the same spin multiplicity. This Communication presents a generalization of the full and ab initio Multiple Spawning methods to both internal conversion (mediated by nonadiabatic coupling terms) and intersystem crossing events (triggered by spin-orbit coupling matrix elements) based on a spin-diabatic representation. Lastly, the results of two numerical applications, a model system and the deactivation of thioformaldehyde, validate the presented formalismmore » and its implementation.« less

Microresonators for Nonlinear Quantum Optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vernon, Zachary

In this thesis I study in detail the quantum dynamics of several nonlinear optical processes in microresonator systems. A Heisenberg-picture input-output formalism is developed from first principles that includes the effects of scattering losses and independent quality factors and coupling ratios for different resonances. The task of calculating the device output is then reduced to solving a set of driven, damped, ordinary differential equations for the resonator mode operators alone. This theoretical framework is used to study photon pair generation via spontaneous four-wave mixing in the weakly pumped regime, on which the effects of scattering losses are appraised. A more strongly driven regime is studied for continuous wave pumps, demonstrating when self- and cross-phase modulation and multi-photon pair generation become important, and their effects on the spectral and power scaling properties of the system are examined; A detuning strategy is presented that compensates for some of these effects. The results of the weak-pump regime are applied to study microresonator-based heralded single photon sources. The impact of scattering losses is studied, revealing that typical systems suffer from low heralding efficiency due to these losses. A technique to improve heralding efficiency is presented through over-coupling the resonator-channel system, and a resultant trade-off between heralding rate and heralding efficiency is uncovered. Limitations to the spectral purity of the heralded single photon output for conventional microresonator systems are also analysed, and a more sophisticated coupling scheme presented to overcome the upper bound for spectral purity of 93% that exists in typical systems, permitting the generation of single photons with spectral purity arbitrarily close to 100% without spectral filtering or sophisticated phase-matching techniques. The theory of quantum frequency conversion in microresonators using four-wave mixing is then developed in detail, and the spectral conversion probability and conversion efficiency studied. Efficiencies exceeding 90% using less than 100 mW of pump power are predicted to be achievable with current technology. A dressed mode picture is developed to better understand the conversion dynamics. Rabi-like spectral splitting and temporal oscillations of the intraresonator mean photon number are predicted, exhibiting a novel regime of strongly coupled photonic modes.

Bioinspired model of mechanical energy harvesting based on flexoelectric membranes.

PubMed

Rey, Alejandro D; Servio, P; Herrera-Valencia, E E

2013-02-01

Membrane flexoelectricity is an electromechanical coupling process that describes membrane electrical polarization due to bending and membrane bending under electric fields. In this paper we propose, formulate, and characterize a mechanical energy harvesting system consisting of a deformable soft flexoelectric thin membrane subjected to harmonic forcing from contacting bulk fluids. The key elements of the energy harvester are formulated and characterized, including (i) the mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency, (ii) the electromechanical shape equation connecting fluid forces with membrane curvature and electric displacement, and (iii) the electric power generation and efficiency. The energy conversion efficiency is cast as the ratio of flexoelectric coupling to the product of electric and bending elasticity. The device is described by a second-order curvature dynamics coupled to the electric displacement equation and as such results in mechanical power absorption with a resonant peak whose amplitude decreases with bending viscosity. The electric power generation is proportional to the conversion factor and the power efficiency decreases with frequency. Under high bending viscosity, the power efficiency increases with the conversion factor and under low viscosities it decreases with the conversion factor. The theoretical results presented contribute to the ongoing experimental efforts to develop mechanical energy harvesting from fluid flow energy through solid-fluid interactions and electromechanical transduction.

Magnetic Material Assessment of a Novel Ultra-High Step-Up Converter with Single Semiconductor Switch and Galvanic Isolation for Fuel-Cell Power System.

PubMed

Shen, Chih-Lung; Liou, Heng

2017-11-15

In this paper, a novel step-up converter is proposed, which has the particular features of single semiconductor switch, ultra-high conversion ratio, galvanic isolation, and easy control. Therefore, the proposed converter is suitable for the applications of fuel-cell power system. Coupled inductors and switched capacitors are incorporated in the converter to obtain an ultra-high voltage ratio that is much higher than that of a conventional high step-up converter. Even if the turns ratio of coupled inductor and duty ratio are only to be 1 and 0.5, respectively, the converter can readily achieve a voltage gain of up to 18. Owing to this outstanding performance, it can also be applied to any other low voltage source for voltage boosting. In the power stage, only one active switch is used to handle the converter operation. In addition, the leakage energy of the two couple inductors can be totally recycled without any snubber, which simplifies the control mechanism and improves the conversion efficiency. Magnetic material dominates the conversion performance of the converter. Different types of iron cores are discussed for the possibility to serve as a coupled inductor. A 200 W prototype with 400 V output voltage is built to validate the proposed converter. In measurement, it indicates that the highest efficiency can be up to 94%.

Magnetic Material Assessment of a Novel Ultra-High Step-Up Converter with Single Semiconductor Switch and Galvanic Isolation for Fuel-Cell Power System

PubMed Central

Shen, Chih-Lung; Liou, Heng

2017-01-01

In this paper, a novel step-up converter is proposed, which has the particular features of single semiconductor switch, ultra-high conversion ratio, galvanic isolation, and easy control. Therefore, the proposed converter is suitable for the applications of fuel-cell power system. Coupled inductors and switched capacitors are incorporated in the converter to obtain an ultra-high voltage ratio that is much higher than that of a conventional high step-up converter. Even if the turns ratio of coupled inductor and duty ratio are only to be 1 and 0.5, respectively, the converter can readily achieve a voltage gain of up to 18. Owing to this outstanding performance, it can also be applied to any other low voltage source for voltage boosting. In the power stage, only one active switch is used to handle the converter operation. In addition, the leakage energy of the two couple inductors can be totally recycled without any snubber, which simplifies the control mechanism and improves the conversion efficiency. Magnetic material dominates the conversion performance of the converter. Different types of iron cores are discussed for the possibility to serve as a coupled inductor. A 200 W prototype with 400 V output voltage is built to validate the proposed converter. In measurement, it indicates that the highest efficiency can be up to 94%. PMID:29140282

Heat Rejection Concepts for Brayton Power Conversion Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siamidis, John; Mason, Lee; Beach, Duane; Yuko, James

2005-01-01

This paper describes potential heat rejection design concepts for closed Brayton cycle (CBC) power conversion systems. Brayton conversion systems are currently under study by NASA for Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) applications. The Heat Rejection Subsystem (HRS) must dissipate waste heat generated by the power conversion system due to inefficiencies in the thermal-to-electric conversion process. Space Brayton conversion system designs tend to optimize at efficiencies of about 20 to 25 percent with radiator temperatures in the 400 to 600 K range. A notional HRS was developed for a 100 kWe-class Brayton power system that uses a pumped sodium-potassium (NaK) heat transport loop coupled to a water heat pipe radiator. The radiator panels employ a sandwich construction consisting of regularly-spaced circular heat pipes contained within two composite facesheets. Heat transfer from the NaK fluid to the heat pipes is accomplished by inserting the evaporator sections into the NaK duct channel. The paper evaluates various design parameters including heat pipe diameter, heat pipe spacing, and facesheet thickness. Parameters were varied to compare design options on the basis of NaK pump pressure rise and required power, heat pipe unit power and radial flux, radiator panel areal mass, and overall HRS mass.

Nuclear power for space based systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Livingston, J. M.; Ivanenok, Joseph F., III

1991-09-01

A 100 kWe closed Brayton cycle power conversion system utilizing a recuperator coupled to a NERVA derivative reactor for a lunar power plant is presented. Power plant mass versus recuperator effectiveness, compressor inlet temperature, and turbine pressure ratio are described.

Nickel nanoparticles-embedded N-doped carbon nanotubes as a biocompatible electrocatalyst in a water splitting-biosynthetic hybrid system for CO2 conversion.

PubMed

Li, Zhongjian; Li, Gang; Chen, Xinlu; Xia, Zheng; Yao, Jiani; Yang, Bin; Lei, Lecheng; Hou, Yang

2018-05-29

CO2 reduction has drawn increasing attention due to the concern of global warming. Water splitting-biosynthetic hybrid systems are novel and efficient approaches for CO2 conversion. Intimate coupling of electrocatalysts and biosynthesis requires the catalysts possess both high catalytic performance and excellent biocompatibility, which is a bottleneck of developing such catalysts. Here, a novel Ni nanoparticles-embedded N-doped carbon nanotubes (Ni@N-C) complex was synthesized as a hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst and was coupled with a hydrogen-oxidizing autotroph, Cupriavidus necator H16, to convert CO2 to poly-β-hydroxybutyrate. In the Ni@N-C, the Ni nanoparticles were encapsulated in N-C nanotubes, which prevented bacteria from direct contact with Ni and inhibited Ni2+ leaching. As a result, Ni@N-C exhibited excellent biocompatibility and stability. This work demonstrates electrocatalysts and biosynthesis can be intimately coupled via rational catalyst design. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Doubly fed induction machine

DOEpatents

Skeist, S. Merrill; Baker, Richard H.

2005-10-11

An electro-mechanical energy conversion system coupled between an energy source and an energy load including an energy converter device having a doubly fed induction machine coupled between the energy source and the energy load to convert the energy from the energy source and to transfer the converted energy to the energy load and an energy transfer multiplexer coupled to the energy converter device to control the flow of power or energy through the doubly fed induction machine.

Enzymatic synthesis of chiral amino‐alcohols by coupling transketolase and transaminase‐catalyzed reactions in a cascading continuous‐flow microreactor system

PubMed Central

Gruber, Pia; Carvalho, Filipe; Marques, Marco P. C.; O'Sullivan, Brian; Subrizi, Fabiana; Dobrijevic, Dragana; Ward, John; Hailes, Helen C.; Fernandes, Pedro; Wohlgemuth, Roland; Baganz, Frank

2017-01-01

Abstract Rapid biocatalytic process development and intensification continues to be challenging with currently available methods. Chiral amino‐alcohols are of particular interest as they represent key industrial synthons for the production of complex molecules and optically pure pharmaceuticals. (2S,3R)‐2‐amino‐1,3,4‐butanetriol (ABT), a building block for the synthesis of protease inhibitors and detoxifying agents, can be synthesized from simple, non‐chiral starting materials, by coupling a transketolase‐ and a transaminase‐catalyzed reaction. However, until today, full conversion has not been shown and, typically, long reaction times are reported, making process modifications and improvement challenging. In this contribution, we present a novel microreactor‐based approach based on free enzymes, and we report for the first time full conversion of ABT in a coupled enzyme cascade for both batch and continuous‐flow systems. Using the compartmentalization of the reactions afforded by the microreactor cascade, we overcame inhibitory effects, increased the activity per unit volume, and optimized individual reaction conditions. The transketolase‐catalyzed reaction was completed in under 10 min with a volumetric activity of 3.25 U ml−1. Following optimization of the transaminase‐catalyzed reaction, a volumetric activity of 10.8 U ml−1 was attained which led to full conversion of the coupled reaction in 2 hr. The presented approach illustrates how continuous‐flow microreactors can be applied for the design and optimization of biocatalytic processes. PMID:28986983

Dynamic Modeling and Control of Nuclear Reactors Coupled to Closed-Loop Brayton Cycle Systems using SIMULINK{sup TM}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wright, Steven A.; Sanchez, Travis

2005-02-06

The operation of space reactors for both in-space and planetary operations will require unprecedented levels of autonomy and control. Development of these autonomous control systems will require dynamic system models, effective control methodologies, and autonomous control logic. This paper briefly describes the results of reactor, power-conversion, and control models that are implemented in SIMULINK{sup TM} (Simulink, 2004). SIMULINK{sup TM} is a development environment packaged with MatLab{sup TM} (MatLab, 2004) that allows the creation of dynamic state flow models. Simulation modules for liquid metal, gas cooled reactors, and electrically heated systems have been developed, as have modules for dynamic power-conversion componentsmore » such as, ducting, heat exchangers, turbines, compressors, permanent magnet alternators, and load resistors. Various control modules for the reactor and the power-conversion shaft speed have also been developed and simulated. The modules are compiled into libraries and can be easily connected in different ways to explore the operational space of a number of potential reactor, power-conversion system configurations, and control approaches. The modularity and variability of these SIMULINK{sup TM} models provides a way to simulate a variety of complete power generation systems. To date, both Liquid Metal Reactors (LMR), Gas Cooled Reactors (GCR), and electric heaters that are coupled to gas-dynamics systems and thermoelectric systems have been simulated and are used to understand the behavior of these systems. Current efforts are focused on improving the fidelity of the existing SIMULINK{sup TM} modules, extending them to include isotopic heaters, heat pipes, Stirling engines, and on developing state flow logic to provide intelligent autonomy. The simulation code is called RPC-SIM (Reactor Power and Control-Simulator)« less

Review of two-phase flow liquid metal MHD and turbine energy conversion concepts for space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fabris, Gracio

1992-01-01

Two-phase energy conversion systems could be liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic (LMMHD) with no moving parts or two-phase turbines. Both of them are inherently simple and reliable devices which can operate in a wide range of temperatures. Their thermal efficiency is significantly higher than for conventional cycles due to reheat of vapor by liquid phase during the energy converting expansion. Often they can be more easily coupled to heat sources. These features make two-phase systems particularly promising for space application. Insufficient research has been done in the past. So far achieved LMMHD generator and two-phase turbine efficiencies are in the 40 to 45 percent range. However if certain fluid dynamic and design problems are resolved these efficiencies could be brought into the range of 70 percent. This would make two-phase systems extremely competitive as compared to present or other proposed conversion system for space. Accordingly, well directed research effort on potential space applications of two-phase conversion systems would be a wise investment.

Quantum state conversion in opto-electro-mechanical systems via shortcut to adiabaticity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xiao; Liu, Bao-Jie; Shao, L.-B.; Zhang, Xin-Ding; Xue, Zheng-Yuan

2017-09-01

Adiabatic processes have found many important applications in modern physics, the distinct merit of which is that accurate control over process timing is not required. However, such processes are slow, which limits their application in quantum computation, due to the limited coherent times of typical quantum systems. Here, we propose a scheme to implement quantum state conversion in opto-electro-mechanical systems via a shortcut to adiabaticity, where the process can be greatly speeded up while precise timing control is still not necessary. In our scheme, by modifying only the coupling strength, we can achieve fast quantum state conversion with high fidelity, where the adiabatic condition does not need to be met. In addition, the population of the unwanted intermediate state can be further suppressed. Therefore, our protocol presents an important step towards practical state conversion between optical and microwave photons, and thus may find many important applications in hybrid quantum information processing.

Mechanism of nuclear spin initiated para-H2 to ortho-H2 conversion.

PubMed

Buntkowsky, G; Walaszek, B; Adamczyk, A; Xu, Y; Limbach, H-H; Chaudret, B

2006-04-28

In this paper a quantitative explanation for a diamagnetic ortho/para H2 conversion is given. The description is based on the quantum-mechanical density matrix formalism originally developed by Alexander and Binsch for studies of exchange processes in NMR spectra. Only the nuclear spin system is treated quantum-mechanically. Employing the model of a three spin system, the reactions of the hydrogen gas with the catalysts are treated as a phenomenological rate process, described by a rate constant. Numerical calculations reveal that for nearly all possible geometrical arrangements of the three spin system an efficient spin conversion is obtained. Only in the chemically improbable case of a linear group H-X-H no spin conversion is obtained. The efficiency of the spin conversion depends strongly on the lifetime of the H-X-H complex and on the presence of exchange interactions between the two hydrogens. Even moderate exchange couplings cause a quench of the spin conversion. Thus a sufficiently strong binding of the dihydrogen to the S spin is necessary to render the quenching by the exchange interaction ineffective.

Energy Conversion Alternatives Study (ECAS), Westinghouse phase 1. Volume 6: Closed-cycle gas turbine systems. [energy conversion efficiency in electric power plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amos, D. J.; Fentress, W. K.; Stahl, W. F.

1976-01-01

Both recuperated and bottomed closed cycle gas turbine systems in electric power plants were studied. All systems used a pressurizing gas turbine coupled with a pressurized furnace to heat the helium for the closed cycle gas turbine. Steam and organic vapors are used as Rankine bottoming fluids. Although plant efficiencies of over 40% are calculated for some plants, the resultant cost of electricity was found to be 8.75 mills/MJ (31.5 mills/kWh). These plants do not appear practical for coal or oil fired plants.

Piezoelectric ribbons printed onto rubber for flexible energy conversion.

PubMed

Qi, Yi; Jafferis, Noah T; Lyons, Kenneth; Lee, Christine M; Ahmad, Habib; McAlpine, Michael C

2010-02-10

The development of a method for integrating highly efficient energy conversion materials onto stretchable, biocompatible rubbers could yield breakthroughs in implantable or wearable energy harvesting systems. Being electromechanically coupled, piezoelectric crystals represent a particularly interesting subset of smart materials that function as sensors/actuators, bioMEMS devices, and energy converters. Yet, the crystallization of these materials generally requires high temperatures for maximally efficient performance, rendering them incompatible with temperature-sensitive plastics and rubbers. Here, we overcome these limitations by presenting a scalable and parallel process for transferring crystalline piezoelectric nanothick ribbons of lead zirconate titanate from host substrates onto flexible rubbers over macroscopic areas. Fundamental characterization of the ribbons by piezo-force microscopy indicates that their electromechanical energy conversion metrics are among the highest reported on a flexible medium. The excellent performance of the piezo-ribbon assemblies coupled with stretchable, biocompatible rubber may enable a host of exciting avenues in fundamental research and novel applications.

Recombinant thermoactive phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) from Thermosynechococcus elongatus and its coupling with mesophilic/thermophilic bacterial carbonic anhydrases (CAs) for the conversion of CO2 to oxaloacetate.

PubMed

Del Prete, Sonia; De Luca, Viviana; Capasso, Clemente; Supuran, Claudiu T; Carginale, Vincenzo

2016-01-15

With the continuous increase of atmospheric CO2 in the last decades, efficient methods for carbon capture, sequestration, and utilization are urgently required. The possibility of converting CO2 into useful chemicals could be a good strategy to both decreasing the CO2 concentration and for achieving an efficient exploitation of this cheap carbon source. Recently, several single- and multi-enzyme systems for the catalytic conversion of CO2 mainly to bicarbonate have been implemented. In order to design and construct a catalytic system for the conversion of CO2 to organic molecules, we implemented an in vitro multienzyme system using mesophilic and thermophilic enzymes. The system, in fact, was constituted by a recombinant phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus, in combination with mesophilic/thermophilic bacterial carbonic anhydrases (CAs), for converting CO2 into oxaloacetate, a compound of potential utility in industrial processes. The catalytic procedure is in two steps: the conversion of CO2 into bicarbonate by CA, followed by the carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate with bicarbonate, catalyzed by PEPC, with formation of oxaloacetate (OAA). All tested CAs, belonging to α-, β-, and γ-CA classes, were able to increase OAA production compared to procedures when only PEPC was used. Interestingly, the efficiency of the CAs tested in OAA production was in good agreement with the kinetic parameters for the CO2 hydration reaction of these enzymes. This PEPC also revealed to be thermoactive and thermostable, and when coupled with the extremely thermostable CA from Sulphurhydrogenibium azorense (SazCA) the production of OAA was achieved even if the two enzymes were exposed to temperatures up to 60 °C, suggesting a possible role of the two coupled enzymes in biotechnological processes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In-line stirling energy system

DOEpatents

Backhaus, Scott N [Espanola, NM; Keolian, Robert [State College, PA

2011-03-22

A high efficiency generator is provided using a Stirling engine to amplify an acoustic wave by heating the gas in the engine in a forward mode. The engine is coupled to an alternator to convert heat input to the engine into electricity. A plurality of the engines and respective alternators can be coupled to operate in a timed sequence to produce multi-phase electricity without the need for conversion. The engine system may be operated in a reverse mode as a refrigerator/heat pump.

On-Chip Strong Coupling and Efficient Frequency Conversion between Telecom and Visible Optical Modes.

PubMed

Guo, Xiang; Zou, Chang-Ling; Jung, Hojoong; Tang, Hong X

2016-09-16

While the frequency conversion of photons has been realized with various approaches, the realization of strong coupling between optical modes of different colors has never been reported. Here, we present an experimental demonstration of strong coupling between telecom (1550 nm) and visible (775 nm) optical modes on an aluminum nitride photonic chip. The nonreciprocal normal-mode splitting is demonstrated as a result of the coherent interference between photons with different colors. Furthermore, a wideband, bidirectional frequency conversion with 0.14 on-chip conversion efficiency and a bandwidth up to 1.2 GHz is demonstrated.

New ortho-para conversion mechanism in dense solid hydrogen.

PubMed

Strzhemechny, M A; Hemley, R J

2000-12-25

Analysis of recent measurements of striking changes in the rate of ortho-para conversion of solid H(2) up to 58 GPa shows that the conversion mechanism must differ from that at ambient pressure. A new conversion mechanism is identified in which the emerging excitations are coupled to the converting molecules via electric quadrupole-quadrupole rather than nuclear spin-spin interactions. The latter only initiates conversion while the coupling enhancement associated with the new mechanism is ensured by high compression and a gap closing, with the conversion energy diminishing strongly with increasing pressure.

Enzymatic synthesis of chiral amino-alcohols by coupling transketolase and transaminase-catalyzed reactions in a cascading continuous-flow microreactor system.

PubMed

Gruber, Pia; Carvalho, Filipe; Marques, Marco P C; O'Sullivan, Brian; Subrizi, Fabiana; Dobrijevic, Dragana; Ward, John; Hailes, Helen C; Fernandes, Pedro; Wohlgemuth, Roland; Baganz, Frank; Szita, Nicolas

2018-03-01

Rapid biocatalytic process development and intensification continues to be challenging with currently available methods. Chiral amino-alcohols are of particular interest as they represent key industrial synthons for the production of complex molecules and optically pure pharmaceuticals. (2S,3R)-2-amino-1,3,4-butanetriol (ABT), a building block for the synthesis of protease inhibitors and detoxifying agents, can be synthesized from simple, non-chiral starting materials, by coupling a transketolase- and a transaminase-catalyzed reaction. However, until today, full conversion has not been shown and, typically, long reaction times are reported, making process modifications and improvement challenging. In this contribution, we present a novel microreactor-based approach based on free enzymes, and we report for the first time full conversion of ABT in a coupled enzyme cascade for both batch and continuous-flow systems. Using the compartmentalization of the reactions afforded by the microreactor cascade, we overcame inhibitory effects, increased the activity per unit volume, and optimized individual reaction conditions. The transketolase-catalyzed reaction was completed in under 10 min with a volumetric activity of 3.25 U ml -1 . Following optimization of the transaminase-catalyzed reaction, a volumetric activity of 10.8 U ml -1 was attained which led to full conversion of the coupled reaction in 2 hr. The presented approach illustrates how continuous-flow microreactors can be applied for the design and optimization of biocatalytic processes. © 2017 The Authors. Biotechnology and Bioengineering Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

2D and 3D photonic crystal materials for photocatalysis and electrochemical energy storage and conversion.

PubMed

Collins, Gillian; Armstrong, Eileen; McNulty, David; O'Hanlon, Sally; Geaney, Hugh; O'Dwyer, Colm

2016-01-01

This perspective reviews recent advances in inverse opal structures, how they have been developed, studied and applied as catalysts, catalyst support materials, as electrode materials for batteries, water splitting applications, solar-to-fuel conversion and electrochromics, and finally as photonic photocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts. Throughout, we detail some of the salient optical characteristics that underpin recent results and form the basis for light-matter interactions that span electrochemical energy conversion systems as well as photocatalytic systems. Strategies for using 2D as well as 3D structures, ordered macroporous materials such as inverse opals are summarized and recent work on plasmonic-photonic coupling in metal nanoparticle-infiltrated wide band gap inverse opals for enhanced photoelectrochemistry are provided.

2D and 3D photonic crystal materials for photocatalysis and electrochemical energy storage and conversion

PubMed Central

Collins, Gillian; Armstrong, Eileen; McNulty, David; O’Hanlon, Sally; Geaney, Hugh; O’Dwyer, Colm

2016-01-01

Abstract This perspective reviews recent advances in inverse opal structures, how they have been developed, studied and applied as catalysts, catalyst support materials, as electrode materials for batteries, water splitting applications, solar-to-fuel conversion and electrochromics, and finally as photonic photocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts. Throughout, we detail some of the salient optical characteristics that underpin recent results and form the basis for light-matter interactions that span electrochemical energy conversion systems as well as photocatalytic systems. Strategies for using 2D as well as 3D structures, ordered macroporous materials such as inverse opals are summarized and recent work on plasmonic–photonic coupling in metal nanoparticle-infiltrated wide band gap inverse opals for enhanced photoelectrochemistry are provided. PMID:27877904

Bloch equations applied to ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy: Broadband interconversion between magnetron and cyclotron motion for ion axialization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, Shenheng; Marshall, Alan G.

1993-03-01

Conversion of magnetron motion to cyclotron motion combined with collisional cooling of the cyclotron motion provides an efficient way to reduce the kinetic energy of trapped heavy ions and to reduce their magnetron radii in an ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) ion trap. The coupling of magnetron and cyclotron motion can be realized by azimuthal quadrupolar excitation. Theoretical understanding of the coupling process has until now been based on resonant single-frequency quadrupolar excitation at the combination frequency ωc=ω++ω-, in which ωc is the ion cyclotron orbital frequency in the absence of electrostatic field; and ω+ and ω- are the reduced cyclotron and magnetron frequencies in the presence of an electrostatic trapping potential. In this work, we prove that the magnetron/cyclotron coupling is closely related to a two energy level system whose behavior is described by the well-known Bloch equations. By means of a special transformation, the equations of motion for the coupling may be expressed in Bloch-type equations in spherical coordinates. We show that magnetron-to-cyclotron conversion by single-frequency quadrupolar excitation in ICR is analogous to a 180° pulse in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We go on to show that simultaneous magnetron-to-cyclotron conversion of ions over a finite mass-to-charge ratio range may be produced by quadrupolar frequency-sweep excitation, by analogy to adiabatic rapid passage in magnetic resonance. Axialization by broadband magnetron-to-cyclotron conversion followed by cyclotron cooling is successfully demonstrated experimentally for a crude oil distillate sample.

Heat Rejection Concepts for Lunar Fission Surface Power Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siamidis, John

2006-01-01

This paper describes potential heat rejection design concepts for lunar surface Brayton power conversion systems. Brayton conversion systems are currently under study by NASA for surface power applications. Surface reactors may be used for the moon to power human outposts enabling extended stays and closed loop life support. The Brayton Heat Rejection System (HRS) must dissipate waste heat generated by the power conversion system due to inefficiencies in the thermal-to-electric conversion process. Space Brayton conversion system designs tend to optimize at efficiencies of about 20 to 25 percent with radiator temperatures in the 400 K to 600 K range. A notional HRS was developed for a 100 kWe-class Brayton power system that uses a pumped water heat transport loop coupled to a water heat pipe radiator. The radiator panels employ a tube and fin construction consisting of regularly-spaced circular heat pipes contained within two composite facesheets. The water heat pipes interface to the coolant through curved sections partially contained within the cooling loop. The paper evaluates various design parameters including radiator panel orientation, coolant flow path, and facesheet thickness. Parameters were varied to compare design options on the basis of H2O pump pressure rise and required power, heat pipe unit power and radial flux, radiator area, radiator panel areal mass, and overall HRS mass.

Control strategy for a variable-speed wind energy conversion system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacob, A.; Veillette, D.; Rajagopalan, V.

1979-01-01

A control concept for a variable-speed wind energy conversion system is proposed, for which a self-exited asynchronous cage generator is used along with a system of thyristor converters. The control loops are the following: (1) regulation of the entrainment speed as function of available mechanical energy by acting on the resistance couple of the asynchronous generator; (2) control of electric power delivered to the asynchronous machine, functioning as a motor, for start-up of the vertical axis wind converter; and (3) limitation of the slip value, and by consequence, of the induction currents in the presence of sudden variations of input parameters.

New low noise CCD cameras for Pi-of-the-Sky project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasprowicz, G.; Czyrkowski, H.; Dabrowski, R.; Dominik, W.; Mankiewicz, L.; Pozniak, K.; Romaniuk, R.; Sitek, P.; Sokolowski, M.; Sulej, R.; Uzycki, J.; Wrochna, G.

2006-10-01

Modern research trends require observation of fainter and fainter astronomical objects on large areas of the sky. This implies usage of systems with high temporal and optical resolution with computer based data acquisition and processing. Therefore Charge Coupled Devices (CCD) became so popular. They offer quick picture conversion with much better quality than film based technologies. This work is theoretical and practical study of the CCD based picture acquisition system. The system was optimized for "Pi of The Sky" project. But it can be adapted to another professional astronomical researches. The work includes issue of picture conversion, signal acquisition, data transfer and mechanical construction of the device.

Systems and methods for compensating for electrical converter nonlinearities

DOEpatents

Perisic, Milun; Ransom, Ray M.; Kajouke, Lateef A.

2013-06-18

Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy from an input interface to an output interface. An electrical system includes an input interface, an output interface, an energy conversion module coupled between the input interface and the output interface, and a control module. The control module determines a duty cycle control value for operating the energy conversion module to produce a desired voltage at the output interface. The control module determines an input power error at the input interface and adjusts the duty cycle control value in a manner that is influenced by the input power error, resulting in a compensated duty cycle control value. The control module operates switching elements of the energy conversion module to deliver energy to the output interface with a duty cycle that is influenced by the compensated duty cycle control value.

MHD compressor---expander conversion system integrated with GCR inside a deployable reflector

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tuninetti, G.; Botta, E.; Criscuolo, C.

1989-04-20

This work originates from the proposal MHD Compressor-Expander Conversion System Integrated with a GCR Inside a Deployable Reflector''. The proposal concerned an innovative concept of nuclear, closed-cycle MHD converter for power generation on space-based systems in the multi-megawatt range. The basic element of this converter is the Power Conversion Unit (PCU) consisting of a gas core reactor directly coupled to an MHD expansion channel. Integrated with the PCU, a deployable reflector provides reactivity control. The working fluid could be either uranium hexafluoride or a mixture of uranium hexafluoride and helium, added to enhance the heat transfer properties. The original Statementmore » of Work, which concerned the whole conversion system, was subsequently redirected and focused on the basic mechanisms of neutronics, reactivity control, ionization and electrical conductivity in the PCU. Furthermore, the study was required to be inherently generic such that the study was required to be inherently generic such that the analysis an results can be applied to various nuclear reactor and/or MHD channel designs''.« less

Multifunctional voltage source inverter for renewable energy integration and power quality conditioning.

PubMed

Dai, NingYi; Lam, Chi-Seng; Zhang, WenChen

2014-01-01

In order to utilize the energy from the renewable energy sources, power conversion system is necessary, in which the voltage source inverter (VSI) is usually the last stage for injecting power to the grid. It is an economical solution to add the function of power quality conditioning to the grid-connected VSI in the low-voltage distribution system. Two multifunctional VSIs are studied in this paper, that is, inductive-coupling VSI and capacitive-coupling VSI, which are named after the fundamental frequency impedance of their coupling branch. The operation voltages of the two VSIs are compared when they are used for renewable energy integration and power quality conditioning simultaneously. The operation voltage of the capacitive-coupling VSI can be set much lower than that of the inductive-coupling VSI when reactive power is for compensating inductive loads. Since a large portion of the loads in the distribution system are inductive, the capacitive-coupling VSI is further studied. The design and control method of the multifunctional capacitive-coupling VSI are proposed in this paper. Simulation and experimental results are provided to show its validity.

Multifunctional Voltage Source Inverter for Renewable Energy Integration and Power Quality Conditioning

PubMed Central

Dai, NingYi; Lam, Chi-Seng; Zhang, WenChen

2014-01-01

In order to utilize the energy from the renewable energy sources, power conversion system is necessary, in which the voltage source inverter (VSI) is usually the last stage for injecting power to the grid. It is an economical solution to add the function of power quality conditioning to the grid-connected VSI in the low-voltage distribution system. Two multifunctional VSIs are studied in this paper, that is, inductive-coupling VSI and capacitive-coupling VSI, which are named after the fundamental frequency impedance of their coupling branch. The operation voltages of the two VSIs are compared when they are used for renewable energy integration and power quality conditioning simultaneously. The operation voltage of the capacitive-coupling VSI can be set much lower than that of the inductive-coupling VSI when reactive power is for compensating inductive loads. Since a large portion of the loads in the distribution system are inductive, the capacitive-coupling VSI is further studied. The design and control method of the multifunctional capacitive-coupling VSI are proposed in this paper. Simulation and experimental results are provided to show its validity. PMID:25177725

In situ conversion process utilizing a closed loop heating system

DOEpatents

Sandberg, Chester Ledlie [Palo Alto, CA; Fowler, Thomas David [Houston, TX; Vinegar, Harold J [Bellaire, TX; Schoeber, Willen Jan Antoon Henri

2009-08-18

An in situ conversion system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation is described. The system includes a plurality of u-shaped wellbores in the formation. Piping is positioned in at least two of the u-shaped wellbores. A fluid circulation system is coupled to the piping. The fluid circulation system is configured to circulate hot heat transfer fluid through at least a portion of the piping to form at least one heated portion of the formation. An electrical power supply is configured to provide electrical current to at least a portion of the piping located below an overburden in the formation to resistively heat at least a portion of the piping. Heat transfers from the piping to the formation.

Polarisation-preserving photon frequency conversion from a trapped-ion-compatible wavelength to the telecom C-band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krutyanskiy, V.; Meraner, M.; Schupp, J.; Lanyon, B. P.

2017-09-01

We demonstrate polarisation-preserving frequency conversion of single-photon-level light at 854 nm, resonant with a trapped-ion transition and qubit, to the 1550-nm telecom C band. A total photon in / fiber-coupled photon out efficiency of ˜30% is achieved, for a free-running photon noise rate of ˜60 Hz. This performance would enable telecom conversion of 854 nm polarisation qubits, produced in existing trapped-ion systems, with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 1. In combination with near-future trapped-ion systems, our converter would enable the observation of entanglement between an ion and a photon that has travelled more than 100 km in optical fiber: three orders of magnitude further than the state-of-the-art.

Progress towards an Optimization Methodology for Combustion-Driven Portable Thermoelectric Power Generation Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krishnan, Shankar; Karri, Naveen K.; Gogna, Pawan K.

2012-03-13

Enormous military and commercial interests exist in developing quiet, lightweight, and compact thermoelectric (TE) power generation systems. This paper investigates design integration and analysis of an advanced TE power generation system implementing JP-8 fueled combustion and thermal recuperation. Design and development of a portable TE power system using a JP-8 combustor as a high temperature heat source and optimal process flows depend on efficient heat generation, transfer, and recovery within the system are explored. Design optimization of the system required considering the combustion system efficiency and TE conversion efficiency simultaneously. The combustor performance and TE sub-system performance were coupled directlymore » through exhaust temperatures, fuel and air mass flow rates, heat exchanger performance, subsequent hot-side temperatures, and cold-side cooling techniques and temperatures. Systematic investigation of this system relied on accurate thermodynamic modeling of complex, high-temperature combustion processes concomitantly with detailed thermoelectric converter thermal/mechanical modeling. To this end, this work reports on design integration of systemlevel process flow simulations using commercial software CHEMCADTM with in-house thermoelectric converter and module optimization, and heat exchanger analyses using COMSOLTM software. High-performance, high-temperature TE materials and segmented TE element designs are incorporated in coupled design analyses to achieve predicted TE subsystem level conversion efficiencies exceeding 10%. These TE advances are integrated with a high performance microtechnology combustion reactor based on recent advances at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Predictions from this coupled simulation established a basis for optimal selection of fuel and air flow rates, thermoelectric module design and operating conditions, and microtechnology heat-exchanger design criteria. This paper will discuss this simulation process that leads directly to system efficiency power maps defining potentially available optimal system operating conditions and regimes. This coupled simulation approach enables pathways for integrated use of high-performance combustor components, high performance TE devices, and microtechnologies to produce a compact, lightweight, combustion driven TE power system prototype that operates on common fuels.« less

Exhaust gas purification system for lean burn engine

DOEpatents

Haines, Leland Milburn

2002-02-19

An exhaust gas purification system for a lean burn engine includes a thermal mass unit and a NO.sub.x conversion catalyst unit downstream of the thermal mass unit. The NO.sub.x conversion catalyst unit includes at least one catalyst section. Each catalyst section includes a catalytic layer for converting NO.sub.x coupled to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger portion of the catalyst section acts to maintain the catalytic layer substantially at a desired temperature and cools the exhaust gas flowing from the catalytic layer into the next catalytic section in the series. In a further aspect of the invention, the exhaust gas purification system includes a dual length exhaust pipe upstream of the NO.sub.x conversion catalyst unit. The dual length exhaust pipe includes a second heat exchanger which functions to maintain the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into the thermal mass downstream near a desired average temperature.

Magnetocapacitance without magnetoelectric coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Catalan, G.

2006-03-01

The existence of a magnetodielectric (magnetocapacitance) effect is often used as a test for multiferroic behavior in new material systems. However, strong magnetodielectric effects can also be achieved through a combination of magnetoresistance and the Maxwell-Wagner effect, unrelated to true magnetoelectric coupling. The fact that this resistive magnetocapacitance does not require multiferroic materials may be advantageous for practical applications. Conversely, however, it also implies that magnetocapacitance per se is not sufficient to establish that a material is multiferroic.

Nonreciprocal Single Photon Frequency Conversion via Chiral Coupling between a V-Type System and a Pair of Waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Ce; Cheng, Mu-Tian; Ma, Xiao-San; Wang, Dong; Huang, Xianshan; Wang, Bing; Zhang, Jia-Yan

2018-05-01

Not Available Supported by the Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation under Grant No 1608085MA09, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos 11774262, 61675006, 11474003 and 61472282.

Co- and contra-directional vertical coupling between ferromagnetic layers with grating for short-wavelength spin wave generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graczyk, Piotr; Zelent, Mateusz; Krawczyk, Maciej

2018-05-01

The possibility to generate short spin waves (SWs) is of great interest in the field of magnonics nowadays. We present an effective and technically affordable way of conversion of long SWs, which may be generated by conventional microwave antenna, to the short, sub-micrometer waves. It is achieved by grating-assisted resonant dynamic dipolar interaction between two ferromagnetic layers separated by some distance. We analyze criteria for the optimal conversion giving a semi-analytical approach for the coupling coefficient. We show by the numerical calculations the efficient energy transfer between layers which may be either of co-directional or contra-directional type. Such a system may operate either as a short spin wave generator or a frequency filter, moving forward possible application of magnonics.

Design of dual-diameter nanoholes for efficient solar-light harvesting

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

A dual-diameter nanohole (DNH) photovoltaic system is proposed, where a top (bottom) layer with large (small) nanoholes is used to improve the absorption for the short-wavelength (long-wavelength) solar incidence, leading to a broadband light absorption enhancement. Through three-dimensional finite-element simulation, the core device parameters, including the lattice constant, nanohole diameters, and nanohole depths, are engineered in order to realize the best light-matter coupling between nanostructured silicon and solar spectrum. The designed bare DNH system exhibits an outstanding absorption capability with a photocurrent density (under perfect internal quantum process) predicted to be 27.93 mA/cm2, which is 17.39%, 26.17%, and over 100% higher than the best single-nanohole (SNH) system, SNH system with an identical Si volume, and equivalent planar configuration, respectively. Considering the fabrication feasibility, a modified DNH system with an anti-reflection coating and back silver reflector is examined by simulating both optical absorption and carrier transport in a coupled way in frequency and three-dimensional spatial domains, achieving a light-conversion efficiency of 13.72%. PACS 85.60.-q; Optoelectronic device; 84.60.Jt; Photovoltaic conversion PMID:25258605

Heralding efficiency and correlated-mode coupling of near-IR fiber-coupled photon pairs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dixon, P. Ben; Rosenberg, Danna; Stelmakh, Veronika

We report on a systematic experimental study of heralding efficiency and generation rate of telecom-band infrared photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion and coupled to single mode optical fibers. We define the correlated-mode coupling efficiency--an inherent source efficiency--and explain its relation to heralding efficiency. For our experiment, we developed a reconfigurable computer controlled pump-beam and collection-mode optical apparatus which we used to measure the generation rate and correlated-mode coupling efficiency. The use of low-noise, high-efficiency superconducting-nanowire single-photon-detectors in this setup allowed us to explore focus configurations with low overall photon flux. The measured data agree well with theory andmore » we demonstrated a correlated-mode coupling efficiency of 97%±2%, which is the highest efficiency yet achieved for this type of system. These results confirm theoretical treatments and demonstrate that very high overall heralding efficiencies can, in principle, be achieved in quantum optical systems. We expect that these results and techniques will be widely incorporated into future systems that require, or benefit from, a high heralding efficiency.« less

Heralding efficiency and correlated-mode coupling of near-IR fiber-coupled photon pairs

DOE PAGES

Dixon, P. Ben; Rosenberg, Danna; Stelmakh, Veronika; ...

2014-10-06

We report on a systematic experimental study of heralding efficiency and generation rate of telecom-band infrared photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion and coupled to single mode optical fibers. We define the correlated-mode coupling efficiency--an inherent source efficiency--and explain its relation to heralding efficiency. For our experiment, we developed a reconfigurable computer controlled pump-beam and collection-mode optical apparatus which we used to measure the generation rate and correlated-mode coupling efficiency. The use of low-noise, high-efficiency superconducting-nanowire single-photon-detectors in this setup allowed us to explore focus configurations with low overall photon flux. The measured data agree well with theory andmore » we demonstrated a correlated-mode coupling efficiency of 97%±2%, which is the highest efficiency yet achieved for this type of system. These results confirm theoretical treatments and demonstrate that very high overall heralding efficiencies can, in principle, be achieved in quantum optical systems. We expect that these results and techniques will be widely incorporated into future systems that require, or benefit from, a high heralding efficiency.« less

We can work it out: age differences in relational pronouns, physiology, and behavior in marital conflict.

PubMed

Seider, Benjamin H; Hirschberger, Gilad; Nelson, Kristin L; Levenson, Robert W

2009-09-01

This study examined the relationship that personal pronouns spoken during a marital conversation have with the emotional qualities of those interactions and with marital satisfaction. Middle-aged and older couples (N = 154) engaged in a 15-min conflict conversation during which physiology and emotional behavior were continuously monitored. Verbatim transcripts of the conversations were coded into 2 lexical categories: (a) we-ness (we-words), pronouns that focus on the couple; (b) separateness (me/you-words), pronouns that focus on the individual spouses. Analyses revealed that greater we-ness was associated with a number of desirable qualities of the interaction (lower cardiovascular arousal, more positive and less negative emotional behavior), whereas greater separateness was associated with a less desirable profile (more negative emotional behavior, lower marital satisfaction). In terms of age differences, older couples used more we-ness words than did middle-aged couples. Further, the associations between separateness and marital satisfaction were strongest for older wives. These findings indicate that the emotional aspects of marital quality are expressed in the natural language of couples engaged in conversation. (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

We can work it out: Age differences in relational pronouns, physiology, and behavior in marital conflict

PubMed Central

Seider, Benjamin H.; Hirschberger, Gilad; Nelson, Kristin L.; Levenson, Robert W.

2009-01-01

This study examined the relationship that personal pronouns spoken during a marital conversation have with the emotional qualities of those interactions and with marital satisfaction. Middle-aged and older couples (N=154) engaged in a 15-minute conflict conversation during which physiology and emotional behavior were continuously monitored. Verbatim transcripts of the conversations were coded into two lexical categories: (a) We-ness (we-words): pronouns that focus on the couple; (b) Separateness (Me/You words): pronouns that focus on the individual spouses. Analyses revealed that greater We-ness was associated with a number of desirable qualities of the interaction (lower cardiovascular arousal, more positive and less negative emotional behavior), whereas, greater Separateness was associated with a less desirable profile (more negative emotional behavior, lower marital satisfaction). In terms of age differences, older couples used more We-ness than middle-aged couples. Further, the associations between Separateness and marital satisfaction were strongest for older wives. These findings indicate that the emotional aspects of marital quality are expressed in the natural language of couples engaged in conversation. PMID:19739916

Constraining axion-like-particles with hard X-ray emission from magnetars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fortin, Jean-François; Sinha, Kuver

2018-06-01

Axion-like particles (ALPs) produced in the core of a magnetar will convert to photons in the magnetosphere, leading to possible signatures in the hard X-ray band. We perform a detailed calculation of the ALP-to-photon conversion probability in the magnetosphere, recasting the coupled differential equations that describe ALP-photon propagation into a form that is efficient for large scale numerical scans. We show the dependence of the conversion probability on the ALP energy, mass, ALP-photon coupling, magnetar radius, surface magnetic field, and the angle between the magnetic field and direction of propagation. Along the way, we develop an analytic formalism to perform similar calculations in more general n-state oscillation systems. Assuming ALP emission rates from the core that are just subdominant to neutrino emission, we calculate the resulting constraints on the ALP mass versus ALP-photon coupling space, taking SGR 1806-20 as an example. In particular, we take benchmark values for the magnetar radius and core temperature, and constrain the ALP parameter space by the requirement that the luminosity from ALP-to-photon conversion should not exceed the total observed luminosity from the magnetar. The resulting constraints are competitive with constraints from helioscope experiments in the relevant part of ALP parameter space.

100-kWe lunar/Mars surface power utilizing the SP-100 reactor with dynamic conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harty, Richard B.; Mason, Lee S.

1992-01-01

Results are presented from a study of the coupling of an SP-100 nuclear reactor with either a Stirling or Brayton power system, at the 100 kWe level, for a power generating system suitable for operation in the lunar and Martian surface environments. In the lunar environment, the reactor and primary coolant loop would be contained in a guard vessel to protect from a loss of primary loop containment. For Mars, all refractory components, including the reactor, coolant, and power conversion components will be contained in a vacuum vessel for protection against the CO2 environment.

Standardization and determination of the total internal conversion coefficient of In-111.

PubMed

Matos, Izabela T; Koskinas, Marina F; Nascimento, Tatiane S; Yamazaki, Ione M; Dias, Mauro S

2014-05-01

The standardization of (111)In by means of a 4πβ-γ coincidence system, composed of a proportional counter in 4π geometry, coupled to a 20% relative efficiency HPGe crystal, for measuring gamma-rays is presented. The data acquisition was performed by means of the software coincidence system (SCS) and the activity was determined by the extrapolation technique. Two gamma-ray windows were selected: at 171 keV and 245 keV total absorption peaks, allowing the determination of the total internal conversion coefficient for these two gamma transitions. The results were compared with those available in the literature. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Acoustic transducer for acoustic microscopy

DOEpatents

Khuri-Yakub, Butrus T.; Chou, Ching H.

1990-01-01

A shear acoustic transducer-lens system in which a shear polarized piezoelectric material excites shear polarized waves at one end of a buffer rod having a lens at the other end which excites longitudinal waves in a coupling medium by mode conversion at selected locations on the lens.

Test Results from a Direct Drive Gas Reactor Simulator Coupled to a Brayton Power Conversion Unit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hervol, David S.; Briggs, Maxwell H.; Owen, Albert K.; Bragg-Sitton, Shannon M.; Godfroy, Thomas J.

2010-01-01

Component level testing of power conversion units proposed for use in fission surface power systems has typically been done using relatively simple electric heaters for thermal input. These heaters do not adequately represent the geometry or response of proposed reactors. As testing of fission surface power systems transitions from the component level to the system level it becomes necessary to more accurately replicate these reactors using reactor simulators. The Direct Drive Gas-Brayton Power Conversion Unit test activity at the NASA Glenn Research Center integrates a reactor simulator with an existing Brayton test rig. The response of the reactor simulator to a change in Brayton shaft speed is shown as well as the response of the Brayton to an insertion of reactivity, corresponding to a drum reconfiguration. The lessons learned from these tests can be used to improve the design of future reactor simulators which can be used in system level fission surface power tests.

Long-Distance Single Photon Transmission from a Trapped Ion via Quantum Frequency Conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, Thomas; Miyanishi, Koichiro; Ikuta, Rikizo; Takahashi, Hiroki; Vartabi Kashanian, Samir; Tsujimoto, Yoshiaki; Hayasaka, Kazuhiro; Yamamoto, Takashi; Imoto, Nobuyuki; Keller, Matthias

2018-05-01

Trapped atomic ions are ideal single photon emitters with long-lived internal states which can be entangled with emitted photons. Coupling the ion to an optical cavity enables the efficient emission of single photons into a single spatial mode and grants control over their temporal shape. These features are key for quantum information processing and quantum communication. However, the photons emitted by these systems are unsuitable for long-distance transmission due to their wavelengths. Here we report the transmission of single photons from a single 40Ca+ ion coupled to an optical cavity over a 10 km optical fiber via frequency conversion from 866 nm to the telecom C band at 1530 nm. We observe nonclassical photon statistics of the direct cavity emission, the converted photons, and the 10 km transmitted photons, as well as the preservation of the photons' temporal shape throughout. This telecommunication-ready system can be a key component for long-distance quantum communication as well as future cloud quantum computation.

Nuclear conversion theory: molecular hydrogen in non-magnetic insulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilisca, Ernest; Ghiglieno, Filippo

2016-09-01

The hydrogen conversion patterns on non-magnetic solids sensitively depend upon the degree of singlet/triplet mixing in the intermediates of the catalytic reaction. Three main `symmetry-breaking' interactions are brought together. In a typical channel, the electron spin-orbit (SO) couplings introduce some magnetic excitations in the non-magnetic solid ground state. The electron spin is exchanged with a molecular one by the electric molecule-solid electron repulsion, mixing the bonding and antibonding states and affecting the molecule rotation. Finally, the magnetic hyperfine contact transfers the electron spin angular momentum to the nuclei. Two families of channels are considered and a simple criterion based on the SO coupling strength is proposed to select the most efficient one. The denoted `electronic' conversion path involves an emission of excitons that propagate and disintegrate in the bulk. In the other denoted `nuclear', the excited electron states are transients of a loop, and the electron system returns to its fundamental ground state. The described model enlarges previous studies by extending the electron basis to charge-transfer states and `continui' of band states, and focuses on the broadening of the antibonding molecular excited state by the solid conduction band that provides efficient tunnelling paths for the hydrogen conversion. After working out the general conversion algebra, the conversion rates of hydrogen on insulating and semiconductor solids are related to a few molecule-solid parameters (gap width, ionization and affinity potentials) and compared with experimental measures.

Nuclear conversion theory: molecular hydrogen in non-magnetic insulators

PubMed Central

Ghiglieno, Filippo

2016-01-01

The hydrogen conversion patterns on non-magnetic solids sensitively depend upon the degree of singlet/triplet mixing in the intermediates of the catalytic reaction. Three main ‘symmetry-breaking’ interactions are brought together. In a typical channel, the electron spin–orbit (SO) couplings introduce some magnetic excitations in the non-magnetic solid ground state. The electron spin is exchanged with a molecular one by the electric molecule–solid electron repulsion, mixing the bonding and antibonding states and affecting the molecule rotation. Finally, the magnetic hyperfine contact transfers the electron spin angular momentum to the nuclei. Two families of channels are considered and a simple criterion based on the SO coupling strength is proposed to select the most efficient one. The denoted ‘electronic’ conversion path involves an emission of excitons that propagate and disintegrate in the bulk. In the other denoted ‘nuclear’, the excited electron states are transients of a loop, and the electron system returns to its fundamental ground state. The described model enlarges previous studies by extending the electron basis to charge-transfer states and ‘continui’ of band states, and focuses on the broadening of the antibonding molecular excited state by the solid conduction band that provides efficient tunnelling paths for the hydrogen conversion. After working out the general conversion algebra, the conversion rates of hydrogen on insulating and semiconductor solids are related to a few molecule–solid parameters (gap width, ionization and affinity potentials) and compared with experimental measures. PMID:27703681

Laser-powered MHD generators for space application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jalufka, N. W.

1986-01-01

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy conversion systems of the pulsed laser-supported detonation (LSD) wave, plasma MHD, and liquid-metal MHD (LMMHD) types are assessed for their potential as space-based laser-to-electrical power converters. These systems offer several advantages as energy converters relative to the present chemical, nuclear, and solar devices, including high conversion efficiency, simple design, high-temperature operation, high power density, and high reliability. Of these systems, the Brayton cycle liquid-metal MHD system appears to be the most attractive. The LMMHD technology base is well established for terrestrial applications, particularly with regard to the generator, mixer, and other system components. However, further research is required to extend this technology base to space applications and to establish the technology required to couple the laser energy into the system most efficiently. Continued research on each of the three system types is recommended.

Phase-to-intensity conversion of magnonic spin currents and application to the design of a majority gate

PubMed Central

Brächer, T.; Heussner, F.; Pirro, P.; Meyer, T.; Fischer, T.; Geilen, M.; Heinz, B.; Lägel, B.; Serga, A. A.; Hillebrands, B.

2016-01-01

Magnonic spin currents in the form of spin waves and their quanta, magnons, are a promising candidate for a new generation of wave-based logic devices beyond CMOS, where information is encoded in the phase of travelling spin-wave packets. The direct readout of this phase on a chip is of vital importance to couple magnonic circuits to conventional CMOS electronics. Here, we present the conversion of the spin-wave phase into a spin-wave intensity by local non-adiabatic parallel pumping in a microstructure. This conversion takes place within the spin-wave system itself and the resulting spin-wave intensity can be conveniently transformed into a DC voltage. We also demonstrate how the phase-to-intensity conversion can be used to extract the majority information from an all-magnonic majority gate. This conversion method promises a convenient readout of the magnon phase in future magnon-based devices. PMID:27905539

Efficient amplitude-modulated pulses for triple- to single-quantum coherence conversion in MQMAS NMR.

PubMed

Colaux, Henri; Dawson, Daniel M; Ashbrook, Sharon E

2014-08-07

The conversion between multiple- and single-quantum coherences is integral to many nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments of quadrupolar nuclei. This conversion is relatively inefficient when effected by a single pulse, and many composite pulse schemes have been developed to improve this efficiency. To provide the maximum improvement, such schemes typically require time-consuming experimental optimization. Here, we demonstrate an approach for generating amplitude-modulated pulses to enhance the efficiency of the triple- to single-quantum conversion. The optimization is performed using the SIMPSON and MATLAB packages and results in efficient pulses that can be used without experimental reoptimisation. Most significant signal enhancements are obtained when good estimates of the inherent radio-frequency nutation rate and the magnitude of the quadrupolar coupling are used as input to the optimization, but the pulses appear robust to reasonable variations in either parameter, producing significant enhancements compared to a single-pulse conversion, and also comparable or improved efficiency over other commonly used approaches. In all cases, the ease of implementation of our method is advantageous, particularly for cases with low sensitivity, where the improvement is most needed (e.g., low gyromagnetic ratio or high quadrupolar coupling). Our approach offers the potential to routinely improve the sensitivity of high-resolution NMR spectra of nuclei and systems that would, perhaps, otherwise be deemed "too challenging".

Efficient Amplitude-Modulated Pulses for Triple- to Single-Quantum Coherence Conversion in MQMAS NMR

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

The conversion between multiple- and single-quantum coherences is integral to many nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments of quadrupolar nuclei. This conversion is relatively inefficient when effected by a single pulse, and many composite pulse schemes have been developed to improve this efficiency. To provide the maximum improvement, such schemes typically require time-consuming experimental optimization. Here, we demonstrate an approach for generating amplitude-modulated pulses to enhance the efficiency of the triple- to single-quantum conversion. The optimization is performed using the SIMPSON and MATLAB packages and results in efficient pulses that can be used without experimental reoptimisation. Most significant signal enhancements are obtained when good estimates of the inherent radio-frequency nutation rate and the magnitude of the quadrupolar coupling are used as input to the optimization, but the pulses appear robust to reasonable variations in either parameter, producing significant enhancements compared to a single-pulse conversion, and also comparable or improved efficiency over other commonly used approaches. In all cases, the ease of implementation of our method is advantageous, particularly for cases with low sensitivity, where the improvement is most needed (e.g., low gyromagnetic ratio or high quadrupolar coupling). Our approach offers the potential to routinely improve the sensitivity of high-resolution NMR spectra of nuclei and systems that would, perhaps, otherwise be deemed “too challenging”. PMID:25047226

System for thermal energy storage, space heating and cooling and power conversion

DOEpatents

Gruen, Dieter M.; Fields, Paul R.

1981-04-21

An integrated system for storing thermal energy, for space heating and cong and for power conversion is described which utilizes the reversible thermal decomposition characteristics of two hydrides having different decomposition pressures at the same temperature for energy storage and space conditioning and the expansion of high-pressure hydrogen for power conversion. The system consists of a plurality of reaction vessels, at least one containing each of the different hydrides, three loops of circulating heat transfer fluid which can be selectively coupled to the vessels for supplying the heat of decomposition from any appropriate source of thermal energy from the outside ambient environment or from the spaces to be cooled and for removing the heat of reaction to the outside ambient environment or to the spaces to be heated, and a hydrogen loop for directing the flow of hydrogen gas between the vessels. When used for power conversion, at least two vessels contain the same hydride and the hydrogen loop contains an expansion engine. The system is particularly suitable for the utilization of thermal energy supplied by solar collectors and concentrators, but may be used with any source of heat, including a source of low-grade heat.

Megavoltage imaging with a photoconductor based sensor

DOEpatents

Partain, Larry Dean [Los Altos, CA; Zentai, George [Mountain View, CA

2011-02-08

A photodetector for detecting megavoltage (MV) radiation comprises a semiconductor conversion layer having a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, a first electrode coupled to the first surface, a second electrode coupled to the second surface, and a low density substrate including a detector array coupled to the second electrode opposite the semiconductor conversion layer. The photodetector includes a sufficient thickness of a high density material to create a sufficient number of photoelectrons from incident MV radiation, so that the photoelectrons can be received by the conversion layer and converted to a sufficient of recharge carriers for detection by the detector array.

Conceptual design of an advanced Stirling conversion system for terrestrial power generation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

A free piston Stirling engine coupled to an electric generator or alternator with a nominal kWe power output absorbing thermal energy from a nominal 100 square meter parabolic solar collector and supplying electric power to a utility grid was identified. The results of the conceptual design study of an Advanced Stirling Conversion System (ASCS) were documented. The objectives are as follows: define the ASCS configuration; provide a manufacturability and cost evaluation; predict ASCS performance over the range of solar input required to produce power; estimate system and major component weights; define engine and electrical power condidtioning control requirements; and define key technology needs not ready by the late 1980s in meeting efficiency, life, cost, and with goalds for the ASCS.

Transfer and conversion of images based on EIT in atom vapor.

PubMed

Cao, Mingtao; Zhang, Liyun; Yu, Ya; Ye, Fengjuan; Wei, Dong; Guo, Wenge; Zhang, Shougang; Gao, Hong; Li, Fuli

2014-05-01

Transfer and conversion of images between different wavelengths or polarization has significant applications in optical communication and quantum information processing. We demonstrated the transfer of images based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a rubidium vapor cell. In experiments, a 2D image generated by a spatial light modulator is used as a coupling field, and a plane wave served as a signal field. We found that the image carried by coupling field could be transferred to that carried by signal field, and the spatial patterns of transferred image are much better than that of the initial image. It also could be much smaller than that determined by the diffraction limit of the optical system. We also studied the subdiffraction propagation for the transferred image. Our results may have applications in quantum interference lithography and coherent Raman spectroscopy.

The in situ generation and reactive quench of diazonium compounds in the synthesis of azo compounds in microreactors.

PubMed

Akwi, Faith M; Watts, Paul

2016-01-01

In this paper, a micro-fluidic optimized process for the continuous flow synthesis of azo compounds is presented. The continuous flow synthesis of Sudan II azo dye was used as a model reaction for the study. At found optimal azo coupling reaction temperature and pH an investigation of the optimum flow rates of the reactants for the diazotization and azo coupling reactions in Little Things Factory-MS microreactors was performed. A conversion of 98% was achieved in approximately 2.4 minutes and a small library of azo compounds was thus generated under these reaction conditions from couplers with aminated or hydroxylated aromatic systems. The scaled up synthesis of these compounds in PTFE tubing (i.d. 1.5 mm) was also investigated, where good reaction conversions ranging between 66-91% were attained.

Comparison of fluence-to-dose conversion coefficients for deuterons, tritons and helions.

PubMed

Copeland, Kyle; Friedberg, Wallace; Sato, Tatsuhiko; Niita, Koji

2012-02-01

Secondary radiation in aircraft and spacecraft includes deuterons, tritons and helions. Two sets of fluence-to-effective dose conversion coefficients for isotropic exposure to these particles were compared: one used the particle and heavy ion transport code system (PHITS) radiation transport code coupled with the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) reference phantoms (PHITS-ICRP) and the other the Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended (MCNPX) radiation transport code coupled with modified BodyBuilder™ phantoms (MCNPX-BB). Also, two sets of fluence-to-effective dose equivalent conversion coefficients calculated using the PHITS-ICRP combination were compared: one used quality factors based on linear energy transfer; the other used quality factors based on lineal energy (y). Finally, PHITS-ICRP effective dose coefficients were compared with PHITS-ICRP effective dose equivalent coefficients. The PHITS-ICRP and MCNPX-BB effective dose coefficients were similar, except at high energies, where MCNPX-BB coefficients were higher. For helions, at most energies effective dose coefficients were much greater than effective dose equivalent coefficients. For deuterons and tritons, coefficients were similar when their radiation weighting factor was set to 2.

Performance Analysis of a Thermoelectric Solar Collector Integrated with a Heat Pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lertsatitthanakorn, C.; Jamradloedluk, J.; Rungsiyopas, M.; Therdyothin, A.; Soponronnarit, S.

2013-07-01

A novel heat pump system is proposed. A thermoelectric solar collector was coupled to a solar-assisted heat pump (TESC-HP) to work as an evaporator. The cooling effect of the system's refrigerant allowed the cold side of the system's thermoelectric modules to work at lower temperature, improving the conversion efficiency. The TESC-HP system mainly consisted of transparent glass, an air gap, an absorber plate that acted as a direct expansion-type collector/evaporator, an R-134a piston-type hermetic compressor, a water-cooled plate-type condenser, thermoelectric modules, and a water storage tank. Test results indicated that the TESC-HP has better coefficient of performance (COP) and conversion efficiency than the separate units. For the meteorological conditions in Mahasarakham, the COP of the TESC-HP system can reach 5.48 when the average temperature of 100 L of water is increased from 28°C to 40°C in 60 min with average ambient temperature of 32.5°C and average solar intensity of 815 W/m2, whereas the conversion efficiency of the TE power generator was around 2.03%.

Acoustic transducer for acoustic microscopy

DOEpatents

Khuri-Yakub, B.T.; Chou, C.H.

1990-03-20

A shear acoustic transducer-lens system is described in which a shear polarized piezoelectric material excites shear polarized waves at one end of a buffer rod having a lens at the other end which excites longitudinal waves in a coupling medium by mode conversion at selected locations on the lens. 9 figs.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klingler, S., E-mail: stefan.klingler@wmi.badw.de; Maier-Flaig, H.; Weiler, M.

Microfocused Brillouin light scattering (BLS) and microwave absorption (MA) are used to study magnon-photon coupling in a system consisting of a split-ring microwave resonator and an yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film. The split-ring resonator is defined by optical lithography and loaded with a 1 μm-thick YIG film grown by liquid phase epitaxy. BLS and MA spectra of the hybrid system are simultaneously recorded as a function of the applied magnetic field magnitude and microwave excitation frequency. Strong coupling of the magnon and microwave resonator modes is found with a coupling strength of g{sub eff} /2π = 63 MHz. The combined BLS and MA datamore » allow us to study the continuous transition of the hybridized modes from a purely magnonic to a purely photonic mode by varying the applied magnetic field and microwave frequency. Furthermore, the BLS data represent an up-conversion of the microwave frequency coupling to optical frequencies.« less

A photocatalyst-enzyme coupled artificial photosynthesis system for solar energy in production of formic acid from CO2.

PubMed

Yadav, Rajesh K; Baeg, Jin-Ook; Oh, Gyu Hwan; Park, No-Joong; Kong, Ki-jeong; Kim, Jinheung; Hwang, Dong Won; Biswas, Soumya K

2012-07-18

The photocatalyst-enzyme coupled system for artificial photosynthesis process is one of the most promising methods of solar energy conversion for the synthesis of organic chemicals or fuel. Here we report the synthesis of a novel graphene-based visible light active photocatalyst which covalently bonded the chromophore, such as multianthraquinone substituted porphyrin with the chemically converted graphene as a photocatalyst of the artificial photosynthesis system for an efficient photosynthetic production of formic acid from CO(2). The results not only show a benchmark example of the graphene-based material used as a photocatalyst in general artificial photosynthesis but also the benchmark example of the selective production system of solar chemicals/solar fuel directly from CO(2).

