Numerical study of soap-film flow by nonuniform alternating electric fields.

PubMed

Nasiri, M; Shirsavar, R; Mollaei, S; Ramos, A

2017-02-01

Fluid flow of suspended liquid films induced by non-uniform alternating electric fields has been reported. The electric fields were generated by two rod-like electrodes perpendicular to the fluid surface. The observed fluid flow was explained qualitatively by considering a charge induction mechanism, where the electric field actuates on the charge induced on the film surface. In this paper we perform a numerical study of this fluid flow taking into account the charge induction mechanism. The numerical results are compared with experiments and good agreement is found. Finally, we propose the application of the device as a new kind of two dimensional fluid pump.

Gelled-electrolyte batteries for electric vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuphorn, Hans

Increasing problems of air pollution have pushed activities of electric vehicle projects worldwide and in spite of projects for developing new battery systems for high energy densities, today lead/acid batteries are almost the single system, ready for technical usage in this application. Valve-regulated lead/acid batteries with gelled electrolyte have the advantage that no maintenance is required and because the gel system does not cause problems with electrolyte stratification, no additional appliances for central filling or acid addition are required, which makes the system simple. Those batteries with high density active masses indicate high endurance results and field tests with 40 VW-CityStromers, equipped with 96 V/160 A h gel batteries with thermal management show good results during four years. In addition, gelled lead/acid batteries possess superior high rate performance compared with conventional lead/acid batteries, which guarantees good acceleration results of the car and which makes the system recommendable for application in electric vehicles.

Performance and operational economics estimates for a coal gasification combined-cycle cogeneration powerplant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nainiger, J. J.; Burns, R. K.; Easley, A. J.

1982-01-01

A performance and operational economics analysis is presented for an integrated-gasifier, combined-cycle (IGCC) system to meet the steam and baseload electrical requirements. The effect of time variations in steam and electrial requirements is included. The amount and timing of electricity purchases from sales to the electric utility are determined. The resulting expenses for purchased electricity and revenues from electricity sales are estimated by using an assumed utility rate structure model. Cogeneration results for a range of potential IGCC cogeneration system sizes are compared with the fuel consumption and costs of natural gas and electricity to meet requirements without cogeneration. The results indicate that an IGCC cogeneration system could save about 10 percent of the total fuel energy presently required to supply steam and electrical requirements without cogeneration. Also for the assumed future fuel and electricity prices, an annual operating cost savings of 21 percent to 26 percent could be achieved with such a cogeneration system. An analysis of the effects of electricity price, fuel price, and system availability indicates that the IGCC cogeneration system has a good potential for economical operation over a wide range in these assumptions.

Microfabricated structures with electrical isolation and interconnections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, William A. (Inventor); Juneau, Thor N. (Inventor); Roessig, Allen W. (Inventor); Lemkin, Mark A. (Inventor)

2001-01-01

The invention is directed to a microfabricated device. The device includes a substrate that is etched to define mechanical structures at least some of which are anchored laterally to the remainder of the substrate. Electrical isolation at points where mechanical structures are attached to the substrate is provided by filled isolation trenches. Filled trenches may also be used to electrically isolate structure elements from each other at points where mechanical attachment of structure elements is desired. The performance of microelectromechanical devices is improved by 1) having a high-aspect-ratio between vertical and lateral dimensions of the mechanical elements, 2) integrating electronics on the same substrate as the mechanical elements, 3) good electrical isolation among mechanical elements and circuits except where electrical interconnection is desired.

A charge-based model of Junction Barrier Schottky rectifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latorre-Rey, Alvaro D.; Mudholkar, Mihir; Quddus, Mohammed T.; Salih, Ali

2018-06-01

A new charge-based model of the electric field distribution for Junction Barrier Schottky (JBS) diodes is presented, based on the description of the charge-sharing effect between the vertical Schottky junction and the lateral pn-junctions that constitute the active cell of the device. In our model, the inherently 2-D problem is transformed into a simple but accurate 1-D problem which has a closed analytical solution that captures the reshaping and reduction of the electric field profile responsible for the improved electrical performance of these devices, while preserving physically meaningful expressions that depend on relevant device parameters. The validation of the model is performed by comparing calculated electric field profiles with drift-diffusion simulations of a JBS device showing good agreement. Even though other fully 2-D models already available provide higher accuracy, they lack physical insight making the proposed model an useful tool for device design.

An Effective Electrical Resonance-Based Method to Detect Delamination in Thermal Barrier Coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jong Min; Park, Jae-Ha; Lee, Ho Girl; Kim, Hak-Joon; Song, Sung-Jin; Seok, Chang-Sung; Lee, Young-Ze

2017-12-01

This research proposes a simple yet highly sensitive method based on electrical resonance of an eddy-current probe to detect delamination of thermal barrier coating (TBC). This method can directly measure the mechanical characteristics of TBC compared to conventional ultrasonic testing and infrared thermography methods. The electrical resonance-based method can detect the delamination of TBC from the metallic bond coat by shifting the electrical impedance of eddy current testing (ECT) probe coupling with degraded TBC, and, due to this shift, the resonant frequencies near the peak impedance of ECT probe revealed high sensitivity to the delamination. In order to verify the performance of the proposed method, a simple experiment is performed with degraded TBC specimens by thermal cyclic exposure. Consequently, the delamination with growth of thermally grown oxide in a TBC system is experimentally identified. Additionally, the results are in good agreement with the results obtained from ultrasonic C-scanning.

An Effective Electrical Resonance-Based Method to Detect Delamination in Thermal Barrier Coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jong Min; Park, Jae-Ha; Lee, Ho Girl; Kim, Hak-Joon; Song, Sung-Jin; Seok, Chang-Sung; Lee, Young-Ze

2018-02-01

This research proposes a simple yet highly sensitive method based on electrical resonance of an eddy-current probe to detect delamination of thermal barrier coating (TBC). This method can directly measure the mechanical characteristics of TBC compared to conventional ultrasonic testing and infrared thermography methods. The electrical resonance-based method can detect the delamination of TBC from the metallic bond coat by shifting the electrical impedance of eddy current testing (ECT) probe coupling with degraded TBC, and, due to this shift, the resonant frequencies near the peak impedance of ECT probe revealed high sensitivity to the delamination. In order to verify the performance of the proposed method, a simple experiment is performed with degraded TBC specimens by thermal cyclic exposure. Consequently, the delamination with growth of thermally grown oxide in a TBC system is experimentally identified. Additionally, the results are in good agreement with the results obtained from ultrasonic C-scanning.

Humidity-Induced Charge Leakage and Field Attenuation in Electric Field Microsensors

PubMed Central

Zhang, Haiyan; Fang, Dongming; Yang, Pengfei; Peng, Chunrong; Wen, Xiaolong; Xia, Shanhong

2012-01-01

The steady-state zero output of static electric field measuring systems often fluctuates, which is caused mainly by the finite leakage resistance of the water film on the surface of the electric field microsensor package. The water adsorption has been calculated using the Boltzmann distribution equation at various relative humidities for borosilicate glass and polytetrafluoroethylene surfaces. At various humidities, water film thickness has been calculated, and the induced charge leakage and field attenuation have been theoretically investigated. Experiments have been performed with microsensors to verify the theoretical predictions and the results are in good agreement. PMID:22666077

Micro-economic analysis of the physical constrained markets: game theory application to competitive electricity markets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bompard, E.; Ma, Y. C.; Ragazzi, E.

2006-03-01

Competition has been introduced in the electricity markets with the goal of reducing prices and improving efficiency. The basic idea which stays behind this choice is that, in competitive markets, a greater quantity of the good is exchanged at a lower price, leading to higher market efficiency. Electricity markets are pretty different from other commodities mainly due to the physical constraints related to the network structure that may impact the market performance. The network structure of the system on which the economic transactions need to be undertaken poses strict physical and operational constraints. Strategic interactions among producers that game the market with the objective of maximizing their producer surplus must be taken into account when modeling competitive electricity markets. The physical constraints, specific of the electricity markets, provide additional opportunity of gaming to the market players. Game theory provides a tool to model such a context. This paper discussed the application of game theory to physical constrained electricity markets with the goal of providing tools for assessing the market performance and pinpointing the critical network constraints that may impact the market efficiency. The basic models of game theory specifically designed to represent the electricity markets will be presented. IEEE30 bus test system of the constrained electricity market will be discussed to show the network impacts on the market performances in presence of strategic bidding behavior of the producers.

High-surface-area nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide for electric double-layer capacitors

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

Youn, Hee-Chang; Bak, Seong-Min; Kim, Myeong-Seong

A two-step method consisting of solid-state microwave irradiation and heat treatment under NH₃ gas was used to prepare nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-RGO) with a high specific surface area (1007m²g⁻¹), high electrical conductivity (1532S m⁻¹), and low oxygen content (1.5 wt%) for electric double-layer capacitor applications. The specific capacitance of N-RGO was 291 Fg⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹, and a capacitance of 261 F g⁻¹ was retained at 50 A g⁻¹, indicating a very good rate capability. N-RGO also showed excellent cycling stability, preserving 96% of the initial specific capacitance after 100,000 cycles. Near-edge X-ray absorptionmore » fine-structure spectroscopy evidenced the recover of π-conjugation in the carbon networks with the removal of oxygenated groups and revealed the chemical bonding of the nitrogen atoms in N-RGO. The good electrochemical performance of N-RGO is attributed to its high surface area, high electrical conductivity, and low oxygen content.« less

High-surface-area nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide for electric double-layer capacitors

DOE PAGES

Youn, Hee-Chang; Bak, Seong-Min; Kim, Myeong-Seong; ...

2015-06-08

A two-step method consisting of solid-state microwave irradiation and heat treatment under NH₃ gas was used to prepare nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-RGO) with a high specific surface area (1007m²g⁻¹), high electrical conductivity (1532S m⁻¹), and low oxygen content (1.5 wt%) for electric double-layer capacitor applications. The specific capacitance of N-RGO was 291 Fg⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹, and a capacitance of 261 F g⁻¹ was retained at 50 A g⁻¹, indicating a very good rate capability. N-RGO also showed excellent cycling stability, preserving 96% of the initial specific capacitance after 100,000 cycles. Near-edge X-ray absorptionmore » fine-structure spectroscopy evidenced the recover of π-conjugation in the carbon networks with the removal of oxygenated groups and revealed the chemical bonding of the nitrogen atoms in N-RGO. The good electrochemical performance of N-RGO is attributed to its high surface area, high electrical conductivity, and low oxygen content.« less

Solar powered dispensary in Tibet

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

Ahmed, S.F.; Rittelmann, P.R.; Kingman, K.

1995-11-01

A solar powered dispensary has been designed in Kastel, Tibet. This area is characterized by cold winters and clear skies. Solar energy systems are designed to provide space heating, water heating and electric power. since sources of auxiliary fuel are scarce, the building has been designed to provide heating by the sun only. Innovative use of daylighting is made to reduce the lighting electricity requirements. The design presented provides a good compromise between performance and the cost of the system.

Employment of single-diode model to elucidate the variations in photovoltaic parameters under different electrical and thermal conditions

PubMed Central

Hameed, Shilan S.; Aziz, Fakhra; Sulaiman, Khaulah; Ahmad, Zubair

2017-01-01

In this research work, numerical simulations are performed to correlate the photovoltaic parameters with various internal and external factors influencing the performance of solar cells. Single-diode modeling approach is utilized for this purpose and theoretical investigations are compared with the reported experimental evidences for organic and inorganic solar cells at various electrical and thermal conditions. Electrical parameters include parasitic resistances (Rs and Rp) and ideality factor (n), while thermal parameters can be defined by the cells temperature (T). A comprehensive analysis concerning broad spectral variations in the short circuit current (Isc), open circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF) and efficiency (η) is presented and discussed. It was generally concluded that there exists a good agreement between the simulated results and experimental findings. Nevertheless, the controversial consequence of temperature impact on the performance of organic solar cells necessitates the development of a complementary model which is capable of well simulating the temperature impact on these devices performance. PMID:28793325

Central receiver solar thermal power system, Phase 1. CDRL item 2. Pilot plant preliminary design report. Volume VI. Electrical power generation and master control subsystems and balance of plant

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

Hallet, Jr., R. W.; Gervais, R. L.

1977-10-01

The requirements, performance, and subsystem configuration for both the Commercial and Pilot Plant electrical power generation subsystems (EPGS) and balance of plants are presented. The EPGS for both the Commercial Plant and Pilot Plant make use of conventional, proven equipment consistent with good power plant design practices in order to minimize risk and maximize reliability. The basic EPGS cycle selected is a regenerative cycle that uses a single automatic admission, condensing, tandem-compound double-flow turbine. Specifications, performance data, drawings, and schematics are included. (WHK)

Novel CPR system that predicts return of spontaneous circulation from amplitude spectral area before electric shock in ventricular fibrillation.

PubMed

Nakagawa, Yoshihide; Amino, Mari; Inokuchi, Sadaki; Hayashi, Satoshi; Wakabayashi, Tsutomu; Noda, Tatsuya

2017-04-01

Amplitude spectral area (AMSA), an index for analysing ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveforms, is thought to predict the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after electric shocks, but its validity is unconfirmed. We developed an equation to predict ROSC, where the change in AMSA (ΔAMSA) is added to AMSA measured immediately before the first shock (AMSA1). We examine the validity of this equation by comparing it with the conventional AMSA1-only equation. We retrospectively investigated 285 VF patients given prehospital electric shocks by emergency medical services. ΔAMSA was calculated by subtracting AMSA1 from last AMSA immediately before the last prehospital electric shock. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed using post-shock ROSC as a dependent variable. Analysis data were subjected to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, goodness-of-fit testing using a likelihood ratio test, and the bootstrap method. AMSA1 (odds ratio (OR) 1.151, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.086-1.220) and ΔAMSA (OR 1.289, 95% CI 1.156-1.438) were independent factors influencing ROSC induction by electric shock. Area under the curve (AUC) for predicting ROSC was 0.851 for AMSA1-only and 0.891 for AMSA1+ΔAMSA. Compared with the AMSA1-only equation, the AMSA1+ΔAMSA equation had significantly better goodness-of-fit (likelihood ratio test P<0.001) and showed good fit in the bootstrap method. Post-shock ROSC was accurately predicted by adding ΔAMSA to AMSA1. AMSA-based ROSC prediction enables application of electric shock to only those patients with high probability of ROSC, instead of interrupting chest compressions and delivering unnecessary shocks to patients with low probability of ROSC. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A modified low-temperature wafer bonding method using spot pressing bonding technique and water glass adhesive layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Yang; Wang, Shengkai; Wang, Yinghui; Chen, Dapeng

2018-02-01

A modified low-temperature wafer bonding method using a spot pressing bonding technique and a water glass adhesive layer is proposed. The electrical properties of the water glass layer has been studied by capacitance-voltage (C-V) and electric current-voltage (I-V) measurements. It is found that the adhesive layer can be regarded as a good insulator in terms of leakage current density. The bonding mechanism and the motion of bubbles during the thermal treatment are investigated. The dominant factor for the bubble motion in the modified bonding process is the gradient of pressure introduced by the spot pressing force. It is proved that the modified method achieves low-temperature adhesive bonding, minimizes the effect of water desorption, and provides good bonding performance.

Study on Ferroelectric Thick Film Insulator Sleeve On Plasma Focus

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

Sylvester, Gustavo; Silva, Patricio; Moreno, Jose

The effect of ferroelectric lead germanate Pb5Ge3O11 (PGO) thick film in the alumina insulator sleeve of the 400 Joule Mather-type plasma focus device, PF-400J is studied. The breakdown phase along the insulator is fundamental for the formation of a homogeneous and symmetric current sheath, that is essential for a good plasma pinching, high neutron yield and X-ray emissions. For over several hundreds of electrical discharges, the films show good mechanical and electric performance. From the beginning the operating system is highly reproducible, shot to shot, with a clear definition of the plasma pinch on the axis of discharge. The grademore » of influence of the electron emission from the ferroelectric is experimentally studied.« less

Ab initio molecular dynamics in a finite homogeneous electric field.

PubMed

Umari, P; Pasquarello, Alfredo

2002-10-07

We treat homogeneous electric fields within density functional calculations with periodic boundary conditions. A nonlocal energy functional depending on the applied field is used within an ab initio molecular dynamics scheme. The reliability of the method is demonstrated in the case of bulk MgO for the Born effective charges, and the high- and low-frequency dielectric constants. We evaluate the static dielectric constant by performing a damped molecular dynamics in an electric field and avoiding the calculation of the dynamical matrix. Application of this method to vitreous silica shows good agreement with experiment and illustrates its potential for systems of large size.

Sintered electrode for solid oxide fuel cells

DOEpatents

Ruka, Roswell J.; Warner, Kathryn A.

1999-01-01

A solid oxide fuel cell fuel electrode is produced by a sintering process. An underlayer is applied to the electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell in the form of a slurry, which is then dried. An overlayer is applied to the underlayer and then dried. The dried underlayer and overlayer are then sintered to form a fuel electrode. Both the underlayer and the overlayer comprise a combination of electrode metal such as nickel, and stabilized zirconia such as yttria-stabilized zirconia, with the overlayer comprising a greater percentage of electrode metal. The use of more stabilized zirconia in the underlayer provides good adhesion to the electrolyte of the fuel cell, while the use of more electrode metal in the overlayer provides good electrical conductivity. The sintered fuel electrode is less expensive to produce compared with conventional electrodes made by electrochemical vapor deposition processes. The sintered electrodes exhibit favorable performance characteristics, including good porosity, adhesion, electrical conductivity and freedom from degradation.

Sintered electrode for solid oxide fuel cells

DOEpatents

Ruka, R.J.; Warner, K.A.

1999-06-01

A solid oxide fuel cell fuel electrode is produced by a sintering process. An underlayer is applied to the electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell in the form of a slurry, which is then dried. An overlayer is applied to the underlayer and then dried. The dried underlayer and overlayer are then sintered to form a fuel electrode. Both the underlayer and the overlayer comprise a combination of electrode metal such as nickel, and stabilized zirconia such as yttria-stabilized zirconia, with the overlayer comprising a greater percentage of electrode metal. The use of more stabilized zirconia in the underlayer provides good adhesion to the electrolyte of the fuel cell, while the use of more electrode metal in the overlayer provides good electrical conductivity. The sintered fuel electrode is less expensive to produce compared with conventional electrodes made by electrochemical vapor deposition processes. The sintered electrodes exhibit favorable performance characteristics, including good porosity, adhesion, electrical conductivity and freedom from degradation. 4 figs.

Electric double-layer capacitors based on highly graphitized nanoporous carbons derived from ZIF-67.

PubMed

Torad, Nagy L; Salunkhe, Rahul R; Li, Yunqi; Hamoudi, Hicham; Imura, Masataka; Sakka, Yoshio; Hu, Chi-Chang; Yamauchi, Yusuke

2014-06-23

Nanoporous carbons (NPCs) have large specific surface areas, good electrical and thermal conductivity, and both chemical and mechanical stability, which facilitate their use in energy storage device applications. In the present study, highly graphitized NPCs are synthesized by one-step direct carbonization of cobalt-containing zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67). After chemical etching, the deposited Co content can be completely removed to prepare pure NPCs with high specific surface area, large pore volume, and intrinsic electrical conductivity (high content of sp(2) -bonded carbons). A detailed electrochemical study is performed using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements. Our NPC is very promising for efficient electrodes for high-performance supercapacitor applications. A maximum specific capacitance of 238 F g(-1) is observed at a scan rate of 20 mV s(-1) . This value is very high compared to previous works on carbon-based electric double layer capacitors. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effect of pond ash on pen surface properties

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Maintaining adequate feedlot pen surfaces is expensive. Pond ash (PA), a coal-fired electrical generation by-product, has good support qualities. A study was conducted comparing the performance of pond ash (PA) surfaced pens with soil surface (SS) pens. Four pens of an eight pen series with dimensio...

High-Surface-Area Nitrogen-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide for Electric Double-Layer Capacitors.

PubMed

Youn, Hee-Chang; Bak, Seong-Min; Kim, Myeong-Seong; Jaye, Cherno; Fischer, Daniel A; Lee, Chang-Wook; Yang, Xiao-Qing; Roh, Kwang Chul; Kim, Kwang-Bum

2015-06-08

A two-step method consisting of solid-state microwave irradiation and heat treatment under NH3 gas was used to prepare nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-RGO) with a high specific surface area (1007 m(2)  g(-1) ), high electrical conductivity (1532 S m(-1) ), and low oxygen content (1.5 wt %) for electrical double-layer capacitor applications. The specific capacitance of N-RGO was 291 F g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1) , and a capacitance of 261 F g(-1) was retained at 50 A g(-1) , which indicated a very good rate capability. N-RGO also showed excellent cycling stability and preserved 96 % of the initial specific capacitance after 100 000 cycles. Near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy results provided evidenced for the recovery of π conjugation in the carbon networks with the removal of oxygenated groups and revealed chemical bonding of the nitrogen atoms in N-RGO. The good electrochemical performance of N-RGO is attributed to its high surface area, high electrical conductivity, and low oxygen content. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Auction development for the price-based electric power industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dekrajangpetch, Somgiat

The restructuring of the electric power industry is to move away from the cost-based monopolistic environment of the past to the priced-based competitive environment. As the electric power industry is restructuring in many places, there are still many problems that need to be solved. The work in this dissertation contributes to solve some of the electric power auction problems. The majority of this work is aimed to help develop good markets. A LaGrangian relaxation (LR) Centralized Daily Commitment Auction (CDCA) has been implemented. It has been shown that the solution might not be optimal nor fair to some generation companies (GENCOs) when identical or similar generating units participate in a LR CDCA based auction. Supporting information for bidding strategies on how to change unit data to enhance the chances of bid acceptance has been developed. The majority of this work is based on Single Period Commodity Auction (SPCA). Alternative structures for the SPCA are outlined. Whether the optimal solution is degenerated is investigated. Good pricing criteria are summarized and the pricing method following good pricing criteria is developed. Electricity is generally considered as a homogeneous product. When availability level is used as additional characteristic to distinct electricity, electricity can be considered a heterogeneous product. The procedure to trade electricity as a heterogeneous product is developed. The SPCA is formulated as a linear program. The basic IPLP algorithm has been extended so that sensitivity analysis can be performed as in the simplex method. Sensitivity analysis is used to determine market reach. Additionally, sensitivity analysis is used in combination with the investigation of historical auction results to provide raw data for power system expansion. Market power is a critical issue in electric power deregulation. Firms with market power have an advantage over other competitor firms in terms of market reach. Various approaches to determine market power and market reach are to be investigated. How firms can acquire additional customers or additional transactions, given the auction results, is to be investigated. Additionally, how firms can utilize their market power to enhance their chances of success is to be investigated.

Electro-optical 1 x 2, 1 x N and N x N fiber-optic and free-space switching over 1.55 to 3.0 μm using a Ge-Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5)-Ge prism structure.

PubMed

Hendrickson, Joshua; Soref, Richard; Sweet, Julian; Majumdar, Arka

2015-01-12

New device designs are proposed and theoretical simulations are performed on electro-optical routing switches in which light beams enter and exit the device either from free space or from lensed fibers. The active medium is a ~100 nm layer of phase change material (Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) or GeTe) that is electrically "triggered" to change its phase, giving "self-holding" behavior in each of two phases. Electrical current is supplied to that film by a pair of transparent highly doped conducting Ge prisms on both sides of the layer. For S-polarized light incident at ~80° on the film, a three-layer Fabry-Perot analysis, including dielectric loss, predicts good 1 x 2 and 2 x 2 switch performance at infrared wavelengths of 1.55, 2.1 and 3.0 μm, although the performance at 1.55 μm is degraded by material loss and prism mismatch. Proposals for in-plane and volumetric 1 x 4 and 4 x 4 switches are also presented. An unpolarized 1 x 2 switch projects good performance at mid infrared.

Research on the construction of three level customer service knowledge graph

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Shi; Shen, Jiajie; Shi, Quan; Cheng, Xianyi

2017-09-01

With the explosion of knowledge and information of the enterprise and the growing demand for intelligent knowledge management and application and improve business performance the knowledge expression and processing of the enterprise has become a hot topic. Aim at the problems of the electric marketing customer service knowledge map (customer service knowledge map) in building theory and method, electric marketing knowledge map of three levels of customer service was discussed, and realizing knowledge reasoning based on Neo4j, achieve good results in practical application.

Electric and hybrid vehicle environmental control subsystem study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heitner, K. L.

1980-01-01

An environmental control subsystem (ECS) in electric and hybrid vehicles is studied. A combination of a combustion heater and gasoline engine (Otto cycle) driven vapor compression air conditioner is selected. The combustion heater, the small gasoline engine, and the vapor compression air conditioner are commercially available. These technologies have good cost and performance characteristics. The cost for this ECS is relatively close to the cost of current ECS's. Its effect on the vehicle's propulsion battery is minimal and the ECS size and weight do not have significant impact on the vehicle's range.

Anisotropy model for modern grain oriented electrical steel based on orientation distribution function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Fan; Rossi, Mathieu; Parent, Guillaume

2018-05-01

Accurately modeling the anisotropic behavior of electrical steel is mandatory in order to perform good end simulations. Several approaches can be found in the literature for that purpose but the more often those methods are not able to deal with grain oriented electrical steel. In this paper, a method based on orientation distribution function is applied to modern grain oriented laminations. In particular, two solutions are proposed in order to increase the results accuracy. The first one consists in increasing the decomposition number of the cosine series on which the method is based. The second one consists in modifying the determination method of the terms belonging to this cosine series.

Computational modeling of electrostatic charge and fields produced by hypervelocity impact

DOE PAGES

Crawford, David A.

2015-05-19

Following prior experimental evidence of electrostatic charge separation, electric and magnetic fields produced by hypervelocity impact, we have developed a model of electrostatic charge separation based on plasma sheath theory and implemented it into the CTH shock physics code. Preliminary assessment of the model shows good qualitative and quantitative agreement between the model and prior experiments at least in the hypervelocity regime for the porous carbonate material tested. The model agrees with the scaling analysis of experimental data performed in the prior work, suggesting that electric charge separation and the resulting electric and magnetic fields can be a substantial effectmore » at larger scales, higher impact velocities, or both.« less

Autonomous Docking Based on Infrared System for Electric Vehicle Charging in Urban Areas

PubMed Central

Pérez, Joshué; Nashashibi, Fawzi; Lefaudeux, Benjamin; Resende, Paulo; Pollard, Evangeline

2013-01-01

Electric vehicles are progressively introduced in urban areas, because of their ability to reduce air pollution, fuel consumption and noise nuisance. Nowadays, some big cities are launching the first electric car-sharing projects to clear traffic jams and enhance urban mobility, as an alternative to the classic public transportation systems. However, there are still some problems to be solved related to energy storage, electric charging and autonomy. In this paper, we present an autonomous docking system for electric vehicles recharging based on an embarked infrared camera performing infrared beacons detection installed in the infrastructure. A visual servoing system coupled with an automatic controller allows the vehicle to dock accurately to the recharging booth in a street parking area. The results show good behavior of the implemented system, which is currently deployed as a real prototype system in the city of Paris. PMID:23429581

Autonomous docking based on infrared system for electric vehicle charging in urban areas.

PubMed

Pérez, Joshué; Nashashibi, Fawzi; Lefaudeux, Benjamin; Resende, Paulo; Pollard, Evangeline

2013-02-21

Electric vehicles are progressively introduced in urban areas, because of their ability to reduce air pollution, fuel consumption and noise nuisance. Nowadays, some big cities are launching the first electric car-sharing projects to clear traffic jams and enhance urban mobility, as an alternative to the classic public transportation systems. However, there are still some problems to be solved related to energy storage, electric charging and autonomy. In this paper, we present an autonomous docking system for electric vehicles recharging based on an embarked infrared camera performing infrared beacons detection installed in the infrastructure. A visual servoing system coupled with an automatic controller allows the vehicle to dock accurately to the recharging booth in a street parking area. The results show good behavior of the implemented system, which is currently deployed as a real prototype system in the city of Paris.

Integrated DEA models and grey system theory to evaluate past-to-future performance: a case of Indian electricity industry.

PubMed

Wang, Chia-Nan; Nguyen, Nhu-Ty; Tran, Thanh-Tuyen

2015-01-01

The growth of economy and population together with the higher demand in energy has created many concerns for the Indian electricity industry whose capacity is at 211 gigawatts mostly in coal-fired plants. Due to insufficient fuel supply, India suffers from a shortage of electricity generation, leading to rolling blackouts; thus, performance evaluation and ranking the industry turn into significant issues. By this study, we expect to evaluate the rankings of these companies under control of the Ministry of Power. Also, this research would like to test if there are any significant differences between the two DEA models: Malmquist nonradial and Malmquist radial. Then, one advance model of MPI would be chosen to see these companies' performance in recent years and next few years by using forecasting results of Grey system theory. Totally, the realistic data 14 are considered to be in this evaluation after the strict selection from the whole industry. The results found that all companies have not shown many abrupt changes on their scores, and it is always not consistently good or consistently standing out, which demonstrated the high applicable usability of the integrated methods. This integrated numerical research gives a better "past-present-future" insights into performance evaluation in Indian electricity industry.

Integrated DEA Models and Grey System Theory to Evaluate Past-to-Future Performance: A Case of Indian Electricity Industry

PubMed Central

Wang, Chia-Nan; Tran, Thanh-Tuyen

2015-01-01

The growth of economy and population together with the higher demand in energy has created many concerns for the Indian electricity industry whose capacity is at 211 gigawatts mostly in coal-fired plants. Due to insufficient fuel supply, India suffers from a shortage of electricity generation, leading to rolling blackouts; thus, performance evaluation and ranking the industry turn into significant issues. By this study, we expect to evaluate the rankings of these companies under control of the Ministry of Power. Also, this research would like to test if there are any significant differences between the two DEA models: Malmquist nonradial and Malmquist radial. Then, one advance model of MPI would be chosen to see these companies' performance in recent years and next few years by using forecasting results of Grey system theory. Totally, the realistic data 14 are considered to be in this evaluation after the strict selection from the whole industry. The results found that all companies have not shown many abrupt changes on their scores, and it is always not consistently good or consistently standing out, which demonstrated the high applicable usability of the integrated methods. This integrated numerical research gives a better “past-present-future” insights into performance evaluation in Indian electricity industry. PMID:25821854

Comparing soil and pond ash feedlot pen surfaces for environmental management

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Removing manure and replacing soil to maintain pen surfaces is expensive. Pond ash (PA), a coal-fired electrical generation by-product, has good support qualities. A study was conducted comparing the performance of pond ash (PA) surfaced pens with soil surface (SS) pens. Four pens of an eight pen se...

Fully Screen-Printed, Large-Area, and Flexible Active-Matrix Electrochromic Displays Using Carbon Nanotube Thin-Film Transistors.

PubMed

Cao, Xuan; Lau, Christian; Liu, Yihang; Wu, Fanqi; Gui, Hui; Liu, Qingzhou; Ma, Yuqiang; Wan, Haochuan; Amer, Moh R; Zhou, Chongwu

2016-11-22

Semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes are ideal semiconductors for printed electronics due to their advantageous electrical and mechanical properties, intrinsic printability in solution, and desirable stability in air. However, fully printed, large-area, high-performance, and flexible carbon nanotube active-matrix backplanes are still difficult to realize for future displays and sensing applications. Here, we report fully screen-printed active-matrix electrochromic displays employing carbon nanotube thin-film transistors. Our fully printed backplane shows high electrical performance with mobility of 3.92 ± 1.08 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , on-off current ratio I on /I off ∼ 10 4 , and good uniformity. The printed backplane was then monolithically integrated with an array of printed electrochromic pixels, resulting in an entirely screen-printed active-matrix electrochromic display (AMECD) with good switching characteristics, facile manufacturing, and long-term stability. Overall, our fully screen-printed AMECD is promising for the mass production of large-area and low-cost flexible displays for applications such as disposable tags, medical electronics, and smart home appliances.

Supercapacitor electrode materials with hierarchically structured pores from carbonization of MWCNTs and ZIF-8 composites.

PubMed

Li, Xueqin; Hao, Changlong; Tang, Bochong; Wang, Yue; Liu, Mei; Wang, Yuanwei; Zhu, Yihua; Lu, Chenguang; Tang, Zhiyong

2017-02-09

Due to their high specific surface area and good electric conductivity, nitrogen-doped porous carbons (NPCs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted much attention for electrochemical energy storage applications. In the present work, we firstly prepared MWCNT/ZIF-8 composites by decoration of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8) onto the surface of multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs), then obtained MWCNT/NPCs by the direct carbonization of MWCNT/ZIF-8. By controlling the reaction conditions, MWCNT/ZIF-8 with three different particle sizes were synthesized. The effect of NPCs size on capacitance performance has been evaluated in detail. The MWCNT/NPC with large-sized NPC (MWCNT/NPC-L) displayed the highest specific capacitance of 293.4 F g -1 at the scan rate of 5 mV s -1 and only lost 4.2% of capacitance after 10 000 cyclic voltammetry cycles, which was attributed to the hierarchically structured pores, N-doping and high electrical conductivity. The studies of symmetric two-electrode supercapacitor cells also confirmed MWCNT/NPC-L as efficient electrode materials that have good electrochemical performance, especially for high-rate applications.

Comparative performance of conventional OPC concrete and HPC designed by densified mixture design algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huynh, Trong-Phuoc; Hwang, Chao-Lung; Yang, Shu-Ti

2017-12-01

This experimental study evaluated the performance of normal ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete and high-performance concrete (HPC) that were designed by the conventional method (ACI) and densified mixture design algorithm (DMDA) method, respectively. Engineering properties and durability performance of both the OPC and HPC samples were studied using the tests of workability, compressive strength, water absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and electrical surface resistivity. Test results show that the HPC performed good fresh property and further showed better performance in terms of strength and durability as compared to the OPC.

Electrical properties study under radiation of the 3D-open-shell-electrode detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Manwen; Li, Zheng

2018-05-01

Since the 3D-Open-Shell-Electrode Detector (3DOSED) is proposed and the structure is optimized, it is important to study 3DOSED's electrical properties to determine the detector's working performance, especially in the heavy radiation environments, like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and it's upgrade, the High Luminosity (HL-LHC) at CERN. In this work, full 3D technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulations have been done on this novel silicon detector structure. Simulated detector properties include the electric field distribution, the electric potential distribution, current-voltage (I-V) characteristics, capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics, charge collection property, and full depletion voltage. Through the analysis of calculations and simulation results, we find that the 3DOSED's electric field and potential distributions are very uniform, even in the tiny region near the shell openings with little perturbations. The novel detector fits the designing purpose of collecting charges generated by particle/light in a good fashion with a well defined funnel shape of electric potential distribution that makes these charges drifting towards the center collection electrode. Furthermore, by analyzing the I-V, C-V, charge collection property and full depletion voltage, we can expect that the novel detector will perform well, even in the heavy radiation environments.

Microelectrode-assisted low-voltage atmospheric pressure glow discharge in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wenzheng; Zhao, Shuai; Niu, Jiangqi; Chai, Maolin

2017-09-01

During the process of discharge, appropriately changing the paths corresponding to electric field lines and the field strength distribution along these paths, as well as increasing the number of initial electrons, can effectively enhance the uniformity of discharge and inhibit the formation of filamentary discharge. A method is proposed that uses a microelectrode to initiate the macroscopic discharge phenomenon. An asymmetric structure was designed comprising a single electrode of carbon fiber; this electrode structure is of helical-contact type. Benefitting from the special electric field distribution and the microdischarge process, a three-dimensional atmospheric pressure glow discharge was achieved in air, characterized by low discharge voltage, low energy consumption, good diffusion performance, and less ozone generation. The plasma studied is uniform and stable with good diffusion characteristics and low levels of contaminants and hence has potential applications in the field of air purification.

Electrical, Electronic and Electromechanical (EEE) Parts in the New Space Paradigm: When is Better the Enemy of Good Enough?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

La Bel, Kenneth A.; Sampson, Michael J.

2016-01-01

As the space business rapidly evolves to accommodate a lower cost model of development and operation via concepts such as commercial space and small spacecraft (aka, CubeSats), traditional EEE parts screening and qualification methods are being scrutinized under a risk-reward trade space. In this presentation, two basic concepts will be the overarching theme: 1) The movement from complete risk aversion EEE parts methods to managing and/or accepting risk via alternate approaches; and, 2) A discussion of over-design focusing on both electrical design performance and bounding margins.

Electrical, Electronic and Electromechanical (EEE) Parts in the New Space Paradigm: When is Better the Enemy of Good Enough?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

LaBel, Kenneth A.; Sampson, Michael J.

2016-01-01

As the space business rapidly evolves to accommodate a lower cost model of development and operation via concepts such as commercial space and small spacecraft (aka, CubeSats), traditional EEE parts screening and qualification methods are being scrutinized under a risk-reward trade space. In this presentation, two basic concepts will be the overarching theme: 1) The movement from complete risk aversion EEE parts methods to managing and or accepting risk via alternate approaches; and, 2) A discussion of over-design focusing on both electrical design performance and bounding margins.

Optical and electrical properties of p-type transparent conducting CuAlO2 thin film synthesized by reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saha, B.; Thapa, R.; Jana, S.; Chattopadhyay, K. K.

2010-10-01

Thin films of p-type transparent conducting CuAlO2 have been synthesized through reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering on silicon and glass substrates at substrate temperature 300°C. Reactive sputtering of a target fabricated from Cu and Al powder (1:1.5) was performed in Ar+O2 atmosphere. The deposition parameters were optimized to obtain phase pure, good quality CuAlO2 thin films. The films were characterized by studying their structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties.

Synthesis and characterization of self-bridged silver vanadium oxide/CNTs composite and its enhanced lithium storage performance.

PubMed

Liang, Liying; Liu, Haimei; Yang, Wensheng

2013-02-07

The improvement of the electrochemical properties of electrode materials with large capacity and good capacity retention is becoming an important task in the field of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). We designed a function-oriented hybrid material consisting of silver vanadium oxide (β-AgVO(3)) nanowires modified with uniform Ag nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a high-performance cathode material for LIBs. The Ag nanoparticles which precipitated automatically in the synthetic process act as a bridge between the β-AgVO(3) nanowires and CNTs, creating a self-bridged network structure. The Ag particles at the junction of the nanowires and CNTs facilitate electron transport from the CNTs to the nanowires, and thereby improve the electrical conductivity of the β-AgVO(3) nanowires and the composite. Moreover, the self-bridged network is hierarchically porous with a high surface area. When used as a cathode material, this composite electrode reveals high discharge capacities, excellent rate capability, and good cycling stability. The improved performance of the composite arises from its unique nanosized β-AgVO(3) nanowires with short diffusion pathway for lithium ions, efficient electron collection and transfer in the presence of Ag nanoparticles, together with excellent electrical conductivity of CNTs.

Ultrasensitive Label-free Electrochemical Immunosensor based on Multifunctionalized Graphene Nanocomposites for the Detection of Alpha Fetoprotein

PubMed Central

Wang, Yaoguang; Zhang, Yong; Wu, Dan; Ma, Hongmin; Pang, Xuehui; Fan, Dawei; Wei, Qin; Du, Bin

2017-01-01

In this work, a novel label-free electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the quantitative detection of alpha fetoprotein (AFP). Multifunctionalized graphene nanocomposites (TB-Au-Fe3O4-rGO) were applied to modify the electrode to achieve the amplification of electrochemical signal. TB-Au-Fe3O4-rGO includes the advantages of graphene, ferroferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs), gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and toluidine blue (TB). As a kind of redox probe, TB can produce the electrochemical signal. Graphene owns large specific surface area, high electrical conductivity and good adsorption property to load a large number of TB. Fe3O4 NPs have good electrocatalytic performance towards the redox of TB. Au NPs have good biocompatibility to capture the antibodies. Due to the good electrochemical performance of TB-Au-Fe3O4-rGO, the effective and sensitive detection of AFP was achieved by the designed electrochemical immunosensor. Under optimal conditions, the designed immunosensor exhibited a wide linear range from 1.0 × 10−5 ng/mL to 10.0 ng/mL with a low detection limit of 2.7 fg/mL for AFP. It also displayed good electrochemical performance including good reproducibility, selectivity and stability, which would provide potential applications in the clinical diagnosis of other tumor markers. PMID:28186128

Numerical and experimental study of the effects of the electrical resistance and diffusivity under clamping pressure on the performance of a metallic gas-diffusion layer in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Shiro; Bradfield, Warwick W.; Legrand, Cloe; Malan, Arnaud G.

2016-10-01

The performance of a perforated metal-sheet gas-diffusion layer incorporated with a microporous layer in a fuel cell is evaluated with fine-pitch channel/land designs for the gas flow field on a bipolar plate. The combination of metal-sheet gas-diffusion layer and microporous layer exhibits significant performance without a large flooding effect. When comparing the performance with wider and narrower land cases, the land width affects the performance. To investigate the roles of the microporous layer, land width, etc. in the fuel cell with the metal-sheet gas-diffusion layer, a single-phase, isothermal, and multi-physics simulation is developed and coupled with electrical, mechanical, electrochemical and fluid dynamics factors. The simulated current-voltage performance is then compared to the experimentally measure performance. These are shown to be in good agreement apart for very high current-density cases i.e. greater than 1.5 A cm-2. This is due the flooding effect predominantly appearing. It is further demonstrated that the microporous layer serves as the key component in facilitating gas diffusion and for preventing flooding. Furthermore, the pressure is found to have a strong impact on the performance, affecting the gas diffusion and electric resistance around the microporous layer.