DynMo: Dynamic Simulation Model for Space Reactor Power Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Genk, Mohamed; Tournier, Jean-Michel

2005-02-01

A Dynamic simulation Model (DynMo) for space reactor power systems is developed using the SIMULINK® platform. DynMo is modular and could be applied to power systems with different types of reactors, energy conversion, and heat pipe radiators. This paper presents a general description of DynMo-TE for a space power system powered by a Sectored Compact Reactor (SCoRe) and that employs off-the-shelf SiGe thermoelectric converters. SCoRe is liquid metal cooled and designed for avoidance of a single point failure. The reactor core is divided into six equal sectors that are neutronically, but not thermal-hydraulically, coupled. To avoid a single point failure in the power system, each reactor sector has its own primary and secondary loops, and each loop is equipped with an electromagnetic (EM) pump. A Power Conversion assembly (PCA) and a Thermoelectric Conversion Assembly (TCA) of the primary and secondary EM pumps thermally couple each pair of a primary and a secondary loop. The secondary loop transports the heat rejected by the PCA and the pumps TCA to a rubidium heat pipes radiator panel. The primary loops transport the thermal power from the reactor sector to the PCAs for supplying a total of 145-152 kWe to the load at 441-452 VDC, depending on the selections of the primary and secondary liquid metal coolants. The primary and secondary coolant combinations investigated are lithium (Li)/Li, Li/sodium (Na), Na-Na, Li/NaK-78 and Na/NaK-78, for which the reactor exit temperature is kept below 1250 K. The results of a startup transient of the system from an initial temperature of 500 K are compared and discussed.

Coherent Nuclear Wave Packets in Q States by Ultrafast Internal Conversions in Free Base Tetraphenylporphyrin.

PubMed

Kim, So Young; Joo, Taiha

2015-08-06

Persistence of vibrational coherence in electronic transition has been noted especially in biochemical systems. Here, we report the dynamics between electronic excited states in free base tetraphenylporphyrin (H2TPP) by time-resolved fluorescence with high time resolution. Following the photoexcitation of the B state, ultrafast internal conversion occurs to the Qx state directly as well as via the Qy state. Unique and distinct coherent nuclear wave packet motions in the Qx and Qy states are observed through the modulation of the fluorescence intensity in time. The instant, serial internal conversions from the B to the Qy and Qx states generate the coherent wave packets. Theory and experiment show that the observed vibrational modes involve the out-of-plane vibrations of the porphyrin ring that are strongly coupled to the internal conversion of H2TPP.

A Small Fission Power System with Stirling Power Conversion for NASA Science Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mason, Lee; Carmichael, Chad

2011-01-01

In early 2010, a joint National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Energy (DOE) study team developed a concept for a 1 kWe Fission Power System with a 15-year design life that could be available for a 2020 launch to support future NASA science missions. The baseline concept included a solid block uranium-molybdenum reactor core with embedded heat pipes and distributed thermoelectric converters directly coupled to aluminum radiator fins. A short follow-on study was conducted at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) to evaluate an alternative power conversion approach. The GRC study considered the use of free-piston Stirling power conversion as a substitution to the thermoelectric converters. The resulting concept enables a power increase to 3 kWe with the same reactor design and scalability to 10 kW without changing the reactor technology. This paper presents the configuration layout, system performance, mass summary, and heat transfer analysis resulting from the study.

Damping of spin-dipole mode and generation of quadrupole mode excitations in a spin-orbit coupled Bose-Einstein condensate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chuan-Hsun; Blasing, David; Chen, Yong

2017-04-01

In cold atom systems, spin excitations have been shown to be a sensitive probe of interactions and quantum statistical effects, and can be used to study spin transport in both Fermi and Bose gases. In particular, spin-dipole mode (SDM) is a type of excitation that can generate a spin current without a net mass current. We present recent measurements and analysis of SDM in a disorder-free, interacting three-dimensional (3D) 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) by applying spin-dependent synthetic electric fields to actuate head-on collisions between two BECs of different spin states. We experimentally study and compare the behaviors of the system following SDM excitations in the presence as well as absence of synthetic 1D spin-orbit coupling (SOC). We find that in the absence of SOC, SDM is relatively weakly damped, accompanied with collision-induced thermalization which heats up the atomic cloud. However, in the presence of SOC, we find that SDM is more strongly damped with reduced thermalization, and observe excitation of a quadrupole mode that exhibits BEC shape oscillation even after SDM is damped out. Such a mode conversion bears analogies with the Beliaev coupling process or the parametric frequency down conversion of light in nonlinear optics.

Monolithic Interconnected Modules (MIMs) for Thermophotovoltaic Energy Conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilt, David; Wehrer, Rebecca; Palmisiano, Marc; Wanlass, Mark; Murray, Christopher

2003-01-01

Monolithic Interconnected Modules (MIM) are under development for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion applications. MIM devices are typified by series-interconnected photovoltaic cells on a common, semi-insulating substrate and generally include rear-surface infrared (IR) reflectors. The MIM architecture is being implemented in InGaAsSb materials without semi-insulating substrates through the development of alternative isolation methodologies. Motivations for developing the MIM structure include: reduced resistive losses, higher output power density than for systems utilizing front surface spectral control, improved thermal coupling and ultimately higher system efficiency. Numerous design and material changes have been investigated since the introduction of the MIM concept in 1994. These developments as well as the current design strategies are addressed.

Development of a planar-type high sensitivity metallic contaminant detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okabe, Shunsuke; Sasada, Ichiro

2017-05-01

Metallic contaminant detectors based on the balanced coil system are widely used in the food industry. In the balanced coil system, an excitation coil and two identical pickup coils are used in a way that the magnetic coupling of pickup coils to the excitation coil is cancelled with each other when no metallic contaminants present. In a conventional system, the excitation coil and the pickup coil are planar and are parallel, therefore the magnetic coupling is strong even if there is no metallic contaminant. Such strong magnetic coupling makes balancing procedure tedious. In this paper, we introduce a new coil system in which pickup coils are set orthogonal to the excitation coil, making the magnetic coupling much small compared to conventional counterpart. Pickup coils are equipped with thin magnetic cores and placed inside the excitation coil being parallel to the excitation coil plane. The balancing method consists of two steps; the one is geometrical and the other is digital processing including down conversion. Experiments are carried out to show the detection capability of ferromagnetic contaminants and non-magnetic contaminants.

Laser x-ray Conversion and Electron Thermal Conductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Guang-yu; Chang, Tie-qiang

2001-02-01

The influence of electron thermal conductivity on the laser x-ray conversion in the coupling of 3ωo laser with Au plane target has been investigated by using a non-LTE radiation hydrodynamic code. The non-local electron thermal conductivity is introduced and compared with the other two kinds of the flux-limited Spitzer-Härm description. The results show that the non-local thermal conductivity causes the increase of the laser x-ray conversion efficiency and important changes of the plasma state and coupling feature.

Waste heat recovery system for recapturing energy after engine aftertreatment systems

DOEpatents

Ernst, Timothy C.; Nelson, Christopher R.

2014-06-17

The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery (WHR) system including a Rankine cycle (RC) subsystem for converting heat of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and an internal combustion engine including the same. The WHR system includes an exhaust gas heat exchanger that is fluidly coupled downstream of an exhaust aftertreatment system and is adapted to transfer heat from the exhaust gas to a working fluid of the RC subsystem. An energy conversion device is fluidly coupled to the exhaust gas heat exchanger and is adapted to receive the vaporized working fluid and convert the energy of the transferred heat. The WHR system includes a control module adapted to control at least one parameter of the RC subsystem based on a detected aftertreatment event of a predetermined thermal management strategy of the aftertreatment system.

Tilt to horizontal global solar irradiance conversion: application to PV systems data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Housmans, Caroline; Leloux, Jonathan; Bertrand, Cédric

2017-04-01

Many transposition models have been proposed in the literature to convert solar irradiance on the horizontal plane to that on a tilted plane requiring that at least two of the three solar components (i.e. global, direct and diffuse) are known. When only global irradiance measurements are available, the conversion from horizontal to tilted planes is still possible but in this case transposition models have to be coupled with decomposition models (i.e. models that predict the direct and diffuse components from the global one). Here, two different approaches have been considered to solve the reverse process, i.e. the conversion from tilted to horizontal: (i) one-sensor approach and (ii) multi-sensors approach. Because only one tilted plane is involved in the one-sensor approach, a decomposition model need to be coupled with a transposition model to solve the problem. By contrast, at least two tilted planes being considered in the multi-sensors approach, only a transposition model is required to perform the conversion. First, global solar irradiance measurements recorded on the roof of the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium's radiation tower in Uccle were used to evaluate the performance of both approaches. Four pyranometers (one mounted in the horizontal plane and three on inclined surfaces with different tilts and orientations) were involved in the validation exercise. Second, the inverse transposition was applied to tilted global solar irradiance values retrieved from the energy production registered at residential PV systems located in the vicinity of Belgian radiometric stations operated by RMI (for validation purposes).

Conversion efficiency of skutterudite-based thermoelectric modules.

PubMed

Salvador, James R; Cho, Jung Y; Ye, Zuxin; Moczygemba, Joshua E; Thompson, Alan J; Sharp, Jeffrey W; Koenig, Jan D; Maloney, Ryan; Thompson, Travis; Sakamoto, Jeffrey; Wang, Hsin; Wereszczak, Andrew A

2014-06-28

Presently, the only commercially available power generating thermoelectric (TE) modules are based on bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) alloys and are limited to a hot side temperature of 250 °C due to the melting point of the solder interconnects and/or generally poor power generation performance above this point. For the purposes of demonstrating a TE generator or TEG with higher temperature capability, we selected skutterudite based materials to carry forward with module fabrication because these materials have adequate TE performance and are mechanically robust. We have previously reported the electrical power output for a 32 couple skutterudite TE module, a module that is type identical to ones used in a high temperature capable TEG prototype. The purpose of this previous work was to establish the expected power output of the modules as a function of varying hot and cold side temperatures. Recent upgrades to the TE module measurement system built at the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques allow for the assessment of not only the power output, as previously described, but also the thermal to electrical energy conversion efficiency. Here we report the power output and conversion efficiency of a 32 couple, high temperature skutterudite module at varying applied loading pressures and with different interface materials between the module and the heat source and sink of the test system. We demonstrate a 7% conversion efficiency at the module level when a temperature difference of 460 °C is established. Extrapolated values indicate that 7.5% is achievable when proper thermal interfaces and loading pressures are used.

Initial Coupling of the RELAP-7 and PRONGHORN Applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

J. Ortensi; D. Andrs; A.A. Bingham

2012-10-01

Modern nuclear reactor safety codes require the ability to solve detailed coupled neutronic- thermal fluids problems. For larger cores, this implies fully coupled higher dimensionality spatial dynamics with appropriate feedback models that can provide enough resolution to accurately compute core heat generation and removal during steady and unsteady conditions. The reactor analysis code PRONGHORN is being coupled to RELAP-7 as a first step to extend RELAP’s current capabilities. This report details the mathematical models, the type of coupling, and the testing results from the integrated system. RELAP-7 is a MOOSE-based application that solves the continuity, momentum, and energy equations inmore » 1-D for a compressible fluid. The pipe and joint capabilities enable it to model parts of the power conversion unit. The PRONGHORN application, also developed on the MOOSE infrastructure, solves the coupled equations that define the neutron diffusion, fluid flow, and heat transfer in a full core model. The two systems are loosely coupled to simplify the transition towards a more complex infrastructure. The integration is tested on a simplified version of the OECD/NEA MHTGR-350 Coupled Neutronics-Thermal Fluids benchmark model.« less

Novel, Integrated Reactor/Power Conversion System (LMR-AMTEC)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dmitry V. Paramonov, Lead Collaborator

2001-07-31

The overall objective of NERI Project Number 99-0198 is to assess the technical and economic feasibility, develop engineering solutions and determine a range of potential applications for ''Novel Integrated Reactor/Energy conversion Systems''. The near term goal is the design of a power supply for developing countries in remote locations in a proliferation resistant, reliable and economical way. The heart of the concept is the use of a single loop liquid metal fast reactor (LMR) with conversion of the heat directly into electricity in a Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC). The first year of the project focused on themore » feasibility issues with a long life, high temperature liquid metal-cooled core; selection of the working fluid, core-to-AMTEC coupling scheme and interface parameters; and, energy conversion systems design and performance. Report Number STD-ES-01-0028, Revision 0, dated July 31, 2001, summarizes the work performed by Westinghouse personnel in Year One and report number UNM-ISNPS-3-2000, dated October 2000, summarizes the work performed by the Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies at the University of New Mexico in Year One.« less

Equivalent circuit model of converse magnetoelectric effect for the tri-layer magnetoelectric laminates with thermal and stress loadings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Hao-Miao; Li, Meng-Han; Liu, Hui; Cui, Xiao-Le

2015-12-01

For the converse magnetoelectric coupling effect of the piezoelectric/magnetostrictive/piezoelectric tri-layer symmetric magnetoelectric laminates, based on the nonlinear thermo-magneto-mechanical constitutive equations of the giant magnetostrictive materials and the thermo-electro-mechanical constitutive equations of the piezoelectric materials, according to Newton's second law and the magnetic circuit theorem, an equivalent circuit is established. Then an expression of the converse magnetoelectric coefficient describing nonlinear thermo-magneto-electro-mechanical coupling is established. The curve of the nonlinear converse magnetoelectric coefficient versus the bias magnetic field, is predicted effectively by the expression, and the predictions are in good agreement with the experimental result both qualitatively and quantitatively. Furthermore, the model can predict the complex influences of the bias magnetic field, the stress and the ambient temperature on the converse magnetoelectric coefficient. It can be found from these predictions that the converse magnetoelectric coefficient decreases with the increasing temperature and increases with the increasing tensile stress. Under the common effect of the ambient temperature and the stress, it is also found that the converse magnetoelectric coefficient changes sharply with the ambient temperature when the tensile stress is applied on the laminates, but it has a good stability of temperature when a large compressive stress is applied. Therefore, this work contributes to the researches on the giant converse magnetoelectric coefficient and the designs of magnetoelectric devices based on the converse magnetoelectric coupling.

Magnetic energy storage and conversion in the solar atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spicer, D. S.; Mariska, J. T.; Boris, J. P.

1986-01-01

According to the approach employed in this investigation, particularly important simple configurations of magnetic field and plasma are identified, and it is attempted to achieve an understanding of the large-scale dynamic processes and transformations which these systems can undergo. Fundamental concepts are discussed, taking into account aspects of magnetic energy generation, ideal MHD theory, non-MHD properties, the concept of 'anomalous' resistivity, and global electrodynamic coupling. Questions of magnetically controlled energy conversion are examined, giving attention to magnetic modifications of plasma transport, the transition region structure and flows, channeling and acceleration of plasma, channeling and dissipation of MHD waves, and anomalous dissipation of field-aligned currents. A description of the characteristics of magnetohydrodynamic energy conversion is also provided, and outstanding questions are discussed.

Vector mode conversion based on tilted fiber Bragg grating in ring-core fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mi, Yuean; Ren, Guobin; Gao, Yixiao; Li, Haisu; Zhu, Bofeng; Liu, Yu

2018-03-01

We propose a vector mode conversion approach based on tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) written in ring-core fiber with effective separation of eigenmodes. The mode coupling properties of TFBG are numerically investigated. It is shown that under the constraint of phase matching, the conversion of high-order vector modes could be achieved at specific wavelengths. Moreover, the polarization of incident light and tilt angle of TFBG play critical roles in mode coupling process. The proposed TFBG provides an efficient method to realize high-order vector mode conversion, and it shows great potential for fibers based OAM beam generation and fiber lasers with vortex beams output.

Isolated and soft-switched power converter

DOEpatents

Peng, Fang Zheng; Adams, Donald Joe

2002-01-01

An isolated and soft-switched power converter is used for DC/DC and DC/DC/AC power conversion. The power converter includes two resonant tank circuits coupled back-to-back through an isolation transformer. Each resonant tank circuit includes a pair of resonant capacitors connected in series as a resonant leg, a pair of tank capacitors connected in series as a tank leg, and a pair of switching devices with anti-parallel clamping diodes coupled in series as resonant switches and clamping devices for the resonant leg. The power converter is well suited for DC/DC and DC/DC/AC power conversion applications in which high-voltage isolation, DC to DC voltage boost, bidirectional power flow, and a minimal number of conventional switching components are important design objectives. For example, the power converter is especially well suited to electric vehicle applications and load-side electric generation and storage systems, and other applications in which these objectives are important. The power converter may be used for many different applications, including electric vehicles, hybrid combustion/electric vehicles, fuel-cell powered vehicles with low-voltage starting, remote power sources utilizing low-voltage DC power sources, such as photovoltaics and others, electric power backup systems, and load-side electric storage and generation systems.

The in situ generation and reactive quench of diazonium compounds in the synthesis of azo compounds in microreactors

PubMed Central

Akwi, Faith M

2016-01-01

Summary In this paper, a micro-fluidic optimized process for the continuous flow synthesis of azo compounds is presented. The continuous flow synthesis of Sudan II azo dye was used as a model reaction for the study. At found optimal azo coupling reaction temperature and pH an investigation of the optimum flow rates of the reactants for the diazotization and azo coupling reactions in Little Things Factory-MS microreactors was performed. A conversion of 98% was achieved in approximately 2.4 minutes and a small library of azo compounds was thus generated under these reaction conditions from couplers with aminated or hydroxylated aromatic systems. The scaled up synthesis of these compounds in PTFE tubing (i.d. 1.5 mm) was also investigated, where good reaction conversions ranging between 66–91% were attained. PMID:27829903

Microwave plasma generation of hydrogen atoms for rocket propulsion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chapman, R.; Filpus, J.; Morin, T.; Snellenberger, R.; Asmussen, J.; Hawley, M.; Kerber, R.

1981-01-01

A flow microwave plasma reaction system is used to study the conversion of hydrogen to hydrogen atoms as a function of pressure, power density, cavity tuning, cavity mode, and time in the plasma zone. Hydrogen atom concentration is measured down-stream from the plasma by NOCl titration. Extensive modeling of the plasma and recombination zones is performed with the plasma zone treated as a backmix reaction system and the recombination zone treated as a plug flow. The thermodynamics and kinetics of the recombination process are examined in detail to provide an understanding of the conversion of recombination energy to gas kinetic energy. It is found that cavity tuning, discharge stability, and optimum power coupling are critically dependent on the system pressure, but nearly independent of the flow rate.

Review of solar fuel-producing quantum conversion processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peterson, D. B.; Biddle, J. R.; Fujita, T.

1984-01-01

The status and potential of fuel-producing solar photochemical processes are discussed. Research focused on splitting water to produce dihydrogen and is at a relatively early stage of development. Current emphasis is primarily directed toward understanding the basic chemistry underlying such quantum conversion processes. Theoretical analyses by various investigators predict a limiting thermodynamic efficiency of 31% for devices with a single photosystem operating with unfocused sunlight at 300 K. When non-idealities are included, it appears unlikely that actual devices will have efficiencies greater than 12 to 15%. Observed efficiencies are well below theoretical limits. Cyclic homogeneous photochemical processes for splitting water have efficiencies considerably less than 1%. Efficiency can be significantly increased by addition of a sacrificial reagent; however, such systems are no longer cyclic and it is doubtful that they would be economical on a commercial scale. The observed efficiencies for photoelectrochemical processes are also low but such systems appear more promising than homogeneous photochemical systems. Operating and systems options, including operation at elevated temperature and hybrid and coupled quantum-thermal conversion processes, are also considered.

Stochastic dynamics of coupled active particles in an overdamped limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ann, Minjung; Lee, Kong-Ju-Bock; Park, Pyeong Jun

2015-10-01

We introduce a model for Brownian dynamics of coupled active particles in an overdamped limit. Our system consists of several identical active particles and one passive particle. Each active particle is elastically coupled to the passive particle and there is no direct coupling among the active particles. We investigate the dynamics of the system with respect to the number of active particles, viscous friction, and coupling between the active and passive particles. For this purpose, we consider an intracellular transport process as an application of our model and perform a Brownian dynamics simulation using realistic parameters for processive molecular motors such as kinesin-1. We determine an adequate energy conversion function for molecular motors and study the dynamics of intracellular transport by multiple motors. The results show that the average velocity of the coupled system is not affected by the number of active motors and that the stall force increases linearly as the number of motors increases. Our results are consistent with well-known experimental observations. We also examine the effects of coupling between the motors and the cargo, as well as of the spatial distribution of the motors around the cargo. Our model might provide a physical explanation of the cooperation among active motors in the cellular transport processes.

Coupled intertwiner dynamics: A toy model for coupling matter to spin foam models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinhaus, Sebastian

2015-09-01

The universal coupling of matter and gravity is one of the most important features of general relativity. In quantum gravity, in particular spin foams, matter couplings have been defined in the past, yet the mutual dynamics, in particular if matter and gravity are strongly coupled, are hardly explored, which is related to the definition of both matter and gravitational degrees of freedom on the discretization. However, extracting these mutual dynamics is crucial in testing the viability of the spin foam approach and also establishing connections to other discrete approaches such as lattice gauge theories. Therefore, we introduce a simple two-dimensional toy model for Yang-Mills coupled to spin foams, namely an Ising model coupled to so-called intertwiner models defined for SU (2 )k. The two systems are coupled by choosing the Ising coupling constant to depend on spin labels of the background, as these are interpreted as the edge lengths of the discretization. We coarse grain this toy model via tensor network renormalization and uncover an interesting dynamics: the Ising phase transition temperature turns out to be sensitive to the background configurations and conversely, the Ising model can induce phase transitions in the background. Moreover, we observe a strong coupling of both systems if close to both phase transitions.

The Conversion of Teachers: Principal Influence and Teacher Autonomy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bratlie, Mark P.

Instructional leadership literature presents two contrasting themes: (1) the school as a loosely coupled system allowing teachers considerable instructional autonomy; and (2) the school as a culture where the effective principal uses symbolic leadership to unite the staff in a common effort to achieve the school's mission. If both themes are…

Final design of a free-piston hydraulic advanced Stirling conversion system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallace, D. A.; Noble, J. E.; Emigh, S. G.; Ross, B. A.; Lehmann, G. A.

1991-01-01

Under the US Department of Energy's (DOEs) Solar Thermal Technology Program, Sandia National Laboratories is evaluating heat engines for solar distributed receiver systems. The final design is described of an engineering prototype advanced Stirling conversion system (ASCS) with a free-piston hydraulic engine output capable of delivering about 25 kW of electric power to a utility grid. The free-piston Stirling engine has the potential for a highly reliable engine with long life because it has only a few moving parts, has noncontacting bearings, and can be hermetically sealed. The ASCS is designed to deliver maximum power per year over a range of solar input with a design life of 30 years (60,000 h). The system includes a liquid Nak pool boiler heat transport system and a free-piston Stirling engine with high-pressure hydraulic output, coupled with a bent axis variable displacement hydraulic motor and a rotary induction generator.

Final design of a free-piston hydraulic advanced Stirling conversion system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wallace, D. A.; Noble, J. E.; Emigh, S. G.; Ross, B. A.; Lehmann, G. A.

Under the US Department of Energy's (DOEs) Solar Thermal Technology Program, Sandia National Laboratories is evaluating heat engines for solar distributed receiver systems. The final design is described of an engineering prototype advanced Stirling conversion system (ASCS) with a free-piston hydraulic engine output capable of delivering about 25 kW of electric power to a utility grid. The free-piston Stirling engine has the potential for a highly reliable engine with long life because it has only a few moving parts, has noncontacting bearings, and can be hermetically sealed. The ASCS is designed to deliver maximum power per year over a range of solar input with a design life of 30 years (60,000 h). The system includes a liquid Nak pool boiler heat transport system and a free-piston Stirling engine with high-pressure hydraulic output, coupled with a bent axis variable displacement hydraulic motor and a rotary induction generator.

Magnetic actuation and feedback cooling of a cavity optomechanical torque sensor.

PubMed

Kim, P H; Hauer, B D; Clark, T J; Fani Sani, F; Freeman, M R; Davis, J P

2017-11-07

Cavity optomechanics has demonstrated remarkable capabilities, such as measurement and control of mechanical motion at the quantum level. Yet many compelling applications of optomechanics-such as microwave-to-telecom wavelength conversion, quantum memories, materials studies, and sensing applications-require hybrid devices, where the optomechanical system is coupled to a separate, typically condensed matter, system. Here, we demonstrate such a hybrid optomechanical system, in which a mesoscopic ferromagnetic needle is integrated with an optomechanical torsional resonator. Using this system we quantitatively extract the magnetization of the needle, not known a priori, demonstrating the potential of this system for studies of nanomagnetism. Furthermore, we show that we can magnetically dampen its torsional mode from room-temperature to 11.6 K-improving its mechanical response time without sacrificing torque sensitivity. Future extensions will enable studies of high-frequency spin dynamics and broadband wavelength conversion via torque mixing.

Hybrid bioinorganic approach to solar-to-chemical conversion.

PubMed

Nichols, Eva M; Gallagher, Joseph J; Liu, Chong; Su, Yude; Resasco, Joaquin; Yu, Yi; Sun, Yujie; Yang, Peidong; Chang, Michelle C Y; Chang, Christopher J

2015-09-15

Natural photosynthesis harnesses solar energy to convert CO2 and water to value-added chemical products for sustaining life. We present a hybrid bioinorganic approach to solar-to-chemical conversion in which sustainable electrical and/or solar input drives production of hydrogen from water splitting using biocompatible inorganic catalysts. The hydrogen is then used by living cells as a source of reducing equivalents for conversion of CO2 to the value-added chemical product methane. Using platinum or an earth-abundant substitute, α-NiS, as biocompatible hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts and Methanosarcina barkeri as a biocatalyst for CO2 fixation, we demonstrate robust and efficient electrochemical CO2 to CH4 conversion at up to 86% overall Faradaic efficiency for ≥ 7 d. Introduction of indium phosphide photocathodes and titanium dioxide photoanodes affords a fully solar-driven system for methane generation from water and CO2, establishing that compatible inorganic and biological components can synergistically couple light-harvesting and catalytic functions for solar-to-chemical conversion.

Hybrid bioinorganic approach to solar-to-chemical conversion

PubMed Central

Nichols, Eva M.; Gallagher, Joseph J.; Liu, Chong; Su, Yude; Resasco, Joaquin; Yu, Yi; Sun, Yujie; Yang, Peidong; Chang, Michelle C. Y.; Chang, Christopher J.

2015-01-01

Natural photosynthesis harnesses solar energy to convert CO2 and water to value-added chemical products for sustaining life. We present a hybrid bioinorganic approach to solar-to-chemical conversion in which sustainable electrical and/or solar input drives production of hydrogen from water splitting using biocompatible inorganic catalysts. The hydrogen is then used by living cells as a source of reducing equivalents for conversion of CO2 to the value-added chemical product methane. Using platinum or an earth-abundant substitute, α-NiS, as biocompatible hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts and Methanosarcina barkeri as a biocatalyst for CO2 fixation, we demonstrate robust and efficient electrochemical CO2 to CH4 conversion at up to 86% overall Faradaic efficiency for ≥7 d. Introduction of indium phosphide photocathodes and titanium dioxide photoanodes affords a fully solar-driven system for methane generation from water and CO2, establishing that compatible inorganic and biological components can synergistically couple light-harvesting and catalytic functions for solar-to-chemical conversion. PMID:26305947

Regio-selectivity of the Oxidative C-S Bond Formation in Ergothioneine and Ovothiol Biosyntheses

PubMed Central

Song, Heng; Leninger, Maureen; Lee, Norman

2014-01-01

Ergothioneine (5) and ovothiol (8) are two novel thiol-containing natural products. Their C-S bonds are formed by oxidative coupling reactions catalyzed by EgtB and OvoA enzymes, respectively. In this work, it was discovered that besides catalyzing the oxidative coupling between histidine and cysteine (1 → 6 conversion), OvoA can also catalyze a direct oxidative coupling between hercynine (2) and cysteine (2 → 4 conversion), which can shorten the ergothioneine biosynthetic pathway by two steps. PMID:24016264

Piezoelectric and Semiconducting Ribbon for Flexible Energy Harvesting

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-08

ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command SPA WAR 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION...rubbers could yield breakthroughs in implantable or wearable energy harvesting systems . Being electromechanically coupled, piezoelectric crystals...ctuator d33 (pm/V) PZT PVDF Quartz Bone PZT > 80% Conversion Efficiency 3333 dk  VdE 2233 Energy 250 25 2.5

Coupling glucose fermentation and homoacetogenesis for elevated acetate production: Experimental and mathematical approaches.

PubMed

Ni, Bing-Jie; Liu, He; Nie, Yan-Qiu; Zeng, Raymond J; Du, Guo-Cheng; Chen, Jian; Yu, Han-Qing

2011-02-01

Homoacetogenesis is an important potential hydrogen sink in acetogenesis, in which hydrogen is used to reduce carbon dioxide to acetate. So far the acetate production from homoacetogenesis, especially its kinetics, has not been given sufficient attention. In this work, enhanced production of acetate from anaerobic conversion of glucose through coupling glucose fermentation and homoacetogenesis is investigated with both experimental and mathematical approaches. Experiments are conducted to explore elevated acetate production in a coupled anaerobic system. Acetate production could be achieved by homoacetogenesis with a relative high acetate yield under mixed fermentation conditions. With the experimental observations, a kinetic model is formulated to describe such a homoacetogenic process. The maximum homoacetogenic rate (k(m,homo)) is estimated to be 28.5 ± 1.7 kg COD kg⁻¹ COD day⁻¹ with an uptake affinity constant of 3.7 × 10⁻⁵± 3.1 × 10⁻⁶kg COD m⁻³. The improved calculation of homoacetogenic kinetics by our approach could correct the underestimation of homoacetogenesis in anaerobic fermentation processes, as it often occurs in these systems supported by literature analysis. The model predictions match the experimental results in different cases well and provide insights into the dynamics of anaerobic glucose conversion and acetate production. Furthermore, acetate production via homoacetogenesis increases by about 40% through utilizing the fed-batch coupling system, attributed to a balance between the hydrogen production in the acetogenesis phase and the hydrogen consumption in the homoacetogenesis phase. This work provides an effective way for increased anaerobic acetate production, and gives us a better understanding about the homoacetogenic kinetics in the anaerobic fermentation process. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Confirmation in Couples' Communication about Weight Management: An Analysis of How Both Partners Contribute to Individuals' Health Behaviors and Conversational Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dailey, Rene M.; Romo, Lynsey Kluever; Thompson, Charee Mooney

2011-01-01

Using confirmation theory, this study investigated how romantic couples' (N = 100) accepting and challenging communication was associated with several weight management (WM) outcomes (i.e., partners' general effectiveness in motivating each other to enact healthy behaviors, productivity of WM conversations, and diet and exercise behaviors).…

Parameter study of dual-mode space nuclear fission solid core power and propulsion systems, NUROC3A. AMS report No. 1239c

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, W.W.; Layton, J.P.

1976-09-13

The three-volume report describes a dual-mode nuclear space power and propulsion system concept that employs an advanced solid-core nuclear fission reactor coupled via heat pipes to one of several electric power conversion systems. The NUROC3A systems analysis code was designed to provide the user with performance characteristics of the dual-mode system. Volume 3 describes utilization of the NUROC3A code to produce a detailed parameter study of the system.

System and methods for reducing harmonic distortion in electrical converters

DOEpatents

Kajouke, Lateef A; Perisic, Milun; Ransom, Ray M

2013-12-03

Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy using an energy conversion module. An exemplary method for delivering energy from an input interface to an output interface using an energy converison module coupled between the input interface and the output interface comprises the steps of determining an input voltage reference for the input interface based on a desired output voltage and a measured voltage and the output interface, determining a duty cycle control value based on a ratio of the input voltage reference and the measured voltage, operating one or more switching elements of the energy conversion module to deliver energy from the input interface to the output interface to the output interface with a duty cycle influenced by the dute cycle control value.

Novel insights into the mechanism of the ortho/para spin conversion of hydrogen pairs: implications for catalysis and interstellar water.

PubMed

Limbach, Hans-Heinrich; Buntkowsky, Gerd; Matthes, Jochen; Gründemann, Stefan; Pery, Tal; Walaszek, Bernadeta; Chaudret, Bruno

2006-03-13

The phenomenon of exchange coupling is taken into account in the description of the magnetic nuclear spin conversion between bound ortho- and para-dihydrogen. This conversion occurs without bond breaking, in contrast to the chemical spin conversion. It is shown that the exchange coupling needs to be reduced so that the corresponding exchange barrier can increase and the given magnetic interaction can effectively induce a spin conversion. The implications for related molecules such as water are discussed. For ice, a dipolar magnetic conversion and for liquid water a chemical conversion are predicted to occur within the millisecond timescale. It follows that a separation of water into its spin isomers, as proposed by Tikhonov and Volkov (Science 2002, 296, 2363), is not feasible. Nuclear spin temperatures of water vapor in comets, which are smaller than the gas-phase equilibrium temperatures, are proposed to be diagnostic for the temperature of the ice or the dust surface from which the water was released.

Comparison of eigenvectors for coupled seismo-electromagnetic layered-Earth modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grobbe, N.; Slob, E. C.; Thorbecke, J. W.

2016-07-01

We study the accuracy and numerical stability of three eigenvector sets for modelling the coupled poroelastic and electromagnetic layered-Earth response. We use a known eigenvector set, its flux-normalized version and a newly derived flux-normalized set. The new set is chosen such that the system is properly uncoupled when the coupling between the poroelastic and electromagnetic fields vanishes. We carry out two different numerical stability tests: the first test focuses on the internal system, eigenvector and eigenvalue consistency; the second test investigates the stability and preciseness of the flux-normalized systems by looking at identity relations. We find that the known set shows the largest deviation for both tests, whereas the new set performs best. In two additional numerical modelling experiments, these numerical inaccuracies are shown to generate numerical noise levels comparable to small signals, such as signals coming from the important interface conversion responses, especially when the coupling coefficient is small. When coupling vanishes completely, the known set does not produce proper results. The new set produces numerically stable and accurate results in all situations. We therefore strongly recommend to use this newly derived set for future layered-Earth seismo-electromagnetic modelling experiments.

A comparison of Stirling engines for use with a 25 kW dish-electric conversion system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaltens, Richard K.

1987-01-01

Two designs for an advanced Stirling conversion system (ASCS) are described. The objective of the ASCS is to generate about 25 kW of electric power to an electric utility grid at an engine/alternator target cost of $300.00/kW at the manufacturing rate of 10,000 unit/yr. Both designs contain a free-piston Stirling engine (FPSE), a heat transport system, solar receiver, a means to generate electric power, the necessary auxiliaries, and a control system. The major differences between the two concepts are: one uses a 25 kWe single-piston FPSE which incorporates a linear alternator to directly convert the energy to electricity on the utility grid; and in the second design, electrical power is generated indirectly using a hydraulic output to a ground based hydraulic motor coupled to a rotating alternator. Diagrams of the two designs are presented.

Optimal Number of Thermoelectric Couples in a Heat Pipe Assisted Thermoelectric Generator for Waste Heat Recovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Tongjun; Wang, Tongcai; Luan, Weiling; Cao, Qimin

2017-05-01

Waste heat recovery through thermoelectric generators is a promising way to improve energy conversion efficiency. This paper proposes a type of heat pipe assisted thermoelectric generator (HP-TEG) system. The expandable evaporator and condenser surface of the heat pipe facilitates the intensive assembly of thermoelectric (TE) modules to compose a compact device. Compared with a conventional layer structure thermoelectric generator, this system is feasible for the installment of more TE couples, thus increasing power output. To investigate the performance of the HP-TEG and the optimal number of TE couples, a theoretical model was presented and verified by experiment results. Further theoretical analysis results showed the performance of the HP-TEG could be further improved by optimizing the parameters, including the inlet air temperature, the thermal resistance of the heating section, and thermal resistance of the cooling structure. Moreover, applying a proper number of TE couples is important to acquire the best power output performance.

Theoretical Analysis of Two Novel Hybrid Thermoelectric-Photovoltaic Systems Based on Cu₂ZnSnS₄ Solar Cells.

PubMed

Lorenzi, Bruno; Contento, Gaetano; Sabatelli, Vincenzo; Rizzo, Antonella; Narducci, Dario

2017-03-01

The development and commercialization of Photovoltaic (PV) cells with good cost-efficiency trade-off not using critical raw materials (CRMs) is one of the strategies chosen by the European Community (EC) to address the Energy Roadmap 2050. In this context Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells are attracting a major interest since they have the potential to combine low price with relatively high conversion efficiencies. Although a ≈9% lab scale efficiency has already been reported for CZTS this technology is still far from being competitive in terms of cost per peak-power (€/Wp) with other common materials. One possible near-future solution to increase the CZTS competiveness comes from thermoelectrics. Actually it has already been shown that Hybrid Thermoelectric-Photovoltaic Systems (HTEPVs) based on CIGS, another kesterite very similar to CZTS, can lead to a significant efficiency improvement. However it has been also clarified how the optimal hybridization strategy cannot come from the simple coupling of solar cells with commercial TEGs, but special layouts have to be implemented. Furthermore, since solar cell performances are well known to decrease with temperature, thermal decoupling strategies of the PV and TEG sections have to be taken. To address these issues, we developed a model for two different HTEPV solutions, both coupled with CZTS solar cells. In the first case we considered a Thermally-Coupled HTEPV device (TC-HTEPV) in which the TEG is placed underneath the solar cell and in thermal contact with it. The second system consists instead of an Optically-Coupled but thermally decoupled device (OC-HTEPV) in which part of the solar spectrum is focused by a non-imaging optical concentrator on the TEG hot side. For both solutions the model returns conversion efficiencies higher than that of the CZTS solar cell alone. Specifically, increases of ≈30% are predicted for both kind of systems considered.

Construction of a 1 MeV Electron Accelerator for High Precision Beta Decay Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longfellow, Brenden

2014-09-01

Beta decay energy calibration for detectors is typically established using conversion sources. However, the calibration points from conversion sources are not evenly distributed over the beta energy spectrum and the foil backing of the conversion sources produces perturbations in the calibration spectrum. To improve this, an external, tunable electron beam coupled by a magnetic field can be used to calibrate the detector. The 1 MeV electron accelerator in development at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) utilizes a pelletron charging system. The electron gun shoots 104 electrons per second with an energy range of 50 keV to 1 MeV and is pulsed at a 10 kHz rate with a few ns width. The magnetic field in the spectrometer is 1 T and guiding fields of 0.01 to 0.05 T for the electron gun are used to produce a range of pitch angles. This accelerator can be used to calibrate detectors evenly over its energy range and determine the detector response over a range of pitch angles. Beta decay energy calibration for detectors is typically established using conversion sources. However, the calibration points from conversion sources are not evenly distributed over the beta energy spectrum and the foil backing of the conversion sources produces perturbations in the calibration spectrum. To improve this, an external, tunable electron beam coupled by a magnetic field can be used to calibrate the detector. The 1 MeV electron accelerator in development at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) utilizes a pelletron charging system. The electron gun shoots 104 electrons per second with an energy range of 50 keV to 1 MeV and is pulsed at a 10 kHz rate with a few ns width. The magnetic field in the spectrometer is 1 T and guiding fields of 0.01 to 0.05 T for the electron gun are used to produce a range of pitch angles. This accelerator can be used to calibrate detectors evenly over its energy range and determine the detector response over a range of pitch angles. TUNL REU Program.

Conversion of stranded waste-stream carbon and nutrients into value-added products via metabolically coupled binary heterotroph-photoautotroph system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bohutskyi, Pavlo; Kucek, Leo A.; Hill, Eric

Metabolic flexibility and robustness of phototroph- heterotroph co-cultures provide a flexible binary engineering platform for a variety of biotechnological and environmental applications. Here, we metabolically coupled a heterotrophic bacterium Bacillus subtilis with astaxanthin producing alga Haematococcus pluvialis and successfully applied this binary co-culture for conversion of the starch-rich waste stream into valuable astaxanthin-rich biomass. Importantly, the implemented system required less mass transfer of CO2 and O2 due to in-situ exchange between heterotroph and phototroph, which can contribute to reduction in energy consumption for wastewater treatment. In addition, the maximum reduction in chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and phosphorus reached 65%,more » 55% and 30%, respectively. The preliminary economic analysis indicated that realization of produced biomass with 0.8% astaxanthin content may generate annual revenues of $3.2M (baseline scenario) from treatment of wastewater (1,090 m3/day) from a potato processing plant. Moreover, the revenues may be increased up to $18.2M for optimized scenario with astaxanthin content in algae of 2%. This work demonstrates a successful proof-of-principle for conversion of waste carbon and nutrients into targeted value-added products through metabolic connection of heterotrophic and phototrophic organisms. Utilization of heterotrophic-algal binary cultures opens new perspectives for designing highly-efficient production processes for feedstock biomass production as well as allows utilization of variety of organic agricultural, chemical, or municipal wastes.« less

How coupling affects closely packed rectenna arrays used for wireless power transmission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walls, Deidra; Choi, Sang H.; Yoon, Hargsoon; Geddis, Demetris; Song, Kyo D.

2017-04-01

The development of power transmission by microwave beam power harvesting attracts manufactures for use of wireless power transmission. Optimizing maximum conversion efficiency is affected by many design parameters, and has been mainly focused previously. Combining several rectennas in one array potentially aides in the amount of microwave energy that can be harvested for energy conversion. Closely packed rectenna arrays is the result of the demand to minimize size and weight for flexibility. This paper specifically focuses on the coupling effects on power; mutual coupling, comparing sparameters and gain total while varying effective parameters. This paper investigates how coupling between each dipole positively and negatively affects the microwave energy, harvesting, and the design limitations.

Palladium-catalyzed Kumada coupling reaction of bromoporphyrins with silylmethyl Grignard reagents: preparation of silylmethyl-substituted porphyrins as a multipurpose synthon for fabrication of porphyrin systems.

PubMed

Sugita, Noriaki; Hayashi, Satoshi; Hino, Fumio; Takanami, Toshikatsu

2012-12-07

We have developed an efficient method for preparing silylmethyl-substituted porphyrins via the palladium-catalyzed Kumada cross-coupling reaction of bromoporphyrins with silylmethyl Grignard reagents. We demonstrated the synthetic utility of these silylmethylporphyrins as a multipurpose synthon for fabricating porphyrin derivatives through a variety of transformations of the silylmethyl groups, including the DDQ-promoted oxidative conversion to CHO, CH(2)OH, CH(2)OMe, and CH(2)F functionalities and the fluoride ion-mediated desilylative introduction of carbon-carbon single and double bonds.

Analysis of high voltage step-up nonisolated DC-DC boost converters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alisson Alencar Freitas, Antônio; Lessa Tofoli, Fernando; Junior, Edilson Mineiro Sá; Daher, Sergio; Antunes, Fernando Luiz Marcelo

2016-05-01

A high voltage step-up nonisolated DC-DC converter based on coupled inductors suitable to photovoltaic (PV) systems applications is proposed in this paper. Considering that numerous approaches exist to extend the voltage conversion ratio of DC-DC converters that do not use transformers, a detailed comparison is also presented among the proposed converter and other popular topologies such as the conventional boost converter and the quadratic boost converter. The qualitative analysis of the coupled-inductor-based topology is developed so that a design procedure can be obtained, from which an experimental prototype is implemented to validate the theoretical assumptions.

Direct Imaging of Radionuclide-Produced Electrons and Positrons with an Ultrathin Phosphor

PubMed Central

Chen, Liying; Gobar, Lisa S.; Knowles, Negar G.; Liu, Zhonglin; Gmitro, Arthur F.; Barrett, Harrison H.

2008-01-01

Current electron detectors are either unable to image in vivo or lack sufficient spatial resolution because of electron scattering in thick detector materials. This study was aimed at developing a sensitive high-resolution system capable of detecting electron-emitting isotopes in vivo. Methods The system uses a lens-coupled charge-coupled-device camera to capture the scintillation light excited by an electron-emitting object near an ultrathin phosphor. The spatial resolution and sensitivity of the system were measured with a 3.7-kBq 90Y/90Sr β-source and a 70-µm resin bead labeled with 99mTc. Finally, we imaged the 99mTc-pertechnetate concentration in the mandibular gland of a mouse in vivo. Results Useful images were obtained with only a few hundred emitted β particles from the 90Y/90Sr source or conversion electrons from the 99mTc bead source. The in vivo image showed a clear profile of the mandibular gland and many fine details with exposures of as low as 30 s. All measurements were consistent with a spatial resolution of about 50 µm, corresponding to 2.5 detector pixels with the current camera. Conclusion Our new electron-imaging system can image electron-emitting isotope distributions at high resolution and sensitivity. The system is useful for in vivo imaging of small animals and small, exposed regions on humans. The ability to image β particles, positrons, and conversion electrons makes the system applicable to most isotopes. PMID:18552136

A Summary of Closed Brayton Cycle Development Activities at NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mason, Lee S.

2009-01-01

NASA has been involved in the development of Closed Brayton Cycle (CBC) power conversion technology since the 1960's. CBC systems can be coupled to reactor, isotope, or solar heat sources and offer the potential for high efficiency, long life, and scalability to high power. In the 1960's and 1970's, NASA and industry developed the 10 kW Brayton Rotating Unit (BRU) and the 2 kW mini-BRU demonstrating technical feasibility and performance, In the 1980's, a 25 kW CBC Solar Dynamic (SD) power system option was developed for Space Station Freedom and the technology was demonstrated in the 1990's as part of the 2 kW SO Ground Test Demonstration (GTD). Since the early 2000's, NASA has been pursuing CBC technology for space reactor applications. Before it was cancelled, the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (HMO) mission was considering a 100 kWclass CBC system coupled to a gas-cooled fission reactor. Currently, CBC technology is being explored for Fission Surface Power (FSP) systems to provide base power on the moon and Mars. These recent activities have resulted in several CBC-related technology development projects including a 50 kW Alternator Test Unit, a 20 kW Dual Brayton Test Loop, a 2 kW Direct Drive Gas Brayton Test Loop, and a 12 kW FSP Power Conversion Unit design.

Analysis of spectral light guidance in specialty fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmer, Arne W.; Raithel, Philipp; Belz, Mathias; Klein, Karl-Friedrich

2016-04-01

A novel experimental set-up for measuring the spectral dependency of light-guidance of specialty non-active multimodefibers will be introduced. Light coupling into the test fiber is realized and controlled with a micro-structured single mode (SM) fiber and an image-system based on a microscope objective The far- and near-field profiles of the SM-fiber will be shown. The inverse far field method is modified and improved by using three wavelengths simultaneously under the same input conditions; the coupling conditions into the test-fiber and the far- and near-field at fiber output are observed with cameras. The numerical aperture (NA) and mode-conversion or focal-ratio-degradation (FRD) are measured in respect to wavelength at three wavelengths in the VIS region. For the analysis, the patterns are captured at varying exposure times to increase the dynamic range and finally analyzed using image processing methods. Characteristic parameters, such as skew mode propagation and ray-conversion, of circular and non-circular MM-fibers will be discussed, taking the surface roughness into account.

Achieving Simultaneous CO2 and H2 S Conversion via a Coupled Solar-Driven Electrochemical Approach on Non-Precious-Metal Catalysts.

PubMed

Ma, Weiguang; Wang, Hong; Yu, Wei; Wang, Xiaomei; Xu, Zhiqiang; Zong, Xu; Li, Can

2018-03-19

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) are generally concomitant with methane (CH 4 ) in natural gas and traditionally deemed useless or even harmful. Developing strategies that can simultaneously convert both CO 2 and H 2 S into value-added products is attractive; however it has not received enough attention. A solar-driven electrochemical process is demonstrated using graphene-encapsulated zinc oxide catalyst for CO 2 reduction and graphene catalyst for H 2 S oxidation mediated by EDTA-Fe 2+ /EDTA-Fe 3+ redox couples. The as-prepared solar-driven electrochemical system can realize the simultaneous conversion of CO 2 and H 2 S into carbon monoxide and elemental sulfur at near neutral conditions with high stability and selectivity. This conceptually provides an alternative avenue for the purification of natural gas with added economic and environmental benefits. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Highly efficient and tunable spin-to-charge conversion through Rashba coupling at oxide interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lesne, E.; Fu, Yu; Oyarzun, S.; Rojas-Sánchez, J. C.; Vaz, D. C.; Naganuma, H.; Sicoli, G.; Attané, J.-P.; Jamet, M.; Jacquet, E.; George, J.-M.; Barthélémy, A.; Jaffrès, H.; Fert, A.; Bibes, M.; Vila, L.

2016-12-01

The spin-orbit interaction couples the electrons’ motion to their spin. As a result, a charge current running through a material with strong spin-orbit coupling generates a transverse spin current (spin Hall effect, SHE) and vice versa (inverse spin Hall effect, ISHE). The emergence of SHE and ISHE as charge-to-spin interconversion mechanisms offers a variety of novel spintronic functionalities and devices, some of which do not require any ferromagnetic material. However, the interconversion efficiency of SHE and ISHE (spin Hall angle) is a bulk property that rarely exceeds ten percent, and does not take advantage of interfacial and low-dimensional effects otherwise ubiquitous in spintronic hetero- and mesostructures. Here, we make use of an interface-driven spin-orbit coupling mechanism--the Rashba effect--in the oxide two-dimensional electron system (2DES) LaAlO3/SrTiO3 to achieve spin-to-charge conversion with unprecedented efficiency. Through spin pumping, we inject a spin current from a NiFe film into the oxide 2DES and detect the resulting charge current, which can be strongly modulated by a gate voltage. We discuss the amplitude of the effect and its gate dependence on the basis of the electronic structure of the 2DES and highlight the importance of a long scattering time to achieve efficient spin-to-charge interconversion.

2000W high beam quality diode laser for direct materials processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Wen-bin; Liu, You-qiang; Cao, Yin-hua; Gao, Jing; Pan, Fei; Wang, Zhi-yong

2011-11-01

This article describes high beam quality and kilowatt-class diode laser system for direct materials processing, using optical design software ZEMAX® to simulate the diode laser optical path, including the beam shaping, collimation, coupling, focus, etc.. In the experiment, the diode laser stack of 808nm and the diode laser stack of 915nm were used for the wavelength coupling, which were built vertical stacks up to 16 bars. The threshold current of the stack is 6.4A, the operating current is 85A and the output power is 1280W. Through experiments, after collimating the diode laser beam with micro-lenses, the fast axis BPP of the stack is less than 60mm.mrad, and the slow-axis BPP of the stack is less than 75mm.mrad. After shaping the laser beam and improving the beam quality, the fast axis BPP of the stack is still 60mm.mrad, and the slow-axis BPP of the stack is less than 19mm.mrad. After wavelength coupling and focusing, ultimately the power of 2150W was obtained, focal spot size of 1.5mm * 1.2mm with focal length 300mm. The laser power density is 1.2×105W/cm2, and that can be used for metal remelting, alloying, cladding and welding. The total optical coupling conversion efficiency is 84%, and the total electrical - optical conversion efficiency is 50%.

Bi-directional four quadrant (BDQ4) power converter development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwarz, F. C.

1979-01-01

The feasibility for implementation of a concept for direct ac/dc multikilowatt power conversion with bidirectional transfer of energy was investigated. A 10 kHz current carrier was derived directly from a common 60 Hz three phase power system. This carrier was modulated to remove the 360 Hz ripple, inherent in the three phase power supply and then demodulated and processed by a high frequency filter. The resulting dc power was then supplied to a load. The process was implemented without the use of low frequency transformers and filters. This power conversion processes was reversible and can operate in the four quadrants as viewed from any of the two of the converter's ports. Areas of application include: power systems on air and spacecraft; terrestrial traction; integration of solar and wind powered systems with utility networks; HVDC; asynchronous coupling of polyphase networks; heat treatment; industrial machine drives; and power supplies for any use including instrumentation.

Electron magnetic reconnection without ion coupling in Earth's turbulent magnetosheath

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phan, T. D.; Eastwood, J. P.; Shay, M. A.; Drake, J. F.; Sonnerup, B. U. Ö.; Fujimoto, M.; Cassak, P. A.; Øieroset, M.; Burch, J. L.; Torbert, R. B.; Rager, A. C.; Dorelli, J. C.; Gershman, D. J.; Pollock, C.; Pyakurel, P. S.; Haggerty, C. C.; Khotyaintsev, Y.; Lavraud, B.; Saito, Y.; Oka, M.; Ergun, R. E.; Retino, A.; Le Contel, O.; Argall, M. R.; Giles, B. L.; Moore, T. E.; Wilder, F. D.; Strangeway, R. J.; Russell, C. T.; Lindqvist, P. A.; Magnes, W.

2018-05-01

Magnetic reconnection in current sheets is a magnetic-to-particle energy conversion process that is fundamental to many space and laboratory plasma systems. In the standard model of reconnection, this process occurs in a minuscule electron-scale diffusion region1,2. On larger scales, ions couple to the newly reconnected magnetic-field lines and are ejected away from the diffusion region in the form of bi-directional ion jets at the ion Alfvén speed3-5. Much of the energy conversion occurs in spatially extended ion exhausts downstream of the diffusion region6. In turbulent plasmas, which contain a large number of small-scale current sheets, reconnection has long been suggested to have a major role in the dissipation of turbulent energy at kinetic scales7-11. However, evidence for reconnection plasma jetting in small-scale turbulent plasmas has so far been lacking. Here we report observations made in Earth's turbulent magnetosheath region (downstream of the bow shock) of an electron-scale current sheet in which diverging bi-directional super-ion-Alfvénic electron jets, parallel electric fields and enhanced magnetic-to-particle energy conversion were detected. Contrary to the standard model of reconnection, the thin reconnecting current sheet was not embedded in a wider ion-scale current layer and no ion jets were detected. Observations of this and other similar, but unidirectional, electron jet events without signatures of ion reconnection reveal a form of reconnection that can drive turbulent energy transfer and dissipation in electron-scale current sheets without ion coupling.

Electron magnetic reconnection without ion coupling in Earth's turbulent magnetosheath.

PubMed

Phan, T D; Eastwood, J P; Shay, M A; Drake, J F; Sonnerup, B U Ö; Fujimoto, M; Cassak, P A; Øieroset, M; Burch, J L; Torbert, R B; Rager, A C; Dorelli, J C; Gershman, D J; Pollock, C; Pyakurel, P S; Haggerty, C C; Khotyaintsev, Y; Lavraud, B; Saito, Y; Oka, M; Ergun, R E; Retino, A; Le Contel, O; Argall, M R; Giles, B L; Moore, T E; Wilder, F D; Strangeway, R J; Russell, C T; Lindqvist, P A; Magnes, W

2018-05-01

Magnetic reconnection in current sheets is a magnetic-to-particle energy conversion process that is fundamental to many space and laboratory plasma systems. In the standard model of reconnection, this process occurs in a minuscule electron-scale diffusion region 1,2 . On larger scales, ions couple to the newly reconnected magnetic-field lines and are ejected away from the diffusion region in the form of bi-directional ion jets at the ion Alfvén speed 3-5 . Much of the energy conversion occurs in spatially extended ion exhausts downstream of the diffusion region 6 . In turbulent plasmas, which contain a large number of small-scale current sheets, reconnection has long been suggested to have a major role in the dissipation of turbulent energy at kinetic scales 7-11 . However, evidence for reconnection plasma jetting in small-scale turbulent plasmas has so far been lacking. Here we report observations made in Earth's turbulent magnetosheath region (downstream of the bow shock) of an electron-scale current sheet in which diverging bi-directional super-ion-Alfvénic electron jets, parallel electric fields and enhanced magnetic-to-particle energy conversion were detected. Contrary to the standard model of reconnection, the thin reconnecting current sheet was not embedded in a wider ion-scale current layer and no ion jets were detected. Observations of this and other similar, but unidirectional, electron jet events without signatures of ion reconnection reveal a form of reconnection that can drive turbulent energy transfer and dissipation in electron-scale current sheets without ion coupling.

Direct Coupling of Thermo- and Photocatalysis for Conversion of CO2 -H2 O into Fuels.

PubMed

Zhang, Li; Kong, Guoguo; Meng, Yaping; Tian, Jinshu; Zhang, Lijie; Wan, Shaolong; Lin, Jingdong; Wang, Yong

2017-12-08

Photocatalytic CO 2 reduction into renewable hydrocarbon solar fuels is considered as a promising strategy to simultaneously address global energy and environmental issues. This study focused on the direct coupling of photocatalytic water splitting and thermocatalytic hydrogenation of CO 2 in the conversion of CO 2 -H 2 O into fuels. Specifically, it was found that direct coupling of thermo- and photocatalysis over Au-Ru/TiO 2 leads to activity 15 times higher (T=358 K; ca. 99 % CH 4 selectivity) in the conversion of CO 2 -H 2 O into fuels than that of photocatalytic water splitting. This is ascribed to the promoting effect of thermocatalytic hydrogenation of CO 2 by hydrogen atoms generated in situ by photocatalytic water splitting. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Apparatuses and method for converting electromagnetic radiation to direct current

DOEpatents

Kotter, Dale K; Novack, Steven D

2014-09-30

An energy conversion device may include a first antenna and a second antenna configured to generate an AC current responsive to incident radiation, at least one stripline, and a rectifier coupled with the at least one stripline along a length of the at least one stripline. An energy conversion device may also include an array of nanoantennas configured to generate an AC current in response to receiving incident radiation. Each nanoantenna of the array includes a pair of resonant elements, and a shared rectifier operably coupled to the pair of resonant elements, the shared rectifier configured to convert the AC current to a DC current. The energy conversion device may further include a bus structure operably coupled with the array of nanoantennas and configured to receive the DC current from the array of nanoantennas and transmit the DC current away from the array of nanoantennas.

Nonreciprocal Transverse Photonic Spin and Magnetization-Induced Electromagnetic Spin-Orbit Coupling

PubMed Central

Levy, Miguel; Karki, Dolendra

2017-01-01

We present a formulation of electromagnetic spin-orbit coupling in magneto-optic media, and propose an alternative source of spin-orbit coupling to non-paraxial optics vortices. Our treatment puts forth a formulation of nonreciprocal transverse-spin angular-momentum-density shifts for evanescent waves in magneto-optic waveguide media. It shows that magnetization-induced electromagnetic spin-orbit coupling is possible, and that it leads to unequal spin to orbital angular momentum conversion in magneto-optic media evanescent waves in opposite propagation-directions. Generation of free-space helicoidal beams based on this conversion is shown to be spin-helicity- and magnetization-dependent. We show that transverse-spin to orbital angular momentum coupling into magneto-optic waveguide media engenders spin-helicity-dependent unidirectional propagation. This unidirectional effect produces different orbital angular momenta in opposite directions upon excitation-spin-helicity reversals. PMID:28059120

Testing of an Integrated Reactor Core Simulator and Power Conversion System with Simulated Reactivity Feedback

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bragg-Sitton, Shannon M.; Hervol, David S.; Godfroy, Thomas J.

2009-01-01

A Direct Drive Gas-Cooled (DDG) reactor core simulator has been coupled to a Brayton Power Conversion Unit (BPCU) for integrated system testing at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, OH. This is a closed-cycle system that incorporates an electrically heated reactor core module, turbo alternator, recuperator, and gas cooler. Nuclear fuel elements in the gas-cooled reactor design are replaced with electric resistance heaters to simulate the heat from nuclear fuel in the corresponding fast spectrum nuclear reactor. The thermodynamic transient behavior of the integrated system was the focus of this test series. In order to better mimic the integrated response of the nuclear-fueled system, a simulated reactivity feedback control loop was implemented. Core power was controlled by a point kinetics model in which the reactivity feedback was based on core temperature measurements; the neutron generation time and the temperature feedback coefficient are provided as model inputs. These dynamic system response tests demonstrate the overall capability of a non-nuclear test facility in assessing system integration issues and characterizing integrated system response times and response characteristics.

Testing of an Integrated Reactor Core Simulator and Power Conversion System with Simulated Reactivity Feedback

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bragg-Sitton, Shannon M.; Hervol, David S.; Godfroy, Thomas J.

2010-01-01

A Direct Drive Gas-Cooled (DDG) reactor core simulator has been coupled to a Brayton Power Conversion Unit (BPCU) for integrated system testing at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio. This is a closed-cycle system that incorporates an electrically heated reactor core module, turboalternator, recuperator, and gas cooler. Nuclear fuel elements in the gas-cooled reactor design are replaced with electric resistance heaters to simulate the heat from nuclear fuel in the corresponding fast spectrum nuclear reactor. The thermodynamic transient behavior of the integrated system was the focus of this test series. In order to better mimic the integrated response of the nuclear-fueled system, a simulated reactivity feedback control loop was implemented. Core power was controlled by a point kinetics model in which the reactivity feedback was based on core temperature measurements; the neutron generation time and the temperature feedback coefficient are provided as model inputs. These dynamic system response tests demonstrate the overall capability of a non-nuclear test facility in assessing system integration issues and characterizing integrated system response times and response characteristics.

Energy conversion and storage program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cairns, E. J.

1992-03-01

The Energy Conversion and Storage Program applies chemistry and materials science principles to solve problems in: (1) production of new synthetic fuels; (2) development of high-performance rechargeable batteries and fuel cells; (3) development of advanced thermochemical processes for energy conversion; (4) characterization of complex chemical processes; and (5) application of novel materials for energy conversion and transmission. Projects focus on transport-process principles, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, separation processes, organic and physical chemistry, novel materials, and advanced methods of analysis. Electrochemistry research aims to develop advanced power systems for electric vehicle and stationary energy storage applications. Topics include identification of new electrochemical couples for advanced rechargeable batteries, improvements in battery and fuel-cell materials, and the establishment of engineering principles applicable to electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Chemical Applications research includes topics such as separations, catalysis, fuels, and chemical analyses. Included in this program area are projects to develop improved, energy-efficient methods for processing waste streams from synfuel plants and coal gasifiers. Other research projects seek to identify and characterize the constituents of liquid fuel-system streams and to devise energy-efficient means for their separation. Materials Applications research includes the evaluation of the properties of advanced materials, as well as the development of novel preparation techniques. For example, the use of advanced techniques, such as sputtering and laser ablation, are being used to produce high-temperature superconducting films.

Frontal Conversion and Uniformity in 3D Printing by Photopolymerisation

PubMed Central

Vitale, Alessandra; Cabral, João T.

2016-01-01

We investigate the impact of the non-uniform spatio-temporal conversion, intrinsic to photopolymerisation, in the context of light-driven 3D printing of polymers. The polymerisation kinetics of a series of model acrylate and thiol-ene systems, both neat and doped with a light-absorbing dye, is investigated experimentally and analysed according to a descriptive coarse-grained model for photopolymerisation. In particular, we focus on the relative kinetics of polymerisation with those of 3D printing, by comparing the evolution of the position of the conversion profile (zf) to the sequential displacement of the object stage (∆z). After quantifying the characteristic sigmoidal monomer-to-polymer conversion of the various systems, with a combination of patterning experiments, FT-IR mapping, and modelling, we compute representative regimes for which zf is smaller, commensurate with, or larger than ∆z. While non-monotonic conversion can be detrimental to 3D printing, for instance in causing differential shrinkage of inhomogeneity in material properties, we identify opportunities for facile fabrication of modulated materials in the z-direction (i.e., along the illuminated axis). Our simple framework and model, based on directly measured parameters, can thus be employed in photopolymerisation-based 3D printing, both in process optimisation and in the precise design of complex, internally stratified materials by coupling the z-stage displacement and frontal polymerisation kinetics. PMID:28773881

NAVFAC Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Project; OTEC System Design Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-11-16

191 Figure 3-129. Web illustration of a magnetically coupled pump ...............................................192 Figure 3-130...utility air at a suitable water dew point. Two 100% capacity rotary screw compressors, dryer and receiver shall be installed to serve process and...remora centerline, with positive TCG out of the paper and negative TCG into the paper . The CG of the remora in its vertical orientation is

Nature-Inspired Design of Artificial Solar-to-Fuel Conversion Systems based on Copper Phosphate Microflowers.