Pre-Flight Dark Forward Electrical Testing of the Mir Cooperative Solar Array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kerslake, Thomas W.; Scheiman, David A.; Hoffman, David J.

1997-01-01

The Mir Cooperative Solar Array (MCSA) was developed jointly by the United States (US) and Russia to provide approximately 6 kW of photovoltaic power to the Russian space station Mir. After final assembly in Russia, the MCSA was shipped to the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in the summer of 1995 and launched to Mir in November 1995. Program managers were concerned of the potential for MCSA damage during the transatlantic shipment and the associated handling operations. To address this concern, NASA Lewis Research Center (LERC) developed an innovative dark-forward electrical test program to assess the gross electrical condition of each generator following shipment from Russia. The use of dark test techniques, which allow the array to remain in the stowed configuration, greatly simplifies the checkout of large area solar arrays. MCSA dark electrical testing was successfully performed at KSC in July 1995 following transatlantic shipment. Data from this testing enabled engineers to quantify the effects of potential MCSA physical damage that would degrade on-orbit electrical performance. In this paper, an overview of the principles and heritage of photovoltaic array dark testing is given. The specific MCSA dark test program is also described including the hardware, software, testing procedures and test results. The current-voltage (4) response of both solar cell circuitry and by-pass diode circuitry was obtained. To guide the development of dark test hardware, software and procedures, a dedicated FORTRAN computer code was developed to predict the dark 4 responses of generators with a variety of feasible damage modes. By comparing the actual test data with the predictions, the physical condition of the generator could be inferred. Based on this data analysis, no electrical short-circuits or open-circuits were detected. This suggested the MCSA did not sustain physical damage that affected electrical performance during handling and shipment from Russia to the US. Good agreement between the test data and computational predictions indicated MCSA electrical performance was amenable to accurate analysis and was well understood.

Performance assessment of the PNM Prosperity electricity storage project

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

Roberson, Dakota; Ellison, James F.; Bhatnagar, Dhruv

2014-05-01

The purpose of this study is to characterize the technical performance of the PNM Prosperity electricity storage project, and to identify lessons learned that can be used to improve similar projects in the future. The PNM Prosperity electricity storage project consists of a 500 kW/350 kWh advanced lead-acid battery with integrated supercapacitor (for energy smoothing) and a 250 kW/1 MWh advanced lead-acid battery (for energy shifting), and is co-located with a 500 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) resource. The project received American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding. The smoothing system is e ective in smoothing intermittent PV output. The shiftingmore » system exhibits good round-trip efficiencies, though the AC-to-AC annual average efficiency is lower than one might hope. Given the current utilization of the smoothing system, there is an opportunity to incorporate additional control algorithms in order to increase the value of the energy storage system.« less

Phonon-limited carrier mobility and resistivity from carbon nanotubes to graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jing; Miranda, Henrique Pereira Coutada; Niquet, Yann-Michel; Genovese, Luigi; Duchemin, Ivan; Wirtz, Ludger; Delerue, Christophe

2015-08-01

Under which conditions do the electrical transport properties of one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and 2D graphene become equivalent? We have performed atomistic calculations of the phonon-limited electrical mobility in graphene and in a wide range of CNTs of different types to address this issue. The theoretical study is based on a tight-binding method and a force-constant model from which all possible electron-phonon couplings are computed. The electrical resistivity of graphene is found in very good agreement with experiments performed at high carrier density. A common methodology is applied to study the transition from one to two dimensions by considering CNTs with diameter up to 16 nm. It is found that the mobility in CNTs of increasing diameter converges to the same value, i.e., the mobility in graphene. This convergence is much faster at high temperature and high carrier density. For small-diameter CNTs, the mobility depends strongly on chirality, diameter, and the existence of a band gap.

Is hexagonal boron nitride always good as a substrate for carbon nanotube-based devices?

PubMed

Kang, Seoung-Hun; Kim, Gunn; Kwon, Young-Kyun

2015-02-21

Hexagonal boron nitride sheets have been noted especially for their enhanced properties as substrates for sp(2) carbon-based nanodevices. To evaluate whether such enhanced properties would be retained under various realistic conditions, we investigate the structural and electronic properties of semiconducting carbon nanotubes on perfect and defective hexagonal boron nitride sheets under an external electric field as well as with a metal impurity, using density functional theory. We verify that the use of a perfect hexagonal boron nitride sheet as a substrate indeed improves the device performances of carbon nanotubes, compared with the use of conventional substrates such as SiO2. We further show that even the hexagonal boron nitride with some defects can show better performance as a substrate. Our calculations, on the other hand, also suggest that some defective boron nitride layers with a monovacancy and a nickel impurity could bring about poor device behavior since the imperfections impair electrical conductivity due to residual scattering under an applied electric field.

Effect of annealing over optoelectronic properties of graphene based transparent electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Shriniwas; Kaur, Inderpreet

2016-04-01

Graphene, an atom-thick two dimensional graphitic material have led various fundamental breakthroughs in the field of science and technology. Due to their exceptional optical, physical and electrical properties, graphene based transparent electrodes have shown several applications in organic light emitting diodes, solar cells and thin film transistors. Here, we are presenting effect of annealing over optoelectronic properties of graphene based transparent electrodes. Graphene based transparent electrodes have been prepared by wet chemical approach over glass substrates. After fabrication, these electrodes tested for optical transmittance in visible region. Sheet resistance was measured using four probe method. Effect of thermal annealing at 200 °C was studied over optical and electrical performance of these electrodes. Optoelectronic performance was judged from ratio of direct current conductivity to optical conductivity (σdc/σopt) as a figure of merit for transparent conductors. The fabricated electrodes display good optical and electrical properties. Such electrodes can be alternatives for doped metal oxide based transparent electrodes.

Application of the self-diagnosis composite into concrete structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsubara, Hideaki; Shin, Soon-Gi; Okuhara, Yoshiki; Nomura, Hiroshi; Yanagida, Hiroaki

2001-04-01

The function and performance of the self-diagnosis composites embedded in mortar/concrete blocks and concrete piles were investigated by bending tests and electrical resistance measurements. Carbon powder (CP) and carbon fiber (CF) were introduced in glass fiber reinforced plastics composites to obtain electrical conductivity. The CP composite has commonly good performances in various bending tests of block and pile specimens, comparing to the CF composite. The electrical resistance of the CP composite increases in a small strain to response remarkably micro-crack formation at about 200 (mu) strain and to detect well to smaller deformations before the crack formation. The CP composite possesses a continuous resistance change up to a large strain level near the final fracture of concrete structures reinforced by steel bars. The cyclic bending tests showed that the micro crack closed at unloading state was able to be evaluated from the measurement of residual resistance. It has been concluded that the self- diagnosis composite is fairly useful for the measurement of damage and fracture in concrete blocks and piles.

Finite volume effects on the electric polarizability of neutral hadrons in lattice QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lujan, M.; Alexandru, A.; Freeman, W.; Lee, F. X.

2016-10-01

We study the finite volume effects on the electric polarizability for the neutron, neutral pion, and neutral kaon using eight dynamically generated two-flavor nHYP-clover ensembles at two different pion masses: 306(1) and 227(2) MeV. An infinite volume extrapolation is performed for each hadron at both pion masses. For the neutral kaon, finite volume effects are relatively mild. The dependence on the quark mass is also mild, and a reliable chiral extrapolation can be performed along with the infinite volume extrapolation. Our result is αK0 phys=0.356 (74 )(46 )×10-4 fm3 . In contrast, for neutron, the electric polarizability depends strongly on the volume. After removing the finite volume corrections, our neutron polarizability results are in good agreement with chiral perturbation theory. For the connected part of the neutral pion polarizability, the negative trend persists, and it is not due to finite volume effects but likely sea quark charging effects.

Electrical Properties of Reactive Liquid Crystal Semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCulloch, Iain; Coelle, Michael; Genevicius, Kristijonas; Hamilton, Rick; Heckmeier, Michael; Heeney, Martin; Kreouzis, Theo; Shkunov, Maxim; Zhang, Weimin

2008-01-01

Fabrication of display products by low cost printing technologies such as ink jet, gravure offset lithography and flexography requires solution processable semiconductors for the backplane electronics. The products will typically be of lower performance than polysilicon transistors, but comparable to amorphous silicon. A range of prototypes are under development, including rollable electrophoretic displays, active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD's), and flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays. Organic semiconductors that offer both electrical performance and stability with respect to storage and operation under ambient conditions are required. This work describes the initial evaluation of reactive mesogen semiconductors, which can polymerise within mesophase temperatures, “freezing in” the order in crosslinked domains. These crosslinked domains offer mechanical stability and are inert to solvent exposure in further processing steps. Reactive mesogens containing conjugated aromatic cores, designed to facilitate charge transport and provide good oxidative stability, were prepared and their liquid crystalline properties evaluated. Both time-of-flight and field effect transistor devices were prepared and their electrical characterisation reported.

Performance simulation of the JPL solar-powered distiller. Part 1: Quasi-steady-state conditions. [for cooling microwave equipment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yung, C. S.; Lansing, F. L.

1983-01-01

A 37.85 cu m (10,000 gallons) per year (nominal) passive solar powered water distillation system was installed and is operational in the Venus Deep Space Station. The system replaced an old, electrically powered water distiller. The distilled water produced with its high electrical resistivity is used to cool the sensitive microwave equipment. A detailed thermal model was developed to simulate the performance of the distiller and study its sensitivity under varying environment and load conditions. The quasi-steady state portion of the model is presented together with the formulas for heat and mass transfer coefficients used. Initial results indicated that a daily water evaporation efficiency of 30% can be achieved. A comparison made between a full day performance simulation and the actual field measurements gave good agreement between theory and experiment, which verified the model.

Nonideal ultrathin mantle cloak for electrically large conducting cylinders.

PubMed

Liu, Shuo; Zhang, Hao Chi; Xu, He-Xiu; Cui, Tie Jun

2014-09-01

Based on the concept of the scattering cancellation technique, we propose a nonideal ultrathin mantle cloak that can efficiently suppress the total scattering cross sections of an electrically large conducting cylinder (over one free-space wavelength). The cloaking mechanism is investigated in depth based on the Mie scattering theory and is simultaneously interpreted from the perspective of far-field bistatic scattering and near-field distributions. We remark that, unlike the perfect transformation-optics-based cloak, this nonideal cloaking technique is mainly designed to minimize simultaneously several scattering multipoles of a relatively large geometry around considerably broad bandwidth. Numerical simulations and experimental results show that the antiscattering ability of the metasurface gives rise to excellent total scattering reduction of the electrically large cylinder and remarkable electric-field restoration around the cloak. The outstanding cloaking performance together with the good features of and ultralow profile, flexibility, and easy fabrication predict promising applications in the microwave frequencies.

Solar thermal electric power plants - Their performance characteristics and total social costs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caputo, R. S.; Truscello, V. C.

1976-01-01

The central receiver (power tower) concept as a thermal conversion approach to the conversion of solar energy into electricity is compared to other solar power plant designs which feature distributed solar collection and use other types of solar collector configurations. A variety of solar thermal storage concepts are discussed and their impacts on system performance are assessed. Although a good deal of quantification is possible in a comparative study, the subjective judgments carry enormous weight in a socio-economic decision, the ultimate choice of central power plant being more a social than an economic or technical decision. Major elements of the total social cost of each type of central plant are identified as utility economic costs, R&D funds, health costs, and other relevant social impacts.

Electrical and Optical Characteristics of Undoped and Se-Doped Bi2S3 Transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kilcoyne, Colin; Alsaqqa, Ali; Rahman, Ajara A.; Whittaker-Brooks, Luisa; Sambandamurthy, G.

Semiconducting chalcogenides have been drawing increased attention due to their interesting physical properties, especially in low dimensional structures. Bi2S3 has demonstrated a high optical absorption coefficient, a large bulk mobility, small bandgap, high Seebeck coefficient, and low thermal conductivity. These properties make it a good candidate for optical, electric and thermoelectric applications. However, control over the electrical properties for enhanced thermoelectric performance and optical applications is desired. We present electrical transport and optical properties from individual nanowire and few-layer transistors of single crystalline undoped and Se-doped Bi2S3-xSex. All devices exhibit n-type semiconducting behavior and the ON/OFF ratio, mobility, and conductivity noise behavior are studied as functions of dopant concentration, temperature, and charge carrier density in different conduction regimes. The roles of dopant driven scattering mechanisms and mobility/carrier density fluctuations will be discussed. The potential for this series of materials as optical and electrical switches will be presented. NSF DMR.

Electrically conductive carbon fibre-reinforced composite for aircraft lightning strike protection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katunin, Andrzej; Krukiewicz, Katarzyna; Turczyn, Roman; Sul, Przemysław; Bilewicz, Marcin

2017-05-01

Aircraft elements, especially elements of exterior fuselage, are subjected to damage caused by lightning strikes. Due to the fact that these elements are manufactured from polymeric composites in modern aircraft, and thus, they cannot conduct electrical charges, the lightning strikes cause burnouts in composite structures. Therefore, the effective lightning strike protection for such structures is highly desired. The solution presented in this paper is based on application of organic conductive fillers in the form of intrinsically conducting polymers and carbon fabric in order to ensure electrical conductivity of whole composite and simultaneously retain superior mechanical properties. The presented studies cover synthesis and manufacturing of the electrically conductive composite as well as its characterization with respect to mechanical and electrical properties. The performed studies indicate that the proposed material can be potentially considered as a constructional material for aircraft industry, which characterizes by good operational properties and low cost of manufacturing with respect to current lightning strike protection materials solutions.

Experimental investigation on performance of crossflow wind turbine as effect of blades number

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurniawati, Diniar Mungil; Tjahjana, Dominicus Danardono Dwi Prija; Santoso, Budi

2018-02-01

Urban living is one of the areas with large electrical power consumption that requires a power supply that is more than rural areas. The number of multi-storey buildings such as offices, hotels and several other buildings that caused electricity power consumption in urban living is very high. Therefore, energy alternative is needed to replace the electricity power consumption from government. One of the utilization of renewable energy in accordance with these conditions is the installation of wind turbines. One type of wind turbine that is now widely studied is a crossflow wind turbines. Crossflow wind turbine is one of vertical axis wind turbine which has good self starting at low wind speed condition. Therefore, the turbine design parameter is necessary to know in order to improve turbine performance. One of wind turbine performance parameter is blades number. The main purpose of this research to investigate the effect of blades number on crossflow wind turbine performance. The design of turbine was 0.4 × 0.4 m2 tested by experimental method with configuration on three kinds of blades number were 8,16 and 20. The turbine investigated at low wind speed on 2 - 5 m/s. The result showed that best performance on 16 blade number.

Incorporating Sulfur Inside the Pores of Carbons for Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: An Electrolysis Approach.

PubMed

He, Bin; Li, Wen-Cui; Yang, Chao; Wang, Si-Qiong; Lu, An-Hui

2016-01-26

We have developed an electrolysis approach that allows effective and uniform incorporation of sulfur inside the micropores of carbon nanosheets for advanced lithium-sulfur batteries. The sulfur-carbon hybrid can be prepared with a 70 wt % sulfur loading, in which no nonconductive sulfur agglomerations are formed. Because the incorporated sulfur is electrically connected to the carbon matrix in nature, the hybrid cathode shows excellent electrochemical performance, including a high reversible capacity, good rate capability, and good cycling stability, as compared to one prepared using the popular melt-diffusion method.

Cutting the cost of hospital HVAC.

PubMed

Ruddell, Steve

2011-09-01

Steve Ruddell, head of global marketing, Motors & Generators, at ABB, emphasises the importance of a good motor management and maintenance policy in getting the best performance from, and reducing the energy consumption of, hospitals' HVAC systems, also explaining why investing in energy-efficient, low voltage drives, and high efficiency electric motors, to control such equipment, can pay major dividends for estates and facilities teams.

Treeing phenomenon of thermoplastic polyethylene blends for recyclable cable insulation materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Lunzhi; Zhang, Kai; Zhong, Lisheng; Gao, Jinghui; Xu, Man; Chen, Guanghui; Fu, Mingli

2017-02-01

Owing to its good recyclability and low processing energy consumption, non-crosslinked polyethylene blends (e.g. LLDPE-HDPE blends) are considered as one of potential environmental-friendly substitutions for crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) as cable insulation material. Although extensive work has been performed for measuring the basic dielectric properties, there is a lack of the investigations on the aging properties for such a material system, which hinders the evaluation of reliability and lifetime of the material for cable insulation. In this paper, we study the electric aging phenomenon of 0.7LLDPE-0.3HDPE blending material by investigating the treeing behavior, and its comparison with XLPE and LLDPE. Treeing tests show that the 0.7LLDPE-0.3HDPE blends have lower probability for treeing as well as smaller treeing dimensions. Further thermal analysis and microstructure study results suggest that the blends exhibit larger proportion of thick lamellae and higher crystallinity with homogeneously-distributed amorphous region, which is responsible for good anti-treeing performance. Our finding provides the evidence that the 0.7LLDPE-0.3HDPE blends exhibits better electric-aging-retardance properties than XLPE, which may result in a potential application for cable insulation.

Assessment of C-Type Darrieus Wind Turbine Under Low Wind Speed Condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Misaran, M. S.; Rahman, Md. M.; Muzammil, W. K.; Ismail, M. A.

2017-07-01

Harvesting wind energy in in a low wind speed region is deem un-economical if not daunting task. Study shows that a minimum cut in speed of 3.5 m/s is required to extract a meaningful wind energy for electricity while a mean speed of 6 m/s is preferred. However, in Malaysia the mean speed is at 2 m/s with certain potential areas having 3 m/s mean speed. Thus, this work aims to develop a wind turbine that able to operate at lower cut-in speed and produce meaningful power for electricity generation. A C-type Darrieus blade is selected as it shows good potential to operate in arbitrary wind speed condition. The wind turbine is designed and fabricated in UMS labs while the performance of the wind turbine is evaluated in a simulated wind condition. Test result shows that the wind turbine started to rotate at 1 m/s compared to a NACA 0012 Darrieus turbine that started to rotate at 3 m/s. The performance of the turbine shows that it have good potential to be used in an intermittent arbitrary wind speed condition as well as low mean wind speed condition.

Parameter Extraction Method for the Electrical Model of a Silicon Photomultiplier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Licciulli, Francesco; Marzocca, Cristoforo

2016-10-01

The availability of an effective electrical model, able to accurately reproduce the signals generated by a Silicon Photo-Multiplier coupled to the front-end electronics, is mandatory when the performance of a detection system based on this kind of detector has to be evaluated by means of reliable simulations. We propose a complete extraction procedure able to provide the whole set of the parameters involved in a well-known model of the detector, which includes the substrate ohmic resistance. The technique allows achieving very good quality of the fit between simulation results provided by the model and experimental data, thanks to accurate discrimination between the quenching and substrate resistances, which results in a realistic set of extracted parameters. The extraction procedure has been applied to a commercial device considering a wide range of different conditions in terms of input resistance of the front-end electronics and interconnection parasitics. In all the considered situations, very good correspondence has been found between simulations and measurements, especially for what concerns the leading edge of the current pulses generated by the detector, which strongly affects the timing performance of the detection system, thus confirming the effectiveness of the model and the associated parameter extraction technique.

Carbon Dots/NiCo2 O4 Nanocomposites with Various Morphologies for High Performance Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Wei, Ji-Shi; Ding, Hui; Zhang, Peng; Song, Yan-Fang; Chen, Jie; Wang, Yong-Gang; Xiong, Huan-Ming

2016-11-01

A series of carbon dots/NiCo 2 O 4 composites with various morphologies are prepared and tested for supercapacitors. These samples have good electrical conductivities and efficient ions transport paths, so they exhibit high specific capacitances, superior rate performances, and high cycling stabilities. The optimal composite for hybrid supercapacitor exhibits a high energy density up to 62.0 Wh kg -1 . © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fabrication of electrically bistable organic semiconducting/ferroelectric blend films by temperature controlled spin coating.

PubMed

Hu, Jinghang; Zhang, Jianchi; Fu, Zongyuan; Weng, Junhui; Chen, Weibo; Ding, Shijin; Jiang, Yulong; Zhu, Guodong

2015-03-25

Organic semiconducting/ferroelectric blend films attracted much attention due to their electrical bistability and rectification properties and thereof the potential in resistive memory devices. During film deposition from the blend solution, spinodal decomposition induced phase separation, resulting in discrete semiconducting phase whose electrical property could be modulated by the continuous ferroelectric phase. However, blend films processed by common spin coating method showed extremely rough surfaces, even comparable to the film thickness, which caused large electrical leakage and thus compromised the resistive switching performance. To improve film roughness and thus increase the productivity of these resistive devices, we developed temperature controlled spin coating technique to carefully adjust the phase separation process. Here we reported our experimental results from the blend films of ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)) and semiconducting poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). We conducted a series of experiments at various deposition temperatures ranging from 20 to 90 °C. The resulting films were characterized by AFM, SEM, and VPFM to determine their structure and roughness. Film roughness first decreased and then increased with the increase of deposition temperature. Electrical performance was also characterized and obviously improved insulating property was obtained from the films deposited between 50 and 70 °C. By temperature control during film deposition, it is convenient to efficiently fabricate ferroelectric/semiconducting blend films with good electrical bistability.

Effect of Pr3+doping on key properties of CdO thin films deposited by spray pyrolysis using perfume atomizer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravikumar, M.; Chandramohan, R.; Kumar, K. Deva Arun; Valanarasu, S.; Kathalingam, A.; Ganesh, V.; Shkir, Mohd.; AlFaify, S.; Algarni, H.

2018-07-01

High quality Cadmium oxide thin films doped with Praseodymium (Pr) were prepared using perfume atomizer based spray pyrolysis technique at substrate temperature near 350 °C. Structural analysis of films was examined by XRD and confirmed that the films are cubic in structure. All un-doped and doped films were good crystalline in nature with smooth and flat surface without significant modifications owed to doping. Optical transmittances of doped films was decrease in the visible and IR range with increasing Pr doping concentration. Band gap widened from 2.42 to 2.20 eV when doped with Pr from 0 to 5 at. %. In addition, the photoluminescence property of the films was also observed. Further, the electrical studies were performed on pure and doped samples Viz., the electrical resistivity, carrier concentration (ρ) and Hall mobility (μ). It confirmed that the deposited films has good structural environments in terms of grain size, absolute stress correspond and low resistivity. Current-voltage measurements on the nanostructured Al/Pr-nCdO/p-Si/Al device showed a non-linear electric characteristics indicating diode like behavior.

Preliminary Groundwater Assessment using Electrical Method at Quaternary Deposits Area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hazreek, Z. A. M.; Raqib, A. G. A.; Aziman, M.; Azhar, A. T. S.; Khaidir, A. T. M.; Fairus, Y. M.; Rosli, S.; Fakhrurrazi, I. M.; Izzaty, R. A.

2017-08-01

Alternative water sources using groundwater has increasingly demand in recent years. In the past, proper and systematic study of groundwater potential was varies due to several constraints. Conventionally, tube well point was drilled based on subjective judgment of several parties which may lead to the uncertainties of the project success. Hence, this study performed an electrical method to investigate the groundwater potential at quaternary deposits area particularly using resistivity and induced polarization technique. Electrical method was performed using ABEM SAS4000 equipment based on pole dipole array and 2.5 m electrode spacing. Resistivity raw data was analyzed using RES2DINV software. It was found that groundwater was able to be detected based on resistivity and chargeability values which varied at 10 - 100 Ωm and 0 - 1 ms respectively. Moreover, suitable location of tube well was able to be proposed which located at 80 m from the first survey electrode in west direction. Verification of both electrical results with established references has shown some good agreement thus able to convince the result reliability. Hence, the establishment of electrical method in preliminary groundwater assessment was able to assist several parties in term groundwater prospective at study area which efficient in term of cost, time, data coverage and sustainability.

An electrical impedance tomography (EIT) multi-electrode needle-probe device for local assessment of heterogeneous tissue impeditivity.

PubMed

Meroni, Davide; Maglioli, Camilla Carpano; Bovio, Dario; Greco, Francesco G; Aliverti, Andrea

2017-07-01

Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) is an image reconstruction technique applied in medicine for the electrical imaging of living tissues. In literature there is the evidence that a large resistivity variation related to the differences of the human tissues exists. As a result of this interest for the electrical characterization of the biological samples, recently the attention is also focused on the identification and characterization of the human tissue, by studying the homogeneity of its structure. An 8 electrodes needle-probe device has been developed with the intent of identifying the structural inhomogeneities under the surface layers. Ex-vivo impeditivity measurements, by placing the needle-probe in 5 different patterns of fat and lean porcine tissue, were performed, and impeditivity maps were obtained by EIDORS open source software for image reconstruction in electrical impedance. The values composing the maps have been analyzed, pointing out a good tissue discrimination, and the conformity with the real images. We conclude that this device is able to perform impeditivity maps matching to reality for position and orientation. In all the five patterns presented is possible to identify and replicate correctly the heterogeneous tissue under test. This new procedure can be helpful to the medical staff to completely characterize the biological sample, in different unclear situations.

Performance optimization in electric field gradient focusing.

PubMed

Sun, Xuefei; Farnsworth, Paul B; Tolley, H Dennis; Warnick, Karl F; Woolley, Adam T; Lee, Milton L

2009-01-02

Electric field gradient focusing (EFGF) is a technique used to simultaneously separate and concentrate biomacromolecules, such as proteins, based on the opposing forces of an electric field gradient and a hydrodynamic flow. Recently, we reported EFGF devices fabricated completely from copolymers functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol), which display excellent resistance to protein adsorption. However, the previous devices did not provide the predicted linear electric field gradient and stable current. To improve performance, Tris-HCl buffer that was previously doped in the hydrogel was replaced with a phosphate buffer containing a salt (i.e., potassium chloride, KCl) with high mobility ions. The new devices exhibited stable current, good reproducibility, and a linear electric field distribution in agreement with the shaped gradient region design due to improved ion transport in the hydrogel. The field gradient was calculated based on theory to be approximately 5.76 V/cm(2) for R-phycoerythrin when the applied voltage was 500 V. The effect of EFGF separation channel dimensions was also investigated; a narrower focused band was achieved in a smaller diameter channel. The relationship between the bandwidth and channel diameter is consistent with theory. Three model proteins were resolved in an EFGF channel of this design. The improved device demonstrated 14,000-fold concentration of a protein sample (from 2 ng/mL to 27 microg/mL).

Molecular gated-AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor for pH detection.

PubMed

Ding, Xiangzhen; Yang, Shuai; Miao, Bin; Gu, Le; Gu, Zhiqi; Zhang, Jian; Wu, Baojun; Wang, Hong; Wu, Dongmin; Li, Jiadong

2018-04-18

A molecular gated-AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor has been developed for pH detection. The sensing surface of the sensor was modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to provide amphoteric amine groups, which would play the role of receptors for pH detection. On modification with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, the transistor exhibits good chemical stability in hydrochloric acid solution and is sensitive for pH detection. Thus, our molecular gated-AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor acheived good electrical performances such as chemical stability (remained stable in hydrochloric acid solution), good sensitivity (37.17 μA/pH) and low hysteresis. The results indicate a promising future for high-quality sensors for pH detection.

Comprehension of the Electric Polarization as a Function of Low Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Changshi

2017-01-01

Polarization response to warming plays an increasingly important role in a number of ferroelectric memory devices. This paper reports on the theoretical explanation of the relationship between polarization and temperature. According to the Fermi-Dirac distribution, the basic property of electric polarization response to temperature in magnetoelectric multiferroic materials is theoretically analyzed. The polarization in magnetoelectric multiferroic materials can be calculated by low temperature using a phenomenological theory suggested in this paper. Simulation results revealed that the numerically calculated results are in good agreement with experimental results of some inhomogeneous multiferroic materials. Numerical simulations have been performed to investigate the influences of both electric and magnetic fields on the polarization in magnetoelectric multiferroic materials. Furthermore, polarization behavior of magnetoelectric multiferroic materials can be predicted by low temperature, electric field and magnetic induction using only one function. The calculations offer an insight into the understanding of the effects of heating and magnetoelectric field on electrical properties of multiferroic materials and offer a potential to use similar methods to analyze electrical properties of other memory devices.

Electric double layer capacitors employing nitrogen and sulfur co-doped, hierarchically porous graphene electrodes with synergistically enhanced performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kannan, Aravindaraj G.; Samuthirapandian, Amaresh; Kim, Dong-Won

2017-01-01

Hierarchically porous graphene nanosheets co-doped with nitrogen and sulfur are synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method, followed by a pore activation step. Pore architectures are controlled by varying the ratio of chemical activation agents to graphene, and its influence on the capacitive performance is evaluated. The electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) assembled with optimized dual-doped graphene delivers a high specific capacitance of 146.6 F g-1 at a current density of 0.8 A g-1, which is higher than that of cells with un-doped and single-heteroatom doped graphene. The EDLC with dual-doped graphene electrodes exhibits stable cycling performance with a capacitance retention of 94.5% after 25,000 cycles at a current density of 3.2 A g-1. Such a good performance can be attributed to synergistic effects due to co-doping of the graphene nanosheets and the presence of hierarchical porous structures.

Design of High Voltage Electrical Breakdown Strength measuring system at 1.8K with a G-M cryocooler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jian; Huang, Rongjin; Li, Xu; Xu, Dong; Liu, Huiming; Li, Laifeng

2017-09-01

Impregnating resins as electrical insulation materials for use in ITER magnets and feeder system are required to be radiation stable, good mechanical performance and high voltage electrical breakdown strength. In present ITER project, the breakdown strength need over 30 kV/mm, for future DEMO reactor, it will be greater than this value. In order to develop good property insulation materials to satisfy the requirements of future fusion reactor, high voltage breakdown strength measurement system at low temperature is necessary. In this paper, we will introduce our work on the design of this system. This measuring system has two parts: one is an electrical supply system which provides the high voltage from a high voltage power between two electrodes; the other is a cooling system which consists of a G-M cryocooler, a superfluid chamber and a heat switch. The two stage G-M cryocooler pre-cool down the system to 4K, the superfluid helium pot is used for a container to depress the helium to superfluid helium which cool down the sample to 1.8K and a mechanical heat switch connect or disconnect the cryocooler and the pot. In order to provide the sufficient time for the test, the cooling system is designed to keep the sample at 1.8K for 300 seconds.

Electric field theory based approach to search-direction line definition in image segmentation: application to optimal femur-tibia cartilage segmentation in knee-joint 3-D MR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Y.; Sonka, M.

2010-03-01

A novel method is presented for definition of search lines in a variety of surface segmentation approaches. The method is inspired by properties of electric field direction lines and is applicable to general-purpose n-D shapebased image segmentation tasks. Its utility is demonstrated in graph construction and optimal segmentation of multiple mutually interacting objects. The properties of the electric field-based graph construction guarantee that inter-object graph connecting lines are non-intersecting and inherently covering the entire object-interaction space. When applied to inter-object cross-surface mapping, our approach generates one-to-one and all-to-all vertex correspondent pairs between the regions of mutual interaction. We demonstrate the benefits of the electric field approach in several examples ranging from relatively simple single-surface segmentation to complex multiobject multi-surface segmentation of femur-tibia cartilage. The performance of our approach is demonstrated in 60 MR images from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), in which our approach achieved a very good performance as judged by surface positioning errors (average of 0.29 and 0.59 mm for signed and unsigned cartilage positioning errors, respectively).

An appealing photo-powered multi-functional energy system for the poly-generation of hydrogen and electricity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Tiantian; Li, Kan; Shen, Zhemin; Sun, Tonghua; Wang, Yalin; Jia, Jinping

2015-10-01

This paper focuses on a photo-powered poly-generation system (PPS) that is powered by the photocatalytic oxidation of organic substrate to produce hydrogen energy and electrical energy synchronously. This particular device runs entirely on light energy and chemical energy of substrate without external voltage. The performance measurements and optimization experiments are all investigated by using the low concentration of pure ethanol (EtOH) solution. Compared with the conventional submerged reactor for the photogeneration of hydrogen, the hydrogen and the electric current obtained in the constructed PPS are all relatively stable in experimental period and the numerical values detected are many times higher than that of the former by using various simulated ethanol waste liquid. When using Chinese rice wine as substrate at the same ethanol content level (i.e., 0.1 mol L-1), the production of hydrogen is close to that of the pure ethanol solution in the constructed PPS, but no hydrogen is detected in the conventional submerged reactor. These results demonstrate that the constructed PPS could effectively utilize light energy and perform good capability in poly-generation of hydrogen and electricity.

Extraneous torque and compensation control on the electric load simulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiao, Zongxia; Li, Chenggong; Ren, Zhiting

2003-09-01

In this paper a novel motor-drive load simulator based on compensation control strategy is proposed and designed. Through analyzing the torque control system consisting of DC torque motor, PWM module and torque sensor, it is shown that performance of the motor-drive load simulator is possible to be as good as that of the electro-hydraulic load simulator in the range of small torque. In the course of loading, the rotation of the actuator would cause a strong disturbance torque through the motor back-EMF, which produces extraneous torque similar as in electro-hydraulic load simulator. This paper analyzes the cause of extraneous torque inside the torque motor in detail and presents an appropriate compensation control with which the extraneous torque can be compensated and the good performance of the torque control system can be obtained. The results of simulation indicate that the compensation is very effective and the track performance is according with the request.

Multilayer SnSb4-SbSe Thin Films for Phase Change Materials Possessing Ultrafast Phase Change Speed and Enhanced Stability.

PubMed

Liu, Ruirui; Zhou, Xiao; Zhai, Jiwei; Song, Jun; Wu, Pengzhi; Lai, Tianshu; Song, Sannian; Song, Zhitang

2017-08-16

A multilayer thin film, comprising two different phase change material (PCM) components alternatively deposited, provides an effective means to tune and leverage good properties of its components, promising a new route toward high-performance PCMs. The present study systematically investigated the SnSb 4 -SbSe multilayer thin film as a potential PCM, combining experiments and first-principles calculations, and demonstrated that these multilayer thin films exhibit good electrical resistivity, robust thermal stability, and superior phase change speed. In particular, the potential operating temperature for 10 years is shown to be 122.0 °C and the phase change speed reaches 5 ns in the device test. The good thermal stability of the multilayer thin film is shown to come from the formation of the Sb 2 Se 3 phase, whereas the fast phase change speed can be attributed to the formation of vacancies and a SbSe metastable phase. It is also demonstrated that the SbSe metastable phase contributes to further enhancing the electrical resistivity of the crystalline state and the thermal stability of the amorphous state, being vital to determining the properties of the multilayer SnSb 4 -SbSe thin film.

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

Lawal, Abdulazeez T., E-mail: abdul.lawal@yahoo.com

Graphical abstract: Carbon nanotubes. - Highlights: • This review discusses synthesis and applications of carbon nanotubes sensors. • The review summarizes contributions of carbon nanotube to electrochemical biosensor. • Good electrical conductivity makes carbon nanotubes a good material for biosensors. • Carbon nanotubes promotes electron transfer that aids biosensing of biomolecules. - Abstract: This review summarizes the most recent contributions in the fabrication of carbon nanotubes-based electrochemical biosensors in recent years. It discusses the synthesis and application of carbon nanotubes to the assembly of carbon nanotube-based electrochemical sensors, its analytical performance and future expectations. An increasing number of reviews andmore » publications involving carbon nanotubes sensors have been reported ever since the first design of carbon nanotube electrochemical biosensors. The large surface area and good electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes allow them to act as “electron wire” between the redox center of an enzyme or protein and an electrode's surface, which make them very excellent material for the design of electrochemical biosensors. Carbon nanotubes promote the different rapid electron transfers that facilitate accurate and selective detection of cytochrome-c, β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, hemoglobin and biomolecules, such as glucose, cholesterol, ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine pesticides, metals ions and hydrogen peroxide.« less

Nanowire-Assembled Hierarchical ZnCo2O4 Microstructure Integrated with a Low-Power Microheater for Highly Sensitive Formaldehyde Detection.

PubMed

Long, Hu; Harley-Trochimczyk, Anna; Cheng, Siyi; Hu, Hao; Chi, Won Seok; Rao, Ameya; Carraro, Carlo; Shi, Tielin; Tang, Zirong; Maboudian, Roya

2016-11-23

Nanowire-assembled 3D hierarchical ZnCo 2 O 4 microstructure is synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route and a subsequent annealing process. In comparison to simple nanowires, the resulting dandelion-like structure yields more open spaces between nanowires, which allow for better gas diffusion and provide more active sites for gas adsorption while maintaining good electrical conductivity. The hierarchical ZnCo 2 O 4 microstructure is integrated on a low-power microheater platform without using binders or conductive additives. The hierarchical structure of the ZnCo 2 O 4 sensing material provides reliable electrical connection across the sensing electrodes. The resulting sensor exhibits an ultralow detection limit of 3 ppb toward formaldehyde with fast response and recovery as well as good selectivity to CO, H 2 , and hydrocarbons such as n-pentane, propane, and CH 4 . The sensor only consumes ∼5.7 mW for continuous operation at 300 °C with good long-term stability. The excellent sensing performance of this hierarchical structure based sensor suggests the advantages of combining such structures with microfabricated heaters for practical low-power sensing applications.

Formation of NiFe2O4/Expanded Graphite Nanocomposites with Superior Lithium Storage Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Yinglin; Zai, Jiantao; Tian, Bingbing; Qian, Xuefeng

2017-07-01

A NiFe2O4/expanded graphite (NiFe2O4/EG) nanocomposite was prepared via a simple and inexpensive synthesis method. Its lithium storage properties were studied with the goal of applying it as an anode in a lithium-ion battery. The obtained nanocomposite exhibited a good cycle performance, with a capacity of 601 mAh g-1 at a current of 1 A g-1 after 800 cycles. This good performance may be attributed to the enhanced electrical conductivity and layered structure of the EG. Its high mechanical strength could postpone the disintegration of the nanocomposite structure, efficiently accommodate volume changes in the NiFe2O4-based anodes, and alleviate aggregation of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles.

Optical and electrical studies of cerium mixed oxides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherly, T. R.; Raveendran, R.

2014-10-01

The fast development in nanotechnology makes enthusiastic interest in developing nanomaterials having tailor made properties. Cerium mixed oxide materials have received great attention due to their UV absorption property, high reactivity, stability at high temperature, good electrical property etc and these materials find wide applications in solid oxide fuel cells, solar control films, cosmetics, display units, gas sensors etc. In this study cerium mixed oxide compounds were prepared by co-precipitation method. All the samples were doped with Zn (II) and Fe (II). Preliminary characterizations such as XRD, SEM / EDS, TEM were done. UV - Vis, Diffuse reflectance, PL, FT-IR, Raman and ac conductivity studies of the samples were performed.

Controllable in situ synthesis of epsilon manganese dioxide hollow structure/RGO nanocomposites for high-performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Mei; Chen, Bolei; Wu, Xiao; Qian, Jiasheng; Fei, Linfeng; Lu, Wei; Chan, Lai Wa Helen; Yuan, Jikang

2016-01-01

Well-organized epsilon-MnO2 hollow spheres/reduced graphene oxide (MnO2HS/RGO) composites have been successfully constructed via a facile and one-pot synthetic route. The ε-MnO2 hollow spheres with the diameter of ~500 nm were grown in situ with homogeneous distribution on both sides of graphene oxide (GO) sheets in aqueous suspensions. The formation mechanism of the MnO2HS/RGO composites has been systematically investigated, and a high specific capacitance and good cycling capability were achieved on using the composites as supercapacitors. The galvanostatic charge/discharge curves show a specific capacitance of 471.5 F g-1 at 0.8 A g-1. The hollow structures of ε-MnO2 and the crumpled RGO sheets can enhance the electroactive surface area and improve the electrical conductivity, thus further facilitating the charge transport. The MnO2HS/RGO composite exhibits a high capacitance of 272 F g-1 at 3 A g-1 (92% retention) even after 1000 cycles. The prominent electrochemical performance might be attributed to the combination of the pseudo-capacitance of the MnO2 nanospheres with a hollow structure and to the good electrical conductivity of the RGO sheets. This work explores a new concept in designing metal oxides/RGO composites as electrode materials.Well-organized epsilon-MnO2 hollow spheres/reduced graphene oxide (MnO2HS/RGO) composites have been successfully constructed via a facile and one-pot synthetic route. The ε-MnO2 hollow spheres with the diameter of ~500 nm were grown in situ with homogeneous distribution on both sides of graphene oxide (GO) sheets in aqueous suspensions. The formation mechanism of the MnO2HS/RGO composites has been systematically investigated, and a high specific capacitance and good cycling capability were achieved on using the composites as supercapacitors. The galvanostatic charge/discharge curves show a specific capacitance of 471.5 F g-1 at 0.8 A g-1. The hollow structures of ε-MnO2 and the crumpled RGO sheets can enhance the electroactive surface area and improve the electrical conductivity, thus further facilitating the charge transport. The MnO2HS/RGO composite exhibits a high capacitance of 272 F g-1 at 3 A g-1 (92% retention) even after 1000 cycles. The prominent electrochemical performance might be attributed to the combination of the pseudo-capacitance of the MnO2 nanospheres with a hollow structure and to the good electrical conductivity of the RGO sheets. This work explores a new concept in designing metal oxides/RGO composites as electrode materials. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07900d

Incorporating residual temperature and specific humidity in predicting weather-dependent warm-season electricity consumption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, Huade; Beecham, Simon; Xu, Hanqiu; Ingleton, Greg

2017-02-01

Climate warming and increasing variability challenges the electricity supply in warm seasons. A good quantitative representation of the relationship between warm-season electricity consumption and weather condition provides necessary information for long-term electricity planning and short-term electricity management. In this study, an extended version of cooling degree days (ECDD) is proposed for better characterisation of this relationship. The ECDD includes temperature, residual temperature and specific humidity effects. The residual temperature is introduced for the first time to reflect the building thermal inertia effect on electricity consumption. The study is based on the electricity consumption data of four multiple-street city blocks and three office buildings. It is found that the residual temperature effect is about 20% of the current-day temperature effect at the block scale, and increases with a large variation at the building scale. Investigation of this residual temperature effect provides insight to the influence of building designs and structures on electricity consumption. The specific humidity effect appears to be more important at the building scale than at the block scale. A building with high energy performance does not necessarily have low specific humidity dependence. The new ECDD better reflects the weather dependence of electricity consumption than the conventional CDD method.