PubMed

Wang, Jing; Zhu, Ting; Ho, Ghim Wei

2016-07-07

Phosphates play significant roles in plant photosynthesis by mediating electron transportation and furnishing energy for CO2 reduction. Motivated by this, we demonstrate herein an artificial solar-to-fuel conversion system, involving versatile copper phosphate microflowers as template and titanium dioxide nanoparticles as host photocatalyst. The elaborate flowerlike architectures, coupled with a unique proton-reduction cycle from interchangeability of different species of orthophosphate ions, not only offer a 2D nanosheet platform for an optimal heterostructure interface but also effectively augment charge-carrier transfer, thereby contributing to enhanced photoactivity and hydrogen generation. These nature-inspired, phosphate-derived nanocomposites advance the synthesis of a large variety of functional materials, which holds great potential for photochemical, photoelectric and catalytic applications. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Quantum optics in a high impedance environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puertas, Javier; Gheeraert, Nicolas; Krupko, Yuriy; Dassonneville, Remy; Planat, Luca; Foroughui, Farshad; Naud, Cecile; Guichard, Wiebke; Buisson, Olivier; Florens, Serge; Roch, Nicolas; Snyman, Izak

Understanding light matter interaction remains a key topic in fundamental physics. Its strength is imposed by the fine structure constant, α. For most atomic and molecular systems α =e2/ℏc 4 πɛo = 1 / 137 << 1 , giving weak interactions. When dealing with superconducting artificial atoms, α is either proportional to 1 /Zc (magnetic coupling) or Zc (electric coupling), where Zc is the characteristic impedance of the environment. Recent experiments followed the first approach, coupling a flux qubit to a low impedance environment, demonstrating strong interaction (α 1). In our work, we reached the large α regime, following a complementary approach: we couple electrically a transmon qubit to an array of 5000 SQUIDs. This metamaterial provides high characteristic impedance ( 3 kΩ), in-situ flux tunability and full control over its dispersion relation. In this new regime, all usual approximations break down and new phenomena such as frequency conversion at the single photon level are expected.

The Canadian Experience: Implications for Metric Conversion in Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chalupsky, Albert B.; And Others

The findings of a study of metric conversion in Canada are reported, with special attention to its impact on education. Some 40 interviews with metric education leaders in 8 provinces, coupled with an extensive review of documents and correspondence with key individuals in metric conversion throughout Canada, served as the information source for…

Advanced refractory metals and composites for extraterrestrial power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Titran, R. H.; Grobstein, Toni L.

1990-01-01

Concepts for future space power systems include nuclear and focused solar heat sources coupled to static and dynamic power-conversion devices; such systems must be designed for service lives as long as 30 years, despite service temperatures of the order of 1600 K. Materials are a critical technology-development factor in such aspects of these systems as reactor fuel containment, environmental protection, power management, and thermal management. Attention is given to the prospective performance of such refractory metals as Nb, W, and Mo alloys, W fiber-reinforced Nb-matrix composites, and HfC precipitate-strengthened W-Re alloys.

High-efficiency second harmonic generation from a single hybrid ZnO nanowire/Au plasmonic nano-oligomer.

PubMed

Grinblat, Gustavo; Rahmani, Mohsen; Cortés, Emiliano; Caldarola, Martín; Comedi, David; Maier, Stefan A; Bragas, Andrea V

2014-11-12

We introduce a plasmonic-semiconductor hybrid nanosystem, consisting of a ZnO nanowire coupled to a gold pentamer oligomer by crossing the hot-spot. It is demonstrated that the hybrid system exhibits a second harmonic (SH) conversion efficiency of ∼3 × 10(-5)%, which is among the highest values for a nanoscale object at optical frequencies reported so far. The SH intensity was found to be ∼1700 times larger than that from the same nanowire excited outside the hot-spot. Placing high nonlinear susceptibility materials precisely in plasmonic confined-field regions to enhance SH generation opens new perspectives for highly efficient light frequency up-conversion on the nanoscale.

Electron Bernstein Wave Studies in MST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seltzman, Andrew; Anderson, Jay; Forest, Cary; Nonn, Paul; Thomas, Mark; Reusch, Joshua; Hendries, Eric

2013-10-01

The overdense condition in a RFP prevents electromagnetic waves from propagating past the extreme edge. However use of the electron Bernstein wave (EBW) has the potential to heat and drive current in the plasma. MHD simulations have demonstrated that resistive tearing mode stability is very sensitive to the gradient in the edge current density profile, allowing EBW current drive to influence and potentially stabilize tearing mode activity. Coupling between the X-mode and Bernstein waves is strongly dependent on the edge density gradient. The effects on coupling of plasma density, magnetic field strength, antenna radial position and launch polarization have been examined. Coupling as high as 90% has been observed. Construction of a 450 kw RF source is complete and initial experimental results will be reported. The power and energy of this auxiliary system should be sufficient for several scientific purposes, including verifying mode conversion, EBW propagation and absorption in high beta plasmas. Target plasmas in the 300-400 kA range will be heated near the reversal surface, potentially allowing mode control, while target plasmas in the 250 kA range will allow heating near the core, allowing better observation of heating effects. Heating and heat pulse propagation experiments are planned, as well as probing the stability of parametric decay during mode conversion, at moderate injected power. Work supported by USDOE.

Endogenous influences on anammox and sulfocompound-oxidizing autotrophic denitrification coupling system (A/SAD) and dynamic operating strategy.

PubMed

Sun, Xinbo; Du, Lingfeng; Hou, Yuqian; Cheng, Shaoju; Zhang, Xuxiang; Liu, Bo

2018-02-21

The anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) and sulfocompound-oxidizing autotrophic denitrification coupling system (A/SAD) was initiated in an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor for nitrogen removal from high-strength wastewater. Owing to cooperation between anammox and partial sulfocompound-oxidation autotrophic denitrification coupling system (PSAD), the highest nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE) of 98.1% ± 0.4% achieved at the optimal influent conditions of conversion efficiency of ammonium (CEA) of 55% and S 2 O 3 2- -S/NO 3 - -N (S/N) of 1.4 mol mol -1 . The activity of the short-cut sulfocompound-oxidizing autotrophic denitrification (SSAD) was also regulated to cope with dynamic CEA in the influent by changing the S/N, which was demonstrated to be effective in alleviating nitrite accumulation when the CEA was between 57% and 61%. Both the anammox and SAD bacteria enriched in the reactor after long-term incubation. Candidatus Brocadia and Candidatus Jettenia might be potentially contributing the most to anammox, while the Thiobacillus was the dominant taxa related to SAD. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Preliminary design of an advanced Stirling system for terrestrial solar energy conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, M. A.; Noble, J. E.; Emigh, S. G.; Ross, B. A.; Lehmann, G. A.

A preliminary design was generated for an advanced Stirling conversion system (ASCS) that will be capable of delivering about 25 kW of electric power to an electric utility grid. Stirling engines are being evaluated for terrestrial solar applications. A two-year task to complete detailed design, fabrication, assembly and testing of an ASCS prototype began in April, 1990. The ASCS is designed to deliver maximum power per year over a range of solar inputs with a design life of 30 years (60,000 h). The ACSC has a long-term cost goal of about $450 per kilowatt, exclusive of the 11-m parabolic dish concentrator. The proposed system includes a Stirling engine with high-pressure hydraulic output, coupled with a bent axis variable displacement hydraulic motor and a rotary induction generator. The major thrusts of the preliminary design are described, including material selection for the hot-end components, heat transport system (reflux pool boiler) design, system thermal response, improved manufacturability, FMECA/FTA analysis, updated manufacturing cost estimate, and predicted system performance.

Preliminary design of an advanced Stirling system for terrestrial solar energy conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

White, M. A.; Noble, J. E.; Emigh, S. G.; Ross, B. A.; Lehmann, G. A.

1990-01-01

A preliminary design was generated for an advanced Stirling conversion system (ASCS) that will be capable of delivering about 25 kW of electric power to an electric utility grid. Stirling engines are being evaluated for terrestrial solar applications. A two-year task to complete detailed design, fabrication, assembly and testing of an ASCS prototype began in April, 1990. The ASCS is designed to deliver maximum power per year over a range of solar inputs with a design life of 30 years (60,000 h). The ACSC has a long-term cost goal of about $450 per kilowatt, exclusive of the 11-m parabolic dish concentrator. The proposed system includes a Stirling engine with high-pressure hydraulic output, coupled with a bent axis variable displacement hydraulic motor and a rotary induction generator. The major thrusts of the preliminary design are described, including material selection for the hot-end components, heat transport system (reflux pool boiler) design, system thermal response, improved manufacturability, FMECA/FTA analysis, updated manufacturing cost estimate, and predicted system performance.

Random-walk enzymes.

PubMed

Mak, Chi H; Pham, Phuong; Afif, Samir A; Goodman, Myron F

2015-09-01

Enzymes that rely on random walk to search for substrate targets in a heterogeneously dispersed medium can leave behind complex spatial profiles of their catalyzed conversions. The catalytic signatures of these random-walk enzymes are the result of two coupled stochastic processes: scanning and catalysis. Here we develop analytical models to understand the conversion profiles produced by these enzymes, comparing an intrusive model, in which scanning and catalysis are tightly coupled, against a loosely coupled passive model. Diagrammatic theory and path-integral solutions of these models revealed clearly distinct predictions. Comparison to experimental data from catalyzed deaminations deposited on single-stranded DNA by the enzyme activation-induced deoxycytidine deaminase (AID) demonstrates that catalysis and diffusion are strongly intertwined, where the chemical conversions give rise to new stochastic trajectories that were absent if the substrate DNA was homogeneous. The C→U deamination profiles in both analytical predictions and experiments exhibit a strong contextual dependence, where the conversion rate of each target site is strongly contingent on the identities of other surrounding targets, with the intrusive model showing an excellent fit to the data. These methods can be applied to deduce sequence-dependent catalytic signatures of other DNA modification enzymes, with potential applications to cancer, gene regulation, and epigenetics.

Random-walk enzymes

PubMed Central

Mak, Chi H.; Pham, Phuong; Afif, Samir A.; Goodman, Myron F.

2015-01-01

Enzymes that rely on random walk to search for substrate targets in a heterogeneously dispersed medium can leave behind complex spatial profiles of their catalyzed conversions. The catalytic signatures of these random-walk enzymes are the result of two coupled stochastic processes: scanning and catalysis. Here we develop analytical models to understand the conversion profiles produced by these enzymes, comparing an intrusive model, in which scanning and catalysis are tightly coupled, against a loosely coupled passive model. Diagrammatic theory and path-integral solutions of these models revealed clearly distinct predictions. Comparison to experimental data from catalyzed deaminations deposited on single-stranded DNA by the enzyme activation-induced deoxycytidine deaminase (AID) demonstrates that catalysis and diffusion are strongly intertwined, where the chemical conversions give rise to new stochastic trajectories that were absent if the substrate DNA was homogeneous. The C → U deamination profiles in both analytical predictions and experiments exhibit a strong contextual dependence, where the conversion rate of each target site is strongly contingent on the identities of other surrounding targets, with the intrusive model showing an excellent fit to the data. These methods can be applied to deduce sequence-dependent catalytic signatures of other DNA modification enzymes, with potential applications to cancer, gene regulation, and epigenetics. PMID:26465508

Random-walk enzymes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mak, Chi H.; Pham, Phuong; Afif, Samir A.; Goodman, Myron F.

2015-09-01

Enzymes that rely on random walk to search for substrate targets in a heterogeneously dispersed medium can leave behind complex spatial profiles of their catalyzed conversions. The catalytic signatures of these random-walk enzymes are the result of two coupled stochastic processes: scanning and catalysis. Here we develop analytical models to understand the conversion profiles produced by these enzymes, comparing an intrusive model, in which scanning and catalysis are tightly coupled, against a loosely coupled passive model. Diagrammatic theory and path-integral solutions of these models revealed clearly distinct predictions. Comparison to experimental data from catalyzed deaminations deposited on single-stranded DNA by the enzyme activation-induced deoxycytidine deaminase (AID) demonstrates that catalysis and diffusion are strongly intertwined, where the chemical conversions give rise to new stochastic trajectories that were absent if the substrate DNA was homogeneous. The C →U deamination profiles in both analytical predictions and experiments exhibit a strong contextual dependence, where the conversion rate of each target site is strongly contingent on the identities of other surrounding targets, with the intrusive model showing an excellent fit to the data. These methods can be applied to deduce sequence-dependent catalytic signatures of other DNA modification enzymes, with potential applications to cancer, gene regulation, and epigenetics.

A novel method of simultaneous NH4+ and NO3- removal using Fe cycling as a catalyst: Feammox coupled with NAFO.

PubMed

Li, Xiang; Yuan, Yan; Huang, Yong; Liu, Heng-Wei; Bi, Zhen; Yuan, Yi; Yang, Peng-Bin

2018-08-01

The feasibility of using Feammox coupled with nitrate-dependent Fe(II) oxidizing (NAFO) to cause the simultaneous conversion of NH 4 + and NO 3 - was explored by inoculation with Feammox sludge and the use Fe cycling as catalyst. After 61days operation, the simultaneous conversion of NO 3 - and NH 4 + occurred with the presence of interconversion between Fe(III) and Fe(II). The conversion ratio of NH 4 + to NO 3 - stabilized at 0.9-1. The results of isotopic tracing and microbial diversity analysis indicated that NH 4 + was first oxidized to NO 2 - by Fe(III), then NO 3 - was reduced to NO 2 - and N 2 by the Fe(II) produced in Feammox process, and finally, the NO 2 - produced in NAFO process underwent an Anammox process with the remaining NH 4 + to yield N 2 . The results showed the simultaneous continuous conversion process of NO 3 - and NH 4 + with limited Fe as a catalyst was a coupled process of Feammox, Anammox, and NAFO under the anaerobic conditions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Solar fuels via artificial photosynthesis.

PubMed

Gust, Devens; Moore, Thomas A; Moore, Ana L

2009-12-21

Because sunlight is diffuse and intermittent, substantial use of solar energy to meet humanity's needs will probably require energy storage in dense, transportable media via chemical bonds. Practical, cost effective technologies for conversion of sunlight directly into useful fuels do not currently exist, and will require new basic science. Photosynthesis provides a blueprint for solar energy storage in fuels. Indeed, all of the fossil-fuel-based energy consumed today derives from sunlight harvested by photosynthetic organisms. Artificial photosynthesis research applies the fundamental scientific principles of the natural process to the design of solar energy conversion systems. These constructs use different materials, and researchers tune them to produce energy efficiently and in forms useful to humans. Fuel production via natural or artificial photosynthesis requires three main components. First, antenna/reaction center complexes absorb sunlight and convert the excitation energy to electrochemical energy (redox equivalents). Then, a water oxidation complex uses this redox potential to catalyze conversion of water to hydrogen ions, electrons stored as reducing equivalents, and oxygen. A second catalytic system uses the reducing equivalents to make fuels such as carbohydrates, lipids, or hydrogen gas. In this Account, we review a few general approaches to artificial photosynthetic fuel production that may be useful for eventually overcoming the energy problem. A variety of research groups have prepared artificial reaction center molecules. These systems contain a chromophore, such as a porphyrin, covalently linked to one or more electron acceptors, such as fullerenes or quinones, and secondary electron donors. Following the excitation of the chromophore, photoinduced electron transfer generates a primary charge-separated state. Electron transfer chains spatially separate the redox equivalents and reduce electronic coupling, slowing recombination of the charge-separated state to the point that catalysts can use the stored energy for fuel production. Antenna systems, employing a variety of chromophores that absorb light throughout the visible spectrum, have been coupled to artificial reaction centers and have incorporated control and photoprotective processes borrowed from photosynthesis. Thus far, researchers have not discovered practical solar-driven catalysts for water oxidation and fuel production that are robust and use earth-abundant elements, but they have developed artificial systems that use sunlight to produce fuel in the laboratory. For example, artificial reaction centers, where electrons are injected from a dye molecule into the conduction band of nanoparticulate titanium dioxide on a transparent electrode, coupled to catalysts, such as platinum or hydrogenase enzymes, can produce hydrogen gas. Oxidizing equivalents from such reaction centers can be coupled to iridium oxide nanoparticles, which can oxidize water. This system uses sunlight to split water to oxygen and hydrogen fuel, but efficiencies are low and an external electrical potential is required. Although attempts at artificial photosynthesis fall short of the efficiencies necessary for practical application, they illustrate that solar fuel production inspired by natural photosynthesis is achievable in the laboratory. More research will be needed to identify the most promising artificial photosynthetic systems and realize their potential.

Proof of concept of an imaging system demonstrator for PET applications with SiPM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morrocchi, Matteo; Marcatili, Sara; Belcari, Nicola; Giuseppina Bisogni, Maria; Collazuol, Gianmaria; Ambrosi, Giovanni; Santoni, Cristiano; Corsi, Francesco; Foresta, Maurizio; Marzocca, Cristoforo; Matarrese, Gianvito; Sportelli, Giancarlo; Guerra, Pedro; Santos, Andres; Del Guerra, Alberto

2013-08-01

A PET imaging system demonstrator based on LYSO crystal arrays coupled to SiPM matrices is under construction at the University and INFN of Pisa. Two SiPM matrices, composed of 8×8 SiPM pixels, and 1,5 mm pitch, have been coupled one to one to a LYSO crystals array and read out by a custom electronics system. front-end ASICs were used to read 8 channels of each matrix. Data from each front-end were multiplexed and sent to a DAQ board for the digital conversion; a motherboard collects the data and communicates with a host computer through a USB port for the storage and off-line data processing. In this paper we show the first preliminary tomographic image of a point-like radioactive source acquired with part of the two detection heads in time coincidence.

Mild aphasia: is this the place for an argument?

PubMed

Armstrong, Elizabeth; Fox, Sarah; Wilkinson, Ray

2013-05-01

Individuals with mild aphasia often report significant disruption to their communication despite seemingly minor impairment. This study explored this phenomenon through examining conversations of a person with mild aphasia engaging in argumentation--a skill she felt had significantly deteriorated after her stroke. A person with mild aphasia and her husband recorded 4 conversations involving topical issues. The discourse dynamics and lexical-grammatical content were analyzed using systemic functional linguistic (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2004) and conversation analysis (Sacks, Schegloff, & Jefferson, 1974) frameworks. The couple demonstrated similarities in the types of conversational moves, but the language of the person with aphasia was more nonspecific and simplified, manifesting in difficulties developing a logical argument and responding to the partner's line of argument. In addition, the nonaphasic speaker recurrently overlapped the aphasic speaker in order to request clarification of particular points, highlighting the types of behaviors that can occur in this form of higher level language activity. The complex argument task and the multilevel and multi-approach analysis are useful tools for examining persons with mild aphasia, revealing aspects that are often overlooked in standard tests. Treatment could incorporate more complex notions such as evaluative language and the role of overlap in complex conversations.

Second harmonic generation in gallium phosphide photonic crystal nanocavities with ultralow continuous wave pump power.

PubMed

Rivoire, Kelley; Lin, Ziliang; Hatami, Fariba; Masselink, W Ted; Vucković, Jelena

2009-12-07

We demonstrate second harmonic generation in photonic crystal nanocavities fabricated in the semiconductor gallium phosphide. We observe second harmonic radiation at 750 nm with input powers of only nanowatts coupled to the cavity and conversion effciency P(out)/P(2)(in,coupled)=430%/W. The large electronic band gap of GaP minimizes absorption loss, allowing effcient conversion. Our results are promising for integrated, low-power light sources and on-chip reduction of input power in other nonlinear processes.

Nanocrystal Size-Dependent Efficiency of Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells in the Strongly Coupled CdSe Nanocrystals/TiO2 System.

PubMed

Yun, Hyeong Jin; Paik, Taejong; Diroll, Benjamin; Edley, Michael E; Baxter, Jason B; Murray, Christopher B

2016-06-15

Light absorption and electron injection are important criteria determining solar energy conversion efficiency. In this research, monodisperse CdSe quantum dots (QDs) are synthesized with five different diameters, and the size-dependent solar energy conversion efficiency of CdSe quantum dot sensitized solar cell (QDSSCs) is investigated by employing the atomic inorganic ligand, S(2-). Absorbance measurements and transmission electron microscopy show that the diameters of the uniform CdSe QDs are 2.5, 3.2, 4.2, 6.4, and 7.8 nm. Larger CdSe QDs generate a larger amount of charge under the irradiation of long wavelength photons, as verified by the absorbance results and the measurements of the external quantum efficiencies. However, the smaller QDs exhibit faster electron injection kinetics from CdSe QDs to TiO2 because of the high energy level of CBCdSe, as verified by time-resolved photoluminescence and internal quantum efficiency results. Importantly, the S(2-) ligand significantly enhances the electronic coupling between the CdSe QDs and TiO2, yielding an enhancement of the charge transfer rate at the interfacial region. As a result, the S(2-) ligand helps improve the new size-dependent solar energy conversion efficiency, showing best performance with 4.2-nm CdSe QDs, whereas conventional ligand, mercaptopropionic acid, does not show any differences in efficiency according to the size of the CdSe QDs. The findings reported herein suggest that the atomic inorganic ligand reinforces the influence of quantum confinement on the solar energy conversion efficiency of QDSSCs.

Preliminary assessment of high power, NERVA-class dual-mode space nuclear propulsion and power systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buksa, John J.; Kirk, William L.; Cappiello, Michael W.

A preliminary assessment of the technical feasibility and mass competitiveness of a dual-mode nuclear propulsion and power system based on the NERVA rocket engine has been completed. Results indicate that the coupling of the Rover reactor to a direct Brayton power conversion system can be accomplished through a number of design features. Furthermore, based on previously published and independently calculated component masses, the dual-mode system was found to have the potential to be mass competitive with propulsion/power systems that use separate reactors. The uncertainties of reactor design modification and shielding requirements were identified as important issues requiring future investigation.

Mode conversion in cold low-density plasma with a sheared magnetic field

DOE PAGES

Dodin, I. Y.; Ruiz, D. E.; Kubo, S.

2017-12-19

Here, a theory is proposed that describes mutual conversion of two electromagnetic modes in cold low-density plasma, specifically, in the high-frequency limit where the ion response is negligible. In contrast to the classic (Landau–Zener-type) theory of mode conversion, the region of resonant coupling in low-density plasma is not necessarily narrow, so the coupling matrix cannot be approximated with its first-order Taylor expansion; also, the initial conditions are set up differently. For the case of strong magnetic shear, a simple method is identified for preparing a two-mode wave such that it transforms into a single-mode wave upon entering high-density plasma. Themore » theory can be used for reduced modeling of wave-power input in fusion plasmas. In particular, applications are envisioned in stellarator research, where the mutual conversion of two electromagnetic modes near the plasma edge is a known issue.« less

Mode conversion in cold low-density plasma with a sheared magnetic field

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dodin, I. Y.; Ruiz, D. E.; Kubo, S.

Here, a theory is proposed that describes mutual conversion of two electromagnetic modes in cold low-density plasma, specifically, in the high-frequency limit where the ion response is negligible. In contrast to the classic (Landau–Zener-type) theory of mode conversion, the region of resonant coupling in low-density plasma is not necessarily narrow, so the coupling matrix cannot be approximated with its first-order Taylor expansion; also, the initial conditions are set up differently. For the case of strong magnetic shear, a simple method is identified for preparing a two-mode wave such that it transforms into a single-mode wave upon entering high-density plasma. Themore » theory can be used for reduced modeling of wave-power input in fusion plasmas. In particular, applications are envisioned in stellarator research, where the mutual conversion of two electromagnetic modes near the plasma edge is a known issue.« less

Non-linear hydroxyl radical formation rate in dispersions containing mixtures of pyrite and chalcopyrite particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, Jasmeet; Schoonen, Martin A.

2017-06-01

The formation of hydroxyl radicals was studied in mixed pyrite-chalcopyrite dispersions in water using the conversion rate of adenine as a proxy for hydroxyl radical formation rate. Experiments were conducted as a function of pH, presence of phosphate buffer, surface loading, and pyrite-to-chalcopyrite ratio. The results indicate that hydroxyl radical formation rate in mixed systems is non-linear with respect to the rates in the pure endmember dispersions. The only exception is a set of experiments in which phosphate buffer is used. In the presence of phosphate buffer, the hydroxyl radical formation is suppressed in mixtures and the rate is close to that predicted based on the reaction kinetics of the pure endmembers. The non-linear hydroxyl radical formation in dispersions containing mixtures of pyrite and chalcopyrite is likely the result of two complementary processes. One is the fact that pyrite and chalcopyrite form a galvanic couple. In this arrangement, chalcopyrite oxidation is accelerated, while pyrite passes electrons withdrawn from chalcopyrite to molecular oxygen, the oxidant. The incomplete reduction of molecular oxygen leads to the formation of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical. The galvanic coupling appears to be augmented by the fact that chalcopyrite generates a significant amount of hydrogen peroxide upon dispersal in water. This hydrogen peroxide is then available for conversion to hydroxyl radical, which appears to be facilitated by pyrite as chalcopyrite itself produces only minor amounts of hydroxyl radical. In essence, pyrite is a ;co-factor; that facilitates the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to hydroxyl radical. This conversion reaction is a surface-mediated reaction. Given that hydroxyl radical is one of the most reactive species in nature, the formation of hydroxyl radicals in aqueous systems containing chalcopyrite and pyrite has implications for the stability of organic molecules, biomolecules, the viability of microbes, and exposure to dust containing the two metal sulfides may present a health burden.

Mathematical model for internal pH control in immobilized enzyme particles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liou, J.K.; Rousseau, I.

A mathematical model has been developed for the internal pH control in immobilized enzyme particles. This model describes the kinetics of a coupled system of two enzymes, immobilized in particles of either planar, cylindrical, or spherical shape. The enzyme kinetics are assumed to be of a mixed type, including Michaelis-Menten kinetics, uncompetitive substrate inhibition, and competitive and noncompetitive product inhibition. In a case study we have considered the enzyme combination urease and penicillin acylase, whose kinetics are coupled through the pH dependence of the kinetic parameters. The hydrolysis of urea by urease yields ammonia and carbon dioxide, whereas benzylpenicillin (Pen-G)more » is converted to 6-animo penicillanic acid and phenyl acetic acid by penicillin acylase. The production of acids by the latter enzyme will cause a decrease in pH. Because of the presence of the ammonia-carbon dioxide system, however, the pH may be kept under control. In order to obtain information about the optimum performance of this enzymatic pH controller, we have computed the effectiveness factor and the conversion in a CSTR at different enzyme loadings. The results of the computer simulations indicate that a high conversion of Pen-G may be achieved (80-90%) at bulk pH values of about 7.5 - 8. 27 references.« less

Rebound from marital conflict and divorce prediction.

PubMed

Gottman, J M; Levenson, R W

1999-01-01

Marital interaction has primarily been examined in the context of conflict resolution. This study investigated the predictive ability of couples to rebound from marital conflict in a subsequent positive conversation. Results showed that there was a great deal of consistency in affect across both conversations. Also examined was the ability of affective interaction to predict divorce over a 4-year period, separately in each of the two conversations. It was possible to predict divorce using affective variables from each conversation, with 82.6% accuracy from the conflict conversation and with 92.7% accuracy from the positive rebound conversation.

Nitrogen removal and intentional nitrous oxide production from reject water in a coupled nitritation/nitrous denitritation system under real feed-stream conditions.

PubMed

Weißbach, Max; Thiel, Paul; Drewes, Jörg E; Koch, Konrad

2018-05-01

A Coupled Aerobic-anoxic Nitrous Decomposition Operation (CANDO) was performed over five months to investigate the performance and dynamics of nitrogen elimination and nitrous oxide production from digester reject water under real feed-stream conditions. A 93% conversion of ammonium to nitrite could be maintained for adapted seed sludge in the first stage (nitritation). The second stage (nitrous denitritation), inoculated with conventional activated sludge, achieved a conversion of 70% of nitrite to nitrous oxide after only 12 cycles of operation. The development of an alternative feeding strategy and the addition of a coagulant (FeCl 3 ) facilitated stable operation and process intensification. Under steady-state conditions, nitrite was reliably eliminated and different nitrous oxide harvesting strategies were assessed. Applying continuous removal increased N 2 O yields by 16% compared to the application of a dedicated stripping phase. These results demonstrate the feasible application of the CANDO process for nitrogen removal and energy recovery from ammonia rich wastewater. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A coupled CFD and two-phase substrate kinetic model for enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danes, Nicholas; Sitaraman, Hariswaran; Stickel, Jonathan; Sprague, Michael

2017-11-01

Cost-effective production of fuels from lignocellulosic biomass is an important subject of research in order to meet the world's current and future energy demands. Enzymatic hydrolysis is one of the several steps in the biochemical conversion of biomass into fuels. This process involves the interplay of non-Newtonian fluid dynamics that happen over tens of seconds coupled with chemical reactions that happen over several hours. In this work, we present a coupled CFD-reaction model for conversion of cellulose to sugars in a benchtop mixer reactor. A subcycling approach is used to circumvent the large time scale disparity between fluid dynamics and reactions. We will present a validation study of our simulations with experiments for well-mixed and stratified reactor scenarios along with predictions for conversion rates and product concentrations at varying impeller speeds and in scaled-up reactors. This work is funded by the Bioenergy Technology Office of DOE and the NSF's Enriched Doctoral Training program (DMS-1551229).

Liquid rocket disconnects, couplings, fittings, fixed joints, and seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

State of the art and design criteria for components used in liquid propellant rocket propulsion systems to contain and control the flow of fluids involved are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the design of components used in the engine systems of boosters and upper stages, and in spacecraft propulsion systems because of the high pressure and high vibration levels to which these components are exposed. A table for conversion of U.S. customary units to SI units is included with a glossary, and a list of NASA space vehicle design criteria monographs issued to September 1976.

Dose estimation for astronauts using dose conversion coefficients calculated with the PHITS code and the ICRP/ICRU adult reference computational phantoms.

PubMed

Sato, Tatsuhiko; Endo, Akira; Sihver, Lembit; Niita, Koji

2011-03-01

Absorbed-dose and dose-equivalent rates for astronauts were estimated by multiplying fluence-to-dose conversion coefficients in the units of Gy.cm(2) and Sv.cm(2), respectively, and cosmic-ray fluxes around spacecrafts in the unit of cm(-2) s(-1). The dose conversion coefficients employed in the calculation were evaluated using the general-purpose particle and heavy ion transport code system PHITS coupled to the male and female adult reference computational phantoms, which were released as a common ICRP/ICRU publication. The cosmic-ray fluxes inside and near to spacecrafts were also calculated by PHITS, using simplified geometries. The accuracy of the obtained absorbed-dose and dose-equivalent rates was verified by various experimental data measured both inside and outside spacecrafts. The calculations quantitatively show that the effective doses for astronauts are significantly greater than their corresponding effective dose equivalents, because of the numerical incompatibility between the radiation quality factors and the radiation weighting factors. These results demonstrate the usefulness of dose conversion coefficients in space dosimetry. © Springer-Verlag 2010

Development and validation of an universal interface for compound-specific stable isotope analysis of chlorine (37Cl/35Cl) by GC-high-temperature conversion (HTC)-MS/IRMS.

PubMed

Renpenning, Julian; Hitzfeld, Kristina L; Gilevska, Tetyana; Nijenhuis, Ivonne; Gehre, Matthias; Richnow, Hans-Hermann

2015-03-03

A universal application of compound-specific isotope analysis of chlorine was thus far limited by the availability of suitable analysis techniques. In this study, gas chromatography in combination with a high-temperature conversion interface (GC-HTC), converting organic chlorine in the presence of H2 to gaseous HCl, was coupled to a dual-detection system, combining an ion trap mass spectrometer (MS) and isotope-ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). The combination of the MS/IRMS detection enabled a detailed characterization, optimization, and online monitoring of the high-temperature conversion process via ion trap MS as well as a simultaneous chlorine isotope analysis by the IRMS. Using GC-HTC-MS/IRMS, chlorine isotope analysis at optimized conversion conditions resulted in very accurate isotope values (δ(37)Cl(SMOC)) for measured reference material with known isotope composition, including chlorinated ethylene, chloromethane, hexachlorocyclohexane, and trichloroacetic acids methyl ester. Respective detection limits were determined to be <15 nmol Cl on column with achieved precision of <0.3‰.

Final Research Performance Progress Report: Geothermal Resource Development with Zero Mass Withdrawal, Engineered Convection, and Wellbore Energy Conversion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hughes, Richard; Tyagi, Mayank; Radonjic, Mileva

This project is intended to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility, and environmental and social attractiveness of a novel method of heat extraction from geothermal reservoirs. The emphasis is on assessing the potential for a heat extraction method that couples forced and free convection to maximize extraction efficiency. The heat extraction concept is enhanced by considering wellbore energy conversion, which may include only a boiler for a working fluid, or perhaps a complete boiler, turbine, and condenser cycle within the wellbore. The feasibility of this system depends on maintaining mechanical and hydraulic integrity of the wellbore, so the material propertiesmore » of the casing-cement system are examined both experimentally and with well design calculations. The attractiveness depends on mitigation of seismic and subsidence risks, economic performance, environmental impact, and social impact – all of which are assessed as components of this study.« less

Adiabatic Berry phase in an atom-molecule conversion system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fu Libin; Center for Applied Physics and Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100084; Liu Jie, E-mail: liu_jie@iapcm.ac.c

2010-11-15

We investigate the Berry phase of adiabatic quantum evolution in the atom-molecule conversion system that is governed by a nonlinear Schroedinger equation. We find that the Berry phase consists of two parts: the usual Berry connection term and a novel term from the nonlinearity brought forth by the atom-molecule coupling. The total geometric phase can be still viewed as the flux of the magnetic field of a monopole through the surface enclosed by a closed path in parameter space. The charge of the monopole, however, is found to be one third of the elementary charge of the usual quantized monopole.more » We also derive the classical Hannay angle of a geometric nature associated with the adiabatic evolution. It exactly equals minus Berry phase, indicating a novel connection between Berry phase and Hannay angle in contrast to the usual derivative form.« less

Adolescents' Interpretations of the Birth Control Behavior of a Soap Opera Couple.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walsh-Childers, Kim

A study investigated whether adolescents' schemas about contraceptive use would influence their perceptions that a soap opera couple used birth control during sex. The study also examined the effects of increasing explicitness of characters' conversations about contraceptives on viewers' perceptions of the couple's contraceptive use. Thirty-six…

Potential active materials for photo-supercapacitor: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ng, C. H.; Lim, H. N.; Hayase, S.; Harrison, I.; Pandikumar, A.; Huang, N. M.

2015-11-01

The need for an endless renewable energy supply, typically through the utilization of solar energy in most applications and systems, has driven the expansion, versatility, and diversification of marketed energy storage devices. Energy storage devices such as hybridized dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)-capacitors and DSSC-supercapacitors have been invented for energy reservation. The evolution and vast improvement of these devices in terms of their efficiencies and flexibilities have further sparked the invention of the photo-supercapacitor. The idea of coupling a DSSC and supercapacitor as a complete energy conversion and storage device arose because the solar energy absorbed by dye molecules can be efficiently transferred and converted to electrical energy by adopting a supercapacitor as the energy delivery system. The conversion efficiency of a photo-supercapacitor is mainly dependent on the use of active materials during its fabrication. The performances of the dye, photoactive metal oxide, counter electrode, redox electrolyte, and conducting polymer are the primary factors contributing to high-energy-efficient conversion, which enhances the performance and shelf-life of a photo-supercapacitor. Moreover, the introduction of compact layer as a primary adherent film has been earmarked as an effort in enhancing power conversion efficiency of solar cell. Additionally, the development of electrolyte-free solar cell such as the invention of hole-conductor or perovskite solar cell is currently being explored extensively. This paper reviews and analyzes the potential active materials for a photo-supercapacitor to enhance the conversion and storage efficiencies.

Auto-flotation of heterocyst enables the efficient production of renewable energy in cyanobacteria

PubMed Central

Chen, Ming; Li, Jihong; Zhang, Lei; Chang, Sandra; Liu, Chen; Wang, Jianlong; Li, Shizhong

2014-01-01

Utilizing cyanobacteria as a bioenergy resource is difficult due to the cost and energy consuming harvests of microalgal biomass. In this study, an auto-floating system was developed by increasing the photobiological H2 production in the heterocysts of filamentous cyanobacteria. An amount of 1.0 μM of diuron, which inhibited O2 production in cyanobacteria, resulted in a high rate of H2 production in heterocysts. The auto-floating process recovered 91.71% ± 1.22 of the accumulated microalgal biomass from the liquid media. Quantification analysis revealed that 0.72–1.10 μmol H2 per mg dry weight microalgal biomass was necessary to create this auto-floating system. Further bio-conversion by using anaerobic digestion converted the harvested microalgal biomass into biogas. Through this novel coupled system of photobiological H2 production and anaerobic digestion, a high level of light energy conversion efficiency from solar energy to bioenergy was attained with the values of 3.79% ± 0.76. PMID:24499777

Auto-flotation of heterocyst enables the efficient production of renewable energy in cyanobacteria.

PubMed

Chen, Ming; Li, Jihong; Zhang, Lei; Chang, Sandra; Liu, Chen; Wang, Jianlong; Li, Shizhong

2014-02-06

Utilizing cyanobacteria as a bioenergy resource is difficult due to the cost and energy consuming harvests of microalgal biomass. In this study, an auto-floating system was developed by increasing the photobiological H2 production in the heterocysts of filamentous cyanobacteria. An amount of 1.0 μM of diuron, which inhibited O2 production in cyanobacteria, resulted in a high rate of H2 production in heterocysts. The auto-floating process recovered 91.71% ± 1.22 of the accumulated microalgal biomass from the liquid media. Quantification analysis revealed that 0.72-1.10 μmol H2 per mg dry weight microalgal biomass was necessary to create this auto-floating system. Further bio-conversion by using anaerobic digestion converted the harvested microalgal biomass into biogas. Through this novel coupled system of photobiological H2 production and anaerobic digestion, a high level of light energy conversion efficiency from solar energy to bioenergy was attained with the values of 3.79% ± 0.76.

Turnstiles and bifurcators: the disequilibrium converting engines that put metabolism on the road.

PubMed

Branscomb, Elbert; Russell, Michael J

2013-02-01

The Submarine Hydrothermal Alkaline Spring Theory for the emergence of life holds that it is the ordered delivery of hydrogen and methane in alkaline hydrothermal solutions at a spontaneously precipitated inorganic osmotic and catalytic membrane to the carbon dioxide and other electron acceptors in the earliest acidulous cool ocean that, through these gradients, drove life into being. That such interactions between hydrothermal fuels and potential oxidants have so far not been accomplished in the lab is because some steps along the necessary metabolic pathways are endergonic and must therefore be driven by being coupled to thermodynamically larger exergonic processes. But coupling of this kind is far from automatic and it is not enough to merely sum the ΔGs of two supposedly coupled reactions and show their combined thermodynamic viability. An exergonic reaction will not drive an endergonic one unless 'forced' to do so by being tied to it mechanistically via an organized "engine" of "Free Energy Conversion" (FEC). Here we discuss the thermodynamics of FEC and advance proposals regarding the nature and roles of the FEC devices that could, in principle, have arisen spontaneously in the alkaline hydrothermal context and have forced the onset of a protometabolism. The key challenge is to divine what these initial engines of life were in physicochemical terms and as part of that, what structures provided the first "turnstile-like" mechanisms needed to couple the partner processes in free energy conversion; in particular to couple the dissipation of geochemically given gradients to, say, the reduction of CO(2) to formate and the generation of a pyrophosphate disequilibrium. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The evolutionary aspects of bioenergetic systems. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

System Concepts for Affordable Fission Surface Power

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mason, Lee; Poston, David; Qualls, Louis

2008-01-01

This paper presents an overview of an affordable Fission Surface Power (FSP) system that could be used for NASA applications on the Moon and Mars. The proposed FSP system uses a low temperature, uranium dioxide-fueled, liquid metal-cooled fission reactor coupled to free-piston Stirling converters. The concept was determined by a 12 month NASA/DOE study that examined design options and development strategies based on affordability and risk. The system is considered a low development risk based on the use of terrestrial-derived reactor technology, high efficiency power conversion, and conventional materials. The low-risk approach was selected over other options that could offer higher performance and/or lower mass.

Indirectness in Discourse: Ethnicity as Conversational Style.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tannen, Deborah

1981-01-01

Examines social differences in expectations of indirectness in conversations between married couples, both Greek and Greek-American. Concludes that Greeks are more likely to expect indirectness in the context presented and that Greek-Americans have retained the Greek communicative patterns. (FL)

Estimates of power requirements for a Manned Mars Rover powered by a nuclear reactor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morley, Nicholas J.; El-Genk, Mohamed S.; Cataldo, Robert; Bloomfield, Harvey

1991-01-01

This paper assesses the power requirement for a Manned Mars Rover vehicle. Auxiliary power needs are fulfilled using a hybrid solar photovoltaic/regenerative fuel cell system, while the primary power needs are meet using an SP-100 type reactor. The primary electric power needs, which include 30-kW(e) net user power, depend on the reactor thermal power and the efficiency of the power conversion system. Results show that an SP-100 type reactor coupled to a Free Piston Stirling Engine yields the lowest total vehicle mass and lowest specific mass for the power system. The second lowest mass was for a SP-100 reactor coupled to a Closed Brayton Cycle using He/Xe as the working fluid. The specific mass of the nuclear reactor power system, including a man-rated radiation shield, ranged from 150-kg/kW(e) to 190-kg/KW(e) and the total mass of the Rover vehicle varied depend upon the cruising speed.

Fuel cell system modeling for solid oxide fuel cell/gas turbine hybrid power plants, Part I: Modeling and simulation framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leucht, Florian; Bessler, Wolfgang G.; Kallo, Josef; Friedrich, K. Andreas; Müller-Steinhagen, H.

A sustainable future power supply requires high fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiencies even in small-scale power plants. A promising technology to reach this goal is a hybrid power plant in which a gas turbine (GT) is coupled with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). This paper presents a dynamic model of a pressurized SOFC system consisting of the fuel cell stack with combustion zone and balance-of-plant components such as desulphurization, humidification, reformer, ejector and heat exchangers. The model includes thermal coupling between the different components. A number of control loops for fuel and air flows as well as power management are integrated in order to keep the system within the desired operation window. Models and controls are implemented in a MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. Different hybrid cycles proposed earlier are discussed and a preferred cycle is developed. Simulation results show the prospects of the developed modeling and control system.

Genome-Scale Metabolic Reconstructions and Theoretical Investigation of Methane Conversion in Methylomicrobium buryatense Strain 5G(B1)

DOE PAGES

de la Torre, Andrea; Metivier, Aisha; Chu, Frances; ...

2015-11-25

Methane-utilizing bacteria (methanotrophs) are capable of growth on methane and are attractive systems for bio-catalysis. However, the application of natural methanotrophic strains to large-scale production of value-added chemicals/biofuels requires a number of physiological and genetic alterations. An accurate metabolic model coupled with flux balance analysis can provide a solid interpretative framework for experimental data analyses and integration.

The software for automatic creation of the formal grammars used by speech recognition, computer vision, editable text conversion systems, and some new functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kardava, Irakli; Tadyszak, Krzysztof; Gulua, Nana; Jurga, Stefan

2017-02-01

For more flexibility of environmental perception by artificial intelligence it is needed to exist the supporting software modules, which will be able to automate the creation of specific language syntax and to make a further analysis for relevant decisions based on semantic functions. According of our proposed approach, of which implementation it is possible to create the couples of formal rules of given sentences (in case of natural languages) or statements (in case of special languages) by helping of computer vision, speech recognition or editable text conversion system for further automatic improvement. In other words, we have developed an approach, by which it can be achieved to significantly improve the training process automation of artificial intelligence, which as a result will give us a higher level of self-developing skills independently from us (from users). At the base of our approach we have developed a software demo version, which includes the algorithm and software code for the entire above mentioned component's implementation (computer vision, speech recognition and editable text conversion system). The program has the ability to work in a multi - stream mode and simultaneously create a syntax based on receiving information from several sources.

Embedding solar cell materials with on-board integrated energy storage for load-leveling and dark power delivery (Presentation Recording)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pint, Cary L.; Westover, Andrew S.; Cohn, Adam P.; Erwin, William R.; Share, Keith; Metke, Thomas; Bardhan, Rizia

2015-10-01

This work will discuss our recent advances focused on integrating high power energy storage directly into the native materials of both conventional photovoltaics (PV) and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In the first case (PV), we demonstrate the ability to etch high surface-area porous silicon charge storage interfaces directly into the backside of a conventional polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic device exhibiting over 14% efficiency. These high surface area materials are then coupled with solid-state ionic liquid-polymer electrolytes to produce solid-state fully integrated devices where the PV device can directly inject charge into an on-board supercapacitor that can be separately discharged under dark conditions with a Coulombic efficiency of 84%. In a similar manner, we further demonstrate that surface engineered silicon materials can be utilized to replace Pt counterelectrodes in conventional DSSC energy conversion devices. As the silicon counterelectrodes rely strictly on surface Faradaic chemical reactions with the electrolyte on one side of the wafer electrode, we demonstrate double-sided processing of electrodes that enables dual-function of the material for simultaneous energy storage and conversion, each on opposing sides. In both of these devices, we demonstrate the ability to produce an all-silicon coupled energy conversion and storage system through the common ability to convert unused silicon in solar cells into high power silicon-based supercapacitors. Beyond the proof-of-concept design and performance of this integrated solar-storage system, this talk will conclude with a brief discussion of the hurdles and challenges that we envision for this emerging area both from a fundamental and technological viewpoint.

Equivalent circuit modeling of a piezo-patch energy harvester on a thin plate with AC-DC conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayik, B.; Aghakhani, A.; Basdogan, I.; Erturk, A.

2016-05-01

As an alternative to beam-like structures, piezoelectric patch-based energy harvesters attached to thin plates can be readily integrated to plate-like structures in automotive, marine, and aerospace applications, in order to directly exploit structural vibration modes of the host system without mass loading and volumetric occupancy of cantilever attachments. In this paper, a multi-mode equivalent circuit model of a piezo-patch energy harvester integrated to a thin plate is developed and coupled with a standard AC-DC conversion circuit. Equivalent circuit parameters are obtained in two different ways: (1) from the modal analysis solution of a distributed-parameter analytical model and (2) from the finite-element numerical model of the harvester by accounting for two-way coupling. After the analytical modeling effort, multi-mode equivalent circuit representation of the harvester is obtained via electronic circuit simulation software SPICE. Using the SPICE software, electromechanical response of the piezoelectric energy harvester connected to linear and nonlinear circuit elements are computed. Simulation results are validated for the standard AC-AC and AC-DC configurations. For the AC input-AC output problem, voltage frequency response functions are calculated for various resistive loads, and they show excellent agreement with modal analysis-based analytical closed-form solution and with the finite-element model. For the standard ideal AC input-DC output case, a full-wave rectifier and a smoothing capacitor are added to the harvester circuit for conversion of the AC voltage to a stable DC voltage, which is also validated against an existing solution by treating the single-mode plate dynamics as a single-degree-of-freedom system.

Deterministic quantum nonlinear optics with single atoms and virtual photons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kockum, Anton Frisk; Miranowicz, Adam; Macrı, Vincenzo; Savasta, Salvatore; Nori, Franco

2017-06-01

We show how analogs of a large number of well-known nonlinear-optics phenomena can be realized with one or more two-level atoms coupled to one or more resonator modes. Through higher-order processes, where virtual photons are created and annihilated, an effective deterministic coupling between two states of such a system can be created. In this way, analogs of three-wave mixing, four-wave mixing, higher-harmonic and -subharmonic generation (i.e., up- and down-conversion), multiphoton absorption, parametric amplification, Raman and hyper-Raman scattering, the Kerr effect, and other nonlinear processes can be realized. In contrast to most conventional implementations of nonlinear optics, these analogs can reach unit efficiency, only use a minimal number of photons (they do not require any strong external drive), and do not require more than two atomic levels. The strength of the effective coupling in our proposed setups becomes weaker the more intermediate transition steps are needed. However, given the recent experimental progress in ultrastrong light-matter coupling and improvement of coherence times for engineered quantum systems, especially in the field of circuit quantum electrodynamics, we estimate that many of these nonlinear-optics analogs can be realized with currently available technology.

The "yin and yang" of the adrenal and gonadal systems in elite military men.

PubMed

Taylor, Marcus K; Hernández, Lisa M; Kviatkovsky, Shiloah A; Schoenherr, Matthew R; Stone, Michael S; Sargent, Paul

2017-05-01

We recently established daily, free-living profiles of the adrenal hormone cortisol, the (primarily adrenal) anabolic precursor dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and the (primarily gonadal) anabolic hormone testosterone in elite military men. A prevailing view is that adrenal and gonadal systems reciprocally modulate each other; however, recent paradigm shifts prompted the characterization of these systems as parallel, cooperative processes (i.e. the "positive coupling" hypothesis). In this study, we tested the positive coupling hypothesis in 57 elite military men by evaluating associations between adrenal and gonadal biomarkers across the day. Salivary DHEA was moderately and positively coupled with salivary cortisol, as was salivary testosterone. Anabolic processes (i.e. salivary DHEA and testosterone) were also positively and reliably coupled across the day. In multivariate models, salivary DHEA and cortisol combined to account for substantial variance in salivary testosterone concentrations across the day, but this was driven almost exclusively by DHEA. This may reflect choreographed adrenal release of DHEA with testicular and/or adrenal release of testosterone, systemic conversion of DHEA to testosterone, or both. DHEA and testosterone modestly and less robustly predicted cortisol concentrations; this was confined to the morning, and testosterone was the primary predictor. Altogether, top-down co-activation of adrenal and gonadal hormone secretion may complement bottom-up counter-regulatory functions to foster anabolic balance and neuronal survival; hence, the "yin and yang" of adrenal and gonadal systems. This may be an adaptive process that is amplified by stress, competition, and/or dominance hierarchy.

Production of nitrous oxide from anaerobic digester centrate and its use as a co-oxidant of biogas to enhance energy recovery.

PubMed

Scherson, Yaniv D; Woo, Sung-Geun; Criddle, Craig S

2014-05-20

Coupled Aerobic-anoxic Nitrous Decomposition Operation (CANDO) is a new process for wastewater treatment that removes nitrogen from wastewater and recovers energy from the nitrogen in three steps: (1) NH4(+) oxidation to NO2(-); (2) NO2(-) reduction to N2O gas; and (3) N2O conversion to N2 with energy production. In this work, we optimize Steps 1 and 2 for anaerobic digester centrate, and we evaluate Step 3 for a full-scale biogas-fed internal combustion engine. Using a continuous stirred reactor coupled to a bench-scale sequencing batch reactor, we observed sustained partial oxidation of NH4(+) to NO2(-) and sustained (3 months) partial reduction of NO2(-) to N2O (75-80% conversion, mass basis), with >95% nitrogen removal (Step 2). Alternating pulses of acetate and NO2(-) selected for Comamonas (38%), Ciceribacter (16%), and Clostridium (11%). Some species stored polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and coupled oxidation of PHB to reduction of NO2(-) to N2O. Some species also stored phosphorus as polyphosphate granules. Injections of N2O into a biogas-fed engine at flow rates simulating a full-scale system increased power output by 5.7-7.3%. The results underscore the need for more detailed assessment of bioreactor community ecology and justify pilot- and full-scale testing.

Method and apparatus for improving the performance of a nuclear power electrical generation system

DOEpatents

Tsiklauri, Georgi V.; Durst, Bruce M.

1995-01-01

A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and performance a of nuclear electrical generation system that comprises the addition of steam handling equipment to an existing plant that results in a surprising increase in plant performance. More particularly, a gas turbine electrical generation system with heat recovery boiler is installed along with a high pressure and a low pressure mixer superheater. Depending upon plant characteristics, the existing moisture separator reheater (MSR) can be either augmented or done away with. The instant invention enables a reduction in T.sub.hot without a derating of the reactor unit, and improves efficiency of the plant's electrical conversion cycle. Coupled with this advantage is a possible extension of the plant's fuel cycle length due to an increased electrical conversion efficiency. The reduction in T.sub.hot further allows for a surprising extension of steam generator life. An additional advantage is the reduction in erosion/corrosion of secondary system components including turbine blades and diaphragms. The gas turbine generator used in the instant invention can also replace or augment existing peak or emergency power needs.

Angle-dependent quantum Otto heat engine based on coherent dipole-dipole coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Shan-He; Luo, Xiao-Qing; Chen, Jin-Can; Sun, Chang-Pu

2016-08-01

Electromagnetic interactions between molecules or within a molecule have been widely observed in biological systems and exhibit broad application for molecular structural studies. Quantum delocalization of molecular dipole moments has inspired researchers to explore new avenues to utilize this physical effect for energy harvesting devices. Herein, we propose a simple model of the angle-dependent quantum Otto heat engine which seeks to facilitate the conversion of heat to work. Unlike previous studies, the adiabatic processes are accomplished by varying only the directions of the magnetic field. We show that the heat engine continues to generate power when the angle relative to the vector r joining the centres of coupled dipoles departs from the magic angle θm where the static coupling vanishes. A significant improvement in the device performance has to be attributed to the presence of the quantum delocalized levels associated with the coherent dipole-dipole coupling. These results obtained may provide a promising model for the biomimetic design and fabrication of quantum energy generators.

The development of two Broadband Vibration Energy Harvesters (BVEH) with adaptive conversion electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clingman, Dan J.; Thiesen, Jack

2017-04-01

Historically, piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters have been limited to operation at a single, structurally resonant frequency. A piezoceramic energy harvester, such as a bimorph beam, operating at structural resonance exchanges energy between dynamic and strain regimes. This energy exchange increases the coupling between piezoceramic deformation and electrical charge generation. Two BVEH mechanisms are presented that exploit strain energy management to reduce inertial forces needed to deform the piezoceramic, thus increasing the coupling between structural and electrical energy conversion over a broadband vibration spectrum. Broadband vibration excitation produces a non-sinusoidal electrical wave form from the BVEH device. An adaptive energy conversion circuit was developed that exploits a buck converter to capture the complex waveform energy in a form easily used by standard electrical components.

Comparison of Analytical Predictions and Experimental Results for a Dual Brayton Power System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Paul

2007-01-01

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) contracted Barber- Nichols, Arvada, CO to construct a dual Brayton power conversion system for use as a hardware proof of concept and to validate results from a computational code known as the Closed Cycle System Simulation (CCSS). Initial checkout tests were performed at Barber- Nichols to ready the system for delivery to GRC. This presentation describes the system hardware components and lists the types of checkout tests performed along with a couple issues encountered while conducting the tests. A description of the CCSS model is also presented. The checkout tests did not focus on generating data, therefore, no test data or model analyses are presented.

Free-piston Stirling Engine system considerations for various space power applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dochat, George R.; Dhar, Manmohan

1991-01-01

Free-Piston Stirling Engines (FPSE) have the potential to provide high reliability, long life, and efficient operation. Therefore, they are excellent candidates for the dynamic power conversion module of a space-based, power-generating system. FPSE can be coupled with many potential heat sources (radioisotope, solar, or nuclear reactor), various heat input systems (pumped loop, heat pipe), heat rejection (pumped loop or heat pipe), and various power management and distribution systems (ac, dc, high or low voltage, and fixed or variable load). This paper reviews potential space missions that can be met using free-piston Stirling engines and discusses options of various system integration approaches. This paper briefly outlines the program and recent progress.

The communication of emotion during conflict in married couples.

PubMed

Sanford, Keith

2012-06-01

This study investigated emotion during interpersonal conflicts between mates. It addressed questions about how clearly couples express emotion (encoding), how accurately they recognize each other's emotion (decoding), and how well they distinguish between types of negative emotion. It was theorized that couples express and perceive both: (a) event-specific emotions, which are unique to particular people on particular occasions, and (b) contextual-couple emotions, which reflect the additive effect of emotions across different events and across both partners. Eighty-three married couples engaged in a series of two conflict conversations. Self-report ratings, observer ratings, and partner ratings were used to assess two types of negative emotion: hard emotion (e.g., angry or annoyed) and soft emotion (e.g., sad or hurt). Couples were reasonably accurate in encoding, decoding, and in distinguishing between types of emotion. Emotion expression was strongly associated with general levels of contextual-couple emotion summed across two conversations, whereas emotion perception was more closely tied to specific events. Hard emotion was readily perceived when it was overtly expressed, and soft emotion could sometimes be recognized even when it was not expressed clearly. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved.

Fan Noise Prediction System Development: Source/Radiation Field Coupling and Workstation Conversion for the Acoustic Radiation Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, H. D.

1993-01-01

The Acoustic Radiation Code (ARC) is a finite element program used on the IBM mainframe to predict far-field acoustic radiation from a turbofan engine inlet. In this report, requirements for developers of internal aerodynamic codes regarding use of their program output an input for the ARC are discussed. More specifically, the particular input needed from the Bolt, Beranek and Newman/Pratt and Whitney (turbofan source noise generation) Code (BBN/PWC) is described. In a separate analysis, a method of coupling the source and radiation models, that recognizes waves crossing the interface in both directions, has been derived. A preliminary version of the coupled code has been developed and used for initial evaluation of coupling issues. Results thus far have shown that reflection from the inlet is sufficient to indicate that full coupling of the source and radiation fields is needed for accurate noise predictions ' Also, for this contract, the ARC has been modified for use on the Sun and Silicon Graphics Iris UNIX workstations. Changes and additions involved in this effort are described in an appendix.

[An epidemiological study on sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus among pre-marital group in Yining city, Xinjiang].

PubMed

Mao, Yu-rong; Zheng, Xi-wen; Re, Zi-yan; Pan, Cheng-dong; Guli, Rou-zi; Song, Jun-qing; Yang, Li-min; Zhang, Gui-yun

2004-04-01

To study the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status through heterosexual transmission in Yining city and to provide information on effective intervention measures. Cohort of HIV sero-discordant couples identified from 1997 to 2000 was formed. Proportional risk model was used to analyze the time of HIV sero-conversion and the related factors. All the recruiters were under informed consent. Through following on 22 sero-discordant couples, we found that the incidence density (ID) of HIV sero-conversion was 32.49/100 person-year (PY) with 33.74/100 PY for women. In the proportional hazard model, the course of sero-conversion was only 2.43 years and the frequency of sexual contact was statistically significant (>or= 3 times/week vs. < 3 time/week: RR = 1.984, 95% CI: 1.045 - 3.767), indicating this factor was related to the hazard of HIV sero-conversion. However, the viral load of HIV infections has no such effect on HIV sero-conversion of their spouses. In addition, the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) was lower in spouses of HIV sero-conversion than that in spouses of HIV non-sero conversion (t test: t = 4.77, P < 0.01). In order to control HIV transmission among general population, we suggested that HIV/AIDS counseling and testing be developed for pre-marital people in the region with high HIV prevalence.

Nonreciprocal State Conversion between Microwave and Optical Photons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Lin; Li, Zhen

Nonreciprocal devices are of critical importance in the realization of noiseless and lossless quantum networks. Despite previous efforts, it is still challenging to implement nonreciprocal devices that connect distinctively different frequency scales. Optomechanical quantum interfaces can be utilized to connect systems with different frequencies in hybrid quantum networks. Here we present a scheme of nonreciprocal quantum state conversion between microwave and optical photons via an optomechanical interface. By introducing an auxiliary cavity and manipulating the phase differences between the linearized optomechanical couplings, uni-directional state transmission can be achieved. The interface can function as an isolator, a circulator, and a two-way switch that routes the input states to a selected output channel. We show that under a generalized impedance matching condition, the state conversion can reach high fidelity and is robust against the thermal fluctuations in the mechanical mode. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation under Award Number 0956064. Z. Li is also supported by a fellowship from the China Scholarship Council.

Orbitally-driven giant phonon anharmonicity in SnSe

DOE PAGES

Li, Chen W.; Hong, Jiawang; May, Andrew F.; ...

2015-10-19

We understand that elementary excitations and their couplings in condensed matter systems is critical to develop better energy-conversion devices. In thermoelectric materials, the heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency is directly improved by suppressing the propagation of phonon quasiparticles responsible for macroscopic thermal transport. The material with the current record for thermoelectric conversion efficiency, SnSe, achieves an ultra-low thermal conductivity, but the mechanism enabling this strong phonon scattering remains largely unknown. Using inelastic neutron scattering measurements and first-principles simulations, we mapped the four-dimensional phonon dispersion surfaces of SnSe, and revealed the origin of ionic-potential anharmonicity responsible for the unique properties of SnSe. Wemore » show that the giant phonon scattering arises from an unstable electronic structure, with orbital interactions leading to a ferroelectric-like lattice instability. Our results provide a microscopic picture connecting electronic structure and phonon anharmonicity in SnSe, and offers precious insights on how electron-phonon and phononphonon interactions may lead to the realization of ultra-low thermal conductivity.« less

Orbitally driven giant phonon anharmonicity in SnSe

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, C. W.; Hong, J.; May, A. F.

Understanding elementary excitations and their couplings in condensed matter systems is critical for developing better energy-conversion devices. In thermoelectric materials, the heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency is directly improved by suppressing the propagation of phonon quasiparticles responsible for macroscopic thermal transport. The current record material for thermoelectric conversion efficiency, SnSe, has an ultralow thermal conductivity, but the mechanism behind the strong phonon scattering remains largely unknown. From inelastic neutron scattering measurements and first-principles simulations, we mapped the four-dimensional phonon dispersion surfaces of SnSe, and found the origin of the ionic-potential anharmonicity responsible for the unique properties of SnSe. We show that themore » giant phonon scattering arises from an unstable electronic structure, with orbital interactions leading to a ferroelectric-like lattice instability. The present results provide a microscopic picture connecting electronic structure and phonon anharmonicity in SnSe, and offers new insights on how electron–phonon and phonon–phonon interactions may lead to the realization of ultralow thermal conductivity.« less

Driven superconducting quantum circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Yasunobu

2014-03-01

Driven nonlinear quantum systems show rich phenomena in various fields of physics. Among them, superconducting quantum circuits have very attractive features such as well-controlled quantum states with design flexibility, strong nonlinearity of Josephson junctions, strong coupling to electromagnetic driving fields, little internal dissipation, and tailored coupling to the electromagnetic environment. We have investigated properties and functionalities of driven superconducting quantum circuits. A transmon qubit coupled to a transmission line shows nearly perfect spatial mode matching between the incident and scattered microwave field in the 1D mode. Dressed states under a driving field are studied there and also in a semi-infinite 1D mode terminated by a resonator containing a flux qubit. An effective Λ-type three-level system is realized under an appropriate driving condition. It allows ``impedance-matched'' perfect absorption of incident probe photons and down conversion into another frequency mode. Finally, the weak signal from the qubit is read out using a Josephson parametric amplifier/oscillator which is another nonlinear circuit driven by a strong pump field. This work was partly supported by the Funding Program for World-Leading Innovative R&D on Science and Technology (FIRST), Project for Developing Innovation Systems of MEXT, MEXT KAKENHI ``Quantum Cybernetics,'' and the NICT Commissioned Research.

Polarization-dependent interfacial coupling modulation of ferroelectric photovoltaic effect in PZT-ZnO heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Dan-Feng; Bi, Gui-Feng; Chen, Guang-Yi; Zhang, Hao; Liu, Jun-Ming; Wang, Guang-Hou; Wan, Jian-Guo

2016-03-01

Recently, ferroelectric perovskite oxides have drawn much attention due to potential applications in the field of solar energy conversion. However, the power conversion efficiency of ferroelectric photovoltaic effect currently reported is far below the expectable value. One of the crucial problems lies in the two back-to-back Schottky barriers, which are formed at the ferroelectric-electrode interfaces and blocking most of photo-generated carriers to reach the outside circuit. Herein, we develop a new approach to enhance the ferroelectric photovoltaic effect by introducing the polarization-dependent interfacial coupling effect. Through inserting a semiconductor ZnO layer with spontaneous polarization into the ferroelectric ITO/PZT/Au film, a p-n junction with strong polarization-dependent interfacial coupling effect is formed. The power conversion efficiency of the heterostructure is improved by nearly two orders of magnitude and the polarization modulation ratio is increased about four times. It is demonstrated that the polarization-dependent interfacial coupling effect can give rise to a great change in band structure of the heterostructure, not only producing an aligned internal electric field but also tuning both depletion layer width and potential barrier height at PZT-ZnO interface. This work provides an efficient way in developing highly efficient ferroelectric-based solar cells and novel optoelectronic memory devices.

Polarization-dependent interfacial coupling modulation of ferroelectric photovoltaic effect in PZT-ZnO heterostructures.

PubMed

Pan, Dan-Feng; Bi, Gui-Feng; Chen, Guang-Yi; Zhang, Hao; Liu, Jun-Ming; Wang, Guang-Hou; Wan, Jian-Guo

2016-03-08

Recently, ferroelectric perovskite oxides have drawn much attention due to potential applications in the field of solar energy conversion. However, the power conversion efficiency of ferroelectric photovoltaic effect currently reported is far below the expectable value. One of the crucial problems lies in the two back-to-back Schottky barriers, which are formed at the ferroelectric-electrode interfaces and blocking most of photo-generated carriers to reach the outside circuit. Herein, we develop a new approach to enhance the ferroelectric photovoltaic effect by introducing the polarization-dependent interfacial coupling effect. Through inserting a semiconductor ZnO layer with spontaneous polarization into the ferroelectric ITO/PZT/Au film, a p-n junction with strong polarization-dependent interfacial coupling effect is formed. The power conversion efficiency of the heterostructure is improved by nearly two orders of magnitude and the polarization modulation ratio is increased about four times. It is demonstrated that the polarization-dependent interfacial coupling effect can give rise to a great change in band structure of the heterostructure, not only producing an aligned internal electric field but also tuning both depletion layer width and potential barrier height at PZT-ZnO interface. This work provides an efficient way in developing highly efficient ferroelectric-based solar cells and novel optoelectronic memory devices.