Electrically conductive polymer concrete coatings

DOEpatents

Fontana, J.J.; Elling, D.; Reams, W.

1990-03-13

A sprayable electrically conductive polymer concrete coating for vertical d overhead applications is described. The coating is permeable yet has low electrical resistivity (<10 ohm-cm), good bond strength to concrete substrates, and good weatherability. A preferred formulation contains about 60 wt % calcined coke breeze, 40 wt % vinyl ester with 3.5 wt % modified bentonite clay. Such formulations apply evenly and provide enough rigidity for vertical or overhead structures so there is no drip or sag.

Electrically conductive polymer concrete coatings

DOEpatents

Fontana, Jack J.; Elling, David; Reams, Walter

1990-01-01

A sprayable electrically conductive polymer concrete coating for vertical d overhead applications is described. The coating is permeable yet has low electrical resistivity (<10 ohm-cm), good bond strength to concrete substrates, and good weatherability. A preferred formulation contains about 60 wt % calcined coke breeze, 40 wt % vinyl ester with 3.5 wt % modified bentonite clay. Such formulations apply evenly and provide enough rigidity for vertical or overhead structures so there is no drip or sag.

Wafer-scale Fabrication of Non-Polar Mesoporous GaN Distributed Bragg Reflectors via Electrochemical Porosification.

PubMed

Zhu, Tongtong; Liu, Yingjun; Ding, Tao; Fu, Wai Yuen; Jarman, John; Ren, Christopher Xiang; Kumar, R Vasant; Oliver, Rachel A

2017-03-27

Distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) are essential components for the development of optoelectronic devices. For many device applications, it is highly desirable to achieve not only high reflectivity and low absorption, but also good conductivity to allow effective electrical injection of charges. Here, we demonstrate the wafer-scale fabrication of highly reflective and conductive non-polar gallium nitride (GaN) DBRs, consisting of perfectly lattice-matched non-polar (11-20) GaN and mesoporous GaN layers that are obtained by a facile one-step electrochemical etching method without any extra processing steps. The GaN/mesoporous GaN DBRs exhibit high peak reflectivities (>96%) across the entire visible spectrum and wide spectral stop-band widths (full-width at half-maximum >80 nm), while preserving the material quality and showing good electrical conductivity. Such mesoporous GaN DBRs thus provide a promising and scalable platform for high performance GaN-based optoelectronic, photonic, and quantum photonic devices.

Full Ka Band Waveguide-to-Microstrip Inline Transition Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jianxing; Li, Lei; Qiao, Yu; Chen, Juan; Chen, Jianzhong; Zhang, Anxue

2018-05-01

In this paper, a compact and broadband inline waveguide-to-microstrip transition is proposed to cover the full Ka band. The transition can be segmented from the electric point of view into three building blocks, comprising a microstrip line to rectangular coaxial line, a wedged rectangular coaxial line to ridged waveguide, and a final tapered ridged waveguide impedance transformer to standard waveguide. Both good electrical performance and simple modular assembly without any soldering have been simultaneously obtained. The validation of the design concept has been conducted by numerical simulations and experimental measurements. The experimental results of a fabricated back-to-back transition prototype coincide with the simulated results. It shows that the proposed transition achieves good return loss of lower than 15.5 dB and low insertion loss with a fluctuation between 0.23 to 0.60 dB across the entire Ka band. Details of design considerations and operation mechanism as well as simulation and measurement results are presented.

Determination of LEDs degradation with entropy generation rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cuadras, Angel; Yao, Jiaqiang; Quilez, Marcos

2017-10-01

We propose a method to assess the degradation and aging of light emitting diodes (LEDs) based on irreversible entropy generation rate. We degraded several LEDs and monitored their entropy generation rate ( S ˙ ) in accelerated tests. We compared the thermoelectrical results with the optical light emission evolution during degradation. We find a good relationship between aging and S ˙ (t), because S ˙ is both related to device parameters and optical performance. We propose a threshold of S ˙ (t) as a reliable damage indicator of LED end-of-life that can avoid the need to perform optical measurements to assess optical aging. The method lays beyond the typical statistical laws for lifetime prediction provided by manufacturers. We tested different LED colors and electrical stresses to validate the electrical LED model and we analyzed the degradation mechanisms of the devices.

Electroset Technology: On the Forefront of Manufacturing

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-01-01

cure of the can be electrically controlled and electrically accelerated. This is useful because polymers are typically not good thermal conductors...from a fluid to a gas. But polymers are not good thermal conductors so it is difficult to get the heat into them in order to make the foam. With

Synergistic effects from graphene and carbon nanotubes endow ordered hierarchical structure foams with a combination of compressibility, super-elasticity and stability and potential application as pressure sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuang, Jun; Dai, Zhaohe; Liu, Luqi; Yang, Zhou; Jin, Ming; Zhang, Zhong

2015-05-01

Nanostructured carbon material based three-dimensional porous architectures have been increasingly developed for various applications, e.g. sensors, elastomer conductors, and energy storage devices. Maintaining architectures with good mechanical performance, including elasticity, load-bearing capacity, fatigue resistance and mechanical stability, is prerequisite for realizing these functions. Though graphene and CNT offer opportunities as nanoscale building blocks, it still remains a great challenge to achieve good mechanical performance in their microarchitectures because of the need to precisely control the structure at different scales. Herein, we fabricate a hierarchical honeycomb-like structured hybrid foam based on both graphene and CNT. The resulting materials possess excellent properties of combined high specific strength, elasticity and mechanical stability, which cannot be achieved in neat CNT and graphene foams. The improved mechanical properties are attributed to the synergistic-effect-induced highly organized, multi-scaled hierarchical architectures. Moreover, with their excellent electrical conductivity, we demonstrated that the hybrid foams could be used as pressure sensors in the fields related to artificial skin.Nanostructured carbon material based three-dimensional porous architectures have been increasingly developed for various applications, e.g. sensors, elastomer conductors, and energy storage devices. Maintaining architectures with good mechanical performance, including elasticity, load-bearing capacity, fatigue resistance and mechanical stability, is prerequisite for realizing these functions. Though graphene and CNT offer opportunities as nanoscale building blocks, it still remains a great challenge to achieve good mechanical performance in their microarchitectures because of the need to precisely control the structure at different scales. Herein, we fabricate a hierarchical honeycomb-like structured hybrid foam based on both graphene and CNT. The resulting materials possess excellent properties of combined high specific strength, elasticity and mechanical stability, which cannot be achieved in neat CNT and graphene foams. The improved mechanical properties are attributed to the synergistic-effect-induced highly organized, multi-scaled hierarchical architectures. Moreover, with their excellent electrical conductivity, we demonstrated that the hybrid foams could be used as pressure sensors in the fields related to artificial skin. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr00841g

Electrically conductive polymer concrete coatings

DOEpatents

Fontana, J.J.; Elling, D.; Reams, W.

1988-05-26

A sprayable electrically conductive polymer concrete coating for vertical and overhead applications is described. The coating is permeable yet has low electrical resistivity (<10 ohm-cm), good bond strength to concrete substrates, and good weatherability. A preferred formulation contains about 60 wt% calcined coke breeze, 40 wt% vinyl ester resin with 3.5 wt% modified bentonite clay. Such formulations apply evenly and provide enough rigidity for vertical or overhead structures so there is no drip or sag. 4 tabs.

Theoretical investigation on the magnetic and electric properties in TbSb compound through an anisotropic microscopic model

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

Ranke, P. J. von, E-mail: von.ranke@uol.com.br; Ribeiro, P. O.; Alho, B. P.

2016-05-14

We report the strong correlations between the magnetoresistivity and the magnetic entropy change in the cubic antiferromagnetic TbSb compound. The theoretical investigation was performed through a microscopic model which takes into account the crystalline electrical field anisotropy, exchange coupling interactions between the up and down magnetic sublattices, and the Zeeman interaction. The easy magnetization directions changes from 〈001〉 to 〈110〉 and then to 〈111〉 observed experimentally was successfully theoretically described. Also, the calculation of the temperature dependence of electric resistivity showed good agreement with the experimental data. Theoretical predictions were calculated for the temperature dependence of the magnetic entropy andmore » resistivity changes upon magnetic field variation. Besides, the difference in the spin up and down sublattices resistivity was investigated.« less

Cold plasma welding of polyaniline nanofibers with enhanced electrical and mechanical properties.

PubMed

Ye, Dong; Yu, Yao; Liu, Lin; Lu, Xinpei; Wu, Yue

2015-12-11

Joining conducting polymer (CP) nanofibers into an interconnected porous network can result in good mechanical and electrical contacts between nanofibers that can be beneficial for the high performance of CP-based devices. Here, we demonstrate the cold welding of polyaniline (PAni) nanofiber loose ends with cold plasma. The room-temperature and atmospheric-pressure helium micro-plasma jet launches highly charged ion bullets at a PAni nanofiber target with high precision and the highly charged ion bullet selectively induces field emission at the sharp nanofiber loose ends. This technique joins nanofiber tips without altering the morphology of the film and protonation thus leading to significantly enhanced electrical and mechanical properties. In addition, this technique has high spatial resolution and is able to selectively weld and dope regions of nanofiber film with promising novel device applications.

Cold plasma welding of polyaniline nanofibers with enhanced electrical and mechanical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Dong; Yu, Yao; Liu, Lin; Lu, Xinpei; Wu, Yue

2015-12-01

Joining conducting polymer (CP) nanofibers into an interconnected porous network can result in good mechanical and electrical contacts between nanofibers that can be beneficial for the high performance of CP-based devices. Here, we demonstrate the cold welding of polyaniline (PAni) nanofiber loose ends with cold plasma. The room-temperature and atmospheric-pressure helium micro-plasma jet launches highly charged ion bullets at a PAni nanofiber target with high precision and the highly charged ion bullet selectively induces field emission at the sharp nanofiber loose ends. This technique joins nanofiber tips without altering the morphology of the film and protonation thus leading to significantly enhanced electrical and mechanical properties. In addition, this technique has high spatial resolution and is able to selectively weld and dope regions of nanofiber film with promising novel device applications.

Electrical characterization of glass, teflon, and tantalum capacitors at high temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hammoud, A. N.; Baumann, E. D.; Myers, I. T.; Overton, E.

1991-01-01

Dielectric materials and electrical components and devices employed in radiation fields and the space environment are often exposed to elevated temperatures among other things. Therefore, these systems must withstand the high temperature exposure while still providing good electrical and other functional properties. Experiments were carried out to evaluate glass, teflon, and tantalum capacitors for potential use in high temperature applications. The capacitors were characterized in terms of their capacitance and dielectric loss as a function of temperature up to 200 C. At a given temperature, these properties were obtained in a frequency range of 50 Hz to 100 kHz. The DC leakage current measurements were also performed in a temperature range from 20 to 200 C. The obtained results are discussed and conclusions are made concerning the suitability of the capacitors investigated for high temperature applications.

33 CFR 159.71 - Electrical controls and conductors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Electrical controls and... Electrical controls and conductors. Electrical controls and conductors must be installed in accordance with good marine practice. Wire must be copper and must be stranded. Electrical controls and conductors must...

33 CFR 159.71 - Electrical controls and conductors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Electrical controls and... Electrical controls and conductors. Electrical controls and conductors must be installed in accordance with good marine practice. Wire must be copper and must be stranded. Electrical controls and conductors must...

33 CFR 159.71 - Electrical controls and conductors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Electrical controls and... Electrical controls and conductors. Electrical controls and conductors must be installed in accordance with good marine practice. Wire must be copper and must be stranded. Electrical controls and conductors must...

The resonant radio-frequency magnetic probe tuned by coaxial cable.

PubMed

Sun, B; Huo, W G; Ding, Z F

2012-08-01

In this paper, the resonant rf magnetic probe is upgraded by replacing the rotary capacitor in the old version with the series-connected coaxial cable. The numerical calculation and the measurement with the prototype probe show that the rf magnetic probe can achieve resonance at a middle length of the series-connected coaxial cable. The good electrical symmetry of the new rf magnetic probe is ensured by both the identity of series-connected coaxial cables and the new structure of the primary winding. Practical measurements conduced on an rf inductively coupled plasma source demonstrate that performances of the new rf magnetic probe are good.

Advances in liquid metals for biomedical applications.

PubMed

Yan, Junjie; Lu, Yue; Chen, Guojun; Yang, Min; Gu, Zhen

2018-04-23

To date, liquid metals have been widely applied in many fields such as electronics, mechanical engineering and energy. In the last decade, with a better understanding of the physicochemical properties such as low viscosity, good fluidity, high thermal/electrical conductivity and good biocompatibility, gallium and gallium-based low-melting-point (near or below physiological temperature) alloys have attracted considerable attention in bio-related applications. This tutorial review introduces the common performances of liquid metals, highlights their featured properties, as well as summarizes various state-of-the-art bio-applications involving carriers for drug delivery, molecular imaging, cancer therapy and biomedical devices. Challenges for the clinical translation of liquid metals are also discussed.

Comparison between two methodologies for urban drainage decision aid.

PubMed

Moura, P M; Baptista, M B; Barraud, S

2006-01-01

The objective of the present work is to compare two methodologies based on multicriteria analysis for the evaluation of stormwater systems. The first methodology was developed in Brazil and is based on performance-cost analysis, the second one is ELECTRE III. Both methodologies were applied to a case study. Sensitivity and robustness analyses were then carried out. These analyses demonstrate that both methodologies have equivalent results, and present low sensitivity and high robustness. These results prove that the Brazilian methodology is consistent and can be used safely in order to select a good solution or a small set of good solutions that could be compared with more detailed methods afterwards.

Static Measurements on HTS Coils of Fully Superconducting AC Electric Machines for Aircraft Electric Propulsion System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Benjamin B.; Hunker, Keith R.; Hartwig, Jason; Brown, Gerald V.

2017-01-01

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been developing the high efficiency and high-power density superconducting (SC) electric machines in full support of electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) systems for a future electric aircraft. A SC coil test rig has been designed and built to perform static and AC measurements on BSCCO, (RE)BCO, and YBCO high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire and coils at liquid nitrogen (LN2) temperature. In this paper, DC measurements on five SC coil configurations of various geometry in zero external magnetic field are measured to develop good measurement technique and to determine the critical current (Ic) and the sharpness (n value) of the super-to-normal transition. Also, standard procedures for coil design, fabrication, coil mounting, micro-volt measurement, cryogenic testing, current control, and data acquisition technique were established. Experimentally measured critical currents are compared with theoretical predicted values based on an electric-field criterion (Ec). Data here are essential to quantify the SC electric machine operation limits where the SC begins to exhibit non-zero resistance. All test data will be utilized to assess the feasibility of using HTS coils for the fully superconducting AC electric machine development for an aircraft electric propulsion system.

Contactless electric igniter for vehicle to lower exhaust emission and fuel consumption.

PubMed

Shen, Chih-Lung; Su, Jye-Chau

2014-01-01

An electric igniter for engine/hybrid vehicles is presented. The igniter comprises a flyback converter, a voltage-stacked capacitor, a PIC-based controller, a differential voltage detector, and an ignition coil, of which structure is non-contact type. Since the electric igniter adopts a capacitor to accumulate energy for engine ignition instead of traditional contacttype approach, it enhances the igniting performance of a spark plug effectively. As a result, combustion efficiency is promoted, fuel consumption is saved, and exhaust emission is reduced. The igniter not only is good for fuel efficiency but also can reduce HC and CO emission significantly, which therefore is an environmentally friendly product. The control core of the igniter is implemented on a single chip, which lowers discrete component count, reduces system volume, and increases reliability. In addition, the ignition timing can be programmed so that a timing regulator can be removed from the proposed system, simplifying its structure. To verify the feasibility and functionality of the igniter, key waveforms are measured and real-car experiments are performed as well.

Contactless Electric Igniter for Vehicle to Lower Exhaust Emission and Fuel Consumption

PubMed Central

Su, Jye-Chau

2014-01-01

An electric igniter for engine/hybrid vehicles is presented. The igniter comprises a flyback converter, a voltage-stacked capacitor, a PIC-based controller, a differential voltage detector, and an ignition coil, of which structure is non-contact type. Since the electric igniter adopts a capacitor to accumulate energy for engine ignition instead of traditional contacttype approach, it enhances the igniting performance of a spark plug effectively. As a result, combustion efficiency is promoted, fuel consumption is saved, and exhaust emission is reduced. The igniter not only is good for fuel efficiency but also can reduce HC and CO emission significantly, which therefore is an environmentally friendly product. The control core of the igniter is implemented on a single chip, which lowers discrete component count, reduces system volume, and increases reliability. In addition, the ignition timing can be programmed so that a timing regulator can be removed from the proposed system, simplifying its structure. To verify the feasibility and functionality of the igniter, key waveforms are measured and real-car experiments are performed as well. PMID:24672372

Solution processed aluminum paper for flexible electronics.

PubMed

Lee, Hye Moon; Lee, Ha Beom; Jung, Dae Soo; Yun, Jung-Yeul; Ko, Seung Hwan; Park, Seung Bin

2012-09-11

As an alternative to vacuum deposition, preparation of highly conductive papers with aluminum (Al) features is successfully achieved by the solution process consisting of Al precursor ink (AlH(3){O(C(4)H(9))(2)}) and low temperature stamping process performed at 110 °C without any serious hydroxylation and oxidation problems. Al features formed on several kinds of paper substrates (calendar, magazine, and inkjet printing paper substrates) are less than ~60 nm thick, and their electrical conductivities were found to be as good as thermally evaporated Al film or even better (≤2 Ω/□). Strong adhesion of Al features to paper substrates and their excellent flexibility are also experimentally confirmed by TEM observation and mechanical tests, such as tape and bending tests. The solution processed Al features on paper substrates show different electrical and mechanical performance depending on the paper type, and inkjet printing paper is found to be the best substrate with high and stable electrical and mechanical properties. The Al conductive papers produced by the solution process may be applicable in disposal paper electronics.

A Power-Frequency Electric Field Sensor for Portable Measurement

PubMed Central

Xiao, Dongping; Ma, Qichao; Xie, Yutong; Zheng, Qi

2018-01-01

In this paper, a new type of electric field sensor is proposed for the health and safety protection of inspection staff in high-voltage environments. Compared with the traditional power frequency electric field measurement instruments, the portable instrument has some special performance requirements and, thus, a new kind of double spherical shell sensor is presented. First, the mathematical relationships between the induced voltage of the sensor, the output voltage of the measurement circuit, and the original electric field in free space are deduced theoretically. These equations show the principle of the proposed sensor to measure the electric field and the effect factors of the measurement. Next, the characteristics of the sensor are analyzed through simulation. The simulation results are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis. The influencing rules of the size and material of the sensor on the measurement results are summarized. Then, the proposed sensor and the matching measurement system are used in a physical experiment. After calibration, the error of the measurement system is discussed. Lastly, the directional characteristic of the proposed sensor is experimentally tested. PMID:29614753

A Power-Frequency Electric Field Sensor for Portable Measurement.

PubMed

Xiao, Dongping; Ma, Qichao; Xie, Yutong; Zheng, Qi; Zhang, Zhanlong

2018-03-31

In this paper, a new type of electric field sensor is proposed for the health and safety protection of inspection staff in high-voltage environments. Compared with the traditional power frequency electric field measurement instruments, the portable instrument has some special performance requirements and, thus, a new kind of double spherical shell sensor is presented. First, the mathematical relationships between the induced voltage of the sensor, the output voltage of the measurement circuit, and the original electric field in free space are deduced theoretically. These equations show the principle of the proposed sensor to measure the electric field and the effect factors of the measurement. Next, the characteristics of the sensor are analyzed through simulation. The simulation results are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis. The influencing rules of the size and material of the sensor on the measurement results are summarized. Then, the proposed sensor and the matching measurement system are used in a physical experiment. After calibration, the error of the measurement system is discussed. Lastly, the directional characteristic of the proposed sensor is experimentally tested.

Bottom-up realization and electrical characterization of a graphene-based device.

PubMed

Maffucci, A; Micciulla, F; Cataldo, A; Miano, G; Bellucci, S

2016-03-04

We propose a bottom-up procedure to fabricate an easy-to-engineer graphene-based device, consisting of a microstrip-like circuit where few-layer graphene nanoplatelets are used to contact two copper electrodes. The graphene nanoplatelets are obtained by the microwave irradiation of intercalated graphite, i.e., an environmentally friendly, fast and low-cost procedure. The contact is created by a bottom-up process, driven by the application of a DC electrical field in the gap between the electrodes, yielding the formation of a graphene carpet. The electrical resistance of the device has been measured as a function of the gap length and device temperature. The possible use of this device as a gas sensor is demonstrated by measuring the sensitivity of its electrical resistance to the presence of gas. The measured results demonstrate a good degree of reproducibility in the fabrication process, and the competitive performance of devices, thus making the proposed technique potentially attractive for industrial applications.

Electrical characterization of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on organic thin film transistor (OTFT)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Musa, Nurhazwani; Halim, Nurul Farhanah Ab.; Ahmad, Mohd Noor; Zakaria, Zulkhairi; Hashim, Uda

2017-03-01

A green method and eco-friendly solution were used to chemically reduce graphene oxide (GO) to graphene using green reductant. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) were prepared by using Tours method. Then, reduced graphene oxides (rGO) were prepared by using three typical reduction agents: L-ascorbic acid (L-AA), formamidinesulfinic acid (FAS) and sodium sulfite (Na2SO3). The reduced materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Graphene based organic thin film transistor (G-OTFT) was prepared by a spin coating and thermal evaporation technique. The electrical characterization of G-OTFT was analyzed by using semiconductor parameter analyzer (SPA). The G-OTFT devices show p-type semiconducting behaviour. This article focuses on the synthesis and reduction of graphene oxide using three different reductants in order to maximise its electrical conductivity. The rGO product demonstrated a good electrical conductivity performance with highly sensitivity sensor.

Improving the light-emitting properties of single-layered polyfluorene light-emitting devices by simple ionic liquid blending

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horike, Shohei; Nagaki, Hiroto; Misaki, Masahiro; Koshiba, Yasuko; Morimoto, Masahiro; Fukushima, Tatsuya; Ishida, Kenji

2018-03-01

This paper describes an evaluation of ionic liquids (ILs) as potential electrolytes for single-layered light-emitting devices with good emission performance. As optoelectronic devices continue to grow in abundance, high-performance light-emitting devices with a single emission layer are becoming increasingly important for low-cost production. We show that a simple technique of osmosing IL into the polymer layer can result in high luminous efficiency and good response times of single-layered light-emitting polymers, even without the additional stacking of charge carrier injection and transport layers. The IL contributions to the light-emission of the polymer are discussed from the perspectives of energy diagrams and of the electric double layers on the electrodes. Our findings enable a faster, cheaper, and lower-in-waste production of light-emitting devices.

Analysis of electric and thermal behaviour of lithium-ion cells in realistic driving cycles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tourani, Abbas; White, Peter; Ivey, Paul

2014-12-01

A substantial part of electric vehicles (EVs) powertrain is the battery cell. The cells are usually connected in series, and failure of a single cell can deactivate an entire module in the battery pack. Hence, understanding the cell behaviour helps to predict and improve the battery performance and leads to design a cost effective thermal management system for the battery pack. A first principle thermo electrochemical model is applied to study the cell behaviour. The model is in good agreement with the experimental results and can predict the heat generation and the temperature distribution across the cell for different operating conditions. The operating temperature effect on the cell performance is studied and the operating temperature for the best performance is verified. In addition, EV cells are examined in a realistic driving cycle from the Artemis class. The study findings lead to the proposal of some crucial recommendation to design cost effective thermal management systems for the battery pack.

Use of a spread sheet to calculate the current-density distribution produced in human and rat models by low-frequency electric fields.

PubMed

Hart, F X

1990-01-01

The current-density distribution produced inside irregularly shaped, homogeneous human and rat models by low-frequency electric fields is obtained by a two-stage finite-difference procedure. In the first stage the model is assumed to be equipotential. Laplace's equation is solved by iteration in the external region to obtain the capacitive-current densities at the model's surface elements. These values then provide the boundary conditions for the second-stage relaxation solution, which yields the internal current-density distribution. Calculations were performed with the Excel spread-sheet program on a Macintosh-II microcomputer. A spread sheet is a two-dimensional array of cells. Each cell of the sheet can represent a square element of space. Equations relating the values of the cells can represent the relationships between the potentials in the corresponding spatial elements. Extension to three dimensions is readily made. Good agreement was obtained with current densities measured on human models with both, one, or no legs grounded and on rat models in four different grounding configurations. The results also compared well with predictions of more sophisticated numerical analyses. Spread sheets can provide an inexpensive and relatively simple means to perform good, approximate dosimetric calculations on irregularly shaped objects.

Carbon-shell-constrained silicon cluster derived from Al-Si alloy as long-cycling life lithium ion batteries anode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Junming; Zhang, Congcong; Chen, Xiang; Liu, Siyang; Huang, Tao; Yu, Aishui

2018-03-01

Although silicon is the most promising anode material for Li-ion batteries, large volume expansion during lithiation and delithiation is the main obstacle limiting the commercial application of silicon anodes. There are two ways to alleviate volume expansion and prevent further pulverization of a Si anode: fabrication of a rational nanostructure possessing void spaces and uniform distribution of the conducting sites, without a good balance effect in mitigating the limiting factors and enhancing battery performance. In this paper, we propose a novel nanostructure - a carbon-shell-constrained Si cluster (Si/C shell) with both adequate void space and good distribution of electrical contact sites to guarantee homogeneous lithiation in the initial cycle. Benefiting from the ability to maintain electrical conductivity of the outer carbon shell, even after cluster fragmentation, the Si/C shell synthesized from low-cost commercial Al-Si alloy spheres can deliver 0.03% capacity loss from 100th to 1000th cycles at a current density of 1 A g-1. The Si/C shell sample with the dual functional structure mentioned above can also maintain its own nanostructure during cycling and deliver excellent rate performance. It is a concise and scalable strategy which can simplify the preparation of other alloy anode materials for Li-ion batteries.

Metal Phosphides and Phosphates-based Electrodes for Electrochemical Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Li, Xin; Elshahawy, Abdelnaby M; Guan, Cao; Wang, John

2017-10-01

Phosphorus compounds, such as metal phosphides and phosphates have shown excellent performances and great potential in electrochemical energy storage, which are demonstrated by research works published in recent years. Some of these metal phosphides and phosphates and their hybrids compare favorably with transition metal oxides/hydroxides, which have been studied extensively as a class of electrode materials for supercapacitor applications, where they have limitations in terms of electrical and ion conductivity and device stability. To be specific, metal phosphides have both metalloid characteristics and good electric conductivity. For metal phosphates, the open-framework structures with large channels and cavities endow them with good ion conductivity and charge storage capacity. In this review, we present the recent progress on metal phosphides and phosphates, by focusing on their advantages/disadvantages and potential applications as a new class of electrode materials in supercapacitors. The synthesis methods to prepare these metal phosphides/phosphates are looked into, together with the scientific insights involved, as they strongly affect the electrochemical energy storage performance. Particular attentions are paid to those hybrid-type materials, where strong synergistic effects exist. In the summary, the future perspectives and challenges for the metal phosphides, phosphates and hybrid-types are proposed and discussed. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fabrication and characterization of Ga-doped ZnO / Si heterojunction nanodiodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akgul, Guvenc; Akgul, Funda Aksoy

2017-02-01

In this study, temperature-dependent electrical properties of n-type Ga-doped ZnO thin film / p-type Si nanowire heterojunction diodes were reported. Metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) process was performed to fabricate Si nanowires. Ga-doped ZnO films were then deposited onto nanowires through chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique to build three-dimensional nanowire-based heterojunction diodes. Fabricated devices revealed significant diode characteristics in the temperature range of 220 - 360 K. Electrical measurements shown that diodes had a well-defined rectifying behavior with a good rectification ratio of 103 ±3 V at room temperature. Ideality factor (n) were changed from 2.2 to 1.2 with increasing temperature.

Effect of calcium chloride concentration on output force in electrical actuator made of sodium alginate gel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yuda; Zhao, Gang; Wei, Chengye; Liu, Shuang; Fu, Yu; Liu, Xvxiong

2018-01-01

As a kind of artificial muscle intelligent material, the biological gel electric driver has the advantages of low driving voltage, large strain, good biological compatibility, good flexibility, low price, etc. The application prospect is broad and it has high academic value. Alginate, as a common substance in sea, has characteristics of low cost, green and pollution-free. Therefore,this paper obtains biological gel electric actuator by sodium alginate and calcium chloride. Effects on output force of the electric actuator is researched by changing the crosslinking of calcium chloride concentration and the output force enhancement mechanism is analyzed in this paper.

Investigation of Re-X glass ceramic for acceleration insulating columns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faltens, A.; Rosenblum, S.

1985-05-01

In an induction linac the accelerating voltage appears along a voltage-graded vacuum insulator column which is a performance limiting and major cost component. Re-X glass ceramic insulators have the long-sought properties of allowing cast-in gradient electrodes, good breakdown characteristics, and compatibility with high vacuum systems. Re-X is a glass ceramic developed by General Electric for use in the manufacture of electrical apparatus, such as vacuum arc interrupters. We have examined vacuum outgassing behavior and voltage breakdown in vacuum and find excellent performance. The housings are in the shape of tubes with type 430 stainless steel terminations. Due to a matched coefficient of thermal expansion between metal and insulator, no vacuum leaks have resulted from any welding operation. The components should be relatively inexpensive to manufacture in large sizes and appear to be a very attractive accelerator column. We are planning to use a standard GE housing in our MBE-4 induction linac.

Band Structures and Transport Properties of High-Performance Half-Heusler Thermoelectric Materials by First Principles.

PubMed

Fang, Teng; Zhao, Xinbing; Zhu, Tiejun

2018-05-19

Half-Heusler (HH) compounds, with a valence electron count of 8 or 18, have gained popularity as promising high-temperature thermoelectric (TE) materials due to their excellent electrical properties, robust mechanical capabilities, and good high-temperature thermal stability. With the help of first-principles calculations, great progress has been made in half-Heusler thermoelectric materials. In this review, we summarize some representative theoretical work on band structures and transport properties of HH compounds. We introduce how basic band-structure calculations are used to investigate the atomic disorder in n-type M NiSb ( M = Ti, Zr, Hf) compounds and guide the band engineering to enhance TE performance in p-type Fe R Sb ( R = V, Nb) based systems. The calculations on electrical transport properties, especially the scattering time, and lattice thermal conductivities are also demonstrated. The outlook for future research directions of first-principles calculations on HH TE materials is also discussed.

Band Structures and Transport Properties of High-Performance Half-Heusler Thermoelectric Materials by First Principles

PubMed Central

Fang, Teng; Zhao, Xinbing

2018-01-01

Half-Heusler (HH) compounds, with a valence electron count of 8 or 18, have gained popularity as promising high-temperature thermoelectric (TE) materials due to their excellent electrical properties, robust mechanical capabilities, and good high-temperature thermal stability. With the help of first-principles calculations, great progress has been made in half-Heusler thermoelectric materials. In this review, we summarize some representative theoretical work on band structures and transport properties of HH compounds. We introduce how basic band-structure calculations are used to investigate the atomic disorder in n-type MNiSb (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) compounds and guide the band engineering to enhance TE performance in p-type FeRSb (R = V, Nb) based systems. The calculations on electrical transport properties, especially the scattering time, and lattice thermal conductivities are also demonstrated. The outlook for future research directions of first-principles calculations on HH TE materials is also discussed. PMID:29783759

Analysis of integrated photovoltaic-thermal systems using solar concentrators

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

Yusoff, M.B.

1983-01-01

An integrated photovoltaic-thermal system using solar concentrators utilizes the solar radiation spectrum in the production of electrical and thermal energy. The electrical conversion efficiency of this system decreases with increasing solar cell temperature. Since a high operating temperature is desirable to maximize the quality of thermal output of the planned integrated system, a proper choice of the operating temperature for the unit cell is of vital importance. The analysis predicts performance characteristics of the unit cell by considering the dependence of the heat generation, the heat absorption and the heat transmission on the material properties of the unit cell structure.more » An analytical model has been developed to describe the heat transport phenomena occurring in the unit cell structure. The range of applicability of the one-dimensional and the two-dimensional models, which have closed-form solutions, has been demonstrated. Parametric and design studies point out the requirements for necessary good electrical and thermal performance. A procedure utilizing functional forms of component characteristics in the form of partial coefficients of the dependent variable has been developed to design and operate the integrated system to have a desirable value of the thermal to electrical output ratio both at design and operating modes.« less

33 CFR 159.71 - Electrical controls and conductors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... conductors. 159.71 Section 159.71 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND... Electrical controls and conductors. Electrical controls and conductors must be installed in accordance with good marine practice. Wire must be copper and must be stranded. Electrical controls and conductors must...

33 CFR 159.71 - Electrical controls and conductors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... conductors. 159.71 Section 159.71 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND... Electrical controls and conductors. Electrical controls and conductors must be installed in accordance with good marine practice. Wire must be copper and must be stranded. Electrical controls and conductors must...

Evaluation of the PV energy production after 12-years of operating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouchakour, Salim; Arab, Amar Hadj; Abdeladim, Kamel; Boulahchiche, Saliha; Amrouche, Said Ould; Razagui, Abdelhak

2018-05-01

This paper presents a simple way to approximately evaluate the photovoltaic (PV) array performance degradation, the studied PV arrays are connected to the local electric grid at the Centre de Developpement des Energies Renouvelables (CDER) in Algiers, Algeria, since June 2004. The used PV module model takes in consideration the module temperature and the effective solar radiance, the electrical characteristics provided by the manufacturer data sheet and the evaluation of the performance coefficient. For the dynamic behavior we use the Linear Reoriented Coordinates Method (LRCM) to estimate the maximum power point (MPP). The performance coefficient is evaluated on the one hand under STC conditions to estimate the dc energy according to the manufacturer data. On the other hand, under real conditions using both the monitored data and the LM optimization algorithm, allowing a good degree of accuracy of estimated dc energy. The application of the developed modeling procedure to the analysis of the monitored data is expected to improve understanding and assessment of the PV performance degradation of the PV arrays after 12 years of operation.

An Effective Design of Electrically Conducting Thin-Film Composite (TFC) Membranes for Bio and Organic Fouling Control in Forward Osmosis (FO).

PubMed

Liu, Qing; Qiu, Guanglei; Zhou, Zhengzhong; Li, Jingguo; Amy, Gary Lee; Xie, Jianping; Lee, Jim Yang

2016-10-04

The organic foulants and bacteria in secondary wastewater treatment can seriously impair the membrane performance in a water treatment plant. The embedded electrode approach using an externally applied potential to repel organic foulants and inhibit bacterial adhesion can effectively reduce the frequency of membrane replacement. Electrode embedment in membranes is often carried out by dispensing a conductor (e.g., carbon nanotubes, or CNTs) in the membrane substrate, which gives rise to two problems: the leaching-out of the conductor and a percolation-limited membrane conductivity that results in an added energy cost. This study presents a facile method for the embedment of a continuous electrode in thin-film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membranes. Specifically, a conducting porous carbon paper is used as the understructure for the formation of a membrane substrate by the classical phase inversion process. The carbon paper and the membrane substrate polymer form an interpenetrating structure with good stability and low electrical resistance (only about 1Ω/□). The membrane-electrode assembly was deployed as the cathode of an electrochemical cell, and showed good resistance to organic and microbial fouling with the imposition of a 2.0 V DC voltage. The carbon paper-based FO TFC membranes also possess good mechanical stability for practical use.

Synthesis and Electric Properties of a Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Framework Based on Phthalocyanine.

PubMed

Nagatomi, Hisanori; Yanai, Nobuhiro; Yamada, Teppei; Shiraishi, Kanji; Kimizuka, Nobuo

2018-02-06

Complexation of copper(II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octahydroxy-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (CuPcOH) with copper(II) ions gives a two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic framework (MOF). This is the first report of a phthalocyanine-based MOF. This 2D MOF was obtained as a black powder and showed an electrical conductivity of 1.6×10 -6  S cm -1 at 80 °C. When this MOF is used as a cathode of lithium ion battery (LIB), large charge/discharge capacities of 151/128 mAh g -1 were obtained. In addition, it showed a good stability during 200 charge/discharge cycles. The obtained LIB performance mainly originates from the electrically conductive and redox-active framework of the phthalocyanine-based 2D MOF and its hierarchical microporous/mesoporous structure. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The investigation of a compact auto-connected wire-wrapped pulsed transformer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yuwei; Zhang, Jiande; Chen, Dongqun; Cao, Shengguang; Li, Da; Zhang, Tianyang

2012-05-01

For the power conditioning circuit used to deliver power efficiently from flux compression generator (FCG) to the load with high impedance, an air-cored and wire-wrapped transformer convenient in coaxial connection to the other parts is investigated. To reduce the size and enhance the performance, an auto-connection is adopted. A fast and simple model is used to calculate the electrical parameters of the transformer. To evaluate the high voltage capability, the voltages across turns and the electric field distribution in the transformer are investigated. The calculated and the measured electrical parameters of the transformer show good agreements. And the safe operating voltage is predicted to exceed 500 kV. In the preliminary experiments, the transformer is tested in a power conditioning circuit with a capacitive power supply. It is demonstrated that the output voltage of the transformer reaches -342 kV under the input voltage of -81 kV.

The investigation of a compact auto-connected wire-wrapped pulsed transformer.

PubMed

Wang, Yuwei; Zhang, Jiande; Chen, Dongqun; Cao, Shengguang; Li, Da; Zhang, Tianyang

2012-05-01

For the power conditioning circuit used to deliver power efficiently from flux compression generator (FCG) to the load with high impedance, an air-cored and wire-wrapped transformer convenient in coaxial connection to the other parts is investigated. To reduce the size and enhance the performance, an auto-connection is adopted. A fast and simple model is used to calculate the electrical parameters of the transformer. To evaluate the high voltage capability, the voltages across turns and the electric field distribution in the transformer are investigated. The calculated and the measured electrical parameters of the transformer show good agreements. And the safe operating voltage is predicted to exceed 500 kV. In the preliminary experiments, the transformer is tested in a power conditioning circuit with a capacitive power supply. It is demonstrated that the output voltage of the transformer reaches -342 kV under the input voltage of -81 kV.

Lap time simulation and design optimisation of a brushed DC electric motorcycle for the Isle of Man TT Zero Challenge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dal Bianco, N.; Lot, R.; Matthys, K.

2018-01-01

This works regards the design of an electric motorcycle for the annual Isle of Man TT Zero Challenge. Optimal control theory was used to perform lap time simulation and design optimisation. A bespoked model was developed, featuring 3D road topology, vehicle dynamics and electric power train, composed of a lithium battery pack, brushed DC motors and motor controller. The model runs simulations over the entire ? or ? of the Snaefell Mountain Course. The work is validated using experimental data from the BX chassis of the Brunel Racing team, which ran during the 2009 to 2015 TT Zero races. Optimal control is used to improve drive train and power train configurations. Findings demonstrate computational efficiency, good lap time prediction and design optimisation potential, achieving a 2 minutes reduction of the reference lap time through changes in final drive gear ratio, battery pack size and motor configuration.

Polarization masks: concept and initial assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lam, Michael; Neureuther, Andrew R.

2002-07-01

Polarization from photomasks can be used as a new lever to improve lithographic performance in both binary and phase-shifting masks (PSMs). While PSMs manipulate the phase of light to control the temporal addition of electric field vectors, polarization masks manipulate the vector direction of electric field vectors to control the spatial addition of electric field components. This paper explores the theoretical possibilities of polarization masks, showing that it is possible to use bar structures within openings on the mask itself to polarize incident radiation. Rigorous electromagnetic scattering simulations using TEMPEST and imaging with SPLAT are used to give an initial assessment on the functionality of polarization masks, discussing the polarization quality and throughputs achieved with the masks. Openings between 1/8 and 1/3 of a wavelength provide both a low polarization ratio and good transmission. A final overall throughput of 33% - 40% is achievable, corresponding to a dose hit of 2.5x - 3x.

Direct writing of flexible electronics through room temperature liquid metal ink.

PubMed

Gao, Yunxia; Li, Haiyan; Liu, Jing

2012-01-01

Conventional approaches of making a flexible circuit are generally complex, environment unfriendly, time and energy consuming, and thus expensive. Here, we describe for the first time the method of using high-performance GaIn(10)-based electrical ink, a significantly neglected room temperature liquid metal, as both electrical conductors and interconnects, for directly writing flexible electronics via a rather easy going and cost effective way. The new generation electric ink was made and its wettability with various materials was modified to be easily written on a group of either soft or rigid substrates such as epoxy resin board, glass, plastic, silica gel, paper, cotton, textiles, cloth and fiber etc. Conceptual experiments were performed to demonstrate and evaluate the capability of directly writing the electrical circuits via the invented metal ink. Mechanisms involved were interpreted through a series of fundamental measurements. The electrical resistivity of the fluid like GaIn(10)-based material was measured as 34.5 µΩ·cm at 297 K by four point probe method and increased with addition of the oxygen quantity, which indicates it as an excellent metal ink. The conductive line can be written with features that are approximately 10 µm thick. Several functional devices such as a light emitting diode (LED) array showing designed lighting patterns and electrical fan were made to work by directly writing the liquid metal on the specific flexible substrates. And satisfactory performances were obtained. The present method opens the way to directly and quickly writing flexible electronics which can be as simple as signing a name or drawing a picture on the paper. The unique merit of the GaIn(10)-based liquid metal ink lies in its low melting temperature, well controlled wettability, high electrical conductivity and good biocompability. The new electronics writing strategy and basic principle has generalized purpose and can be extended to more industrial areas, even daily life.

Direct Writing of Flexible Electronics through Room Temperature Liquid Metal Ink

PubMed Central

Gao, Yunxia; Li, Haiyan; Liu, Jing

2012-01-01

Background Conventional approaches of making a flexible circuit are generally complex, environment unfriendly, time and energy consuming, and thus expensive. Here, we describe for the first time the method of using high-performance GaIn10-based electrical ink, a significantly neglected room temperature liquid metal, as both electrical conductors and interconnects, for directly writing flexible electronics via a rather easy going and cost effective way. Methods The new generation electric ink was made and its wettability with various materials was modified to be easily written on a group of either soft or rigid substrates such as epoxy resin board, glass, plastic, silica gel, paper, cotton, textiles, cloth and fiber etc. Conceptual experiments were performed to demonstrate and evaluate the capability of directly writing the electrical circuits via the invented metal ink. Mechanisms involved were interpreted through a series of fundamental measurements. Results The electrical resistivity of the fluid like GaIn10-based material was measured as 34.5 µΩ·cm at 297 K by four point probe method and increased with addition of the oxygen quantity, which indicates it as an excellent metal ink. The conductive line can be written with features that are approximately 10 µm thick. Several functional devices such as a light emitting diode (LED) array showing designed lighting patterns and electrical fan were made to work by directly writing the liquid metal on the specific flexible substrates. And satisfactory performances were obtained. Conclusions The present method opens the way to directly and quickly writing flexible electronics which can be as simple as signing a name or drawing a picture on the paper. The unique merit of the GaIn10-based liquid metal ink lies in its low melting temperature, well controlled wettability, high electrical conductivity and good biocompability. The new electronics writing strategy and basic principle has generalized purpose and can be extended to more industrial areas, even daily life. PMID:23029044

Choice of electricity provider in California after deregulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keanini, Rasa Ilze

Surveys often ask consumers how much they are willing to pay for certain goods and services, without requiring the consumer to actually pay for the good or service. Such surveys, termed stated preference studies, find that consumers value renewable electricity. This result is in contrast to actual experiences in recently deregulated electricity markets in several states, including California. When given the opportunity to choose in California, only one to two percent of the population opted for renewable electricity products. This dissertation used data from residential customers who chose an alternative electricity product in California's deregulated electricity market to determine the value placed on the renewable attribute of electricity products. This dissertation begins by taking a historical look at the electricity market of the nation and specifically California. From 1998 through 2001, California's electricity market was deregulated to include retail competition. This dissertation used data from electric service providers to reveal the factors influencing residential customer's choice of electricity product. Discrete choice models were used to determine the factors influencing electricity product choice. The results indicated that both price and renewable content had an effect on choice of product. Additionally, a more complicated model jointly estimating the discrete choice of electricity product with the continuous choice of electricity consumption (kWh) was specified and estimated.

Numerical modeling of high-voltage circuit breaker arcs and their interraction with the power system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orama, Lionel R.

In this work the interaction between series connected gas and vacuum circuit breaker arcs has been studied. The breakdown phenomena in vacuum interrupters during the post arc current period have been of special interest. Numerical models of gas and vacuum arcs were developed in the form of black box models. Especially, the vacuum post arc model was implemented by combining the existing transition model with an ion density function and expressions for the breakdown mechanisms. The test series studied reflect that for electric fields on the order of 10sp7V/m over the anode, the breakdown of the vacuum gap can result from a combination of both thermal and electrical stresses. For a particular vacuum device, the vacuum model helps to find the interruption limits of the electric field and power density over the anode. The series connection of gas and vacuum interrupters always performs better than the single gas device. Moreover, to take advantage of the good characteristics of both devices, the time between the current zero crossing in each interrupter can be changed. This current zero synchronization is controlled by changing the capacitance in parallel to the gas device. This gas/vacuum interrupter is suitable for interruption of very stressful short circuits in which the product of the dI/dt before current zero and the dV/dt after current zero is very high. Also, a single SF6 interrupter can be replaced by an air circuit breaker of the same voltage rating in series with a vacuum device without compromising the good performance of the SF6 device. Conceptually, a series connected vacuum device can be used for high voltage applications with equal distribution of electrical stresses between the individual interrupters. The equalization can be made by a sequential opening of the individual contact pairs, beginning with the interruptors that are closer to ground potential. This could eliminate the use of grading capacitors.

Sol-Gel Material-Enabled Electro-Optic Polymer Modulators

PubMed Central

Himmelhuber, Roland; Norwood, Robert A.; Enami, Yasufumi; Peyghambarian, Nasser

2015-01-01

Sol-gels are an important material class, as they provide easy modification of material properties, good processability and are easy to synthesize. In general, an electro-optic (EO) modulator transforms an electrical signal into an optical signal. The incoming electrical signal is most commonly information encoded in a voltage change. This voltage change is then transformed into either a phase change or an intensity change in the light signal. The less voltage needed to drive the modulator and the lower the optical loss, the higher the link gain and, therefore, the better the performance of the modulator. In this review, we will show how sol-gels can be used to enhance the performance of electro-optic modulators by allowing for designs with low optical loss, increased poling efficiency and manipulation of the electric field used for driving the modulator. The optical loss is influenced by the propagation loss in the device, as well as the losses occurring during fiber coupling in and out of the device. In both cases, the use of sol-gel materials can be beneficial due to the wide range of available refractive indices and low optical attenuation. The influence of material properties and synthesis conditions on the device performance will be discussed. PMID:26225971

Germanium microflower-on-nanostem as a high-performance lithium ion battery electrode

PubMed Central

Lee, Gwang-Hee; Kwon, S. Joon; Park, Kyung-Soo; Kang, Jin-Gu; Park, Jae-Gwan; Lee, Sungjun; Kim, Jae-Chan; Shim, Hyun-Woo; Kim, Dong-Wan

2014-01-01

We demonstrate a new design of Ge-based electrodes comprising three-dimensional (3-D) spherical microflowers containing crystalline nanorod networks on sturdy 1-D nanostems directly grown on a metallic current collector by facile thermal evaporation. The Ge nanorod networks were observed to self-replicate their tetrahedron structures and form a diamond cubic lattice-like inner network. After etching and subsequent carbon coating, the treated Ge nanostructures provide good electrical conductivity and are resistant to gradual deterioration, resulting in superior electrochemical performance as anode materials for LIBs, with a charge capacity retention of 96% after 100 cycles and a high specific capacity of 1360 mA h g−1 at 1 C and a high-rate capability with reversible capacities of 1080 and 850 mA h g−1 at the rates of 5 and 10 C, respectively. The improved electrochemical performance can be attributed to the fast electron transport and good strain accommodation of the carbon-filled Ge microflower-on-nanostem hybrid electrode. PMID:25363317

Electrical Conductivity in Textiles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2006-01-01

Copper is the most widely used electrical conductor. Like most metals, though, it has several drawbacks: it is heavy, expensive, and can break. Fibers that conduct electricity could be the solutions to these problems, and they are of great interest to NASA. Conductive fibers provide lightweight alternatives to heavy copper wiring in a variety of settings, including aerospace, where weight is always a chief concern. This is an area where NASA is always seeking improved materials. The fibers are also more cost-effective than metals. Expenditure is another area where NASA is always looking to make improvements. In the case of electronics that are confined to small spaces and subject to severe stress, copper is prone to breaking and losing connection over time. Flexible conductive fibers eliminate that problem. They are more supple and stronger than brittle copper and, thus, find good use in these and similar situations. While clearly a much-needed material, electrically conductive fibers are not readily available. The cost of new technology development, with all the pitfalls of troubleshooting production and the years of testing, and without the guarantee of an immediate market, is often too much of a financial hazard for companies to risk. NASA, however, saw the need for electrical fibers in its many projects and sought out a high-tech textile company that was already experimenting in this field, Syscom Technology, Inc., of Columbus, Ohio. Syscom was founded in 1993 to provide computer software engineering services and basic materials research in the areas of high-performance polymer fibers and films. In 1999, Syscom decided to focus its business and technical efforts on development of high-strength, high-performance, and electrically conductive polymer fibers. The company developed AmberStrand, an electrically conductive, low-weight, strong-yet-flexible hybrid metal-polymer YARN.

Integration of mechanical, structural and electrical imaging to understand response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

PubMed

Silva, Etelvino; Bijnens, Bart; Berruezo, Antonio; Mont, Lluis; Doltra, Adelina; Andreu, David; Brugada, Josep; Sitges, Marta

2014-10-01

There is extensive controversy exists on whether cardiac resynchronization therapy corrects electrical or mechanical asynchrony. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between electrical and mechanical sequences and if myocardial scar has any relevant impact. Six patients with normal left ventricular function and 12 patients with left ventricular dysfunction and left bundle branch block, treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy, were studied. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and electroanatomical mapping were performed in all patients and, where applicable, before and after therapy. Magnetic resonance was performed for evaluation of myocardial scar. Images were postprocessed and mechanical and electrical activation sequences were defined and time differences between the first and last ventricular segment to be activated were determined. Response to therapy was defined as a reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume ≥ 15% after 12 months of follow-up. Good correlation between electrical and mechanical timings was found in patients with normal left ventricular function (r(2) = 0.88; P = .005) but not in those with left ventricular dysfunction (r(2) = 0.02; P = not significant). After therapy, both timings and sequences were modified and improved, except in those with myocardial scar. Despite a close electromechanical relationship in normal left ventricular function, there is no significant correlation in patients with dysfunction. Although resynchronization therapy improves this correlation, the changes in electrical activation may not yield similar changes in left ventricular mechanics particularly depending on the underlying myocardial substrate. Copyright © 2013 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Complementary Barrier Infrared Detector (CBIRD) Contact Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ting, David Z.; Hill, Cory J.; Gunapala, Sarath D.

2013-01-01

The performance of the CBIRD detector is enhanced by using new device contacting methods that have been developed. The detector structure features a narrow gap adsorber sandwiched between a pair of complementary, unipolar barriers that are, in turn, surrounded by contact layers. In this innovation, the contact adjacent to the hole barrier is doped n-type, while the contact adjacent to the electron barrier is doped p-type. The contact layers can have wider bandgaps than the adsorber layer, so long as good electrical contacts are made to them. If good electrical contacts are made to either (or both) of the barriers, then one could contact the barrier(s) directly, obviating the need for additional contact layers. Both the left and right contacts can be doped either n-type or ptype. Having an n-type contact layer next to the electron barrier creates a second p-n junction (the first being the one between the hole barrier and the adsorber) over which applied bias could drop. This reduces the voltage drop over the adsorber, thereby reducing dark current generation in the adsorber region.

Interfacing of high temperature Z-meter setup using python

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Ashutosh; Sisodia, Shashank; Pandey, Sudhir K.

2017-05-01

In this work, we interface high temperature Z-meter setup to automize the whole measurement process. A program is built on open source programming language `Python' which convert the manual measurement process into fully automated process without any cost addition. Using this program, simultaneous measurement of Seebeck coefficient (α), thermal conductivity (κ) and electrical resistivity (ρ), are performed and using all three, figure-of-merit (ZT) is calculated. Developed program is verified by performing measurement over p-type Bi0.36Sb1.45Te3 sample and the data obtained are found to be in good agreement with the reported data.

An intelligent value-driven scheduling system for Space Station Freedom with special emphasis on the electric power system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krupp, Joseph C.

1991-01-01

The Electric Power Control System (EPCS) created by Decision-Science Applications, Inc. (DSA) for the Lewis Research Center is discussed. This system makes decisions on what to schedule and when to schedule it, including making choices among various options or ways of performing a task. The system is goal-directed and seeks to shape resource usage in an optimal manner using a value-driven approach. Discussed here are considerations governing what makes a good schedule, how to design a value function to find the best schedule, and how to design the algorithm that finds the schedule that maximizes this value function. Results are shown which demonstrate the usefulness of the techniques employed.

Radio frequency self-resonant coil for contactless AC-conductivity in 100 T class ultra-strong pulse magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, D.; Altarawneh, M. M.; Takeyama, S.

2018-03-01

A contactless measurement system of electrical conductivity was developed for application under pulsed high magnetic fields over 100 T by using a self-resonant-type, high-frequency circuit. Electromagnetic fields in the circuit were numerically analysed by the finite element method, to show how the resonant power spectra of the circuit depends on the electrical conductivity of a sample set on the probe-coil. The performance was examined using a high-temperature cuprate superconductor, La2-x Sr x CuO4, in magnetic fields up to 102 T with a high frequency of close to 800 MHz. As a result, the upper critical field could be determined with a good signal-to-noise ratio.

Toast, Anyone? Project Teaches Electricity Basics and Math

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Quagliana, David F.

2010-01-01

This article describes an electrical technology experiment that shows students how to determine the cost of using an electrical appliance. The experiment also provides good math practice and teaches basic electricity terms and concepts, such as volt, ampere, watt, kilowatt, and kilowatt-hour. This experiment could be expanded to calculate the cost…

A good preoperative response to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation predicts a better therapeutic effect of implanted occipital nerve stimulation in pharmacologically intractable headaches.

PubMed

Nguyen, Jean-Paul; Nizard, Julien; Kuhn, Emmanuelle; Carduner, Florence; Penverne, Frédérique; Verleysen-Robin, Marie-Christine; Terreaux, Luc; de Gaalon, Solène; Raoul, Sylvie; Lefaucheur, Jean-Pascal

2016-02-01

Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) is a surgical approach to treat patients with medically intractable chronic headache disorders. However, no preoperative test has been yet validated to allow candidates to be selected for implantation. In this study, the analgesic efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was tested for 1 to 3 months in 41 patients with pharmacologically intractable headache disorders of various origins, using a new technique of electrode placement over the occipital nerve. ONS electrodes were subsequently implanted in 33 patients (occipital neuralgia [n=15], cervicogenic headache [n=7], cluster headache [n=6], chronic migraine [n=5]) who had responded at least moderately to TENS. Assessment was performed up to five years after implantation (three years on average), based on the mean and maximum daily pain intensity scored on a 0-10 visual analogue scale and the number of headache days per month. Both TENS and chronic ONS therapy were found to be efficacious (57-76% improvement compared to baseline on the various clinical variables). The efficacy of ONS was better in cases of good or very good preoperative response to TENS than in cases of moderate response to TENS. Implanted ONS may be a valuable therapeutic option in the long term for patients with pharmacologically intractable chronic headache. Although we cannot conclude in patients with poor or no response to TENS, a good or very good response to TENS can support the indication of ONS therapy. This preoperative test could particularly be useful in patients with chronic migraine, in whom it may be difficult to indicate an invasive technique of cranial neurostimulation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Analytical and numerical solutions of the potential and electric field generated by different electrode arrays in a tumor tissue under electrotherapy.

PubMed

Bergues Pupo, Ana E; Reyes, Juan Bory; Bergues Cabrales, Luis E; Bergues Cabrales, Jesús M

2011-09-24

Electrotherapy is a relatively well established and efficient method of tumor treatment. In this paper we focus on analytical and numerical calculations of the potential and electric field distributions inside a tumor tissue in a two-dimensional model (2D-model) generated by means of electrode arrays with shapes of different conic sections (ellipse, parabola and hyperbola). Analytical calculations of the potential and electric field distributions based on 2D-models for different electrode arrays are performed by solving the Laplace equation, meanwhile the numerical solution is solved by means of finite element method in two dimensions. Both analytical and numerical solutions reveal significant differences between the electric field distributions generated by electrode arrays with shapes of circle and different conic sections (elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic). Electrode arrays with circular, elliptical and hyperbolic shapes have the advantage of concentrating the electric field lines in the tumor. The mathematical approach presented in this study provides a useful tool for the design of electrode arrays with different shapes of conic sections by means of the use of the unifying principle. At the same time, we verify the good correspondence between the analytical and numerical solutions for the potential and electric field distributions generated by the electrode array with different conic sections.

Prognostic value of programmed electrical stimulation in Brugada syndrome: 20 years experience.

PubMed

Sieira, Juan; Conte, Giulio; Ciconte, Giuseppe; de Asmundis, Carlo; Chierchia, Gian-Battista; Baltogiannis, Giannis; Di Giovanni, Giacomo; Saitoh, Yukio; Irfan, Ghazala; Casado-Arroyo, Ruben; Juliá, Justo; La Meir, Mark; Wellens, Francis; Wauters, Kristel; Van Malderen, Sophie; Pappaert, Gudrun; Brugada, Pedro

2015-08-01

The prognostic value of electrophysiological investigations in individuals with Brugada syndrome remains controversial. Different groups have published contradictory data. Long-term follow-up is needed to clarify this issue. Patients presenting with spontaneous or drug-induced Brugada type I ECG and in whom programmed electric stimulation was performed at our institution were considered eligible for this study. A total of 403 consecutive patients (235 males, 58.2%; mean age, 43.2±16.2 years) were included. Ventricular arrhythmias during programmed electric stimulation were induced in 73 (18.1%) patients. After a mean follow-up time of 74.3±57.3 months (median 57.3), 25 arrhythmic events occurred (16 in the inducible group and 9 in the noninducible). Ventricular arrhythmias inducibility presented a hazard ratio for events of 8.3 (95% confidence interval, 3.6-19.4), P<0.01. Programmed ventricular stimulation of the heart is a good predictor of outcome in individuals with Brugada syndrome. It might be of special value to guide further management when performed in asymptomatic individuals. The overall accuracy of the test makes it a suitable screening tool to reassure noninducible asymptomatic individuals. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Easily fabricated and lightweight PPy/PDA/AgNW composites for excellent electromagnetic interference shielding.

PubMed

Wang, Yan; Gu, Fu-Qiang; Ni, Li-Juan; Liang, Kun; Marcus, Kyle; Liu, Shu-Li; Yang, Fan; Chen, Jin-Ju; Feng, Zhe-Sheng

2017-11-30

Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) containing nanoscale conductive fillers have been widely studied for their potential use in various applications. In this paper, polypyrrole (PPy)/polydopamine (PDA)/silver nanowire (AgNW) composites with high electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance, good adhesion ability and light weight are successfully fabricated via a simple in situ polymerization method followed by a mixture process. Benefiting from the intrinsic adhesion properties of PDA, the adhesion ability and mechanical properties of the PPy/PDA/AgNW composites are significantly improved. The incorporation of AgNWs endows the functionalized PPy with tunable electrical conductivity and enhanced EMI shielding effectiveness (SE). By adjusting the AgNW loading degree in the PPy/PDA/AgNW composites from 0 to 50 wt%, the electrical conductivity of the composites greatly increases from 0.01 to 1206.72 S cm -1 , and the EMI SE of the composites changes from 6.5 to 48.4 dB accordingly (8.0-12.0 GHz, X-band). Moreover, due to the extremely low density of PPy, the PPy/PDA/AgNW (20 wt%) composites show a superior light weight of 0.28 g cm -3 . In general, it can be concluded that the PPy/PDA/AgNW composites with tunable electrical conductivity, good adhesion properties and light weight can be used as excellent EMI shielding materials.

Investigation of corrosion on SAC 305, SAC 0307 and SAC 0307-0.03 P-0.005 Ni solder paste alloys in simulated body fluid (SBF)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarveswaran, C.; Salleh, Emee Marina; Jalar, A.; Samsudin, Z.; Ali, M. Yusuf Tura; Ani, F. Che; Othman, N. K.

2017-05-01

The electrochemical migration (ECM) behaviour of SAC 305, SAC 0307 and SAC 0307-0.03 P-0.005 Ni has been investigated by using simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. Water drop test (WDT) was performed to compute the mean-time-to-failure (MTTF) of each sample while its electrical behaviour was examined using four-point probe test station. The microstructure of each solder paste alloy was observed using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to analyse the elemental composition of the solder alloy. The MTTF result shows that SAC 305 has the fastest time-to-failure (TTF) due to short circuit. The corrosion susceptibility of SAC 305 was higher compared with SAC 0307-0.03P-0.005Ni. This was because of the influence of dopant phosphorus and nickel incorporation in the SAC 0307-0.03 P-0.005 Ni. The four point-probe test station reveals that SAC 305 is a good electric conductor whilst SAC 0307-0.03 P-0.005 Ni is a poor electric conductor. The rate of dendritic growth was influenced by the alloying element of the solder. Therefore, SAC 0307-0.03 P-0.005 Ni have a good corrosion resistance in SBF medium.

Cost and performance prospects for composite bipolar plates in fuel cells and redox flow batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minke, Christine; Hickmann, Thorsten; dos Santos, Antonio R.; Kunz, Ulrich; Turek, Thomas

2016-02-01

Carbon-polymer-composite bipolar plates (BPP) are suitable for fuel cell and flow battery applications. The advantages of both components are combined in a product with high electrical conductivity and good processability in convenient polymer forming processes. In a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of materials and production processes cost factors are quantified. For the first time a technical cost model for BPP is set up with tight integration of material characterization measurements.

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

Sumant, Anirudha

The integration of 2D materials such as molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) with diamond (3D) was achieved by forming an heterojunction between these two materials and its electrical performance was studied experimentally. The device charactertics did show good rectifying nature when p-type single crystal diamond was integrated with n-type MoS2. These results are very encouraging indicating possible applications in semiconductor electronics, however further studies are required for a detailed understanding of the transport phenomena at the MoS2/diamond interface.

Development and characterization of a rechargeable carbon foam electrode containing nickel oxyhydroxide active mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chye, Matthew B.

2011-12-01

Batteries and asymmetric electrochemical capacitors using nickel-based positive electrodes can provide high currents due to their defect structure and low internal resistance. Nickel-based positive electrodes, therefore, are ideal for high current applications such as power tools and electric vehicles (EVs). The positive electrodes prepared in this research are monolithic graphitic foams electrochemically impregnated with nickel oxyhydroxide active mass and select additives that enhance electrode performance. Carbon foam is a good current collector due to its light-weight, porous, and graphitic nature, which give its good electrical properties and the ability to be used as a current collector. Replacing sintered nickel current collectors in nickel-based batteries with a low cost, readily available material, carbon foam, can reduce the mass of a rechargeable battery. The goal of this research has been to contribute to fundamental science through better understanding of optimizing the deposition and formation processes of the active mass onto carbon foams as well as investigating the active mass behavior under deposition, formation, and cycling conditions. Flooded cells and a PFA sealed asymmetric capacitor have been used. The effects of carbon foam surface pretreatments and how they affect the active material/carbon foam performance are demonstrated. Also the feasibility of this positive electrode as a component in nickel-based batteries, a Ni-Zn cells and an asymmetric capacitor pouch cell, is demonstrated.

Red blood cells aggregability measurement of coagulating blood in extracorporeal circulation system with multiple-frequency electrical impedance spectroscopy.

PubMed

Li, Jianping; Sapkota, Achyut; Kikuchi, Daisuke; Sakota, Daisuke; Maruyama, Osamu; Takei, Masahiro

2018-07-30

Red blood cells (RBCs) aggregability A G of coagulating blood in extracorporeal circulation system has been investigated under the condition of pulsatile flow. Relaxation frequency f c from the multiple-frequency electrical impedance spectroscopy is utilized to obtain RBCs aggregability A G . Compared with other methods, the proposed multiple-frequency electrical impedance method is much easier to obtain non-invasive measurement with high speed and good penetrability performance in biology tissues. Experimental results show that, RBCs aggregability A G in coagulating blood falls down with the thrombus formation while that in non-coagulation blood almost keeps the same value, which has a great agreement with the activated clotting time (ACT) fibrinogen concertation (F bg ) tests. Modified Hanai formula is proposed to quantitatively analyze the influence of RBCs aggregation on multiple-frequency electrical impedance measurement. The reduction of RBCs aggregability A G is associated with blood coagulation reaction, which indicates the feasibility of the high speed, compact and cheap on-line thrombus measurement biosensors in extracorporeal circulation systems. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Performance enhancement of pentacene-based organic thin-film transistors using 6,13-pentacenequinone as a carrier injection interlayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Ching-Lin; Lin, Wei-Chun; Chen, Hao-Wei

2018-06-01

This work demonstrates pentacene-based organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) fabricated by inserting a 6,13-pentacenequinone (PQ) carrier injection layer between the source/drain (S/D) metal Au electrodes and pentacene channel layer. Compared to devices without a PQ layer, the performance characteristics including field-effect mobility, threshold voltage, and On/Off current ratio were significantly improved for the device with a 5-nm-thick PQ interlayer. These improvements are attributed to significant reduction of hole barrier height at the Au/pentacene channel interfaces. Therefore, it is believed that using PQ as the carrier injection layer is a good candidate to improve the pentacene-based OTFTs electrical performance.

Brewery and liquid manure wastewaters as potential feedstocks for microbial fuel cells: a performance study.

PubMed

Angosto, J M; Fernández-López, J A; Godínez, C

2015-01-01

This work aims at the comparison of the electrical and chemical performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) fed with several types of brewery and manure industrial wastewaters. Experiments were conducted in a single-cell MFC with the cathode exposed to air operated in batch and fed-batch modes. In fed-batch mode, after 4 days of operation, a standard MFC was refilled with crude wastewater to regenerate the biofilm and recreate initial feeding conditions. Brewery wastewater (CV1) mixed with pig-farm liquid manure (PU sample) gave the highest voltage (199.8 mV) and power density (340 mW/m3) outputs than non-mixed brewery waste water. Also, coulombic efficiency is much larger in the mixture (11%) than in the others (2-3%). However, in terms of chemical oxygen demand removal, the performance showed to be poorer (53%) for the mixed sample than in the pure brewery sample (93%). Fed-batch operation showed to be a good alternate for quasi-continuous operation, with equivalent electrical and chemical yields as compared with normal batchwise operation.

Epitaxy of Ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE) Films via Removable PTFE Templates and Its Application in Semiconducting/Ferroelectric Blend Resistive Memory.

PubMed

Xia, Wei; Peter, Christian; Weng, Junhui; Zhang, Jian; Kliem, Herbert; Jiang, Yulong; Zhu, Guodong

2017-04-05

Ferroelectric polymer based devices exhibit great potentials in low-cost and flexible electronics. To meet the requirements of both low voltage operation and low energy consumption, thickness of ferroelectric polymer films is usually required to be less than, for example, 100 nm. However, decrease of film thickness is also accompanied by the degradation of both crystallinity and ferroelectricity and also the increase of current leakage, which surely degrades device performance. Here we report one epitaxy method based on removable poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) templates for high-quality fabrication of ordered ferroelectric polymer thin films. Experimental results indicate that such epitaxially grown ferroelectric polymer films exhibit well improved crystallinity, reduced current leakage and good resistance to electrical breakdown, implying their applications in high-performance and low voltage operated ferroelectric devices. On the basis of this removable PTFE template method, we fabricated organic semiconducting/ferroelectric blend resistive films which presented record electrical performance with operation voltage as low as 5 V and ON/OFF ratio up to 10 5 .

High Performance Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with a Layered Perovskite GdBaCuCoO5+ x Cathode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiaozhen; Jiang, Yuhua; Hu, Xuebing; Sun, Liangliang; Ling, Yihan

2018-03-01

Proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell (H-SOFC) based on layered perovskite type GdBaCuCoO5+x (GBCC) cathode was fabricated with in situ drop-coating BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-δ (BZCY) electrolyte membrane. The influences of Cu doping into Co sites of GdBaCo2O5+ x on the electrical conductivity and conduction mechanism, thermal expansion property and electrochemical performance of cathode materials and corresponding single cell were investigated. Results show that the electrical conductivity decreased and the conduction mechanism would gradually transform to the semiconductor-like behavior. A high maximum power density of 480 mW cm-2 was obtained for the anode supported NiO-BZCY/NiO-BZCY/BZCY/GBCC single cells with wet H2 fuel at 700 °C. The corresponding polarization resistance was as low as 0.17 Ω cm2. The excellent electrochemical performance of as-prepared single cell indicates that GBCC is a good candidate of cathode materials for H-SOFCs.

Core-shell structured MnSiO3 supported with CNTs as a high capacity anode for lithium-ion batteries.

PubMed

Feng, Jing; Li, Qin; Wang, Huijun; Zhang, Min; Yang, Xia; Yuan, Ruo; Chai, Yaqin

2018-04-17

Metal silicates are good candidates for use in lithium ion batteries (LIBs), however, their electrochemical performance is hindered by their poor electrical conductivity and volume expansion during Li+ insertion/desertion. In this work, one-dimensional core-shell structured MnSiO3 supported with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (referred to as CNT@MnSiO3) with good conductivity and electrochemical performance has been successfully synthesized using a solvothermal process under moderate conditions. In contrast to traditional composites of CNTs and nanoparticles, the CNT@MnSiO3 composite in this work is made up of CNTs with a layer of MnSiO3 on the surface. The one-dimensional CNT@MnSiO3 nanotubes provide a useful channel for transferring Li+ ions during the discharge/charge process, which accelerates the Li+ diffusion speed. The CNTs inside the structure not only enhance the conductivity of the composite, but also prevent volume expansion. A high reversible capacity (920 mA h g-1 at 500 mA g-1 over 650 cycles) and good rate performance were obtained for CNT@MnSiO3, showing that this strategy of synthesizing coaxial CNT@MnSiO3 nanotubes offers a promising method for preparing other silicates for LIBs or other applications.

The challenges of achieving good electrical and mechanical properties when making structural supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ciocanel, C.; Browder, C.; Simpson, C.; Colburn, R.

2013-04-01

The paper presents results associated with the electro-mechanical characterization of a composite material with power storage capability, identified throughout the paper as a structural supercapacitor. The structural supercapacitor uses electrodes made of carbon fiber weave, a separator made of Celgard 3501, and a solid PEG-based polymer blend electrolyte. To be a viable structural supercapacitor, the material has to have good mechanical and power storage/electrical properties. The literature in this area is inconsistent on which electrical properties are evaluated, and how those properties are assessed. In general, measurements of capacitance or specific capacitance (i.e. capacitance per unit area or per unit volume) are made, without considering other properties such as leakage resistance and equivalent series resistance of the supercapacitor. This paper highlights the significance of these additional electrical properties, discusses the fluctuation of capacitance over time, and proposes methods to improve the stability of the material's electric properties over time.

Automated optimization of water-water interaction parameters for a coarse-grained model.

PubMed

Fogarty, Joseph C; Chiu, See-Wing; Kirby, Peter; Jakobsson, Eric; Pandit, Sagar A

2014-02-13

We have developed an automated parameter optimization software framework (ParOpt) that implements the Nelder-Mead simplex algorithm and applied it to a coarse-grained polarizable water model. The model employs a tabulated, modified Morse potential with decoupled short- and long-range interactions incorporating four water molecules per interaction site. Polarizability is introduced by the addition of a harmonic angle term defined among three charged points within each bead. The target function for parameter optimization was based on the experimental density, surface tension, electric field permittivity, and diffusion coefficient. The model was validated by comparison of statistical quantities with experimental observation. We found very good performance of the optimization procedure and good agreement of the model with experiment.

Preparation and properties of Ba xSr 1- xCo yFe 1- yO 3- δ cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Hailei; Shen, Wei; Zhu, Zhiming; Li, Xue; Wang, Zhifeng

Ba xSr 1- xCo yFe 1- yO 3- δ (BSCF) materials with perovskite structure were synthesized via solid-state reaction. Their structural characteristics, electrical-conduction behavior and cathode performance were investigated. Compared to A-site elements, B-site elements show a wide solid-solution range in BSCF. The electrical-conduction behavior of BSCF obeys the small polaron-hopping mechanism. An increase of Ba or Co content in the BSCF samples results in a decrease of electrical conductivity, which is mainly attributable to the preferential existence of B 3+ rather than B 4+ in Ba- or Co-rich samples. At the same time, this leads to increases in the lattice parameter a and the number of oxygen vacancies. BSCF samples with high Ba content show a high structural stability (high oxygen-loss temperature). Ba 0.6Sr 0.4Co 0.8Fe 0.2O 3- δ and Ba 0.5Sr 0.5Co 0.8Fe 0.2O 3- δ materials present good thermal-cycling stability of the electrical conductivity. Compared with Ba 0.5Sr 0.5Co 0.8Fe 0.2O 3- δ, Ba 0.6Sr 0.4Co 0.8Fe 0.2O 3- δ exhibits a better cathode performance in a Ce 0.8Gd 0.2O 2- δ (GDC)-supported half cell. The cell performance can be improved by introducing a certain amount of GDC electrolyte into the BSCF cathode material.

Actively adjustable step-type ultrasonic horns in longitudinal vibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Shuyu; Guo, Hao; Xu, Jie

2018-04-01

Actively adjustable longitudinal step-type ultrasonic horns are proposed and studied. The horn is composed of a traditional ultrasonic horn and piezoelectric material. In practical applications, this kind of step-type ultrasonic horn is mechanically excited by an ultrasonic transducer and the piezoelectric material is connected to an adjustable electric impedance. In this research, the effects of the electric impedance and of the location of the piezoelectric material on the performance of the horn are studied. It is shown that when the electric resistance is increased, the resonance frequency of the horn is increased; the displacement magnification is increased when the piezoelectric material is located in the large end and decreased when the piezoelectric material is located in the small end of the horn. The displacement magnification for the piezoelectric material in the large end is larger than that for the piezoelectric material in the small end of the horn. Some step-type ultrasonic horns are designed and manufactured; the resonance frequency and the displacement magnification are measured by means of POLYTEC Laser Scanning vibrometer. It is shown that the theoretical resonance frequency and the displacement magnification are in good agreement with the measured results. It is concluded that by means of the insertion of the piezoelectric material in the longitudinal horn, the horn performance can be adjusted by changing the electric impedance and the location of the piezoelectric material in the horn. It is expected that this kind of adjustable ultrasonic horns can be used in traditional and potential ultrasonic technologies where the vibrational performance adjustment is needed.

Effect of Cation Ordering on the Performance and Chemical Stability of Layered Double Perovskite Cathodes

PubMed Central

Bernuy-Lopez, Carlos; Rioja-Monllor, Laura; Nakamura, Takashi; Ricote, Sandrine; O’Hayre, Ryan; Amezawa, Koji; Einarsrud, Mari-Ann

2018-01-01

The effect of A-site cation ordering on the cathode performance and chemical stability of A-site cation ordered LaBaCo2O5+δ and disordered La0.5Ba0.5CoO3−δ materials are reported. Symmetric half-cells with a proton-conducting BaZr0.9Y0.1O3−δ electrolyte were prepared by ceramic processing, and good chemical compatibility of the materials was demonstrated. Both A-site ordered LaBaCo2O5+δ and A-site disordered La0.5Ba0.5CoO3−δ yield excellent cathode performance with Area Specific Resistances as low as 7.4 and 11.5 Ω·cm2 at 400 °C and 0.16 and 0.32 Ω·cm2 at 600 °C in 3% humidified synthetic air respectively. The oxygen vacancy concentration, electrical conductivity, basicity of cations and crystal structure were evaluated to rationalize the electrochemical performance of the two materials. The combination of high-basicity elements and high electrical conductivity as well as sufficient oxygen vacancy concentration explains the excellent performance of both LaBaCo2O5+δ and La0.5Ba0.5CoO3−δ materials at high temperatures. At lower temperatures, oxygen-deficiency in both materials is greatly reduced, leading to decreased performance despite the high basicity and electrical conductivity. A-site cation ordering leads to a higher oxygen vacancy concentration, which explains the better performance of LaBaCo2O5+δ. Finally, the more pronounced oxygen deficiency of the cation ordered polymorph and the lower chemical stability at reducing conditions were confirmed by coulometric titration. PMID:29373541

Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Metal Oxide Embedded in Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Network for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Sui, Zhu-Yin; Zhang, Pei-Ying; Xu, Meng-Ying; Liu, Yu-Wen; Wei, Zhi-Xiang; Han, Bao-Hang

2017-12-13

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are hybrid inorganic-organic materials that can be used as effective precursors to prepare various functional nanomaterials for energy-related applications. Nevertheless, most MOF-derived metal oxides exhibit low electrical conductivity and mechanical strain. These characteristics limit their electrochemical performance and hamper their practical application. Herein, we report a rational strategy for enhancing the lithium storage performance of MOF-derived metal oxide. The hierarchically porous Co 3 O 4 @NGN is successfully prepared by embedding ZIF-67-derived Co 3 O 4 particles in a nitrogen-doped graphene network (NGN). The high electrical conductivity and porous structure of the NGN accelerates the diffusion of electrolyte ions and buffers stress resulting from the volume changes of Co 3 O 4 . As an anode material, the Co 3 O 4 @NGN shows high capacity (1030 mA h g -1 at 100 mA g -1 ), outstanding rate performance (681 mA h g -1 at 1000 mA g -1 ), and good cycling stability (676 mA h g -1 at 1000 mA g -1 after 400 cycles).

National Program for Inspection of Non-Federal Dams. Peacham Pond Dam (VT 00050), Richelieu River Basin, Peacham, Vermont. Phase I Inspection Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-03-01

Rusting or Corrosion of Steel None. b. Mechanical and Electrical Air Vents Not applicable. Float Wells Not applicable. Crane Hoist Not applicable...Good, steel I-beams. Underside of Deck Good. Secondary Bracing Good. Deck Wood, good condition. Drainage System Not applicable. Railings Fair, anchors...Anchor Bolts Good. Bridge Seat Good. Longitudinal Members Good, steel I-beams. Underside of Deck Good. Secondary Bracing Good. j Deck Wood, good

Combined electric and acoustic hearing performance with Zebra® speech processor: speech reception, place, and temporal coding evaluation.

PubMed

Vaerenberg, Bart; Péan, Vincent; Lesbros, Guillaume; De Ceulaer, Geert; Schauwers, Karen; Daemers, Kristin; Gnansia, Dan; Govaerts, Paul J

2013-06-01

To assess the auditory performance of Digisonic(®) cochlear implant users with electric stimulation (ES) and electro-acoustic stimulation (EAS) with special attention to the processing of low-frequency temporal fine structure. Six patients implanted with a Digisonic(®) SP implant and showing low-frequency residual hearing were fitted with the Zebra(®) speech processor providing both electric and acoustic stimulation. Assessment consisted of monosyllabic speech identification tests in quiet and in noise at different presentation levels, and a pitch discrimination task using harmonic and disharmonic intonating complex sounds ( Vaerenberg et al., 2011 ). These tests investigate place and time coding through pitch discrimination. All tasks were performed with ES only and with EAS. Speech results in noise showed significant improvement with EAS when compared to ES. Whereas EAS did not yield better results in the harmonic intonation test, the improvements in the disharmonic intonation test were remarkable, suggesting better coding of pitch cues requiring phase locking. These results suggest that patients with residual hearing in the low-frequency range still have good phase-locking capacities, allowing them to process fine temporal information. ES relies mainly on place coding but provides poor low-frequency temporal coding, whereas EAS also provides temporal coding in the low-frequency range. Patients with residual phase-locking capacities can make use of these cues.

Modeling a photovoltaic energy storage system based on super capacitor, simulation and evaluation of experimental performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ben Fathallah, Mohamed Ali; Ben Othman, Afef; Besbes, Mongi

2018-02-01

Photovoltaic energy is very important to meet the consumption needs of electrical energy in remote areas and for other applications. Energy storage systems are essential to avoid the intermittent production of photovoltaic energy and to cover peaks in energy demand. The super capacitor, also known as electrochemical double layer capacitor, is a storage device which has a very high power density compared to conventional battery and is capable of storing a large amount of electrical energy in short time periods, which reflects its interest to be used for the storage of photovoltaic energy. From this principle, this paper represents a three-branch RC model of super capacitor to describe its different dynamics of operation during the charging, discharging and rest phases. After having validated the good functioning of this model with the experimental study of Zubieta, The super capacitor performance has been demonstrated and compared with a conventional battery in a photovoltaic converter chain to power AC machine.