Polarization-dependent interfacial coupling modulation of ferroelectric photovoltaic effect in PZT-ZnO heterostructures

PubMed Central

Pan, Dan-Feng; Bi, Gui-Feng; Chen, Guang-Yi; Zhang, Hao; Liu, Jun-Ming; Wang, Guang-Hou; Wan, Jian-Guo

2016-01-01

Recently, ferroelectric perovskite oxides have drawn much attention due to potential applications in the field of solar energy conversion. However, the power conversion efficiency of ferroelectric photovoltaic effect currently reported is far below the expectable value. One of the crucial problems lies in the two back-to-back Schottky barriers, which are formed at the ferroelectric-electrode interfaces and blocking most of photo-generated carriers to reach the outside circuit. Herein, we develop a new approach to enhance the ferroelectric photovoltaic effect by introducing the polarization-dependent interfacial coupling effect. Through inserting a semiconductor ZnO layer with spontaneous polarization into the ferroelectric ITO/PZT/Au film, a p-n junction with strong polarization-dependent interfacial coupling effect is formed. The power conversion efficiency of the heterostructure is improved by nearly two orders of magnitude and the polarization modulation ratio is increased about four times. It is demonstrated that the polarization-dependent interfacial coupling effect can give rise to a great change in band structure of the heterostructure, not only producing an aligned internal electric field but also tuning both depletion layer width and potential barrier height at PZT-ZnO interface. This work provides an efficient way in developing highly efficient ferroelectric-based solar cells and novel optoelectronic memory devices. PMID:26954833

High Step-Up DC—DC Converter for AC Photovoltaic Module with MPPT Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundar, Govindasamy; Karthick, Narashiman; Rama Reddy, Sasi

2014-08-01

This paper presents the high gain step-up BOOST converter which is essential to step up the low output voltage from PV panel to the high voltage according to the requirement of the application. In this paper a high gain BOOST converter with coupled inductor technique is proposed with the MPPT control. Without extreme duty ratios and the numerous turns-ratios of a coupled inductor this converter achieves a high step-up voltage-conversion ratio and the leakage energy of the coupled inductor is efficiently recycled to the load. MPPT control used to extract the maximum power from PV panel by controlling the Duty ratio of the converter. The PV panel, BOOST converter and the MPPT are modeled using Sim Power System blocks in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. The prototype model of the proposed converter has been implemented with the maximum measured efficiency is up to 95.4% and full-load efficiency is 93.1%.

Coupling Glucose Dehydrogenation with CO2 Hydrogenation by Hydrogen Transfer in Aqueous Media at Room Temperature.

PubMed

Ding, Guodong; Su, Ji; Zhang, Cheng; Tang, Kan; Yang, Lisha; Lin, Hongfei

2018-05-08

Conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals and fuels provides a direct solution to reduce excessive CO2 in the atmosphere. Herein, a novel catalytic reaction system is presented by coupling the dehydrogenation of glucose with the hydrogenation of a CO2 derived salt, ammonium carbonate, in the ethanol-water mixture. For the first time, the hydrogenation of CO2 into formate by glucose has been achieved under ambient conditions. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the highest yield of formate reached ~ 46 %. We find that the apparent pH value in the ethanol-water mixture plays a central role in determining the performance of the hydrogen transfer reaction. Based on the 13C NMR and ESI-MS results, a possible pathway of the coupled glucose dehydrogenation and CO2 hydrogenation reactions was proposed. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Energy conversion and momentum coupling of the sub-kJ laser ablation of aluminum in air atmosphere

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mori, Koichi; Maruyama, Ryo; Shimamura, Kohei

2015-08-21

Energy conversion and momentum coupling using nano-second 1-μm-wavelength pulse laser irradiation on an aluminum target were measured in air and nitrogen gas atmospheres over a wide range of laser pulse energies from sub-J to sub-kJ. From the expansion rate of the shock wave, the blast-wave energy conversion efficiency, η{sub bw}, was deduced as 0.59 ± 0.02 in the air atmosphere at an ambient pressure from 30 to 101 kPa for a constant laser fluence at 115 J/cm{sup 2}. Moreover, the momentum coupling of a circular disk target was formulated uniquely as a function of the dimensionless shock-wave radius and the ratio of the lasermore » spot radius to the disk radius, while η{sub bw} could be approximated as constant for the laser fluence from 4.7 to 4.1 kJ/cm{sup 2}, and the ambient pressure from 0.1 to 101 kPa.« less

Desired Change in Couples: Gender Differences and Effects on Communication

PubMed Central

Heyman, Richard E.; Hunt, Ashley N.; Malik, Jill; Smith Slep, Amy M.

2009-01-01

Using a sample (N = 453) drawn from a representative sampling frame of couples who are married or living together and have a 3–7 year old child, this study investigates (a) the amount and specific areas of change desired by men and women, (b) the relation between relationship adjustment and desired change; and (c) the ways in which partners negotiate change. On the Areas of Change Questionnaire, women, compared with men, wanted greater increases in their partners’ emotional and companionate behaviors, instrumental support, and parenting involvement; men wanted greater increases in sex. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (Kenny, 1996, both men’s and women’s relationship adjustment predicted desired change (i.e., actor effects), over and above the effects of their partners’ adjustment (i.e., partner effects); partner effects were not significant. Each couple was also observed discussing the man’s and the woman’s top desired change area. Both men and women behaved more positively during the partner-initiated conversations than during their own-initiated conversations. Women, compared with men, were more negative in their own and in their partners’ conversations. PMID:19685983

Theoretical study of spin Hall effect in conjugated Organic semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahani, M. R.; Delin, A.

The spin Hall effect (SHE), a direct conversion between electronic and spin currents, is a rapidly growing branch of spintronics. The study of SHE in conjugated polymers has gained momentum recently due to the weak spin-orbit couplings and hyperfine interactions in these materials. Our calculations of SHE based on the recent work, are the result of the misalignment of pi-orbitals in triads consisting of three molecules. In disordered organics, where the electronic conduction is through hopping of the electrons among randomly oriented molecules, instead of identifying a hopping triad to represent the entire system, we numerically solve the master equations for electrical and spin hall conductivities by summing the contributions from all triads in a sufficiently large system. The interference between the direct and indirect hoppings in these triads leads to SHE proportional to the orientation vector of molecule at the first order of spin-orbit coupling. Hence, our results show, the degree of molecular alignment as well as the strength of the spin-orbit coupling can be used to control the SHE in organics.

Optimization studies of bio-hydrogen production in a coupled microbial electrolysis-dye sensitized solar cell system.

PubMed

Ajayi, Folusho Francis; Kim, Kyoung-Yeol; Chae, Kyu-Jung; Choi, Mi-Jin; Chang, In Seop; Kim, In S

2010-03-01

Bio-hydrogen production in light-assisted microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) with a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was optimized by connecting multiple MECs to a single dye (N719) sensitized solar cell (V(OC) approx. 0.7 V). Hydrogen production occurred simultaneously in all the connected MECs when the solar cell was irradiated with light. The amount of hydrogen produced in each MEC depends on the activity of the microbial catalyst on their anode. Substrate (acetate) to hydrogen conversion efficiencies ranging from 42% to 65% were obtained from the reactors during the experiment. A moderate light intensity of 430 W m(-2) was sufficient for hydrogen production in the coupled MEC-DSSC. A higher light intensity of 915 W m(-2), as well as an increase in substrate concentration, did not show any improvement in the current density due to limitation caused by the rate of microbial oxidation on the anode. A significant reduction in the surface area of the connected DSSC only showed a slight effect on current density in the coupled MEC-DSSC system when irradiated with light.

Watering Graphene for Devices and Electricity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Wanlin; Yin, Jun; Li, Xuemei; Zhang, Zhuhua

2013-03-01

Graphene bring us into a fantastic two-dimensional (2D) age of nanotechnology, which can be fabricated and applied at wafer scale, visible at single layer but showing exceptional properties distinguished from its bulk form graphite, linking the properties of atomic layers with the engineering scale of our mankind. We shown that flow-induced-voltage in graphene can be 20 folds higher than in graphite, not only due to the giant Seebeck coefficient of single layer graphene, but also the exceptional interlayer interaction in few layer graphene. Extremely excitingly, water flow over graphene can generate electricity through unexpected interaction of the ions in the water with the graphene. We also find extraordinary mechanical-electric-magnetic coupling effects in graphene and BN systems. Such extraordinary multifield coupling effects in graphene and functional nanosystems open up new vistas in nanotechnology for efficient energy conversion, self-powering flexible devices and novel functional systems.

Noble-metal-free g-C3N4/Ni(dmgH)2 composite for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Shao-Wen; Yuan, Yu-Peng; Barber, James; Loo, Say Chye Joachim; Xue, Can

2014-11-01

We report an economic photocatalytic H2 generation system consisting of earth-abundant elements only by coupling graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with Ni(dmgH)2 sub-microwires that serve as effective co-catalysts for H2 evolution. This composite photocatalyst exhibits efficient hydrogen evolution under visible-light irradiation in the presence of triethanolamine as electron donor. The optimal coupling of 3.5 wt% Ni(dmgH)2 to g-C3N4 (5 mg composite) allows for a steady H2 generation rate of 1.18 μmol/h with excellent stability. This study demonstrates that the combination of polymeric g-C3N4 semiconductor and small proportion of transition-metal-based co-catalyst could serve as a stable, earth-abundant and low-cost system for solar-to-hydrogen conversion.

Multicasting based optical inverse multiplexing in elastic optical network.

PubMed

Guo, Bingli; Xu, Yingying; Zhu, Paikun; Zhong, Yucheng; Chen, Yuanxiang; Li, Juhao; Chen, Zhangyuan; He, Yongqi

2014-06-16

Optical multicasting based inverse multiplexing (IM) is introduced in spectrum allocation of elastic optical network to resolve the spectrum fragmentation problem, where superchannels could be split and fit into several discrete spectrum blocks in the intermediate node. We experimentally demonstrate it with a 1-to-7 optical superchannel multicasting module and selecting/coupling components. Also, simulation results show that, comparing with several emerging spectrum defragmentation solutions (e.g., spectrum conversion, split spectrum), IM could reduce blocking performance significantly but without adding too much system complexity as split spectrum. On the other hand, service fairness for traffic with different granularity of these schemes is investigated for the first time and it shows that IM performs better than spectrum conversion and almost as well as split spectrum, especially for smaller size traffic under light traffic intensity.

High coupling efficiency of foam spherical hohlraum driven by 2ω laser light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yao-Hua; Lan, Ke; Zheng, Wanguo; Campbell, E. M.

2018-02-01

The majority of solid state laser facilities built for laser fusion research irradiate targets with third harmonic light (0.35 μm) up-converted from the fundamental Nd wavelength at 1.05 μm. The motivation for this choice of wavelength is improved laser-plasma coupling. Significant disadvantages to this choice of wavelength are the reduced damage threshold of optical components and the efficiency of energy conversion to third harmonic light. Both these issues are significantly improved if second harmonic (0.53 μm) radiation is used, but theory and experiments have shown lower optical to x-ray energy conversion efficiency and increased levels of laser-plasma instabilities, resulting in reduced laser-target coupling. In this letter, we propose to use a 0.53 μm laser for the laser ignition facilities and use a low density foam wall to increase the coupling efficiency from the laser to the capsule and present two-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of 0.53 μm laser light irradiating an octahedral-spherical hohlraum with a low density foam wall. The simulations show that the reduced optical depth of the foam wall leads to an increased laser-light conversion into thermal x-rays and about 10% higher radiation flux on the capsule than that achieved with 0.35 μm light irradiating a solid density wall commonly used in laser indirect drive fusion research. The details of the simulations and their implications and suggestions for wavelength scaling coupled with innovative hohlraum designs will be discussed.

Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems FY16 Modeling Efforts at ORNL

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cetiner, Sacit M.; Greenwood, Michael Scott; Harrison, Thomas J.

A nuclear hybrid system uses a nuclear reactor as the basic power generation unit. The power generated by the nuclear reactor is utilized by one or more power customers as either thermal power, electrical power, or both. In general, a nuclear hybrid system will couple the nuclear reactor to at least one thermal power user in addition to the power conversion system. The definition and architecture of a particular nuclear hybrid system is flexible depending on local markets needs and opportunities. For example, locations in need of potable water may be best served by coupling a desalination plant to themore » nuclear system. Similarly, an area near oil refineries may have a need for emission-free hydrogen production. A nuclear hybrid system expands the nuclear power plant from its more familiar central power station role by diversifying its immediately and directly connected customer base. The definition, design, analysis, and optimization work currently performed with respect to the nuclear hybrid systems represents the work of three national laboratories. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is the lead lab working with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Each laboratory is providing modeling and simulation expertise for the integration of the hybrid system.« less

PINPIN a-Si:H based structures for X-ray image detection using the laser scanning technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandes, M.; Vygranenko, Y.; Vieira, M.

2015-05-01

Conventional film based X-ray imaging systems are being replaced by their digital equivalents. Different approaches are being followed by considering direct or indirect conversion, with the later technique dominating. The typical, indirect conversion, X-ray panel detector uses a phosphor for X-ray conversion coupled to a large area array of amorphous silicon based optical sensors and a couple of switching thin film transistors (TFT). The pixel information can then be readout by switching the correspondent line and column transistors, routing the signal to an external amplifier. In this work we follow an alternative approach, where the electrical switching performed by the TFT is replaced by optical scanning using a low power laser beam and a sensing/switching PINPIN structure, thus resulting in a simpler device. The optically active device is a PINPIN array, sharing both front and back electrical contacts, deposited over a glass substrate. During X-ray exposure, each sensing side photodiode collects photons generated by the scintillator screen (560 nm), charging its internal capacitance. Subsequently a laser beam (445 nm) scans the switching diodes (back side) retrieving the stored charge in a sequential way, reconstructing the image. In this paper we present recent work on the optoelectronic characterization of the PINPIN structure to be incorporated in the X-ray image sensor. The results from the optoelectronic characterization of the device and the dependence on scanning beam parameters are presented and discussed. Preliminary results of line scans are also presented.

Cleave and couple: toward fully sustainable catalytic conversion of lignocellulose to value added building blocks and fuels.

PubMed

Sun, Zhuohua; Barta, Katalin

2018-06-21

The structural complexity of lignocellulose offers unique opportunities for the development of entirely new, energy efficient and waste-free pathways in order to obtain valuable bio-based building blocks. Such sustainable catalytic methods - specifically tailored to address the efficient conversion of abundant renewable starting materials - are necessary to successfully compete, in the future, with fossil-based multi-step processes. In this contribution we give a summary of recent developments in this field and describe our "cleave and couple" strategy, where "cleave" refers to the catalytic deconstruction of lignocellulose to aromatic and aliphatic alcohol intermediates, and "couple" involves the development of novel, sustainable transformations for the formation of C-C and C-N bonds in order to obtain a range of attractive products from lignocellulose.

Combustion pinhole-camera system

DOEpatents

Witte, A.B.

1982-05-19

A pinhole camera system is described utilizing a sealed optical-purge assembly which provides optical access into a coal combustor or other energy conversion reactors. The camera system basically consists of a focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly, a conventional TV vidicon receiver, an external, variable density light filter which is coupled electronically to the vidicon automatic gain control (agc). The key component of this system is the focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly which utilizes a purging inert gas to keep debris from entering the port and a lens arrangement which transfers the pinhole to the outside of the port assembly. One additional feature of the port assembly is that it is not flush with the interior of the combustor.

Combustion pinhole camera system

DOEpatents

Witte, A.B.

1984-02-21

A pinhole camera system is described utilizing a sealed optical-purge assembly which provides optical access into a coal combustor or other energy conversion reactors. The camera system basically consists of a focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly, a conventional TV vidicon receiver, an external, variable density light filter which is coupled electronically to the vidicon automatic gain control (agc). The key component of this system is the focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly which utilizes a purging inert gas to keep debris from entering the port and a lens arrangement which transfers the pinhole to the outside of the port assembly. One additional feature of the port assembly is that it is not flush with the interior of the combustor. 2 figs.

Combustion pinhole camera system

DOEpatents

Witte, Arvel B.

1984-02-21

A pinhole camera system utilizing a sealed optical-purge assembly which provides optical access into a coal combustor or other energy conversion reactors. The camera system basically consists of a focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly, a conventional TV vidicon receiver, an external, variable density light filter which is coupled electronically to the vidicon automatic gain control (agc). The key component of this system is the focused-purge pinhole optical port assembly which utilizes a purging inert gas to keep debris from entering the port and a lens arrangement which transfers the pinhole to the outside of the port assembly. One additional feature of the port assembly is that it is not flush with the interior of the combustor.

Study of a high-precision SAW-MOEMS strain sensor with laser optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xinwei; Chen, Shufen; Li, Honglang; Zou, Zhengfeng; Fu, Lei; Meng, Yanbin

2015-02-01

A novel structure design of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) micro-optic-electro-mechanical-system (MOEMS) strain sensor with a light readout unit is presented in this paper. By measuring the polarization intensity ratio of the TE/TM mode outputted from the waveguide, the strain produced from an object can be measured precisely. The basic working principle of the SAW MOEMS strain sensor is introduced and the mathematical model of the strain sensor system is established. The SAW characteristics effected by the strain sensor are mathematically deduced. The coupling coefficient between the SAW modes and light modes can be calculated based on the theory of coupling modes. The conversion coefficient of polarized light modes is obtained. Due to the restrictions of the specific parameters of the device, the level of technology and the material characteristics, the sensitivity of the strain sensor system is calculated through simulation as 0.1 μɛ, with a dynamic range of 0 ~ ±50 μɛ.

Comparison of Analytical Predictions and Experimental Results for a Dual Brayton Power System (Discussion on Test Hardware and Computer Model for a Dual Brayton System)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Paul K.

2007-01-01

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) contracted Barber-Nichols, Arvada, CO to construct a dual Brayton power conversion system for use as a hardware proof of concept and to validate results from a computational code known as the Closed Cycle System Simulation (CCSS). Initial checkout tests were performed at Barber- Nichols to ready the system for delivery to GRC. This presentation describes the system hardware components and lists the types of checkout tests performed along with a couple issues encountered while conducting the tests. A description of the CCSS model is also presented. The checkout tests did not focus on generating data, therefore, no test data or model analyses are presented.

Fluence-to-dose conversion coefficients for neutrons and protons calculated using the PHITS code and ICRP/ICRU adult reference computational phantoms.

PubMed

Sato, Tatsuhiko; Endo, Akira; Zankl, Maria; Petoussi-Henss, Nina; Niita, Koji

2009-04-07

The fluence to organ-dose and effective-dose conversion coefficients for neutrons and protons with energies up to 100 GeV was calculated using the PHITS code coupled to male and female adult reference computational phantoms, which are to be released as a common ICRP/ICRU publication. For the calculation, the radiation and tissue weighting factors, w(R) and w(T), respectively, as revised in ICRP Publication 103 were employed. The conversion coefficients for effective dose equivalents derived using the radiation quality factors of both Q(L) and Q(y) relationships were also estimated, utilizing the functions for calculating the probability densities of the absorbed dose in terms of LET (L) and lineal energy (y), respectively, implemented in PHITS. By comparing these data with the corresponding data for the effective dose, we found that the numerical compatibilities of the revised w(R) with the Q(L) and Q(y) relationships are fairly established. The calculated data of these dose conversion coefficients are indispensable for constructing the radiation protection systems based on the new recommendations given in ICRP103 for aircrews and astronauts, as well as for workers in accelerators and nuclear facilities.

A Video Recall Study of In-session Changes in Sentiment Override.

PubMed

Johnson, Lee N; Tambling, Rachel B; Anderson, Shayne R

2015-09-01

This study examines in-session changes in sentiment override over the first three sessions of couple therapy. Couples viewed a video recording of therapy sessions immediately after each of the first three sessions and continuously rated their level of sentiment override. Ninety-eight changes were randomly chosen for analysis. Three talk turns prior to each change was coded using the Family Relational Communication Control Coding System. Results show that changes in sentiment override occur frequently. Repeated incidents of communication control were related to negative change in sentiment override for females. Repeated incidents of being left out of the conversation were related to negative changes in sentiment override for females and positive changes for males. © 2014 Family Process Institute.

A shock capturing technique for hypersonic, chemically relaxing flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eberhardt, S.; Brown, K.

1986-01-01

A fully coupled, shock capturing technique is presented for chemically reacting flows at high Mach numbers. The technique makes use of a total variation diminishing (TVD) dissipation operator which results in sharp, crisp shocks. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the fully coupled system, which includes species conversion equations in addition to the gas dynamics equations, are analytically derived for a general reacting gas. Species production terms for a model dissociating gas are introduced and are included in the algorithm. The convective terms are solved using a first-order TVD scheme while the source terms are solved using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme to enhance stability. Results from one-dimensional numerical experiments are shown for a two species and a three species gas.

Conversation Analysis in Computer-Assisted Language Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

González-Lloret, Marta

2015-01-01

The use of Conversation Analysis (CA) in the study of technology-mediated interactions is a recent methodological addition to qualitative research in the field of Computer-assisted Language Learning (CALL). The expansion of CA in Second Language Acquisition research, coupled with the need for qualitative techniques to explore how people interact…

Family Worlds: Couple Satisfaction, Parenting Style, and Mothers' and Fathers' Speech to Young Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pratt, Michael W.; And Others

1992-01-01

Investigated relations between certain family context variables and the conversational behavior of 36 parents who were playing with their 3 year olds. Transcripts were coded for types of conversational functions and structure of parent speech. Marital satisfaction was associated with aspects of parent speech. (LB)

Land-use legacies regulate decomposition dynamics following bioenergy crop conversion

DOE PAGES

Kallenbach, Cynthia M.; Stuart Grandy, A.

2014-07-14

Land-use conversion into bioenergy crop production can alter litter decomposition processes tightly coupled to soil carbon and nutrient dynamics. Yet, litter decomposition has been poorly described in bioenergy production systems, especially following land-use conversion. Predicting decomposition dynamics in postconversion bioenergy production systems is challenging because of the combined influence of land-use legacies with current management and litter quality. To evaluate how land-use legacies interact with current bioenergy crop management to influence litter decomposition in different litter types, we conducted a landscape-scale litterbag decomposition experiment. We proposed land-use legacies regulate decomposition, but their effects are weakened under higher quality litter andmore » when current land use intensifies ecosystem disturbance relative to prior land use. We compared sites left in historical land uses of either agriculture (AG) or Conservation Reserve Program grassland (CRP) to those that were converted to corn or switchgrass bioenergy crop production. Enzyme activities, mass loss, microbial biomass, and changes in litter chemistry were monitored in corn stover and switchgrass litter over 485 days, accompanied by similar soil measurements. Across all measured variables, legacy had the strongest effect (P < 0.05) relative to litter type and current management, where CRP sites maintained higher soil and litter enzyme activities and microbial biomass relative to AG sites. Decomposition responses to conversion depended on legacy but also current management and litter type. Within the CRP sites, conversion into corn increased litter enzymes, microbial biomass, and litter protein and lipid abundances, especially on decomposing corn litter, relative to nonconverted CRP. However, conversion into switchgrass from CRP, a moderate disturbance, often had no effect on switchgrass litter decomposition parameters. Thus, legacies shape the direction and magnitude of decomposition responses to bioenergy crop conversion and therefore should be considered a key influence on litter and soil C cycling under bioenergy crop management.« less

Segmented SiGe-PbTe couples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eggers, P. E.; Mueller, J. J.

1969-01-01

New design of segmented couples incorporates an intermediate junction contacted by pressure, and eliminates transition members that bond materials differing in thermal expansion. Development of a reproducible and reliable intermediate junction between PbTe and SiGe will be applicable to direct conversion of energy.

Conversion of a Rhotrix to a "Coupled Matrix"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sani, B.

2008-01-01

In this note, a method of converting a rhotrix to a special form of matrix termed a "coupled matrix" is proposed. The special matrix can be used to solve various problems involving n x n and (n - 1) x (n - 1) matrices simultaneously.

Improved NADPH Regeneration for Fungal Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase by Co-Expressing Bacterial Glucose Dehydrogenase in Resting-Cell Biotransformation of Recombinant Yeast.

PubMed

Jeon, Hyunwoo; Durairaj, Pradeepraj; Lee, Dowoo; Ahsan, Md Murshidul; Yun, Hyungdon

2016-12-28

Fungal cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes catalyze versatile monooxygenase reactions and play a major role in fungal adaptations owing to their essential roles in the production avoid metabolites critical for pathogenesis, detoxification of xenobiotics, and exploitation avoid substrates. Although fungal CYP-dependent biotransformation for the selective oxidation avoid organic compounds in yeast system is advantageous, it often suffers from a shortage avoid intracellular NADPH. In this study, we aimed to investigate the use of bacterial glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) for the intracellular electron regeneration of fungal CYP monooxygenase in a yeast reconstituted system. The benzoate hydroxylase FoCYP53A19 and its homologous redox partner FoCPR from Fusarium oxysporum were co-expressed with the BsGDH from Bacillus subtilis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for heterologous expression and biotransformations. We attempted to optimize several bottlenecks concerning the efficiency of fungal CYP-mediated whole-cell-biotransformation to enhance the conversion. The catalytic performance of the intracellular NADPH regeneration system facilitated the hydroxylation of benzoic acid to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid with high conversion in the resting-cell reaction. The FoCYP53A19 +FoCPR+BsGDH reconstituted system produced 0.47 mM 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (94% conversion) in the resting-cell biotransformations performed in 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) containing 0.5 mM benzoic acid and 0.25% glucose for 24 h at 30°C. The "coupled-enzyme" system can certainly improve the overall performance of NADPH-dependent whole-cell biotransformations in a yeast system.

High efficiency solar cells combining a perovskite and a silicon heterojunction solar cells via an optical splitting system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uzu, Hisashi, E-mail: Hisashi.Uzu@kaneka.co.jp, E-mail: npark@skku.edu; Ichikawa, Mitsuru; Hino, Masashi

2015-01-05

We have applied an optical splitting system in order to achieve very high conversion efficiency for a full spectrum multi-junction solar cell. This system consists of multiple solar cells with different band gap optically coupled via an “optical splitter.” An optical splitter is a multi-layered beam splitter with very high reflection in the shorter-wave-length range and very high transmission in the longer-wave-length range. By splitting the incident solar spectrum and distributing it to each solar cell, the solar energy can be managed more efficiently. We have fabricated optical splitters and used them with a wide-gap amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cellmore » or a CH{sub 3}NH{sub 3}PbI{sub 3} perovskite solar cell as top cells, combined with mono-crystalline silicon heterojunction (HJ) solar cells as bottom cells. We have achieved with a 550 nm cutoff splitter an active area conversion efficiency of over 25% using a-Si and HJ solar cells and 28% using perovskite and HJ solar cells.« less

Status of Kilowatt-Class Stirling Power Conversion Using a Pumped NaK Loop for Thermal Input

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Briggs, Maxwell H.; Geng, Steven M.; Robbie, Malcolm G.

2010-01-01

Free-piston Stirling power conversion has been identified as a viable option for potential Fission Surface Power (FSP) systems on the Moon and Mars. Proposed systems consist of two or more Stirling convertors, in a dual-opposed configuration, coupled to a low-temperature uranium-dioxide-fueled, liquid-metal-cooled reactor. To reduce developmental risks associated with liquid-metal loop integration, a test rig has been built to evaluate the performance of a pair of 1-kW free-piston Stirling convertors using a pumped sodium-potassium (NaK) loop for thermal energy input. Baseline performance maps have been generated at the Glenn Research Center (GRC) for these 1-kW convertors operating with an electric heat source. Each convertor was then retrofitted with a custom-made NaK heater head and integrated into a pumped NaK system at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). This paper documents baseline testing at GRC as well as the progress made in integrating the Stirling convertors into the pumped NaK loop.

Mathematical programming models for the economic design and assessment of wind energy conversion systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinert, K. A.

The use of linear decision rules (LDR) and chance constrained programming (CCP) to optimize the performance of wind energy conversion clusters coupled to storage systems is described. Storage is modelled by LDR and output by CCP. The linear allocation rule and linear release rule prescribe the size and optimize a storage facility with a bypass. Chance constraints are introduced to explicitly treat reliability in terms of an appropriate value from an inverse cumulative distribution function. Details of deterministic programming structure and a sample problem involving a 500 kW and a 1.5 MW WECS are provided, considering an installed cost of $1/kW. Four demand patterns and three levels of reliability are analyzed for optimizing the generator choice and the storage configuration for base load and peak operating conditions. Deficiencies in ability to predict reliability and to account for serial correlations are noted in the model, which is concluded useful for narrowing WECS design options.

A 15 kWe (nominal) solar thermal-electric power conversion concept definition study: Steam Rankin reciprocator system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wingenback, W.; Carter, J., Jr.

1979-01-01

A conceptual design of a 3600 rpm reciprocation expander was developed for maximum thermal input power of 80 kW. The conceptual design covered two engine configurations; a single cylinder design for simple cycle operation and a two cylinder design for reheat cycle operation. The reheat expander contains a high pressure cylinder and a low pressure cylinder with steam being reheated to the initial inlet temperature after expansion in the high pressure cylinder. Power generation is accomplished with a three-phase induction motor coupled directly to the expander and connected electrically to the public utility power grid. The expander, generator, water pump and control system weigh 297 kg and are dish mounted. The steam condenser, water tank and accessory pumps are ground based. Maximum heat engine efficiency is 33 percent: maximum power conversion efficiency is 30 percent. Total cost is $3,307 or $138 per kW of maximum output power.

Encouraging couples to change: a motivational assessment to promote well-being in people with chronic pain and their partners.

PubMed

Miller-Matero, Lisa Renee; Cano, Annmarie

2015-02-01

Motivating people with chronic pain to engage in therapy can be difficult, especially when individuals have not experienced adequate pain management. Therefore, it may be useful for clinicians to use a motivational assessment as a part of treatment to help patients achieve immediate benefits. Additionally, because the social context impacts chronic illness, the significant other should be included in the assessment. This article describes a motivational assessment that was developed for people with chronic pain and their partners. The motivational assessment begins with gathering information from questionnaires that each partner completes, conducting a semi-structured interview about the couples' relationship and pain history, and observing the couples converse about pain coping. Next, tailored feedback is provided to each couple regarding their strengths and weaknesses with suggestions for how to improve their relationship and pain coping skills. This tailored feedback engages the couple in this conversation by adhering to the principles of motivational interviewing. A case example of a couple who completed this motivational assessment is described. This assessment resulted in immediate improvements in marital satisfaction, pain severity, and mood for the couple. This article provides a guide to clinicians for using a motivational assessment to help patients with a chronic illness achieve immediate benefits. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of system-bath coupling on a photosynthetic heat engine: A polaron master-equation approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, M.; Shen, H. Z.; Zhao, X. L.; Yi, X. X.

2017-07-01

Stimulated by suggestions of quantum effects in energy transport in photosynthesis, the fundamental principles responsible for the near-unit efficiency of the conversion of solar to chemical energy became active again in recent years. Under natural conditions, the formation of stable charge-separation states in bacteria and plant reaction centers is strongly affected by the coupling of electronic degrees of freedom to a wide range of vibrational motions. These inspire and motivate us to explore the effects of the environment on the operation of such complexes. In this paper, we apply the polaron master equation, which offers the possibilities to interpolate between weak and strong system-bath coupling, to study how system-bath couplings affect the exciton-transfer processes in the Photosystem II reaction center described by a quantum heat engine (QHE) model over a wide parameter range. The effects of bath correlation and temperature, together with the combined effects of these factors are also discussed in detail. We interpret these results in terms of noise-assisted transport effect and dynamical localization, which correspond to two mechanisms underpinning the transfer process in photosynthetic complexes: One is resonance energy transfer and the other is the dynamical localization effect captured by the polaron master equation. The effects of system-bath coupling and bath correlation are incorporated in the effective system-bath coupling strength determining whether noise-assisted transport effect or dynamical localization dominates the dynamics and temperature modulates the balance of the two mechanisms. Furthermore, these two mechanisms can be attributed to one physical origin: bath-induced fluctuations. The two mechanisms are manifestations of the dual role played by bath-induced fluctuations depending on the range of parameters. The origin and role of coherence are also discussed. It is the constructive interplay between noise and coherent dynamics, rather than the mere presence or absence of coherence or noise, that is responsible for the optimal heat engine performance. In addition, we find that the effective voltage of QHE exhibits superior robustness against the bath noise as long as the system-bath coupling is not very strong.

Improving Donor Conversion Rates at a Level One Trauma Center: Impact of Best Practice Guidelines.

PubMed

Alban, Rodrigo F; Gibbons, Bobby L; Bershad, Vanessa L

2016-11-22

Organ availability is a consistently limiting factor in transplant surgery. A primary driver of this limitation is donor conversion rate, which is defined as the percentage of eligible donors for whom procurement is actually performed. An alternative way to increase organ availability is through improved utilization of organs from donors after cardiac death (DCD). Recently, a concerted, multidisciplinary effort has been made within our system to improve conversion rates and DCD utilization, thus increasing organ availability. Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database from TransLife, our local organ procurement organization (OPO), as well as the Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) trauma registry, from 2009-2012 (up to 2013 for DCD). During which time, this organization implemented best practice guidelines to improve conversions and DCD utilization. We analyzed yearly conversion rates, DCD donations and population demographics before and after implementation of these policies. During the study period, donor conversion rates significantly improved from 58% in 2009 to 82% percent in 2012 hospital-wide (P<0.05); and from 50% in 2009 to 81% in 2012 among trauma patients alone (P<0.05). In addition, total organs transplanted increased from 13 to 31 organs (P<0.05) after implementation of best practice guidelines. No significant differences in trauma population demographics were noted during the study period. Based on our experience, the establishment of best practice policies for referral of potential donors, coupled with programs to educate hospital staff on the existence and importance of these policies, leads to significant improvement in donor conversion rates and increased utilization of DCD donors.

Biorefinery Demonstration Project Final Progress Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, David

2015-10-20

In this project we focused on various aspects of biorefinery technology development including algal-biorefinery technology, thermochemical conversion of biomass to bio-oils and biochar; we tested characteristics and applications of biochars and evaluated nutrient cycling with wastewater treatment by the coupling of algal culture systems and anaerobic digestion. Key results include a method for reducing water content of bio-oil through atomized alcohol addition. The effect included increasing the pH and reducing the viscosity and cloud point of the bio-oil. Low input biochar production systems were evaluated via literature reviews and direct experimental work. Additionally, emissions were evaluated and three biochar systemsmore » were compared via a life cycle analysis. Attached growth systems for both algal cultivation and algal harvesting were found to be superior to suspended growth cultures. Nutrient requirements for algal cultivation could be obtained by the recycling of anaerobic digester effluents, thus experimentally showing that these two systems could be directly coupled. Twenty-two journal articles and six intellectual property applications resulted from the cumulative work that this project contributed to programmatically.« less

Plasmon-photon conversion to near-infrared emission from Yb(3+): (Au/Ag-nanoparticles) in tungsten-tellurite glasses.

PubMed

Rivera, V A G; Ledemi, Yannick; Pereira-da-Silva, Marcelo A; Messaddeq, Younes; Marega, Euclydes

2016-01-04

This manuscript reports on the interaction between (2)F5/2→(2)F7/2 radiative transition from Yb(3+) ions and localized surface plasmon resonance (from gold/silver nanoparticles) in a tungsten-tellurite glass. Such an interaction, similar to the down-conversion process, results in the Yb(3+) emission in the near-infrared region via resonant and non-resonant energy transfers. We associated such effects with the dynamic coupling described by the variations generated by the Hamiltonian HDC in either the oscillator strength, or the local crystal field, i.e. the line shape changes in the emission band. Here, the Yb(3+) ions emission is achieved through plasmon-photon coupling, observable as an enhancement or quenching in the luminescence spectra. Metallic nanoparticles have light-collecting capability in the visible spectrum and can accumulate almost all the photon energy on a nanoscale, which enable the excitation and emission of the Yb(3+) ions in the near-infrared region. This plasmon-photon conversion was evaluated from the cavity's quality factor (Q) and the coupling (g) between the nanoparticles and the Yb(3+) ions. We have found samples of low-quality cavities and strong coupling between the nanoparticles and the Yb(3+) ions. Our research can be extended towards the understanding of new plasmon-photon converters obtained from interactions between rare-earth ions and localized surface plasmon resonance.

Plasmon-photon conversion to near-infrared emission from Yb3+: (Au/Ag-nanoparticles) in tungsten-tellurite glasses

PubMed Central

Rivera, V. A. G.; Ledemi, Yannick; Pereira-da-Silva, Marcelo A.; Messaddeq, Younes; Marega Jr, Euclydes

2016-01-01

This manuscript reports on the interaction between 2F5/2→2F7/2 radiative transition from Yb3+ ions and localized surface plasmon resonance (from gold/silver nanoparticles) in a tungsten-tellurite glass. Such an interaction, similar to the down-conversion process, results in the Yb3+ emission in the near-infrared region via resonant and non-resonant energy transfers. We associated such effects with the dynamic coupling described by the variations generated by the Hamiltonian HDC in either the oscillator strength, or the local crystal field, i.e. the line shape changes in the emission band. Here, the Yb3+ ions emission is achieved through plasmon-photon coupling, observable as an enhancement or quenching in the luminescence spectra. Metallic nanoparticles have light-collecting capability in the visible spectrum and can accumulate almost all the photon energy on a nanoscale, which enable the excitation and emission of the Yb3+ ions in the near-infrared region. This plasmon-photon conversion was evaluated from the cavity’s quality factor (Q) and the coupling (g) between the nanoparticles and the Yb3+ ions. We have found samples of low-quality cavities and strong coupling between the nanoparticles and the Yb3+ ions. Our research can be extended towards the understanding of new plasmon-photon converters obtained from interactions between rare-earth ions and localized surface plasmon resonance. PMID:26725938

Transient simulations of historical climate change including interactive carbon emissions from land-use change.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matveev, A.; Matthews, H. D.

2009-04-01

Carbon fluxes from land conversion are among the most uncertain variables in our understanding of the contemporary carbon cycle, which limits our ability to estimate both the total human contribution to current climate forcing and the net effect of terrestrial biosphere changes on atmospheric CO2 increases. The current generation of coupled climate-carbon models have made significant progress in simulating the coupled climate and carbon cycle response to anthropogenic CO2 emissions, but do not typically include land-use change as a dynamic component of the simulation. In this work we have incorporated a book-keeping land-use carbon accounting model into the University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model (UVic ESCM), and intermediate-complexity coupled climate-carbon model. The terrestrial component of the UVic ESCM allows an aerial competition of five plant functional types (PFTs) in response to climatic conditions and area availability, and tracks the associated changes in affected carbon pools. In order to model CO2 emissions from land conversion in the terrestrial component of the model, we calculate the allocation of carbon to short and long-lived wood products following specified land-cover change, and use varying decay timescales to estimate CO2 emissions. We use recently available spatial datasets of both crop and pasture distributions to drive a series of transient simulations and estimate the net contribution of human land-use change to historical carbon emissions and climate change.

Comparison of holographic lens and filter systems for lateral spectrum splitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vorndran, Shelby; Chrysler, Benjamin; Kostuk, Raymond K.

2016-09-01

Spectrum splitting is an approach to increasing the conversion efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) system. Several methods can be used to perform this function which requires efficient spatial separation of different spectral bands of the incident solar radiation. In this paper several of holographic methods for implementing spectrum splitting are reviewed along with the benefits and disadvantages associated with each approach. The review indicates that a volume holographic lens has many advantages for spectrum splitting in terms of both power conversion efficiency and energy yield. A specific design for a volume holographic spectrum splitting lens is discussed for use with high bandgap InGaP and low bandgap silicon PV cells. The holographic lenses are modeled using rigorous coupled wave analysis, and the optical efficiency is evaluated using non-sequential raytracing. A proof-of-concept off-axis holographic lens is also recorded in dichromated gelatin film and the spectral diffraction efficiency of the hologram is measured with multiple laser sources across the diffracted spectral band. The experimental volume holographic lens (VHL) characteristics are compared to an ideal spectrum splitting filter in terms of power conversion efficiency and energy yield in environments with high direct normal incidence (DNI) illumination and high levels of diffuse illumination. The results show that the experimental VHL can achieve 62.5% of the ideal filter power conversion efficiency, 64.8% of the ideal filter DNI environment energy yield, and 57.7% of the ideal diffuse environment energy yield performance.

Rehabilitation of coastal wetland forests degraded through their conversion to shrimp farms

Treesearch

Peter R. Burbridge; Daniel C. Hellin

2000-01-01

International demand for shrimp has stimulated large-scale conversion of mangrove and other coastal wetlands into brackish water aquaculture ponds. Poor site selection, coupled with poor management and over-intensive development of individual sites, has led to nonsustainable production and often, wholesale abandonment of ponds. This has been followed by further...

Establishing Alignment in Aphasia Couples Therapy in a Woman with Wernicke's Aphasia: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boles, Larry

2015-01-01

Alignment refers to the interactive use of similar words to accomplish a linguistic and cognitive "common ground" in conversations. Alignment is thought to be unconscious, relying on priming mechanisms. This occurs uniquely in conversational contexts and has been shown in choices of words, grammatical constructions, and even indirect…

Probing ultrafast ππ*/nπ* internal conversion in organic chromophores via K-edge resonant absorption

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wolf, T. J. A.; Myhre, R. H.; Cryan, J. P.

Many photoinduced processes including photosynthesis and human vision happen in organic molecules and involve coupled femtosecond dynamics of nuclei and electrons. Organic molecules with heteroatoms often possess an important excited-state relaxation channel from an optically allowed ππ* to a dark nπ* state. The ππ*/nπ* internal conversion is difficult to investigate, as most spectroscopic methods are not exclusively sensitive to changes in the excited-state electronic structure. Here, we report achieving the required sensitivity by exploiting the element and site specificity of near-edge soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy. As a hole forms in the n orbital during ππ*/nπ* internal conversion, the absorption spectrummore » at the heteroatom K-edge exhibits an additional resonance. We demonstrate the concept using the nucleobase thymine at the oxygen K-edge, and unambiguously show that ππ*/nπ* internal conversion takes place within (60 ± 30) fs. Furthermore, high-level-coupled cluster calculations confirm the method’s impressive electronic structure sensitivity for excited-state investigations.« less

Probing ultrafast ππ*/nπ* internal conversion in organic chromophores via K-edge resonant absorption

DOE PAGES

Wolf, T. J. A.; Myhre, R. H.; Cryan, J. P.; ...

2017-06-22

Many photoinduced processes including photosynthesis and human vision happen in organic molecules and involve coupled femtosecond dynamics of nuclei and electrons. Organic molecules with heteroatoms often possess an important excited-state relaxation channel from an optically allowed ππ* to a dark nπ* state. The ππ*/nπ* internal conversion is difficult to investigate, as most spectroscopic methods are not exclusively sensitive to changes in the excited-state electronic structure. Here, we report achieving the required sensitivity by exploiting the element and site specificity of near-edge soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy. As a hole forms in the n orbital during ππ*/nπ* internal conversion, the absorption spectrummore » at the heteroatom K-edge exhibits an additional resonance. We demonstrate the concept using the nucleobase thymine at the oxygen K-edge, and unambiguously show that ππ*/nπ* internal conversion takes place within (60 ± 30) fs. Furthermore, high-level-coupled cluster calculations confirm the method’s impressive electronic structure sensitivity for excited-state investigations.« less

Efficient diode-end-pumped actively Q-switched Nd:YAG/SrWO4/KTP yellow laser.

PubMed

Cong, Zhenhua; Zhang, Xingyu; Wang, Qingpu; Liu, Zhaojun; Li, Shutao; Chen, Xiaohan; Zhang, Xiaolei; Fan, Shuzhen; Zhang, Huaijin; Tao, Xutang

2009-09-01

An efficient intracavity frequency-doubled Raman laser was obtained by using an SrWO(4) Raman medium, an Nd:YAG ceramic gain medium, and a KTP frequency-doubling medium. Three laser cavities, including a two-mirror cavity, a three-mirror coupled cavity, and a folded cavity, were investigated. With the coupled cavity, a 2.93 W, 590 nm laser was obtained at an incident pump power of 16.2 W and a pulse repetition frequency of 20 kHz; the corresponding conversion efficiency was 18.1%. The highest conversion efficiency of 19.2% was obtained at an incident pump power of 14.1 W and a pulse repetition frequency of 15 kHz. The obtained maximum output power and conversion efficiency were much higher than the results previously obtained with intracavity frequency-doubled solid-state Raman lasers.

Engineering Nano-Structured Multiferroic Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheung, Pui Lam

Multiferroics exhibit remarkable tunabilities in their ferromagnetic, ferroelectric and magnetoelectric properties that provide the potential in enabling the control of magnetizations by electric field for the next generation non-volatile memories, antennas and motors. In recent research and developments in integrating single-phase ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials, multiferroic composite demonstrated a promising magnetoelectric (ME) coupling for future applications. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique, on the other hand, allows fabrications of complex multiferroic nanostructures to investigate interfacial coupling between the two materials. In this work, radical-enhanced ALD of cobalt ferrite (CFO) and thermal ALD of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) were combined in fabricating complex multiferroic architectures in investigating the effect of nanostructuring and magnetic shape anisotropy on improving ME coupling. In particular, 1D CFO nanotubes and nanowires; 0D-3D CFO/PZT mesoporous composite; and 1D-1D CFO/PZT core-shell nanowire composite were studied. The potential implementation of nanostructured multiferroic composites into functioning devices was assessed by quantifying the converse ME coupling coefficient. The synthesis of 1D CFO nanostructures was realized by ALD of CFO in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. This work provided a simple and inexpensive route to create parallel and high aspect ratio ( 55) magnetic nanostructures. The change in magnetic easy axis of (partially filled) CFO nanotubes from perpendicular to parallel in (fully-filled) nanowires indicated the significance of the geometric factor in controlling magnetizations and ME coupling. The 0D-3D CFO/PZT mesoporous composite demonstrated the optimizations of the strain transfer could be achieved by precise thickness control. 100 nm of mesoporous PZT was synthesized on Pt/TiOx/SiO2/Si using amphiphilic diblock copolymers as a porous ferroelectric template (10 nm pore diameter) for ALD CFO growth. The increased filling of CFO decreased the mechanical flexibility of the composite for electric field induced strain, hence the converse ME coupling was mitigated. The highest converse ME coefficient of 1.2 10-5 Oe-cm/mV was achieved with a 33% pore filling of CFO, in compare to 1 x 10-5 Oe-cm/mV from mesoporous CFO filled with 3 nm of PZT in literature (Chien 2016). Highly directional 1D-1D PZT-core CFO-shell composite in AAO demonstrated the magnetic shape anisotropy could be modulated. The CFO shell thickness allowed the tuning of magnetic easy axis and saturation magnetizations; whereas the PZT volume allowed the optimization of electric field induced strain of the composite. Enhanced converse ME coupling of 1.3 x 10-4 Oe-cm/mV was realized by 5 nm CFO shell on 30 nm of PZT core. In summary, the work has demonstrated nanostructuring of multiferroic composite is an effective pathway to engineer converse ME coupling through optimizations of magnetic shape anisotropy and interfacial strain transfer.

Desired change in couples: gender differences and effects on communication.

PubMed

Heyman, Richard E; Hunt-Martorano, Ashley N; Malik, Jill; Slep, Amy M Smith

2009-08-01

Using a sample (N = 453) drawn from a representative sampling frame of couples who are married or living together and have a 3 to 7 year-old child, this study investigates (a) the amount and specific areas of change desired by men and women, (b) the relation between relationship adjustment and desired change; and (c) the ways in which partners negotiate change. On the Areas of Change Questionnaire, women compared with men, wanted greater increases in their partners' emotional and companionate behaviors, instrumental support, and parenting involvement; men wanted greater increases in sex. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (Kenny, 1996), both men's and women's relationship adjustment predicted desired change (i.e., actor effects), over and above the effects of their partners' adjustment (i.e., partner effects); partner effects were not significant. Each couple was also observed discussing the man's and the woman's top desired change area. Both men and women behaved more positively during the partner-initiated conversations than during their own-initiated conversations. Women, compared with men, were more negative in their own and in their partners' conversations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved).

Oxidation Numbers in the Study of Metabolism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bentley, Ronald; Franzen, James; Chasteen, Thomas G.

2002-01-01

The calculation and use of oxidation numbers in the study of metabolic reactions are discussed for normal oxidations (alcohol dehydrogenase and the NAD+/NADH couple, propanediol dehydratase) and for enzymatic reactions with a "hidden" redox component (transamination, the coupled conversion of ethylamine to ethanol, and the biomethylation of…

Conversion coefficients from fluence to effective dose for heavy ions with energies up to 3 GeV/A.

PubMed

Sato, T; Tsuda, S; Sakamoto, Y; Yamaguchi, Y; Niita, K

2003-01-01

Radiological protection against high-energy heavy ions has been an essential issue in the planning of long-term space missions. The fluence to effective dose conversion coefficients have been calculated for heavy ions using the particle and heavy ion transport code system PHITS coupled with an anthropomorphic phantom of the MIRD5 type. The calculations were performed for incidences of protons and typical space heavy ions--deuterons, tritons, 3He, alpha particles, 12C, 20Ne, 40Ar, 40Ca and 56Fe--with energies up to 3 GeV/A in the isotropic and anterior-posterior irradiation geometries. A simple fitting formula that can predict the effective dose from almost all kinds of space heavy ions below 3 GeV/A within an accuracy of 30% is deduced from the results.

Method and apparatus for steam mixing a nuclear fueled electricity generation system

DOEpatents

Tsiklauri, Georgi V.; Durst, Bruce M.

1996-01-01

A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and performance of a nuclear electrical generation system that comprises the addition of steam handling equipment to an existing plant that results in a surprising increase in plant performance. More particularly, a gas turbine electrical generation system with heat recovery boiler is installed along with a micro-jet high pressure and a low pressure mixer superheater. Depending upon plant characteristics, the existing moisture separator reheater (MSR) can be either augmented or done away with. The instant invention enables a reduction in T.sub.hot without a derating of the reactor unit, and improves efficiency of the plant's electrical conversion cycle. Coupled with this advantage is a possible extension of the plant's fuel cycle length due to an increased electrical conversion efficiency. The reduction in T.sub.hot further allows for a surprising extension of steam generator life. An additional advantage is the reduction in erosion/corrosion of secondary system components including turbine blades and diaphragms. The gas turbine generator used in the instant invention can also replace or augment existing peak or emergency power needs. Another benefit of the instant invention is the extension of plant life and the reduction of downtime due to refueling.

Solenoid Magnet System for the Fermilab Mu2e Experiment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lamm, M. J.; Andreev, N.; Ambrosio, G.

2011-12-14

The Fermilab Mu2e experiment seeks to measure the rare process of direct muon to electron conversion in the field of a nucleus. Key to the design of the experiment is a system of three superconducting solenoids; a muon production solenoid (PS) which is a 1.8 m aperture axially graded solenoid with a peak field of 5 T used to focus secondary pions and muons from a production target located in the solenoid aperture; an 'S shaped' transport solenoid (TS) which selects and transports the subsequent muons towards a stopping target; a detector solenoid (DS) which is an axially graded solenoidmore » at the upstream end to focus transported muons to a stopping target, and a spectrometer solenoid at the downstream end to accurately measure the momentum of the outgoing conversion elections. The magnetic field requirements, the significant magnetic coupling between the solenoids, the curved muon transport geometry and the large beam induced energy deposition into the superconducting coils pose significant challenges to the magnetic, mechanical, and thermal design of this system. In this paper a conceptual design for the magnetic system which meets the Mu2e experiment requirements is presented.« less

Development of a small-scale power system with meso-scale vortex combustor and thermo-electric device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimokuri, D.; Hara, T.; Matsumoto, R.

2015-10-01

A small-scale vortex combustion power system has been developed using a thermo-electric device (TED). The system consisted of a heat medium, TED, and cooling plates. A vortex combustion chamber (7 mm inner diameter and 27 mm long) was fabricated inside the heat medium (40  ×  40  ×  20 mm and 52 g of duralumin). It was found that a stable propane/air flame could be established in the narrow 7 mm channel even for the large heat input conditions of 213 ~ 355 W. With a couple of TEDs, the maximum of 8.1 W (9.8 V  ×  0.83 A) could be successfully obtained for 355 W heat input, which corresponded to the energy conversion rate of 2.4%. The results of the gas and the combustor wall temperature measurements showed that the heat transfer from the burned gas to combustor wall was significantly enhanced by the vortex flow, which contributed to the relatively high efficiency energy conversion on the vortex combustion power system.

Development of compact fuel processor for 2 kW class residential PEMFCs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seo, Yu Taek; Seo, Dong Joo; Jeong, Jin Hyeok; Yoon, Wang Lai

Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has been developing a novel fuel processing system to provide hydrogen rich gas to residential polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) cogeneration system. For the effective design of a compact hydrogen production system, the unit processes of steam reforming, high and low temperature water gas shift, steam generator and internal heat exchangers are thermally and physically integrated into a packaged hardware system. Several prototypes are under development and the prototype I fuel processor showed thermal efficiency of 73% as a HHV basis with methane conversion of 81%. Recently tested prototype II has been shown the improved performance of thermal efficiency of 76% with methane conversion of 83%. In both prototypes, two-stage PrOx reactors reduce CO concentration less than 10 ppm, which is the prerequisite CO limit condition of product gas for the PEMFCs stack. After confirming the initial performance of prototype I fuel processor, it is coupled with PEMFC single cell to test the durability and demonstrated that the fuel processor is operated for 3 days successfully without any failure of fuel cell voltage. Prototype II fuel processor also showed stable performance during the durability test.

Small Stirling dynamic isotope power system for robotic space missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bents, D. J.

1992-01-01

The design of a multihundred-watt Dynamic Isotope Power System (DIPS), based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) and small (multihundred-watt) free-piston Stirling engine (FPSE), is being pursued as a potential lower cost alternative to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG's). The design is targeted at the power needs of future unmanned deep space and planetary surface exploration missions ranging from scientific probes to Space Exploration Initiative precursor missions. Power level for these missions is less than a kilowatt. The incentive for any dynamic system is that it can save fuel and reduce costs and radiological hazard. Unlike DIPS based on turbomachinery conversion (e.g. Brayton), this small Stirling DIPS can be advantageously scaled to multihundred-watt unit size while preserving size and mass competitiveness with RTG's. Stirling conversion extends the competitive range for dynamic systems down to a few hundred watts--a power level not previously considered for dynamic systems. The challenge for Stirling conversion will be to demonstrate reliability and life similar to RTG experience. Since the competitive potential of FPSE as an isotope converter was first identified, work has focused on feasibility of directly integrating GPHS with the Stirling heater head. Thermal modeling of various radiatively coupled heat source/heater head geometries has been performed using data furnished by the developers of FPSE and GPHS. The analysis indicates that, for the 1050 K heater head configurations considered, GPHS fuel clad temperatures remain within acceptable operating limits. Based on these results, preliminary characterizations of multihundred-watt units have been established.

Review of betavoltaic energy conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olsen, Larry C.

1993-05-01

Betavoltaic energy conversion refers to the generation of power by coupling a beta source to a semiconductor junction device. The theory of betavoltaic energy conversion and some past studies of the subject are briefly reviewed. Calculations of limiting efficiencies for semiconductor cells versus bandgap are presented along with specific studies for Pm-147 and Ni-63 fueled devices. The approach used for fabricating Pm-147 fueled batteries by the author in the early 1970's is reviewed. Finally, the potential performance of advanced betavoltaic power sources is considered.

Review of betavoltaic energy conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olsen, Larry C.

1993-01-01

Betavoltaic energy conversion refers to the generation of power by coupling a beta source to a semiconductor junction device. The theory of betavoltaic energy conversion and some past studies of the subject are briefly reviewed. Calculations of limiting efficiencies for semiconductor cells versus bandgap are presented along with specific studies for Pm-147 and Ni-63 fueled devices. The approach used for fabricating Pm-147 fueled batteries by the author in the early 1970's is reviewed. Finally, the potential performance of advanced betavoltaic power sources is considered.

Degradation of the Giant Magnetoresistance in Fe/Cr Multilayers Due to Ar-Ion Beam Mixing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopcewicz, M.; Stobiecki, F.; Jagielski, J.; Szymański, B.; Schmidt, M.; Kalinowska, J.

2002-12-01

The influence of 200 keV Ar-ion irradiation on the interlayer coupling in the Fe/Cr multilayer system exhibiting the giant magnetoresistance effect (GMR) is studied by conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy (CEMS), VSM hysteresis loops, magnetoresistivity and electric resistivity measurements and supplemented by the small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD). The increase of Ar ion dose causes an increase of interface roughness, as evidenced by the increase of the Fe step-sites detected by CEMS as a result of which the GMR gradually decreases and vanishes at doses exceeding 1×1014 Ar/cm2. A degradation of GMR with increasing Ar-ion dose is related to the formation of pinholes between Fe layers and the decrease of the antiferromagnetically coupled fraction.

Integrating Couple Teamwork Conversations into Child Welfare Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Christensen, Dana; Antle, Becky; Johnson, Lisa

2008-01-01

This article summarizes the importance of and challenges to addressing couple teamwork issues in the child welfare population. Although there is substantial evidence to support the importance of healthy adult relationships for child well-being and the prevention of child maltreatment, there are a number of barriers to addressing these couple…

Low-temperature, Low-Energy, and High-Efficiency Pretreatment Technology for Large Wood Chips with a Redox Couple Catalyst.

PubMed

Gogoi, Parikshit; Zhang, Zhe; Geng, Zhishuai; Liu, Wei; Hu, Weize; Deng, Yulin

2018-03-22

The pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass plays a vital role in the conversion of cellulosic biomass to bioethanol, especially for softwoods and hardwoods. Although many pretreatment technologies have been reported so far, only a few pretreatment methods can handle large woodchips directly. To improve the efficiency of pretreatment, existing technologies require the grinding of the wood into small particles, which is an energy-consuming process. Herein, for the first time, we report a simple, effective, and low-temperature (≈100 °C) process for the pretreatment of hardwood (HW) and softwood (SW) chips directly by using a catalytic system of FeCl 3 /NaNO 3 (FCSNRC). The pretreatment experiments were conducted systematically, and a conversion of 71.53 and 70.66 % of cellulose to sugar could be obtained for the direct use of large HW and SW chips. The new method reported here overcomes one of the critical barriers in biomass-to-biofuel conversion, and both grinding and thermal energies can be reduced significantly. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Floating-to-Fixed-Point Conversion for Digital Signal Processors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menard, Daniel; Chillet, Daniel; Sentieys, Olivier

2006-12-01

Digital signal processing applications are specified with floating-point data types but they are usually implemented in embedded systems with fixed-point arithmetic to minimise cost and power consumption. Thus, methodologies which establish automatically the fixed-point specification are required to reduce the application time-to-market. In this paper, a new methodology for the floating-to-fixed point conversion is proposed for software implementations. The aim of our approach is to determine the fixed-point specification which minimises the code execution time for a given accuracy constraint. Compared to previous methodologies, our approach takes into account the DSP architecture to optimise the fixed-point formats and the floating-to-fixed-point conversion process is coupled with the code generation process. The fixed-point data types and the position of the scaling operations are optimised to reduce the code execution time. To evaluate the fixed-point computation accuracy, an analytical approach is used to reduce the optimisation time compared to the existing methods based on simulation. The methodology stages are described and several experiment results are presented to underline the efficiency of this approach.

Ultrafast Electron Dynamics in Solar Energy Conversion.

PubMed

Ponseca, Carlito S; Chábera, Pavel; Uhlig, Jens; Persson, Petter; Sundström, Villy

2017-08-23

Electrons are the workhorses of solar energy conversion. Conversion of the energy of light to electricity in photovoltaics, or to energy-rich molecules (solar fuel) through photocatalytic processes, invariably starts with photoinduced generation of energy-rich electrons. The harvesting of these electrons in practical devices rests on a series of electron transfer processes whose dynamics and efficiencies determine the function of materials and devices. To capture the energy of a photogenerated electron-hole pair in a solar cell material, charges of opposite sign have to be separated against electrostatic attractions, prevented from recombining and being transported through the active material to electrodes where they can be extracted. In photocatalytic solar fuel production, these electron processes are coupled to chemical reactions leading to storage of the energy of light in chemical bonds. With the focus on the ultrafast time scale, we here discuss the light-induced electron processes underlying the function of several molecular and hybrid materials currently under development for solar energy applications in dye or quantum dot-sensitized solar cells, polymer-fullerene polymer solar cells, organometal halide perovskite solar cells, and finally some photocatalytic systems.

Dynamics of the Coupled Human-climate System Resulting from Closed-loop Control of Solar Geoengineering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

MacMartin, Douglas; Kravitz, Benjamin S.; Keith, David

2014-07-08

If solar radiation management (SRM) were ever implemented, feedback of the observed climate state might be used to adjust the radiative forcing of SRM, in order to compensate for uncertainty in either the forcing or the climate response; this would also compensate for unexpected changes in the system, e.g. a nonlinear change in climate sensitivity. This feedback creates an emergent coupled human-climate system, with entirely new dynamics. In addition to the intended response to greenhouse-gas induced changes, the use of feedback would also result in a geoengineering response to natural climate variability. We use a simple box-diffusion dynamic model tomore » understand how changing feedback-control parameters and time delay affect the behavior of this coupled natural-human system, and verify these predictions using the HadCM3L general circulation model. In particular, some amplification of natural variability is unavoidable; any time delay (e.g., to average out natural variability, or due to decision-making) exacerbates this amplification, with oscillatory behavior possible if there is a desire for rapid correction (high feedback gain), but a delayed response needed for decision making. Conversely, the need for feedback to compensate for uncertainty, combined with a desire to avoid excessive amplification, results in a limit on how rapidly SRM could respond to uncertain changes.« less

Complex temperature dependence of coupling and dissipation of cavity magnon polaritons from millikelvin to room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boventer, Isabella; Pfirrmann, Marco; Krause, Julius; Schön, Yannick; Kläui, Mathias; Weides, Martin

2018-05-01

Hybridized magnonic-photonic systems are key components for future information processing technologies such as storage, manipulation, or conversion of data both in the classical (mostly at room temperature) and quantum (cryogenic) regime. In this work, we investigate a yttrium-iron-garnet sphere coupled strongly to a microwave cavity over the full temperature range from 290 K to 30 mK . The cavity-magnon polaritons are studied from the classical to the quantum regimes where the thermal energy is less than one resonant microwave quanta, i.e., at temperatures below 1 K . We compare the temperature dependence of the coupling strength geff(T ) , describing the strength of coherent energy exchange between spin ensemble and cavity photon, to the temperature behavior of the saturation magnetization evolution Ms(T ) and find strong deviations at low temperatures. The temperature dependence of magnonic disspation is governed at intermediate temperatures by rare-earth impurity scattering leading to a strong peak at 40 K . The linewidth κm decreases to 1.2 MHz at 30 mK , making this system suitable as a building block for quantum electrodynamics experiments. We achieve an electromagnonic cooperativity in excess of 20 over the entire temperature range, with values beyond 100 in the millikelvin regime as well as at room temperature. With our measurements, spectroscopy on strongly coupled magnon-photon systems is demonstrated as versatile tool for spin material studies over large temperature ranges. Key parameters are provided in a single measurement, thus simplifying investigations significantly.

X-ray imaging using avalanche multiplication in amorphous selenium: investigation of intrinsic avalanche noise.