High energy density supercapacitors from lignin derived submicron activated carbon fibers in aqueous electrolytes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Sixiao; Zhang, Sanliang; Pan, Ning; Hsieh, You-Lo

2014-12-01

Highly porous submicron activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were robustly generated from low sulfonated alkali lignin and fabricated into supercapacitors for capacitive energy storage. The hydrophilic and high specific surface ACFs exhibited large-size nanographites and good electrical conductivity to demonstrate outstanding electrochemical performance. ACFs from KOH activation, in particular, showed very high 344 F g-1 specific capacitance at low 1.8 mg cm-2 mass loading and 10 mV s-1 scan rate in aqueous electrolytes. Even at relatively high scan rate of 50 mV s-1 and mass loading of 10 mg cm-2, a decent specific capacitance of 196 F g-1 and a remarkable areal capacitance of 0.55 F cm-2 was obtained, leading to high energy density of 8.1 Wh kg-1 based on averaged electrodes mass. Furthermore, over 96% capacitance retention rates were achieved after 5000 charge/discharge cycles. Such excellent performance demonstrated great potential of lignin derived carbons for electrical energy storage.

Mesoscale Origin of the Enhanced Cycling-Stability of the Si-Conductive Polymer Anode for Li-ion Batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Meng; Xiao, Xing-Cheng; Liu, Gao; Thevuthasan, Suntharampillai; Baer, Donald R.; Zhang, Ji-Guang; Liu, Jun; Browning, Nigel D.; Wang, Chong-Min

2014-01-01

Electrode used in lithium-ion battery is invariably a composite of multifunctional components. The performance of the electrode is controlled by the interactive function of all components at mesoscale. Fundamental understanding of mesoscale phenomenon sets the basis for innovative designing of new materials. Here we report the achievement and origin of a significant performance enhancement of electrode for lithium ion batteries based on Si nanoparticles wrapped with conductive polymer. This new material is in marked contrast with conventional material, which exhibit fast capacity fade. In-situ TEM unveils that the enhanced cycling stability of the conductive polymer-Si composite is associated with mesoscale concordant function of Si nanoparticles and the conductive polymer. Reversible accommodation of the volume changes of Si by the conductive polymer allows good electrical contact between all the particles during the cycling process. In contrast, the failure of the conventional Si-electrode is probed to be the inadequate electrical contact.

Dynamic Modeling, Controls, and Testing for Electrified Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Connolly, Joseph; Stalcup, Erik

2017-01-01

Electrified aircraft have the potential to provide significant benefits for efficiency and emissions reductions. To assess these potential benefits, modeling tools are needed to provide rapid evaluation of diverse concepts and to ensure safe operability and peak performance over the mission. The modeling challenge for these vehicles is the ability to show significant benefits over the current highly refined aircraft systems. The STARC-ABL (single-aisle turbo-electric aircraft with an aft boundary layer propulsor) is a new test proposal that builds upon previous N3-X team hybrid designs. This presentation describes the STARC-ABL concept, the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) which will allow testing of the STARC-ABL powertrain, and the related modeling and simulation efforts to date. Modeling and simulation includes a turbofan simulation, Numeric Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS), which has been integrated with NEAT; and a power systems and control model for predicting testbed performance and evaluating control schemes. Model predictions provide good comparisons with testbed data for an NPSS-integrated test of the single-string configuration of NEAT.

Layered conductive polymer on nylon membrane templates for high performance, thin-film supercapacitor electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, HaoTian Harvey; Naguib, Hani E.

2016-04-01

Flexible Thin-film Electrochemical Capacitors (ECs) are emerging technology that plays an important role as energy supply for various electronics system for both present era and the future. Intrinsically conductive polymers (ICPs) are promising pseudo-capacitive materials as they feature both good electrical conductivity and high specific capacitance. This study focuses on the construction and characterization of ultra-high surface area porous electrodes based on coating of nano-sized conductive polymer materials on nylon membrane templates. Herein, a novel nano-engineered electrode material based on nylon membranes was presented, which allows the creation of super-capacitor devices that is capable of delivering competitive performance, while maintaining desirable mechanical characteristics. With the formation of a highly conductive network with the polyaniline nano-layer, the electrical conductivity was also increased dramatically to facilitate the charge transfer process. Cyclic voltammetry and specific capacitance results showed promising application of this type of composite materials for future smart textile applications.

Electrical characterization of vertically stacked p-FET SOI nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardoso Paz, Bruna; Cassé, Mikaël; Barraud, Sylvain; Reimbold, Gilles; Vinet, Maud; Faynot, Olivier; Antonio Pavanello, Marcelo

2018-03-01

This work presents the performance and transport characteristics of vertically stacked p-type MOSFET SOI nanowires (NWs) with inner spacers and epitaxial growth of SiGe raised source/drain. The conventional procedure to extract the effective oxide thickness (EOT) and Shift and Ratio Method (S&R) have been adapted and validated through tridimensional numerical simulations. Electrical characterization is performed for NWs with [1 1 0]- and [1 0 0]-oriented channels, as a function of both fin width (WFIN) and channel length (L). Results show a good electrostatic control and reduced short channel effects (SCE) down to 15 nm gate length, for both orientations. Effective mobility is found around two times higher for [1 1 0]- in comparison to [1 0 0]-oriented NWs due to higher holes mobility contribution in (1 1 0) plan. Improvements obtained on ION/IOFF by reducing WFIN are mainly due to subthreshold slope decrease, once small and none mobility increase is obtained for [1 1 0]- and [1 0 0]-oriented NWs, respectively.

Yolk–shell Fe 2O 3 ⊙ C composites anchored on MWNTs with enhanced lithium and sodium storage

DOE PAGES

Zhao, Yi; Feng, Zhenxing; Xu, Zhichuan J.

2015-04-24

For this research, a unique architecture with yolk–shell Fe 2O 3 ⊙ C composites attached to the surface of MWNTs is designed. Benefiting from the good electrical conductivity of MWNTs and carbon layers, as well as the large void space to accommodate the volume expansion/extraction of Fe 2O 3 during battery cycling, the obtained MWNT@Fe 2O 3 ⊙ C exhibited outstanding lithium and sodium storage performance.

Pyroelectric effect in tryglicyne sulphate single crystals - Differential measurement method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trybus, M.

2018-06-01

A simple mathematical model of the pyroelectric phenomenon was used to explain the electric response of the TGS (triglycine sulphate) samples in the linear heating process in ferroelectric and paraelectric phases. Experimental verification of mathematical model was realized. TGS single crystals were grown and four electrode samples were fabricated. Differential measurements of the pyroelectric response of two different regions of the samples were performed and the results were compared with data obtained from the model. Experimental results are in good agreement with model calculations.

Performance simulation in high altitude platforms (HAPs) communications systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ulloa-Vásquez, Fernando; Delgado-Penin, J. A.

2002-07-01

This paper considers the analysis by simulation of a digital narrowband communication system for an scenario which consists of a High-Altitude aeronautical Platform (HAP) and fixed/mobile terrestrial transceivers. The aeronautical channel is modelled considering geometrical (angle of elevation vs. horizontal distance of the terrestrial reflectors) and statistical arguments and under these circumstances a serial concatenated coded digital transmission is analysed for several hypothesis related to radio-electric coverage areas. The results indicate a good feasibility for the communication system proposed and analysed.

Multilayered Si nanoparticle/reduced graphene oxide hybrid as a high-performance lithium-ion battery anode.

PubMed

Chang, Jingbo; Huang, Xingkang; Zhou, Guihua; Cui, Shumao; Hallac, Peter B; Jiang, Junwei; Hurley, Patrick T; Chen, Junhong

2014-02-01

Multilayered Si/RGO anode nanostructures, featuring alternating Si nanoparticle (NP) and RGO layers, good mechanical stability, and high electrical conductivity, allow Si NPs to easily expand between RGO layers, thereby leading to high reversible capacity up to 2300 mAh g(-1) at 0.05 C (120 mA g(-1) ) and 87% capacity retention (up to 630 mAh g(-1) ) at 10 C after 152 cycles. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Firefighters' Radios

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Public Technology Inc. asked for NASA assistance to devise the original firefighter's radio. Good short-range radio communications are essential during a fire to coordinate hose lines, rescue victims, and otherwise increase efficiency. Useful firefighting tool is lower cost, more rugged short range two-way radio. Inductorless electronic circuit replaced inductances and coils in radio circuits with combination of transistors and other low-cost components. Substitution promises reduced circuit size and cost. Enhanced electrical performance made radio more durable and improved maintainability by incorporating modular construction.

Spectrophotometric and electrical properties of imperatorin: an organic molecule

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mir, Feroz A.

2015-09-01

Imperatorin (molecular formula = C16H14O4, molecular mass = 270) an organic molecule was isolated from ethyl acetate extract of the root parts of the plant Prangos pabularia. The optical study was carried out by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and this compound showed an indirect allowed transition. The optical band gap ( E g ) was found around 3.75 eV. Photoluminescence shows various good emission bands. The frequency-dependent real part of the complex ac conductivity was found to follow the universal dielectric response: σ ac ( ω) α ω s [where σ ac ( ω) is the frequency-dependent total conductivity, ω is the frequency, and s is the frequency exponent]. From ac conductivity data analysis, correlated barrier hopping charge-transport mechanism is the dominant electrical transport process shown by this compound. The good emission, less absorption, wide band gap and good electrical properties shown by this compound project them as a bright choice for organic electronic devices.

The Importance of Engine External's Health

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoner, Barry L.

2006-01-01

Engine external components include all the fluid carrying, electron carrying, and support devices that are needed to operate the propulsion system. These components are varied and include: pumps, valves, actuators, solenoids, sensors, switches, heat exchangers, electrical generators, electrical harnesses, tubes, ducts, clamps and brackets. The failure of any component to perform its intended function will result in a maintenance action, a dispatch delay, or an engine in flight shutdown. The life of each component, in addition to its basic functional design, is closely tied to its thermal and dynamic environment .Therefore, to reach a mature design life, the component's thermal and dynamic environment must be understood and controlled, which can only be accomplished by attention to design analysis and testing. The purpose of this paper is to review analysis and test techniques toward achieving good component health.

The fabrication of highly conductive and flexible Ag patterning through baking Ag nanosphere-nanoplate hybrid ink at a low temperature of 100 °C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Y. D.; Zhang, S. M.; Jing, H. Y.; Wei, J.; Bu, F. H.; Zhao, L.; Lv, X. Q.; Xu, L. Y.

2018-04-01

With the aim of developing highly conductive ink for flexible electronics on heat-sensitive substrates, Ag nanospheres and nanoplates were mixed to synthesize hybrid inks. Five kinds of hybrid ink and two types of pure ink were written to square shape on Epson photo paper using rollerball pens, and sintered at a low temperature (100 °C). The microstructure, electrical resistivity, surface porosity, hardness and flexibility of silver patterns were systematically investigated and compared. It was observed that the optimal mixing ratio of nanospheres and nanoplates was 1:1, which equipped the directly written pattern with excellent electrical and mechanical properties. The electrical resistivity was 0.103 μΩ · m, only 6.5 times that of bulk silver. The enhancement compared to pure silver nanospheres or nanoplates based ink was due to the combined action of nanospheres and nanoplates. This demonstrates a valuable way to prepare Ag nanoink with good performance for printed/written electronics.

State space model approach for forecasting the use of electrical energy (a case study on: PT. PLN (Persero) district of Kroya)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurniati, Devi; Hoyyi, Abdul; Widiharih, Tatik

2018-05-01

Time series data is a series of data taken or measured based on observations at the same time interval. Time series data analysis is used to perform data analysis considering the effect of time. The purpose of time series analysis is to know the characteristics and patterns of a data and predict a data value in some future period based on data in the past. One of the forecasting methods used for time series data is the state space model. This study discusses the modeling and forecasting of electric energy consumption using the state space model for univariate data. The modeling stage is began with optimal Autoregressive (AR) order selection, determination of state vector through canonical correlation analysis, estimation of parameter, and forecasting. The result of this research shows that modeling of electric energy consumption using state space model of order 4 with Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) value 3.655%, so the model is very good forecasting category.

Preliminary Evaluation of Polyarylate Dielectric Films for Cryogenic Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patterson, Richard L.; Hammoud, Ahmad; Fialla, Peter

2002-01-01

Polymeric materials are used extensively on spacecraft and satellites in electrical power and distribution systems, as thermal blankets and optical surface coatings, as well as mechanical support structures. The reliability of these systems when exposed to the harsh environment of space is very critical to the success of the mission and the safety of the crew in manned-flight ventures. In this work, polyarylate films were evaluated for potential use as capacitor dielectrics and wiring insulation for cryogenic applications. Two grades of the film were characterized in terms of their electrical and mechanical properties before and after exposure to liquid nitrogen (-196 C). The electrical characterization consisted of capacitance and dielectric loss measure Cents in the frequency range of 50 Hz to 100 kHz, and volume and surface resistivities. The mechanical measurements performed included changes in tensile (Young's modulus, elongation-at-break, and tensile strength) and structural properties (dimensional change, weight, and surface morphology). The preliminary results, which indicate good stability of the polymer after exposure to liquid nitrogen, are presented and discussed.

Acid-functionalized carbon nanofibers for high stability, thermoelectrical and electrochemical properties of nanofluids.

PubMed

Said, Zafar; Allagui, Anis; Abdelkareem, Mohammad Ali; Alawadhi, Hussain; Elsaid, Khaled

2018-06-15

Carbon-based nanofluids are viewed as promising thermal fluids for heat transfer applications. However, other properties, such as electrical conductivity and electrochemical behavior, are usually overlooked and rarely investigated despite their importance for the overall performance characterization of a given application. In this study, we synthesized PAN-based carbon nanofibers (CNF) by electrospinning, and characterized them using electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Thermoelectrical and electrochemical measurements were carried out on nanofluids. We found that, although CNF nanofluids exhibit good thermal and electrical properties with a negligible corrosive effect, the suspensions tend to sediment within a few days. However, acid treatment of CNF (F-CNF), which resulted in the shortening of the fibers and the appearance of surface-oxygenated species, made F-CNF-based nanofluids exhibit superior stability in water that extended for more than 90 days, with consistent and superior thermal and electrical properties. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thermal modelling of Li-ion polymer battery for electric vehicle drive cycles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chacko, Salvio; Chung, Yongmann M.

2012-09-01

Time-dependent, thermal behaviour of a lithium-ion (Li-ion) polymer cell has been modelled for electric vehicle (EV) drive cycles with a view to developing an effective battery thermal management system. The fully coupled, three-dimensional transient electro-thermal model has been implemented based on a finite volume method. To support the numerical study, a high energy density Li-ion polymer pouch cell was tested in a climatic chamber for electric load cycles consisting of various charge and discharge rates, and a good agreement was found between the model predictions and the experimental data. The cell-level thermal behaviour under stressful conditions such as high power draw and high ambient temperature was predicted with the model. A significant temperature increase was observed in the stressful condition, corresponding to a repeated acceleration and deceleration, indicating that an effective battery thermal management system would be required to maintain the optimal cell performance and also to achieve a full battery lifesapn.

Strong and electrically conductive nanopaper from cellulose nanofibers and polypyrrole.

PubMed

Lay, Makara; Méndez, J Alberto; Delgado-Aguilar, Marc; Bun, Kim Ngun; Vilaseca, Fabiola

2016-11-05

In this work, we prepare cellulose nanopapers of high mechanical performance and with the electrical conductivity of a semiconductor. Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) from bleached softwood pulp were coated with polypyrrole (PPy) via in situ chemical polymerization, in presence of iron chloride (III) as oxidant agent. The structure and morphology of nanopapers were studied, as well as their thermal, mechanical and conductive properties. Nanopaper from pure CNF exhibited a very high tensile response (224MPa tensile strength and 14.5GPa elastic modulus). The addition of up to maximum 20% of polypyrrole gave CNF/PPy nanopapers of high flexibility and still good mechanical properties (94MPa strength and 8.8GPa modulus). The electrical conductivity of the resulting CNF/PPy nanopaper was of 5.2 10(-2)Scm(-1), with a specific capacitance of 7.4Fg(-1). The final materials are strong and conductive nanopapers that can find application as biodegradable flexible thin-film transistor (TFT) or as flexible biosensor. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electrical characterization of conductive textile materials and its evaluation as electrodes for venous occlusion plethysmography.

PubMed

Goy, C B; Dominguez, J M; Gómez López, M A; Madrid, R E; Herrera, M C

2013-08-01

The ambulatory monitoring of biosignals involves the use of sensors, electrodes, actuators, processing tools and wireless communication modules. When a garment includes these elements with the purpose of recording vital signs and responding to specific situations it is call a 'Smart Wearable System'. Over the last years several authors have suggested that conductive textile material (e-textiles) could perform as electrode for these systems. This work aims at implementing an electrical characterization of e-textiles and an evaluation of their ability to act as textile electrodes for lower extremity venous occlusion plethysmography (LEVOP). The e-textile electrical characterization is carried out using two experimental set-ups (in vitro evaluation). Besides, LEVOP records are obtained from healthy volunteers (in vivo evaluation). Standard Ag/AgCl electrodes are used for comparison in all tests. Results shown that the proposed e-textiles are suitable for LEVOP recording and a good agreement between evaluations (in vivo and in vitro) is found.

The fabrication of highly conductive and flexible Ag patterning through baking Ag nanosphere-nanoplate hybrid ink at a low temperature of 100 °C.

PubMed

Han, Y D; Zhang, S M; Jing, H Y; Wei, J; Bu, F H; Zhao, L; Lv, X Q; Xu, L Y

2018-02-12

With the aim of developing highly conductive ink for flexible electronics on heat-sensitive substrates, Ag nanospheres and nanoplates were mixed to synthesize hybrid inks. Five kinds of hybrid ink and two types of pure ink were written to square shape on Epson photo paper using rollerball pens, and sintered at a low temperature (100 °C). The microstructure, electrical resistivity, surface porosity, hardness and flexibility of silver patterns were systematically investigated and compared. It was observed that the optimal mixing ratio of nanospheres and nanoplates was 1:1, which equipped the directly written pattern with excellent electrical and mechanical properties. The electrical resistivity was 0.103 μΩ · m, only 6.5 times that of bulk silver. The enhancement compared to pure silver nanospheres or nanoplates based ink was due to the combined action of nanospheres and nanoplates. This demonstrates a valuable way to prepare Ag nanoink with good performance for printed/written electronics.

Electrical Characterization of Defects Created by γ-Radiation in HfO2-Based MIS Structures for RRAM Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García, H.; González, M. B.; Mallol, M. M.; Castán, H.; Dueñas, S.; Campabadal, F.; Acero, M. C.; Sambuco Salomone, L.; Faigón, A.

2018-04-01

The γ-radiation effects on the electrical characteristics of metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitors based on HfO2, and on the resistive switching characteristics of the structures have been studied. The HfO2 was grown directly on silicon substrates by atomic layer deposition. Some of the capacitors were submitted to a γ ray irradiation using three different doses (16 kGy, 96 kGy and 386 kGy). We studied the electrical characteristics in the pristine state of the capacitors. The radiation increased the interfacial state densities at the insulator/semiconductor interface, and the slow traps inside the insulator near the interface. However, the leakage current is not increased by the irradiation, and the conduction mechanism is Poole-Frenkel for all the samples. The switching characteristics were also studied, and no significant differences were obtained in the performance of the devices after having been irradiated, indicating that the fabricated capacitors present good radiation hardness for its use as a RS element.

Imaging Electric Properties of Biological Tissues by RF Field Mapping in MRI

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xiaotong; Zhu, Shanan; He, Bin

2010-01-01

The electric properties (EPs) of biological tissue, i.e., the electric conductivity and permittivity, can provide important information in the diagnosis of various diseases. The EPs also play an important role in specific absorption rate (SAR) calculation, a major concern in high-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), as well as in non-medical areas such as wireless-telecommunications. The high-field MRI system is accompanied by significant wave propagation effects, and the radio frequency (RF) radiation is dependent on the EPs of biological tissue. Based on the measurement of the active transverse magnetic component of the applied RF field (known as B1-mapping technique), we propose a dual-excitation algorithm, which uses two sets of measured B1 data to noninvasively reconstruct the electric properties of biological tissues. The Finite Element Method (FEM) was utilized in three-dimensional (3D) modeling and B1 field calculation. A series of computer simulations were conducted to evaluate the feasibility and performance of the proposed method on a 3D head model within a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) coil and a birdcage (BC) coil. Using a TEM coil, when noise free, the reconstructed EP distribution of tissues in the brain has relative errors of 12% ∼ 28% and correlated coefficients of greater than 0.91. Compared with other B1-mapping based reconstruction algorithms, our approach provides superior performance without the need for iterative computations. The present simulation results suggest that good reconstruction of electric properties from B1 mapping can be achieved. PMID:20129847

Note: cryogenic microstripline-on-Kapton microwave interconnects.

PubMed

Harris, A I; Sieth, M; Lau, J M; Church, S E; Samoska, L A; Cleary, K

2012-08-01

Simple broadband microwave interconnects are needed for increasing the size of focal plane heterodyne radiometer arrays. We have measured loss and crosstalk for arrays of microstrip transmission lines in flex circuit technology at 297 and 77 K, finding good performance to at least 20 GHz. The dielectric constant of Kapton substrates changes very little from 297 to 77 K, and the electrical loss drops. The small cross-sectional area of metal in a printed circuit structure yields overall thermal conductivities similar to stainless steel coaxial cable. Operationally, the main performance tradeoffs are between crosstalk and thermal conductivity. We tested a patterned ground plane to reduce heat flux.

The NASA-JPL advanced propulsion program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frisbee, Robert H.

1994-01-01

The NASA Advanced Propulsion Concepts (APC) program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) consists of two main areas: The first involves cooperative modeling and research activities between JPL and various universities and industry; the second involves research at universities and industry that is directly supported by JPL. The cooperative research program consists of mission studies, research and development of ion engine technology using C-60 (Buckminsterfullerene) propellant, and research and development of lithium-propellant Lorentz-force accelerator (LFA) engine technology. The university/industry- supported research includes research (modeling and proof-of-concept experiments) in advanced, long-life electric propulsion, and in fusion propulsion. These propulsion concepts were selected primarily to cover a range of applications from near-term to far-term missions. For example, the long-lived pulsed-xenon thruster research that JPL is supporting at Princeton University addresses the near-term need for efficient, long-life attitude control and station-keeping propulsion for Earth-orbiting spacecraft. The C-60-propellant ion engine has the potential for good efficiency in a relatively low specific impulse (Isp) range (10,000 - 30,000 m/s) that is optimum for relatively fast (less than 100 day) cis-lunar (LEO/GEO/Lunar) missions employing near-term, high-specific mass electric propulsion vehicles. Research and modeling on the C-60-ion engine are currently being performed by JPL (engine demonstration), Caltech (C-60 properties), MIT (plume modeling), and USC (diagnostics). The Li-propellant LFA engine also has good efficiency in the modest Isp range (40,000 - 50,000 m/s) that is optimum for near-to-mid-term megawatt-class solar- and nuclear-electric propulsion vehicles used for Mars missions transporting cargo (in support of a piloted mission). Research and modeling on the Li-LFA engine are currently being performed by JPL (cathode development), Moscow Aviation Institute (engine testing), Thermacore (electrode development), as well as at MIT (plume modeling), and USC (diagnostics). Also, the mission performance of a nuclear-electric propulsion (NEP) Li-LFA Mars cargo vehicle is being modeled by JPL (mission analysis; thruster and power processor modeling) and the Rocketdyne Energy Technology and Engineering Center (ETEC) (power system modeling). Finally, the fusion propulsion research activities that JPL is supporting at Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and at Lawrenceville Plasma Physics (LPP) are aimed at far-term fast (less than 100 day round trip) piloted Mars missions and, in the very far term, interstellar missions.

Residential Wiring: Electrical Connections [and] Tools and Equipment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas A and M Univ., College Station. Vocational Instructional Services.

Intended for student use, this unit focuses on making good electrical splices and electrical connections, and discusses tools and equipment used in house wiring jobs. Specific areas covered in the connections section are types of splices, solder equipment and supplies, and solderless connectors (plastic caps, split bolt connectors, crimp-type…

Review on synthesis of ferrocene-based redox polymers and derivatives and their application in glucose sensing.

PubMed

Saleem, Muhammad; Yu, Haojie; Wang, Li; Zain-ul-Abdin; Khalid, Hamad; Akram, M; Abbasi, Nasir M; Huang, Jin

2015-05-30

The interest in glucose biosensors persisted over many years and persistent efforts have been made to develop long term stable glucose biosensors with precision, smart analytical performance, good linearity and resistance to communal interferences. In this regard, ferrocene-based polymers and derivatives (FBPDs) for the development of glucose biosensor (GBs) as redox mediators have acquired utmost attention of the scientists, especially in the second generation biosensors, as a large number of innovative molecules have been synthesized. Most of the FBPDs are considered as active components in the development of GBs, due to their ease of modification, biocompatibility, stability, large surface area, good electrical conductivity and especially excellent redox properties. This review provides a brief description of synthesis, analytical performance and glucose sensing application of ferrocene-based dendrimers, polythiophenes, polypyrroles, polyethylenimine, chitosan and carbon nano tubes (CNTs). Moreover, the analytical performance of ferrocene-based glucose biosensors (FBGBs) is summarized and the problems associated with the construction of GBs and the future trends are discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Specific features of electric field in the atmosphere and Radon emanations in Tunkin Basin of Baikal rift zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soloviev, S.; Loktev, D.

2013-05-01

Development of methods for diagnosing local crust encourages finding new ways for preventing hazardous geologic phenomena. Using measurements of several geophysical fields in addition to seismic methods enables to improve the existing methods and increase their reliability. In summer of 2009 and 2010, complex geophysical acquisition company was organized in the Tunkin Basin of the Baikal rift zone in South-Eastern Siberia, that runs 200 km to East-West from the southern tip of Baikal. Stationary observations were carried out in the central part of the Tunkin Basin, at the Geophysical observatory "I" of Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of Siberian Branch of RAS and "II" near the Arshan settlement. Along with observations of microseismic noise and electric field variations in soil, there were performed measurements of electric field strength (Ez) in lowest atmosphere and volumetric activity of natural Radon in subsoil. Meteorological parameters were monitored with the use of DavisVantagePro meteorological stations. The analysis of observations showed that characteristic features of electric field in near-surface atmosphere are majorly defined by complex orography of the place and, consequently, by quickly changing meteorological conditions: thunderstorm activity and other mesometeorological events (with characteristic scale of tens of km and few hours long) in nearby rocks. The results of Ez(t) measurements performed under "good" weather conditions showed that the character of field variations depended on the local time with their maximum in daylight hours and minimum in the night. The analysis of Radon volumetric activity evidenced that its variations are influenced by atmospheric pressure and tides, and such influence is different at points "I" and "II". In particular, the tidal and atmospheric influence on Radon variations is more pronounced at "II" if compared to "I", which can be explained by locations of the registration points. Registration Point "II" is located close to tectonic faults, while "I" is in the center of the basin with its quite thick layer of sediments. Axial section observations of spatial inhomogeneities of electric field and Radon emanation were set along and across the Tunkin Basin. Observation points were set 3 to 10 km apart depending on the local relief. Each point was registering for 60 min under the conditions of "good" weather. There were analysed changes in mean strength of electric field and Radon volumetric activity as a function of distance along the axial section. It was found out that volumetric activity and electric field strength change in phase opposition - radon volumetric activity increase results in more intense ionization in near-surface atmosphere and consequently to decrease in the electric field strength. The concentration of Radon in subsoil atmosphere increases, and electric field strength decreases when approaching to rift zones rimming the Tunkin Basin from North and South. The results of axial section observations can be successfully used when mapping geological inhomogeneities in the Earth's crust. The research was done with financial support of RFBR, project# 12-05-00578

Application of sandwich honeycomb carbon/glass fiber-honeycomb composite in the floor component of electric car

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukmaji, I. C.; Wijang, W. R.; Andri, S.; Bambang, K.; Teguh, T.

2017-01-01

Nowadays composite is a superior material used in automotive component due to its outstanding mechanical behavior. The sandwich polypropylene honeycomb core with carbon/glass fiber composite skin (SHCG) as based material in a floor component of electric car application is investigated in the present research. In sandwich structure form, it can absorb noise better compare with the conventional material [1]. Also in present paper, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of SHCG as based material for floor component of the electric car is analyzed. The composite sandwich is contained with a layer uniform carbon fiber and mixing non-uniform carbon-glass fiber in upper and lower skin. Between skins of SHCG are core polypropylene honeycomb that it have good flexibility to form following dies profile. The variables of volume fraction ratio of carbon/glass fiber in SHCG skin are 20/80%, 30/70%, and 50/50%. The specimen of SHCG is tested using the universal testing machine by three points bending method refers to ASTM C393 and ASTM C365. The cross point between tensile strength to the volume fraction the mixing carbon/glass line and ratio cost line are the searched material with good mechanical performance and reasonable cost. The point is 30/70 volume fraction of carbon/glass fiber. The result of the testing experiment is become input properties of model structure sandwich in FEA simulation. FEA simulation approach is conducted to find critical strength and factor of complex safety geometry against varied distributed passenger loads of a floor component the electric car. The passenger loads variable are 80, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg.

A study of the electrical properties of carbon nanofiber polymer composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardoso, Paulo Jorge Magalhaes

The interest of industry on using carbon nanofibers (CNF) as a possible alternative to carbon nanotubes (CNT) to produce polymer based composites is due to their lower price, the ability to be produced in large amounts and the their usefulness as a reinforcement filler in order to improve the matrix properties such as mechanical, thermal and electrical. Polymers like epoxy resins already have good-to-excellent properties and an extensive range of applications, but the reinforcement with fillers like CNF, which has high aspect ratio (AR) and surface energy, has the potential to extend the range of applications. The Van der Waals interactions between nanofillers, such as CNF, promote the clustering effect which affects their dispersion in the polymer and may interfere with some properties of the nanocomposites. In this sense, it is very important to use appropriate dispersion methods which are able to disentangle the nanofillers to a certain degree, but avoiding the reduction of the nanofibers AR as much as possible. In fact, the methods and conditions of nanocomposites processing have also influence on the filler orientation, dispersion, distribution and aspect ratio. To the present day, there is a lack of complete information in the literature about the relation between structure and properties, in particular electrical properties, for polymer nanocomposites. The main objective of this work is to study the electrical properties of composites based on CNF and epoxy resin using production methods which can be easily implemented in industrial environments and that provide different dispersion levels, investigating therefore the relationship between dispersion level and electrical response. Some of the requirements for such methods are the adaptability to the industrial processes and facilities which allow large scale productions and provide a good relation between quality and cost of the composite materials. In this work, morphological, electrical and electromechanical studies were performed in epoxy resin composites with vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNF). First, the electrical properties of VGCNF/epoxy resin composites produced with a simple method were studied. Then, it was investigated the relation between the electrical properties and the dispersion level of VGCNF/epoxy composites produced with different methods, which were selected to provide different levels of dispersion.The level of nanofiber dispersion of the composites produced with the different methods and filler contents was analyzed by transmission optical microscopy (TOM) and greyscale analysis (GSA) and then compared to the electrical conductivity measurements. After this study, the influence of different methods of VGCNF dispersion on the electrical conduction mechanism of the composites was investigated. Then, these composites were submitted to electromechanical tests in order to apply them as piezoresistive sensors. The last study of this work was dedicated to an initial comparison between the epoxy composites with VGCNG and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), in terms of electrical and morphological properties. As the main outcomes of the present work, it can be concluded that a better cluster dispersion seems to be more suitable than good filler dispersion for achieving larger electrical conductivities and lower percolation thresholds. It is also concluded that hopping conductivity is a relevant mechanism for determining the overall conductivity of the composites and that the CNF/epoxy composites are appropriate materials for piezoresistive sensors in particular at concentrations close to the percolation threshold.

Geometrical and morphological optimizations of plasmonic nanoarrays for high-performance SERS detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, W. Q.; Wang, G.; Zhang, X. N.; Geng, H. P.; Shen, J. L.; Wang, L. S.; Zhao, J.; Xu, L. F.; Zhang, L. J.; Wu, Y. Q.; Tai, R. Z.; Chen, G.

2015-09-01

Here we present an in-depth and comprehensive study of the effect of the geometry and morphology of nanoarray (NA) substrates on their surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance. The high-quality SERS-active NA substrates of various unit shapes and pitches are assembled through electron beam lithography and fabricated by electron beam physical vapor deposition. Good agreement is found on comparing the Raman scattering results with the integrals of the fourth power of local electric fields from the three-dimensional numerical simulations. A novel type of hybrid NA substrate composed of disordered nanoparticles and a periodic NA is fabricated and characterized. The morphology of NAs has little influence on the SERS performance of hybrid NA substrates and they perform better than both their counterparts pure NA and disordered nanoparticle substrates.

Geometrical and morphological optimizations of plasmonic nanoarrays for high-performance SERS detection.

PubMed

Li, W Q; Wang, G; Zhang, X N; Geng, H P; Shen, J L; Wang, L S; Zhao, J; Xu, L F; Zhang, L J; Wu, Y Q; Tai, R Z; Chen, G

2015-10-07

Here we present an in-depth and comprehensive study of the effect of the geometry and morphology of nanoarray (NA) substrates on their surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance. The high-quality SERS-active NA substrates of various unit shapes and pitches are assembled through electron beam lithography and fabricated by electron beam physical vapor deposition. Good agreement is found on comparing the Raman scattering results with the integrals of the fourth power of local electric fields from the three-dimensional numerical simulations. A novel type of hybrid NA substrate composed of disordered nanoparticles and a periodic NA is fabricated and characterized. The morphology of NAs has little influence on the SERS performance of hybrid NA substrates and they perform better than both their counterparts pure NA and disordered nanoparticle substrates.

Analytical and numerical solutions of the potential and electric field generated by different electrode arrays in a tumor tissue under electrotherapy

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Electrotherapy is a relatively well established and efficient method of tumor treatment. In this paper we focus on analytical and numerical calculations of the potential and electric field distributions inside a tumor tissue in a two-dimensional model (2D-model) generated by means of electrode arrays with shapes of different conic sections (ellipse, parabola and hyperbola). Methods Analytical calculations of the potential and electric field distributions based on 2D-models for different electrode arrays are performed by solving the Laplace equation, meanwhile the numerical solution is solved by means of finite element method in two dimensions. Results Both analytical and numerical solutions reveal significant differences between the electric field distributions generated by electrode arrays with shapes of circle and different conic sections (elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic). Electrode arrays with circular, elliptical and hyperbolic shapes have the advantage of concentrating the electric field lines in the tumor. Conclusion The mathematical approach presented in this study provides a useful tool for the design of electrode arrays with different shapes of conic sections by means of the use of the unifying principle. At the same time, we verify the good correspondence between the analytical and numerical solutions for the potential and electric field distributions generated by the electrode array with different conic sections. PMID:21943385

Electrical and optical modeling of poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C61 butyric acid methyl ester P3HT-PCBM bulk heterojunction solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brioua, Fathi; Remram, Mohamed; Nechache, Riad; Bourouina, Hicham

2017-11-01

In this work, we investigate a two-dimensional theoretical model for the photon conversion through an integration of the optical and electrical part of multilayer system in a bulk heterojunction solar cell based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/6,6-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blend. The optical properties of the studied structure ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM/Ca/Al, such as the exciton generation rate and the electrical field distribution, are predicted at vicinity of the active layer and have been used to solve Poisson and continuity, drift-diffusion equations of the electrical model which characterize the electrical behavior of semiconductor device using finite element method (FEM). The electrical parameters such as power conversion efficiency (PCE), open voltage circuit ( V oc), short-circuit current density ( J sc) and fill factor (FF) are extracted from the current-voltage (J-V) characteristics under illumination and in dark conditions. Highest external quantum efficiency (IPCE), up to 60%, is obtained around 520 nm, while a power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of 3.62% is found to be in good agreement with the literature results. Integration of such theoretical approach into technological applications dealing with optoelectrical material performance will rapidly provide to the user accurate data outputs required for efficient validation of proof-of-concepts.

Assessment and mitigation of power quality problems for PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakaria, Mohd Fazli; Ramachandaramurthy, Vigna K.

2017-01-01

An electrical power systems are exposed to different types of power quality disturbances. Investigation and monitoring of power quality are necessary to maintain accurate operation of sensitive equipment especially for nuclear installations. This paper will discuss the power quality problems observed at the electrical sources of PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP). Assessment of power quality requires the identification of any anomalous behavior on a power system, which adversely affects the normal operation of electrical or electronic equipment. A power quality assessment involves gathering data resources; analyzing the data (with reference to power quality standards) then, if problems exist, recommendation of mitigation techniques must be considered. Field power quality data is collected by power quality recorder and analyzed with reference to power quality standards. Normally the electrical power is supplied to the RTP via two sources in order to keep a good reliability where each of them is designed to carry the full load. The assessment of power quality during reactor operation was performed for both electrical sources. There were several disturbances such as voltage harmonics and flicker that exceeded the thresholds. To reduce these disturbances, mitigation techniques have been proposed, such as to install passive harmonic filters to reduce harmonic distortion, dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) to reduce voltage disturbances and isolate all sensitive and critical loads.

High-throughput electrical characterization for robust overlay lithography control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devender, Devender; Shen, Xumin; Duggan, Mark; Singh, Sunil; Rullan, Jonathan; Choo, Jae; Mehta, Sohan; Tang, Teck Jung; Reidy, Sean; Holt, Jonathan; Kim, Hyung Woo; Fox, Robert; Sohn, D. K.

2017-03-01

Realizing sensitive, high throughput and robust overlay measurement is a challenge in current 14nm and advanced upcoming nodes with transition to 300mm and upcoming 450mm semiconductor manufacturing, where slight deviation in overlay has significant impact on reliability and yield1). Exponentially increasing number of critical masks in multi-patterning lithoetch, litho-etch (LELE) and subsequent LELELE semiconductor processes require even tighter overlay specification2). Here, we discuss limitations of current image- and diffraction- based overlay measurement techniques to meet these stringent processing requirements due to sensitivity, throughput and low contrast3). We demonstrate a new electrical measurement based technique where resistance is measured for a macro with intentional misalignment between two layers. Overlay is quantified by a parabolic fitting model to resistance where minima and inflection points are extracted to characterize overlay control and process window, respectively. Analyses using transmission electron microscopy show good correlation between actual overlay performance and overlay obtained from fitting. Additionally, excellent correlation of overlay from electrical measurements to existing image- and diffraction- based techniques is found. We also discuss challenges of integrating electrical measurement based approach in semiconductor manufacturing from Back End of Line (BEOL) perspective. Our findings open up a new pathway for accessing simultaneous overlay as well as process window and margins from a robust, high throughput and electrical measurement approach.

Reconstruction of TiO2/MnO2-C nanotube/nanoflake core/shell arrays as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Qinqin; Zheng, Cun; Chi, Hongzhong; Zhang, Jun; Ji, Zhenguo

2017-02-01

Construction of electrodes with fast reaction kinetics is of great importance for achieving advanced supercapacitors. Herein we report a facile combined synthetic strategy with atomic layer deposition (ALD) and electrodeposition to rationally fabricate nanotube/nanoflake core/shell arrays. ALD-TiO2 nanotubes are used as the skeleton core for assembly of electrodeposited MnO2-C nanoflake shells forming a core/shell structure. Highly porous architecture and good electrical conductivity are combined in this unique core/shell structure, resulting in fast ion/electron transfer. In tests of electrochemical performance, the TiO2/MnO2-C core/shell arrays are characterized as cathode for asymmetric supecapacitors and exhibit high specific capacitance (880 F g-1 at 2.5 A g-1), excellent rate properties (735 F g-1 at 30 A g-1) and good long-term cycling stability (94.3% capacitance retention after 20 000 cycles). The proposed electrode construction strategy is favorable for fabrication of other advanced supercapacitor electrodes.

Reconstruction of TiO2/MnO2-C nanotube/nanoflake core/shell arrays as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes.

PubMed

Xiong, Qinqin; Zheng, Cun; Chi, Hongzhong; Zhang, Jun; Ji, Zhenguo

2017-02-03

Construction of electrodes with fast reaction kinetics is of great importance for achieving advanced supercapacitors. Herein we report a facile combined synthetic strategy with atomic layer deposition (ALD) and electrodeposition to rationally fabricate nanotube/nanoflake core/shell arrays. ALD-TiO 2 nanotubes are used as the skeleton core for assembly of electrodeposited MnO 2 -C nanoflake shells forming a core/shell structure. Highly porous architecture and good electrical conductivity are combined in this unique core/shell structure, resulting in fast ion/electron transfer. In tests of electrochemical performance, the TiO 2 /MnO 2 -C core/shell arrays are characterized as cathode for asymmetric supecapacitors and exhibit high specific capacitance (880 F g -1 at 2.5 A g -1 ), excellent rate properties (735 F g -1 at 30 A g -1 ) and good long-term cycling stability (94.3% capacitance retention after 20 000 cycles). The proposed electrode construction strategy is favorable for fabrication of other advanced supercapacitor electrodes.