PubMed

Hunt, D C; Tanioka, Kenkichi; Rowlands, J A

2007-12-01

The flat-panel detector (FPD) is the state-of-the-art detector for digital radiography. The FPD can acquire images in real-time, has superior spatial resolution, and is free of the problems of x-ray image intensifiers-veiling glare, pin-cushion and magnetic distortion. However, FPDs suffer from poor signal to noise ratio performance at typical fluoroscopic exposure rates where the quantum noise is reduced to the point that it becomes comparable to the fixed electronic noise. It has been shown previously that avalanche multiplication gain in amorphous selenium (a-Se) can provide the necessary amplification to overcome the electronic noise of the FPD. Avalanche multiplication, however, comes with its own intrinsic contribution to the noise in the form of gain fluctuation noise. In this article a cascaded systems analysis is used to present a modified metric related to the detective quantum efficiency. The modified metric is used to study a diagnostic x-ray imaging system in the presence of intrinsic avalanche multiplication noise independently from other noise sources, such as electronic noise. An indirect conversion imaging system is considered to make the study independent of other avalanche multiplication related noise sources, such as the fluctuations arising from the depth of x-ray absorption. In this case all the avalanche events are initiated at the surface of the avalanche layer, and there are no fluctuations in the depth of absorption. Experiments on an indirect conversion x-ray imaging system using avalanche multiplication in a layer of a-Se are also presented. The cascaded systems analysis shows that intrinsic noise of avalanche multiplication will not have any deleterious influence on detector performance at zero spatial frequency in x-ray imaging provided the product of conversion gain, coupling efficiency, and optical quantum efficiency are much greater than a factor of 2. The experimental results show that avalanche multiplication in a-Se behaves as an intrinsic noise free avalanche multiplication, in accordance with our theory. Provided good coupling efficiency and high optical quantum efficiency are maintained, avalanche multiplication in a-Se has the potential to increase the gain and make negligible contribution to the noise, thereby improving the performance of indirect FPDs in fluoroscopy.

X-ray imaging using avalanche multiplication in amorphous selenium: Investigation of intrinsic avalanche noise

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hunt, D. C.; Tanioka, Kenkichi; Rowlands, J. A.

2007-12-15

The flat-panel detector (FPD) is the state-of-the-art detector for digital radiography. The FPD can acquire images in real-time, has superior spatial resolution, and is free of the problems of x-ray image intensifiers--veiling glare, pin-cushion and magnetic distortion. However, FPDs suffer from poor signal to noise ratio performance at typical fluoroscopic exposure rates where the quantum noise is reduced to the point that it becomes comparable to the fixed electronic noise. It has been shown previously that avalanche multiplication gain in amorphous selenium (a-Se) can provide the necessary amplification to overcome the electronic noise of the FPD. Avalanche multiplication, however, comesmore » with its own intrinsic contribution to the noise in the form of gain fluctuation noise. In this article a cascaded systems analysis is used to present a modified metric related to the detective quantum efficiency. The modified metric is used to study a diagnostic x-ray imaging system in the presence of intrinsic avalanche multiplication noise independently from other noise sources, such as electronic noise. An indirect conversion imaging system is considered to make the study independent of other avalanche multiplication related noise sources, such as the fluctuations arising from the depth of x-ray absorption. In this case all the avalanche events are initiated at the surface of the avalanche layer, and there are no fluctuations in the depth of absorption. Experiments on an indirect conversion x-ray imaging system using avalanche multiplication in a layer of a-Se are also presented. The cascaded systems analysis shows that intrinsic noise of avalanche multiplication will not have any deleterious influence on detector performance at zero spatial frequency in x-ray imaging provided the product of conversion gain, coupling efficiency, and optical quantum efficiency are much greater than a factor of 2. The experimental results show that avalanche multiplication in a-Se behaves as an intrinsic noise free avalanche multiplication, in accordance with our theory. Provided good coupling efficiency and high optical quantum efficiency are maintained, avalanche multiplication in a-Se has the potential to increase the gain and make negligible contribution to the noise, thereby improving the performance of indirect FPDs in fluoroscopy.« less

Transport properties and efficiency of elastically coupled particles in asymmetric periodic potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Igarashi, Akito; Tsukamoto, Shinji

2000-02-01

Biological molecular motors drive unidirectional transport and transduce chemical energy to mechanical work. In order to identify this energy conversion which is a common feature of molecular motors, many workers have studied various physical models, which consist of Brownian particles in spatially periodic potentials. Most of the models are, however, based on "single-particle" dynamics and too simple as models for biological motors, especially for actin-myosin motors, which cause muscle contraction. In this paper, particles coupled by elastic strings in an asymmetric periodic potential are considered as a model for the motors. We investigate the dynamics of the model and calculate the efficiency of energy conversion with the use of molecular dynamical method. In particular, we find that the velocity and efficiency of the elastically coupled particles where the natural length of the springs is incommensurable with the period of the periodic potential are larger than those of the corresponding single particle model.

To feed or to breed: morphological constraints of mouthbrooding in coral reef cardinalfishes

PubMed Central

Hoey, Andrew S.; Bellwood, David R.; Barnett, Adam

2012-01-01

Functionally coupled biomechanical systems are widespread in nature and are viewed as major constraints on evolutionary diversification, yet there have been few attempts to explore the implications of performing multiple functions within a single anatomical structure. Paternally mouthbrooding cardinalfishes present an ideal system to investigate the constraints of functional coupling as the oral jaws of male fishes are directly responsible for both feeding and reproductive functions. To test the effects of (i) mouthbrooding on feeding and (ii) feeding on reproductive potential we compared the feeding apparatus between sexes of nine species of cardinalfish and compared brood characteristics among species from different trophic groups, respectively. Mouthbrooding was strongly associated with the morphology of the feeding apparatus in males. Male cardinalfishes possessed longer heads, snouts and jaws than female conspecifics irrespective of body size, trophic group or evolutionary history. Conversely, reproductive potential also appeared to be related to trophic morphology. Piscivorous cardinalfishes produced larger, but fewer eggs, and had smaller brood volumes than species from the two invertebrate feeding groups. These interrelationships suggest that feeding and reproduction in the mouth of cardinalfishes may be tightly coupled. If so this may, in part, have contributed to the limited morphological diversification exhibited by cardinalfishes. PMID:22319124

Theoretical investigations of energy harvesting efficiency from structural vibrations using piezoelectric and electromagnetic oscillators.

PubMed

Harne, Ryan L

2012-07-01

Conversion of ambient vibrational energy into electric power has been the impetus of much modern research. The traditional analysis has focused on absolute electrical power output from the harvesting devices and efficiency defined as the convertibility of an infinite resource of vibration excitation into power. This perspective has limited extensibility when applying resonant harvesters to host resonant structures when the inertial influence of the harvester is more significant. Instead, this work pursues a fundamental understanding of the coupled dynamics of a main mass-spring-damper system to which an electromagnetic or piezoelectric mass-spring-damper is attached. The governing equations are derived, a metric of efficiency is presented, and analysis is undertaken. It is found that electromagnetic energy harvesting efficiency and maximum power output is limited by the strength of the coupling such that no split system resonances are induced for a given mass ratio. For piezoelectric harvesters, only the coupling strength and certain design requirements dictate maximum power and efficiency achievable. Since the harvesting circuitry must "follow" the split resonances as the piezoelectric harvesters become more massive, the optimum design of piezoelectric harvesters appears to be more involved than for electromagnetic devices.

Treatment of oilfield produced water by anaerobic process coupled with micro-electrolysis.

PubMed

Li, Gang; Guo, Shuhai; Li, Fengmei

2010-01-01

Treatment of oilfield produced water was investigated using an anaerobic process coupled with micro-electrolysis (ME), focusing on changes in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biodegradability. Results showed that COD exhibited an abnormal change in the single anaerobic system in which it increased within the first 168 hr, but then decreased to 222 mg/L after 360 hr. The biological oxygen demand (five-day) (BODs)/COD ratio of the water increased from 0.05 to 0.15. Hydrocarbons in the wastewater, such as pectin, degraded to small molecules during the hydrolytic acidification process. Comparatively, the effect of ME was also investigated. The COD underwent a slight decrease and the BOD5/COD ratio of the water improved from 0.05 to 0.17 after ME. Removal of COD was 38.3% under the idealized ME conditions (pH 6.0), using iron and active carbon (80 and 40 g/L, respectively). Coupling the anaerobic process with ME accelerated the COD removal ratio (average removal was 53.3%). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to analyze organic species conversion. This integrated system appeared to be a useful option for the treatment of water produced in oilfields.

To feed or to breed: morphological constraints of mouthbrooding in coral reef cardinalfishes.

PubMed

Hoey, Andrew S; Bellwood, David R; Barnett, Adam

2012-06-22

Functionally coupled biomechanical systems are widespread in nature and are viewed as major constraints on evolutionary diversification, yet there have been few attempts to explore the implications of performing multiple functions within a single anatomical structure. Paternally mouthbrooding cardinalfishes present an ideal system to investigate the constraints of functional coupling as the oral jaws of male fishes are directly responsible for both feeding and reproductive functions. To test the effects of (i) mouthbrooding on feeding and (ii) feeding on reproductive potential we compared the feeding apparatus between sexes of nine species of cardinalfish and compared brood characteristics among species from different trophic groups, respectively. Mouthbrooding was strongly associated with the morphology of the feeding apparatus in males. Male cardinalfishes possessed longer heads, snouts and jaws than female conspecifics irrespective of body size, trophic group or evolutionary history. Conversely, reproductive potential also appeared to be related to trophic morphology. Piscivorous cardinalfishes produced larger, but fewer eggs, and had smaller brood volumes than species from the two invertebrate feeding groups. These interrelationships suggest that feeding and reproduction in the mouth of cardinalfishes may be tightly coupled. If so this may, in part, have contributed to the limited morphological diversification exhibited by cardinalfishes.

High power diode laser Master Oscillator-Power Amplifier (MOPA)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrews, John R.; Mouroulis, P.; Wicks, G.

1994-01-01

High power multiple quantum well AlGaAs diode laser master oscillator - power amplifier (MOPA) systems were examined both experimentally and theoretically. For two pass operation, it was found that powers in excess of 0.3 W per 100 micrometers of facet length were achievable while maintaining diffraction-limited beam quality. Internal electrical-to-optical conversion efficiencies as high as 25 percent were observed at an internal amplifier gain of 9 dB. Theoretical modeling of multiple quantum well amplifiers was done using appropriate rate equations and a heuristic model of the carrier density dependent gain. The model gave a qualitative agreement with the experimental results. In addition, the model allowed exploration of a wider design space for the amplifiers. The model predicted that internal electrical-to-optical conversion efficiencies in excess of 50 percent should be achievable with careful system design. The model predicted that no global optimum design exists, but gain, efficiency, and optical confinement (coupling efficiency) can be mutually adjusted to meet a specific system requirement. A three quantum well, low optical confinement amplifier was fabricated using molecular beam epitaxial growth. Coherent beam combining of two high power amplifiers injected from a common master oscillator was also examined. Coherent beam combining with an efficiency of 93 percent resulted in a single beam having diffraction-limited characteristics. This beam combining efficiency is a world record result for such a system. Interferometric observations of the output of the amplifier indicated that spatial mode matching was a significant factor in the less than perfect beam combining. Finally, the system issues of arrays of amplifiers in a coherent beam combining system were investigated. Based upon experimentally observed parameters coherent beam combining could result in a megawatt-scale coherent beam with a 10 percent electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency.

Coherent Terahertz Radiation from Multiple Electron Beams Excitation within a Plasmonic Crystal-like structure.

PubMed

Zhang, Yaxin; Zhou, Yucong; Gang, Yin; Jiang, Guili; Yang, Ziqiang

2017-01-23

Coherent terahertz radiation from multiple electron beams excitation within a plasmonic crystal-like structure (a three-dimensional holes array) which is composed of multiple stacked layers with 3 × 3 subwavelength holes array has been proposed in this paper. It has been found that in the structure the electromagnetic fields in each hole can be coupled with one another to construct a composite mode with strong field intensity. Therefore, the multiple electron beams injection can excite and efficiently interact with such mode. Meanwhile, the coupling among the electron beams is taken place during the interaction so that a very strong coherent terahertz radiation with high electron conversion efficiency can be generated. Furthermore, due to the coupling, the starting current density of this mechanism is much lower than that of traditional electron beam-driven terahertz sources. This multi-beam radiation system may provide a favorable way to combine photonics structure with electronics excitation to generate middle, high power terahertz radiation.

Coherent Terahertz Radiation from Multiple Electron Beams Excitation within a Plasmonic Crystal-like structure

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yaxin; Zhou, Yucong; Gang, Yin; Jiang, Guili; Yang, Ziqiang

2017-01-01

Coherent terahertz radiation from multiple electron beams excitation within a plasmonic crystal-like structure (a three-dimensional holes array) which is composed of multiple stacked layers with 3 × 3 subwavelength holes array has been proposed in this paper. It has been found that in the structure the electromagnetic fields in each hole can be coupled with one another to construct a composite mode with strong field intensity. Therefore, the multiple electron beams injection can excite and efficiently interact with such mode. Meanwhile, the coupling among the electron beams is taken place during the interaction so that a very strong coherent terahertz radiation with high electron conversion efficiency can be generated. Furthermore, due to the coupling, the starting current density of this mechanism is much lower than that of traditional electron beam-driven terahertz sources. This multi-beam radiation system may provide a favorable way to combine photonics structure with electronics excitation to generate middle, high power terahertz radiation. PMID:28112234

Microstructural development from interdiffusion and reaction between Usbnd Mo and AA6061 alloys annealed at 600° and 550 °C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez, E.; Keiser, D. D.; Sohn, Y. H.

2016-08-01

The U.S. Material Management and Minimization Reactor Conversion Program is developing low enrichment fuel systems encased in Al-alloy for use in research and test reactors. Monolithic fuel plates have local regions where the Usbnd Mo fuel plate may come into contact with the Al-alloy 6061 (AA6061) cladding. This results in the development of interdiffusion zones with complex microstructures with multiple phases. In this study, the microstructural development of diffusion couples, Usbnd 7 wt%Mo, Usbnd 10 wt%Mo, and Usbnd 12 wt%Mo vs. AA6061, annealed at 600 °C for 24 h and at 550 °C for 1, 5, and 20 h, were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The microstructural development and kinetics were compared to diffusion couples Usbnd Mo vs. high purity Al and binary Alsbnd Si alloys. The diffusion couples developed complex interaction regions where phase development was influenced by the alloying additions of the AA6061.

A thermo-chemo-mechanically coupled constitutive model for curing of glassy polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sain, Trisha; Loeffel, Kaspar; Chester, Shawn

2018-07-01

Curing of a polymer is the process through which a polymer liquid transitions into a solid polymer, capable of bearing mechanical loads. The curing process is a coupled thermo-chemo-mechanical conversion process which requires a thorough understanding of the system behavior to predict the cure dependent mechanical behavior of the solid polymer. In this paper, a thermodynamically consistent, frame indifferent, thermo-chemo-mechanically coupled continuum level constitutive framework is proposed for thermally cured glassy polymers. The constitutive framework considers the thermodynamics of chemical reactions, as well as the material behavior for a glassy polymer. A stress-free intermediate configuration is introduced within a finite deformation setting to capture the formation of the network in a stress-free configuration. This work considers a definition for the degree of cure based on the chemistry of the curing reactions. A simplified version of the proposed model has been numerically implemented, and simulations are used to understand the capabilities of the model and framework.

P-S & S-P Elastic Wave Conversions from Linear Arrays of Oriented Microcracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, L.; Modiriasari, A.; Bobet, A.; Pyrak-Nolte, L. J.

2017-12-01

Natural and induced processes can produce oriented mechanical discontinuities such as en echelon cracks, fractures and faults. Previous research has shown that compressional to shear (P-S) wave conversions occur at normal incidence to a fracture because of cross-coupling fracture compliances (Nakagawa et al., 2000). Here, experiments and computer simulation are presented to demonstrate the link among cross-coupling stiffness, microcrack orientation and energy partitioning among P, S, and P-S/S-P waves. A FormLabs 2 3D printer was used to fabricate 7 samples (50 mm x 50 mm x 100 mm) with linear arrays of microcracks oriented at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 900 with a print resolution of 0.025 mm. The microcracks were elliptical in cross-sections (2 mm long by 1 mm wide), through the 50 mm thickness of sample, and spaced 3 mm (center-to-center for adjacent cracks). A 25 mm length of each sample contained no microcracks to act as a reference material. Broadband transducers (0.2-1.5 MHz) were used to transmit and receive P and polarized S wave signals that were propagated at normal incidence to the linear array of microcracks. P-wave amplitude increased, while S-wave amplitude remained relatively constant, as the microcrack orientation increased from 0o to 90o. At normal incidence, P-S and S-P wave conversions emerged and increased in amplitude as the crack inclination increased from 00 to 450. From 450 to 900, the amplitude of these converted modes decreased. Between negative and positive crack angles, the P-to-S and S-to-P waves were 1800 phase reversed. The observed energy partitioning matched the computed compliances obtained from numerical simulations with ABAQUS. The cross-coupling compliance for cracks inclined at 450 was found to be the smallest magnitude. 3D printing enabled the study of microstructural effects on macro-scale wave measurements. Information on the orientation of microcracks or even en echelon fractures and faults is contained in P-S conversions even at normal incidence. Acknowledgment: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Geosciences Research Program under Award Number (DE-FG02-09ER16022) and by the National Science Foundation, Geomechanics and Geotechnical Systems Program (award No. CMMI-1162082).

Improving Donor Conversion Rates at a Level One Trauma Center: Impact of Best Practice Guidelines

PubMed Central

Gibbons, Bobby L; Bershad, Vanessa L

2016-01-01

Background Organ availability is a consistently limiting factor in transplant surgery. A primary driver of this limitation is donor conversion rate, which is defined as the percentage of eligible donors for whom procurement is actually performed. An alternative way to increase organ availability is through improved utilization of organs from donors after cardiac death (DCD). Recently, a concerted, multidisciplinary effort has been made within our system to improve conversion rates and DCD utilization, thus increasing organ availability. Study design Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database from TransLife, our local organ procurement organization (OPO), as well as the Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) trauma registry, from 2009-2012 (up to 2013 for DCD). During which time, this organization implemented best practice guidelines to improve conversions and DCD utilization. We analyzed yearly conversion rates, DCD donations and population demographics before and after implementation of these policies. Results During the study period, donor conversion rates significantly improved from 58% in 2009 to 82% percent in 2012 hospital-wide (P<0.05); and from 50% in 2009 to 81% in 2012 among trauma patients alone (P<0.05). In addition, total organs transplanted increased from 13 to 31 organs (P<0.05) after implementation of best practice guidelines. No significant differences in trauma population demographics were noted during the study period. Conclusions Based on our experience, the establishment of best practice policies for referral of potential donors, coupled with programs to educate hospital staff on the existence and importance of these policies, leads to significant improvement in donor conversion rates and increased utilization of DCD donors. PMID:28018761

Room-temperature giant magneto-mechanical-electric cross-coupling in Si-integrated PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3/Ni50Mn35In15 multiferroic heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Kirandeep; Kaur, Davinder

2017-04-01

The current study reports the strong magnetoelectric coupling (M-E) in silicon (Si)-integrated ferromagnetic shape memory alloy-based PZT/Ni-Mn-In thin-film multiferroic heterostructure. The strain-mediated nature of converse M-E coupling is reflected from the butterfly-shaped normalized magnetization (M/M s) versus electric field plots. The direct M-E properties of the heterostructure were measured with a frequency of AC magnetic field, bias magnetic field, as well as with temperature. A maximum direct M-E coupling in the bilayered thin-film multiferroic heterostructures occurred at resonance frequencies around the first-order structural transitional temperature of the bottom Ni-Mn-In layer. It was observed that the measuring temperature remarkably affects the direct M-E characteristic of the heterostructure. A large direct ME effect and converse ME effect coefficient α DME  ~  894 mV cm-1.Oe and α CME ~ 2.7  ×  10-5 s m-1, respectively, were achieved in the bilayer at room temperature. The mechanism of direct as well as converse M-E effects in the thin-film multiferroic heterostructures is discussed. The electrically driven angular dependence of normalized magnetization (M/M s) reveals the twofold symmetric magnetic anisotropy of the heterostructure, with the drastic shifting of the magnetic hard axis at E  >  E c (coercivity of PZT).

Protocol for Uniformly Measuring and Expressing the Performance of Energy Storage Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Conover, David R.; Crawford, Alasdair J.; Fuller, Jason

This Protocol provides a set of “best practices” for characterizing energy storage systems (ESSs) and measuring and reporting their performance. It serves as a basis for assessing how an ESS will perform with respect to key performance attributes relevant to different applications. It is intended to provide a valid and accurate basis for the comparison of different ESSs. By achieving the stated purpose, the Protocol will enable more informed decision-making in the selection of ESSs for various stationary applications. The Protocol identifies general information and technical specifications relevant in describing an ESS and also defines a set of test, measurement,more » and evaluation criteria with which to express the performance of ESSs that are intended for energy-intensive and/or power-intensive stationary applications. An ESS includes a storage device, battery management system, and any power conversion systems installed with the storage device. The Protocol is agnostic with respect to the storage technology and the size and rating of the ESS. The Protocol does not apply to single-use storage devices and storage devices that are not coupled with power conversion systems, nor does it address safety, security, or operations and maintenance of ESSs, or provide any pass/fail criteria.« less

A convenient catalyst for aqueous and protein Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling.

PubMed

Chalker, Justin M; Wood, Charlotte S C; Davis, Benjamin G

2009-11-18

A phosphine-free palladium catalyst for aqueous Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling is presented. The catalyst is active enough to mediate hindered, ortho-substituted biaryl couplings but mild enough for use on peptides and proteins. The Suzuki-Miyaura couplings on protein substrates are the first to proceed in useful conversions. Notably, hydrophobic aryl and vinyl groups can be transferred to the protein surface without the aid of organic solvent since the aryl- and vinylboronic acids used in the coupling are water-soluble as borate salts. The convenience and activity of this catalyst prompts use in both general synthesis and bioconjugation.

Broadband incoherent four-wave mixing and 27 dB idler conversion efficiency using ultra-silicon rich nitride devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, J. W.; Sohn, B.-U.; Chen, G. F. R.; Ng, D. K. T.; Tan, D. T. H.

2018-04-01

The generation of broadband light within the telecommunication band has been instrumental to the design and characterization of advanced optical devices and systems. In this paper, stimulated degenerate four-wave mixing of an ultra-silicon rich nitride waveguide is investigated using a pulsed pump at 1.555 μm and incoherent broadband sources emitting in the 1.65 μm wavelength region as a signal. The waveguide possesses a large nonlinear parameter of 330 W-1/m as well as anomalous dispersion, required for phase matched parametric processes. The broadband idler ranging from 1.43 μm to 1.52 μm is generated using a coupled peak power of 4.6 W, spanning ˜100 nm at the -20 dB level, which is sufficient to cover parts of the E- and S-bands. The spectral span of the generated idler also agrees well with the calculation based on the phase-matching condition governing degenerate four-wave mixing. Cascaded incoherent four-wave mixing is also observed. Using a supercontinuum pump spanning from 1.1 to 1.7 μm with a coupled peak power of 26 W, an idler spanning from 1.2 to 1.4 μm is generated, equivalent to an idler on/off conversion efficiency of 27 dB.

Fiber-coupled three-micron pulsed laser source for CFRP laser treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nyga, Sebastian; Blass, David; Katzy, Veronika; Westphalen, Thomas; Jungbluth, Bernd; Hoffmann, Hans-Dieter

2018-02-01

We present a laser source providing up to 18 W and 1.5 mJ at a wavelength of 3 μm. The output is generated by frequency conversion of randomly polarized multimode radiation at 1064 nm of an Nd:YAG laser in a two-stage conversion setup. The frequency converter comprises an optical parametric oscillator and a subsequent optical parametric amplifier using PPLN as nonlinear medium in both stages. To implement fiber-based beam delivery for materials processing, we coupled the output at 3 μm to a multimode ZrF4-fiber. This source was then used to remove epoxy resin from the surface of CFRP samples.

High efficiency and good beam quality of electro-optic, cavity-dumped and double-end pumped Nd:YLF laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, X. X.; Fan, Z. W.; Qiu, J. S.; Lian, F. Q.; Zhang, X. L.

2012-06-01

In this paper, we describe a Nd:YLF laser based on high-speed RTP electro-optical cavity dumping technique. Two home-made 150 W fiber pump modules are used from both sides to pump Nd:YLF crystal. Coupling systems are the key elements in end-pumped solid-state lasers, the aberrations of which greatly affect the efficiency of the lasers. In order to get high efficient and good quality laser output, the optical software ZEMAX is used to design a four-piece coupling system. When the pumped energy is 32 mJ at the repetition rate of 1 Hz, the output energy is 6.5 mJ with 2.5 ns pulse width. When the pumped energy is 13.1 W at the repetition rate of 200 Hz, the output energy is 2.2 W with small M 2 factor where M {/x 2} is 1.04, and M {/y 2} is 1.05, and the light-light conversion efficiency is up to 16.8%.

Photovoltaic-Pyroelectric Coupled Effect Induced Electricity for Self-Powered Photodetector System.

PubMed

Ma, Nan; Zhang, Kewei; Yang, Ya

2017-12-01

Ferroelectric materials have demonstrated novel photovoltaic effect to scavenge solar energy. However, most of the ferroelectric materials with wide bandgaps (2.7-4 eV) suffer from low power conversion efficiency of less than 0.5% due to absorbing only 8-20% of solar spectrum. Instead of harvesting solar energy, these ferroelectric materials can be well suited for photodetector applications, especially for sensing near-UV irradiations. Here, a ferroelectric BaTiO 3 film-based photodetector is demonstrated that can be operated without using any external power source and a fast sensing of 405 nm light illumination is enabled. As compared with photovoltaic effect, both the responsivity and the specific detectivity of the photodetector can be dramatically enhanced by larger than 260% due to the light-induced photovoltaic-pyroelectric coupled effect. A self-powered photodetector array system can be utilized to achieve spatially resolved light intensity detection by recording the output voltage signals as a mapping figure. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Piezoelectricity and rotostriction through polar and non-polar coupled instabilities in bismuth-based piezoceramics

PubMed Central

Acosta, Matias; Schmitt, Ljubomira A.; Cazorla, Claudio; Studer, Andrew; Zintler, Alexander; Glaum, Julia; Kleebe, Hans-Joachim; Donner, Wolfgang; Hoffman, Mark; Rödel, Jürgen; Hinterstein, Manuel

2016-01-01

Coupling of order parameters provides a means to tune functionality in advanced materials including multiferroics, superconductors, and ionic conductors. We demonstrate that the response of a frustrated ferroelectric state leads to coupling between order parameters under electric field depending on grain orientation. The strain of grains oriented along a specific crystallographic direction, 〈h00〉, is caused by converse piezoelectricity originating from a ferrodistortive tetragonal phase. For 〈hhh〉 oriented grains, the strain results from converse piezoelectricity and rotostriction, as indicated by an antiferrodistortive instability that promotes octahedral tilting in a rhombohedral phase. Both strain mechanisms combined lead to a colossal local strain of (2.4 ± 0.1) % and indicate coupling between oxygen octahedral tilting and polarization, here termed “rotopolarization”. These findings were confirmed with electromechanical experiments, in situ neutron diffraction, and in situ transmission electron microscopy in 0.75Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3-0.25SrTiO3. This work demonstrates that polar and non-polar instabilities can cooperate to provide colossal functional responses. PMID:27364037

Ignition feedback regenerative free electron laser (FEL) amplifier

DOEpatents

Kim, Kwang-Je; Zholents, Alexander; Zolotorev, Max

2001-01-01

An ignition feedback regenerative amplifier consists of an injector, a linear accelerator with energy recovery, and a high-gain free electron laser amplifier. A fraction of the free electron laser output is coupled to the input to operate the free electron laser in the regenerative mode. A mode filter in this loop prevents run away instability. Another fraction of the output, after suitable frequency up conversion, is used to drive the photocathode. An external laser is provided to start up both the amplifier and the injector, thus igniting the system.

Wetlands: Crop freezes and land-use change in Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Marshall, C.H.; Pielke, R.A.; Steyaert, L.T.

2003-01-01

South Florida experienced a significant change in land usage during the twentieth century, including the conversion of natural wetlands into agricultural land for the cultivation of winter vegetable, sugar cane and citrus crops. This movement of agriculture from more northerly areas was intended partly to escape the risk of damaging winter freezes. Here we present evidence from a case study using a coupled atmosphere and land-surface computer-modelling system that suggests that the draining of wetlands may have inadvertently increased the frequency and severity of agriculturally damaging freezes in the south of Florida.

Direct Conversion of Methane to Value-Added Chemicals over Heterogeneous Catalysts: Challenges and Prospects.

PubMed

Schwach, Pierre; Pan, Xiulian; Bao, Xinhe

2017-07-12

The quest for an efficient process to convert methane efficiently to fuels and high value-added chemicals such as olefins and aromatics is motivated by their increasing demands and recently discovered large reserves and resources of methane. Direct conversion to these chemicals can be realized either oxidatively via oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) or nonoxidatively via methane dehydroaromatization (MDA), which have been under intensive investigation for decades. While industrial applications are still limited by their low yield (selectivity) and stability issues, innovations in new catalysts and concepts are needed. The newly emerging strategy using iron single sites to catalyze methane conversion to olefins, aromatics, and hydrogen (MTOAH) attracted much attention when it was reported. Because the challenge lies in controlled dehydrogenation of the highly stable CH 4 and selective C-C coupling, we focus mainly on the fundamentals of C-H activation and analyze the reaction pathways toward selective routes of OCM, MDA, and MTOAH. With this, we intend to provide some insights into their reaction mechanisms and implications for future development of highly selective catalysts for direct conversion of methane to high value-added chemicals.

Self-induced conversion in dense neutrino gases: Pendulum in flavor space

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hannestad, Steen; Max-Planck-Institut fuer Physik; Raffelt, Georg G.

Neutrino-neutrino interactions can lead to collective flavor conversion effects in supernovae and in the early universe. We demonstrate that the case of bipolar oscillations, where a dense gas of neutrinos and antineutrinos in equal numbers completely converts from one flavor to another even if the mixing angle is small, is equivalent to a pendulum in flavor space. Bipolar flavor conversion corresponds to the swinging of the pendulum, which begins in an unstable upright position (the initial flavor), and passes through momentarily the vertically downward position (the other flavor) in the course of its motion. The time scale to complete onemore » cycle of oscillation depends logarithmically on the vacuum mixing angle. Likewise, the presence of an ordinary medium can be shown analytically to contribute to a logarithmic increase in the bipolar conversion period. We further find that a more complex (and realistic) system of unequal numbers of neutrinos and antineutrinos is analogous to a spinning top subject to a torque. This analogy easily explains how such a system can oscillate in both the bipolar and the synchronized mode, depending on the neutrino density and the size of the neutrino-antineutrino asymmetry. Our simple model applies strictly only to isotropic neutrino gasses. In more general cases, and especially for neutrinos streaming from a supernova core, different modes couple to each other with unequal strength, an effect that can lead to kinematical decoherence in flavor space rather than collective oscillations. The exact circumstances under which collective oscillations occur in nonisotropic media remain to be understood.« less

Exploring Photoinduced Excited State Evolution in Heterobimetallic Ru(II)-Co(III) Complexes.

PubMed

Kuhar, Korina; Fredin, Lisa A; Persson, Petter

2015-06-18

Quantum chemical calculations provide detailed theoretical information concerning key aspects of photoinduced electron and excitation transfer processes in supramolecular donor-acceptor systems, which are particularly relevant to fundamental charge separation in emerging molecular approaches for solar energy conversion. Here we use density functional theory (DFT) calculations to explore the excited state landscape of heterobimetallic Ru-Co systems with varying degrees of interaction between the two metal centers, unbound, weakly bound, and tightly bound systems. The interplay between structural and electronic factors involved in various excited state relaxation processes is examined through full optimizations of multiple charge/spin states of each of the investigated systems. Low-energy relaxed heterobimetallic states of energy transfer and excitation transfer character are characterized in terms of energy, structure, and electronic properties. These findings support the notion of efficient photoinduced charge separation from a Ru(II)-Co(III) ground state, via initial optical excitation of the Ru-center, to low-energy Ru(III)-Co(II) states. The strongly coupled system has significant involvement of the conjugated bridge, qualitatively distinguishing it from the other two weakly coupled systems. Finally, by constructing potential energy surfaces for the three systems where all charge/spin state combinations are projected onto relevant reaction coordinates, excited state decay pathways are explored.

Design considerations for space radiators based on the liquid sheet (LSR) concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Juhasz, Albert J.; Chubb, Donald L.

1991-01-01

This study is directed at performing a comparative examination of LSR characteristics as they affect the basic design of low earth orbit solar dynamic conversion systems. The power systems considered were based on the closed Brayton (CBC) and the free piston Stirling (FPS) cycles, each with a power output of 2 kWe and using previously tested silicone oil (Dow-Corning Me2) as the radiator working fluid. Conclusions indicate that, due to its ability for direct cold end cooling, an LSR based heat rejection subsystem is far more compatible with a Stirling space power system than with a CBC, which requires LSR coupling by means of an intermediate gas/liquid heat exchanger and adjustment of cycle operating conditions.

Chiral Binaphthylbis(4,4'-Bipyridin-1-Ium)/Cucurbit[8]Uril Supramolecular System and Its Induced Circularly Polarized Luminescence.

PubMed

Chen, Xu-Man; Chen, Yong; Liang, Lu; Liu, Qiu-Jun; Liu, Yu

2018-05-01

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) induced by host-guest complexation remains a challenge in supramolecular chemistry. Herein, a couple of CPL-silent enantiomeric guest binaphthylbis(4,4'-bipyridinium) salts can emit obvious CPL in the presence of cucurbit[8]uril in aqueous media, due to the restriction of molecular rotation limitation effect. Such CPL can be reversibly adjusted by the addition of acid and base. Furthermore, the resultant supramolecular systems can interact with DNA, accompanied by the morphological conversion from branched supramolecular nanowires to exfoliated nanowires, which can enable to the exploration of such supramolecular systems as DNA markers by CPL signals. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Design and fabrication of cascaded dichromate gelatin holographic filters for spectrum-splitting PV systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yuechen; Chrysler, Benjamin; Kostuk, Raymond K.

2018-01-01

The technique of designing, optimizing, and fabricating broadband volume transmission holograms using dichromate gelatin (DCG) is summarized for solar spectrum-splitting applications. The spectrum-splitting photovoltaic (PV) system uses a series of single-bandgap PV cells that have different spectral conversion efficiency properties to more fully utilize the solar spectrum. In such a system, one or more high-performance optical filters are usually required to split the solar spectrum and efficiently send them to the corresponding PV cells. An ideal spectral filter should have a rectangular shape with sharp transition wavelengths. A methodology of designing and modeling a transmission DCG hologram using coupled wave analysis for different PV bandgap combinations is described. To achieve a broad diffraction bandwidth and sharp cutoff wavelength, a cascaded structure of multiple thick holograms is described. A search algorithm is then developed to optimize both single- and two-layer cascaded holographic spectrum-splitting elements for the best bandgap combinations of two- and three-junction spectrum-splitting photovoltaic (SSPV) systems illuminated under the AM1.5 solar spectrum. The power conversion efficiencies of the optimized systems are found to be 42.56% and 48.41%, respectively, using the detailed balance method, and show an improvement compared with a tandem multijunction system. A fabrication method for cascaded DCG holographic filters is also described and used to prototype the optimized filter for the three-junction SSPV system.

Enhancement and inhibition of light tunneling mediated by resonant mode conversion.

PubMed

Kartashov, Yaroslav V; Vysloukh, Victor A; Torner, Lluis

2014-02-15

We show that the rate at which light tunnels between neighboring multimode waveguides can be drastically increased or reduced by the presence of small longitudinal periodic modulations of the waveguide properties that stimulate resonant conversion between the eigenmodes of each waveguide. Such a conversion, available only in multimode guiding structures, leads to periodic power transfer into higher-order modes, whose tails may considerably overlap with neighboring waveguides. As a result, the effective coupling constant for neighboring waveguides may change by several orders of magnitude upon small variations in the longitudinal modulation parameters.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Warren, B.K.; Campbell, K.D.

Methane oxidative coupling studies were carried out in an atmospheric quartz reactor at temperatures between 700 and 800/degree/C. New catalysts prepared and studied included doped alkaline earth catalysts, lanthanide oxides, and proprietary catalysts. Neodymium oxide, Nd/sub 2/O/sub 3/, was found to be as active and selective as samarium oxide, Sm/sub 2/O/sub 3/, in contrast to literature reports. Proprietary Union Carbide catalysts (UCC-S:1) showed initial methane conversions and C/sub 2/ selectivities comparable to literature catalysts. Atypically low carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide ratios (typically ten times lower than those seen in the literature or other catalysts tested) and high ethylene tomore » ethane ratios (3 to 6 compared to typical literature ratios below 1) were obtained. These results are interesting because ethylene is more valuable than ethane and carbon monoxide is more valuable than carbon dioxide. With these UCC-S:1 catalysts, rapid deactivation was coupled with an observed shift in product ratios toward those more typical in the literature. Initial cases for process conceptualization studies were selected. The Comparison Case will consist of the conversion sequence from methane to synthesis gas to methanol to olefins to liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Case 1 will consist of the conversion of methane to ethylene and ethane. Case 2 will be the direct conversion of methane to C/sub 2/'s followed by conversion to liquid hydrocarbon fuels. 7 figs., 18 tabs.« less

Infrared rectification in a nanoantenna-coupled metal-oxide-semiconductor tunnel diode.

PubMed

Davids, Paul S; Jarecki, Robert L; Starbuck, Andrew; Burckel, D Bruce; Kadlec, Emil A; Ribaudo, Troy; Shaner, Eric A; Peters, David W

2015-12-01

Direct rectification of electromagnetic radiation is a well-established method for wireless power conversion in the microwave region of the spectrum, for which conversion efficiencies in excess of 84% have been demonstrated. Scaling to the infrared or optical part of the spectrum requires ultrafast rectification that can only be obtained by direct tunnelling. Many research groups have looked to plasmonics to overcome antenna-scaling limits and to increase the confinement. Recently, surface plasmons on heavily doped Si surfaces were investigated as a way of extending surface-mode confinement to the thermal infrared region. Here we combine a nanostructured metallic surface with a heavily doped Si infrared-reflective ground plane designed to confine infrared radiation in an active electronic direct-conversion device. The interplay of strong infrared photon-phonon coupling and electromagnetic confinement in nanoscale devices is demonstrated to have a large impact on ultrafast electronic tunnelling in metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structures. Infrared dispersion of SiO2 near a longitudinal optical (LO) phonon mode gives large transverse-field confinement in a nanometre-scale oxide-tunnel gap as the wavelength-dependent permittivity changes from 1 to 0, which leads to enhanced electromagnetic fields at material interfaces and a rectified displacement current that provides a direct conversion of infrared radiation into electric current. The spectral and electrical signatures of the nanoantenna-coupled tunnel diodes are examined under broadband blackbody and quantum-cascade laser (QCL) illumination. In the region near the LO phonon resonance, we obtained a measured photoresponsivity of 2.7 mA W(-1) cm(-2) at -0.1 V.

Coupled reactor kinetics and heat transfer model for heat pipe cooled reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, Steven A.; Houts, Michael

2001-02-01

Heat pipes are often proposed as cooling system components for small fission reactors. SAFE-300 and STAR-C are two reactor concepts that use heat pipes as an integral part of the cooling system. Heat pipes have been used in reactors to cool components within radiation tests (Deverall, 1973); however, no reactor has been built or tested that uses heat pipes solely as the primary cooling system. Heat pipe cooled reactors will likely require the development of a test reactor to determine the main differences in operational behavior from forced cooled reactors. The purpose of this paper is to describe the results of a systems code capable of modeling the coupling between the reactor kinetics and heat pipe controlled heat transport. Heat transport in heat pipe reactors is complex and highly system dependent. Nevertheless, in general terms it relies on heat flowing from the fuel pins through the heat pipe, to the heat exchanger, and then ultimately into the power conversion system and heat sink. A system model is described that is capable of modeling coupled reactor kinetics phenomena, heat transfer dynamics within the fuel pins, and the transient behavior of heat pipes (including the melting of the working fluid). This paper focuses primarily on the coupling effects caused by reactor feedback and compares the observations with forced cooled reactors. A number of reactor startup transients have been modeled, and issues such as power peaking, and power-to-flow mismatches, and loading transients were examined, including the possibility of heat flow from the heat exchanger back into the reactor. This system model is envisioned as a tool to be used for screening various heat pipe cooled reactor concepts, for designing and developing test facility requirements, for use in safety evaluations, and for developing test criteria for in-pile and out-of-pile test facilities. .

Predictive model for convective flows induced by surface reactivity contrast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davidson, Scott M.; Lammertink, Rob G. H.; Mani, Ali

2018-05-01

Concentration gradients in a fluid adjacent to a reactive surface due to contrast in surface reactivity generate convective flows. These flows result from contributions by electro- and diffusio-osmotic phenomena. In this study, we have analyzed reactive patterns that release and consume protons, analogous to bimetallic catalytic conversion of peroxide. Similar systems have typically been studied using either scaling analysis to predict trends or costly numerical simulation. Here, we present a simple analytical model, bridging the gap in quantitative understanding between scaling relations and simulations, to predict the induced potentials and consequent velocities in such systems without the use of any fitting parameters. Our model is tested against direct numerical solutions to the coupled Poisson, Nernst-Planck, and Stokes equations. Predicted slip velocities from the model and simulations agree to within a factor of ≈2 over a multiple order-of-magnitude change in the input parameters. Our analysis can be used to predict enhancement of mass transport and the resulting impact on overall catalytic conversion, and is also applicable to predicting the speed of catalytic nanomotors.

NOAA/DOE CWP structural analysis package. [CWPFLY, CWPEXT, COTEC, and XOTEC codes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pompa, J.A.; Lunz, D.F.

1979-09-01

The theoretical development and computer code user's manual for analysis of the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant cold water pipe (CWP) are presented. The analysis of the CWP includes coupled platform/CWP loadngs and dynamic responses. This report with the exception of the Introduction and Appendix F was orginally published as Hydronautics, Inc., Technical Report No. 7825-2 (by Barr, Chang, and Thasanatorn) in November 1978. A detailed theoretical development of the equations describing the coupled platform/CWP system and preliminary validation efforts are described. The appendices encompass a complete user's manual, describing the inputs, outputs and operation of the four componentmore » programs, and detail changes and updates implemented since the original release of the code by Hydronautics. The code itself is available through NOAA's Office of Ocean Technology and Engineering Services.« less

Measurement of Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase Adenylation Domain Activity Using a Continuous Hydroxylamine Release Assay.

PubMed

Duckworth, Benjamin P; Wilson, Daniel J; Aldrich, Courtney C

2016-01-01

Adenylation is a crucial enzymatic process in the biosynthesis of nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) derived natural products. Adenylation domains are considered the gatekeepers of NRPSs since they select, activate, and load the carboxylic acid substrate onto a downstream peptidyl carrier protein (PCP) domain of the NRPS. We describe a coupled continuous kinetic assay for NRPS adenylation domains that substitutes the PCP domain with hydroxylamine as the acceptor molecule. The pyrophosphate released from the first-half reaction is then measured using a two-enzyme coupling system, which detects conversion of the chromogenic substrate 7-methylthioguanosine (MesG) to 7-methylthioguanine. From profiling substrate specificity of unknown or engineered adenylation domains to studying chemical inhibition of adenylating enzymes, this robust assay will be of widespread utility in the broad field NRPS enzymology.

Design of ultra-broadband terahertz polymer waveguide emitters for telecom wavelengths using coupled mode theory.

PubMed

Vallejo, Felipe A; Hayden, L Michael

2013-03-11

We use coupled mode theory, adequately incorporating optical losses, to model ultra-broadband terahertz (THz) waveguide emitters (0.1-20 THz) based on difference frequency generation of femtosecond infrared (IR) optical pulses. We apply the model to a generic, symmetric, five-layer, metal/cladding/core waveguide structure using transfer matrix theory. We provide a design strategy for an efficient ultra-broadband THz emitter and apply it to polymer waveguides with a nonlinear core composed of a poled guest-host electro-optic polymer composite and pumped by a pulsed fiber laser system operating at 1567 nm. The predicted bandwidths are greater than 15 THz and we find a high conversion efficiency of 1.2 × 10(-4) W(-1) by balancing both the modal phase-matching and effective mode attenuation.

Heat pipe cooled heat rejection subsystem modelling for nuclear electric propulsion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moriarty, Michael P.

1993-11-01

NASA LeRC is currently developing a FORTRAN based computer model of a complete nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) vehicle that can be used for piloted and cargo missions to the Moon or Mars. Proposed designs feature either a Brayton or a K-Rankine power conversion cycle to drive a turbine coupled with rotary alternators. Both ion and magnetoplasmodynamic (MPD) thrusters will be considered in the model. In support of the NEP model, Rocketdyne is developing power conversion, heat rejection, and power management and distribution (PMAD) subroutines. The subroutines will be incorporated into the NEP vehicle model which will be written by NASA LeRC. The purpose is to document the heat pipe cooled heat rejection subsystem model and its supporting subroutines. The heat pipe cooled heat rejection subsystem model is designed to provide estimate of the mass and performance of the equipment used to reject heat from Brayton and Rankine cycle power conversion systems. The subroutine models the ductwork and heat pipe cooled manifold for a gas cooled Brayton; the heat sink heat exchanger, liquid loop piping, expansion compensator, pump and manifold for a liquid loop cooled Brayton; and a shear flow condenser for a K-Rankine system. In each case, the final heat rejection is made by way of a heat pipe radiator. The radiator is sized to reject the amount of heat necessary.

Heat pipe cooled heat rejection subsystem modelling for nuclear electric propulsion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moriarty, Michael P.

1993-01-01

NASA LeRC is currently developing a FORTRAN based computer model of a complete nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) vehicle that can be used for piloted and cargo missions to the Moon or Mars. Proposed designs feature either a Brayton or a K-Rankine power conversion cycle to drive a turbine coupled with rotary alternators. Both ion and magnetoplasmodynamic (MPD) thrusters will be considered in the model. In support of the NEP model, Rocketdyne is developing power conversion, heat rejection, and power management and distribution (PMAD) subroutines. The subroutines will be incorporated into the NEP vehicle model which will be written by NASA LeRC. The purpose is to document the heat pipe cooled heat rejection subsystem model and its supporting subroutines. The heat pipe cooled heat rejection subsystem model is designed to provide estimate of the mass and performance of the equipment used to reject heat from Brayton and Rankine cycle power conversion systems. The subroutine models the ductwork and heat pipe cooled manifold for a gas cooled Brayton; the heat sink heat exchanger, liquid loop piping, expansion compensator, pump and manifold for a liquid loop cooled Brayton; and a shear flow condenser for a K-Rankine system. In each case, the final heat rejection is made by way of a heat pipe radiator. The radiator is sized to reject the amount of heat necessary.

Full Coupling Between the Atmosphere, Surface, and Subsurface for Integrated Hydrologic Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davison, Jason Hamilton; Hwang, Hyoun-Tae; Sudicky, Edward A.; Mallia, Derek V.; Lin, John C.

2018-01-01

An ever increasing community of earth system modelers is incorporating new physical processes into numerical models. This trend is facilitated by advancements in computational resources, improvements in simulation skill, and the desire to build numerical simulators that represent the water cycle with greater fidelity. In this quest to develop a state-of-the-art water cycle model, we coupled HydroGeoSphere (HGS), a 3-D control-volume finite element surface and variably saturated subsurface flow model that includes evapotranspiration processes, to the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, a 3-D finite difference nonhydrostatic mesoscale atmospheric model. The two-way coupled model, referred to as HGS-WRF, exchanges the actual evapotranspiration fluxes and soil saturations calculated by HGS to WRF; conversely, the potential evapotranspiration and precipitation fluxes from WRF are passed to HGS. The flexible HGS-WRF coupling method allows for unique meshes used by each model, while maintaining mass and energy conservation between the domains. Furthermore, the HGS-WRF coupling implements a subtime stepping algorithm to minimize computational expense. As a demonstration of HGS-WRF's capabilities, we applied it to the California Basin and found a strong connection between the depth to the groundwater table and the latent heat fluxes across the land surface.

Nonlinear air-coupled emission: The signature to reveal and image microdamage in solid materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Solodov, Igor; Busse, Gerd

2007-12-17

It is shown that low-frequency elastic vibrations of near-surface planar defects cause high-frequency ultrasonic radiation in surrounding air. The frequency conversion mechanism is concerned with contact nonlinearity of the defect vibrations and provides efficient generation of air-coupled higher-order ultraharmonics, ultrasubharmonics, and combination frequencies. The nonlinear air-coupled ultrasonic emission is applied for location and high-resolution imaging of damage-induced defects in a variety of solid materials.

Coherent Microwave-to-Optical Conversion via Six-Wave Mixing in Rydberg Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Jingshan; Vogt, Thibault; Gross, Christian; Jaksch, Dieter; Kiffner, Martin; Li, Wenhui

2018-03-01

We present an experimental demonstration of converting a microwave field to an optical field via frequency mixing in a cloud of cold 87Rb atoms, where the microwave field strongly couples to an electric dipole transition between Rydberg states. We show that the conversion allows the phase information of the microwave field to be coherently transferred to the optical field. With the current energy level scheme and experimental geometry, we achieve a photon-conversion efficiency of ˜0.3 % at low microwave intensities and a broad conversion bandwidth of more than 4 MHz. Theoretical simulations agree well with the experimental data, and they indicate that near-unit efficiency is possible in future experiments.

Is the bulk mode conversion important in high density helicon plasma?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Isayama, Shogo; Hada, Tohru; Shinohara, Shunjiro

2016-06-15

In a high-density helicon plasma production process, a contribution of Trivelpiece-Gould (TG) wave for surface power deposition is widely accepted. The TG wave can be excited either due to an abrupt density gradient near the plasma edge (surface conversion) or due to linear mode conversion from the helicon wave in a density gradient in the bulk region (bulk mode conversion). By numerically solving the boundary value problem of linear coupling between the helicon and the TG waves in a background with density gradient, we show that the efficiency of the bulk mode conversion strongly depends on the dissipation included inmore » the plasma, and the bulk mode conversion is important when the dissipation is small. Also, by performing FDTD simulation, we show the time evolution of energy flux associated with the helicon and the TG waves.« less

Design of a Vertical Composite Thin Film System with Ultralow Leakage To Yield Large Converse Magnetoelectric Effect.

PubMed

Wu, Rui; Kursumovic, Ahmed; Gao, Xingyao; Yun, Chao; Vickers, Mary E; Wang, Haiyan; Cho, Seungho; MacManus-Driscoll, Judith L

2018-05-30

Electric field control of magnetism is a critical future technology for low-power, ultrahigh density memory. However, despite intensive research efforts, no practical material systems have emerged. Interface-coupled, composite systems containing ferroelectric and ferri-/ferromagnetic elements have been widely explored, but they have a range of problems, for example, substrate clamping, large leakage, and inability to miniaturize. In this work, through careful material selection, design, and nanoengineering, a high-performance room-temperature magnetoelectric system is demonstrated. The clamping problem is overcome by using a vertically aligned nanocomposite structure in which the strain coupling is independent of the substrate. To overcome the leakage problem, three key novel advances are introduced: a low leakage ferroelectric, Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 ; ferroelectric-ferrimagnetic vertical interfaces which are not conducting; and current blockage via a rectifying interface between the film and the Nb-doped SrTiO 3 substrate. The new multiferroic nanocomposite (Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 -CoFe 2 O 4 ) thin-film system enables, for the first time, large-scale in situ electric field control of magnetic anisotropy at room temperature in a system applicable for magnetoelectric random access memory, with a magnetoelectric coefficient of 1.25 × 10 -9 s m -1 .

Off-axis holographic lens spectrum-splitting photovoltaic system for direct and diffuse solar energy conversion.

PubMed

Vorndran, Shelby D; Chrysler, Benjamin; Wheelwright, Brian; Angel, Roger; Holman, Zachary; Kostuk, Raymond

2016-09-20

This paper describes a high-efficiency, spectrum-splitting photovoltaic module that uses an off-axis volume holographic lens to focus and disperse incident solar illumination to a rectangular shaped high-bandgap indium gallium phosphide cell surrounded by strips of silicon cells. The holographic lens design allows efficient collection of both direct and diffuse illumination to maximize energy yield. We modeled the volume diffraction characteristics using rigorous coupled-wave analysis, and simulated system performance using nonsequential ray tracing and PV cell data from the literature. Under AM 1.5 illumination conditions the simulated module obtained a 30.6% conversion efficiency. This efficiency is a 19.7% relative improvement compared to the more efficient cell in the system (silicon). The module was also simulated under a typical meteorological year of direct and diffuse irradiance in Tucson, Arizona, and Seattle, Washington. Compared to a flat panel silicon module, the holographic spectrum splitting module obtained a relative improvement in energy yield of 17.1% in Tucson and 14.0% in Seattle. An experimental proof-of-concept volume holographic lens was also fabricated in dichromated gelatin to verify the main characteristics of the system. The lens obtained an average first-order diffraction efficiency of 85.4% across the aperture at 532 nm.

Preliminary designs for 25 kWe advanced Stirling conversion systems for dish electric applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaltens, Richard K.; Schreiber, Jeffrey G.

1990-01-01

Under the Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Thermal Technology Program, Sandia National Laboratories is evaluating heat engines for terrestrial Solar Distributed Heat Receivers. The Stirling engine has been identified by Sandia as one of the most promising engines for terrestrial applications. The Stirling engine also has the potential to meet DOE's performance and cost goals. The NASA Lewis Research Center is conducting Stirling engine technology development activities directed toward a dynamic power source for space applications. Space power systems requirements include high reliability, very long life, low vibration and high efficiency. The free-piston Stirling engine has the potential for future high power space conversion systems, either nuclear or solar powered. Although both applications appear to be quite different, their requirements complement each other. Preliminary designs feature a free-piston Stirling engine, a liquid metal heat transport system, and a means to provide nominally 25 kW electric power to a utility grid while meeting DOE's performance and long term cost goals. The Cummins design incorporates a linear alternator to provide the electrical output, while the STC design generates electrical power indirectly through a hydraulic pump/motor coupled to an induction generator. Both designs for the ASCS's will use technology which can reasonably be expected to be available in the early 1990's.

Preliminary designs for 25 kWe advanced Stirling conversion systems for dish electric applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaltens, Richard K.; Schreiber, Jeffrey G.

Under the Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Thermal Technology Program, Sandia National Laboratories is evaluating heat engines for terrestrial Solar Distributed Heat Receivers. The Stirling engine has been identified by Sandia as one of the most promising engines for terrestrial applications. The Stirling engine also has the potential to meet DOE's performance and cost goals. The NASA Lewis Research Center is conducting Stirling engine technology development activities directed toward a dynamic power source for space applications. Space power systems requirements include high reliability, very long life, low vibration and high efficiency. The free-piston Stirling engine has the potential for future high power space conversion systems, either nuclear or solar powered. Although both applications appear to be quite different, their requirements complement each other. Preliminary designs feature a free-piston Stirling engine, a liquid metal heat transport system, and a means to provide nominally 25 kW electric power to a utility grid while meeting DOE's performance and long term cost goals. The Cummins design incorporates a linear alternator to provide the electrical output, while the STC design generates electrical power indirectly through a hydraulic pump/motor coupled to an induction generator. Both designs for the ASCS's will use technology which can reasonably be expected to be available in the early 1990's.

Preliminary designs for 25 kWe advanced Stirling conversion systems for dish electric applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaltens, Richard K.; Schreiber, Jeffrey G.

1990-01-01

Under the Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Thermal Technology Program, Sandia National Laboratories is evaluating heat engines for terrestrial Solar Distributed Heat Receivers. The Stirling engine has been identified by Sandia as one of the most promising engines for terrestrial applications. The Stirling engine also has the potential to meet DOE's performance and cost goals. The NASA Lewis Research Center is conducting Stirling engine technology development activities directed toward a dynamic power source for space applications. Space power systems requirements include high reliability, very long life, low vibration and high efficiency. The free-piston Stirling engine has the potential for future high power space conversion systems, either nuclear or solar powered. Although both applications appear to be quite different, their requirements complement each other. Preliminary designs feature a free-piston Stirling engine, a liquid metal heat transport system, and a means to provide nominally 25 kW electric power to a utility grid while meeting DOE's performance and long term cost goals. The Cummins design incorporates a linear alternator to provide the electrical output, while the STC design generates electrical power indirectly through a hydraulic pump/motor coupled to an induction generator. Both designs for the ASCS's will use technology which can reasonably be expected to be available in the early 1990's

Self-consistent Formulation of EBW Excitation by Mode Conversion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bers, Abraham; Decker, Joan

2005-09-26

Based upon a FLR-hydrodynamic formulation for high frequency waves in a collisionless plasma, we formulate the self-consistent, coupled set of ordinary differential equations whose solution gives the mode conversion of O- and/or X-waves at an angle to B0 to electron Bernstein waves (EBW) at the upper-hybrid resonance UHR layer occurring at the edge of an ST plasma.

Zirconium Hydride Space Power Reactor design.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Asquith, J. G.; Mason, D. G.; Stamp, S.

1972-01-01

The Zirconium Hydride Space Power Reactor being designed and fabricated at Atomics International is intended for a wide range of potential applications. Throughout the program a series of reactor designs have been evaluated to establish the unique requirements imposed by coupling with various power conversion systems and for specific applications. Current design and development emphasis is upon a 100 kilowatt thermal reactor for application in a 5 kwe thermoelectric space power generating system, which is scheduled to be fabricated and ground tested in the mid 70s. The reactor design considerations reviewed in this paper will be discussed in the context of this 100 kwt reactor and a 300 kwt reactor previously designed for larger power demand applications.

MHD conversion of solar energy. [space electric power system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lau, C. V.; Decher, R.

1978-01-01

Low temperature plasmas wherein an alkali metal vapor is a component are uniquely suited to simultaneously absorb solar radiation by coupling to the resonance lines and produce electrical power by the MHD interaction. This work is an examination of the possibility of developing space power systems which take advantage of concentrated solar power to produce electricity. It is shown that efficient cycles in which expansion work takes place at nearly constant top cycle temperature can be devised. The power density of the solar MHD generator is lower than that of conventional MHD generators because of the relatively high seed concentration required for radiation absorption and the lower flow velocity permitted to avoid total pressure losses due to heating.

I-deas TMG to NX Space Systems Thermal Model Conversion and Computational Performance Comparison

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Somawardhana, Ruwan

2011-01-01

CAD/CAE packages change on a continuous basis as the power of the tools increase to meet demands. End -users must adapt to new products as they come to market and replace legacy packages. CAE modeling has continued to evolve and is constantly becoming more detailed and complex. Though this comes at the cost of increased computing requirements Parallel processing coupled with appropriate hardware can minimize computation time. Users of Maya Thermal Model Generator (TMG) are faced with transitioning from NX I -deas to NX Space Systems Thermal (SST). It is important to understand what differences there are when changing software packages We are looking for consistency in results.

Design and Simulation of Bistable Microsystem with Frequency-up conversion effect for Electrostatic Energy Harvesting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vysotskyi, Bogdan; Parrain, Fabien; Lefeuvre, Elie; Leroux, Xavier; Aubry, Denis; Gaucher, Philippe

2016-10-01

This work is dedicated for the study of energy harvesters implemented in form of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) used to harvest ambient vibrations for powering standalone electronic devices. The previewed application is to power a leadless pacemaker with mechanical energy of the heartbeat, which requires the amount of power typically more than 1μW. The target of the presented article is to combine the effect of bistability and nonlinear coupling by electrostatic effect in order to achieve the high value of bandwidth at the low frequency under the low accelerations. Such system is expected to bring high power density performance. This study is performed mostly by numerical simulation.

Electrolytes Based on TEMPO–Co Tandem Redox Systems Outperform Single Redox Systems in Dye‐sensitized Solar Cells

PubMed Central

Cong, Jiayan; Hao, Yan; Boschloo, Gerrit

2014-01-01

Abstract A new TEMPO–Co tandem redox system with TEMPO and Co(bpy)3 2+/3+ has been investigated for the use in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A large open‐circuit voltage (V OC) increase, from 862 mV to 965 mV, was observed in the tandem redox system, while the short‐circuit current density (J SC) was maintained. The conversion efficiency was observed to increase from 7.1 % for cells containing the single Co(bpy)3 2+/3+ redox couple, to 8.4 % for cells containing the TEMPO–Co tandem redox system. The reason for the increase in V OC and overall efficiency is ascribed to the involvement of partial regeneration of the sensitizing dye molecules by TEMPO. This assumption can be verified through the observed much faster regeneration dynamics exhibited in the presence of the tandem system. Using the tandem redox system, the faster recombination problem of the single TEMPO redox couple is resolved and the mass‐transport of the metal‐complex‐based electrolyte is also improved. This TEMPO–Co tandem system is so far the most effienct tandem redox electrolyte reported not involving iodine. The current results show a promising future for tandem system as replacements for single redox systems in electrolytes for DSSCs. PMID:25504818

Characterising in situ activation and degradation of hindered amine light stabilisers using liquid extraction surface analysis-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Paine, Martin R L; Barker, Philip J; Blanksby, Stephen J

2014-01-15

Changes in the molecular structure of polymer antioxidants such as hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) is central to their efficacy in retarding polymer degradation and therefore requires careful monitoring during their in-service lifetime. The HALS, bis-(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate (TIN123) and bis-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate (TIN292), were formulated in different polymer systems and then exposed to various curing and ageing treatments to simulate in-service use. Samples of these coatings were then analysed directly using liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Analysis of TIN123 formulated in a cross-linked polyester revealed that the polymer matrix protected TIN123 from undergoing extensive thermal degradation that would normally occur at 292°C, specifically, changes at the 1- and 4-positions of the piperidine groups. The effect of thermal versus photo-oxidative degradation was also compared for TIN292 formulated in polyacrylate films by monitoring the in situ conversion of N-CH3 substituted piperidines to N-H. The analysis confirmed that UV light was required for the conversion of N-CH3 moieties to N-H - a major pathway in the antioxidant protection of polymers - whereas this conversion was not observed with thermal degradation. The use of tandem mass spectrometric techniques, including precursor-ion scanning, is shown to be highly sensitive and specific for detecting molecular-level changes in HALS compounds and, when coupled with LESA, able to monitor these changes in situ with speed and reproducibility. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

CO2-neutral fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goede, A. P. H.

2015-08-01

The need for storage of renewable energy (RE) generated by photovoltaic, concentrated solar and wind arises from the fact that supply and demand are ill-matched both geographically and temporarily. This already causes problems of overcapacity and grid congestion in countries where the fraction of RE exceeds the 20% level. A system approach is needed, which focusses not only on the energy source, but includes conversion, storage, transport, distribution, use and, last but not least, the recycling of waste. Furthermore, there is a need for more flexibility in the energy system, rather than relying on electrification, integration with other energy systems, for example the gas network, would yield a system less vulnerable to failure and better adapted to requirements. For example, long-term large-scale storage of electrical energy is limited by capacity, yet needed to cover weekly to seasonal demand. This limitation can be overcome by coupling the electricity net to the gas system, considering the fact that the Dutch gas network alone has a storage capacity of 552 TWh, sufficient to cover the entire EU energy demand for over a month. This lecture explores energy storage in chemicals bonds. The focus is on chemicals other than hydrogen, taking advantage of the higher volumetric energy density of hydrocarbons, in this case methane, which has an approximate 3.5 times higher volumetric energy density. More importantly, it allows the ready use of existing gas infrastructure for energy storage, transport and distribution. Intermittent wind electricity generated is converted into synthetic methane, the Power to Gas (P2G) scheme, by splitting feedstock CO2 and H2O into synthesis gas, a mixture of CO and H2. Syngas plays a central role in the synthesis of a range of hydrocarbon products, including methane, diesel and dimethyl ether. The splitting is accomplished by innovative means; plasmolysis and high-temperature solid oxygen electrolysis. A CO2-neutral fuel cycle is established by powering the conversion step by renewable energy and recapturing the CO2 emitted after combustion, ultimately from the surrounding air to cover emissions from distributed source. Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) coupled to P2G thus creates a CO2-neutral energy system based on synthetic hydrocarbon fuel. It would enable a circular economy where the carbon cycle is closed by recovering the CO2 emitted after reuse of synthetic hydrocarbon fuel. The critical step, technically as well as economically, is the conversion of feedstock CO2/H2O into syngas rather than the capture of CO2 from ambient air.

Putting Laughter in Context: Shared Laughter as Behavioral Indicator of Relationship Well-Being

PubMed Central

Kurtz, Laura E.; Algoe, Sara B.

2015-01-01

Laughter is a pervasive human behavior that most frequently happens in a social context. However, data linking the behavior of laughter with psychological or social outcomes is exceptionally rare. Here, we draw attention to shared laughter as a useful objective marker of relationship well-being. Spontaneously-generated laughs of 71 heterosexual romantic couples were coded from a videorecorded conversation about how the couple first met. Multilevel models revealed that, while controlling for all other laughter present, the proportion of the conversation spent laughing simultaneously with the romantic partner was uniquely positively associated with global evaluations of relationship quality, closeness, and social support. Results are discussed with respect to methodological considerations and theoretical implications for relationships and behavioral research more broadly. PMID:26957946

Research of the impact of coupling between unit cells on performance of linear-to-circular polarization conversion metamaterial with half transmission and half reflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Mengchao; Zhou, Kan; Wang, Xiaokun; Zhuang, Haiyan; Tang, Dongming; Zhang, Baoshan; Yang, Yi

2018-04-01

In this paper, the impact of coupling between unit cells on the performance of linear-to-circular polarization conversion metamaterial with half transmission and half reflection is analyzed by changing the distance between the unit cells. An equivalent electrical circuit model is then built to explain it based on the analysis. The simulated results show that, when the distance between the unit cells is 23 mm, this metamaterial converts half of the incident linearly-polarized wave into reflected left-hand circularly-polarized wave and converts the other half of it into transmitted left-hand circularly-polarized wave at 4.4 GHz; when the distance is 28 mm, this metamaterial reflects all of the incident linearly-polarized wave at 4.4 GHz; and when the distance is 32 mm, this metamaterial converts half of the incident linearly-polarized wave into reflected right-hand circularly-polarized wave and converts the other half of it into transmitted right-hand circularly-polarized wave at 4.4 GHz. The tunability is realized successfully. The analysis shows that the changes of coupling between unit cells lead to the changes of performance of this metamaterial. The coupling between the unit cells is then considered when building the equivalent electrical circuit model. The built equivalent electrical circuit model can be used to perfectly explain the simulated results, which confirms the validity of it. It can also give help to the design of tunable polarization conversion metamaterials.

Climate simulation of the twenty-first century with interactive land-use changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voldoire, Aurore; Eickhout, Bas; Schaeffer, Michiel; Royer, Jean-François; Chauvin, Fabrice

2007-08-01

To include land-use dynamics in a general circulation model (GCM), the physical system has to be linked to a system that represents socio-economy. This issue is addressed by coupling an integrated assessment model, IMAGE2.2, to an ocean atmosphere GCM, CNRM-CM3. In the new system, IMAGE2.2 provides CNRM-CM3 with all the external forcings that are scenario dependent: greenhouse gas (GHGs) concentrations, sulfate aerosols charge and land cover. Conversely, the GCM gives IMAGE changes in mean temperature and precipitation. With this new system, we have run an adapted scenario of the IPCC SRES scenario family. We have chosen a single scenario with maximum land-use changes (SRES A2), to illustrate some important feedback issues. Even in this two-way coupled model set-up, land use in this scenario is mainly driven by demographic and agricultural practices, which overpowers a potential influence of climate feedbacks on land-use patterns. This suggests that for scenarios in which socio-economically driven land-use change is very large, land-use changes can be incorporated in GCM simulations as a one-way driving force, without taking into account climate feedbacks. The dynamics of natural vegetation is more closely linked to climate but the time-scale of changes is of the order of a century. Thus, the coupling between natural vegetation and climate could generate important feedbacks but these effects are relevant mainly for multi-centennial simulations.

Picosecond Control of Photogenerated Radical Pair Lifetimes Using a Stable Third Radical.

PubMed

Horwitz, Noah E; Phelan, Brian T; Nelson, Jordan N; Krzyaniak, Matthew D; Wasielewski, Michael R

2016-05-12

Photoinduced electron transfer reactions in organic donor-acceptor systems leading to long-lived radical ion pairs (RPs) have attracted broad interest for their potential applications in fields as diverse as solar energy conversion and spintronics. We present the photophysics and spin dynamics of an electron donor - electron acceptor - stable radical system consisting of a meta-phenylenediamine (mPD) donor covalently linked to a 4-aminonaphthalene-1,8-dicarboximide (ANI) electron-accepting chromophore as well as an α,γ-bisdiphenylene-β-phenylallyl (BDPA) stable radical. Selective photoexcitation of ANI produces the BDPA-mPD(+•)-ANI(-•) triradical in which the mPD(+•)-ANI(-•) RP spins are strongly exchange coupled. The presence of BDPA is found to greatly increase the RP intersystem crossing rate from the initially photogenerated BDPA-(1)(mPD(+•)-ANI(-•)) to BDPA-(3)(mPD(+•)-ANI(-•)), resulting in accelerated RP recombination via the triplet channel to produce BDPA-mPD-(3*)ANI as compared to a reference molecule lacking the BDPA radical. The RP recombination rates observed are much faster than those previously reported for weakly coupled triradical systems. Time-resolved EPR spectroscopy shows that this process is also associated with strong spin polarization of the stable radical. Overall, these results show that RP intersystem crossing rates can be strongly influenced by stable radicals nearby strongly coupled RP systems, making it possible to use a third spin to control RP lifetimes down to a picosecond time scale.

A 13.56 MHz CMOS Active Rectifier With Switched-Offset and Compensated Biasing for Biomedical Wireless Power Transfer Systems.

PubMed

Yan Lu; Wing-Hung Ki

2014-06-01

A full-wave active rectifier switching at 13.56 MHz with compensated bias current for a wide input range for wirelessly powered high-current biomedical implants is presented. The four diodes of a conventional passive rectifier are replaced by two cross-coupled PMOS transistors and two comparator- controlled NMOS switches to eliminate diode voltage drops such that high voltage conversion ratio and power conversion efficiency could be achieved even at low AC input amplitude |VAC|. The comparators are implemented with switched-offset biasing to compensate for the delays of active diodes and to eliminate multiple pulsing and reverse current. The proposed rectifier uses a modified CMOS peaking current source with bias current that is quasi-inversely proportional to the supply voltage to better control the reverse current over a wide AC input range (1.5 to 4 V). The rectifier was fabricated in a standard 0.35 μm CMOS N-well process with active area of 0.0651 mm(2). For the proposed rectifier measured at |VAC| = 3.0 V, the voltage conversion ratios are 0.89 and 0.93 for RL=500 Ω and 5 kΩ, respectively, and the measured power conversion efficiencies are 82.2% to 90.1% with |VAC| ranges from 1.5 to 4 V for RL=500 Ω.

Tandem Lewis/Brønsted homogeneous acid catalysis: conversion of glucose to 5-hydoxymethylfurfural in an aqueous chromium(iii) chloride and hydrochloric acid solution

DOE PAGES

Swift, T. Dallas; Nguyen, Hannah; Anderko, Andrzej; ...

2015-07-25

Here, a kinetic model for the tandem conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) through fructose in aqueous CrCl 3–HCl solution was developed by analyzing experimental data. We show that the coupling of Lewis and Brønsted acids in a single pot overcomes equilibrium limitations of the glucose–fructose isomerization leading to high glucose conversions and identify conditions that maximize HMF yield. Adjusting the HCl/CrCl 3 concentration has a more pronounced effect on HMF yield at constant glucose conversion than that of temperature or CrCl 3 concentration. This is attributed to the interactions between HCl and CrCl 3 speciation in solution that leadsmore » to HMF yield being maximized at moderate HCl concentrations for each CrCl 3 concentration. This volcano-like behavior is accompanied with a change in the rate-limiting step from fructose dehydration to glucose isomerization as the concentration of the Brønsted acid increases. The maximum HMF yield in a single aqueous phase is only modest and appears independent of catalysts’ concentrations as long as they are appropriately balanced. However, it can be further maximized in a biphasic system. Our findings are consistent with recent studies in other tandem reactions catalyzed by different catalysts.« less

Tandem Lewis/Brønsted homogeneous acid catalysis: conversion of glucose to 5-hydoxymethylfurfural in an aqueous chromium(iii) chloride and hydrochloric acid solution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Swift, T. Dallas; Nguyen, Hannah; Anderko, Andrzej

Here, a kinetic model for the tandem conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) through fructose in aqueous CrCl 3–HCl solution was developed by analyzing experimental data. We show that the coupling of Lewis and Brønsted acids in a single pot overcomes equilibrium limitations of the glucose–fructose isomerization leading to high glucose conversions and identify conditions that maximize HMF yield. Adjusting the HCl/CrCl 3 concentration has a more pronounced effect on HMF yield at constant glucose conversion than that of temperature or CrCl 3 concentration. This is attributed to the interactions between HCl and CrCl 3 speciation in solution that leadsmore » to HMF yield being maximized at moderate HCl concentrations for each CrCl 3 concentration. This volcano-like behavior is accompanied with a change in the rate-limiting step from fructose dehydration to glucose isomerization as the concentration of the Brønsted acid increases. The maximum HMF yield in a single aqueous phase is only modest and appears independent of catalysts’ concentrations as long as they are appropriately balanced. However, it can be further maximized in a biphasic system. Our findings are consistent with recent studies in other tandem reactions catalyzed by different catalysts.« less

Hydrogen-driven asymmetric reduction of hydroxyacetone to (R)-1,2-propanediol by Ralstonia eutropha transformant expressing alcohol dehydrogenase from Kluyveromyces lactis.

PubMed

Oda, Takahiro; Oda, Koji; Yamamoto, Hiroaki; Matsuyama, Akinobu; Ishii, Masaharu; Igarashi, Yasuo; Nishihara, Hirofumi

2013-01-10

Conversion of industrial processes to more nature-friendly modes is a crucial subject for achieving sustainable development. Utilization of hydrogen-oxidation reactions by hydrogenase as a driving force of bioprocess reaction can be an environmentally ideal method because the reaction creates no pollutants. We expressed NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Kluyveromyces lactis in a hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium: Ralstonia eutropha. This is the first report of hydrogen-driven in vivo coupling reaction of the alcohol dehydrogenase and indigenous soluble NAD-reducing hydrogenase. Asymmetric reduction of hydroxyacetone to (R)-1,2-propanediol, which is a commercial building block for antibacterial agents, was performed using the transformant as the microbial cell catalyst. The two enzymes coupled in vitro in vials without a marked decrease of reactivity during the 20 hr reaction because of the hydrogenase reaction, which generates no by-product that affects enzymes. Alcohol dehydrogenase was expressed functionally in R. eutropha in an activity level equivalent to that of indigenous NAD-reducing hydrogenase under the hydrogenase promoter. The hydrogen-driven in vivo coupling reaction proceeded only by the transformant cell without exogenous addition of a cofactor. The decrease of reaction velocity at higher concentration of hydroxyacetone was markedly reduced by application of an in vivo coupling system. Production of (R)-1,2-propanediol (99.8% e.e.) reached 67.7 g/l in 76 hr with almost a constant rate using a jar fermenter. The reaction velocity under 10% PH2 was almost equivalent to that under 100% hydrogen, indicating the availability of crude hydrogen gas from various sources. The in vivo coupling system enabled cell-recycling as catalysts. Asymmetric reduction of hydroxyacetone by a coupling reaction of the two enzymes continued in both in vitro and in vivo systems in the presence of hydrogen. The in vivo reaction system using R. eutropha transformant expressing heterologous alcohol dehydrogenase showed advantages for practical usage relative to the in vitro coupling system. The results suggest a hopeful perspective of the hydrogen-driven bioprocess as an environmentally outstanding method to achieve industrial green innovation. Hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria can be useful hosts for the development of hydrogen-driven microbial cell factories.

Non-Nuclear Testing of Compact Reactor Technologies at NASA MSFC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Houts, Michael G.; Pearson, J. Boise; Godfroy, Thomas J.

2011-01-01

Safe, reliable, compact, autonomous, long-life fission systems have numerous potential applications, both terrestrially and in space. Technologies and facilities developed in support of these systems could be useful to a variety of concepts. At moderate power levels, fission systems can be designed to operate for decades without the need for refueling. In addition, fast neutron damage to cladding and structural materials can be maintained at an acceptable level. Nuclear design codes have advanced to the stage where high confidence in the behavior and performance of a system can be achieved prior to initial testing. To help ensure reactor affordability, an optimal strategy must be devised for development and qualification. That strategy typically involves a combination of non-nuclear and nuclear testing. Non-nuclear testing is particularly useful for concepts in which nuclear operating characteristics are well understood and nuclear effects such as burnup and radiation damage are not likely to be significant. To be mass efficient, a SFPS must operate at higher coolant temperatures and use different types of power conversion than typical terrestrial reactors. The primary reason is the difficulty in rejecting excess heat to space. Although many options exist, NASA s current reference SFPS uses a fast spectrum, pumped-NaK cooled reactor coupled to a Stirling power conversion subsystem. The reference system uses technology with significant terrestrial heritage while still providing excellent performance. In addition, technologies from the SFPS system could be applicable to compact terrestrial systems. Recent non-nuclear testing at NASA s Early Flight Fission Test Facility (EFF-TF) has helped assess the viability of the reference SFPS and evaluate methods for system integration. In July, 2011 an Annular Linear Induction Pump (ALIP) provided by Idaho National Laboratory was tested at the EFF-TF to assess performance and verify suitability for use in a10 kWe technology demonstration unit (TDU). In November, 2011 testing of a 37-pin core simulator (designed in conjunction with Los Alamos National Laboratory) for use with the TDU will occur. Previous testing at the EFFTF has included the thermal and mechanical coupling of a pumped NaK loop to Stirling engines (provided by GRC). Testing related to heat pipe cooled systems, gas cooled systems, heat exchangers, and other technologies has also been performed. Integrated TDU testing will begin at GRC in 2013. Thermal simulators developed at the EFF-TF are capable of operating over the temperature and power range typically of interest to compact reactors. Small and large diameter simulators have been developed, and simulators (coupled with the facility) are able to closely match the axial and radial power profile of all potential systems of interest. A photograph of the TDU core simulator during assembly is provided in Figure 2.

Enhanced converse magnetoelectric effect in cylindrical piezoelectric-magnetostrictive composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Gaojian; Zhang, Ru; Zhang, Ning

2016-10-01

Enhanced converse magnetoelectric (ME) effect has been experimentally observed in cylindrical PZT-Terfenol-D piezoelectric-magnetostrictive bilayered composites, where the piezoelectric and magnetostrictive components are coupled through normal stresses instead of shear stresses that act in most of previous multiferroic composites. A theoretical model based on elastodynamics analysis has been proposed to describe the frequency response of converse ME effect for axial and radial modes in the bilayered cylindrical composites. The theory shows good agreement with the experimental results. The different variation tendency of resonant converse ME coefficient, as well as different variation rate of resonance frequency with bias magnetic field for axial and radial modes is interpreted in terms of demagnetizing effect. This work is of theoretical and technological significance for the application of converse ME effect as magnetic sensor, transducers, coil-free flux switch, etc.

Optical analysis of down-conversion OLEDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krummacher, Benjamin; Klein, Markus; von Malm, Norwin; Winnacker, Albrecht

2008-02-01

Phosphor down-conversion of blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is one approach to generate white light, which offers the possibility of easy color tuning, a simple device architecture and color stability over lifetime. In this article previous work on down-conversion devices in the field of organic solid state lighting is briefly reviewed. Further, bottom emitting down-conversion OLEDs are studied from an optical point of view. Therefore the physical processes occurring in the down-conversion layer are translated into a model which is implemented in a ray tracing simulation. By comparing its predictions to experimental results the model is confirmed. For the experiments a blue-emitting polymer OLED (PLED) panel optically coupled to a series of down-conversion layers is used. Based on results obtained from ray tracing simulation some of the implications of the model for the performance of down-conversion OLEDs are discussed. In particular it is analysed how the effective reflectance of the underlying blue OLED and the particle size distribution of the phosphor powder embedded in the matrix of the down-conversion layer influence extraction efficiency.

A unique dosing system for the production of OH under high vacuum for the study of environmental heterogeneous reactions.

PubMed

Brown, Matthew A; Johánek, Viktor; Hemminger, John C

2008-02-01

A unique dosing system for the production of hydroxyl radicals under high vacuum for the study of environmental heterogeneous reactions is described. Hydroxyl radicals are produced by the photodissociation of a hydrogen peroxide aqueous gas mixture with 254 nm radiation according to the reaction H2O2+hnu (254 nm)-->OH+OH. Under the conditions of the current design, 0.6% conversion of hydrogen peroxide is expected yielding a hydroxyl number density on the order of 10(10) molecules/cm3. The flux distribution of the dosing system is calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation method and compared with the experimentally determined results. The performance of this unique hydroxyl dosing system is demonstrated for the heterogeneous reaction with a solid surface of potassium iodide. Coupling of the hydroxyl radical dosing system to a quantitative surface analysis system should help provide molecular level insight into detailed reaction mechanisms.

Optimization of a near-field thermophotovoltaic system operating at low temperature and large vacuum gap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Mikyung; Song, Jaeman; Kim, Jihoon; Lee, Seung S.; Lee, Ikjin; Lee, Bong Jae

2018-05-01

The present work successfully achieves a strong enhancement in performance of a near-field thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system operating at low temperature and large-vacuum-gap width by introducing a hyperbolic-metamaterial (HMM) emitter, multilayered graphene, and an Au-backside reflector. Design variables for the HMM emitter and the multilayered-graphene-covered TPV cell are optimized for maximizing the power output of the near-field TPV system with the genetic algorithm. The near-field TPV system with the optimized configuration results in 24.2 times of enhancement in power output compared with that of the system with a bulk emitter and a bare TPV cell. Through the analysis of the radiative heat transfer together with surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) dispersion curves, it is found that coupling of SPPs generated from both the HMM emitter and the multilayered-graphene-covered TPV cell plays a key role in a substantial increase in the heat transfer even at a 200-nm vacuum gap. Further, the backside reflector at the bottom of the TPV cell significantly increases not only the conversion efficiency, but also the power output by generating additional polariton modes which can be readily coupled with the existing SPPs of the HMM emitter and the multilayered-graphene-covered TPV cell.

Something in the Way We Move: Motion Dynamics, Not Perceived Sex, Influence Head Movements in Conversation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boker, Steven M.; Cohn, Jeffrey F.; Theobald, Barry-John; Matthews, Iain; Mangini, Michael; Spies, Jeffrey R.; Ambadar, Zara; Brick, Timothy R.

2011-01-01

During conversation, women tend to nod their heads more frequently and more vigorously than men. An individual speaking with a woman tends to nod his or her head more than when speaking with a man. Is this due to social expectation or due to coupled motion dynamics between the speakers? We present a novel methodology that allows us to randomly…

Up-conversion luminescence coupled to plasmonic gold nanorods for light harvesting and hydrogen production.

PubMed

AlGhamdi, H; Katsiev, K; Wahab, A K; Llorca, J; Idriss, H

2017-12-05

The conversion of infrared light to visible-light which allows a larger fraction of sun-light to be used is needed to improve light-harvesting. In this work a tri-functional material composed of an up-converter (NaYF 4 -Yb-Tm), plasmonic gold nanorods and CdS was made photocatalytically active using 980 nm wavelength light for the reduction of H + to H 2 .

Intrinsic hybrid modes in a corrugated conical horn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dendane, A.; Arnold, J. M.

1988-08-01

Computational requirements for the generation of intrinsic modes in a nonseparable waveguide geometry requiring a full vector field description with anistropic impedance boundaries were derived. Good agreement is shown between computed and measured radiation patterns in copolar and crosspolar configurations. This agreement establishes that the intrinsic mode correctly accounts for the local normal mode conversion which takes place along the horn in a conventional mode coupling scheme, at least for cone semiangles up to 15 deg. The advantage of the intrinsic mode formulation over the conventional mode-coupling theory is that, to construct a single intrinsic mode throughout the horn, only one local normal mode field is required at each cross section, whereas mode conversion from the HE11 mode would require all the HE1n modes to be known at each cross section. The intrinsic mode accounts also for fields which would appear as backward modes in coupled-mode theory. A complete coupled-mode theory solution requires the inversion of a large matrix at each cross section, whereas the intrinsic mode can be constructed explicitly using a simple Fourier-like integral; the perturbation solution of Dragone (1977) is difficult to make rigorous.

Carotenoid Photoprotection in Artificial Photosynthetic Antennas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kloz, Miroslav; Pillai, Smitha; Kodis, Gerdenis

A series of phthalocyanine-carotenoid dyads in which a phenylamino group links a phthalocyanine to carotenoids having 8-11 backbone double bonds were examined by visible and near-infrared femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy combined with global fitting analysis. The series of molecules has permitted investigation of the role of carotenoids in the quenching of excited states of cyclic tetrapyrroles. The transient behavior varied dramatically with the length of the carotenoid and the solvent environment. Clear spectroscopic signatures of radical species revealed photoinduced electron transfer as the main quenching mechanism for all dyads dissolved in a polar solvent (THF), and the quenching rate was almostmore » independent of carotenoid length. However, in a nonpolar solvent (toluene), quenching rates displayed a strong dependence on the conjugation length of the carotenoid and the mechanism did not include charge separation. The lack of any rise time components of a carotenoid S 1 signature in all experiments in toluene suggests that an excitonic coupling between the carotenoid S 1 state and phthalocyanine Q state, rather than a conventional energy transfer process, is the major mechanism of quenching. A pronounced inhomogeneity of the system was observed and attributed to the presence of a phenyl-amino linker between phthalocyanine and carotenoids. On the basis of accumulated work on various caroteno-phthalocyanine dyads and triads, we have now identified three mechanisms of tetrapyrrole singlet excited state quenching by carotenoids in artificial systems: (i) Car-Pc electron transfer and recombination; (ii) 1Pc to Car S 1 energy transfer and fast internal conversion to the Car ground state; (iii) excitonic coupling between 1Pc and Car S 1 and ensuing internal conversion to the ground state of the carotenoid. The dominant mechanism depends upon the exact molecular architecture and solvent environment. These synthetic systems are providing a deeper understanding of structural and environmental effects on the interactions between carotenoids and tetrapyrroles and thereby better defining their role in controlling natural photosynthetic systems.« less

Diurnal variation in the coupling of photosynthetic electron transport and carbon fixation in iron-limited phytoplankton in the NE subarctic Pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuback, N.; Flecken, M.; Maldonado, M. T.; Tortell, P. D.

2015-10-01

Active chlorophyll a fluorescence approaches, including fast repetition rate fluorometry (FRRF), have the potential to provide estimates of phytoplankton primary productivity at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. FRRF-derived productivity rates are based on estimates of charge separation at PSII (ETRRCII), which must be converted into ecologically relevant units of carbon fixation. Understanding sources of variability in the coupling of ETRRCII and carbon fixation provides physiological insight into phytoplankton photosynthesis, and is critical for the application of FRRF as a primary productivity measurement tool. In the present study, we simultaneously measured phytoplankton carbon fixation and ETRRCII in the iron-limited NE subarctic Pacific, over the course of a diurnal cycle. We show that rates of ETRRCII are closely tied to the diurnal cycle in light availability, whereas rates of carbon fixation appear to be influenced by endogenous changes in metabolic energy allocation under iron-limited conditions. Unsynchronized diurnal oscillations of the two rates led to 3.5 fold changes in the conversion factor coupling ETRRCII and carbon fixation (Φe:C / nPSII). Consequently, diurnal variability in phytoplankton carbon fixation cannot be adequately captured with FRRF approaches if a constant conversion factor is applied. Utilizing several auxiliary photophysiological measurements, we observed that a high conversion factor is associated with conditions of excess light, and correlates with the expression of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in the pigment antenna, as derived from FRRF measurements. The observed correlation between NPQ and the conversion factor Φe:C / nPSII has the potential to improve estimates of phytoplankton carbon fixation rates from FRRF measurements alone.

Design considerations for space radiators based on the liquid sheet (LSR) concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Juhasz, Albert J.; Chubb, Donald L.

1991-01-01

Concept development work on space heat rejection subsystems tailored to the requirements of various space power conversion systems is proceeding over a broad front of technologies at NASA LeRC. Included are orbital and planetary surface based radiator concepts utilizing pumped loops, a variety of heat pipe radiator concepts, and the innovative liquid sheet radiator (LSR). The basic feasibility of the LSR concept was investigated in prior work which generated preliminary information indicating the suitability of the LSR concept for space power systems requiring cycle reject heat to be radiated to the space sink at low-to-mid temperatures (300 to 400 K), with silicon oils used for the radiator working fluid. This study is directed at performing a comparative examination of LSR characteristics as they affect the basic design of low earth orbit solar dynamic power conversion systems. The power systems considered were based on the closed Brayton (CBC) and the Free Piston Stirling (FPS) cycles, each with a power output of 2 kWe and using previously tested silicone oil (Dow-Corning Me2) as the radiator working fluid. Conclusions indicate that, due to its ability for direct cold end cooling, an LSR based heat rejection subsystem is far more compatible with a Stirling space power system than with a CBC, which requires LSR coupling by means of an intermediate gas/liquid heat exchanger and adjustment of cycle operating conditions.

Development of a Reactor Model for Chemical Conversion of Lunar Regolith

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hegde, U.; Balasubramaniam, R.; Gokoglu, S.

2009-01-01

Lunar regolith will be used for a variety of purposes such as oxygen and propellant production and manufacture of various materials. The design and development of chemical conversion reactors for processing lunar regolith will require an understanding of the coupling among the chemical, mass and energy transport processes occurring at the length and time scales of the overall reactor with those occurring at the corresponding scales of the regolith particles. To this end, a coupled transport model is developed using, as an example, the reduction of ilmenite-containing regolith by a continuous flow of hydrogen in a flow-through reactor. The ilmenite conversion occurs on the surface and within the regolith particles. As the ilmenite reduction proceeds, the hydrogen in the reactor is consumed, and this, in turn, affects the conversion rate of the ilmenite in the particles. Several important quantities are identified as a result of the analysis. Reactor scale parameters include the void fraction (i.e., the fraction of the reactor volume not occupied by the regolith particles) and the residence time of hydrogen in the reactor. Particle scale quantities include the time for hydrogen to diffuse into the pores of the regolith particles and the chemical reaction time. The paper investigates the relationships between these quantities and their impact on the regolith conversion. Application of the model to various chemical reactor types, such as fluidized-bed, packed-bed, and rotary-bed configurations, are discussed.

Development of a Reactor Model for Chemical Conversion of Lunar Regolith

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hedge, uday; Balasubramaniam, R.; Gokoglu, S.

2007-01-01

Lunar regolith will be used for a variety of purposes such as oxygen and propellant production and manufacture of various materials. The design and development of chemical conversion reactors for processing lunar regolith will require an understanding of the coupling among the chemical, mass and energy transport processes occurring at the length and time scales of the overall reactor with those occurring at the corresponding scales of the regolith particles. To this end, a coupled transport model is developed using, as an example, the reduction of ilmenite-containing regolith by a continuous flow of hydrogen in a flow-through reactor. The ilmenite conversion occurs on the surface and within the regolith particles. As the ilmenite reduction proceeds, the hydrogen in the reactor is consumed, and this, in turn, affects the conversion rate of the ilmenite in the particles. Several important quantities are identified as a result of the analysis. Reactor scale parameters include the void fraction (i.e., the fraction of the reactor volume not occupied by the regolith particles) and the residence time of hydrogen in the reactor. Particle scale quantities include the time for hydrogen to diffuse into the pores of the regolith particles and the chemical reaction time. The paper investigates the relationships between these quantities and their impact on the regolith conversion. Application of the model to various chemical reactor types, such as fluidized-bed, packed-bed, and rotary-bed configurations, are discussed.

Piezoelectric Composites by Solid Freeform Fabrication: A Nature-Inspired Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safari, A.; Akdoğan, E. K.

Piezoelectrics and electrostrictors are indispensable materials for use in transducer technology, as they inherently possess both direct (sensing) and converse (actuation) effects. A piezoelectric/electrostrictive sensor converts a mechanical input (displacement or force) into a measurable electrical output through piezoelectric/electrostrictive energy conversion. In the case of a piezoelectric, an applied mechanical force (stress) induces a voltage across the terminals of the transducer. On the other hand, an applied mechanical force induces a change in the capacitance of an electrostrictive transducer that could be electrically detected. Hence, the mechanical to electrical energy conversion is accomplished directly when a piezoelectric is used, while the same is obtained indirectly if the electroactive material of choice is an electrostrictor. Conversely, both piezoelectric and electrostrictive materials develop an elastic strain under an applied electric field. The said elastic strain is linearly proportional to the applied field in a piezoelectric, whereas electrostrictive coupling involves the second-order (quadratic) coupling of electric field with elastic strain. While piezoelectricity is possible only in noncentrosymetric point groups, electrostriction is observed in all solids, which make it a much more general solid-state phenomenon. Sensing and actuation functions can coexist in a given transducer by the intelligent use of such materials. Piezoelectrics and electrostrictors, therefore, constitute the backbone of modern transducer technology, as mechanical to electric energy (and vice versa) conversion can be accomplished with great efficiency in a way that is second to none among all phenomena known to date [1,2].

Lunar Surface Stirling Power Systems Using Isotope Heat Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmitz, Paul C.; Penswick, L. Barry; Shaltens, Richard K.

2010-01-01

For many years, NASA has used the decay of plutonium-238 (Pu-238) (in the form of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS)) as a heat source for Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs), which have provided electrical power for many NASA missions. While RTGs have an impressive reliability record for the missions in which they have been used, their relatively low thermal to electric conversion efficiency and the scarcity of plutonium-238 (Pu-238) has led NASA to consider other power conversion technologies. NASA is considering returning both robotic and human missions to the lunar surface and, because of the long lunar nights (14.75 Earth days), isotope power systems are an attractive candidate to generate electrical power. NASA is currently developing the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) as a candidate higher efficiency power system that produces greater than 160 W with two GPHS modules at the beginning of life (BOL) (32% efficiency). The ASRG uses the same Pu-238 GPHS modules, which are used in RTG, but by coupling them to a Stirling convertor provides a four-fold reduction in the number of GPHS modules. This study considers the use of americium-241 (Am-241) as a substitute for the Pu-238 in Stirling- convertor-based Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) for power levels from tens of watts to 5 kWe. The Am-241 is used as a substitute for the Pu-238 in GPHS modules. Depending on power level, different Stirling heat input and removal systems are modeled. It was found that substituting Am-241 GPHS modules into the ASRG reduces power output by about one-fifth while maintaining approximately the same system mass. In order to obtain the nominal 160 W of electrical output of the Pu-238 ASRG requires 10 Am-241 GPHS modules. Higher power systems require changing from conductive coupling heat input and removal from the Stirling convertor to either pumped loops or heat pipes. Liquid metal pumped loops are considered as the primary heat transportation on the hot end and water pumped loop/heat pipe radiator is considered for the heat rejection side for power levels above 1 kWe.

Lunar Surface Stirling Power Systems Using Am-241

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmitz, Paul C.; Penswick, L. Barry; Shaltens, Richard K.

2009-01-01

For many years NASA has used the decay of Pu-238 (in the form of the General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS)) as a heat source for Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG), which have provided electrical power for many NASA missions. While RTG's have an impressive reliability record for the missions in which they have been used, their relatively low thermal to electric conversion efficiency (-5% efficiency) and the scarcity of Plutoinium-238 (Pu-238) has led NASA to consider other power conversion technologies. NASA is considering returning both robotic and human missions to the lunar surface and, because of the long lunar nights (14 earth days) isotope power systems are an attractive candidate to generate electrical power. NASA is currently developing the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) as a candidate higher efficiency power system that produces greater than 160 watts with 2 GPHS modules at the beginning of life (BOL) (-30% efficiency). The ASRG uses the same Pu-238 GPHS modules, which are used in RTG, but by coupling them to a Stirling convertor provides a 4-fold reduction in the number of GPHS modules. This study considers the use of Americium 241 (Am-241) as a substitute for the Pu-238 in Stirling convertor based Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) for power levels from 1 O's of watts to 5 kWe. The Am-241 is used as a replacement for the Pu-238 in GPHS modules. Depending on power level, different Stirling heat input and removal systems are modeled. It was found that substituting Am-241 GPHS modules into the ASRG reduces power output by about 1/5 while maintaining approximately the same system mass. In order to obtain the nominal 160 watts electrical output of the Pu-238 ASRG requires 10 Am-241 GPHS modules. Higher power systems require changing from conductive coupling heat input and removal from the Stirling convertor to either pumped loops or heat pipes. Liquid metal pumped loops are considered as the primary heat transportation on the hot end and water pumped loop/heat pipe radiator is considered for the heat rejection side for power levels above 1 kWe.

Nuclear power technology requirements for NASA exploration missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bloomfield, Harvey S.

1990-01-01

It is pointed out that future exploration of the moon and Mars will mandate developments in many areas of technology. In particular, major advances will be required in planet surface power systems. Critical nuclear technology challenges that can enable strategic self-sufficiency, acceptable operational costs, and cost-effective space transportation goals for NASA exploration missions have been identified. Critical technologies for surface power systems include stationary and mobile nuclear reactor and radioisotope heat sources coupled to static and dynamic power conversion devices. These technologies can provide dramatic reductions in mass, leading to operational and transportation cost savings. Critical technologies for space transportation systems include nuclear thermal rocket and nuclear electric propulsion options, which present compelling concepts for significantly reducing mass, cost, or travel time required for Earth-Mars transport.

Nonreciprocal Gain in Non-Hermitian Time-Floquet Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koutserimpas, Theodoros T.; Fleury, Romain

2018-02-01

We explore the unconventional wave scattering properties of non-Hermitian systems in which amplification or damping are induced by time-periodic modulation. These non-Hermitian time-Floquet systems are capable of nonreciprocal operations in the frequency domain, which can be exploited to induce novel physical phenomena such as unidirectional wave amplification and perfect nonreciprocal response with zero or even negative insertion losses. This unique behavior is obtained by imparting a specific low-frequency time-periodic modulation to the complex coupling between lossless resonators, promoting only upward frequency conversion, and leading to nonreciprocal parametric gain. We provide a full-wave demonstration of our findings in a one-way microwave amplifier, and establish the potential of non-Hermitian time-Floquet devices for insertion-loss free microwave isolation and unidirectional parametric amplification.

[Sexuality of aging couples--from women's point of view].

PubMed

Araki, Chineko

2005-09-01

The Sexuality Study Group (chairperson: Chineko Araki) has researched the sexuality of middle-aged to elderly men and women who were having problems with their spouse, and suggestions for an improved sexual life. According to the result of the survey, the problem seemed to lie in the gap between men and women; men want sexual intercourse with women, while many women are satisfied with emotional affection. Discontinuance of intercourse is mainly caused by the loss of women's interest in sex. The responses to 'What kind of sexual relationship do you want to have with your spouse?' and other questions showed that whether women want to have sexual intercourse or not is not simply caused by a physical problem such as decrease of sexual desire or pain during intercourse, but is affected by various factors such as the affection to the spouse, physical and mental satisfaction by intercourse and a different way of thinking about sex. Also the survey showed even though both men and women wanted to have a 'casual conversation' or 'showing affection daily', in actual life they lacked having conversations and had little physical contact except for sex. For aging couples to keep matured sexual relations, it is more desirable to build the couples' relationship with casual conversation and physical contact, and also enjoy slow sex, such as pillow talk or caressing one another and not focusing on sex only.

Unravelling biocomplexity of electroactive biofilms for producing hydrogen from biomass

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lewis, Alex J.; Campa, Maria F.; Hazen, Terry C.

Nature recruits various types of microbes to transform its waste products into reusable building blocks. In order to develop engineered systems to enable humans to generate useful products from complex sources such as biomass, a better understanding of the synergy between microbial species is necessary. Here we investigate a bioelectrochemical system for conversion of a complex biomass-derived pyrolysis stream into hydrogen via microbial electrolysis. Interaction between the exoelectrogens and fermentative organisms is key in this process. Comparing bioelectroconversion of a switchgrass-derived bio-oil aqueous phase (BOAP) with a model exoelectrogenic substrate, acetic acid, we demonstrate that fermentative breakdown of BOAP tomore » acetate is the limiting step in the syntophic conversion process. The anode microbial community displayed simultaneous conversion of sugar derivatives, phenolic compounds, carboxylic acids, etc. present in BOAP, but at differing rates through division of labor and syntrophic exchange. Maximum removal for BOAP reached 43 mg COD/h vs. 59 mg COD/h for pure acetic acid. Furthermore, maximum hydrogen production for BOAP reached 11 L/L-d vs. 35 L/L-day for pure acetic acid. Coulombic efficiency for both substrates was >80%. Unpoising of the anode haulted exoelectrogenesis and allowed fermentative processes to proceed resulting in acetic acid accumulation at the rate of 8.4 mg/h. Coupled to the simultaneous conversion of compounds present within BOAP, these results support the division of labor and syntrophic interactions suggested here. The hydrogen productivity is the highest achieved to date for a biomass-derived stream. The exoelectrogenic rates achieved signify that commercial feasibility can be achieved if fermentative rates can be improved.« less

Unravelling biocomplexity of electroactive biofilms for producing hydrogen from biomass

DOE PAGES

Lewis, Alex J.; Campa, Maria F.; Hazen, Terry C.; ...

2017-07-11

Nature recruits various types of microbes to transform its waste products into reusable building blocks. In order to develop engineered systems to enable humans to generate useful products from complex sources such as biomass, a better understanding of the synergy between microbial species is necessary. Here we investigate a bioelectrochemical system for conversion of a complex biomass-derived pyrolysis stream into hydrogen via microbial electrolysis. Interaction between the exoelectrogens and fermentative organisms is key in this process. Comparing bioelectroconversion of a switchgrass-derived bio-oil aqueous phase (BOAP) with a model exoelectrogenic substrate, acetic acid, we demonstrate that fermentative breakdown of BOAP tomore » acetate is the limiting step in the syntophic conversion process. The anode microbial community displayed simultaneous conversion of sugar derivatives, phenolic compounds, carboxylic acids, etc. present in BOAP, but at differing rates through division of labor and syntrophic exchange. Maximum removal for BOAP reached 43 mg COD/h vs. 59 mg COD/h for pure acetic acid. Furthermore, maximum hydrogen production for BOAP reached 11 L/L-d vs. 35 L/L-day for pure acetic acid. Coulombic efficiency for both substrates was >80%. Unpoising of the anode haulted exoelectrogenesis and allowed fermentative processes to proceed resulting in acetic acid accumulation at the rate of 8.4 mg/h. Coupled to the simultaneous conversion of compounds present within BOAP, these results support the division of labor and syntrophic interactions suggested here. The hydrogen productivity is the highest achieved to date for a biomass-derived stream. The exoelectrogenic rates achieved signify that commercial feasibility can be achieved if fermentative rates can be improved.« less

Newer approach of using alternatives to (Indium doped) metal electrodes, dyes and electrolytes in dye sensitized solar cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patni, Neha; Sharma, Pranjal; Pillai, Shibu G.

2018-04-01

This work demonstrates the PV study of dye sensitised solar cells by fabricating the (PV) cell using the ITO, FTO and AZO glass substrate. Dyes used for the fabrication were extracted from beetroot and spinach and a cocktail dye by mixing both of the dyes was also prepared. Similarly the three dufferent electrolytes used were iodide-triiodide couple, polyaniline and mixture of polyaniline and iodide couple. Mixed dye and mixed electrolyte has emerged as the highest efficient cell. The electrical characterisation shows that the highest power conversion efficiency of 1.86% was achieved by FTO substrate, followed by efficiency of 1.83% by AZO substrate and efficiency of 1.63% with ITO substrate using mixed dye and mixed electrolyte approach. This justifies that FTO and AZO shows better efficiency and hence proposed to be used as an alternative to indium free system.

Life Cycle Assessment of high ligno-cellulosic biomass pyrolysis coupled with anaerobic digestion.

PubMed

Righi, Serena; Bandini, Vittoria; Marazza, Diego; Baioli, Filippo; Torri, Cristian; Contin, Andrea

2016-07-01

A Life Cycle Assessment is conducted on pyrolysis coupled to anaerobic digestion to treat corn stovers and to obtain bioenergy and biochar. The analysis takes into account the feedstock treatment process, the fate of products and the indirect effects due to crop residue removal. The biochar is considered to be used as solid fuel for coal power plants or as soil conditioner. All results are compared with a corresponding fossil-fuel-based scenario. It is shown that the proposed system always enables relevant primary energy savings of non-renewable sources and a strong reduction of greenhouse gases emissions without worsening the abiotic resources depletion. Conversely, the study points out that the use of corn stovers for mulch is critical when considering acidification and eutrophication impacts. Therefore, removal of corn stovers from the fields must be planned carefully. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Gate-controlled electromechanical backaction induced by a quantum dot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okazaki, Yuma; Mahboob, Imran; Onomitsu, Koji; Sasaki, Satoshi; Yamaguchi, Hiroshi

2016-04-01

Semiconductor-based quantum structures integrated into mechanical resonators have emerged as a unique platform for generating entanglement between macroscopic phononic and mesocopic electronic degrees of freedom. A key challenge to realizing this is the ability to create and control the coupling between two vastly dissimilar systems. Here, such coupling is demonstrated in a hybrid device composed of a gate-defined quantum dot integrated into a piezoelectricity-based mechanical resonator enabling milli-Kelvin phonon states to be detected via charge fluctuations in the quantum dot. Conversely, the single electron transport in the quantum dot can induce a backaction onto the mechanics where appropriate bias of the quantum dot can enable damping and even current-driven amplification of the mechanical motion. Such electron transport induced control of the mechanical resonator dynamics paves the way towards a new class of hybrid semiconductor devices including a current injected phonon laser and an on-demand single phonon emitter.

Printed biofuel cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Joseph; Windmiller, Joshua Ray; Jia, Wenzhao

2016-11-22

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing a biofuel cell device for extracting energy from a biofuel. In one aspect, a biofuel cell device includes a substrate, an anode including a catalyst to facilitate the conversion of a fuel in a biological fluid in an oxidative process that releases electrons captured at the anode, thereby extracting energy from the fuel substance, a cathode configured on the substrate adjacent to the anode and separated from the anode by a spacing region, and a load electrically coupled to the anode and cathode via electrical interconnects to obtain the extracted energy asmore » electrical energy.« less

Engineering Localized Surface Plasmon Interactions in Gold by Silicon Nanowire for Enhanced Heating and Photocatalysis.

PubMed

Agarwal, Daksh; Aspetti, Carlos O; Cargnello, Matteo; Ren, MingLiang; Yoo, Jinkyoung; Murray, Christopher B; Agarwal, Ritesh

2017-03-08

The field of plasmonics has attracted considerable attention in recent years because of potential applications in various fields such as nanophotonics, photovoltaics, energy conversion, catalysis, and therapeutics. It is becoming increasing clear that intrinsic high losses associated with plasmons can be utilized to create new device concepts to harvest the generated heat. It is therefore important to design cavities, which can harvest optical excitations efficiently to generate heat. We report a highly engineered nanowire cavity, which utilizes a high dielectric silicon core with a thin plasmonic film (Au) to create an effective metallic cavity to strongly confine light, which when coupled with localized surface plasmons in the nanoparticles of the thin metal film produces exceptionally high temperatures upon laser irradiation. Raman spectroscopy of the silicon core enables precise measurements of the cavity temperature, which can reach values as high as 1000 K. The same Si-Au cavity with enhanced plasmonic activity when coupled with TiO 2 nanorods increases the hydrogen production rate by ∼40% compared to similar Au-TiO 2 system without Si core, in ethanol photoreforming reactions. These highly engineered thermoplasmonic devices, which integrate three different cavity concepts (high refractive index core, metallo-dielectric cavity, and localized surface plasmons) along with the ease of fabrication demonstrate a possible pathway for designing optimized plasmonic devices with applications in energy conversion and catalysis.

Coupling of PZT Thin Films with Bimetallic Strip Heat Engines for Thermal Energy Harvesting.

PubMed

Boughaleb, Jihane; Arnaud, Arthur; Guiffard, Benoit; Guyomar, Daniel; Seveno, Raynald; Monfray, Stéphane; Skotnicki, Thomas; Cottinet, Pierre-Jean

2018-06-06

A thermal energy harvester based on a double transduction mechanism and which converts thermal energy into electrical energy by means of piezoelectric membranes and bimetals, has previously been developed and widely presented in the literature In such a device, the thermo-mechanical conversion is ensured by a bimetal whereas the electro-mechanical conversion is generated by a piezoelectric ceramic. However, it has been shown that only 19% of the mechanical energy delivered by the bimetal during its snap is converted into electrical energy. To extract more energy from the bimetallic strip and to increase the transduction efficiency, a new way to couple piezoelectric materials with bimetals has thus been explored through direct deposition of piezoelectric layers on bimetals. This paper consequently presents an alternative way to harvest heat, based on piezoelectric bimetallic strip heat engines and presents a proof of concept of such a system. In this light, different PZT (Lead zirconate titanate) thin films were synthesized directly on aluminium foils and were attached to the bimetals using conductive epoxy. The fabrication process of each sample is presented herein as well as the experimental tests carried out on the devices. Throughout this study, different thicknesses of the piezoelectric layers and substrates were tested to determine the most powerful configuration. Finally, the study also gives some guidelines for future improvements of piezoelectric bimetals.

Self-assembly based plasmonic arrays tuned by atomic layer deposition for extreme visible light absorption.

PubMed

Hägglund, Carl; Zeltzer, Gabriel; Ruiz, Ricardo; Thomann, Isabell; Lee, Han-Bo-Ram; Brongersma, Mark L; Bent, Stacey F

2013-07-10

Achieving complete absorption of visible light with a minimal amount of material is highly desirable for many applications, including solar energy conversion to fuel and electricity, where benefits in conversion efficiency and economy can be obtained. On a fundamental level, it is of great interest to explore whether the ultimate limits in light absorption per unit volume can be achieved by capitalizing on the advances in metamaterial science and nanosynthesis. Here, we combine block copolymer lithography and atomic layer deposition to tune the effective optical properties of a plasmonic array at the atomic scale. Critical coupling to the resulting nanocomposite layer is accomplished through guidance by a simple analytical model and measurements by spectroscopic ellipsometry. Thereby, a maximized absorption of light exceeding 99% is accomplished, of which up to about 93% occurs in a volume-equivalent thickness of gold of only 1.6 nm. This corresponds to a record effective absorption coefficient of 1.7 × 10(7) cm(-1) in the visible region, far exceeding those of solid metals, graphene, dye monolayers, and thin film solar cell materials. It is more than a factor of 2 higher than that previously obtained using a critically coupled dye J-aggregate, with a peak width exceeding the latter by 1 order of magnitude. These results thereby substantially push the limits for light harvesting in ultrathin, nanoengineered systems.

A Coupled Simulation Architecture for Agent-Based/Geohydrological Modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaxa-Rozen, M.

2016-12-01

The quantitative modelling of social-ecological systems can provide useful insights into the interplay between social and environmental processes, and their impact on emergent system dynamics. However, such models should acknowledge the complexity and uncertainty of both of the underlying subsystems. For instance, the agent-based models which are increasingly popular for groundwater management studies can be made more useful by directly accounting for the hydrological processes which drive environmental outcomes. Conversely, conventional environmental models can benefit from an agent-based depiction of the feedbacks and heuristics which influence the decisions of groundwater users. From this perspective, this work describes a Python-based software architecture which couples the popular NetLogo agent-based platform with the MODFLOW/SEAWAT geohydrological modelling environment. This approach enables users to implement agent-based models in NetLogo's user-friendly platform, while benefiting from the full capabilities of MODFLOW/SEAWAT packages or reusing existing geohydrological models. The software architecture is based on the pyNetLogo connector, which provides an interface between the NetLogo agent-based modelling software and the Python programming language. This functionality is then extended and combined with Python's object-oriented features, to design a simulation architecture which couples NetLogo with MODFLOW/SEAWAT through the FloPy library (Bakker et al., 2016). The Python programming language also provides access to a range of external packages which can be used for testing and analysing the coupled models, which is illustrated for an application of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES).

Microstructural development from interdiffusion and reaction between U–Mo and AA6061 alloys annealed at 600° and 550 °C

DOE PAGES

Perez, E.; Keiser, D. D.; Sohn, Y. H.

2016-05-10

The U.S. Material Management and Minimization Reactor Conversion Program is developing low enrichment fuel systems encased in Al-alloy for use in research and test reactors. Monolithic fuel plates have local regions where the Usingle bondMo fuel plate may come into contact with the Al-alloy 6061 (AA6061) cladding. This results in the development of interdiffusion zones with complex microstructures with multiple phases. In this study, the microstructural development of diffusion couples, U–7 wt%Mo, U–10 wt%Mo, and U–12 wt%Mo vs. AA6061, annealed at 600 °C for 24 h and at 550 °C for 1, 5, and 20 h, were analyzed by scanningmore » electron microscopy with x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The microstructural development and kinetics were compared to diffusion couples U–Mo vs. high purity Al and binary Al–Si alloys. As a result, the diffusion couples developed complex interaction regions where phase development was influenced by the alloying additions of the AA6061.« less

Circular-Polarization-Selective Transmission Induced by Spin-Orbit Coupling in a Helical Tape Waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yahong; Guo, Qinghua; Liu, Hongchao; Liu, Congcong; Song, Kun; Yang, Biao; Hou, Quanwen; Zhao, Xiaopeng; Zhang, Shuang; Navarro-Cía, Miguel

2018-05-01

Spin-orbit coupling of light, describing the interaction between the polarization (spin) and spatial degrees of freedom (orbit) of light, plays an important role in subwavelength scale systems and leads to many interesting phenomena, such as the spin Hall effect of light. Here, based on the spin-orbit coupling, we design and fabricate a helical tape waveguide (HTW), which can realize a circular-polarization-selective process. When the incident circularly polarized wave is of the same handedness as the helix of the HTW, a nearly complete transmission is observed; in contrast, a counterrotating circular polarization of incident wave results in a much lower transmission or is even totally blocked by the HTW. Indeed, both simulations and experiments reveal that the blocked component of power leaks through the helical aperture of the HTW and forms a conical beam analogous to helical Cherenkov radiation due to the conversion from the spin angular momentum to the orbital angular momentum. Our HTW structure demonstrates its potential as a polarization selector in a broadband frequency range.

The fundamental role of quantized vibrations in coherent light harvesting by cryptophyte algae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolli, Avinash; O'Reilly, Edward J.; Scholes, Gregory D.; Olaya-Castro, Alexandra

2012-11-01

The influence of fast vibrations on energy transfer and conversion in natural molecular aggregates is an issue of central interest. This article shows the important role of high-energy quantized vibrations and their non-equilibrium dynamics for energy transfer in photosynthetic systems with highly localized excitonic states. We consider the cryptophyte antennae protein phycoerythrin 545 and show that coupling to quantized vibrations, which are quasi-resonant with excitonic transitions is fundamental for biological function as it generates non-cascaded transport with rapid and wider spatial distribution of excitation energy. Our work also indicates that the non-equilibrium dynamics of such vibrations can manifest itself in ultrafast beating of both excitonic populations and coherences at room temperature, with time scales in agreement with those reported in experiments. Moreover, we show that mechanisms supporting coherent excitonic dynamics assist coupling to selected modes that channel energy to preferential sites in the complex. We therefore argue that, in the presence of strong coupling between electronic excitations and quantized vibrations, a concrete and important advantage of quantum coherent dynamics is precisely to tune resonances that promote fast and effective energy distribution.

Bioreduction with Efficient Recycling of NADPH by Coupled Permeabilized Microorganisms▿

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wei; O'Connor, Kevin; Wang, Daniel I. C.; Li, Zhi

2009-01-01

The glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) from Bacillus subtilis BGSC 1A1 was cloned and functionally expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(pGDH1) and XL-1 Blue(pGDH1). Controlled permeabilization of recombinant E. coli BL21 and XL-1 Blue with EDTA-toluene under optimized conditions resulted in permeabilized cells with specific activities of 61 and 14 U/g (dry weight) of cells, respectively, for the conversion of NADP+ to NADPH upon oxidation of glucose. The permeabilized recombinant strains were more active than permeabilized B. subtilis BGSC 1A1, did not exhibit NADPH/NADH oxidase activity, and were useful for regeneration of both NADH and NADPH. Coupling of permeabilized cells of Bacillus pumilus Phe-C3 containing an NADPH-dependent ketoreductase and an E. coli recombinant expressing GDH as a novel biocatalytic system allowed enantioselective reduction of ethyl 3-keto-4,4,4-trifluorobutyrate with efficient recycling of NADPH; a total turnover number (TTN) of 4,200 mol/mol was obtained by using E. coli BL21(pGDH1) as the cofactor-regenerating microorganism with initial addition of 0.005 mM NADP+. The high TTN obtained is in the practical range for producing fine chemicals. Long-term stability of the permeabilized cell couple and a higher product concentration were demonstrated by 68 h of bioreduction of ethyl 3-keto-4,4,4-trifluorobutyrate with addition of 0.005 mM NADP+ three times; 50.5 mM (R)-ethyl 3-hydroxy-4,4,4-trifluorobutyrate was obtained with 95% enantiomeric excess, 84% conversion, and an overall TTN of 3,400 mol/mol. Our method results in practical synthesis of (R)-ethyl 3-hydroxy-4,4,4-trifluorobutyrate, and the principle described here is generally applicable to other microbial reductions with cofactor recycling. PMID:19047388

Myocardial Ca2+ handling and cell-to-cell coupling, key factors in prevention of sudden cardiac death.

PubMed

Tribulova, Narcis; Seki, Shingo; Radosinska, Jana; Kaplan, Peter; Babusikova, Eva; Knezl, Vladimir; Mochizuki, Seibu

2009-12-01

Using whole-heart preparations, we tested our hypothesis that Ca(2+) handling is closely related to cell-to-cell coupling at the gap junctions and that both are critical for the development and particularly the termination of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and hence the prevention of sudden arrhythmic death. Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), ECG, and left ventricular pressure were continuously monitored in isolated guinea pig hearts before and during development of low K(+)-induced sustained VF and during its conversion into sinus rhythm facilitated by stobadine. We also examined myocardial ultrastructure to detect cell-to-cell coupling alterations. We demonstrated that VF occurrence was preceded by a 55.9% +/- 6.2% increase in diastolic [Ca(2+)](i), which was associated with subcellular alterations indicating Ca(2+) overload of the cardiomyocytes and disorders in coupling among the cells. Moreover, VF itself further increased [Ca(2+)](i) by 58.2% +/- 3.4% and deteriorated subcellular and cell-to-cell coupling abnormalities that were heterogeneously distributed throughout the myocardium. In contrast, termination of VF and its conversion into sinus rhythm was marked by restoration of basal [Ca(2+)](i), resulting in recovery of intercellular coupling linked with synchronous contraction. Furthermore, we have shown that hearts exhibiting lower SERCA2a (sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase) activity and abnormal intercellular coupling (as in older guinea pigs) are more prone to develop Ca(2+) overload associated with cell-to-cell uncoupling than hearts with higher SERCA2a activity (as in young guinea pigs). Consequently, young animals are better able to terminate VF spontaneously. These findings indicate the crucial role of Ca(2+) handling in relation to cell-to-cell coupling in both the occurrence and termination of malignant arrhythmia.

Waveguide mode converter and method using same

DOEpatents

Moeller, Charles P.

1990-01-01

A waveguide mode converter converts electromagnetic power being transmitted in a TE.sub.0n or a TM.sub.0n mode, where n is an integer, to an HE.sub.11 mode. The conversion process occurs in a single stage without requiring the power to pass through any intermediate modes. The converter comprises a length of circular corrugated waveguide formed in a multiperiod periodic curve. The period of the curve is selected to couple the desired modes and decouple undesired modes. The corrugation depth is selected to control the phase propagation constant, or wavenumbers, of the input and output modes, thereby preventing coherent coupling to competing modes. In one embodiment, both the period and amplitude of the curve may be selectively adjusted, thereby allowing the converter to be tuned to maximize the conversion efficiency.

Anomalous Nonlocal Resistance and Spin-Charge Conversion Mechanisms in Two-Dimensional Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Chunli; Chong, Y. D.; Cazalilla, Miguel A.

2017-09-01

We uncover two anomalous features in the nonlocal transport behavior of two-dimensional metallic materials with spin-orbit coupling. First, the nonlocal resistance can have negative values and oscillate with distance, even in the absence of a magnetic field. Second, the oscillations of the nonlocal resistance under an applied in-plane magnetic field (the Hanle effect) can be asymmetric under field reversal. Both features are produced by direct magnetoelectric coupling, which is possible in materials with broken inversion symmetry but was not included in previous spin-diffusion theories of nonlocal transport. These effects can be used to identify the relative contributions of different spin-charge conversion mechanisms. They should be observable in adatom-functionalized graphene, and they may provide the reason for discrepancies in recent nonlocal transport experiments on graphene.

Evaluating Dihydroazulene/Vinylheptafulvene Photoswitches for Solar Energy Storage Applications

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhihang; Udmark, Jonas; Börjesson, Karl; Rodrigues, Rita; Roffey, Anna; Abrahamsson, Maria

2017-01-01

Abstract Efficient solar energy storage is a key challenge in striving toward a sustainable future. For this reason, molecules capable of solar energy storage and release through valence isomerization, for so‐called molecular solar thermal energy storage (MOST), have been investigated. Energy storage by photoconversion of the dihydroazulene/vinylheptafulvene (DHA/VHF) photothermal couple has been evaluated. The robust nature of this system is determined through multiple energy storage and release cycles at elevated temperatures in three different solvents. In a nonpolar solvent such as toluene, the DHA/VHF system can be cycled more than 70 times with less than 0.01 % degradation per cycle. Moreover, the [Cu(CH3CN)4]PF6‐catalyzed conversion of VHF into DHA was demonstrated in a flow reactor. The performance of the DHA/VHF couple was also evaluated in prototype photoconversion devices, both in the laboratory by using a flow chip under simulated sunlight and under outdoor conditions by using a parabolic mirror. Device experiments demonstrated a solar energy storage efficiency of up to 0.13 % in the chip device and up to 0.02 % in the parabolic collector. Avenues for future improvements and optimization of the system are also discussed. PMID:28644559

Technology Base Research Project for electrochemical energy storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kinoshita, K.

1985-06-01

The DOE Electrochemical Energy Storage Program is divided into two projects: (1) the exploratory technology development and testing (ETD) project and (2) the technology base research (TBR) project. The role of the TBR Project is to perform supporting research for the advanced battery systems under development by the ETD Project, and to evaluate new systems with potentially superior performance, durability and/or cost characteristics. The specific goal of the TBR Project is to identify the most promising electrochemical technologies and transfer them to industry and/or the ETD Project for further development and scale-up. This report summarizes the research, financial, and management activities relevant to the TBR Project in CY 1984. General problem areas addressed by the project include identification of new electrochemical couples for advanced batteries, determination of technical feasibility of the new couples, improvements in battery components and materials, establishment of engineering principles applicable to electrochemical energy storage and conversion, and the assessment of fuel-cell technology for transportation applications. Major emphasis is given to applied research which will lead to superior performance and lower life-cycle costs. The TBR Project is divided into three major project elements: exploratory research, applied science research, and air systems research.

A finite element simulation of biological conversion processes in landfills.

PubMed

Robeck, M; Ricken, T; Widmann, R

2011-04-01

Landfills are the most common way of waste disposal worldwide. Biological processes convert the organic material into an environmentally harmful landfill gas, which has an impact on the greenhouse effect. After the depositing of waste has been stopped, current conversion processes continue and emissions last for several decades and even up to 100years and longer. A good prediction of these processes is of high importance for landfill operators as well as for authorities, but suitable models for a realistic description of landfill processes are rather poor. In order to take the strong coupled conversion processes into account, a constitutive three-dimensional model based on the multiphase Theory of Porous Media (TPM) has been developed at the University of Duisburg-Essen. The theoretical formulations are implemented in the finite element code FEAP. With the presented calculation concept we are able to simulate the coupled processes that occur in an actual landfill. The model's theoretical background and the results of the simulations as well as the meantime successfully performed simulation of a real landfill body will be shown in the following. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microwave-to-optical frequency conversion using a cesium atom coupled to a superconducting resonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gard, Bryan T.; Jacobs, Kurt; McDermott, R.; Saffman, M.

2017-07-01

A candidate for converting quantum information from microwave to optical frequencies is the use of a single atom that interacts with a superconducting microwave resonator on one hand and an optical cavity on the other. The large electric dipole moments and microwave transition frequencies possessed by Rydberg states allow them to couple strongly to superconducting devices. Lasers can then be used to connect a Rydberg transition to an optical transition to realize the conversion. Since the fundamental source of noise in this process is spontaneous emission from the atomic levels, the resulting control problem involves choosing the pulse shapes of the driving lasers so as to maximize the transfer rate while minimizing this loss. Here we consider the concrete example of a cesium atom, along with two specific choices for the levels to be used in the conversion cycle. Under the assumption that spontaneous emission is the only significant source of errors, we use numerical optimization to determine the likely rates for reliable quantum communication that could be achieved with this device. These rates are on the order of a few megaqubits per second.

A coupled nuclear reactor thermal energy storage system for enhanced load following operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alameri, Saeed A.

Nuclear power plants usually provide base-load electric power and operate most economically at a constant power level. In an energy grid with a high fraction of renewable energy sources, future nuclear reactors may be subject to significantly variable power demands. These variable power demands can negatively impact the effective capacity factor of the reactor and result in severe economic penalties. Coupling the reactor to a large Thermal Energy Storage (TES) block will allow the reactor to better respond to variable power demands. In the system described in this thesis, a Prismatic-core Advanced High Temperature Reactor (PAHTR) operates at constant power with heat provided to a TES block that supplies power as needed to a secondary energy conversion system. The PAHTR is designed to have a power rating of 300 MW th, with 19.75 wt% enriched Tri-Structural-Isotropic UO 2 fuel and a five year operating cycle. The passive molten salt TES system will operate in the latent heat region with an energy storage capacity of 150 MWd. Multiple smaller TES blocks are used instead of one large block to enhance the efficiency and maintenance complexity of the system. A transient model of the coupled reactor/TES system is developed to study the behavior of the system in response to varying load demands. The model uses six-delayed group point kinetics and decay heat models coupled to thermal-hydraulic and heat transfer models of the reactor and TES system. Based on the transient results, the preferred TES design consists of 1000 blocks, each containing 11000 LiCl phase change material tubes. A safety assessment of major reactor events demonstrates the inherent safety of the coupled system. The loss of forced circulation study determined the minimum required air convection heat removal rate from the reactor core and the lowest possible reduced primary flow rate that can maintain the reactor in a safe condition. The loss of ultimate heat sink study demonstrated the ability of the TES to absorb the decay heat of the reactor fuel while cooling the PAHTR after an emergency shutdown. The simulated reactivity insertion accident assessment determined the maximum allowable reactivity insertion to the PAHTR as a function of shutdown response times.

Photovoltaic concepts inspired by coherence effects in photosynthetic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brédas, Jean-Luc; Sargent, Edward H.; Scholes, Gregory D.

2017-01-01

The past decade has seen rapid advances in our understanding of how coherent and vibronic phenomena in biological photosynthetic systems aid in the efficient transport of energy from light-harvesting antennas to photosynthetic reaction centres. Such coherence effects suggest strategies to increase transport lengths even in the presence of structural disorder. Here we explore how these principles could be exploited in making improved solar cells. We investigate in depth the case of organic materials, systems in which energy and charge transport stand to be improved by overcoming challenges that arise from the effects of static and dynamic disorder -- structural and energetic -- and from inherently strong electron-vibration couplings. We discuss how solar-cell device architectures can evolve to use coherence-exploiting materials, and we speculate as to the prospects for a coherent energy conversion system. We conclude with a survey of the impacts of coherence and bioinspiration on diverse solar-energy harvesting solutions, including artificial photosynthetic systems.

Hybrid power systems for autonomous MEMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennett, Daniel M.; Selfridge, Richard H.; Humble, Paul; Harb, John N.

2001-08-01

This paper describes the design of a hybrid power system for use with autonomous MEMS and other microdevices. This hybrid power system includes energy conversion and storage along with an electronic system for managing the collection and distribution of power. It offers flexibility and longevity in a compact package. The hybrid power system couples a silicon solar cell with a microbattery specially designed for MEMS applications. We have designed a control/interface charging circuit to be compatible with a MEMS duty cycle. The design permits short pulses of 'high' power while taking care to avoid excessive charging or discharging of the battery. Charging is carefully controlled to provide a balance between acceptably small charging times and a charging profile that extends battery life. Our report describes the charging of our Ni/Zn microbatteries using solar cells. To date we have demonstrated thousands of charge/discharge cycles of a simulated MEMS duty cycle.

A new and trustworthy formalism to compute entropy in quantum systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ansari, Mohammad

Entropy is nonlinear in density matrix and as such its evaluation in open quantum system has not been fully understood. Recently a quantum formalism was proposed by Ansari and Nazarov that evaluates entropy using parallel time evolutions of multiple worlds. We can use this formalism to evaluate entropy flow in a photovoltaic cells coupled to thermal reservoirs and cavity modes. Recently we studied the full counting statistics of energy transfers in such systems. This rigorously proves a nontrivial correspondence between energy exchanges and entropy changes in quantum systems, which only in systems without entanglement can be simplified to the textbook second law of thermodynamics. We evaluate the flow of entropy using this formalism. In the presence of entanglement, however, interestingly much less information is exchanged than what we expected. This increases the upper limit capacity for information transfer and its conversion to energy for next generation devices in mesoscopic physics.