Flexible ultraviolet photodetectors based on ZnO-SnO2 heterojunction nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lou, Zheng; Yang, Xiaoli; Chen, Haoran; Liang, Zhongzhu

2018-02-01

A ZnO-SnO2 nanowires (NWs) array, as a metal oxide semiconductor, was successfully synthesized by a near-field electrospinning method for the applications as high performance ultraviolet photodetectors. Ultraviolet photodetectors based on a single nanowire exhibited excellent photoresponse properties to 300 nm ultraviolet light illumination including ultrahigh I on/I off ratios (up to 103), good stability and reproducibility because of the separation between photo-generated electron-hole pairs. Moreover, the NWs array shows an enhanced photosensing performance. Flexible photodetectors on the PI substrates with similar tendency properties were also fabricated. In addition, under various bending curvatures and cycles, the as-fabricated flexible photodetectors revealed mechanical flexibility and good stable electrical properties, showing that they have the potential for applications in future flexible photoelectron devices. Project supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 61504136) and the State Key Laboratory of Applied Optics, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Fast multigrid-based computation of the induced electric field for transcranial magnetic stimulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laakso, Ilkka; Hirata, Akimasa

2012-12-01

In transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), the distribution of the induced electric field, and the affected brain areas, depends on the position of the stimulation coil and the individual geometry of the head and brain. The distribution of the induced electric field in realistic anatomies can be modelled using computational methods. However, existing computational methods for accurately determining the induced electric field in realistic anatomical models have suffered from long computation times, typically in the range of tens of minutes or longer. This paper presents a matrix-free implementation of the finite-element method with a geometric multigrid method that can potentially reduce the computation time to several seconds or less even when using an ordinary computer. The performance of the method is studied by computing the induced electric field in two anatomically realistic models. An idealized two-loop coil is used as the stimulating coil. Multiple computational grid resolutions ranging from 2 to 0.25 mm are used. The results show that, for macroscopic modelling of the electric field in an anatomically realistic model, computational grid resolutions of 1 mm or 2 mm appear to provide good numerical accuracy compared to higher resolutions. The multigrid iteration typically converges in less than ten iterations independent of the grid resolution. Even without parallelization, each iteration takes about 1.0 s or 0.1 s for the 1 and 2 mm resolutions, respectively. This suggests that calculating the electric field with sufficient accuracy in real time is feasible.

Electrical Engineers' Perceptions on Education--Electromagnetic Field Theory and Its Connection to Working Life

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keltikangas, K.; Wallen, H.

2010-01-01

This paper investigates electrical engineers' perceptions on their education in Finland, with particular emphasis on the basic electromagnetic field theory courses and their applicability in working life, using two online surveys (n = 99 and n = 120). The answers show a reasonably good satisfaction with the electrical engineering studies in…

Theoretical and Field Experimental Investigation of an Arrayed Solar Thermoelectric Flat-Plate Generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rehman, Naveed ur; Siddiqui, Mubashir Ali

2018-05-01

This work theoretically and experimentally investigated the performance of an arrayed solar flat-plate thermoelectric generator (ASFTEG). An analytical model, based on energy balances, was established for determining load voltage, power output and overall efficiency of ASFTEGs. An array consists of TEG devices (or modules) connected electrically in series and operating in closed-circuit mode with a load. The model takes into account the distinct temperature difference across each module, which is a major feature of this model. Parasitic losses have also been included in the model for realistic results. With the given set of simulation parameters, an ASFTEG consisting of four commercially available Bi2Te3 modules had a predicted load voltage of 200 mV and generated 3546 μW of electric power output. Predictions from the model were in good agreement with field experimental outcomes from a prototype ASFTEG, which was developed for validation purposes. Later, the model was simulated to maximize the performance of the ASFTEG by adjusting the thermal and electrical design of the system. Optimum values of design parameters were evaluated and discussed in detail. Beyond the current limitations associated with improvements in thermoelectric materials, this study will eventually lead to the successful development of portable roof-top renewable TEGs.

Electrical properties of thin film transistors with zinc tin oxide channel layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Seunghwan; Oh, Gyujin; Kim, Eun Kyu

2017-10-01

We have investigated thin film transistors (TFTs) with zinc tin oxide (ZTO) channel layer fabricated by using an ultra-high vacuum radio frequency sputter. ZTO thin films were grown at room temperature by co-sputtering of ZnO and SnO2, which applied power for SnO2 target was varied from 15 W to 90 W under a fixed sputtering power of 70 W for ZnO target. A post-annealing treatment to improve the film quality was done at temperature ranges from 300 to 600 °C by using the electrical furnace. The ZTO thin films showed good electrical and optical properties such as Hall mobility of more than 9 cm2/V·s, specific resistivity of about 2 × 102 Ω·cm, and optical transmittance of 85% in visible light region by optical bandgap of 3.3 eV. The ZTO-TFT with an excellent performance of channel mobility of 19.1 cm2/V·s and on-off ratio ( I on / I off ) of 104 was obtained from the films grown with SnO2 target power of 25 W and post-annealed at 450 °C. This result showed that ZTO film is promising on application to a high performance transparent TFTs.

Fault-tolerant control of electric vehicles with in-wheel motors using actuator-grouping sliding mode controllers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Boyuan; Du, Haiping; Li, Weihua

2016-05-01

Although electric vehicles with in-wheel motors have been regarded as one of the promising vehicle architectures in recent years, the probability of in-wheel motor fault is still a crucial issue due to the system complexity and large number of control actuators. In this study, a modified sliding mode control (SMC) is applied to achieve fault-tolerant control of electric vehicles with four-wheel-independent-steering (4WIS) and four-wheel-independent-driving (4WID). Unlike in traditional SMC, in this approach the steering geometry is re-arranged according to the location of faulty wheels in the modified SMC. Three SMC control laws for longitudinal velocity control, lateral velocity control and yaw rate control are designed based on specific vehicle motion scenarios. In addition the actuator-grouping SMC method is proposed so that driving actuators are grouped and each group of actuators can be used to achieve the specific control target, which avoids the strong coupling effect between each control target. Simulation results prove that the proposed modified SMC can achieve good vehicle dynamics control performance in normal driving and large steering angle turning scenarios. In addition, the proposed actuator-grouping SMC can solve the coupling effect of different control targets and the control performance is improved.

Measuring the multi-frequency electrical impedance of the mouse gastrocnemius muscle using a tetrapolar technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, J.; Fogerson, P. M.; Rutkove, S. B.

2010-04-01

Electrical impedance methods can be used to evaluate and monitor neuromuscular disease states. Recently, we have applied tetrapolar surface electrical impedance methods to the gastrocnemius muscle of the rat for this purpose and substantial changes in the impedance parameters after sciatic nerve crush can be identified. In order to be able to study additional animal models of nerve and muscle disease, however, it would highly desirable to be able to perform such impedance measurements in the mouse. Yet the small size of the mouse presents a substantial technical challenge. In this study, we evaluate a basic approach for performing such measurements. A series of thin, stainless steel strip electrodes affixed to the gastrocnemius and interfaced via a separate connector to the Imp SFB7® (Impedimed, Inc), provided an effective means for obtaining impedance data in the 20-500 kHz range. After two weeks, test-retest reproducibility was good, with intra-class correlation coefficients as high 0.84 and variability as low as 12.86 ± 6.18% in the 15 mice studied. Using this approach, it may now be possible to study impedance changes in a variety of mouse models of neuromuscular disease, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Noncontact technique for measuring the electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of electrostatically levitated materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rustan, G. E.; Spyrison, N. S.; Kreyssig, A.; Prozorov, R.; Goldman, A. I.

2012-10-01

We describe the development of a new method for measuring the electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of high temperature liquids and solids. The technique combines a tunnel diode oscillator with an electrostatic levitation furnace to perform noncontact measurements on spherical samples 2-3 mm in diameter. The tank circuit of the oscillator is inductively coupled to the sample, and measurements of the oscillator frequency as a function of sample temperature can be translated into changes in the sample's electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility. Particular emphasis is given on the need to improve the positional stability of the levitated samples, as well as the need to stabilize the temperature of the measurement coil. To demonstrate the validity of the technique, measurements have been performed on solid spheres of pure zirconium and low-carbon steel. In the case of zirconium, while absolute values of the resistivity were not determined, the temperature dependence of the resistivity was measured over the range of 640-1770 K and found to be in good agreement with literature data. In the case of low-carbon steel, the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition was clearly observable and, when combined with thermal data, appears to occur simultaneously with the solid-solid structural transition.

Relationship between moisture content and electrical impedance of carrot slices during drying

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kertész, Ákos; Hlaváčová, Zuzana; Vozáry, Eszter; Staroňová, Lenka

2015-01-01

Electrical properties of food materials can give information about the inner structure and physiological state of biological tissues. Generally, the process of drying of fruits and vegetables is followed by weight loss. The aim of this study was to measure the impedance spectra of carrot slices during drying and to correlate impedance parameters to moisture content in different drying periods. Cylindrical slices were cut out from the carrot root along the axis. The slices were dried in a Venticell 111 air oven at 50°C. The weight of the slices was measured with a Denver SI-603 electronic analytical and precision balance. The weighing of the samples was performed every 30 min at the beginning of drying and every 60 min after the process. The moisture content of the samples was calculated on wet basis. The magnitude and phase angle of electrical impedance of the slices were measured with HP 4284A and 4285A precision LCR meters in the frequency range from 30 Hz to 1 MHz and from 75 kHz to 30 MHz, respectively, at voltage 1 V. The impedance measurement was performed after weighting. The change in the magnitude of impedance during drying showed a good correlation with the change in the moisture content.

Effectiveness enhancement of a cycloidal wind turbine by individual active control of blade motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, In Seong; Lee, Yun Han; Kim, Seung Jo

2007-04-01

In this paper, a research for the effectiveness enhancement of a Cycloidal Wind Turbine by individual active control of blade motion is described. To improve the performance of the power generation system, which consists of several straight blades rotating about axis in parallel direction, the cycloidal blade system and the individual active blade control method are adopted. It has advantages comparing with horizontal axis wind turbine or conventional vertical axis wind turbine because it maintains optimal blade pitch angles according to wind speed, wind direction and rotor rotating speed to produce high electric power at any conditions. It can do self-starting and shows good efficiency at low wind speed and complex wind condition. Optimal blade pitch angle paths are obtained through CFD analysis according to rotor rotating speed and wind speed. The individual rotor blade control system consists of sensors, actuators and microcontroller. To realize the actuating device, servo motors are installed to each rotor blade. Actuating speed and actuating force are calculated to compare with the capacities of servo motor, and some delays of blade pitch angles are corrected experimentally. Performance experiment is carried out by the wind blowing equipment and Labview system, and the rotor rotates from 50 to 100 rpm according to the electric load. From this research, it is concluded that developing new vertical axis wind turbine, Cycloidal Wind Turbine which is adopting individual active blade pitch control method can be a good model for small wind turbine in urban environment.

Boosting the Recoverable Energy Density of Lead-Free Ferroelectric Ceramic Thick Films through Artificially Induced Quasi-Relaxor Behavior.

PubMed

Peddigari, Mahesh; Palneedi, Haribabu; Hwang, Geon-Tae; Lim, Kyung Won; Kim, Ga-Yeon; Jeong, Dae-Yong; Ryu, Jungho

2018-06-20

Dielectric ceramic film capacitors, which store energy in the form of electric polarization, are promising for miniature pulsed power electronic device applications. For a superior energy storage performance of the capacitors, large recoverable energy density, along with high efficiency, high power density, fast charge/discharge rate, and good thermal/fatigue stability, is desired. Herein, we present highly dense lead-free 0.942[Na 0.535 K 0.480 NbO 3 ]-0.058LiNbO 3 (KNNLN) ferroelectric ceramic thick films (∼5 μm) demonstrating remarkable energy storage performance. The nanocrystalline KNNLN thick film fabricated by aerosol deposition (AD) process and annealed at 600 °C displayed a quasi-relaxor ferroelectric behavior, which is in contrast to the typical ferroelectric nature of the KNNLN ceramic in its bulk form. The AD film exhibited a large recoverable energy density of 23.4 J/cm 3 , with an efficiency of over 70% under the electric field of 1400 kV/cm. Besides, an ultrahigh power density of 38.8 MW/cm 3 together with a fast discharge speed of 0.45 μs, good fatigue endurance (up to 10 6 cycles), and thermal stability in a wide temperature range of 20-160 °C was also observed. Using the AD process, we could make a highly dense microstructure of the film containing nano-sized grains, which gave rise to the quasi-relaxor ferroelectric characteristics and the remarkable energy storage properties.

A flexible ultrasound transducer array with micro-machined bulk PZT.

PubMed

Wang, Zhe; Xue, Qing-Tang; Chen, Yuan-Quan; Shu, Yi; Tian, He; Yang, Yi; Xie, Dan; Luo, Jian-Wen; Ren, Tian-Ling

2015-01-23

This paper proposes a novel flexible piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasound transducer, which is based on PZT and a polyimide substrate. The transducer is made on the polyimide substrate and packaged with medical polydimethylsiloxane. Instead of etching the PZT ceramic, this paper proposes a method of putting diced PZT blocks into holes on the polyimide which are pre-etched. The device works in d31 mode and the electromechanical coupling factor is 22.25%. Its flexibility, good conformal contacting with skin surfaces and proper resonant frequency make the device suitable for heart imaging. The flexible packaging ultrasound transducer also has a good waterproof performance after hundreds of ultrasonic electric tests in water. It is a promising ultrasound transducer and will be an effective supplementary ultrasound imaging method in the practical applications.

Coordinating plug-in electric vehicle charging with electric grid: Valley filling and target load following

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Li; Jabbari, Faryar; Brown, Tim; Samuelsen, Scott

2014-12-01

Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) shift energy consumption from petroleum to electricity for the personal transportation sector. This work proposes a decentralized charging protocol for PEVs with grid operators updating the cost signal. Each PEV calculates its own optimal charging profile only once based on the cost signal, after it is plugged in, and sends the result back to the grid operators. Grid operators only need to aggregate charging profiles and update the load and cost. The existing PEV characteristics, national household travel survey (NHTS), California Independent System Operator (CAISO) demand, and estimates for future renewable generation in California are used to simulate PEV operation, PEV charging profiles, grid demand, and grid net load (demand minus renewable). Results show the proposed protocol has good performance for overnight net load valley filling if the costs to be minimized are proportional to the net load. Annual results are shown in terms of overnight load variation and comparisons are made with grid level valley filling results. Further, a target load can be approached in the same manner by using the gap between current load and the target load as the cost. The communication effort involved is quite modest.

Electrical gain in interband cascade infrared photodetectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Wenxiang; Li, Lu; Lei, Lin; Massengale, Jeremy A.; Yang, Rui Q.; Mishima, Tetsuya D.; Santos, Michael B.

2018-03-01

In order to achieve improved understanding and gain insights into the device operation of interband cascade infrared photodetectors (ICIPs) and ultimately to optimize the design, we present a comparative study of five long-wavelength (LW) ICIPs based on a type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice. This study shows how the device responsivity is affected by the individual absorber thicknesses and the number of cascade stages, through the impact of light attenuation. Additionally, this study further validates that the electrical gain universally exists in non-current-matched ICIPs. With multiple cascade stages to suppress noise, these LW ICIPs achieved superior device performance at high temperatures, in terms of Johnson-noise limited detectivities, compared to commercial MCT detectors. Furthermore, a theory is developed to quantitatively describe the electrical gain in ICIPs and our calculations are in good agreement with the experimental results. Based on the theory, the optimal number of stages for maximizing the device detectivity D* is identified with inclusion of the electrical gain. Our calculation shows that this optimal number of stages is relatively large in the presence of the gain and the maximized D* has a relatively weak dependence on the absorber thickness when it is sufficiently thin.

Sub-nanosecond resolution electric field measurements during ns pulse breakdown in ambient air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simeni Simeni, Marien; Goldberg, Ben; Gulko, Ilya; Frederickson, Kraig; Adamovich, Igor V.

2018-01-01

Electric field during ns pulse discharge breakdown in ambient air has been measured by ps four-wave mixing, with temporal resolution of 0.2 ns. The measurements have been performed in a diffuse plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge, in plane-to-plane geometry. Absolute calibration of the electric field in the plasma is provided by the Laplacian field measured before breakdown. Sub-nanosecond time resolution is obtained by using a 150 ps duration laser pulse, as well as by monitoring the timing of individual laser shots relative to the voltage pulse, and post-processing four-wave mixing signal waveforms saved for each laser shot, placing them in the appropriate ‘time bins’. The experimental data are compared with the analytic solution for time-resolved electric field in the plasma during pulse breakdown, showing good agreement on ns time scale. Qualitative interpretation of the data illustrates the effects of charge separation, charge accumulation/neutralization on the dielectric surfaces, electron attachment, and secondary breakdown. Comparison of the present data with more advanced kinetic modeling is expected to provide additional quantitative insight into air plasma kinetics on ~ 0.1-100 ns scales.

Improving Powder Magnetic Core Properties via Application of Thin, Insulating Silica-Nanosheet Layers on Iron Powder Particles

PubMed Central

Ishizaki, Toshitaka; Nakano, Hideyuki; Tajima, Shin; Takahashi, Naoko

2016-01-01

A thin, insulating layer with high electrical resistivity is vital to achieving high performance of powder magnetic cores. Using layer-by-layer deposition of silica nanosheets or colloidal silica over insulating layers composed of strontium phosphate and boron oxide, we succeeded in fabricating insulating layers with high electrical resistivity on iron powder particles, which were subsequently used to prepare toroidal cores. The compact density of these cores decreased after coating with colloidal silica due to the substantial increase in the volume, causing the magnetic flux density to deteriorate. Coating with silica nanosheets, on the other hand, resulted in a higher electrical resistivity and a good balance between high magnetic flux density and low iron loss due to the thinner silica layers. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that the thickness of the colloidal silica coating was about 700 nm, while that of the silica nanosheet coating was 30 nm. There was one drawback to using silica nanosheets, namely a deterioration in the core mechanical strength. Nevertheless, the silica nanosheet coating resulted in nanoscale-thick silica layers that are favorable for enhancing the electrical resistivity. PMID:28336835

Aging of XLPE cable insulation under combined electrical and mechanical stresses

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

David, E.; Parpal, J.L.; Crine, J.P.

1996-12-31

Extruded crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation is widely used in high-voltage cables since it presents such attractive features as excellent dielectric properties and good thermomechanical behavior. However, its performance is affected by long-term degradation when it is subjected to the various thermal, mechanical and environmental stresses occurring in service in combination with electrical stress. The synergetic effect of superposed electrical and other stresses remains to be fully clarified. In particular, a fairly high level of mechanical stresses can be present in the insulation volume, originating from residual internal stresses created during the cooling process in the fabrication, external forces when cablesmore » are bent sharply, or thermomechanical stresses caused by differential thermal expansion between the conductor and the insulating material. In order to investigate the influence of the superposition of mechanical and electrical stresses, various measurements were conducted on XLPE and LDPE specimens in tip-plane and plane-plane geometries. Experimental data of time-to-breakdown, breakdown field and tree length are presented as a function of the magnitude of the stresses. In all cases, superposition of the mechanical stress was found to reduce the dielectric strength of the material.« less

Decomposition of Composite Electric Field in a Three-Phase D-Dot Voltage Transducer Measuring System

PubMed Central

Hu, Xueqi; Wang, Jingang; Wei, Gang; Deng, Xudong

2016-01-01

In line with the wider application of non-contact voltage transducers in the engineering field, transducers are required to have better performance for different measuring environments. In the present study, the D-dot voltage transducer is further improved based on previous research in order to meet the requirements for long-distance measurement of electric transmission lines. When measuring three-phase electric transmission lines, problems such as synchronous data collection and composite electric field need to be resolved. A decomposition method is proposed with respect to the superimposed electric field generated between neighboring phases. The charge simulation method is utilized to deduce the decomposition equation of the composite electric field and the validity of the proposed method is verified by simulation calculation software. With the deduced equation as the algorithm foundation, this paper improves hardware circuits, establishes a measuring system and constructs an experimental platform for examination. Under experimental conditions, a 10 kV electric transmission line was tested for steady-state errors, and the measuring results of the transducer and the high-voltage detection head were compared. Ansoft Maxwell Stimulation Software was adopted to obtain the electric field intensity in different positions under transmission lines; its values and the measuring values of the transducer were also compared. Experimental results show that the three-phase transducer is characterized by a relatively good synchronization for data measurement, measuring results with high precision, and an error ratio within a prescribed limit. Therefore, the proposed three-phase transducer can be broadly applied and popularized in the engineering field. PMID:27754340

Essays on Firm Behavior in Developing Economies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abeberese, Ama Baafra

The performance of firms is central to growth in developing economies. A burgeoning literature within development economics seeks to understand the behavior of firms in developing countries and the constraints to their performance. This dissertation explores two types of constraints---infrastructure-related constraints and trade-related constraints---faced by manufacturing firms in developing countries. Despite the widely acknowledged importance of infrastructure for economic growth, there has been relatively little research on how infrastructure affects the decisions of firms. Electricity, in particular, is commonly cited by firms in developing countries as a major obstacle to their performance. In the first two chapters, I analyze the responses of firms to two types of electricity constraints, namely electricity prices and electricity shortages. Chapter 1 provides evidence on how electricity prices affect a firm's industry choice and productivity growth using data on Indian manufacturing firms. I construct an instrument for electricity price as the interaction between the price of coal paid by power utilities, which is arguably exogenous to firm characteristics, and the initial share of thermal generation in a state's total electricity generation capacity. I find that, in response to an exogenous increase in electricity price, firms reduce their electricity consumption and switch to industries with less electricity-intensive production processes. I also find that firm output, machine intensity and labor productivity decline with an increase in electricity price. In addition to these level effects, I show that firm output and productivity growth rates are negatively affected by high electricity prices. These results suggest that electricity constraints faced by firms may limit a country's growth by leading firms to operate in industries with fewer productivity-enhancing opportunities. Chapter 2 examines the impact of electricity shortages on firm investment. I identify this impact by studying an electricity rationing program that took place in Ghana in 1998, which placed significant constraints on the electricity available to firms. Using data on Ghanaian manufacturing firms, I find a significant decline in investment in plant and machinery during the electricity rationing period. The decline in investment is more pronounced for firms in electricity-intensive sectors. I explore alternative explanations for the reduction in investment during the electricity rationing period, including a contraction in firm credit access and economy-wide shocks unrelated to electricity constraints, and find no evidence in support of either explanation. The results, therefore, suggest that the reduction in investment during the electricity rationing period was due to the constraints on the availability of electricity. These findings highlight the potentially negative impact of the inadequate provision of electricity that frequently plagues developing countries. These electricity constraints can hinder growth in these countries by curbing investment by firms. In Chapter 3, I turn to the investigation of the effect of a trade-related constraint. Until recently, most of the literature on firms engaged in international trade had largely focused on exporting, with little work on the role of imports in the behavior and performance of firms. Using data on Indonesian manufacturing firms, Chapter 3 analyzes the effect of a reduction in tariffs on imported inputs on the exporting activity of firms. I argue that a tariff reduction program in Indonesia, which generated exogenous variation in the tariffs imposed on imports of goods used by firms, had a positive effect on the exported share of output of firms. I explore the mechanisms underlying this positive effect and find that an increase in the use of imported inputs, facilitated by the reduction in input tariffs, generated an increase in the exported share of output of firms. I also find that this positive effect is stronger for firms in industries with a greater scope for quality differentiation and high skill intensity. These results suggest that input tariff liberalization, by increasing access to higher-quality inputs from abroad, allows firms to produce higher-quality products for export markets.

Electrical Properties of Materials for Elevated Temperature Resistance Strain Gage Application. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lei, Jih-Fen

1987-01-01

The objective was to study the electrical resistances of materials that are potentially useful as resistance strain gages at 1000 C. Transition metal carbides and nitrides, boron carbide and silicon carbide were selected for the experimental phase of this research. Due to their low temperature coefficient of resistance and good stability, TiC, ZrC, B sub 4 C and beta-SiC are suggested as good candidates for high temperature resistance strain gage applications.

Treatment of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia by Prolonged Electric Stimulation

PubMed Central

Nathan, P. W.; Wall, P. D.

1974-01-01

The results of treating patients with severe post-herpetic neuralgia with prolonged self-administered electric stimulation from a portable apparatus were good in 11 out of 30 patients. None of these patients had had as good relief of pain with other forms of treatment. In 10 patients some effects from stimulation continued after stimulation stopped. In eight there was an improvement in the course of the neuralgia, and in two there was a cure. Imagesp646-a PMID:4425789

The Correlations between Airport Sustainability and Indonesian Economic Growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setiawan, M. I.; Dhaniarti, I.; Utomo, W. M.; Sukoco, A.; Mudjanarko, S. W.; Hasyim, C.; Prasetijo, J.; Kurniasih, N.; Wajdi, M. B. N.; Purworusmiardi, T.; Suyono, J.; Sudapet, I. N.; Nasihien, R. D.; Wulandari, D. A. R.; Ade, R. T.; Atmaja, W. M. T.; Sugeng; Wulandari, A.

2018-04-01

This study aims to analyze the correlation between airport performances with Gross domestic product-regional (GDP-regional) performance. This research uses quantitative research method with correlation study approach. Based on the T-Value Test Result, the T-value for the Airport Performance variable is 14,264. T-Value Test Results and compared with T-table equal to 1,976 (significant level 0,05) hence T-count> T-table so variable of Airport Perform predicted have significant correlation to GDP-regional. This means that good airport performance will either improve the performance of Water supply, Sewerage, Waste Management and Remediation Activities; Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles; Accommodation and Food Service Activities; Financial and Insurance Activities; Business Activities; Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security; Education; Human Health and Social Work Activities; Other Services Activities; Manufacturing; and Electricity and Gas, better.

Synthesis of ALD zinc oxide and thin film materials optimization for UV photodetector applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tapily, Kandabara Nouhoum

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a direct, wide bandgap semiconductor material. It is thermodynamically stable in the wurtzite structure at ambient temperature conditions. ZnO has very interesting optical and electrical properties and is a suitable candidate for numerous optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, LEDs and UV-photodetectors. ZnO is a naturally n-type semiconductor. Due to the lack of reproducible p-type ZnO, achieving good homojunction ZnO-based photodiodes such as UV-photodetectors remains a challenge. Meanwhile, heterojunction structures of ZnO with p-type substrates such as SiC, GaN, NiO, AlGaN, Si etc. are used; however, those heterojunction diodes suffer from low efficiencies. ZnO is an n-type material with numerous intrinsic defect levels responsible for the electrical and optical behaviors. Presently, there is no clear consensus about the origin of those defects. In this work, ZnO was synthesized by atomic layer deposition (ALD). ALD is a novel deposition technique suitable for nanotechnology engineering that provides unique features such as precise control of ZnO thin film with atomic resolution, high uniformity, good conformity and high aspect ratio. Using this novel deposition technique, the ALD ZnO deposition process was developed and optimized using diethyl zinc as the precursor for zinc and water vapor as the oxygen source. In order to optimize the film quality for use in electronic applications, the physical, mechanical and electrical properties were investigated. The structural and mechanical properties of the ALD ZnO thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), spectroscopic Ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, UV-VIS absorption and nanoindentation. The electrical characterizations were performed using C-V, I-V, DLTS, Hall Effect, and four-point probe. The intrinsic defects responsible for the electrical and optical properties of the ALD ZnO films were analyzed and identified. ALD ZnO based electronic devices were fabricated, optimized and their electrical characteristics measured. The photocurrent characteristics of ALD ZnO were also optimized, and high efficiency UV-photodetectors were achieved.

Experimental and modeling study of high performance direct carbon solid oxide fuel cell with in situ catalytic steam-carbon gasification reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Haoran; Chen, Bin; Zhang, Houcheng; Tan, Peng; Yang, Guangming; Irvine, John T. S.; Ni, Meng

2018-04-01

In this paper, 2D models for direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells (DC-SOFCs) with in situ catalytic steam-carbon gasification reaction are developed. The simulation results are found to be in good agreement with experimental data. The performance of DC-SOFCs with and without catalyst are compared at different operating potential, anode inlet gas flow rate and operating temperature. It is found that adding suitable catalyst can significantly speed up the in situ steam-carbon gasification reaction and improve the performance of DC-SOFC with H2O as gasification agent. The potential of syngas and electricity co-generation from the fuel cell is also evaluated, where the composition of H2 and CO in syngas can be adjusted by controlling the anode inlet gas flow rate. In addition, the performance DC-SOFCs and the percentage of fuel in the outlet gas are both increased with increasing operating temperature. At a reduced temperature (below 800 °C), good performance of DC-SOFC can still be obtained with in-situ catalytic carbon gasification by steam. The results of this study form a solid foundation to understand the important effect of catalyst and related operating conditions on H2O-assisted DC-SOFCs.

Formula of an ideal carbon nanomaterial supercapacitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samuilova, Larissa; Frenkel, Alexander; Samuilov, Vladimir

2014-03-01

Supercapacitors exhibit great potential as high-performance energy sources for a large variety of potential applications, ranging from consumer electronics through wearable optoelectronics to hybrid electric vehicles. We focuse on carbon nanomaterials, especially carbon nanotube films, 3-D graphene, graphene oxide due to their high specific surface area, excellent electrical and mechanical properties. We have developed a simple approach to lower the equivalent series resistance by fabricating electrodes of arbitrary thickness using carbon nanotube films and reduced graphene oxide based composites. Besides of the problem of increasing of the capacitance, the minimization of the loss tangent (dissipation factor) is marginal for the future development of the supercapacitors. This means, not only a very well developed surface area of the electrodes, but the role of the good quality of the porous separator and the electrolyte are important. We address these factors as well.

Artificial muscles on heat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKay, Thomas G.; Shin, Dong Ki; Percy, Steven; Knight, Chris; McGarry, Scott; Anderson, Iain A.

2014-03-01

Many devices and processes produce low grade waste heat. Some of these include combustion engines, electrical circuits, biological processes and industrial processes. To harvest this heat energy thermoelectric devices, using the Seebeck effect, are commonly used. However, these devices have limitations in efficiency, and usable voltage. This paper investigates the viability of a Stirling engine coupled to an artificial muscle energy harvester to efficiently convert heat energy into electrical energy. The results present the testing of the prototype generator which produced 200 μW when operating at 75°C. Pathways for improved performance are discussed which include optimising the electronic control of the artificial muscle, adjusting the mechanical properties of the artificial muscle to work optimally with the remainder of the system, good sealing, and tuning the resonance of the displacer to minimise the power required to drive it.

High-frequency carbon supercapacitors from polyfurfuryl alcohol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruiz, V.; Pandolfo, A. G.

Porous carbons with controllable and narrow pore-size distributions are prepared from the chemical activation of polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA). High apparent BET surface areas, up to 2600 m 2 g -1 (2611 m 2 g -1 by Density Functional Theory (DFT)), and good electrical conductivities (up to ∼130 S cm -1) are obtained. By varying the potassium hydroxide: carbon precursor ratio, the preparation of carbons with different proportions of micro- and fine mesoporosity (<5 nm) can be tailored to provide an ideal electronic and ionic pore structure for electrochemical energy-storage devices, such as electrical double-layer capacitors. High specific capacitance values are obtained up to 147 F g -1 in a voltage window of 2.5 V using 1 M tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate in acetonitrile. Moreover, excellent high-current and high-frequency performance is demonstrated: 100 F g -1 at 225 A g -1 (10 Hz) and ∼30 F g -1 at 100 Hz. When comparing the performance with commercial activated carbons (ACs) of similar textural properties, the PFA-derived ACs demonstrated better performance in terms of higher capacitance values and improved rate capabilities. There is a 125% increase in capacitance values at 1 kHz.

Seasonal performance for Heat pump with vertical ground heat exchanger in Riga

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaundālders, S.; Stanka, P.; Rusovs, D.

2017-10-01

Experimental measurements of Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) for heating of 160 m2 household in Riga were conducted for operation of brine-water heat pump with vertical ground heat exchangers (GHE). Data regarding heat and electrical power consumption were recorded during three-year period from 2013 to 2016. Vapor compression heat pump has heat energy output of 8 kW. GHE consists of three boreholes. Each borehole is 60 m deep. Data regarding brine temperature for borehole input and output were presented and discussed. As far as house had floor heating, there were presented data about COP for B0/W35 and its dependence from room and outdoor temperature during heating season. Empirical equation was created. Average heat energy consumption during one year for heating was 72 kWh/m2 measured by heat meter. Detected primary energy consumption (electrical energy from grid) was 21 kWh/m2 which resulted in SCOP=3.8. These data were compared with SCOP for air-to-water heat pump in Latvia and available configuration software for heat pumps operation. Good agreement between calculated performance and reported experimental data were founded.

Fabrication of thickness controllable free-standing sandwich-structured hybrid carbon film for high-rate and high-power supercapacitor

PubMed Central

Wei, Helin; Wei, Sihang; Tian, Weifeng; Zhu, Daming; Liu, Yuhao; Yuan, Lili; Li, Xin

2014-01-01

Hybrid carbon films composed of graphene film and porous carbon film may give full play to the advantages of both carbon materials, and have great potential for application in energy storage and conversion devices. Unfortunately, there are very few reports on fabrication of hybrid carbon films. Here we demonstrate a simple approach to fabricate free-standing sandwich-structured hybrid carbon film composed of porous amorphous carbon film and multilayer graphene film by chemical vapor deposition in a controllable and scalable way. Hybrid carbon films reveal good electrical conductivity, excellent flexibility, and good compatibility with substrate. Supercapacitors assembled by hybrid carbon films exhibit ultrahigh rate capability, wide frequency range, good capacitance performance, and high-power density. Moreover, this approach may provide a general path for fabrication of hybrid carbon materials with different structures by using different metals with high carbon solubility, and greatly expands the application scope of carbon materials. PMID:25394410

Rational design of binder-free noble metal/metal oxide arrays with nanocauliflower structure for wide linear range nonenzymatic glucose detection

PubMed Central

Li, Zhenzhen; Xin, Yanmei; Zhang, Zhonghai; Wu, Hongjun; Wang, Peng

2015-01-01

One-dimensional nanocomposites of metal-oxide and noble metal were expected to present superior performance for nonenzymatic glucose detection due to its good conductivity and high catalytic activity inherited from noble metal and metal oxide respectively. As a proof of concept, we synthesized gold and copper oxide (Au/CuO) composite with unique one-dimensional nanocauliflowers structure. Due to the nature of the synthesis method, no any foreign binder was needed in keeping either Au or CuO in place. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt in combining metal oxide and noble metal in a binder-free style for fabricating nonenzymatic glucose sensor. The Au/CuO nanocauliflowers with large electrochemical active surface and high electrolyte contact area would promise a wide linear range and high sensitive detection of glucose with good stability and reproducibility due to its good electrical conductivity of Au and high electrocatalytic activity of CuO. PMID:26068705

High Power Electric Double-Layer Capacitors based on Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids and Nanostructured Carbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez, Carlos R.

The efficient storage of electrical energy constitutes both a fundamental challenge for 21st century science and an urgent requirement for the sustainability of our technological civilization. The push for cleaner renewable forms of energy production, such as solar and wind power, strongly depends on a concomitant development of suitable storage methods to pair with these intermittent sources, as well as for mobile applications, such as vehicles and personal electronics. In this regard, Electrochemical Double-Layer Capacitors (supercapacitors) represent a vibrant area of research due to their environmental friendliness, long lifetimes, high power capability, and relative underdevelopment when compared to electrochemical batteries. Currently supercapacitors have gravimetric energies one order of magnitude lower than similarly advanced batteries, while conversly enjoying a similar advantage over them in terms of power. The challenge is to increase the gravimentric energies and conserve the high power. On the material side, research focuses on highly porous supports and electrolytes, the critical components of supercapacitors. Through the use of electrolyte systems with a wider electrochemical stability window, as well as properly tailored carbon nanomaterials as electrodes, significant improvements in performance are possible. Room Temperature Ionic Liquids and Carbide-Derived Carbons are promising electrolytes and electrodes, respectively. RTILs have been shown to be stable at up to twice the voltage of organic solvent-salt systems currently employed in supercapacitors, and CDCs are tunable in pore structure, show good electrical conductivity, and superior demonstrated capability as electrode material. This work aims to better understand the interplay of electrode and electrolyte parameters, such as pore structure and ion size, in the ultimate performance of RTIL-based supercapacitors in terms of power, energy, and temperature of operation. For this purpose, carbon nanomaterials such as nanoporous CDC nanopowders, vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays, and single wall carbon nanotube aerogels, were synthesized and used as electrodes, alongside RTIL electrolytes with systematically varying ion sizes and compositions. While electrode/electrolyte development can take place along parallel lines, both must be properly matched to the device's ultimate operating conditions and specific application. The resulting devices exhibit good performance characteristics, and the best temperature range of any electrochemical storage device to date.

String and Sticky Tape Experiments: Simple Self-Lubricated Electric Motor for Elementary Physics Lab.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Entrikin, Jerry; Griffiths, David

1983-01-01

The main problem in constructing functioning electric motors from simple parts is the mounting of the axle (which is too flimsy to maintain good electrical contacts or too tight, imposing excessive friction at the supports). This problem is solved by using a pencil sharpened at both ends as the axle. (JN)

Numerical modeling of friction welding of bi-metal joints for electrical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velu, P. Shenbaga; Hynes, N. Rajesh Jesudoss

2018-05-01

In the manufacturing industries, and more especially in electrical engineering applications, the usage of non-ferrous materials plays a vital role. Today's engineering applications relies upon some of the significant properties such as a good corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, good heat conductivity and higher electrical conductivity. Copper-aluminum bi-metal joint is one such combination that meets the demands requirements for electrical applications. In this work, the numerical simulation of AA 6061 T6 alloy/Copper was carried out under joining conditions. By using this developed model, the temperature distribution along the length of the dissimilar joint is predicted and the time-temperature profile has also been generated. Besides, a Finite Element Model has been developed by using the numerical simulation Tool "ABAQUS". This developed FEM is helpful in predicting various output parameters during friction welding of this dissimilar joint combination.

Evolution of the electrical resistivity anisotropy during saline tracer tests: insights from geoelectrical milli-fluidic experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jougnot, D.; Jimenez-Martinez, J.; Legendre, R.; Le Borgne, T.; Meheust, Y.; Linde, N.

2017-12-01

The use of time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography has been largely developed in environmental studies to remotely monitor water saturation and contaminant plumes migration. However, subsurface heterogeneities, and corresponding preferential transport paths, yield a potentially large anisotropy in the electrical properties of the subsurface. In order to study this effect, we have used a newly developed geoelectrical milli-fluidic experimental set-up with a flow cell that contains a 2D porous medium consisting of a single layer of cylindrical solid grains. We performed saline tracer tests under full and partial water saturations in that cell by jointly injecting air and aqueous solutions with different salinities. The flow cell is equipped with four electrodes to measure the bulk electrical resistivity at the cell's scale. The spatial distribution of the water/air phases and the saline solute concentration field in the water phase are captured simultaneously with a high-resolution camera by combining a fluorescent tracer with the saline solute. These data are used to compute the longitudinal and transverse effective electrical resistivity numerically from the measured spatial distributions of the fluid phases and the salinity field. This approach is validated as the computed longitudinal effective resistivities are in good agreement with the laboratory measurements. The anisotropy in electrical resistivity is then inferred from the computed longitudinal and transverse effective resistivities. We find that the spatial distribution of saline tracer, and potentially air phase, drive temporal changes in the effective resistivity through preferential paths or barriers for electrical current at the pore scale. The resulting heterogeneities in the solute concentrations lead to strong anisotropy of the effective bulk electrical resistivity, especially for partially saturated conditions. Therefore, considering the electrical resistivity as a tensor could improve our understanding of transport properties from field-scale time-lapse ERT.

Using analog instruments in Tracker video-based experiments to understand the phenomena of electricity and magnetism in physics education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aguilar-Marín, Pablo; Chavez-Bacilio, Mario; Jáuregui-Rosas, Segundo

2018-05-01

Tracker is a piece of freeware software, designed to use video recorded images of the motion of objects as input data, and has been mostly applied in physics education to analyse and simulate physical phenomena in mechanics. In this work we report the application of Tracker to the study of experiments in electricity and magnetism using analog instruments for electrical signal measurements. As we are unable to directly video-track the motion of electrons in electric circuits, the angular deflections of the instruments’ pointers were video captured instead. The kinematic variables (angular position as a function of time) had to be related to the electrical ones (voltages and currents as a function of time). Two well-known experiments in physics teaching, the RC circuit for charging and discharging a capacitor and Faraday electromagnetic induction, were chosen to illustrate the procedures. The third experiment analysed and modeled with Tracker was the rather well-known electromagnetic retardation of disk- or cylinder-shaped magnets falling inside non-magnetic metallic pipes. Instead of metallic pipes we used an aluminum plate with an arrangement of a couple of parallelepiped-shaped magnets falling parallel to the plate. In the three cases studied, the experimental and the Tracker simulation results were in very good agreement. These outcomes show that it is possible to exploit the potential of Tracker software in areas other than mechanics, in areas where electrical signals are involved. The experiments are inexpensive and simple to perform, and are suitable for high school and introductory undergraduate courses in electricity, magnetism and electronics. We propose the use of Tracker combined with analog measuring devices to explore further its applications in electricity, magnetism, electronics and in other experimental sciences where electrical signals are involved.