Enhanced charge separation of rutile TiO2 nanorods by trapping holes and transferring electrons for efficient cocatalyst-free photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to fuels.

PubMed

Wu, Jing; Lu, Hongwei; Zhang, Xuliang; Raziq, Fazal; Qu, Yang; Jing, Liqiang

2016-04-11

Modification with chloride and phosphate anions, and coupling with carbon nanotubes could effectively trap holes and transfer the electrons of rutile nanorods, respectively, so as to greatly promote photogenerated charge separation, leading to an obviously-improved cocatalyst-free photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to CH4 and CO, along with the positive effects of constructed phosphate bridges.

Methods for locating ground faults and insulation degradation condition in energy conversion systems

DOEpatents

Agamy, Mohamed; Elasser, Ahmed; Galbraith, Anthony William; Harfman Todorovic, Maja

2015-08-11

Methods for determining a ground fault or insulation degradation condition within energy conversion systems are described. A method for determining a ground fault within an energy conversion system may include, in part, a comparison of baseline waveform of differential current to a waveform of differential current during operation for a plurality of DC current carrying conductors in an energy conversion system. A method for determining insulation degradation within an energy conversion system may include, in part, a comparison of baseline frequency spectra of differential current to a frequency spectra of differential current transient at start-up for a plurality of DC current carrying conductors in an energy conversion system. In one embodiment, the energy conversion system may be a photovoltaic system.

Full-spectrum volumetric solar thermal conversion via photonic nanofluids.

PubMed

Liu, Xianglei; Xuan, Yimin

2017-10-12

Volumetric solar thermal conversion is an emerging technique for a plethora of applications such as solar thermal power generation, desalination, and solar water splitting. However, achieving broadband solar thermal absorption via dilute nanofluids is still a daunting challenge. In this work, full-spectrum volumetric solar thermal conversion is demonstrated over a thin layer of the proposed 'photonic nanofluids'. The underlying mechanism is found to be the photonic superposition of core resonances, shell plasmons, and core-shell resonances at different wavelengths, whose coexistence is enabled by the broken symmetry of specially designed composite nanoparticles, i.e., Janus nanoparticles. The solar thermal conversion efficiency can be improved by 10.8% compared with core-shell nanofluids. The extinction coefficient of Janus dimers with various configurations is also investigated to unveil the effects of particle couplings. This work provides the possibility to achieve full-spectrum volumetric solar thermal conversion, and may have potential applications in efficient solar energy harvesting and utilization.

Comparison of Stirling engines for use with a 25-kW disk-electric conversion system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaltens, Richard K.

1987-01-01

Heat engines were evaluated for terrestrial solar heat receivers. The Stirling Engine was identified as one of the most promising engines for terrestrial applications. The potential to meet the Department of Energy (DOE) goals for performance and cost can be met by the free-piston Stirling engine. NASA Lewis is providing technical management for an Advanced Stirling Conversion System (ASCS) through a cooperative interagency agreement with DOE. Parallel contracts were awarded for conceptual designs of an ASCS. Each design will feature a free-piston Stirling engine, a liquid-metal heat pipe receiver, and a means to provide about 25 kW of electric power to a utility grid while meeting long-term performance and goals. The Mechanical Technology, Ins. (MTI) design incorporates a linear alternator to directly convert the solar energy to electricity while the Stirling Technology Company (STC) generates electrical power indirectly by using a hydraulic output to a ground-bases hydraulic pump/motor coupled to a rotating alternator. Both designs use technology which can reasonably be expected to be available in the 1980's. The ASCS designs using a free-piston Stirling engine, a heat transport system, a receiver, and the methods of providing electricity to the utility grid will be discussed.

Direct energy conversion using liquid metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onea, Alexandru; Diez de los Rios Ramos, Nerea; Hering, Wolfgang; Stieglitz, Robert; Moster, Peter

2014-12-01

Liquid metals have excellent properties to be used as heat transport fluids due to their high thermal conductivity and their wide applicable temperature range. The latter issue can be used to go beyond limitations of existing thermal solar energy systems. Furthermore, the direct energy converter Alkali Metal Thermo Electric Converter (AMTEC) can be used to make intangible areas of energy conversion suitable for a wide range of applications. One objective is to investigate AMTEC as a complementary cycle for the next generation of concentrating solar power (CSP) systems. The experimental research taking place in the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is focused on the construction of a flexible AMTEC test facility, development, test and improvement of liquid-anode and vapor-anode AMTEC devices as well as the coupling of the AMTEC cold side to the heat storage tank proposed for the CSP system. Within this project, the investigations foreseen will focus on the analyses of BASE-metal interface, electrode materials and deposition techniques, corrosion and erosion of materials brought in contact with high temperature sodium. This prototype demonstrator is planned to be integrated in the KArlsruhe SOdium LAboratory (KASOLA), a flexible closed mid-size sodium loop, completely in-house designed, presently under construction at the Institute for Neutron Physics and Reactor Technology (INR) within KIT.

Method and apparatus for improving the performance of a steam driven power system by steam mixing

DOEpatents

Tsiklauri, Georgi V.; Durst, Bruce M.; Prichard, Andrew W.; Reid, Bruce D.; Burritt, James

1998-01-01

A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and performance of a steam driven power plant wherein addition of steam handling equipment to an existing plant results in a surprising increase in plant performance. For Example, a gas turbine electrical generation system with heat recovery boiler may be installed along with a micro-jet high pressure and a low pressure mixer superheater. Depending upon plant characteristics, the existing moisture separator reheater (MSR) can be either augmented or done away with. The instant invention enables a reduction in T.sub.hot without a derating of the reactor unit, and improves efficiency of the plant's electrical conversion cycle. Coupled with this advantage is a possible extension of the plant's fuel cycle length due to an increased electrical conversion efficiency. The reduction in T.sub.hot further allows for a surprising extension of steam generator life. An additional advantage is the reduction in erosion/corrosion of secondary system components including turbine blades and diaphragms. The gas turbine generator used in the instant invention can also replace or augment existing peak or emergency power needs. Another benefit of the instant invention is the extension of plant life and the reduction of downtime due to refueling.

Aqueous dye-sensitized solar cell electrolytes based on the ferricyanide-ferrocyanide redox couple.

PubMed

Daeneke, Torben; Uemura, Yu; Duffy, Noel W; Mozer, Attila J; Koumura, Nagatoshi; Bach, Udo; Spiccia, Leone

2012-03-02

Solar energy conversion efficiencies of over 4% have been achieved in DSCs constructed with aqueous electrolytes based on the ferricyanide-ferrocyanide redox couple, thereby avoiding the use of expensive, flammable and toxic solvents. This paradigm shift was made possible by the use of a hydrophobic organic carbazole dye. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Evaluation of biological hydrogen sulfide oxidation coupled with two-stage upflow filtration for groundwater treatment.

PubMed

Levine, Audrey D; Raymer, Blake J; Jahn, Johna

2004-01-01

Hydrogen sulfide in groundwater can be oxidized by aerobic bacteria to form elemental sulfur and biomass. While this treatment approach is effective for conversion of hydrogen sulfide, it is important to have adequate control of the biomass exiting the biological treatment system to prevent release of elemental sulfur into the distribution system. Pilot scale tests were conducted on a Florida groundwater to evaluate the use of two-stage upflow filtration downstream of biological sulfur oxidation. The combined biological and filtration process was capable of excellent removal of hydrogen sulfide and associated turbidity. Additional benefits of this treatment approach include elimination of odor generation, reduction of chlorine demand, and improved stability of the finished water.

Quasi-solid state electrolytes for low-grade thermal energy harvesting using a cobalt redox couple.

PubMed

Taheri, Abuzar; MacFarlane, Douglas; Pozo-Gonzalo, Cristina; Pringle, Jennifer M

2018-06-06

Thermoelectrochemical cells, also known as thermocells, are electrochemical devices for the conversion of thermal energy directly to electricity. They are a promising method for harvesting low-grade waste heat from a variety of different natural and man-made sources. The development of solid or quasi-solid state electrolytes for thermocells could address the possible leakage problems of liquid electrolytes and make this technology more applicable for wearable devices. Here we report the gelation of an organic solvent-based electrolyte system containing a redox couple, for application in thermocell technologies. The effect of gelation of the liquid electrolyte, comprising a cobalt bipyridyl redox couple dissolved in 3-methoxypropionitrile (MPN), on the performance of thermocells was investigated. Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene) (PVDF-HFP) were used for gelation of the electrolyte, and the influence of the different polymers on the mechanical properties was studied. The Seebeck coefficient and diffusivity of the cobalt redox couple were measured in both liquid and gelled electrolytes and the effect of gelation on the thermocell performance is reported. Finally, the cell performance was further improved by optimising the redox couple concentration and the separation between the hot and cold electrode, and the stability of the device over 25 hours of operation is demonstrated. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Coupling interactions between voltage sensors of the sodium channel as revealed by site-specific measurements.

PubMed

Chanda, Baron; Asamoah, Osei Kwame; Bezanilla, Francisco

2004-03-01

The voltage-sensing S4 segments in the sodium channel undergo conformational rearrangements in response to changes in the electric field. However, it remains unclear whether these structures move independently or in a coordinated manner. Previously, site-directed fluorescence measurements were shown to track S4 transitions in each of the four domains. Here, using a similar technique, we provide direct evidence of coupling interactions between voltage sensors in the sodium channel. Pairwise interactions between S4s were evaluated by comparing site-specific conformational changes in the presence and absence of a gating perturbation in a distal domain. Reciprocity of effect, a fundamental property of thermodynamically coupled systems, was measured by generating converse mutants. The magnitude of a local gating perturbation induced by a remote S4 mutation depends on the coupling strength and the relative equilibrium positions of the two voltage sensors. In general, our data indicates that the movement of all four voltage sensors in the sodium channel are coupled to a varying extent. Moreover, a gating perturbation in S4-DI has the largest effect on the activation of S4-DIV and vice versa, demonstrating an energetic linkage between S4-DI and S4-DIV. This result suggests a physical mechanism by which the activation and inactivation process may be coupled in voltage-gated sodium channels. In addition, we propose that cooperative interactions between voltage sensors may be the mechanistic basis for the fast activation kinetics of the sodium channel.

Free-radical solution-polymerization of trifluoronitrosomethane with tetrafluoroethylene

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gdickman, S. A.

1972-01-01

Heavy-walled glass reactor, equipped with aerosol-compatible couplings and needle valve and charged with solvent and initiator, is utilized for polymerization. Polymer conversions and reactor/vessel operation are discussed.

A two-hop wireless power transfer system with an efficiency-enhanced power receiver for motion-free capsule endoscopy inspection.

PubMed

Sun, Tianjia; Xie, Xiang; Li, Guolin; Gu, Yingke; Deng, Yangdong; Wang, Zhihua

2012-11-01

This paper presents a wireless power transfer system for a motion-free capsule endoscopy inspection. Conventionally, a wireless power transmitter in a specifically designed jacket has to be connected to a strong power source with a long cable. To avoid the power cable and allow patients to walk freely in a room, this paper proposes a two-hop wireless power transfer system. First, power is transferred from a floor to a power relay in the patient's jacket via strong coupling. Next, power is delivered from the power relay to the capsule via loose coupling. Besides making patients much more conformable, the proposed techniques eliminate the sources of reliability issues arisen from the moving cable and connectors. In the capsule, it is critical to enhance the power conversion efficiency. This paper develops a switch-mode rectifier (rectifying efficiency of 93.6%) and a power combination circuit (enhances combining efficiency by 18%). Thanks to the two-hop transfer mechanism and the novel circuit techniques, this system is able to transfer an average power of 24 mW and a peak power of 90 mW from the floor to a 13 mm × 27 mm capsule over a distance of 1 m with the maximum dc-to-dc power efficiency of 3.04%.

Revisiting the BaO2/BaO redox cycle for solar thermochemical energy storage.

PubMed

Carrillo, A J; Sastre, D; Serrano, D P; Pizarro, P; Coronado, J M

2016-03-21

The barium peroxide-based redox cycle was proposed in the late 1970s as a thermochemical energy storage system. Since then, very little attention has been paid to such redox couples. In this paper, we have revisited the use of reduction-oxidation reactions of the BaO2/BaO system for thermochemical heat storage at high temperatures. Using thermogravimetric analysis, reduction and oxidation reactions were studied in order to find the main limitations associated with each process. Furthermore, the system was evaluated through several charge-discharge stages in order to analyse its possible degradation after repeated cycling. Through differential scanning calorimetry the heat stored and released were also determined. Oxidation reaction, which was found to be slower than reduction, was studied in more detail using isothermal tests. It was observed that the rate-controlling step of BaO oxidation follows zero-order kinetics, although at high temperatures a deviation from Arrhenius behaviour was observed probably due to hindrances to anionic oxygen diffusion caused by the formation of an external layer of BaO2. This redox couple was able to withstand several redox cycles without deactivation, showing reaction conversions close to 100% provided that impurities are previously eliminated through thermal pre-treatment, demonstrating the feasibility of this system for solar thermochemical heat storage.

Fiber-guided modes conversion using superposed helical gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Yancheng; Fang, Liang; Wu, Guoan

2017-03-01

Optical fibers can support various modal forms, including vector modes, linear polarization (LP) modes, and orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes, etc. The modal correlation among these modes is investigated via Jones matrix, associated with polarization and helical phase corresponding to spin angular momentum (SAM) and OAM of light, respectively. We can generate different modal forms by adopting superposed helical gratings (SHGs) with opposite helix orientations. Detailed analysis and discussion on mode conversion is given as for mode coupling in optical fibers with both low and high contrast index, respectively. Our study may deepen the understanding for various fiber-guided modes and mode conversion among them via fiber gratings.

Photon energy conversion by near-zero permittivity nonlinear materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Luk, Ting S.; Sinclair, Michael B.; Campione, Salvatore

Efficient harmonic light generation can be achieved with ultrathin films by coupling an incident pump wave to an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) mode of the thin film. As an example, efficient third harmonic generation from an indium tin oxide nanofilm (.lamda./42 thick) on a glass substrate for a pump wavelength of 1.4 .mu.m was demonstrated. A conversion efficiency of 3.3.times.10.sup.-6 was achieved by exploiting the field enhancement properties of the ENZ mode with an enhancement factor of 200. This nanoscale frequency conversion method is applicable to other plasmonic materials and reststrahlen materials in proximity of the longitudinal optical phonon frequencies.

The role of amplitude-to-phase conversion in the generation of oscillator flicker phase noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hearn, C. P.

1985-01-01

The role of amplitude-to-phase conversion as a factor in feedback oscillator flicker phase noise is examined. A limiting stage consisting of parallel-connected opposite polarity diodes operating in a circuit environment contining reactance is shown to exhibit amplitude-to-phase conversion. This mechanism coupled with resistive upconversion provides an indirect route for very low frequency flicker noise to be transferred into the phase of an oscillator signal. It is concluded that this effect is more significant in the lower frequency regimes where the onlinear reactances associated with active devices are overwhelmed by linear reactive elements.

How Internally Coupled Ears Generate Temporal and Amplitude Cues for Sound Localization.

PubMed

Vedurmudi, A P; Goulet, J; Christensen-Dalsgaard, J; Young, B A; Williams, R; van Hemmen, J L

2016-01-15

In internally coupled ears, displacement of one eardrum creates pressure waves that propagate through air-filled passages in the skull and cause displacement of the opposing eardrum, and conversely. By modeling the membrane, passages, and propagating pressure waves, we show that internally coupled ears generate unique amplitude and temporal cues for sound localization. The magnitudes of both these cues are directionally dependent. The tympanic fundamental frequency segregates a low-frequency regime with constant time-difference magnification from a high-frequency domain with considerable amplitude magnification.

User requirements for geo-collaborative work with spatio-temporal data in a web-based virtual globe environment.

PubMed

Yovcheva, Zornitza; van Elzakker, Corné P J M; Köbben, Barend

2013-11-01

Web-based tools developed in the last couple of years offer unique opportunities to effectively support scientists in their effort to collaborate. Communication among environmental researchers often involves not only work with geographical (spatial), but also with temporal data and information. Literature still provides limited documentation when it comes to user requirements for effective geo-collaborative work with spatio-temporal data. To start filling this gap, our study adopted a User-Centered Design approach and first explored the user requirements of environmental researchers working on distributed research projects for collaborative dissemination, exchange and work with spatio-temporal data. Our results show that system design will be mainly influenced by the nature and type of data users work with. From the end-users' perspective, optimal conversion of huge files of spatio-temporal data for further dissemination, accuracy of conversion, organization of content and security have a key role for effective geo-collaboration. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Ultrafast Relaxation Dynamics of Photoexcited Zinc-Porphyrin: Electronic-Vibrational Coupling

DOE PAGES

Abraham, Baxter; Nieto-Pescador, Jesus; Gundlach, Lars

2016-08-02

Cyclic tetrapyrroles are the active core of compounds with crucial roles in living systems, such as hemoglobin and chlorophyll, and in technology as photocatalysts and light absorbers for solar energy conversion. Zinc-tetraphenylporphyrin (Zn-TPP) is a prototypical cyclic tetrapyrrole that has been intensely studied in past decades. Because of its importance for photochemical processes the optical properties are of particular interest, and, accordingly, numerous studies have focused on light absorption and excited-state dynamics of Zn-TPP. Relaxation after photoexcitation in the Soret band involves internal conversion that is preceded by an ultrafast process. This relaxation process has been observed by several groups.more » Until now, it has not been established if it involves a higher lying ”dark” state or vibrational relaxation in the excited S 2 state. Here we combine high time resolution electronic and vibrational spectroscopy to show that this process constitutes vibrational relaxation in the anharmonic 2 potential.« less

Ultrafast Relaxation Dynamics of Photoexcited Zinc-Porphyrin: Electronic-Vibrational Coupling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Abraham, Baxter; Nieto-Pescador, Jesus; Gundlach, Lars

Cyclic tetrapyrroles are the active core of compounds with crucial roles in living systems, such as hemoglobin and chlorophyll, and in technology as photocatalysts and light absorbers for solar energy conversion. Zinc-tetraphenylporphyrin (Zn-TPP) is a prototypical cyclic tetrapyrrole that has been intensely studied in past decades. Because of its importance for photochemical processes the optical properties are of particular interest, and, accordingly, numerous studies have focused on light absorption and excited-state dynamics of Zn-TPP. Relaxation after photoexcitation in the Soret band involves internal conversion that is preceded by an ultrafast process. This relaxation process has been observed by several groups.more » Until now, it has not been established if it involves a higher lying ”dark” state or vibrational relaxation in the excited S 2 state. Here we combine high time resolution electronic and vibrational spectroscopy to show that this process constitutes vibrational relaxation in the anharmonic 2 potential.« less

Si--Au Schottky barrier nuclear battery

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tse, Anthony N.

1972-11-01

A long-life, high-power-density, high-reliability, compact microwatt battery is needed in many applications. In the field of medicine, for example, such a battery could power an artificial pacemaker which would greatly extend the residence time of the device. Various alternatives are analyzed and discussed. Betavoltaic conversion systems with Si-Au Schottky barrier cells coupled with 147Pm metal foil were selected for investigation. Characterization experiments were performed to obtain optimized silicon resistivity and promethium metal foil thickness. Radiation dose rates were measured and the safety aspects of the battery were analyzed. A prototype battery was assembled and tested. The economics of the batterymore » were demonstrated for special applications. It is concluded that a microwatt nuclear battery can be built with a conversion efficiency of 1 to 2%, a power density of 60 to 300 pW/cm 3 depending on the power level, and a useful life of 5 to 10 years. Further research areas are recommended.« less

Small signal analysis of four-wave mixing in InAs/GaAs quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Shaozhen; Chen, Zhe; Dutta, Niloy K.

2009-02-01

A model to study four-wave mixing (FWM) wavelength conversion in InAs-GaAs quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifier is proposed. Rate equations involving two QD states are solved to simulate the carrier density modulation in the system, results show that the existence of QD excited state contributes to the ultra fast recover time for single pulse response by serving as a carrier reservoir for the QD ground state, its speed limitations are also studied. Nondegenerate four-wave mixing process with small intensity modulation probe signal injected is simulated using this model, a set of coupled wave equations describing the evolution of all frequency components in the active region of QD-SOA are derived and solved numerically. Results show that better FWM conversion efficiency can be obtained compared with the regular bulk SOA, and the four-wave mixing bandwidth can exceed 1.5 THz when the detuning between pump and probe lights is 0.5 nm.

Electrocatalytic Metal-Organic Frameworks for Energy Applications.

PubMed

Downes, Courtney A; Marinescu, Smaranda C

2017-11-23

With the global energy demand expected to increase drastically over the next several decades, the development of a sustainable energy system to meet this increase is paramount. Renewable energy sources can be coupled with electrochemical conversion processes to store energy in chemical bonds. To promote these difficult transformations, electrocatalysts that operate at high conversion rates and efficiency are required. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a promising class of materials; however, the insulating nature of MOFs has limited their application as electrocatalysts. The recent development of conductive MOFs has led to several electrocatalytic MOFs that display activity comparable to that of the best-performing heterogeneous catalysts. Although many electrocatalytic MOFs exhibit low activity and stability, the few successful examples highlight the possibility of MOF electrocatalysts as replacements for noble-metal-based catalysts in commercial energy-converting devices. We review herein the use of pristine MOFs as electrocatalysts to facilitate important energy-related reactions. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Bubbler: A Novel Ultra-High Power Density Energy Harvesting Method Based on Reverse Electrowetting

PubMed Central

Hsu, Tsung-Hsing; Manakasettharn, Supone; Taylor, J. Ashley; Krupenkin, Tom

2015-01-01

We have proposed and successfully demonstrated a novel approach to direct conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy using microfluidics. The method combines previously demonstrated reverse electrowetting on dielectric (REWOD) phenomenon with the fast self-oscillating process of bubble growth and collapse. Fast bubble dynamics, used in conjunction with REWOD, provides a possibility to increase the generated power density by over an order of magnitude, as compared to the REWOD alone. This energy conversion approach is particularly well suited for energy harvesting applications and can enable effective coupling to a broad array of mechanical systems including such ubiquitous but difficult to utilize low-frequency energy sources as human and machine motion. The method can be scaled from a single micro cell with 10−6 W output to power cell arrays with a total power output in excess of 10 W. This makes the fabrication of small light-weight energy harvesting devices capable of producing a wide range of power outputs feasible. PMID:26567850

Development status of the small community solar power system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pons, R. L.

1982-01-01

The development status and test results for the Small Community Solar Thermal Power Experiment are presented. Activities on the phase 2 power module development effort are presented with emphasis on the receiver, the plant control subsystem, and the energy transport subsystem. The components include a single prototype power module consisting of a parabolic dish concentrator, a power conversion assembly (PCA), and a multiple-module plant control subsystem. The PCA consists of a cavity receiver coupled to an organic Rankine cycle engine-alternator unit defined as the power conversion subsystem; the PCA is mounted at the focus of a parabolic dish concentrator. At a solar insolation of 100 W/sq m and ambient temperature of 28 C (82 F), the power module produces approximately 20 kW of 3-phase, 3 kHz ac power, depending on the concentrator employed. A ground-mounted rectifier to the central collection site where it is supplied directly to the common dc bus which collects the power from all modules in the plant.

Bubbler: A Novel Ultra-High Power Density Energy Harvesting Method Based on Reverse Electrowetting.

PubMed

Hsu, Tsung-Hsing; Manakasettharn, Supone; Taylor, J Ashley; Krupenkin, Tom

2015-11-16

We have proposed and successfully demonstrated a novel approach to direct conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy using microfluidics. The method combines previously demonstrated reverse electrowetting on dielectric (REWOD) phenomenon with the fast self-oscillating process of bubble growth and collapse. Fast bubble dynamics, used in conjunction with REWOD, provides a possibility to increase the generated power density by over an order of magnitude, as compared to the REWOD alone. This energy conversion approach is particularly well suited for energy harvesting applications and can enable effective coupling to a broad array of mechanical systems including such ubiquitous but difficult to utilize low-frequency energy sources as human and machine motion. The method can be scaled from a single micro cell with 10(-6) W output to power cell arrays with a total power output in excess of 10 W. This makes the fabrication of small light-weight energy harvesting devices capable of producing a wide range of power outputs feasible.

Harnessing surface plasmons for solar energy conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, L. M.

1983-01-01

NASA research on the feasibility of solar-energy conversion using surface plasmons is reviewed, with a focus on inelastic-tunnel-diode techniques for power extraction. The need for more efficient solar converters for planned space missions is indicated, and it is shown that a device with 50-percent efficiency could cost up to 40 times as much per sq cm as current Si cells and still be competitive. The parallel-processing approach using broadband carriers and tunable diodes is explained, and the physics of surface plasmons on metal surfaces is outlined. Technical problems being addressed include phase-matching sunlight to surface plasmons, minimizing ohmic losses and reradiation in energy transport, coupling into the tunnels by mode conversion, and gaining an understanding of the tunnel-diode energy-conversion process. Diagrams illustrating the design concepts are provided.

Theoretical insights into multiscale electronic processes in organic photovoltaics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tretiak, Sergei

Present day electronic devices are enabled by design and implementation of precise interfaces that control the flow of charge carriers. This requires robust and predictive multiscale approaches for theoretical description of underlining complex phenomena. Combined with thorough experimental studies such approaches provide a reliable estimate of physical properties of nanostructured materials and enable a rational design of devices. From this perspective I will discuss first principle modeling of small-molecule bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells and push-pull chromophores for tunable-color organic light emitters. The emphasis is on electronic processes involving intra- and intermolecular energy or charge transfer driven by strong electron-phonon coupling inherent to pi-conjugated systems. Finally I will describe how precise manipulation and control of organic-organic interfaces in a photovoltaic device can increase its power conversion efficiency by 2-5 times in a model bilayer system. Applications of these design principles to practical architectures like bulk heterojunction devices lead to an enhancement in power conversion efficiency from 4.0% to 7.0%. These interface manipulation strategies are universally applicable to any donor-acceptor interface, making them both fundamentally interesting and technologically important for achieving high efficiency organic electronic devices.

Energy efficiency evaluation of a stationary lithium-ion battery container storage system via electro-thermal modeling and detailed component analysis

DOE PAGES

Schimpe, Michael; Naumann, Maik; Truong, Nam; ...

2017-11-08

Energy efficiency is a key performance indicator for battery storage systems. A detailed electro-thermal model of a stationary lithium-ion battery system is developed and an evaluation of its energy efficiency is conducted. The model offers a holistic approach to calculating conversion losses and auxiliary power consumption. Sub-models for battery rack, power electronics, thermal management as well as the control and monitoring components are developed and coupled to a comprehensive model. The simulation is parametrized based on a prototype 192 kWh system using lithium iron phosphate batteries connected to the low voltage grid. The key loss mechanisms are identified, thoroughly analyzedmore » and modeled. Generic profiles featuring various system operation modes are evaluated to show the characteristics of stationary battery systems. Typically the losses in the power electronics outweigh the losses in the battery at low power operating points. The auxiliary power consumption dominates for low system utilization rates. For estimation of real-world performance, the grid applications Primary Control Reserve, Secondary Control Reserve and the storage of surplus photovoltaic power are evaluated. Conversion round-trip efficiency is in the range of 70-80%. Finally, overall system efficiency, which also considers system power consumption, is 8-13 percentage points lower for Primary Control Reserve and the photovoltaic-battery application. However, for Secondary Control Reserve, the total round-trip efficiency is found to be extremely low at 23% due to the low energy throughput of this application type.« less

Energy efficiency evaluation of a stationary lithium-ion battery container storage system via electro-thermal modeling and detailed component analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schimpe, Michael; Naumann, Maik; Truong, Nam

Energy efficiency is a key performance indicator for battery storage systems. A detailed electro-thermal model of a stationary lithium-ion battery system is developed and an evaluation of its energy efficiency is conducted. The model offers a holistic approach to calculating conversion losses and auxiliary power consumption. Sub-models for battery rack, power electronics, thermal management as well as the control and monitoring components are developed and coupled to a comprehensive model. The simulation is parametrized based on a prototype 192 kWh system using lithium iron phosphate batteries connected to the low voltage grid. The key loss mechanisms are identified, thoroughly analyzedmore » and modeled. Generic profiles featuring various system operation modes are evaluated to show the characteristics of stationary battery systems. Typically the losses in the power electronics outweigh the losses in the battery at low power operating points. The auxiliary power consumption dominates for low system utilization rates. For estimation of real-world performance, the grid applications Primary Control Reserve, Secondary Control Reserve and the storage of surplus photovoltaic power are evaluated. Conversion round-trip efficiency is in the range of 70-80%. Finally, overall system efficiency, which also considers system power consumption, is 8-13 percentage points lower for Primary Control Reserve and the photovoltaic-battery application. However, for Secondary Control Reserve, the total round-trip efficiency is found to be extremely low at 23% due to the low energy throughput of this application type.« less

Coupling of exothermic and endothermic hydrogen storage materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brooks, Kriston P.; Bowden, Mark E.; Karkamkar, Abhijeet J.

2016-08-01

Chemical hydrogen storage (CHS) materials are a high-storage-density alternative to the gaseous compressed hydrogen currently used to provide hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles. One of the challenges of CHS materials is addressing the thermodynamic and kinetic barriers required to break the chemical bonds and release the hydrogen. Coupling CHS reactions that are endothermic and exothermic during the dehydrogenation can improve the system on-board energy efficiency and thermal control, making such materials viable. Acceptable coupling between reactions requires both thermodynamic and kinetics considerations. Models were developed to predict the reaction enthalpy and rate required to achieve high conversions for both reactionsmore » based on experimental measurements. These modeling results show that the efficiency of coupling of an exothermic and endothermic reaction is more sensitive the magnitude of the ratio of the exothermic and endothermic enthalpies than the ratio of the rates of the two steps. The modeling shows further that a slower rate of the endothermic step is desirable to permit sufficient heating of the reactor by the exothermic step. We look at two examples of a sequential and parallel reaction scheme and provide some of the first insight into the required temperature range to maximize the H2 release from 1,2-BN cyclohexane and indoline.« less

Peroxidase-mediated removal of a polychlorinated biphenyl using natural organic matter as the sole cosubstrate.

PubMed

Colosi, Lisa M; Burlingame, Daniel J; Huang, Qingguo; Weber, Walter J

2007-02-01

Natural organic matter (NOM) of hydroxylated aromatic character can undergo catalyst-mediated self-coupling reactions to form larger molecular aggregates. Indeed, such reactions are central to natural humification processes. Nonhydroxylated persistent aromatic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are, conversely, inert with respect to such reactions. It is here demonstrated however that significant coincidental coupling and removal of a representative aqueous-phase PCB occurs during horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed oxidative coupling reactions of a representative aquatic NOM. Experiments with Suwannee River fulvic acid as a reactive cosubstrate indicate that 2,2'-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB-4) is covalently incorporated into aggregating NOM, likely through fortuitous cross-coupling reactions. To develop a better understanding of potential mechanisms by which the observed phenomenon occurs, two hydroxylated monomeric cosubstrates of known molecular structure, phenol and 4-methoxyphenol, were investigated as alternative cosubstrates. PCB-4 removal appears from these experiments to relate to certain molecular characteristics of the native cosubstrate molecule (reactivity with HRP, favorability for radical attack, and hydrophobicity) and its associated phenoxy radical (stability). The findings reveal potential pathways by which PCBs, and perhaps other polyaromatic contaminants, may be naturally transformed and detoxified in nature. The results further provide a foundation for development of enhanced-humification strategies for remediation of PCB-contaminated environmental systems.

Palladium Nanoparticles Immobilized on Individual Calcium Carbonate Plates Derived from Mussel Shell Waste: An Ecofriendly Catalyst for the Copper-Free Sonogashira Coupling Reaction.

PubMed

Saetan, Trin; Lertvachirapaiboon, Chutiparn; Ekgasit, Sanong; Sukwattanasinitt, Mongkol; Wacharasindhu, Sumrit

2017-09-05

The conversion of waste into high-value materials is considered an important sustainability strategy in modern chemical industries. A large volume of shell waste is generated globally from mussel cultivation. In this work, mussel shell waste (Perna viridis) is transformed into individual calcium carbonate plates (ICCPs) and is applied as a support for a heterogeneous catalyst. Palladium nanoparticles (3-6 nm) are deposited with an even dispersion on the ICCP surface, as demonstrated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Using this system, Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions between aryl iodides and terminal acetylenes were accomplished in high yields with the use of 1 % Pd/ICCP in the presence of potassium carbonate without the use of any copper metal or external ligand. The Pd/ICCP catalyst could also be reused up to three times and activity over 90 % was maintained with negligible Pd-metal leaching. This work demonstrates that mussel shell waste can be used as an inexpensive and effective support for metal catalysts in coupling reactions, as demonstrated by the successful performance of the Pd-catalyzed, copper-free Sonogashira cross-coupling process. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

5 CFR 9901.371 - Conversion into NSPS pay system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Conversion into NSPS pay system. 9901.371... SECURITY PERSONNEL SYSTEM (NSPS) Pay and Pay Administration Conversion Provisions § 9901.371 Conversion....231 for conversion rules related to determining an employee's career group, pay schedule, and band...

Degradation and mineralization of 2,4,6-trinitroresorcine in various photochemical systems.

PubMed

Khue, Do Ngoc; Chat, Nguyen Van; Minh, Do Binh; Lam, Tran Dai; Lan, Pham Hong; Loi, Vu Duc

2013-05-01

Comparison was observed for degradation and mineralization of the explosive 2,4,6-trinitroresorcine (TNR) in different photochemical systems TNR/UV, TNR/UV/TiO2, TNR/UV/H2O2, TNR/UV/O3, TNR/UV/TiO2/H2O2 and TNR/UV/TiO2/O3 using High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis. Addition of oxidizing agents such as H2O2 or O3 accelerated the rate of TNR conversion and mineralization. Highest reaction rate was obtained in TNR/UV/TiO2/H2O2 system. The intermediate products were characterized and identified by LS-MS technique. The similarity in intermediate products of TNR suggested the analogous reaction pathways of the TNR degradation by these different systems. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Free-piston Stirling component test power converter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dochat, George; Dhar, Manmohan

1991-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been evaluating free-piston Stirling power converters (FPSPCs) for use on a wide variety of space missions. They provide high reliability, long life, and efficient operation and can be coupled with all potential heat sources, various heat input and heat rejection systems, and various power management and distribution systems. FPSPCs can compete favorably with alternative power conversion systems over a range of hundreds of watts to megawatts. Mechanical Technology Incorporated (MTI) is developing FPSPC technology under contract to NASA Lewis Research Center and will demonstrate this technology in two full-scale power converters operating at space temperature conditions. The testing of the first of these, the component test power converter (CTPC), was initiated in Spring 1991 to evaluate mechanical operation at space operating temperatures. The CTPC design, hardware fabrication, and initial test results are reviewed.

The Ketene-Surrogate Coupling: Catalytic Conversion of Aryl Iodides to Aryl Ketenes via Ynol Ethers**

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wenhan; Ready, Joseph M.

2014-01-01

tert-Butoxyacetylene is shown to undergo Sonogashira coupling with aryl iodides to yield aryl-substituted tert-butyl ynol ethers. These intermediates participate in a [1,5]-hydride shift, which results in the extrusion of isobutylene and the generation of aryl ketenes. The ketenes are trapped in situ with multiple nucleophiles or undergoelectrocyclic ring closure to yield hydroxynaphthalenes and quinolines. PMID:24975840

Hybrid bilayer plasmonic metasurface efficiently manipulates visible light.

PubMed

Qin, Fei; Ding, Lu; Zhang, Lei; Monticone, Francesco; Chum, Chan Choy; Deng, Jie; Mei, Shengtao; Li, Ying; Teng, Jinghua; Hong, Minghui; Zhang, Shuang; Alù, Andrea; Qiu, Cheng-Wei

2016-01-01

Metasurfaces operating in the cross-polarization scheme have shown an interesting degree of control over the wavefront of transmitted light. Nevertheless, their inherently low efficiency in visible light raises certain concerns for practical applications. Without sacrificing the ultrathin flat design, we propose a bilayer plasmonic metasurface operating at visible frequencies, obtained by coupling a nanoantenna-based metasurface with its complementary Babinet-inverted copy. By breaking the radiation symmetry because of the finite, yet small, thickness of the proposed structure and benefitting from properly tailored intra- and interlayer couplings, such coupled bilayer metasurface experimentally yields a conversion efficiency of 17%, significantly larger than that of earlier single-layer designs, as well as an extinction ratio larger than 0 dB, meaning that anomalous refraction dominates the transmission response. Our finding shows that metallic metasurface can counterintuitively manipulate the visible light as efficiently as dielectric metasurface (~20% in conversion efficiency in Lin et al.'s study), although the metal's ohmic loss is much higher than dielectrics. Our hybrid bilayer design, still being ultrathin (~λ/6), is found to obey generalized Snell's law even in the presence of strong couplings. It is capable of efficiently manipulating visible light over a broad bandwidth and can be realized with a facile one-step nanofabrication process.

Hybrid bilayer plasmonic metasurface efficiently manipulates visible light

PubMed Central

Qin, Fei; Ding, Lu; Zhang, Lei; Monticone, Francesco; Chum, Chan Choy; Deng, Jie; Mei, Shengtao; Li, Ying; Teng, Jinghua; Hong, Minghui; Zhang, Shuang; Alù, Andrea; Qiu, Cheng-Wei

2016-01-01

Metasurfaces operating in the cross-polarization scheme have shown an interesting degree of control over the wavefront of transmitted light. Nevertheless, their inherently low efficiency in visible light raises certain concerns for practical applications. Without sacrificing the ultrathin flat design, we propose a bilayer plasmonic metasurface operating at visible frequencies, obtained by coupling a nanoantenna-based metasurface with its complementary Babinet-inverted copy. By breaking the radiation symmetry because of the finite, yet small, thickness of the proposed structure and benefitting from properly tailored intra- and interlayer couplings, such coupled bilayer metasurface experimentally yields a conversion efficiency of 17%, significantly larger than that of earlier single-layer designs, as well as an extinction ratio larger than 0 dB, meaning that anomalous refraction dominates the transmission response. Our finding shows that metallic metasurface can counterintuitively manipulate the visible light as efficiently as dielectric metasurface (~20% in conversion efficiency in Lin et al.’s study), although the metal’s ohmic loss is much higher than dielectrics. Our hybrid bilayer design, still being ultrathin (~λ/6), is found to obey generalized Snell’s law even in the presence of strong couplings. It is capable of efficiently manipulating visible light over a broad bandwidth and can be realized with a facile one-step nanofabrication process. PMID:26767195

Designing interfaces of hydrogenase-nanomaterial hybrids for efficient solar conversion.

PubMed

King, Paul W

2013-01-01

The direct conversion of sunlight into biofuels is an intriguing alternative to a continued reliance on fossil fuels. Natural photosynthesis has long been investigated both as a potential solution, and as a model for utilizing solar energy to drive a water-to-fuel cycle. The molecules and organizational structure provide a template to inspire the design of efficient molecular systems for photocatalysis. A clear design strategy is the coordination of molecular interactions that match kinetic rates and energetic levels to control the direction and flow of energy from light harvesting to catalysis. Energy transduction and electron-transfer reactions occur through interfaces formed between complexes of donor-acceptor molecules. Although the structures of several of the key biological complexes have been solved, detailed descriptions of many electron-transfer complexes are lacking, which presents a challenge to designing and engineering biomolecular systems for solar conversion. Alternatively, it is possible to couple the catalytic power of biological enzymes to light harvesting by semiconductor nanomaterials. In these molecules, surface chemistry and structure can be designed using ligands. The passivation effect of the ligand can also dramatically affect the photophysical properties of the semiconductor, and energetics of external charge-transfer. The length, degree of bond saturation (aromaticity), and solvent exposed functional groups of ligands can be manipulated to further tune the interface to control molecular assembly, and complex stability in photocatalytic hybrids. The results of this research show how ligand selection is critical to designing molecular interfaces that promote efficient self-assembly, charge-transfer and photocatalysis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Metals in Bioenergetics and Biomimetics Systems. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Caution on the use of NBS 30 biotite for hydrogen-isotope measurements with on-line high-temperature conversion systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Qi, Haiping; Coplen, Tyler B.; Olack, Gerard; Vennemann, Torsten W.

2014-01-01

RATIONALEThe supply of NBS 30 biotite is nearly exhausted. During measurements of NBS 30 and potential replacements, reproducible δ2HVSMOW-SLAP values could not be obtained by three laboratories using high-temperature conversion (HTC) systems. The cause of this issue has been investigated using the silver-tube technique for hydrogen-isotope measurements of water.METHODSThe δ2HVSMOW-SLAP values of NBS 30 biotite, other biotites, muscovites, and kaolinite with different particle sizes, along with IAEA-CH-7 polyethylene, and reference waters and NBS 22 oil that were sealed in silver-tube segments, were measured. The effect of absorbed water on mineral surfaces was investigated with waters both enriched and depleted in 2H. The quantitative conversion of hydrogen from biotite into gaseous hydrogen as a function of mass and particle size was also investigated.RESULTSThe δ2HVSMOW-SLAP values of NBS 30 obtained by three laboratories were as much as 21 ‰ too high compared with the accepted value of −65.7 ‰, determined by conventional off-line measurements. The experiments showed a strong correlation between grain size and the δ2HVSMOW-SLAP value of NBS 30 biotite, but not of biotites with lower iron content. The δ2HVSMOW-SLAP values of NBS 30 as a function of particle size show a clear trend toward −65.7 ‰ with finer grain size.CONCLUSIONSDetermination of the δ2HVSMOW-SLAP values of hydrous minerals and of NBS 30 biotite by on-line HTC systems coupled to isotope-ratio mass spectrometers may be unreliable because hydrogen in this biotite may not be converted quantitatively into molecular hydrogen. Extreme caution in the use and interpretation of δ2HVSMOW-SLAP on-line measurements of hydrous minerals is recommended.

Antimatter propulsion, status and prospects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howe, Steven D.; Hynes, Michael V.

1986-01-01

The use of advanced propulsion techniques must be considered if the currently envisioned launch date of the manned Mars mission were delayed until 2020 or later. Within the next thirty years, technological advances may allow such methods as beaming power to the ship, inertial-confinement fusion, or mass-conversion of antiprotons to become feasible. A propulsion system with an ISP of around 5000 s would allow the currently envisioned mission module to fly to Mars in 3 months and would require about one million pounds to be assembled in Earth orbit. Of the possible methods to achieve this, the antiproton mass-conversion reaction offers the highest potential, the greatest problems, and the most fascination. Increasing the production rates of antiprotons is a high priority task at facilities around the world. The application of antiprotons to propulsion requires the coupling of the energy released in the mass-conversion reaction to thrust-producing mechanisms. Recent proposals entail using the antiprotons to produce inertial confinement fusion or to produce negative muons which can catalyze fusion. By increasing the energy released per antiproton, the effective cost, (dollars/joule) can be reduced. These proposals and other areas of research can be investigated now. These short term results will be important in assessing the long range feasibility of an antiproton powered engine.

Improving Subtropical Boundary Layer Cloudiness in the 2011 NCEP GFS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fletcher, J. K.; Bretherton, Christopher S.; Xiao, Heng

2014-09-23

The current operational version of National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Forecasting System (GFS) shows significant low cloud bias. These biases also appear in the Coupled Forecast System (CFS), which is developed from the GFS. These low cloud biases degrade seasonal and longer climate forecasts, particularly of short-wave cloud radiative forcing, and affect predicted sea surface temperature. Reducing this bias in the GFS will aid the development of future CFS versions and contributes to NCEP's goal of unified weather and climate modelling. Changes are made to the shallow convection and planetary boundary layer parameterisations to make them more consistentmore » with current knowledge of these processes and to reduce the low cloud bias. These changes are tested in a single-column version of GFS and in global simulations with GFS coupled to a dynamical ocean model. In the single-column model, we focus on changing parameters that set the following: the strength of shallow cumulus lateral entrainment, the conversion of updraught liquid water to precipitation and grid-scale condensate, shallow cumulus cloud top, and the effect of shallow convection in stratocumulus environments. Results show that these changes improve the single-column simulations when compared to large eddy simulations, in particular through decreasing the precipitation efficiency of boundary layer clouds. These changes, combined with a few other model improvements, also reduce boundary layer cloud and albedo biases in global coupled simulations.« less

Feasibility Study of a Nuclear-Stirling Plant for the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmitz, Paul C.; Schreiber, Jeffrey G.; Penswick, L. Barry

2005-01-01

NASA is undertaking the design of a new spacecraft to explore the planet Jupiter and its three moons Calisto, Ganymede and Europa. This proposed mission, known as Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO) would use a nuclear reactor and an associated electrical generation system (Reactor Power Plant-RPP) to provide power to the spacecraft. The JIMO spacecraft is envisioned to use this power for science and communications as well as Electric Propulsion (EP). Among other potential power-generating concepts, previous studies have considered Thermoelectric and Brayton Power conversion systems, coupled to a liquid metal reactor for the JIMO mission. This paper will explore trades in system mass and radiator area for a nuclear reactor power conversion system, however this study will focus on Stirling power conversion. The Stirling convertor modeled in this study is based upon the Component Test Power Convertor design that was designed and operated successfully under the Civil Space Technology Initiative for use with the SP-100 nuclear reactor i the 1980's and early 1990's. The study design is such that two of the four convertors would operate at any time to generate the 100 kWe while the others are held in reserve. For this study the Stirling convertors hot-side temperature is 1050 K, would operate at a temperature ratio of 2.4 for a minimum mass system and would have a system efficiency of 29%. The Stirling convertor would generate high voltage (400 volt), 100 Hz single phase AC that is supplied to the Power Management and Distribution system. The waste hear is removed from the Stirling convertors by a flowing liquid sodium-potassium eutectic and then rejected by a shared radiator. The radiator consists of two coplanar wings, which would be deployed after the reactor is in space. System trades were performed to vary cycle state point temperatures and convertor design as well as power output. Other redundancy combinations were considered to understand the affects of convertor size and number of spares to the system mass.

Efficient Radio Frequency Inductive Discharges in Near Atmospheric Pressure Using Immittance Conversion Topology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razzak, M. Abdur; Takamura, Shuichi; Uesugi, Yoshihiko; Ohno, Noriyasu

A radio frequency (rf) inductive discharge in atmospheric pressure range requires high voltage in the initial startup phase and high power during the steady state sustainment phase. It is, therefore, necessary to inject high rf power into the plasma ensuring the maximum use of the power source, especially where the rf power is limited. In order to inject the maximum possible rf power into the plasma with a moderate rf power source of few kilowatts range, we employ the immittance conversion topology by converting a constant voltage source into a constant current source to generate efficient rf discharge by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) technique at a gas pressure with up to one atmosphere in argon. A novel T-LCL immittance circuit is designed for constant-current high-power operation, which is practically very important in the high-frequency range, to provide high effective rf power to the plasma. The immittance conversion system combines the static induction transistor (SIT)-based radio frequency (rf) high-power inverter circuit and the immittance conversion elements including the rf induction coil. The basic properties of the immittance circuit are studied by numerical analysis and verified the results by experimental measurements with the inductive plasma as a load at a relatively high rf power of about 4 kW. The performances of the immittance circuit are also evaluated and compared with that of the conventional series resonance circuit in high-pressure induction plasma generation. The experimental results reveal that the immittance conversion circuit confirms injecting higher effective rf power into the plasma as much as three times than that of the series resonance circuit under the same operating conditions and same dc supply voltage to the inverter, thereby enhancing the plasma heating efficiency to generate efficient rf inductive discharges.

Design and optimization of cascaded DCG based holographic elements for spectrum-splitting PV systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yuechen; Chrysler, Benjamin; Pelaez, Silvana Ayala; Kostuk, Raymond K.

2017-09-01

In this work, the technique of designing and optimizing broadband volume transmission holograms using dichromate gelatin (DCG) is summarized for solar spectrum-splitting application. Spectrum splitting photovoltaic system uses a series of single bandgap PV cells that have different spectral conversion efficiency properties to more fully utilize the solar spectrum. In such a system, one or more high performance optical filters are usually required to split the solar spectrum and efficiently send them to the corresponding PV cells. An ideal spectral filter should have a rectangular shape with sharp transition wavelengths. DCG is a near ideal holographic material for solar applications as it can achieve high refractive index modulation, low absorption and scattering properties and long-term stability to solar exposure after sealing. In this research, a methodology of designing and modeling a transmission DCG hologram using coupled wave analysis for different PV bandgap combinations is described. To achieve a broad diffraction bandwidth and sharp cut-off wavelength, a cascaded structure of multiple thick holograms is described. A search algorithm is also developed to optimize both single and two-layer cascaded holographic spectrum splitters for the best bandgap combinations of two- and three-junction SSPV systems illuminated under the AM1.5 solar spectrum. The power conversion efficiencies of the optimized systems under the AM1.5 solar spectrum are then calculated using the detailed balance method, and shows an improvement compared with tandem structure.

Property evolution during vitrification of dimethacrylate photopolymer networks

PubMed Central

Abu-Elenain, Dalia; Lewis, Steven H.; Stansbury, Jeffrey W.

2013-01-01

Objectives This study seeks to correlate the interrelated properties of conversion, shrinkage, modulus and stress as dimethacrylate networks transition from rubbery to glassy states during photopolymerization. Methods An unfilled BisGMA/TEGDMA resin was photocured for various irradiation intervals (7–600 s) to provide controlled levels of immediate conversion, which was monitored continuously for 10 min. Fiber optic near-infrared spectroscopy permitted coupling of real-time conversion measurement with dynamic polymerization shrinkage (linometer), modulus (dynamic mechanical analyzer) and stress (tensometer) development profiles. Results The varied irradiation conditions produced final conversion ranging from 6 % to more than 60 %. Post-irradiation conversion (dark cure) was quite limited when photopolymerization was interrupted either at very low or very high levels of conversion while significant dark cure contributions were possible for photocuring reactions suspended within the post-gel, rubbery regime. Analysis of conversion-based property evolution during and subsequent to photocuring demonstrated that the shrinkage rate increased significantly at about 40 % conversion followed by late-stage suppression in the conversion-dependent shrinkage rate that begins at about 45–50 % conversion. The gradual vitrification process over this conversion range is evident based on the broad but well-defined inflection in the modulus versus conversion data. As limiting conversion is approached, modulus and, to a somewhat lesser extent, stress rise precipitously as a result of vitrification with the stress profile showing little if any late-stage suppression as seen with shrinkage. Significance Near the limiting conversion for this model resin, the volumetric polymerization shrinkage rate slows while an exponential rise in modulus promotes the vitrification process that appears to largely dictate stress development. PMID:24080378

Nonlinear dispersive waves in repulsive lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehrem, A.; Jiménez, N.; Salmerón-Contreras, L. J.; García-Andrés, X.; García-Raffi, L. M.; Picó, R.; Sánchez-Morcillo, V. J.

2017-07-01

The propagation of nonlinear waves in a lattice of repelling particles is studied theoretically and experimentally. A simple experimental setup is proposed, consisting of an array of coupled magnetic dipoles. By driving harmonically the lattice at one boundary, we excite propagating waves and demonstrate different regimes of mode conversion into higher harmonics, strongly influenced by dispersion and discreteness. The phenomenon of acoustic dilatation of the chain is also predicted and discussed. The results are compared with the theoretical predictions of the α -Fermi-Pasta-Ulam equation, describing a chain of masses connected by nonlinear quadratic springs and numerical simulations. The results can be extrapolated to other systems described by this equation.

Controlling the superconducting transition by spin-orbit coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, N.; Ouassou, J. A.; Zhu, Y.; Stelmashenko, N. A.; Linder, J.; Blamire, M. G.

2018-05-01

Whereas considerable evidence exists for the conversion of singlet Cooper pairs into triplet Cooper pairs in the presence of inhomogeneous magnetic fields, recent theoretical proposals have suggested an alternative way to exert control over triplet generation: intrinsic spin-orbit coupling in a homogeneous ferromagnet coupled to a superconductor. Here, we proximity couple Nb to an asymmetric Pt/Co/Pt trilayer, which acts as an effective spin-orbit-coupled ferromagnet owing to structural inversion asymmetry. Unconventional modulation of the superconducting critical temperature as a function of in-plane and out-of-plane applied magnetic fields suggests the presence of triplets that can be controlled by the magnetic orientation of a single homogeneous ferromagnet. Our studies demonstrate an active role of spin-orbit coupling in controlling the triplets, an important step towards the realization of novel superconducting spintronic devices.

Performance analysis of hybrid vibrational energy harvesters with experimental verification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sriramdas, Rammohan; Pratap, Rudra

2018-07-01

In the present work, performance indices for a hybrid energy harvester (HEH) that is composed of piezoelectric and electrodynamic or electromagnetic mechanisms of energy conversion are analyzed. Performance of a HEH is defined in terms of Q-normalized power factor and efficiency of conversion. They are observed to acutely depend on coupling strength or figures of merit in both piezoelectric and electrodynamic domains. The influence of figures of merit on the Q-normalized power factor, and the limits of conversion efficiency are explored. Based on the studies, a suitable range for figures of merit that would maximize both Q-normalized power factor and conversion efficiency in hybrid harvesters is proposed. The proposed idea is verified experimentally for the appropriate values of figures of merit and efficiencies by fabricating and testing four experimental models of the HEHs.

Contraction coupling efficiency of human first dorsal interosseous muscle.

PubMed

Jubrias, Sharon A; Vollestad, Nina K; Gronka, Rod K; Kushmerick, Martin J

2008-04-01

During working contractions, chemical energy in the form of ATP is converted to external work. The efficiency of this conversion, called 'contraction coupling efficiency', is calculated by the ratio of work output to energy input from ATP splitting. Experiments on isolated muscles and permeabilized fibres show the efficiency of this conversion has a wide range, 0.2-0.7. We measured the work output in contractions of a single human hand muscle in vivo and of the ATP cost of that work to calculate the contraction coupling efficiency of the muscle. Five subjects performed six bouts of rapid voluntary contractions every 1.5 s for 42 s (28 contractions, each with time to peak force < 150 ms). The bouts encompassed a 7-fold range of workloads. The ATP cost during work was quantified by measuring the extent of chemical changes within the muscle from (31)P magnetic resonance spectra. Contraction coupling efficiency was determined as the slope of paired measurements of work output and ATP cost at the five graded work loads. The results show that 0.68 of the chemical energy available from ATP splitting was converted to external work output. A plausible mechanism to account for this high value is a substantially lower efficiency for mitochondrial ATP synthesis. The method described here can be used to analyse changes in the overall efficiency determined from oxygen consumption during exercise that can occur in disease or with age, and to test the hypothesis that such changes are due to reduced contraction coupling efficiency.

Coupled field induced conversion between destructive and constructive quantum interference

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jiang, Xiangqian, E-mail: xqjiang@hit.edu.cn; Sun, Xiudong

2016-12-15

We study the control of quantum interference in a four-level atom driven by three coherent fields forming a closed loop. The spontaneous emission spectrum shows two sets of peaks which are dramatically influenced by the fields. Due to destructive quantum interference, a dark line can be observed in the emission spectrum, and the condition of the dark line is given. We found that the conversion between destructive and constructive quantum interference can be achieved through controlling the Rabi frequency of the external fields.

Photocatalytic CO2 conversion by polymeric carbon nitrides.

PubMed

Fang, Yuanxing; Wang, Xinchen

2018-05-10

CO2 is a vital compond for life, and its concentration significantly affects the living environment of the Earth. Extensive effort has been devoted to balance its concentration. Among the developed approaches, photocatalytic CO2 conversion is considered as an ideal option. Previous reports suggest polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) can be effectively used as a metal-free photocatalyst to convert CO2. Herein, the recent developments of PCN and the related photocatalysts for CO2 conversion are summarized from the fundamental of using PCN, and their extended applications through molecular modification and physical/chemical coupling with other substances. The concluding remarks finally indicate the future challenges of using PCN materials for relevant solar-driven applications.

Noncatalytic oxypyrolysis of C{sub 2+}-hydrocarbons from natural gas to ethylene and propylene in a most energy-efficient and safe manner

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Choudhary, V.R.; Mulla, S.A.R.; Rajput, A.M.

1997-06-01

Noncatalytic oxypyrolysis of C{sub 2+}-hydrocarbons from natural gas at 700--850 C in the presence of steam and limited oxygen yields ethylene and propylene with appreciable conversion and high selectivity but with almost no coke or tarlike product formation. In this process, the exothermic oxidative hydrocarbon conversion reactions are coupled directly with the endothermic cracking of C{sub 2+}-hydrocarbons by their simultaneous occurrence. Hence, the process operates in a most energy-efficient and safe (or nonhazardous) manner and also can be made almost thermoneutral or mildly endothermic/exothermic, thus requiring little or no external energy for the hydrocarbon conversion reactions.

Determination of the conversion gain and the accuracy of its measurement for detector elements and arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beecken, B. P.; Fossum, E. R.

1996-07-01

Standard statistical theory is used to calculate how the accuracy of a conversion-gain measurement depends on the number of samples. During the development of a theoretical basis for this calculation, a model is developed that predicts how the noise levels from different elements of an ideal detector array are distributed. The model can also be used to determine what dependence the accuracy of measured noise has on the size of the sample. These features have been confirmed by experiment, thus enhancing the credibility of the method for calculating the uncertainty of a measured conversion gain. detector-array uniformity, charge coupled device, active pixel sensor.

Stationary and Dynamic Permeability and Coupling Coefficient Measurements in Sintered Glass Bead Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gueven, I.; Steeb, H.; Luding, S.

2014-12-01

Electrokinetic waves describe the coupling between seismic and electromagnetic waves that exist in porous media. The coupling between them arise from an electrochemical boundary layer between grain and fluid interface of saturated porous media. Acoustical waves cause a disturbance of the electrical fluid charge within the double layer, which therefore creates an electric streaming current (seismoelectric effect). Inversely, electromagnetic waves can generate mechanical signals (electroseismic effect). Electrokinetic conversion potentially combines high seismic resolution with good electromagnetic hydrocarbon sensitivity. The (stationary and frequency-dependent) streaming potential coefficient is a key property, which gives rise to the coupling between electromagnetic and acoustical waves. It depends strongly on the fluid conductivity, porosity, tortuosity, permeability, pore throat and zeta potential of porous media. We examine experimentally both, the stationary and dynamic permeabilities and coupling coefficients of sintered glass bead systems. For this purpose a multi-purpose measuring cell was developed which allows us to carry out - besides common ultrasound experiments - also to perform stationary and frequency-dependent permeability and coupling coefficient measurements. For the experiments sintered mono- and slightly polydisperse glass bead samples with different glass bead diameters between 0.4 and 8mm and porosities ranging between 21 and 39% were used. The stationary and dynamic permeability and streaming potential measurements are supported by μCT scans which enable us a deeper insight into the porous medium. Based on the μCT scans of the produced sintered glass bead samples essential influence parameters, like tortuosity, porosity, effective particle diameters and pore throats in different regions of the entire scanned region have been analyzed in detail to understand the laboratory experiments, cf. Illustration 1. In addition lattice Boltzmann simulations on voxel-based data were performed to determine the numerical permeabilities of different-sized subsets and finally compared with laboratory experiments. A clearly defined permeability-, and porosity-gradient in dependence on the sample height due to gravitational influences could be determined.

Engineering Localized Surface Plasmon Interactions in Gold by Silicon Nanowire for Enhanced Heating and Photocatalysis

DOE PAGES

Agarwal, Daksh; Aspetti, Carlos O.; Cargnello, Matteo; ...

2017-02-06

The field of plasmonics has attracted considerable attention in recent years because of potential applications in various fields such as nanophotonics, photovoltaics, energy conversion, catalysis, and therapeutics. It is becoming increasing clear that intrinsic high losses associated with plasmons can be utilized to create new device concepts to harvest the generated heat. It is therefore important to design cavities, which can harvest optical excitations efficiently to generate heat. In this paper, we report a highly engineered nanowire cavity, which utilizes a high dielectric silicon core with a thin plasmonic film (Au) to create an effective metallic cavity to strongly confinemore » light, which when coupled with localized surface plasmons in the nanoparticles of the thin metal film produces exceptionally high temperatures upon laser irradiation. Raman spectroscopy of the silicon core enables precise measurements of the cavity temperature, which can reach values as high as 1000 K. The same Si–Au cavity with enhanced plasmonic activity when coupled with TiO 2 nanorods increases the hydrogen production rate by ~40% compared to similar Au–TiO 2 system without Si core, in ethanol photoreforming reactions. Finally, these highly engineered thermoplasmonic devices, which integrate three different cavity concepts (high refractive index core, metallo-dielectric cavity, and localized surface plasmons) along with the ease of fabrication demonstrate a possible pathway for designing optimized plasmonic devices with applications in energy conversion and catalysis.« less

Engineering Localized Surface Plasmon Interactions in Gold by Silicon Nanowire for Enhanced Heating and Photocatalysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agarwal, Daksh; Aspetti, Carlos O.; Cargnello, Matteo

The field of plasmonics has attracted considerable attention in recent years because of potential applications in various fields such as nanophotonics, photovoltaics, energy conversion, catalysis, and therapeutics. It is becoming increasing clear that intrinsic high losses associated with plasmons can be utilized to create new device concepts to harvest the generated heat. It is therefore important to design cavities, which can harvest optical excitations efficiently to generate heat. In this paper, we report a highly engineered nanowire cavity, which utilizes a high dielectric silicon core with a thin plasmonic film (Au) to create an effective metallic cavity to strongly confinemore » light, which when coupled with localized surface plasmons in the nanoparticles of the thin metal film produces exceptionally high temperatures upon laser irradiation. Raman spectroscopy of the silicon core enables precise measurements of the cavity temperature, which can reach values as high as 1000 K. The same Si–Au cavity with enhanced plasmonic activity when coupled with TiO 2 nanorods increases the hydrogen production rate by ~40% compared to similar Au–TiO 2 system without Si core, in ethanol photoreforming reactions. Finally, these highly engineered thermoplasmonic devices, which integrate three different cavity concepts (high refractive index core, metallo-dielectric cavity, and localized surface plasmons) along with the ease of fabrication demonstrate a possible pathway for designing optimized plasmonic devices with applications in energy conversion and catalysis.« less

Analytical coupled modeling of a magneto-based acoustic metamaterial harvester

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, H.; Zhu, R.; Chen, J. K.; Tracy, S. L.; Huang, G. L.

2018-05-01

Membrane-type acoustic metamaterials (MAMs) have demonstrated unusual capacity in controlling low-frequency sound transmission, reflection, and absorption. In this paper, an analytical vibro-acoustic-electromagnetic coupling model is developed to study MAM harvester sound absorption, energy conversion, and energy harvesting behavior under a normal sound incidence. The MAM harvester is composed of a prestressed membrane with an attached rigid mass, a magnet coil, and a permanent magnet coin. To accurately capture finite-dimension rigid mass effects on the membrane deformation under the variable magnet force, a theoretical model based on the deviating acoustic surface Green’s function approach is developed by considering the acoustic near field and distributed effective shear force along the interfacial boundary between the mass and the membrane. The accuracy and capability of the theoretical model is verified through comparison with the finite element method. In particular, sound absorption, acoustic-electric energy conversion, and harvesting coefficient are quantitatively investigated by varying the weight and size of the attached mass, prestress and thickness of the membrane. It is found that the highest achievable conversion and harvesting coefficients can reach up to 48%, and 36%, respectively. The developed model can serve as an efficient tool for designing MAM harvesters.

Analytic Couple Modeling Introducing Device Design Factor, Fin Factor, Thermal Diffusivity Factor, and Inductance Factor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mackey, Jon; Sehirlioglu, Alp; Dynys, Fred

2014-01-01

A set of convenient thermoelectric device solutions have been derived in order to capture a number of factors which are previously only resolved with numerical techniques. The concise conversion efficiency equations derived from governing equations provide intuitive and straight-forward design guidelines. These guidelines allow for better device design without requiring detailed numerical modeling. The analytical modeling accounts for factors such as i) variable temperature boundary conditions, ii) lateral heat transfer, iii) temperature variable material properties, and iv) transient operation. New dimensionless parameters, similar to the figure of merit, are introduced including the device design factor, fin factor, thermal diffusivity factor, and inductance factor. These new device factors allow for the straight-forward description of phenomenon generally only captured with numerical work otherwise. As an example a device design factor of 0.38, which accounts for thermal resistance of the hot and cold shoes, can be used to calculate a conversion efficiency of 2.28 while the ideal conversion efficiency based on figure of merit alone would be 6.15. Likewise an ideal couple with efficiency of 6.15 will be reduced to 5.33 when lateral heat is accounted for with a fin factor of 1.0.

Immobilization of a mediator onto carbon cloth electrode and employment of the modified electrode to an electroenzymatic bioreactor.

PubMed

Jeong, Eun-Seon; Sathishkumar, Muthuswamy; Jayabalan, Rasu; Jeong, Su-Hyeon; Park, Song-Yie; Mun, Sung-Phil; Yun, Sei-Eok

2012-10-01

5,5'-Dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) was selected as an electron transfer mediator and was covalently immobilized onto high porosity carbon cloth to employ as a working electrode in an electrochemical NAD(+)-regeneration process, which was coupled to an enzymatic reaction. The voltammetric behavior of DTNB attached to carbon cloth resembled that of DTNB in buffered aqueous solution, and the electrocatalytic anodic current grew continuously upon addition of NADH at different concentrations, indicating that DTNB is immobilized to carbon cloth effectively and the immobilized DTNB is active as a soluble one. The bioelectrocatalytic NAD+ regeneration was coupled to the conversion of L-glutamate into alpha-ketoglutarate by L-glutamate dehydrogenase within the same microreactor. The conversion at 3 mM monosodium glutamate was very rapid, up to 12 h, to result in 90%, and then slow up to 24 h, showing 94%, followed by slight decrease. Low conversion was shown when substrate concentration exceeding 4 mM was tested, suggesting that L-glutamate dehydrogenase is inhibited by alpha-ketoglutarate. However, our electrochemical NAD+ regeneration procedure looks advantageous over the enzymatic procedure using NADH oxidase, from the viewpoint of reaction time to completion.

Absolute Position Encoders With Vertical Image Binning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leviton, Douglas B.

2005-01-01

Improved optoelectronic patternrecognition encoders that measure rotary and linear 1-dimensional positions at conversion rates (numbers of readings per unit time) exceeding 20 kHz have been invented. Heretofore, optoelectronic pattern-recognition absoluteposition encoders have been limited to conversion rates <15 Hz -- too low for emerging industrial applications in which conversion rates ranging from 1 kHz to as much as 100 kHz are required. The high conversion rates of the improved encoders are made possible, in part, by use of vertically compressible or binnable (as described below) scale patterns in combination with modified readout sequences of the image sensors [charge-coupled devices (CCDs)] used to read the scale patterns. The modified readout sequences and the processing of the images thus read out are amenable to implementation by use of modern, high-speed, ultra-compact microprocessors and digital signal processors or field-programmable gate arrays. This combination of improvements makes it possible to greatly increase conversion rates through substantial reductions in all three components of conversion time: exposure time, image-readout time, and image-processing time.

A synthetic NO reduction cycle on a bis(pyrazolato)-bridged dinuclear ruthenium complex including photo-induced transformation.

PubMed

Arikawa, Yasuhiro; Hiura, Junko; Tsuchii, Chika; Kodama, Mika; Matsumoto, Naoki; Umakoshi, Keisuke

2018-05-17

A synthetic NO reduction cycle (2NO + 2H+ + 2e- → N2O + H2O) on a dinuclear platform {(TpRu)2(μ-pz)2} (Tp = HB(pyrazol-1-yl)3) was achieved, where an unusual N-N coupling complex was included. Moreover, an interesting photo-induced conversion of the N-N coupling complex to an oxido-bridged complex was revealed.

FIBER AND INTEGRATED OPTICS: Influence of diffraction-induced emission of light on resonant conversion of surface waves in diffraction-coupled optical waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiselev, V. A.; Shaposhnikov, S. N.

1989-09-01

An investigation is reported of diffraction-induced emission of surface waves under conditions of resonant transfer of light between different regular and corrugated waveguides. It is shown that the part of the emitted light flux carried by surface waves along diffraction-coupled waveguides depends strongly on the ratio of the effective refractive indices of the guides. The dependences of the optical coupling length and of the corresponding emitted light flux on the distance between the waveguides and on the difference between their refractive indices are given.

Fragment Couplings via CO2 Extrusion-Recombination: Expansion of a Classic Bond-Forming Strategy via Metallaphotoredox.

PubMed

Le, Chi Chip; MacMillan, David W C

2015-09-23

In this study we demonstrate that molecular fragments, which can be readily coupled via a simple, in situ RO-C═OR bond-forming reaction, can subsequently undergo metal insertion-decarboxylation-recombination to generate Csp(2)-Csp(3) bonds when subjected to metallaphotoredox catalysis. In this embodiment the conversion of a wide variety of mixed anhydrides (formed in situ from carboxylic acids and acyl chlorides) to fragment-coupled ketones is accomplished in good to high yield. A three-step synthesis of the medicinal agent edivoxetine is also described using this new decarboxylation-recombination protocol.

Bistable metamaterial for switching and cascading elastic vibrations

PubMed Central

Foehr, André; Daraio, Chiara

2017-01-01

The realization of acoustic devices analogous to electronic systems, like diodes, transistors, and logic elements, suggests the potential use of elastic vibrations (i.e., phonons) in information processing, for example, in advanced computational systems, smart actuators, and programmable materials. Previous experimental realizations of acoustic diodes and mechanical switches have used nonlinearities to break transmission symmetry. However, existing solutions require operation at different frequencies or involve signal conversion in the electronic or optical domains. Here, we show an experimental realization of a phononic transistor-like device using geometric nonlinearities to switch and amplify elastic vibrations, via magnetic coupling, operating at a single frequency. By cascading this device in a tunable mechanical circuit board, we realize the complete set of mechanical logic elements and interconnect selected ones to execute simple calculations. PMID:28416663

Electrochemical energy engineering: a new frontier of chemical engineering innovation.

PubMed

Gu, Shuang; Xu, Bingjun; Yan, Yushan

2014-01-01

One of the grand challenges facing humanity today is a safe, clean, and sustainable energy system where combustion no longer dominates. This review proposes that electrochemical energy conversion could set the foundation for such an energy system. It further suggests that a simple switch from an acid to a base membrane coupled with innovative cell designs may lead to a new era of affordable electrochemical devices, including fuel cells, electrolyzers, solar hydrogen generators, and redox flow batteries, for which recent progress is discussed using the authors' work as examples. It also notes that electrochemical energy engineering will likely become a vibrant subdiscipline of chemical engineering and a fertile ground for chemical engineering innovation. To realize this vision, it is necessary to incorporate fundamental electrochemistry and electrochemical engineering principles into the chemical engineering curriculum.

A unique dosing system for the production of OH under high vacuum for the study of environmental heterogeneous reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Matthew A.; Johánek, Viktor; Hemminger, John C.

2008-02-01

A unique dosing system for the production of hydroxyl radicals under high vacuum for the study of environmental heterogeneous reactions is described. Hydroxyl radicals are produced by the photodissociation of a hydrogen peroxide aqueous gas mixture with 254nm radiation according to the reaction H2O2+hν (254nm)→OH+OH. Under the conditions of the current design, 0.6% conversion of hydrogen peroxide is expected yielding a hydroxyl number density on the order of 1010molecules/cm3. The flux distribution of the dosing system is calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation method and compared with the experimentally determined results. The performance of this unique hydroxyl dosing system is demonstrated for the heterogeneous reaction with a solid surface of potassium iodide. Coupling of the hydroxyl radical dosing system to a quantitative surface analysis system should help provide molecular level insight into detailed reaction mechanisms.

Catalystlike effect of orbital angular momentum on the conversion of transverse to three-dimensional spin states within tightly focused radially polarized beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Lei; Liu, Sheng; Li, Peng; Zhang, Yi; Cheng, Huachao; Zhao, Jianlin

2018-05-01

We report on the catalystlike effect of orbital angular momentum (OAM) on local spin-state conversion within the tightly focused radially polarized beams associated with optical spin-orbit interaction. It is theoretically demonstrated that the incident OAM can lead to a conversion of purely transverse spin state to a three-dimensional spin state on the focal plane. This conversion can be conveniently manipulated by altering the sign and value of the OAM. By comparing the total OAM and spin angular momentum (SAM) on the incident plane to those on the focal plane, it is indicated that the incident OAM have no participation in the angular momentum intertransfer, and just play a role as a catalyst of local SAM conversion. Such an effect of OAM sheds new light on the optical spin-orbit interaction in tight-focusing processes. The resultant three-dimensional spin states may provide more degrees of freedom in optical manipulation and spin-dependent directive coupling.

Spin-dependent μ → e conversion

DOE PAGES

Cirigliano, Vincenzo; Davidson, Sacha; Kuno, Yoshitaka

2017-05-22

The experimental sensitivity to μ→e conversion on nuclei is expected to improve by four orders of magnitude in coming years. Here, we consider the impact of μ→e flavour-changing tensor and axial-vector four-fermion operators which couple to the spin of nucleons. Such operators, which have not previously been considered, contribute to μ→e conversion in three ways: in nuclei with spin they mediate a spin-dependent transition; in all nuclei they contribute to the coherent (A 2-enhanced) spin-independent conversion via finite recoil effects and via loop mixing with dipole, scalar, and vector operators. Furthermore, we estimate the spin-dependent rate in Aluminium (the targetmore » of the upcoming COMET and Mu2e experiments), show that the loop effects give the greatest sensitivity to tensor and axial-vector operators involving first-generation quarks, and discuss the complementarity of the spin-dependent and independent contributions to μ→e conversion.« less

Spin-dependent μ → e conversion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cirigliano, Vincenzo; Davidson, Sacha; Kuno, Yoshitaka

The experimental sensitivity to μ→e conversion on nuclei is expected to improve by four orders of magnitude in coming years. Here, we consider the impact of μ→e flavour-changing tensor and axial-vector four-fermion operators which couple to the spin of nucleons. Such operators, which have not previously been considered, contribute to μ→e conversion in three ways: in nuclei with spin they mediate a spin-dependent transition; in all nuclei they contribute to the coherent (A 2-enhanced) spin-independent conversion via finite recoil effects and via loop mixing with dipole, scalar, and vector operators. Furthermore, we estimate the spin-dependent rate in Aluminium (the targetmore » of the upcoming COMET and Mu2e experiments), show that the loop effects give the greatest sensitivity to tensor and axial-vector operators involving first-generation quarks, and discuss the complementarity of the spin-dependent and independent contributions to μ→e conversion.« less

Free-space microwave-to-optical conversion via six-wave mixing in Rydberg atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Jingshan; Vogt, Thibault; Gross, Christian; Jaksch, Dieter; Kiffner, Martin; Li, Wenhui

2017-04-01

The interconversion of millimeter waves and optical fields is an important and highly topical subject for classical and quantum technologies. In this talk, we report an experimental demonstration of coherent and efficient microwave-to-optical conversion in free space via six-wave mixing in Rydberg atoms. Our scheme utilizes the strong coupling of millimeter waves to Rydberg atoms as well as the frequency mixing based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) that greatly enhances the nonlinearity for the conversion process. We achieve a free-space conversion efficiency of 0.25% with a bandwidth of about 4 MHz in our experiment. Optimized geometry and energy level configurations should enable the broadband interconversion of microwave and optical fields with near-unity efficiency. These results indicate the tremendous potential of Rydberg atoms for the efficient conversion between microwave and optical fields, and thus paves the way to many applications. This work is supported by Singapore Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund Tier 2 (Grant No. MOE2015-T2-1-085).

Magnetospheric-ionospheric Poynting flux

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thayer, Jeffrey P.

1994-01-01

Over the past three years of funding SRI, in collaboration with the University of Texas at Dallas, has been involved in determining the total electromagnetic energy flux into the upper atmosphere from DE-B electric and magnetic field measurements and modeling the electromagnetic energy flux at high latitudes, taking into account the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere system. This effort has been very successful in establishing the DC Poynting flux as a fundamental quantity in describing the coupling of electromagnetic energy between the magnetosphere and ionosphere. The DE-B satellite electric and magnetic field measurements were carefully scrutinized to provide, for the first time, a large data set of DC, field-aligned, Poynting flux measurement. Investigations describing the field-aligned Poynting flux observations from DE-B orbits under specific geomagnetic conditions and from many orbits were conducted to provide a statistical average of the Poynting flux distribution over the polar cap. The theoretical modeling effort has provided insight into the observations by formulating the connection between Poynting's theorem and the electromagnetic energy conversion processes that occur in the ionosphere. Modeling and evaluation of these processes has helped interpret the satellite observations of the DC Poynting flux and improved our understanding of the coupling between the ionosphere and magnetosphere.

Single-mode annular chirally-coupled core fibers for fiber lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Haitao; Hao, He; He, Linlu; Gong, Mali

2018-03-01

Chirally-coupled core (CCC) fiber can transmit single fundamental mode and effectively suppresses higher-order mode (HOM) propagation, thus improve the beam quality. However, the manufacture of CCC fiber is complicated due to its small side core. To decrease the manufacture difficulty in China, a novel fiber structure is presented, defined as annular chirally-coupled core (ACCC) fiber, replacing the small side core by a larger side annulus. In this paper, we designed the fiber parameters of this new structure, and demonstrated that the new structure has a similar property of single mode with traditional CCC fiber. Helical coordinate system was introduced into the finite element method (FEM) to analyze the mode field in the fiber, and the beam propagation method (BPM) was employed to analyze the influence of the fiber parameters on the mode loss. Based on the result above, the fiber structure was optimized for efficient single-mode transmission, in which the core diameter is 35 μm with beam quality M2 value of 1.04 and an optical to optical conversion efficiency of 84%. In this fiber, fundamental mode propagates in an acceptable loss, while the HOMs decay rapidly.

An alternative synthetic approach for efficient catalytic conversion of syngas to ethanol.

PubMed

Yue, Hairong; Ma, Xinbin; Gong, Jinlong

2014-05-20

Ethanol is an attractive end product and a versatile feedstock because a widespread market exists for its commercial use as a fuel additive or a potential substitute for gasoline. Currently, ethanol is produced primarily by fermentation of biomass-derived sugars, particularly those containing six carbons, but coproducts 5-carbon sugars and lignin remain unusable. Another major process for commercial production of ethanol is hydration of ethylene over solid acidic catalysts, yet not sustainable considering the depletion of fossil fuels. Catalytic conversion of synthetic gas (CO + H2) could produce ethanol in large quantities. However, the direct catalytic conversion of synthetic gas to ethanol remains challenging, and no commercial process exists as of today although the research has been ongoing for the past 90 years, since such the process suffers from low yield and poor selectivity due to slow kinetics of the initial C-C bond formation and fast chain growth of the C2 intermediates. This Account describes recent developments in an alternative approach for the synthesis of ethanol via synthetic gas. This process is an integrated technology consisting of the coupling of CO with methanol to form dimethyl oxalate and the subsequent hydrogenation to yield ethanol. The byproduct of the second step (methanol) can be separated and used in circulation as the feedstock for the coupling step. The coupling reaction of carbon monoxide for producing dimethyl oxalate takes place under moderate reaction conditions with high selectivity (∼95%), which ideally leads to a self-closing, nonwaste, catalytic cycling process. This Account also summarizes the progress on the development of copper-based catalysts for the hydrogenation reaction with remarkable efficiencies and stability. The unique lamellar structure and the cooperative effect between surface Cu(0) and Cu(+) species are responsible for the activity of the catalyst with high yield of ethanol (∼91%). The understanding of nature of valence states of Cu could also guide the rational design of Cu-based catalysts for other similar reactions, particularly for hydrogenation catalytic systems. In addition, by regulating the reaction condition and the surface structure of the catalysts, the products in the hydrogenation steps, such as ethanol, methyl glycolate, and ethylene glycol, could be tuned efficiently. This synthetic approach enables a more sustainable ethanol, methyl glycolate, and ethylene glycol synthesis in industry and greatly reduces the dependence on petroleum resources and the emission of the greenhouse gas.

Thermal plasma process for recovering monomers and high value carbons from polymeric materials

DOEpatents

Knight, Richard; Grossmann, Elihu D.; Guddeti, Ravikishan R.

2002-01-01

The present invention relates to a method of recycling polymeric waste products into monomers and high value forms of carbon by pyrolytic conversion using an induction coupled RF plasma heated reactor.

The converse magnetoelectric coupling in asymmetric granule/matrix composite film with Ni/PZT component

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Bo; Su, Ning-Ning; Cui, Wen-Li; Yan, Shi-Nong

2018-04-01

In this work, a type of asymmetric granule/matrix composite film is designed, where the Ni granule is dispersed in PZT matrix, meanwhile the top and bottom electrode is constituted by Au and SRO respectively. Predicted through the electrostatic screening model and mean field approximation, considerable electrostatic charge is induced on Ni granule surface by ferroelectric PZT polarization. Predicted through the spin splitting model and spherical shell approximation, both the magnetization and magnetic anisotropy of Ni granule are modulated by ferroelectric PZT polarization. As the volume fraction of Ni granule is increased, the electric modulation of magnetization and magnetic anisotropy is reduced and enhanced respectively. As the dimension of granule/matrix composite is varied, such modulation is retained. Due to the large area-volume ratio of nano-granule, this work benefits to realize the converse magnetoelectric coupling in nanoscale.

Portable fiber-coupled diode-laser-based sensor for multiple trace gas detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lancaster, D. G.; Richter, D.; Tittel, F. K.

1999-01-01

Tunable narrowband mid-infrared radiation from 3.25 to 4.4 micrometers is generated by a compact fiber-coupled, difference-frequency-based spectroscopic source. A 20-mW external cavity diode laser (with a tuning range from 814 to 870 nm) and a 50-mW distributed-Bragg-reflector diode-laser-seeded ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier operating at 1083 nm are difference-frequency mixed in a multi-grating, temperature-controlled periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal. A conversion efficiency of 0.44 mW/(W2cm) (corresponding to a power of approximately equal to 3 microW at 3.3 micrometers) represents the highest conversion efficiency reported for a portable device. Performance characteristics of such a sensor and its application to spectroscopic detection of CO2, N2O, H2CO, HCl, NO2, and CH4 will be reported in this work.

Ultra-wideband polarization conversion metasurface and its application cases for antenna radiation enhancement and scattering suppression.

PubMed

Zheng, Yuejun; Zhou, Yulong; Gao, Jun; Cao, Xiangyu; Yang, Huanhuan; Li, Sijia; Xu, Liming; Lan, Junxiang; Jidi, Liaori

2017-11-23

A double-layer complementary metasurface (MS) with ultra-wideband polarization conversion is presented. Then, we propose two application cases by applying the polarization conversion structures to aperture coupling patch antenna (ACPA). Due to the existence of air-filled gap of ACPA, air substrate and dielectric substrate are used to construct the double-layer MS. The polarization conversion bandwidth is broadened toward low-frequency range. Subsequently, two application cases of antenna are proposed and investigated. The simultaneous improvement of radiation and scattering performance of antenna is normally considered as a contradiction. Gratifyingly, the contradiction is addressed in these two application cases. According to different mechanism of scattering suppression (i.e., polarization conversion and phase cancellation), the polarization conversion structures are utilized to construct uniform and orthogonal arrangement configurations. And then, the configurations are integrated into ACPA and two different kinds of metasurface-based (MS-based) ACPA are formed. Radiation properties of the two MS-based ACPAs are improved by optimizing the uniform and orthogonal arrangement configurations. The measured results suggest that ultra-wideband polarization conversion properties of the MS are achieved and radiation enhancement and scattering suppression of the two MS-based ACPAs are obtained. These results demonstrate that we provide novel approach to design high-performance polarization conversion MS and MS-based devices.

Study of a condition for the mode conversion from purely perpendicular electrostatic waves to electromagnetic waves

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kalaee, Mohammad Javad, E-mail: mjkalaee@ut.ac.ir; Katoh, Yuto, E-mail: yuto@stpp.gp.tohoku.ac.jp

One of the mechanisms for generating electromagnetic plasma waves (Z-mode and LO-mode) is mode conversion from electrostatic waves into electromagnetic waves in inhomogeneous plasma. Herein, we study a condition required for mode conversion of electrostatic waves propagating purely perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field, by numerically solving the full dispersion relation. An approximate model is derived describing the coupling between electrostatic waves (hot plasma Bernstein mode) and Z-mode waves at the upper hybrid frequency. The model is used to study conditions required for mode conversion from electrostatic waves (electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic waves, including Bernstein mode) into electromagnetic plasma wavesmore » (LO-mode). It is shown that for mode conversion to occur in inhomogeneous plasma, the angle between the boundary surface and the magnetic field vector should be within a specific range. The range of the angle depends on the norm of the k vector of waves at the site of mode conversion in the inhomogeneous region. The present study reveals that inhomogeneity alone is not a sufficient condition for mode conversion from electrostatic waves to electromagnetic plasma waves and that the angle between the magnetic field and the density gradient plays an important role in the conversion process.« less

Evaluating Dihydroazulene/Vinylheptafulvene Photoswitches for Solar Energy Storage Applications.

PubMed

Wang, Zhihang; Udmark, Jonas; Börjesson, Karl; Rodrigues, Rita; Roffey, Anna; Abrahamsson, Maria; Nielsen, Mogens Brøndsted; Moth-Poulsen, Kasper

2017-08-10

Efficient solar energy storage is a key challenge in striving toward a sustainable future. For this reason, molecules capable of solar energy storage and release through valence isomerization, for so-called molecular solar thermal energy storage (MOST), have been investigated. Energy storage by photoconversion of the dihydroazulene/vinylheptafulvene (DHA/VHF) photothermal couple has been evaluated. The robust nature of this system is determined through multiple energy storage and release cycles at elevated temperatures in three different solvents. In a nonpolar solvent such as toluene, the DHA/VHF system can be cycled more than 70 times with less than 0.01 % degradation per cycle. Moreover, the [Cu(CH 3 CN) 4 ]PF 6 -catalyzed conversion of VHF into DHA was demonstrated in a flow reactor. The performance of the DHA/VHF couple was also evaluated in prototype photoconversion devices, both in the laboratory by using a flow chip under simulated sunlight and under outdoor conditions by using a parabolic mirror. Device experiments demonstrated a solar energy storage efficiency of up to 0.13 % in the chip device and up to 0.02 % in the parabolic collector. Avenues for future improvements and optimization of the system are also discussed. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Coupling of exothermic and endothermic reactions in oxidative conversion of natural gas into ethylene/olefins over diluted SrO/La{sub 2}O{sub 3}/SA5205 catalyst

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Choudhary, V.R.; Mulla, S.A.R.

1997-09-01

In the oxidative conversion of natural gas to ethylene/lower olefins over SrO (17.3 wt.%)/La{sub 2}O{sub 3} (17.9 wt.%)/SA5205 catalyst diluted with inert solid particles (inerts/catalyst(w/w) = 2.0) in the presence of limited O{sub 2}, the exothermic oxidative conversion reactions of natural gas are coupled with the endothermic C{sub 2+} hydrocarbon thermal cracking reactions for avoiding hot spot formation and eliminating heat removal problems. Because of this, the process is operated in the most energy-efficient and safe manner. The influence of various process variables (viz. temperature, NG/O{sub 2} and steam/NG ratios in feed, and space velocity) on the conversion of carbonmore » and also of the individual hydrocarbons in natural gas, the selectivity for C{sub 2}-C{sub 4} olefins, and also on the net heat of reactions in the process has been thoroughly investigated. By carrying out the process at 800--850 C in the presence of steam (H{sub 2}O/NG {le} 0.2) and using limited O{sub 2} in the feed (NG/O{sub 2} = 12--18), high selectivity for ethylene (about 60%) or C{sub 2}-C{sub 4} olefins (above 80%) at the carbon conversion (>15%) of practical interest could be achieved at high space velocity ({ge}34,000 cm{sup 3}/g (catalyst) h), requiring no external energy and also without forming coke or tar-like products. The net heat of reactions can be controlled and the process can be made mildly exothermic or even close to thermoneutral by manipulating the O{sub 2} concentration in the feed.« less

Action-effect binding is decreased in motor conversion disorder: implications for sense of agency.

PubMed

Kranick, Sarah M; Moore, James W; Yusuf, Nadia; Martinez, Valeria T; LaFaver, Kathrin; Edwards, Mark J; Mehta, Arpan R; Collins, Phoebe; Harrison, Neil A; Haggard, Patrick; Hallett, Mark; Voon, Valerie

2013-07-01

The abnormal movements seen in motor conversion disorder are affected by distraction and entrainment, similar to voluntary movement. Unlike voluntary movement, however, patients lack a sense of control for the abnormal movements, a failure of "self-agency." The action-effect binding paradigm has been used to quantify the sense of self-agency, because subjective contraction of time between an action and its effect only occurs if the patient feels that they are the agent responsible for the action. We used this paradigm, coupled with emotional stimuli, to investigate the sense of agency with voluntary movements in patients with motor conversion disorder. Twenty patients with motor conversion disorder and 20 age-matched and sex-matched healthy volunteers used a rotating clock to judge the time of their own voluntary key presses (action) and a subsequent auditory tone (effect) after they completed conditioning blocks in which high, medium, and low tones were coupled to images of happy, fearful, and neutral faces. The results replicated those produced previously: it was reported that an effect after a voluntary action occurred earlier, and the preceding action occurred later, compared with trials that used only key presses or tones. Patients had reduced overall binding scores relative to healthy volunteers, suggesting a reduced sense of agency. There was no effect of the emotional stimuli (faces) or other interaction effects. Healthy volunteers with subclinical depressive symptoms had higher overall binding scores. We demonstrate that patients with motor conversion disorder have decreased action-effect binding for normal voluntary movements compared with healthy volunteers, consistent with the greater experience of lack of control. Copyright © 2013 Movement Disorder Society.

Computer-Assisted English Learning System Based on Free Conversation by Topic

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Choi, Sung-Kwon; Kwon, Oh-Woog; Kim, Young-Kil

2017-01-01

This paper aims to describe a computer-assisted English learning system using chatbots and dialogue systems, which allow free conversation outside the topic without limiting the learner's flow of conversation. The evaluation was conducted by 20 experimenters. The performance of the system based on a free conversation by topic was measured by the…

Experimental model of a wind energy conversion system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasar, C.; Rat, C. L.; Prostean, O.

2018-01-01

The renewable energy domain represents an important issue for the sustainable development of the mankind in the actual context of increasing demand for energy along with the increasing pollution that affect the environment. A significant quota of the clean energy is represented by the wind energy. As a consequence, the developing of wind energy conversion systems (WECS) in order to achieve high energetic performances (efficiency, stability, availability, competitive cost etc) represents a topic of permanent actuality. Testing and developing of an optimized control strategy for a WECS direct implemented on a real energetic site is quite difficult and not cost efficient. Thus a more convenient solution consists in a flexible laboratory setup which requires an experimental model of a WECS. Such approach would allow the simulation of various real conditions very similar with existing energetic sites. This paper presents a grid-connected wind turbine emulator. The wind turbine is implemented through a real-time Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) emulator, which will be analyzed extensively in the paper. The HIL system uses software implemented in the LabVIEW programming environment to control an ABB ACS800 electric drive. ACS800 has the task of driving an induction machine coupled to a permanent magnet synchronous generator. The power obtained from the synchronous generator is rectified, filtered and sent to the main grid through a controlled inverter. The control strategy is implemented on a NI CompactRIO (cRIO) platform.

A six-color four-laser mobile platform for multi-spectral fluorescence imaging endoscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Black, John F.; Tate, Tyler; Keenan, Molly; Swan, Elizabeth; Utzinger, Urs; Barton, Jennifer

2015-03-01

The properties of multi-spectral fluorescence imaging using deep-UV-illumination have recently been explored using a fiber-coupled thermal source at 280 nm. The resulting images show a remarkable level of contrast thought to result from the signal being overwhelmingly generated in the uppermost few cell layers of tissue, making this approach valuable for the study of diseases that originate in the endothelial tissues of the body. With a view to extending the technique with new wavelengths, and improving beam quality for efficient small core fiber coupling we have developed a mobile self-contained tunable solid-state laser source of deep UV light. An alexandrite laser, lasing at around 750 nm is frequency doubled to produce 375 nm and then tripled to produce 250 nm light. An optical deck added to the system allows other laser sources to be incorporated into the UV beam-line and a lens system has been designed to couple these sources into a single delivery fiber with core diameters down to 50 microns. Our system incorporates five wavelengths [250 nm, 375 nm, 442 nm (HeCd), 543 nm (HeNe) and 638 nm (diode laser)] as the illumination source for a small diameter falloposcope designed for the study of the distal Fallopian tube origins of high grade serous ovarian cancer. The tunability of alexandrite offers the potential to generate other wavelengths in the 720-800, 360-400 and 240-265 nm ranges, plus other non-linear optical conversion techniques taking advantage of the high peak powers of the laser.

Property evolution during vitrification of dimethacrylate photopolymer networks.

PubMed

Abu-elenain, Dalia A; Lewis, Steven H; Stansbury, Jeffrey W

2013-11-01

This study seeks to correlate the interrelated properties of conversion, shrinkage, modulus and stress as dimethacrylate networks transition from rubbery to glassy states during photopolymerization. An unfilled BisGMA/TEGDMA resin was photocured for various irradiation intervals (7-600 s) to provide controlled levels of immediate conversion, which was monitored continuously for 10 min. Fiber optic near-infrared spectroscopy permitted coupling of real-time conversion measurement with dynamic polymerization shrinkage (linometer), modulus (dynamic mechanical analyzer) and stress (tensometer) development profiles. The varied irradiation conditions produced final conversion ranging from 6% to more than 60%. Post-irradiation conversion (dark cure) was quite limited when photopolymerization was interrupted either at very low or very high levels of conversion while significant dark cure contributions were possible for photocuring reactions suspended within the post-gel, rubbery regime. Analysis of conversion-based property evolution during and subsequent to photocuring demonstrated that the shrinkage rate increased significantly at about 40% conversion followed by late-stage suppression in the conversion-dependent shrinkage rate that begins at about 45-50% conversion. The gradual vitrification process over this conversion range is evident based on the broad but well-defined inflection in the modulus versus conversion data. As limiting conversion is approached, modulus and, to a somewhat lesser extent, stress rise precipitously as a result of vitrification with the stress profile showing little if any late-stage suppression as seen with shrinkage. Near the limiting conversion for this model resin, the volumetric polymerization shrinkage rate slows while an exponential rise in modulus promotes the vitrification process that appears to largely dictate stress development. Copyright © 2013 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of a combined biological and thermo-mechanical pretreatment of wheat straw on energy yields in coupled ethanol and methane generation.

PubMed

Theuretzbacher, Franz; Blomqvist, Johanna; Lizasoain, Javier; Klietz, Lena; Potthast, Antje; Horn, Svein Jarle; Nilsen, Paal J; Gronauer, Andreas; Passoth, Volkmar; Bauer, Alexander

2015-10-01

Ethanol and biogas are energy carriers that could contribute to a future energy system independent of fossil fuels. Straw is a favorable bioenergy substrate as it does not compete with food or feed production. As straw is very resistant to microbial degradation, it requires a pretreatment to insure efficient conversion to ethanol and/or methane. This study investigates the effect of combining biological pretreatment and steam explosion on ethanol and methane yields in order to improve the coupled generation process. Results show that the temperature of the steam explosion pretreatment has a particularly strong effect on possible ethanol yields, whereas combination with the biological pretreatment showed no difference in overall energy yield. The highest overall energy output was found to be 10.86 MJ kg VS(-1) using a combined biological and steam explosion pretreatment at a temperature of 200°C. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cross-scale coupling studies with the Heliophysics/Geospace System Observatory: THEMIS/ARTEMIS contributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angelopoulos, V.; Hietala, H.; Liu, Z.; Mende, S. B.; Phan, T.; Nishimura, T.; Strangeway, R. J.; Burch, J. L.; Moore, T. E.; Giles, B. L.

2015-12-01

The recent launch of MMS, the impending launch of ERG, the continued availability of space (NASA, NOAA, International) and ground based assets (THEMIS GBOs, TREx, SuperDARN) enable a comprehensive study of global drivers of (and responses to) kinetic processes at the magnetopause, the magnetotail, the inner magnetosphere and the ionosphere. Previously unresolved questions related to the nature of the modes of magnetospheric convection (pseudobreakups, substorms, SMCs and storms) can now be addressed simultaneously at a kinetic level (with multi-spacecraft missions) and at a global level (with the emerging, powerful H/GSO). THEMIS has been tasked to perform orbital changes that will optimize the observatory, and simultaneously place its probes, along with MMS's, at the heart of where critical kinetic processes occur, near sites of magnetic reconnection and magnetic energy conversion, and in optimal view of ground based assets. I will discuss these unique alignments of the H/GSO fleet that can reveal how cross-scale coupling is manifest, allowing us to view old paradigms in a new light.

Design and development of split-parallel through-the road retrofit hybrid electric vehicle with in-wheel motors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zulkifli, S. A.; Syaifuddin Mohd, M.; Maharun, M.; Bakar, N. S. A.; Idris, S.; Samsudin, S. H.; Firmansyah; Adz, J. J.; Misbahulmunir, M.; Abidin, E. Z. Z.; Syafiq Mohd, M.; Saad, N.; Aziz, A. R. A.

2015-12-01

One configuration of the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is the split-axle parallel hybrid, in which an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor provide propulsion power to different axles. A particular sub-type of the split-parallel hybrid does not have the electric motor installed on board the vehicle; instead, two electric motors are placed in the hubs of the non-driven wheels, called ‘hub motor’ or ‘in-wheel motor’ (IWM). Since propulsion power from the ICE and IWM is coupled through the vehicle itself, its wheels and the road on which it moves, this particular configuration is termed ‘through-the-road’ (TTR) hybrid. TTR configuration enables existing ICE-powered vehicles to be retrofitted into an HEV with minimal physical modification. This work describes design of a retrofit- conversion TTR-IWM hybrid vehicle - its sub-systems and development work. Operating modes and power flow of the TTR hybrid, its torque coupling and resultant traction profiles are initially discussed.

Interacting Effects of Light and Iron Availability on the Coupling of Photosynthetic Electron Transport and CO2-Assimilation in Marine Phytoplankton

PubMed Central

Schuback, Nina; Schallenberg, Christina; Duckham, Carolyn; Maldonado, Maria T.; Tortell, Philippe D.

2015-01-01

Iron availability directly affects photosynthesis and limits phytoplankton growth over vast oceanic regions. For this reason, the availability of iron is a crucial variable to consider in the development of active chlorophyll a fluorescence based estimates of phytoplankton primary productivity. These bio-optical approaches require a conversion factor to derive ecologically-relevant rates of CO2-assimilation from estimates of electron transport in photosystem II. The required conversion factor varies significantly across phytoplankton taxa and environmental conditions, but little information is available on its response to iron limitation. In this study, we examine the role of iron limitation, and the interacting effects of iron and light availability, on the coupling of photosynthetic electron transport and CO2-assimilation in marine phytoplankton. Our results show that excess irradiance causes increased decoupling of carbon fixation and electron transport, particularly under iron limiting conditions. We observed that reaction center II specific rates of electron transport (ETRRCII, mol e- mol RCII-1 s-1) increased under iron limitation, and we propose a simple conceptual model for this observation. We also observed a strong correlation between the derived conversion factor and the expression of non-photochemical quenching. Utilizing a dataset from in situ phytoplankton assemblages across a coastal – oceanic transect in the Northeast subarctic Pacific, this relationship was used to predict ETRRCII: CO2-assimilation conversion factors and carbon-based primary productivity from FRRF data, without the need for any additional measurements. PMID:26171963

Quantitative Understanding on the Amplitude Decay Characteristic of the Evanescent Electromagnetic Waves Generated by Seismoelectric Conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Hengxin; Huang, Qinghua; Chen, Xiaofei

2018-03-01

We conduct numerical simulations and theoretical analyses to quantitatively study the amplitude decay characteristic of the evanescent electromagnetic (EM) waves, which has been neglected in previous studies on the seismoelectric conversion occurring at a porous-porous interface. Time slice snapshots of seismic and EM wave-fields generated by a vertical single force point source in a two-layer porous model show that evanescent EM waves can be induced at a porous-porous interface. The seismic and EM wave-fields computed for a receiver array located in a vertical line nearby the interface are investigated in detail. In addition to the direct and interface-response radiation EM waves, we identify three groups of coseismic EM fields and evanescent EM waves associated with the direct P, refracted SV-P and direct SV waves, respectively. Thereafter, we derive the mathematical expression of the amplitude decay factor of the evanescent EM waves. This mathematical expression is further validated by our numerical simulations. It turns out the amplitude decay of the evanescent EM waves generated by seismoelectric conversion is greatly dependent on the horizontal wavenumber of seismic waves. It is also found the evanescent EM waves have a higher detectability at a lower frequency range. This work provides a better understanding on the EM wave-fields generated by seismoelectric conversion, which probably will help improve the interpretation of the seismoelectric coupling phenomena associated with natural earthquakes or possibly will inspire some new ideas on the application of the seismoelectric coupling effect.

Interacting Effects of Light and Iron Availability on the Coupling of Photosynthetic Electron Transport and CO2-Assimilation in Marine Phytoplankton.

PubMed

Schuback, Nina; Schallenberg, Christina; Duckham, Carolyn; Maldonado, Maria T; Tortell, Philippe D

2015-01-01

Iron availability directly affects photosynthesis and limits phytoplankton growth over vast oceanic regions. For this reason, the availability of iron is a crucial variable to consider in the development of active chlorophyll a fluorescence based estimates of phytoplankton primary productivity. These bio-optical approaches require a conversion factor to derive ecologically-relevant rates of CO2-assimilation from estimates of electron transport in photosystem II. The required conversion factor varies significantly across phytoplankton taxa and environmental conditions, but little information is available on its response to iron limitation. In this study, we examine the role of iron limitation, and the interacting effects of iron and light availability, on the coupling of photosynthetic electron transport and CO2-assimilation in marine phytoplankton. Our results show that excess irradiance causes increased decoupling of carbon fixation and electron transport, particularly under iron limiting conditions. We observed that reaction center II specific rates of electron transport (ETR(RCII), mol e- mol RCII(-1) s(-1)) increased under iron limitation, and we propose a simple conceptual model for this observation. We also observed a strong correlation between the derived conversion factor and the expression of non-photochemical quenching. Utilizing a dataset from in situ phytoplankton assemblages across a coastal--oceanic transect in the Northeast subarctic Pacific, this relationship was used to predict ETR(RCII): CO2-assimilation conversion factors and carbon-based primary productivity from FRRF data, without the need for any additional measurements.

Single Plant Root System Modeling under Soil Moisture Variation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yabusaki, S.; Fang, Y.; Chen, X.; Scheibe, T. D.

2016-12-01

A prognostic Virtual Plant-Atmosphere-Soil System (vPASS) model is being developed that integrates comprehensively detailed mechanistic single plant modeling with microbial, atmospheric, and soil system processes in its immediate environment. Three broad areas of process module development are targeted: Incorporating models for root growth and function, rhizosphere interactions with bacteria and other organisms, litter decomposition and soil respiration into established porous media flow and reactive transport models Incorporating root/shoot transport, growth, photosynthesis and carbon allocation process models into an integrated plant physiology model Incorporating transpiration, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emission, particulate deposition and local atmospheric processes into a coupled plant/atmosphere model. The integrated plant ecosystem simulation capability is being developed as open source process modules and associated interfaces under a modeling framework. The initial focus addresses the coupling of root growth, vascular transport system, and soil under drought scenarios. Two types of root water uptake modeling approaches are tested: continuous root distribution and constitutive root system architecture. The continuous root distribution models are based on spatially averaged root development process parameters, which are relatively straightforward to accommodate in the continuum soil flow and reactive transport module. Conversely, the constitutive root system architecture models use root growth rates, root growth direction, and root branching to evolve explicit root geometries. The branching topologies require more complex data structures and additional input parameters. Preliminary results are presented for root model development and the vascular response to temporal and spatial variations in soil conditions.

A 2 × 2 quantum dot array with controllable inter-dot tunnel couplings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukhopadhyay, Uditendu; Dehollain, Juan Pablo; Reichl, Christian; Wegscheider, Werner; Vandersypen, Lieven M. K.

2018-04-01

The interaction between electrons in arrays of electrostatically defined quantum dots is naturally described by a Fermi-Hubbard Hamiltonian. Moreover, the high degree of tunability of these systems makes them a powerful platform to simulate different regimes of the Hubbard model. However, most quantum dot array implementations have been limited to one-dimensional linear arrays. In this letter, we present a square lattice unit cell of 2 × 2 quantum dots defined electrostatically in an AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure using a double-layer gate technique. We probe the properties of the array using nearby quantum dots operated as charge sensors. We show that we can deterministically and dynamically control the charge occupation in each quantum dot in the single- to few-electron regime. Additionally, we achieve simultaneous individual control of the nearest-neighbor tunnel couplings over a range of 0-40 μeV. Finally, we demonstrate fast (˜1 μs) single-shot readout of the spin state of electrons in the dots through spin-to-charge conversion via Pauli spin blockade. These advances pave the way for analog quantum simulations in two dimensions, not previously accessible in quantum dot systems.

Feynman-diagrams approach to the quantum Rabi model for ultrastrong cavity QED: stimulated emission and reabsorption of virtual particles dressing a physical excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Stefano, Omar; Stassi, Roberto; Garziano, Luigi; Frisk Kockum, Anton; Savasta, Salvatore; Nori, Franco

2017-05-01

In quantum field theory, bare particles are dressed by a cloud of virtual particles to form physical particles. The virtual particles affect properties such as the mass and charge of the physical particles, and it is only these modified properties that can be measured in experiments, not the properties of the bare particles. The influence of virtual particles is prominent in the ultrastrong-coupling regime of cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED), which has recently been realised in several condensed-matter systems. In some of these systems, the effective interaction between atom-like transitions and the cavity photons can be switched on or off by external control pulses. This offers unprecedented possibilities for exploring quantum vacuum fluctuations and the relation between physical and bare particles. We consider a single three-level quantum system coupled to an optical resonator. Here we show that, by applying external electromagnetic pulses of suitable amplitude and frequency, each virtual photon dressing a physical excitation in cavity-QED systems can be converted into a physical observable photon, and back again. In this way, the hidden relationship between the bare and the physical excitations can be unravelled and becomes experimentally testable. The conversion between virtual and physical photons can be clearly pictured using Feynman diagrams with cut loops.

Fully Controllable Pancharatnam-Berry Metasurface Array with High Conversion Efficiency and Broad Bandwidth

PubMed Central

Liu, Chuanbao; Bai, Yang; Zhao, Qian; Yang, Yihao; Chen, Hongsheng; Zhou, Ji; Qiao, Lijie

2016-01-01

Metasurfaces have powerful abilities to manipulate the properties of electromagnetic waves flexibly, especially the modulation of polarization state for both linearly polarized (LP) and circularly polarized (CP) waves. However, the transmission efficiency of cross-polarization conversion by a single-layer metasurface has a low theoretical upper limit of 25% and the bandwidth is usually narrow, which cannot be resolved by their simple additions. Here, we efficiently manipulate polarization coupling in multilayer metasurface to promote the transmission of cross-polarization by Fabry-Perot resonance, so that a high conversion coefficient of 80–90% of CP wave is achieved within a broad bandwidth in the metasurface with C-shaped scatters by theoretical calculation, numerical simulation and experiments. Further, fully controlling Pancharatnam-Berry phase enables to realize polarized beam splitter, which is demonstrated to produce abnormal transmission with high conversion efficiency and broad bandwidth. PMID:27703254

Kinetic modelling of the optically stimulated conversion of peaks 5a and 5 to peak 4 in LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100).

PubMed

Weizman, Y; Horowitz, Y S; Oster, L

2002-01-01

The TC/LC conversion model for peaks 4, 5a and 5 in LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) has been studied by solution of the coupled differential equations describing the charge carrier traffic following optical stimulation. Aspects of the model investigated were (i) the two-component exponential decay of the composite peak 5 TL intensity following the bleach, (ii) the role of retrapping during bleaching, (iii) the hole nature of peak 4 and (iv) the conversion of peak 5a traps to peak 4 traps. The high conversion efficiency is naturally explained due to the absence of conduction band competitive mechanisms in the optical ionisation of the electron in the e-h occupied structure corresponding to peak 5a and thereby leading to the hole-only occupied TC/LC leading to peak 4.

Hydrogen adsorption on two catalysts for the ortho- to parahydrogen conversion: Cr-doped silica and ferric oxide gel.

PubMed

Hartl, Monika; Gillis, Robert Chad; Daemen, Luke; Olds, Daniel P; Page, Katherine; Carlson, Stefan; Cheng, Yongqiang; Hügle, Thomas; Iverson, Erik B; Ramirez-Cuesta, A J; Lee, Yongjoong; Muhrer, Günter

2016-06-29

Molecular hydrogen exists in two spin-rotation coupled states: parahydrogen and orthohydrogen. Due to the variation of energy with rotational level, the occupation of ortho- and parahydrogen states is temperature dependent, with parahydrogen being the dominant species at low temperatures. The equilibrium at 20 K (99.8% parahydrogen) can be reached by natural conversion only after a lengthy process. With the use of a suitable catalyst, this process can be shortened significantly. Two types of commercial catalysts currently being used for ortho- to parahydrogen conversion are: iron(iii) oxide (Fe2O3, IONEX®), and chromium(ii) oxide doped silica catalyst (CrO·SiO2, OXISORB®). We investigate the interaction of ortho- and parahydrogen with the surfaces of these ortho-para conversion catalysts using neutron vibrational spectroscopy. The catalytic surfaces have been characterized using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray/neutron pair distribution function measurements.

Analytical model for tilting proprotor aircraft dynamics, including blade torsion and coupled bending modes, and conversion mode operation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, W.

1974-01-01

An analytical model is developed for proprotor aircraft dynamics. The rotor model includes coupled flap-lag bending modes, and blade torsion degrees of freedom. The rotor aerodynamic model is generally valid for high and low inflow, and for axial and nonaxial flight. For the rotor support, a cantilever wing is considered; incorporation of a more general support with this rotor model will be a straight-forward matter.

Production of Nitrous Oxide from Nitrite in Stable Type II Methanotrophic Enrichments.

PubMed

Myung, Jaewook; Wang, Zhiyue; Yuan, Tong; Zhang, Ping; Van Nostrand, Joy D; Zhou, Jizhong; Criddle, Craig S

2015-09-15

The coupled aerobic-anoxic nitrous decomposition operation is a new process for wastewater treatment that removes nitrogen from wastewater and recovers energy from the nitrogen in three steps: (1) NH4(+) oxidation to NO2(-), (2) NO2(-) reduction to N2O, and (3) N2O conversion to N2 with energy production. Here, we demonstrate that type II methanotrophic enrichments can mediate step two by coupling oxidation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) to NO2(-) reduction. Enrichments grown with NH4(+) and NO2(-) were subject to alternating 48-h aerobic and anoxic periods, in which CH4 and NO2(-) were added together in a "coupled" mode of operation or separately in a "decoupled mode". Community structure was stable in both modes and dominated by Methylocystis. In the coupled mode, production of P3HB and N2O was low. In the decoupled mode, significant P3HB was produced, and oxidation of P3HB drove reduction of NO2(-) to N2O with ∼ 70% conversion for >30 cycles (120 d). In batch tests of wasted cells from the decoupled mode, N2O production rates increased at low O2 or high NO2(-) levels. The results are significant for the development of engineered processes that remove nitrogen from wastewater and for understanding of conditions that favor environmental production of N2O.

Real Time-NIR/MIR-Photorheology: A Versatile Tool for the in Situ Characterization of Photopolymerization Reactions.

PubMed

Gorsche, Christian; Harikrishna, Reghunathan; Baudis, Stefan; Knaack, Patrick; Husar, Branislav; Laeuger, Joerg; Hoffmann, Helmuth; Liska, Robert

2017-05-02

In photopolymerization reactions, mostly multifunctional monomers are employed, as they ensure fast reaction times and good final mechanical properties of the cured materials. Drawing conclusions about the influence of the components and curing conditions on the mechanical properties of the subsequently formed insoluble networks is challenging. Therefore, an in situ observation of chemical and mechanical characteristics during the photopolymerization reaction is desired. By coupling of an infrared spectrometer with a photorheometer, a broad spectrum of different photopolymerizable formulations can be analyzed during the curing reaction. The rheological information (i.e., time to gelation, final modulus, shrinkage force) can be derived from a parallel plate rheometer equipped with a UV- and IR-translucent window (glass for NIR and CaF 2 window for MIR). Chemical information (i.e., conversion at the gel point and final conversion) is gained by monitoring the decrease of the corresponding IR-peak for the reactive monomer unit (e.g., C═C double bond peak for (meth)acrylates, H-S thiol and C═C double bond peak in thiol-ene systems, C-O epoxy peak for epoxy resins). Depending on the relative concentration of reactive functional groups in the sample volume and the intensity of the IR signal, the conversion can be monitored in the near-infrared region (e.g., acrylate double bonds, epoxy groups) or the MIR region (e.g., thiol signal). Moreover, an integrated Peltier element and external heating hood enable the characterization of photopolymerization reactions at elevated temperatures, which also widens the window of application to resins that are waxy or solid at ambient conditions. By switching from water to heavy water, the chemical conversion during photopolymerization of hydrogel precursor formulations can also be examined. Moreover, this device could also represent an analytical tool for a variety of thermally and redox initiated systems.

A Closed Brayton Power Conversion Unit Concept for Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Deep Space Missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joyner, Claude Russell; Fowler, Bruce; Matthews, John

2003-01-01

In space, whether in a stable satellite orbit around a planetary body or traveling as a deep space exploration craft, power is just as important as the propulsion. The need for power is especially important for in-space vehicles that use Electric Propulsion. Using nuclear power with electric propulsion has the potential to provide increased payload fractions and reduced mission times to the outer planets. One of the critical engineering and design aspects of nuclear electric propulsion at required mission optimized power levels is the mechanism that is used to convert the thermal energy of the reactor to electrical power. The use of closed Brayton cycles has been studied over the past 30 or years and shown to be the optimum approach for power requirements that range from ten to hundreds of kilowatts of power. It also has been found to be scalable to higher power levels. The Closed Brayton Cycle (CBC) engine power conversion unit (PCU) is the most flexible for a wide range of power conversion needs and uses state-of-the-art, demonstrated engineering approaches. It also is in use with many commercial power plants today. The long life requirements and need for uninterrupted operation for nuclear electric propulsion demands high reliability from a CBC engine. A CBC engine design for use with a Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) system has been defined based on Pratt & Whitney's data from designing long-life turbo-machines such as the Space Shuttle turbopumps and military gas turbines and the use of proven integrated control/health management systems (EHMS). An integrated CBC and EHMS design that is focused on using low-risk and proven technologies will over come many of the life-related design issues. This paper will discuss the use of a CBC engine as the power conversion unit coupled to a gas-cooled nuclear reactor and the design trends relative to its use for powering electric thrusters in the 25 kWe to 100kWe power level.

Light coupling into the Whispering Gallery Modes of a fiber array thin film solar cell for fixed partial Sun tracking

PubMed Central

Mariano, Marina; Rodríguez, Francisco J.; Romero-Gomez, Pablo; Kozyreff, Gregory; Martorell, Jordi

2014-01-01

We propose the use of whispering gallery mode coupling in a novel configuration based on implementing a thin film cell on the backside of an array of parallel fibers. We performed numerical calculations using the parameters of a thin film organic cell which demonstrate that light coupling becomes more effective as the angle for the incident light relative to the fiber array normal increases up to an optimal angle close to 55 deg. At this angle the power conversion efficiency of the fiber array solar cell we propose becomes 30% times larger than the one from an equivalent planar cell configuration. We demonstrate that the micro fiber array solar cell we propose may perform an effective partial tracking of the sun movement for over 100 degrees without any mechanical help. In addition, in the event that such fiber array cell would be installed with the adequate orientation on a vertical façade, an optimal photon-to-charge conversion would be reached for sunlight incident at 55 deg with respect to the horizon line, very close to the yearly average position for the sun at Latitude of 40 deg.

Novel Nuclear Powered Photocatalytic Energy Conversion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

White,John R.; Kinsmen,Douglas; Regan,Thomas M.

2005-08-29

The University of Massachusetts Lowell Radiation Laboratory (UMLRL) is involved in a comprehensive project to investigate a unique radiation sensing and energy conversion technology with applications for in-situ monitoring of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) during cask transport and storage. The technology makes use of the gamma photons emitted from the SNF as an inherent power source for driving a GPS-class transceiver that has the ability to verify the position and contents of the SNF cask. The power conversion process, which converts the gamma photon energy into electrical power, is based on a variation of the successful dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)more » design developed by Konarka Technologies, Inc. (KTI). In particular, the focus of the current research is to make direct use of the high-energy gamma photons emitted from SNF, coupled with a scintillator material to convert some of the incident gamma photons into photons having wavelengths within the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The high-energy gammas from the SNF will generate some power directly via Compton scattering and the photoelectric effect, and the generated visible photons output from the scintillator material can also be converted to electrical power in a manner similar to that of a standard solar cell. Upon successful implementation of an energy conversion device based on this new gammavoltaic principle, this inherent power source could then be utilized within SNF storage casks to drive a tamper-proof, low-power, electronic detection/security monitoring system for the spent fuel. The current project has addressed several aspects associated with this new energy conversion concept, including the development of a base conceptual design for an inherent gamma-induced power conversion unit for SNF monitoring, the characterization of the radiation environment that can be expected within a typical SNF storage system, the initial evaluation of Konarka's base solar cell design, the design and fabrication of a range of new cell materials and geometries at Konarka's manufacturing facilities, and the irradiation testing and evaluation of these new cell designs within the UML Radiation Laboratory. The primary focus of all this work was to establish the proof of concept of the basic gammavoltaic principle using a new class of dye-sensitized photon converter (DSPC) materials based on KTI's original DSSC design. In achieving this goal, this report clearly establishes the viability of the basic gammavoltaic energy conversion concept, yet it also identifies a set of challenges that must be met for practical implementation of this new technology.« less

[Comparative analysis of the non-profit, for-profit and public hospital providers: American experiences].

PubMed

Mogyorósy, Zsolt

2004-07-04

The new legislation allowed hospitals and other health care facilities to be converted into for-profit status. The detailed regulatory framework is under development in Hungary. This article reviews the literature of studies comparing hospital financial performance and the quality of care before and after conversion from public or non-profit status to for-profit. Studies were identified through electronic search of Medline (Pubmed), EconLit, Cochrane Library, Economic Evaluation Database (EED), az Health Technology Assessment (HTA) databases, library files and reference lists. The literature search was extended to the Internet, World Bank, International Labor Office (ILO), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and WHO websites as well as government, academic institutions and large insurance companies web pages for unpublished online information. Time series and before-after studies and systematic literature reviews were included. The conversion from non-profit to for-profit status improved the profitability of the hospitals. However the quality of care (measures in mortality, frequency of side effects, complications) might suffer in the first couple years of the conversion. The conversion may increase the total health care expenditures per capita. Trustful relationship between patients and physicians may also be threatened. The generalisability of the American experiences into the Hungarian single payer system may be limited. From societal point of view, for-profit providers could provide socially beneficial care in areas where it is possible to define, monitor and evaluate the nature and quality characteristics of the services, as well as market competition can be ensured. However most of the healthcare services are too complex to fall into this category.

Education System Benefits of U.S. Metric Conversion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phelps, Richard P.

1996-01-01

U.S. metric conversion efforts are reviewed as they have affected education. Education system benefits and costs are estimated for three possible system conversion plans. The soft-conversion-to-metric plan, which drops all inch-pound instruction, appears to provide the largest net benefits. The primary benefit is in class time saved. (SLD)

5 CFR 534.406 - Conversion to the SES pay system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Conversion to the SES pay system. 534.406... UNDER OTHER SYSTEMS Pay and Performance Awards Under the Senior Executive Service § 534.406 Conversion... senior executive's converted rate of basic pay. Conversion to a new SES rate of basic pay is not...

IECEC '84: Advanced energy systems - Their role in our future; Proceedings of the Nineteenth Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, San Francisco, CA, August 19-24, 1984. Volumes 1, 2, 3, & 4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Among the topics discussed are: advanced energy conversion concepts, power sources for aircraft and spacecraft, alternate fuels for industrial and vehicular applications, biomass-derived fuels, electric vehicle design and development status, electrochemical energy conversion systems, electric power generation cycles, energy-efficient industrial processes, and energy policy and system analysis. Also discussed are advanced methods for energy storage and transport, fossil fuel conversion systems, geothermal energy system development and performance, novel and advanced heat engines, hydrogen fuel-based energy systems, MHD technology development status, nuclear energy systems, solar energy conversion methods, advanced heating and cooling systems, Stirling cycle device development, terrestrial photovoltaic systems, and thermoelectric and thermionic systems.

Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation by GaAs Nanowire Arrays Protected with Atomic Layer Deposited NiO x Electrocatalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Joy; Xu, Xiaoqing; Parameshwaran, Vijay; Baker, Jon; Bent, Stacey; Wong, H.-S. Philip; Clemens, Bruce

2018-02-01

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production makes possible the direct conversion of solar energy into chemical fuel. In this work, PEC photoanodes consisting of GaAs nanowire (NW) arrays were fabricated, characterized, and then demonstrated for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Uniform and periodic GaAs nanowire arrays were grown on a heavily n-doped GaAs substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition selective area growth. The nanowire arrays were characterized using cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy in a non-aqueous electrochemical system using ferrocene/ferrocenium (Fc/Fc+) as a redox couple, and a maximum oxidation photocurrent of 11.1 mA/cm2 was measured. GaAs NW arrays with a 36 nm layer of nickel oxide (NiO x ) synthesized by atomic layer deposition were then used as photoanodes to drive the OER. In addition to acting as an electrocatalyst, the NiO x layer served to protect the GaAs NWs from oxidative corrosion. Using this strategy, GaAs NW photoanodes were successfully used for the oxygen evolution reaction. This is the first demonstration of GaAs NW arrays for effective OER, and the fabrication and protection strategy developed in this work can be extended to study any other nanostructured semiconductor materials systems for electrochemical solar energy conversion.

Theory of the Spin Galvanic Effect at Oxide Interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seibold, Götz; Caprara, Sergio; Grilli, Marco; Raimondi, Roberto

2017-12-01

The spin galvanic effect (SGE) describes the conversion of a nonequilibrium spin polarization into a transverse charge current. Recent experiments have demonstrated a large conversion efficiency for the two-dimensional electron gas formed at the interface between two insulating oxides, LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 . Here, we analyze the SGE for oxide interfaces within a three-band model for the Ti t2 g orbitals which displays an interesting variety of effective spin-orbit couplings in the individual bands that contribute differently to the spin-charge conversion. Our analytical approach is supplemented by a numerical treatment where we also investigate the influence of disorder and temperature, which turns out to be crucial to providing an appropriate description of the experimental data.

Comparison of advanced thermal and electrical storage for parabolic dish solar thermal power systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujita, T.; Birur, G. C.; Schredder, J. M.; Bowyer, J. M.; Awaya, H. I.

Parabolic dish solar concentrator cluster concepts are explored, with attention given to thermal storage systems coupled to Stirling and Brayton cycle power conversion devices. Sensible heat storage involving molten salt (NaOH), liquid sodium, and solid cordierite bricks are considered for 1500 F thermal storage systems. Latent heat storage with NaF-MgF2 phase change materials are explored in terms of passive, active, and direct contact designs. Comparisons are made of the effectiveness of thermal storage relative to redox, Na-S, Zn-Cl, and Zn-Br battery storage systems. Molten lead trickling down through a phase change eutectic, the NaF-MgF2, formed the direct contact system. Heat transport in all systems is effected through Inconel pipes. Using a cost goal of 120-150 mills/kWh as the controlling parameter, sensible heat systems with molten salts transport with either Stirling or Brayton engines, or latent heat systems with Stirling engines, and latent heat-Brayton engine with direct contact were favored in the analyses. Battery storage systems, however, offered the most flexibility of applications.

Comparison of advanced thermal and electrical storage for parabolic dish solar thermal power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fujita, T.; Birur, G. C.; Schredder, J. M.; Bowyer, J. M.; Awaya, H. I.

1982-01-01

Parabolic dish solar concentrator cluster concepts are explored, with attention given to thermal storage systems coupled to Stirling and Brayton cycle power conversion devices. Sensible heat storage involving molten salt (NaOH), liquid sodium, and solid cordierite bricks are considered for 1500 F thermal storage systems. Latent heat storage with NaF-MgF2 phase change materials are explored in terms of passive, active, and direct contact designs. Comparisons are made of the effectiveness of thermal storage relative to redox, Na-S, Zn-Cl, and Zn-Br battery storage systems. Molten lead trickling down through a phase change eutectic, the NaF-MgF2, formed the direct contact system. Heat transport in all systems is effected through Inconel pipes. Using a cost goal of 120-150 mills/kWh as the controlling parameter, sensible heat systems with molten salts transport with either Stirling or Brayton engines, or latent heat systems with Stirling engines, and latent heat-Brayton engine with direct contact were favored in the analyses. Battery storage systems, however, offered the most flexibility of applications.

Single-molecule interfacial electron transfer dynamics in solar energy conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhital, Bharat

This dissertation work investigated the parameters affecting the interfacial electron transfer (ET) dynamics in dye-semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) system by using single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging combined with electrochemistry. The influence of the molecule-substrate electronic coupling, the molecular structure, binding geometry on the surface and the molecule-attachment surface chemistry on interfacial charge transfer processes was studied on zinc porphyrin-TiO2 NP systems. The fluorescence blinking measurement on TiO2 NP demonstrated that electronic coupling regulates dynamics of charge transfer processes at the interface depending on the conformation of molecule on the surface. Moreover, semiconductor surface charge induced electronic coupling of molecule which is electrostatically adsorbed on the semiconductor surface also predominantly alters the ET dynamics. Furthermore, interfacial electric field and electron accepting state density dependent ET dynamics has been dissected in zinc porphyrin-TiO2 NP system by observing the single-molecule fluorescence blinking dynamics and fluorescence lifetime with and without applied bias. The significant difference in fluorescence fluctuation and lifetime suggested the modulation of charge transfer dynamics at the interface with external electric field perturbation. Quasi-continuous distribution of fluorescence intensity with applied negative potential was attributed to the faster charge recombination due to reduced density of electron accepting states. The driving force and electron accepting state density ET dependent dynamics has also been probed in zinc porphyrin-TiO2 NP and zinc porphyrin-indium tin oxide (ITO) systems. Study of a molecule adsorbed on two different semiconductors (ITO and TiO2), with large difference in electron densities and distinct driving forces, allows us to observe the changes in rates of back electron transfer process reflected by the suppressed fluorescence blinking of molecule on ITO surface. Finally, the electric field effect on the interface properties has been probed by using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and supported by density functional theory calculations in alizarin-TiO2 system. The perturbation, created by the external potential, has been observed to cause a shift and/or splitting interfacial bond vibrational mode, typical indicator of the coupling energy changes between alizarin and TiO2. Such splitting provides evidence for electric field-dependent electronic coupling changes that have a significant impact on the interfacial electron transfer dynamics.

Development of a breadboard design of a high-performance, high-reliability switching regulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindena, S. J.

1975-01-01

A comparison of two potential conversion methods, the series inverter and the inductive energy transfer (IET) conversion technique, is presented. The investigations showed that a characteristic of the series inverter circuit (high equalizing current values in each half cycle) could not be accomplished with available components, and the investigations continued with the IET circuit only. An IET circuit system was built with the use of computer-aided design in a 2, 4, and 8 stage configuration, and these stages were staggered 180, 90, and 45 degrees, respectively. All stages were pulsewidth modulated to regulate over an input voltage range from 200 to 400 volts dc at a regulated output voltage of 56 volts. The output power capability was 100 to 500 watts for the 2 and 8 stage configuration and 50 to 250 watts for the 4 stage configuration. Equal control of up to eight 45 degree staggered stages was accomplished through the use of a digital-to-analog control circuit. Equal power sharing of all stages was achieved through a new technique using an inductively coupled balancing circuit. Conclusions are listed.

Analysis of Thermal Losses for a Variety of Single-Junction Photovoltaic Cells: An Interesting Means of Thermoelectric Heat Recovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorenzi, Bruno; Acciarri, Maurizio; Narducci, Dario

2015-06-01

Exploitation of solar energy conversion has become a fundamental aspect of satisfying a growing demand for energy. Thus, improvement of the efficiency of conversion in photovoltaic (PV) devices is highly desirable to further promote this source. Because it is well known that the most relevant efficiency constraint, especially for single-junction solar cells, is unused heat within the device, hybrid thermo-photovoltaic systems seem promising . Among several hybrid solutions proposed in the literature, coupling of thermoelectric and PV devices seems one of the most interesting. Taking full advantage of this technology requires proper definition and analysis of the thermal losses occurring in PV cells. In this communication we propose a novel analysis of such losses, decoupling source-dependent and absorber-dependent losses. This analysis enables an evaluation of the actual recoverable amount of energy, depending on the absorber used in the PV cell. It shows that for incoming solar irradiation of , and depending on the choice of material, the maximum available thermal power ranges from (for single-crystal silicon) to (for amorphous silicon).