Multifunctional Wearable Electronic Textiles Using Cotton Fibers with Polypyrrole and Carbon Nanotubes.

PubMed

Lima, Ravi M A P; Alcaraz-Espinoza, Jose Jarib; da Silva, Fernando A G; de Oliveira, Helinando P

2018-04-25

Multifunctional wearable electronic textiles based on interfacial polymerization of polypyrrole on carbon nanotubes/cotton fibers offer advantages of simple and low-cost materials that incorporate bactericidal, good electrochemical performance, and electrical heating properties. The high conductivity of doped polypyrrole/CNT composite provides textiles that reaches temperature on order of 70 °C with field of 5 V/cm, superior electrochemical performance applied as electrodes of supercapacitor prototypes, reaching capacitance in order of 30 F g -1 and strong bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The combination of these properties can be explored in smart devices for heat and microbial treatment on different parts of body, with incorporated storage of energy on textiles.

3D Freeze-Casting of Cellular Graphene Films for Ultrahigh-Power-Density Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Shao, Yuanlong; El-Kady, Maher F; Lin, Cheng-Wei; Zhu, Guanzhou; Marsh, Kristofer L; Hwang, Jee Youn; Zhang, Qinghong; Li, Yaogang; Wang, Hongzhi; Kaner, Richard B

2016-08-01

3D cellular graphene films with open porosity, high electrical conductivity, and good tensile strength, can be synthesized by a method combining freeze-casting and filtration. The resulting supercapacitors based on 3D porous reduced graphene oxide (RGO) film exhibit extremely high specific power densities and high energy densities. The fabrication process provides an effective means for controlling the pore size, electronic conductivity, and loading mass of the electrode materials, toward devices with high energy-storage performance. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Reserving Interior Void Space for Volume Change Accommodation: An Example of Cable-Like MWNTs@SnO2@C Composite for Superior Lithium and Sodium Storage.

PubMed

Zhao, Yi; Wei, Chao; Sun, Shengnan; Wang, Luyuan Paul; Xu, Zhichuan J

2015-06-01

Reserving interior void space in the cable-like structure of multiwalled carbon nanotubes-in-SnO 2 -in-carbon layer (MWNTs@SnO 2 @C) is reported for the first time. Such a design enables the structure performing excellent for Li and Na storage, which benefit from the good electrical conductivity of MWNTs and carbon layer as well as the reserved void space to accommodate the volume changes of SnO 2 .

Electrochemical carbon dioxide concentrator advanced technology tasks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schneider, J. J.; Schubert, F. H.; Hallick, T. M.; Woods, R. R.

1975-01-01

Technology advancement studies are reported on the basic electrochemical CO2 removal process to provide a basis for the design of the next generation cell, module and subsystem hardware. An Advanced Electrochemical Depolarized Concentrator Module (AEDCM) is developed that has the characteristics of low weight, low volume, high CO2, removal, good electrical performance and low process air pressure drop. Component weight and noise reduction for the hardware of a six man capacity CO2 collection subsystem was developed for the air revitalization group of the Space Station Prototype (SSP).

Galvanic displacement assembly of ultrathin Co3O4 nanosheet arrays on nickel foam for a high-performance supercapacitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Yuxiu; Zheng, Maojun; Ma, Liguo; Yuan, Xiaoliang; Zhang, Bin; Li, Qiang; Wang, Faze; Song, Jingnan; Jiang, Dongkai; Liu, Pengjie; Ma, Li; Shen, Wenzhong

2017-03-01

High-performance supercapacitors are very desirable for many portable electronic devices, electric vehicles and high-power electronic devices. Herein, a facile and binder-free synthesis method, galvanic displacement of the precursor followed by heat treatment, is used to fabricate ultrathin Co3O4 nanosheet arrays on nickel foam substrate. When used as a supercapacitor electrode the prepared Co3O4 on nickel foam exhibits a maximum specific capacitance of 1095 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 and good cycling stability of 71% retention after 2000 cycling tests. This excellent electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the high specific surface area of each Co3O4 nanosheet that comprises numerous nanoparticles.

Enhancing the Capacitive Performance of Electric Double-Layer Capacitors with Ionic Liquid Mixtures

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

Lian, C.; Liu, K.; Van Aken, Katherine L.

Formulating room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) mixed electrolytes was recently proposed as an effective and convenient strategy to increase the capacitive performance of electrochemical capacitors. In this paper, we investigate the electrical double-layer (EDL) structure and the capacitance of two RTILs, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMI-TFSI) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMI-BF 4), and their mixtures with onion-like carbon electrodes using experiment and classical density functional theory. The principal difference between these ionic liquids is the smaller diameter of the BF 4 – anion relative to the TFSI – anion and the EMI + cation. A volcano-shaped trend is identified for the capacitance versus themore » composition of the RTIL mixture. The mixture effect, which makes more counterions pack on and more co-ions leave from the electrode surface, leads to an increase of the counterion density within the EDL and thus a larger capacitance. Finally, these theoretical predictions are in good agreement with our experimental observations and offer guidance for designing RTIL mixtures for EDL supercapacitors.« less

Ice-templated synthesis of multifunctional three dimensional graphene/noble metal nanocomposites and their mechanical, electrical, catalytic, and electromagnetic shielding properties

PubMed Central

Sahoo, P. K.; Aepuru, Radhamanohar; Panda, Himanshu Sekhar; Bahadur, D.

2015-01-01

In-situ homogeneous dispersion of noble metals in three-dimensional graphene sheets is a key tactic for producing macroscopic architecture, which is desirable for practical applications, such as electromagnetic interference shielding and catalyst. We report a one-step greener approach for developing porous architecture of 3D-graphene/noble metal (Pt and Ag) nanocomposite monoliths. The resulting graphene/noble metal nanocomposites exhibit a combination of ultralow density, excellent elasticity, and good electrical conductivity. Moreover, in order to illuminate the advantages of the 3D-graphene/noble metal nanocomposites, their electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and electrocatalytic performance are further investigated. The as-synthesized 3D-graphene/noble metal nanocomposites exhibit excellent EMI shielding effectiveness when compared to bare graphene; the effectiveness has an average of 28 dB in the 8.2–12.4 GHz X-band range. In the electro-oxidation of methanol, the 3D-graphene/Pt nanocomposite also exhibits significantly enhanced electrocatalytic performance and stability than compared to reduced graphene oxide/Pt and commercial Pt/C. PMID:26638827

Optimization of tissue physical parameters for accurate temperature estimation from finite-element simulation of radiofrequency ablation.

PubMed

Subramanian, Swetha; Mast, T Douglas

2015-10-07

Computational finite element models are commonly used for the simulation of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatments. However, the accuracy of these simulations is limited by the lack of precise knowledge of tissue parameters. In this technical note, an inverse solver based on the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is proposed to optimize values for specific heat, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity resulting in accurately simulated temperature elevations. A total of 15 RFA treatments were performed on ex vivo bovine liver tissue. For each RFA treatment, 15 finite-element simulations were performed using a set of deterministically chosen tissue parameters to estimate the mean and variance of the resulting tissue ablation. The UKF was implemented as an inverse solver to recover the specific heat, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity corresponding to the measured area of the ablated tissue region, as determined from gross tissue histology. These tissue parameters were then employed in the finite element model to simulate the position- and time-dependent tissue temperature. Results show good agreement between simulated and measured temperature.

Electric double-layer capacitors with tea waste derived activated carbon electrodes and plastic crystal based flexible gel polymer electrolytes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suleman, M.; Deraman, M.; Othman, M. A. R.; Omar, R.; Hashim, M. A.; Basri, N. H.; Nor, N. S. M.; Dolah, B. N. M.; Hanappi, M. F. Y. M.; Hamdan, E.; Sazali, N. E. S.; Tajuddin, N. S. M.; Jasni, M. R. M.

2016-08-01

We report a novel configuration of symmetrical electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) comprising a plastic crystalline succinonitrile (SN) based flexible polymer gel electrolyte, incorporated with sodium trifluoromethane sulfonate (NaTf) immobilised in a host polymer poly (vinylidine fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP). The cost-effective activated carbon powder possessing a specific surface area (SSA) of ~ 1700 m2g-1 containing a large proportion of meso-porosity has been derived from tea waste to use as supercapacitor electrodes. The high ionic conductivity (~3.6×10-3 S cm-1 at room temperature) and good electrochemical stability render the gel polymer electrolyte film a suitable candidate for the fabrication of EDLCs. The performance of the EDLCs has been tested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and galvanostatic charge-discharge studies. The performance of the EDLC cell is found to be promising in terms of high values of specific capacitance (~270 F g-1), specific energy (~ 36 Wh kg-1), and power density (~ 33 kW kg-1).

Enhancing the Capacitive Performance of Electric Double-Layer Capacitors with Ionic Liquid Mixtures

DOE PAGES

Lian, C.; Liu, K.; Van Aken, Katherine L.; ...

2016-04-18

Formulating room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) mixed electrolytes was recently proposed as an effective and convenient strategy to increase the capacitive performance of electrochemical capacitors. In this paper, we investigate the electrical double-layer (EDL) structure and the capacitance of two RTILs, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMI-TFSI) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMI-BF 4), and their mixtures with onion-like carbon electrodes using experiment and classical density functional theory. The principal difference between these ionic liquids is the smaller diameter of the BF 4 – anion relative to the TFSI – anion and the EMI + cation. A volcano-shaped trend is identified for the capacitance versus themore » composition of the RTIL mixture. The mixture effect, which makes more counterions pack on and more co-ions leave from the electrode surface, leads to an increase of the counterion density within the EDL and thus a larger capacitance. Finally, these theoretical predictions are in good agreement with our experimental observations and offer guidance for designing RTIL mixtures for EDL supercapacitors.« less

Binaural hearing with electrical stimulation

PubMed Central

Kan, Alan; Litovsky, Ruth Y.

2014-01-01

Bilateral cochlear implantation is becoming a standard of care in many clinics. While much benefit has been shown through bilateral implantation, patients who have bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) still do not perform as well as normal hearing listeners in sound localization and understanding speech in noisy environments. This difference in performance can arise from a number of different factors, including the areas of hardware and engineering, surgical precision and pathology of the auditory system in deaf persons. While surgical precision and individual pathology are factors that are beyond careful control, improvements can be made in the areas of clinical practice and the engineering of binaural speech processors. These improvements should be grounded in a good understanding of the sensitivities of bilateral CI patients to the acoustic binaural cues that are important to normal hearing listeners for sound localization and speech in noise understanding. To this end, we review the current state-of-the-art in the understanding of the sensitivities of bilateral CI patients to binaural cues in electric hearing, and highlight the important issues and challenges as they relate to clinical practice and the development of new binaural processing strategies. PMID:25193553

Zn-Ge-Sb glass composite mixed with Ba2+ ions: a high capacity anode material for Na-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravuri, Balaji Rao; Gandi, Suman; Chinta, Srinivasa Rao

2018-06-01

(100-x)(0.7[0.625ZnO-0.375GeO2]-0.3Sb2O3)-xBaO (x = 0, 2, 4 and 6 mol%, labeled as ZGSB x ) glass anode samples are synthesized using a high-energy ball-milling method and employed as anode material for Na-ion batteries. The results on microstructures (XRD, SEM) and electrochemical properties (constant current charge/discharge tests, CV and EIS) indicated that the optimum concentration of Ba2+ ions in the Zn-Ge-Sb glass anode network exhibits the pillaring effect, which would lead to increased electrical conductivity, minimize the volume changes, cracks and voids to boost up electrochemical performance. The ZGSB4 glass anode sample exhibits good capacity retention even after 20 cycles with 95% coulombic efficiency, which is a significant trend for a successful anode network. Electrochemical performance is considerably enhanced by reducing the cut-off voltage from 2 to 1.25 V due to the disassembly of amorphous intermediate domains, optimum volume changes and increased electrical conductivity in this ZGSB x glass network.

Electrode material comprising graphene-composite materials in a graphite network

DOEpatents

Kung, Harold H.; Lee, Jung K.

2014-07-15

A durable electrode material suitable for use in Li ion batteries is provided. The material is comprised of a continuous network of graphite regions integrated with, and in good electrical contact with a composite comprising graphene sheets and an electrically active material, such as silicon, wherein the electrically active material is dispersed between, and supported by, the graphene sheets.

Electrode material comprising graphene-composite materials in a graphite network

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

Kung, Harold H.; Lee, Jung K.

A durable electrode material suitable for use in Li ion batteries is provided. The material is comprised of a continuous network of graphite regions integrated with, and in good electrical contact with a composite comprising graphene sheets and an electrically active material, such as silicon, wherein the electrically active material is dispersed between, and supported by, the graphene sheets.

Ball-joint grounding ring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aperlo, P. J. A.; Buck, P. A.; Weldon, V. A.

1981-01-01

In ball and socket joint where electrical insulator such as polytetrafluoroethylene is used as line to minimize friction, good electrical contact across joint may be needed for lightning protection or to prevent static-charge build-up. Electrical contact is maintained by ring of spring-loaded fingers mounted in socket. It may be useful in industry for cranes, trailers, and other applications requiring ball and socket joint.

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

Domengie, F., E-mail: florian.domengie@st.com; Morin, P.; Bauza, D.

We propose a model for dark current induced by metallic contamination in a CMOS image sensor. Based on Shockley-Read-Hall kinetics, the expression of dark current proposed accounts for the electric field enhanced emission factor due to the Poole-Frenkel barrier lowering and phonon-assisted tunneling mechanisms. To that aim, we considered the distribution of the electric field magnitude and metal atoms in the depth of the pixel. Poisson statistics were used to estimate the random distribution of metal atoms in each pixel for a given contamination dose. Then, we performed a Monte-Carlo-based simulation for each pixel to set the number of metalmore » atoms the pixel contained and the enhancement factor each atom underwent, and obtained a histogram of the number of pixels versus dark current for the full sensor. Excellent agreement with the dark current histogram measured on an ion-implanted gold-contaminated imager has been achieved, in particular, for the description of the distribution tails due to the pixel regions in which the contaminant atoms undergo a large electric field. The agreement remains very good when increasing the temperature by 15 °C. We demonstrated that the amplification of the dark current generated for the typical electric fields encountered in the CMOS image sensors, which depends on the nature of the metal contaminant, may become very large at high electric field. The electron and hole emissions and the resulting enhancement factor are described as a function of the trap characteristics, electric field, and temperature.« less

A multi-electrode biomimetic electrolocation sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mayekar, K.; Damalla, D.; Gottwald, M.; Bousack, H.; von der Emde, G.

2012-04-01

We present the concept of an active multi-electrode catheter inspired by the electroreceptive system of the weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersii. The skin of this fish exhibits numerous electroreceptor organs which are capable of sensing a self induced electrical field. Our sensor is composed of a sending electrode and sixteen receiving electrodes. The electrical field produced by the sending electrode was measured by the receiving electrodes and objects were detected by the perturbation of the electrical field they induce. The intended application of such a sensor is in coronary diagnostics, in particular in distinguishing various types of plaques, which are major causes of heart attack. For calibration of the sensor system, finite element modeling (FEM) was performed. To validate the model, experimental measurements were carried out with two different systems. The physical system was glass tubing with metal and plastic wall insertions as targets. For the control of the experiment and for data acquisition, the software LabView designed for 17 electrodes was used. Different parameters of the electric images were analyzed for the prediction of the electrical properties and size of the inserted targets in the tube. Comparisons of the voltage modulations predicted from the FEM model and the experiments showed a good correspondence. It can be concluded that this novel biomimetic method can be further developed for detailed investigations of atherosclerotic lesions. Finally, we discuss various design strategies to optimize the output of the sensor using different simulated models to enhance target recognition.

Numerical simulation of electromagnetic fields and impedance of CERN LINAC4 H(-) source taking into account the effect of the plasma.

PubMed

Grudiev, A; Lettry, J; Mattei, S; Paoluzzi, M; Scrivens, R

2014-02-01

Numerical simulation of the CERN LINAC4 H(-) source 2 MHz RF system has been performed taking into account a realistic geometry from 3D Computer Aided Design model using commercial FEM high frequency simulation code. The effect of the plasma has been added to the model by the approximation of a homogenous electrically conducting medium. Electric and magnetic fields, RF power losses, and impedance of the circuit have been calculated for different values of the plasma conductivity. Three different regimes have been found depending on the plasma conductivity: (1) Zero or low plasma conductivity results in RF electric field induced by the RF antenna being mainly capacitive and has axial direction; (2) Intermediate conductivity results in the expulsion of capacitive electric field from plasma and the RF power coupling, which is increasing linearly with the plasma conductivity, is mainly dominated by the inductive azimuthal electric field; (3) High conductivity results in the shielding of both the electric and magnetic fields from plasma due to the skin effect, which reduces RF power coupling to plasma. From these simulations and measurements of the RF power coupling on the CERN source, a value of the plasma conductivity has been derived. It agrees well with an analytical estimate calculated from the measured plasma parameters. In addition, the simulated and measured impedances with and without plasma show very good agreement as well demonstrating validity of the plasma model used in the RF simulations.

Strain, temperature, and electric-field effects on the phase transition and piezoelectric responses of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Meng-Jun; Wang, Jian-Jun; Chen, Long-Qing; Nan, Ce-Wen

2018-04-01

A KNbO3-based solid solution system is environmentally friendly with good electromechanical performance. This work established the misfit strain-strain and temperature-strain phase diagrams for K0.5Na0.5NbO3 thin films and calculated the polarization switching, phase transition, and piezoelectric responses of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 thin films under various strains, temperatures, and electric fields. The results show that the piezoelectric coefficient d33 can be enhanced near the phase boundaries. For the ferroelectric phase with a nonzero out-of-plane polarization component, an optimal electric field is identified for maximizing d33, which is desired in applications such as thin-film piezoelectric micro-electromechanical systems, transducers for ultrasound medical imaging, and energy harvesting. The present results are expected to provide guidance for the future experimental study of KxNa1-xNbO3 thin films and the optimization of ferroelectric thin film-based devices.

New design for a rotatory joint actuator made with shape memory alloy contractile wire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Guoping; Shahinpoor, Mohsen

1996-05-01

A design approach for a rotatory joint actuator using a contractile shape memory alloy (SMA) wire is presented and an example design is followed. In this example, the output torque of the actuator is 18 Newton-meters, and its angular range is 30 degrees. Compared with a SMA spring type actuating component, a SMA wire type actuating component uses less SMA material and uses less electrical energy when it is electrically powered. On the other hand, a SMA wire type actuating component must have a large SMA wire length to produce a required amount of angular rotation of the joint. When pulleys are used to arrange a lengthy SMA wire in a small space, the friction between pulleys and pins is introduced and the performance of the joint actuator is degenerated to some degree. The investigated joint actuator provides a good chance for developing powered orthoses with SMA actuators for disabled individuals. It can relieve the weight concern with hydraulic and motor-powered orthoses and the safety concern with motor-powered orthoses. When electrically powered, a SMA actuator has the disadvantage of low energy efficiency.

Effects of Rapid Thermal Annealing on the Structural, Electrical, and Optical Properties of Zr-Doped ZnO Thin Films Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition.

PubMed

Wu, Jingjin; Zhao, Yinchao; Zhao, Ce Zhou; Yang, Li; Lu, Qifeng; Zhang, Qian; Smith, Jeremy; Zhao, Yongming

2016-08-13

The 4 at. % zirconium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Zr) films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) were annealed at various temperatures ranging from 350 to 950 °C. The structural, electrical, and optical properties of rapid thermal annealing (RTA) treated ZnO:Zr films have been evaluated to find out the stability limit. It was found that the grain size increased at 350 °C and decreased between 350 and 850 °C, while creeping up again at 850 °C. UV-vis characterization shows that the optical band gap shifts towards larger wavelengths. The Hall measurement shows that the resistivity almost keeps constant at low annealing temperatures, and increases rapidly after treatment at 750 °C due to the effect of both the carrier concentration and the Hall mobility. The best annealing temperature is found in the range of 350-550 °C. The ZnO:Zr film-coated glass substrates show good optical and electrical performance up to 550 °C during superstrate thin film solar cell deposition.

Effects of Rapid Thermal Annealing on the Structural, Electrical, and Optical Properties of Zr-Doped ZnO Thin Films Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition

PubMed Central

Wu, Jingjin; Zhao, Yinchao; Zhao, Ce Zhou; Yang, Li; Lu, Qifeng; Zhang, Qian; Smith, Jeremy; Zhao, Yongming

2016-01-01

The 4 at. % zirconium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Zr) films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) were annealed at various temperatures ranging from 350 to 950 °C. The structural, electrical, and optical properties of rapid thermal annealing (RTA) treated ZnO:Zr films have been evaluated to find out the stability limit. It was found that the grain size increased at 350 °C and decreased between 350 and 850 °C, while creeping up again at 850 °C. UV–vis characterization shows that the optical band gap shifts towards larger wavelengths. The Hall measurement shows that the resistivity almost keeps constant at low annealing temperatures, and increases rapidly after treatment at 750 °C due to the effect of both the carrier concentration and the Hall mobility. The best annealing temperature is found in the range of 350–550 °C. The ZnO:Zr film-coated glass substrates show good optical and electrical performance up to 550 °C during superstrate thin film solar cell deposition. PMID:28773816

Shape memory alloy wire for self-sensing servo actuation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Josephine Selvarani Ruth, D.; Dhanalakshmi, K.

2017-01-01

This paper reports on the development of a straightforward approach to realise self-sensing shape memory alloy (SMA) wire actuated control. A differential electrical resistance measurement circuit (the sensorless signal conditioning (SSC) circuit) is designed; this sensing signal is directly used as the feedback for control. Antagonistic SMA wire actuators designed for servo actuation is realized in self-sensing actuation (SSA) mode for direct control with the differential electrical resistance feedback. The self-sensing scheme is established on a 1-DOF manipulator with the discrete time sliding mode controls which demonstrates good control performance, whatever be the disturbance and loading conditions. The uniqueness of this work is the design of the generic electronic SSC circuit for SMA actuated system, for measurement and control. With a concern to the implementation of self-sensing technique in SMA, this scheme retains the systematic control architecture by using the sensing signal (self-sensed, electrical resistance corresponding to the system position) for feedback, without requiring any processing as that of the methods adopted and reported previously for SSA techniques of SMA.

Stark effect of Ar I lines for electric field strength diagnostics in the cathode sheath of glow discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasiljević, Milica M.; Spasojević, Djordje; Šišović, Nikola M.; Konjević, Nikola

2017-09-01

We present a study of argon glow discharge which shows that measured wavenumber DC Stark shifts Δ ν of two neutral argon lines, Ar I 518.75 nm and Ar I 522.127 nm, can be used for reliable determination of the electric field strength F distribution in the cathode sheath region of the discharge. In order to experimentally determine the coefficient c in quadratic correlation Δ ν =cF2 , manifested in a low field range (up to 15 kV/cm), the discharge is seeded with a small admixture of hydrogen, and the values of F are measured via Stark polarization spectroscopy of the hydrogen Balmer beta line. Once known, this can be used for the determination of F by a simple and inexpensive spectroscopic Stark shift measurement in discharges with other argon admixtures or pure argon. Reported shift results are in good agreement with data extrapolated from measurements performed at high electric fields (over 100 kV/cm) by Windholz (Phys. Scr., 21 (1980) 67).

Facile, Low-Cost, UV-Curing Approach to Prepare Highly Conductive Composites for Flexible Electronics Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Fucheng; Chen, Shilong; Wei, Yong; Liu, Konghua; Lin, Yong; Liu, Lan

2016-07-01

We present a facile approach to prepare high-performance ultraviolet (UV)-curable polyurethane-acrylate-based flexible electrical conductive adhesive (PUA-FECA) for flexible electronics applications. PUA is employed as the polymer matrix so that the ECA is flexible and UV-curable at room temperature in just a few minutes. The effects of the PUA-FECA formulation and curing procedure on the electrical properties have been studied. Very low volume resistivity (5.08 × 10-4 Ω cm) is obtained by incorporating 70 wt.% microsized Ag-coated Cu flakes. Moreover, by simply standing the PUA-FECA paste for 4 h before exposure to UV light, the bulk resistivity of the PUA-FECA is dramatically decreased to 3.62 × 10-4 Ω cm. This can be attributed to rearrangement of Ag-coated Cu flakes in the matrix while standing. PUA-FECA also presents stable electrical conductivity during rolling and compression, excellent adhesion, and good processability, making it easily scalable to large-scale fabrication and enabling screen-printing on various low-cost flexible substrates such as office paper and polyethylene terephthalate film.

Study on electrical defects level in single layer two-dimensional Ta2O5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dahai, Li; Xiongfei, Song; Linfeng, Hu; Ziyi, Wang; Rongjun, Zhang; Liangyao, Chen; David, Wei Zhang; Peng, Zhou

2016-04-01

Two-dimensional atomic-layered material is a recent research focus, and single layer Ta2O5 used as gate dielectric in field-effect transistors is obtained via assemblies of Ta2O5 nanosheets. However, the electrical performance is seriously affected by electronic defects existing in Ta2O5. Therefore, spectroscopic ellipsometry is used to calculate the transition energies and corresponding probabilities for two different charged oxygen vacancies, whose existence is revealed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Spectroscopic ellipsometry fitting also calculates the thickness of single layer Ta2O5, exhibiting good agreement with atomic force microscopy measurement. Nondestructive and noncontact spectroscopic ellipsometry is appropriate for detecting the electrical defects level of single layer Ta2O5. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11174058 and 61376093), the Fund from Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission (Grant No. 13QA1400400), the National Science and Technology Major Project, China (Grant No. 2011ZX02707), and the Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (Grant No. 12ZZ010).

The fabrication of highly conductive and flexible Ag pattern through baking Ag nanospheres - nanoplates hybrid ink at a low temperature of 100°C.

PubMed

Han, Y D; Zhang, Siming; Jing, H Y; Wei, Jun; Bu, Fanhui; Zhao, Lei; Lv, Xiaoqing; Xu, L Y

2018-01-24

With the aim of developing highly conductive ink for flexible electronics on heat-sensitive substrates, Ag nanospheres and nanoplates were mixed to synthesize hybrid inks. Five kinds of hybrid ink and two types of pure ink were written to square shape on Epson photo paper using rollerball pens and sintered at a low temperature (100℃). The microstructure, electrical resistivity, surface porosity, hardness and flexibility of silver patterns were systematically investigated and compared. It was observed that the optimal mixing ratio of nanospheres and nanoplates was 1:1, which equipped the directly written pattern with excellent electrical and mechanical properties. The electrical resistivity was 0.103 μΩ·m, which was only 6.5 times of bulk silver. The enhancement compared to pure silver nanospheres or nanoplates based ink was owing to the combined action of nanospheres and nanoplates. It was a valued way to prepare Ag nanoink with good performance for printed/written electronics. © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Development of Structural Energy Storage for Aeronautics Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Santiago-Dejesus, Diana; Loyselle, Patricia L.; Demattia, Brianne; Bednarcyk, Brett; Olson, Erik; Smith, Russell; Hare, David

2017-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has identified Multifunctional Structures for High Efficiency Lightweight Load-bearing Storage (M-SHELLS) as critical to development of hybrid gas-electric propulsion for commercial aeronautical transport in the N+3 timeframe. The established goals include reducing emissions by 80 and fuel consumption by 60 from todays state of the art. The advancement will enable technology for NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorates (ARMD) Strategic Thrust 3 to pioneer big leaps in efficiency and environmental performance for ultra-efficient commercial transports, as well as Strategic Thrust 4 to pioneer low-carbon propulsion technology in the transition to that scheme. The M-SHELLS concept addresses the hybrid gas-electric highest risk with its primary objective: to save structures energy storage system weight for future commercial hybrid electric propulsion aircraft by melding the load-carrying structure with energy storage in a single material. NASA's multifunctional approach also combines supercapacitor and battery chemistries in a synergistic energy storage arrangement in tandem with supporting good mechanical properties. The arrangement provides an advantageous combination of specific power, energy, and strength.

Design of a new abrasive slurry jet generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, F. C.; Shi, L. L.; Guo, C. W.

2017-12-01

With the advantages of a low system working pressure, good jet convergence and high cutting quality, abrasive slurry jet (ASJ) has broad application prospects in material cutting and equipment cleaning. Considering that the generator plays a crucial role in ASJ system, the paper designed a new type ASJ generator using an electric oil pump, a separate plunger cylinder, and a spring energized seal. According to the determining of structure shape, size and seal type, a new ASJ generator has been manufactured out and tested by a series of experiments. The new generator separates the abrasive slurry from the dynamic hydraulic oil, which can improve the service life of the ASJ system. And the new ASJ system can reach 40 MPa and has good performance in jet convergence, which deserves to popularization and application in materials machining.

Compact microwave ion source for industrial applications.

PubMed

Cho, Yong-Sub; Kim, Dae-Il; Kim, Han-Sung; Seol, Kyung-Tae; Kwon, Hyeok-Jung; Hong, In-Seok

2012-02-01

A 2.45 GHz microwave ion source for ion implanters has many good properties for industrial application, such as easy maintenance and long lifetime, and it should be compact for budget and space. But, it has a dc current supply for the solenoid and a rf generator for plasma generation. Usually, they are located on high voltage platform because they are electrically connected with beam extraction power supply. Using permanent magnet solenoid and multi-layer dc break, high voltage deck and high voltage isolation transformer can be eliminated, and the dose rate on targets can be controlled by pulse duty control with semiconductor high voltage switch. Because the beam optics does not change, beam transfer components, such as focusing elements and beam shutter, can be eliminated. It has shown the good performances in budget and space for industrial applications of ion beams.

Electric field tuning of magnetism in heterostructure of yttrium iron garnet film/lead magnesium niobate-lead zirconate titanate ceramic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lian, Jianyun; Ponchel, Freddy; Tiercelin, Nicolas; Chen, Ying; Rémiens, Denis; Lasri, Tuami; Wang, Genshui; Pernod, Philippe; Zhang, Wenbin; Dong, Xianlin

2018-04-01

In this paper, the converse magnetoelectric (CME) effect by electric field tuning of magnetization in an original heterostructure composed of a polycrystalline yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film and a lead magnesium niobate-lead zirconate titanate (PMN-PZT) ceramic is presented. The magnetic performances of the YIG films with different thicknesses under a DC electric field applied to the PMN-PZT ceramics and a bias magnetic field are investigated. All the magnetization-electric field curves are found to be in good agreement with the butterfly like strain curve of the PMN-PZT ceramic. Both the sharp deformation of about 2.5‰ of PMN-PZT and the easy magnetization switching of YIG are proposed to be the reasons for the strongest CME interaction in the composite at the small electric coercive field of PMN-PZT (4.1 kV/cm) and the small magnetic coercive field of YIG (20 Oe) where the magnetic susceptibility reaches its maximum value. A remarkable CME coefficient of 3.1 × 10-7 s/m is obtained in the system with a 600 nm-thick YIG film. This heterostructure combining multiferroics and partially magnetized ferrite concepts is able to operate under a small or even in the absence of an external bias magnetic field and is more compact and power efficient than the traditional magnetoelectric devices.

Effect of polyamide 6 on the morphology and electrical conductivity of carbon black-filled polypropylene composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xuewei; Liu, Jiang; Wang, Yi; Wu, Wei

2017-12-01

Carbon black (CB)-filled polypropylene (PP) with surface resistivity between 106 and 109 Ω sq-1 is the ideal antistatic plastic material in the electronics and electric industry. However, a large amount of CB may have an adverse effect on the mechanical properties and processing performance of the material, thus an improved ternary system is developed. Blends of CB-filled PP and polyamide 6 (PA6) have been prepared by melt blending in order to obtain electrically conductive polymer composites with a low electrical percolation threshold based on the concept of double percolation. The morphological developments of these composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that CB particles were selectively dispersed in PA6 phases due to the good interaction and interfacial adhesion between CB and PA6. At the same CB loadings, the surface resistivity of PP/PA6/CB composite was smaller than that of PP/CB composite system, which indicated the better conductivity in the former composite. The increasing amount of PA6 in the composites changed the morphology from a typical sea-island morphology to a co-continuous morphology. What is more, with 8 wt% of CB and PP/PA6 phase ratio of 70/30 in which the PP and PA6 phases formed a co-continuous structure, the electrical conductivity of the composite peaked at 2.01 × 105 Ω sq-1.

Monte Carlo simulations of electrical percolation in multicomponent thin films with nanofillers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Xiaojuan; Hui, Chao; Su, Ninghai; Jiang, Wei; Liu, Feng

2018-02-01

We developed a 2D disk-stick percolation model to investigate the electrical percolation behavior of an insulating thin film reinforced with 1D and 2D conductive nanofillers via Monte Carlo simulation. Numerical predictions of the percolation threshold in single component thin films showed good agreement with the previous published work, validating our model for investigating the characteristics of the percolation phenomena. Parametric studies of size effect, i.e., length of 1D nanofiller and diameter of 2D nanofiller, were carried out to predict the electrical percolation threshold for hybrid systems. The relationships between the nanofillers in two hybrid systems was established, which showed differences from previous linear assumption. The effective electrical conductance was evaluated through Kirchhoff’s current law by transforming it into a resistor network. The equivalent resistance was obtained from the distribution of nodal voltages by solving a system of linear equations with a Gaussian elimination method. We examined the effects of stick length, relative concentration, and contact patterns of 1D/2D inclusions on electrical performance. One novel aspect of our study is its ability to investigate the effective conductance of nanocomposites as a function of relative concentrations, which shows there is a synergistic effect when nanofillers with different dimensionalities combine properly. Our work provides an important theoretical basis for designing the conductive networks and predicting the percolation properties of multicomponent nanocomposites.

Bio-inspired hybrid microelectrodes: a hybrid solution to improve long-term performance of chronic intracortical implants.

PubMed

De Faveri, Sara; Maggiolini, Emma; Miele, Ermanno; De Angelis, Francesco; Cesca, Fabrizia; Benfenati, Fabio; Fadiga, Luciano

2014-01-01

The use of implants that allow chronic electrical stimulation and recording in the brain of human patients is currently limited by a series of events that cause the deterioration over time of both the electrode surface and the surrounding tissue. The main reason of failure is the tissue inflammatory reaction that eventually causes neuronal loss and glial encapsulation, resulting in a progressive increase of the electrode-electrolyte impedance. Here, we describe a new method to create bio-inspired electrodes to mimic the mechanical properties and biological composition of the host tissue. This combination has a great potential to increase the implant lifetime by reducing tissue reaction and improving electrical coupling. Our method implies coating the electrode with reprogrammed neural or glial cells encapsulated within a hydrogel layer. We chose fibrin as a hydrogel and primary hippocampal neurons or astrocytes from rat brain as cellular layer. We demonstrate that fibrin coating is highly biocompatible, forms uniform coatings of controllable thickness, does not alter the electrochemical properties of the microelectrode and allows good quality recordings. Moreover, it reduces the amount of host reactive astrocytes - over time - compared to a bare wire and is fully reabsorbed by the surrounding tissue within 7 days after implantation, avoiding the common problem of hydrogels swelling. Both astrocytes and neurons could be successfully grown onto the electrode surface within the fibrin hydrogel without altering the electrochemical properties of the microelectrode. This bio-hybrid device has therefore a good potential to improve the electrical integration at the neuron-electrode interface and support the long-term success of neural prostheses.

The effect of silver (Ag) addition to mechanical and electrical properties of copper alloy (Cu) casting product

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Felicia, Dian M.; Rochiem, R.; Laia, Standley M.

2018-04-01

Copper have good mechanical properties and good electrical conductivities. Therefore, copper usually used as electrical components. Silver have better electrical conductivities than copper. Female contact resistor is one of the electrical component used in circuit breaker. This study aims to analyze the effect of silver addition to hardness, strength, and electric conductivity properties of copper alloy. This study uses variation of 0; 0.035; 0.07; 0.1 wt. % Ag (silver) addition to determine the effect on mechanical properties and electrical properties of copper alloy through sand casting process. Modelling of thermal analysis and structural analysis was calculated to find the best design for the sand casting experiments. The result of Cu-Ag alloy as cast will be characterized by OES test, metallography test, Brinell hardness test, tensile test, and LCR meter test. The result of this study showed that the addition of silver increase mechanical properties of Cu-Ag. The maximum hardness value of this alloy is 83.1 HRB which is Cu-0.01 Ag and the lowest is 52.26 HRB which is pure Cu. The maximum strength value is 153.2 MPa which is Cu-0.07 Ag and the lowest is 94.6 MPa which is pure Cu. Silver addition decrease electrical properties of this alloy. The highest electric conductivity is 438.98 S/m which is pure Cu and the lowest is 52.61 S.m which is Cu-0.1 Ag.

Preparation and Electrical Properties of La0.9Sr0.1TiO3+δ

PubMed Central

Li, Wenzhi; Ma, Zhuang; Gao, Lihong; Wang, Fuchi

2015-01-01

La1−xSrxTiO3+δ (LST) has been studied in many fields, especially in the field of microelectronics due to its excellent electrical performance. Our previous theoretical simulated work has suggested that LST has good dielectric properties, but there are rare reports about this, especially experimental reports. In this paper, LST was prepared using a solid-state reaction method. The X-rays diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), broadband dielectric spectroscopy, impedance spectroscopy and photoconductive measurement were used to characterize the sample. The results show that the values of dielectric parameters (the relative dielectric constant εr and dielectric loss tanδ), dependent on temperature, are stable under 350 °C and the value of the relative dielectric constant and dielectric loss are about 52–88 and 6.5 × 10−3, respectively. Its value of conductivity increases with rise in temperature, which suggests its negative temperature coefficient of the resistance. In addition, the band gap of LST is about 3.39 eV, so it belongs to a kind of wide-band-gap semiconductor materials. All these indicate that LST has anti-interference ability and good dielectric properties. It could have potential applications as an electronic material. PMID:28787995

Modeling of mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers: The role of temperature and operating field strength on the laser performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yousefvand, Hossein Reza

2017-07-01

In this paper a self-consistent numerical approach to study the temperature and bias dependent characteristics of mid-infrared (mid-IR) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) is presented which integrates a number of quantum mechanical models. The field-dependent laser parameters including the nonradiative scattering times, the detuning and energy levels, the escape activation energy, the backfilling excitation energy and dipole moment of the optical transition are calculated for a wide range of applied electric fields by a self-consistent solution of Schrodinger-Poisson equations. A detailed analysis of performance of the obtained structure is carried out within a self-consistent solution of the subband population rate equations coupled with carrier coherent transport equations through the sequential resonant tunneling, by taking into account the temperature and bias dependency of the relevant parameters. Furthermore, the heat transfer equation is included in order to calculate the carrier temperature inside the active region levels. This leads to a compact predictive model to analyze the temperature and electric field dependent characteristics of the mid-IR QCLs such as the light-current (L-I), electric field-current (F-I) and core temperature-electric field (T-F) curves. For a typical mid-IR QCL, a good agreement was found between the simulated temperature-dependent L-I characteristic and experimental data, which confirms validity of the model. It is found that the main characteristics of the device such as output power and turn-on delay time are degraded by interplay between the temperature and Stark effects.

16 CFR 802.1 - Acquisitions of goods and realty in the ordinary course of business.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... consumption in the acquiring person's business (e.g., office supplies, maintenance supplies or electricity..., all or substantially all of the productive capacity of the goods being sold within six months of that... the sale, by acquisition or lease, all or substantially all of the productive capacity of the goods...

16 CFR 802.1 - Acquisitions of goods and realty in the ordinary course of business.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... consumption in the acquiring person's business (e.g., office supplies, maintenance supplies or electricity..., all or substantially all of the productive capacity of the goods being sold within six months of that... the sale, by acquisition or lease, all or substantially all of the productive capacity of the goods...

16 CFR 802.1 - Acquisitions of goods and realty in the ordinary course of business.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... consumption in the acquiring person's business (e.g., office supplies, maintenance supplies or electricity..., all or substantially all of the productive capacity of the goods being sold within six months of that... the sale, by acquisition or lease, all or substantially all of the productive capacity of the goods...

16 CFR 802.1 - Acquisitions of goods and realty in the ordinary course of business.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... consumption in the acquiring person's business (e.g., office supplies, maintenance supplies or electricity..., all or substantially all of the productive capacity of the goods being sold within six months of that... the sale, by acquisition or lease, all or substantially all of the productive capacity of the goods...

Metal coordination polymer derived mesoporous Co3O4 nanorods with uniform TiO2 coating as advanced anodes for lithium ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geng, Hongbo; Ang, Huixiang; Ding, Xianguang; Tan, Huiteng; Guo, Guile; Qu, Genlong; Yang, Yonggang; Zheng, Junwei; Yan, Qingyu; Gu, Hongwei

2016-01-01

In this work, a one-dimensional Co3O4@TiO2 core-shell electrode material with superior electrochemical performance is fabricated by a convenient and controllable route. The approach involves two main steps: the homogeneous deposition of polydopamine and TiO2 layers in sequence on the cobalt coordination polymer and the thermal decomposition of the polymer matrix. The as-prepared electrode material can achieve excellent electrochemical properties and stability as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, such as a high specific capacity of 1279 mA h g-1, good cycling stability (around 803 mA h g-1 at a current density of 200 mA g-1 after 100 cycles), and stable rate performance (around 520 mA h g-1 at a current density of 1000 mA g-1). This dramatic electrochemical performance is mainly attributed to the excellent structural characteristics, which could improve the electrical conductivity and lithium ion mobility, as well as electrolyte permeability and architectural stability during cycling.In this work, a one-dimensional Co3O4@TiO2 core-shell electrode material with superior electrochemical performance is fabricated by a convenient and controllable route. The approach involves two main steps: the homogeneous deposition of polydopamine and TiO2 layers in sequence on the cobalt coordination polymer and the thermal decomposition of the polymer matrix. The as-prepared electrode material can achieve excellent electrochemical properties and stability as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, such as a high specific capacity of 1279 mA h g-1, good cycling stability (around 803 mA h g-1 at a current density of 200 mA g-1 after 100 cycles), and stable rate performance (around 520 mA h g-1 at a current density of 1000 mA g-1). This dramatic electrochemical performance is mainly attributed to the excellent structural characteristics, which could improve the electrical conductivity and lithium ion mobility, as well as electrolyte permeability and architectural stability during cycling. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr08570e

Electric Company Critique: Can Great Be Good Enough?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roser, Nancy L.

1974-01-01

Offers specific examples of instructional goals and their corresponding teaching techniques used in "The Electric Company" that do not substantiate the definition of reading as communication between author and reader, the effective reader being one who brings meaning to the printed word. (TO)

3D flower-like hierarchical Ag@nickel-cobalt hydroxide microsphere with enhanced electrochemical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Zijian; Zhong, Qin; Bu, Yunfei; Wu, Junpeng

2016-10-01

The morphology and electrical conductivity are essential to electrochemical performance of electrode materials in renewable energy conversion and storage technologies such as fuel cells and supercapacitors. Here, we explored a facile method to grow Ag@nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide (Ag@Ni/Co-LDHs) with 3D flower-like microsphere structure. The results show the morphology of Ni/Co-LDHs varies with the introduction of Ag species. The prepared Ag@Ni/Co-LDHs not only exhibits an open hierarchical structure with high specific capacitance but also shows good electrical conductivity to support fast electron transport. Benefiting from the unique structural features, these flower-like Ag@Ni/Co-LDHs microspheres have impressive specific capacitance as high as 1768 F g-1 at 1 A g-1. It can be concluded that engineering the structure of the electrode can increase the efficiency of the specific capacitance as a battery-type electrode for hybrid supercapacitors.

Numerical study of the characteristics of a dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, C. A.; Adamiak, K.; Castle, G. S. P.

2018-03-01

A dielectric barrier discharge actuator to control airflow along a flat dielectric plate has been numerically investigated in this paper. In order to avoid large computing times, streamers, Trichel pulses and the ionic reactions involving photons and electrons are neglected. The numerical model assumes two types of generic ions, one positive and one negative, whose drift in the electric field produces the electrohydrodynamic flow. This study provides detailed insights into the physical mechanisms of DBD that include the electric field, space charge transport, surface charge accumulation and air flow motion. The results show the V-I characteristics, velocity profiles and drag force estimates. In addition, the effects of the voltage level, frequency and inlet air velocity on the actuator performance are presented and interpreted. The simulation results show a good agreement with theoretical expectations and experimental data available in literature.

Studies of an Isolated 15N- 15N Spin Pair. Off-Angle Fast-Sample-Spinning NMR and Self-Consistent-Field Calculations for Diazo Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Challoner, Robin; Harris, Robin K.; Tossell, John A.

1997-05-01

An off-magic-angle spinning study of the nonassociated molecular solid, doubly15N-labeled 5-methyl-2-diazobenzenesulphonic acid hydrochloride (I) is reported. The validity of the off-magic-angle spinning approach under fast-spinning conditions is verified by average Hamiltonian theory. Ab initio SCF calculations were performed on the simpler molecule, C6H5N2+, to provide the shielding parameters, the dipolar coupling between the two nitrogen nuclei, and the electric field gradient existing at both the α-nitrogen and β-nitrogen sites. The calculated values are in good agreement with the shielding and effective dipolar coupling data elucidated in the present investigation, and with a previous study of the two singly15N-labeled isotopomers in which information concerning the electric field gradient at the α and β sites was deduced.

Junctionless Thin-Film Transistors Gated by an H₃PO₄-Incorporated Chitosan Proton Conductor.

PubMed

Liu, Huixuan; Xun, Damao

2018-04-01

We fabricated an H3PO4-incorporated chitosan proton conductor film that exhibited the electric double layer effect and showed a high specific capacitance of 4.42 μF/cm2. Transparent indium tin oxide thin-film transistors gated by H3PO4-incorporated chitosan films were fabricated by sputtering through a shadow mask. The operating voltage was as low as 1.2 V because of the high specific capacitance of the H3PO4-incorporated chitosan dielectrics. The junctionless transparent indium tin oxide thin film transistors exhibited good performance, including an estimated current on/off ratio and field-effect mobility of 1.2 × 106 and 6.63 cm2V-1s-1, respectively. These low-voltage thin-film electric-double-layer transistors gated by H3PO4-incorporated chitosan are promising for next generation battery-powered "see-through" portable sensors.

The Development for Polymer Actuator Active Catheter System

PubMed Central

Sewa, S.; Onishi, K.; Oguro, K.; Asaka, K.; Taki, W.; Toma, N.

2001-01-01

Summary Electric stimuli polymer-metal composite actuator material has been developed for active catheter system and other widely new applications. The polymer actuator is made of ion exchange polymer and gold as electrode, and a pulse voltage of 3 volts on the actuator gave a quick bend 90 degree angle. This composite material is possible to make small size, light and soft actuator. So now we can actually develop an active catheter for the interventional radiology surgery. The prototype polymer actuator active catheter has been developed by using polymer actuator technology and Micro Electronics Mechanical System (MEMS) technologies. The active catheter is controllable from the outside of the body by electric signal. The tip part of the catheter is made of the polymer actuator tube and bends 90 degree angles. The animal tests (dog) showed good actuator performance to control right direction and bending angle at bifurcation of blood vessel and aneurysms. PMID:20663388

Hall effect in a moving liquid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Lieto, Alberto; Giuliano, Alessia; Maccarrone, Francesco; Paffuti, Giampiero

2012-01-01

A simple experiment, suitable for performing in an undergraduate physics laboratory, illustrates electromagnetic induction through the water entering into a cylindrical rubber tube by detecting the voltage developed across the tube in the direction transverse both to the flow velocity and to the magnetic field. The apparatus is a very simple example of an electromagnetic flowmeter, a device which is commonly used both in industrial and physiological techniques. The phenomenology observed is similar to that of the Hall effect in the absence of an electric current in the direction of motion of the carriers. The experimental results show a dependence on the intensity of the magnetic field and on the carrier velocity, in good agreement with the theory. Discussion of the system, based on classical electromagnetism, indicates that the effect depends only on the flow rate, and is independent both of the velocity profile and of the electrical conductivity of the medium.

Ceramics-bonded Nd-Fe-B-type magnet with high electrical resistivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, M. S.; Kwon, H. W.; Kim, D. H.; Lee, J. G.; Yu, J. H.

2018-05-01

Ceramics-bonded magnet with remarkably high electrical resistivity was fabricated by hot-pressing the mixture of Nd13.6Fe73.6Co6.6Ga0.6B5.6 alloy melt-spun flakes and dielectric Bi2O3-SiO2-B2O3 ceramics powder with low melting point. Coercivity of the ceramics-bonded magnet decreased with increasing the addition of ceramics binder, and this was attributed to the increased demagnetizing factor. Thin oxidized layer on the flake surface formed by reaction between the flake and oxide binder also contributed to reducing coercivity in the ceramics-bonded magnet. Highly resistive ceramics-bonded magnet containing 30 vol% ceramics binder still had good magnetic performance and high mechanical strength at 175 oC: iHc = 5 kOe, Mr = 4.8 kG, (BH)max = 4.3 MGOe, and over 900 MPa.

Electromagnetic characteristics of systems of prolate and oblate ellipsoids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karimi, Pouyan; Amiri-Hezaveh, Amirhossein; Ostoja-Starzewski, Martin; Jin, Jian-Ming

2017-11-01

The present study suggests a novel model for simulating electromagnetic characteristics of spheroidal nanofillers. The electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency of prolate and oblate ellipsoids in the X-band frequency range is studied. Different multilayered nanocomposite configurations incorporating carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, and carbon blacks are fabricated and tested. The best performance for a specific thickness is observed for the multilayered composite with a gradual increase in the thickness and electrical conductivity of layers. The simulation results based on the proposed model are shown to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The effect of filler alignment on shielding efficiency is also studied by using the nematic order parameter. The ability of a nanocomposite to shield the incident power is found to decrease by increasing alignment especially for high volume fractions of prolate fillers. The interaction of the electromagnetic wave and the fillers is mainly affected by the polarization of the electric field; when the electric field is perpendicular to the equatorial axis of a spheroid, the interaction is significantly reduced and results in a lower shielding efficiency. Apart from the filler alignment, size polydispersity is found to have a significant effect on reflected and transmitted powers. It is demonstrated that the nanofillers with a higher aspect ratio mainly contribute to the shielding performance. The results are of interest in both shielding structures and microwave absorbing materials.

Botulinum toxin-A injections via electrical motor point stimulation to treat writer's cramp: pilot study.

PubMed

Lim, E C H; Quek, A M L; Seet, R C S

2006-06-30

Writer's cramp describes a task-specific dystonia, in which the act of writing initiates dystonic posturing of the hands. Previous studies have described the efficacy of injections of botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A) under electromyographic guidance, in which the injected muscle is either voluntarily, or less often, electrically (electrical motor point stimulation, EMPS) activated to ensure that the needle is in the target muscle. We performed an open label, prospective study to assess the efficacy of BTX-A injections, performed with EMPS under electromyographic guidance. Eight patients (seven male and one female) of mean age 44 (range 25-66) were recruited. All had idiopathic writer's cramp. Outcome measures, which included timed writing, objective assessment of dystonia (modified Ashworth scale and a visual analog scale rating) and patient assessment of functional disability, were assessed before injections and at six weeks follow-up. The total dose of BTX-A injected for writer's cramp ranged from 50 to 130 units, which was less than that reported in previous studies using muscle activation techniques (up to 300 units). Improvements were observed in all outcome measures. Patients reported mild (non-disabling) weakness of injected, but not of uninjected muscles. Lower dosages of BTX-A, administered using EMPS, offers the advantages of decreased cost and increased accuracy of targeting, while achieving good outcomes.

High-throughput separation of cells by dielectrophoresis enhanced with 3D gradient AC electric field.

PubMed

Tada, Shigeru; Hayashi, Masako; Eguchi, Masanori; Tsukamoto, Akira

2017-11-01

We propose a novel, high-performance dielectrophoretic (DEP) cell-separation flow chamber with a parallel-plate channel geometry. The flow chamber, consisting of a planar electrode on the top and an interdigitated-pair electrode array at the bottom, was developed to facilitate the separation of cells by creating a nonuniform AC electric field throughout the volume of the flow chamber. The operation and performance of the device were evaluated using live and dead human epithermal breast (MCF10A) cells. The separation dynamics of the cell suspension in the flow chamber was also investigated by numerically simulating the trajectories of individual cells. A theoretical model to describe the dynamic cell behavior under the action of DEP, including dipole-dipole interparticle, viscous, and gravitational forces, was developed. The results demonstrated that the live cells traveling through the flow chamber congregated into sites where the electric field gradient was minimal, in the middle of the flow stream slightly above the centerlines of the grounded electrodes at the bottom. Meanwhile, the dead cells were trapped on the edges of the high-voltage electrodes at the bottom. Cells were thus successfully separated with a remarkably high separation ratio (∼98%) at the appropriately tuned field frequency and applied voltage. The numerically predicted behavior and spatial distribution of the cells during separation also showed good agreement with those observed experimentally.

A robust H∞ control-based hierarchical mode transition control system for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Chao; Jiao, Xiaohong; Li, Liang; Zhang, Yuanbo; Chen, Zheng

2018-01-01

To realize a fast and smooth operating mode transition process from electric driving mode to engine-on driving mode, this paper presents a novel robust hierarchical mode transition control method for a plug-in hybrid electric bus (PHEB) with pre-transmission parallel hybrid powertrain. Firstly, the mode transition process is divided into five stages to clearly describe the powertrain dynamics. Based on the dynamics models of powertrain and clutch actuating mechanism, a hierarchical control structure including two robust H∞ controllers in both upper layer and lower layer is proposed. In upper layer, the demand clutch torque can be calculated by a robust H∞controller considering the clutch engaging time and the vehicle jerk. While in lower layer a robust tracking controller with L2-gain is designed to perform the accurate position tracking control, especially when the parameters uncertainties and external disturbance occur in the clutch actuating mechanism. Simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test are carried out in a traditional driving condition of PHEB. Results show that the proposed hierarchical control approach can obtain the good control performance: mode transition time is greatly reduced with the acceptable jerk. Meanwhile, the designed control system shows the obvious robustness with the uncertain parameters and disturbance. Therefore, the proposed approach may offer a theoretical reference for the actual vehicle controller.

Electrical Power Station Theory. A Course of Technical Information for Electrical Power Station Wireman Apprentices. Revised Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lane Community Coll., Eugene, OR.

This third-year course for electrical power station wirer apprentices is a foundation for the study of all aspects of installation and maintenance of power station equipment. It also provides a good technical background as well as the general knowledge essential to power station operator trainees. The course is intended to be equivalent to a…

Small-Scale Dayside Magnetic Reconnection Analysis via MMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pritchard, K. R.; Burch, J. L.; Fuselier, S. A.; Webster, J.; Genestreti, K.; Torbert, R. B.; Rager, A. C.; Phan, T.; Argall, M. R.; Le Contel, O.; Russell, C. T.; Strangeway, R. J.; Giles, B. L.

2017-12-01

The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission has the primary objective of understanding the physics of the reconnection electron diffusion region (EDR), where magnetic energy is transformed into particle energy. In this poster, we present data from an EDR encounter that occurred in late December 2016 at approximately 11:00 MLT with a moderate guide field. The spacecraft were in a tetrahedral formation with an average inter-spacecraft distance of approximately 7 kilometers. During this event electron crescent-shaped distributions were observed in the electron stagnation region as is typical for asymmetric reconnection. Based on the observed ion velocity jets, the spacecraft traveled just south of the EDR. Because of the close spacecraft separation, fairly accurate computation of the Hall, electron pressure divergence, and electron inertia components of the reconnection electric field could be made. In the region of the crescent distributions good agreement was observed, with the strongest component being the normal electric field and the most significant sources being electron pressure divergence and the Hall electric field. While the strongest currents were in the out-of-plane direction, the dissipation was strongest in the normal direction because of the larger magnitude of the normal electric field component. These results are discussed in light of recent 3D PIC simulations performed by other groups.

Experimental investigation and modeling of a direct-coupled PV/T air collector

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

Shahsavar, A.; Ameri, M.; Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Center, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman

2010-11-15

Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems refer to the integration of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies into one single system, in that both useful heat energy and electricity are produced. The impetus of this paper is to model a direct-coupled PV/T air collector which is designed, built, and tested at a geographic location of Kerman, Iran. In this system, a thin aluminum sheet suspended at the middle of air channel is used to increase the heat exchange surface and consequently improve heat extraction from PV panels. This PV/T system is tested in natural convection and forced convection (with two, four and eight fansmore » operating) and its unsteady results are presented in with and without glass cover cases. A theoretical model is developed and validated against experimental data, where good agreement between the measured values and those calculated by the simulation model were achieved. Comparisons are made between electrical performance of the different modes of operation, and it is concluded that there is an optimum number of fans for achieving maximum electrical efficiency. Also, results show that setting glass cover on photovoltaic panels leads to an increase in thermal efficiency and decrease in electrical efficiency of the system. (author)« less

Comparison of dry-textile electrodes for electrical bioimpedance spectroscopy measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Márquez, J. C.; Seoane, F.; Välimäki, E.; Lindecrantz, K.

2010-04-01

Textile Electrodes have been widely studied for biopotentials recordings, specially for monitoring the cardiac activity. Commercially available applications, such as Adistar T-shirt and Textronics Cardioshirt, have proved a good performance for heart rate monitoring and are available worldwide. Textile technology can also be used for Electrical Bioimpedance Spectroscopy measurements enabling home and personalized health monitoring applications however solid ground research about the measurement performance of the electrodes must be done prior to the development of any textile-enabled EBI application. In this work a comparison of the measurement performance of two different types of dry-textile electrodes and manufacturers has been performed against standardized RedDot 3M Ag/AgCl electrolytic electrodes. 4-Electrode, whole body, Ankle-to-Wrist EBI measurements have been taken with the Impedimed spectrometer SFB7 from healthy subjects in the frequency range of 3kHz to 500kHz. Measurements have been taken with dry electrodes at different times to study the influence of the interaction skin-electrode interface on the EBI measurements. The analysis of the obtained complex EBI spectra shows that the measurements performed with textile electrodes produce constant and reliable EBI spectra. Certain deviation can be observed at higher frequencies and the measurements obtained with Textronics and Ag/AgCl electrodes present a better resemblance. Textile technology, if successfully integrated it, may enable the performance of EBI measurements in new scenarios allowing the rising of novel wearable monitoring applications for home and personal care as well as car safety.

A long- and short-run analysis of electricity demand in Ciudad Juarez

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendez-Carrillo, Ericka Cecilia

Economic growth and appliance saturation are increasing electricity consumption in Mexico. Annual frequency data from 1990 to 2012 are utilized to develop an error correction framework that sheds light on short- and long-run electricity consumption behavior in Ciudad Juarez, a large Mexican metropolitan economy at the border with the United States. The results for this study reveal that electricity is an inelastic normal good in this market. Moreover, natural gas is found to be a weak complement to electricity. With regards to the customer base in this urban economy, population, employment, and income exercise positive and statistically significant impacts on the demand for electricity hook-ups.

Design and Performance Improvement of AC Machines Sharing a Common Stator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Lusu

With the increasing demand on electric motors in various industrial applications, especially electric powered vehicles (electric cars, more electric aircrafts and future electric ships and submarines), both synchronous reluctance machines (SynRMs) and interior permanent magnet (IPM) machines are recognized as good candidates for high performance variable speed applications. Developing a single stator design which can be used for both SynRM and IPM motors is a good way to reduce manufacturing and maintenance cost. SynRM can be used as a low cost solution for many electric driving applications and IPM machines can be used in power density crucial circumstances or work as generators to meet the increasing demand for electrical power on board. In this research, SynRM and IPM machines are designed sharing a common stator structure. The prototype motors are designed with the aid of finite element analysis (FEA). Machine performances with different stator slot and rotor pole numbers are compared by FEA. An 18-slot, 4-pole structure is selected based on the comparison for this prototype design. Sometimes, torque pulsation is the major drawback of permanent magnet synchronous machines. There are several sources of torque pulsations, such as back-EMF distortion, inductance variation and cogging torque due to presence of permanent magnets. To reduce torque pulsations in permanent magnet machines, all the efforts can be classified into two categories: one is from the design stage, the structure of permanent magnet machines can be optimized with the aid of finite element analysis. The other category of reducing torque pulsation is after the permanent magnet machine has been manufactured or the machine structure cannot be changed because of other reasons. The currents fed into the permanent magnet machine can be controlled to follow a certain profile which will make the machine generate a smoother torque waveform. Torque pulsation reduction methods in both categories will be discussed in this dissertation. In the design stage, an optimization method based on orthogonal experimental design will be introduced. Besides, a universal current profiling technique is proposed to minimize the torque pulsation along with the stator copper losses in modular interior permanent magnet motors. Instead of sinusoidal current waveforms, this algorithm will calculate the proper currents which can minimize the torque pulsation. Finite element analysis and Matlab programing will be used to develop this optimal current profiling algorithm. Permanent magnet machines are becoming more attractive in some modern traction applications, such as traction motors and generators for an electrified vehicle. The operating speed or the load condition in these applications may be changing all the time. Compared to electric machines used to operate at a constant speed and constant load, better control performance is required. In this dissertation, a novel model reference adaptive control (MRAC) used on five-phase interior permanent magnet motor drives is presented. The primary controller is designed based on artificial neural network (ANN) to simulate the nonlinear characteristics of the system without knowledge of accurate motor model or parameters. The proposed motor drive decouples the torque and flux components of five-phase IPM motors by applying a multiple reference frame transformation. Therefore, the motor can be easily driven below the rated speed with the maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) operation or above the rated speed with the flux weakening operation. The ANN based primary controller consists of a radial basis function (RBF) network which is trained on-line to adapt system uncertainties. The complete IPM motor drive is simulated in Matlab/Simulink environment and implemented experimentally utilizing dSPACE DS1104 DSP board on a five-phase prototype IPM motor. The proposed model reference adaptive control method has been applied on the commons stator SynRM and IPM machine as well.

Carbon materials-functionalized tin dioxide nanoparticles toward robust, high-performance nitrogen dioxide gas sensor.

PubMed

Zhang, Rui; Liu, Xiupeng; Zhou, Tingting; Wang, Lili; Zhang, Tong

2018-08-15

Carbon (C) materials, which process excellent electrical conductivity and high carrier mobility, are promising sensing materials as active units for gas sensors. However, structural agglomeration caused by chemical processes results in a small resistance change and low sensing response. To address the above issues, structure-derived carbon-coated tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) nanoparticles having distinct core-shell morphology with a 3D net-like structure and highly uniform size are prepared by careful synthesis and fine structural design. The optimum carbon-coated SnO 2 nanoparticles (SnO 2 /C)-based gas sensor exhibits a low working temperature, excellent selectivity and fast response-recovery properties. In addition, the SnO 2 /C-based gas sensor can maintain a sensitivity to nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) of 3 after being cycled 4 times at 140 °C for, suggesting its good long-term stability. The structural integrity, good synergistic properties, and high gas-sensing performance of SnO 2 /C render it a promising sensing material for advanced gas sensors. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Synergistic effects from graphene and carbon nanotubes endow ordered hierarchical structure foams with a combination of compressibility, super-elasticity and stability and potential application as pressure sensors.

PubMed

Kuang, Jun; Dai, Zhaohe; Liu, Luqi; Yang, Zhou; Jin, Ming; Zhang, Zhong

2015-01-01

Nanostructured carbon material based three-dimensional porous architectures have been increasingly developed for various applications, e.g. sensors, elastomer conductors, and energy storage devices. Maintaining architectures with good mechanical performance, including elasticity, load-bearing capacity, fatigue resistance and mechanical stability, is prerequisite for realizing these functions. Though graphene and CNT offer opportunities as nanoscale building blocks, it still remains a great challenge to achieve good mechanical performance in their microarchitectures because of the need to precisely control the structure at different scales. Herein, we fabricate a hierarchical honeycomb-like structured hybrid foam based on both graphene and CNT. The resulting materials possess excellent properties of combined high specific strength, elasticity and mechanical stability, which cannot be achieved in neat CNT and graphene foams. The improved mechanical properties are attributed to the synergistic-effect-induced highly organized, multi-scaled hierarchical architectures. Moreover, with their excellent electrical conductivity, we demonstrated that the hybrid foams could be used as pressure sensors in the fields related to artificial skin.

One-pot synthesis of carbon-coated nanosized LiTi2(PO4)3 as anode materials for aqueous lithium ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhantao; Qin, Xusong; Xu, Hui; Chen, Guohua

2015-10-01

In this study, a one-pot sintering process incorporating sol-gel preparation route and in-situ carbon coating was proposed for the synthesis of carbon-coated nanosized LiTi2(PO4)3. Experimental results show that the prepared LiTi2(PO4)3 particles are of high crystallinity and well-coated by turbostratic carbon. Attributed to nanosized particles and enhanced conductivity provided by turbostratic carbon coating, the carbon-coated LiTi2(PO4)3 showed high rate performance and good cycling life in aqueous electrolyte. Particularly, the carbon-coated LiTi2(PO4)3 exhibited initial specific capacities of 103 and 89 mAh g-1, and retained 80.6% and 97% of the initial capacities after 120 cycles at 1C and 10C in aqueous electrolyte, respectively. The high rate performance and good cycling life of carbon-coated LiTi2(PO4)3 in aqueous electrolyte reveal its potential as negative electrode in aqueous lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and industrial-scale energy storage systems.

An accurate behavioral model for single-photon avalanche diode statistical performance simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Yue; Zhao, Tingchen; Li, Ding

2018-01-01

An accurate behavioral model is presented to simulate important statistical performance of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), such as dark count and after-pulsing noise. The derived simulation model takes into account all important generation mechanisms of the two kinds of noise. For the first time, thermal agitation, trap-assisted tunneling and band-to-band tunneling mechanisms are simultaneously incorporated in the simulation model to evaluate dark count behavior of SPADs fabricated in deep sub-micron CMOS technology. Meanwhile, a complete carrier trapping and de-trapping process is considered in afterpulsing model and a simple analytical expression is derived to estimate after-pulsing probability. In particular, the key model parameters of avalanche triggering probability and electric field dependence of excess bias voltage are extracted from Geiger-mode TCAD simulation and this behavioral simulation model doesn't include any empirical parameters. The developed SPAD model is implemented in Verilog-A behavioral hardware description language and successfully operated on commercial Cadence Spectre simulator, showing good universality and compatibility. The model simulation results are in a good accordance with the test data, validating high simulation accuracy.

Improved Electrodes for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells using Carbon Nanospheres.

PubMed

Zamora, Héctor; Plaza, Jorge; Cañizares, Pablo; Lobato, Justo; Rodrigo, Manuel A

2016-05-23

This work evaluates the use of carbon nanospheres (CNS) in microporous layers (MPL) of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) electrodes and compares the characteristics and performance with those obtained using conventional MPL based on carbon black. XRD, hydrophobicity, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theory, and gas permeability of MPL prepared with CNS were the parameters evaluated. In addition, a short life test in a fuel cell was carried out to evaluate performance under accelerated stress conditions. The results demonstrate that CNS is a promising alternative to traditional carbonaceous materials because of its high electrochemical stability and good electrical conductivity, suitable to be used in this technology. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Development status of a sealed bipolar lead/acid battery for high-power battery applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arias, J. L.; Rowlette, J. J.; Drake, E. D.

A sealed bipolar lead/acid (SBLA) battery is being developed by Arias Research Associates (ARA) which will offer a number of important advantages in applications requiring high power densities. These applications include electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles, uninterruptable power supplies (UPS), electrically-heated catalysts (EHCs) for automobiles, utility-power peak-shaving, and others. The advantages of the SBLA over other types of batteries will by significantly higher power density, together with good energy density, high cycle life, high voltage density, low production cost and zero maintenance. In addition, the lead/acid battery represents a technology which is familiar and accepted by Society, is recyclable within the existing infrastructure, and does not raise the safety concerns of many other new batteries (e.g., fire, explosion and toxic gases). This paper briefly reviews the basic design concepts and issues of the SBLA battery technology, various quasi-bipolar approaches and the results of ARA's development work during the past four years. Performance data are given based on both in-house and independent testing of ARA laboratory test batteries. In addition, performance projections and other characteristics are given for three ARA SBLA battery designs, which are compared with other batteries in three example applications: UPS, EHCs, and EVs. The most notable advantages of the SBLA battery are substantial reductions in product size and weight for the UPS, smaller packaging and longer life for the EHC, and higher vehicle performance and lower cost for the EV, compared to both existing and advanced EV batteries.

Solid-State Thin-Film Supercapacitors with Ultrafast Charge/Discharge Based on N-Doped-Carbon-Tubes/Au-Nanoparticles-Doped-MnO2 Nanocomposites.

PubMed

Lv, Qiying; Wang, Shang; Sun, Hongyu; Luo, Jun; Xiao, Jian; Xiao, JunWu; Xiao, Fei; Wang, Shuai

2016-01-13

Although carbonaceous materials possess long cycle stability and high power density, their low-energy density greatly limits their applications. On the contrary, metal oxides are promising pseudocapacitive electrode materials for supercapacitors due to their high-energy density. Nevertheless, poor electrical conductivity of metal oxides constitutes a primary challenge that significantly limits their energy storage capacity. Here, an advanced integrated electrode for high-performance pseudocapacitors has been designed by growing N-doped-carbon-tubes/Au-nanoparticles-doped-MnO2 (NCTs/ANPDM) nanocomposite on carbon fabric. The excellent electrical conductivity and well-ordered tunnels of NCTs together with Au nanoparticles of the electrode cause low internal resistance, good ionic contact, and thus enhance redox reactions for high specific capacitance of pure MnO2 in aqueous electrolyte, even at high scan rates. A prototype solid-state thin-film symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) device based on NCTs/ANPDM exhibits large energy density (51 Wh/kg) and superior cycling performance (93% after 5000 cycles). In addition, the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device assembled from NCTs/ANPDM and Fe2O3 nanorods demonstrates ultrafast charge/discharge (10 V/s), which is among the best reported for solid-state thin-film supercapacitors with both electrodes made of metal oxide electroactive materials. Moreover, its superior charge/discharge behavior is comparable to electrical double layer type supercapacitors. The ASC device also shows superior cycling performance (97% after 5000 cycles). The NCTs/ANPDM nanomaterial demonstrates great potential as a power source for energy storage devices.

PV cells electrical parameters measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cibira, Gabriel

2017-12-01

When measuring optical parameters of a photovoltaic silicon cell, precise results bring good electrical parameters estimation, applying well-known physical-mathematical models. Nevertheless, considerable re-combination phenomena might occur in both surface and intrinsic thin layers within novel materials. Moreover, rear contact surface parameters may influence close-area re-combination phenomena, too. Therefore, the only precise electrical measurement approach is to prove assumed cell electrical parameters. Based on theoretical approach with respect to experiments, this paper analyses problems within measurement procedures and equipment used for electrical parameters acquisition within a photovoltaic silicon cell, as a case study. Statistical appraisal quality is contributed.

JPRS Report, China.

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-16

products showed a 1.3-fold increase, alu- minium showed a 1.3-fold increase, cement showed a 1.6-fold increase, and plate glass showed an 8 fold increase...paper and cardboard, washing machines, plastic goods, lightbulbs , home furnishings, electric fans, carpets, and large-scale, specialized weigh...significant increase in the production of beer, soft drinks, plastic goods, detergent, everyday glass products, dairy products, canned goods, and

Designing solution-processable air-stable liquid crystalline crosslinkable semiconductors.

PubMed

McCulloch, Iain; Bailey, Clare; Genevicius, Kristijonas; Heeney, Martin; Shkunov, Maxim; Sparrowe, David; Tierney, Steven; Zhang, Weimin; Baldwin, Rodney; Kreouzis, Theo; Andreasen, Jens W; Breiby, Dag W; Nielsen, Martin M

2006-10-15

Organic electronics technology, in which at least the semiconducting component of the integrated circuit is an organic material, offers the potential for fabrication of electronic products by low-cost printing technologies, such as ink jet, gravure offset lithography and flexography. The products will typically be of lower performance than those using the present state of the art single crystal or polysilicon transistors, but comparable to amorphous silicon. A range of prototypes are under development, including rollable electrophoretic displays, active matrix liquid crystal (LC) displays, flexible organic light emitting diode displays, low frequency radio frequency identification tag and other low performance electronics. Organic semiconductors that offer both electrical performance and stability with respect to storage and operation under ambient conditions are required. This work describes the development of reactive mesogen semiconductors, which form large crosslinked LC domains on polymerization within mesophases. These crosslinked domains offer mechanical stability and are inert to solvent exposure in further processing steps. Reactive mesogens containing conjugated aromatic cores, designed to facilitate charge transport and provide good oxidative stability, were prepared and their liquid crystalline properties evaluated. The organization and alignment of the mesogens, both before and after crosslinking, were probed by grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering of thin films. Both time-of-flight and field effect transistor devices were prepared and their electrical characterization reported.

Geoelectrical and hydrochemical study for the assessment of seawater intrusion evolution in coastal aquifers of Oualidia, Morocco

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fadili, Ahmed; Najib, Saliha; Mehdi, Khalid; Riss, Joëlle; Malaurent, Philippe; Makan, Abdelhadi

2017-11-01

This study aims to assess the evolution of seawater intrusion between 1992 and 2011 periods in the coastal aquifers of Oualidia. To achieve this objective, the combination of geoelectrical and hydrochemical methods was adopted. Apparent resistivity maps, using 74 Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) performed on 1992, allowed to distinguish two different zones. The conductive one, with apparent resistivity ranging between 4 and 86 Ω·m, is limited to 1 km with respect to the ocean. Meanwhile, the resistant one is much farther from the coastline. Besides, results of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) profiles performed during 2011 are in good agreement with those obtained by apparent resistivity maps. The ERT profiles show a conductive level characterized by low resistivity below 30 Ω·m assigned to seawater intrusion effect. Moreover, hydrochemical analysis, performed on 19 wells during three different periods, on June, December 2010 and May 2011, indicates that the most affected part with marine waters was at that time localized in the first kilometer from the ocean, with high amounts of Na+ and Cl- ions. Beyond this fringe, mineralization becomes very weak. Overall, the comparison of old VES with recent ERT coupled with hydrochemical results suggest no important evolution of the salt wedge since 1992.

Electrochemical Supercapacitive Performance of Spray-Deposited NiO Electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Abhijit A.; Chavan, U. J.

2018-04-01

Transition-metal oxides with porous structure are considered for use as promising electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors. Nanocrystalline nickel oxide (NiO) thin films have been prepared as active material for supercapacitors by spray pyrolysis. In this study, the effects of the film thickness on its structural, morphological, optical, electrical, and electrochemical properties were studied. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed cubic structure with average crystalline size of around 21 nm. Scanning electron microscopy showed porous morphology. The optical bandgap decreased from 3.04 eV to 2.97 eV with increase in the film thickness. Electrical resistivity measurements indicated semiconducting behavior. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge study revealed good pseudocapacitive behavior. Specific capacitance of 564 F g-1 at scan rate of 5 mV s-1 and 553 F g-1 at current density of 1 A g-1 was observed. An NiO-based supercapacitor delivered specific energy of 22.8 W h kg-1 at specific power of 2.16 kW kg-1, and retained 93.01% specific capacitance at current density of 1 A g-1 after 1000 cycles. Therefore, taking advantage of the porous morphology that exists in the nanostructure, such NiO materials can be considered for use as promising electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors.

Controle de l'alignement des nanotubes de carbone multiparois a l'interieur d'un polymere et d''un materiau composite multi-echelles a l'aide d'un champ electrique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arguin, Maxime

Composite materials are lightweight and have very good mechanical properties which make them a good alternative to metallic structures traditionally used in aircraft. However, these materials have a very low electrical conductivity compared to metal which limits their use for electrical application such as current return network. For example, carbon fiber composites have relatively good in-plane conductivity but a resistance between each ply, generated by the epoxy, reduced the conductivity through the thickness of the material by a thousand. The anisotropy results in a poor current diffusion through each layer of the composite and heat generation at surface when an electric current is applied on a composite panel. For this reason, the electrical conductivity of carbon fibers composite must be improved to be used for electrical applications. This thesis shows a new procedure to enhance the electrical conductivity of composite material in a preferential way (i.e., through the thickness). Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were added to the epoxy matrix of a composite to create multiscale composite. An electric field was also used to control the global distribution of the NTCs. Alignment results made on a UV epoxy reinforced with 0.01wt.% of MWCNTs showed a decrease of the resistivity by four orders of magnitude. This decrease of resistivity was also associated with formation of a filamentary microstructure that goes from one electrode to the others creating preferential conduction pathways. Afterwards, a hand lay-up process was modified to incorporate electric field alignment during the manufacturing of the composite. An improvement of the conductivity of 36% and 99% were obtained when an electric of 60V/mm were used to align the nanoparticles in multiscale composites containing 0.01wt.% and 0.1wt.% of MWCNTs, respectively. However, these modest improvements were still not enough to reach a complete current diffusion through the thickness but this technique is still a potential way to achieve it. Finally, the project shows the potential of using electric field induced alignment of the MWCNTs to improve the conductivity of multiscale composite. Furthermore, this technique has the advantage to be suitable to other common manufacturing processes using in the industry.

Carbon Nanotubes: Present and Future Commercial Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Volder, Michael F. L.; Tawfick, Sameh H.; Baughman, Ray H.; Hart, A. John

2013-02-01

Worldwide commercial interest in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reflected in a production capacity that presently exceeds several thousand tons per year. Currently, bulk CNT powders are incorporated in diverse commercial products ranging from rechargeable batteries, automotive parts, and sporting goods to boat hulls and water filters. Advances in CNT synthesis, purification, and chemical modification are enabling integration of CNTs in thin-film electronics and large-area coatings. Although not yet providing compelling mechanical strength or electrical or thermal conductivities for many applications, CNT yarns and sheets already have promising performance for applications including supercapacitors, actuators, and lightweight electromagnetic shields.

Electrostatic force microscopy on oriented graphite surfaces: coexistence of insulating and conducting behaviors.

PubMed

Lu, Yonghua; Muñoz, M; Steplecaru, C S; Hao, Cheng; Bai, Ming; Garcia, N; Schindler, K; Esquinazi, P

2006-08-18

We present measurements of the electric potential fluctuations on the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite using electrostatic force and atomic force microscopy. Micrometric domainlike potential distributions are observed even when the sample is grounded. Such potential distributions are unexpected given the good metallic conductivity of graphite because the surface should be an equipotential. Our results indicate the coexistence of regions with "metalliclike" and "insulatinglike" behaviors showing large potential fluctuations of the order of 0.25 V. In lower quality graphite, this effect is not observed. Experiments are performed in Ar and air atmospheres.

New Water Disinfection Technology for Earth and Space Applications as Part of the NPP Fellowship Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SilvestryRodriquez, Nadia

2010-01-01

There is the need for a safe, low energy consuming and compact water disinfection technology to maintain water quality for human consumption. The design of the reactor should present no overheating and a constant temperature, with good electrical and optical performance for a UV water treatment system. The study assessed the use of UVA-LEDs to disinfectant water for MS2 Bacteriophage. The log reduction was sufficient to meet US EPA standards as a secondary disinfectant for maintaining water quality control. The study also explored possible inactivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli.

Carbon nanotubes: present and future commercial applications.

PubMed

De Volder, Michael F L; Tawfick, Sameh H; Baughman, Ray H; Hart, A John

2013-02-01

Worldwide commercial interest in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reflected in a production capacity that presently exceeds several thousand tons per year. Currently, bulk CNT powders are incorporated in diverse commercial products ranging from rechargeable batteries, automotive parts, and sporting goods to boat hulls and water filters. Advances in CNT synthesis, purification, and chemical modification are enabling integration of CNTs in thin-film electronics and large-area coatings. Although not yet providing compelling mechanical strength or electrical or thermal conductivities for many applications, CNT yarns and sheets already have promising performance for applications including supercapacitors, actuators, and lightweight electromagnetic shields.

InP-based millimeter-wave PIN diodes for switching and phase-shifting application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavlidis, Dimitris; Alekseev, Egor; Hong, Kyushik; Cui, Delong

1997-10-01

InP-based PIN design, technology and circuit implementation were addressed and successfully applied to millimeter-wave MMIC switches and phase shifters. A wet etchant based via technology was developed and applied to InP MMIC fabrication. MOCVD and MBE material growth was used for PIN realization and PIN specific growth optimization is discussed. Experimentally determined electrical characteristics and good performance is presented for a variety of InP-based PIN MMICs including coplanar and microstrip Ka-band SPST switches, W-band microstrip SPST switches and a 90-degree phase shifter.

Fully Printed Flexible and Stretchable Electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Suoming

Through this thesis proposal, the author has demonstrated series of flexible or stretchable sensors including strain gauge, pressure sensors, display arrays, thin film transistors and photodetectors fabricated by a direct printing process. By adopting the novel serpentine configuration with conventional non-stretchable materials silver nanoparticles, the fully printed stretchable devices are successfully fabricated on elastomeric substrate with the demonstration of stretchable conductors that can maintain the electrical properties under strain and the strain gauge, which could be used to measure the strain in desired locations and also to monitor individual person's finger motion. And by investigating the intrinsic stretchable materials silver nanowires (AgNWs) with the conventional configuration, the fully printed stretchable conductors are achieved on various substrates including Si, glass, Polyimide, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Very High Bond (VHB) tape with the illustration of the capacitive pressure sensor and stretchable electroluminescent displays. In addition, intrinsically stretchable thin-film transistors (TFTs) and integrated logic circuits are directly printed on elastomeric PDMS substrates. The printed devices utilize carbon nanotubes and a type of hybrid gate dielectric comprising PDMS and barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticles. The BaTiO3/PDMS composite simultaneously provides high dielectric constant, superior stretchability, low leakage, as well as good printability and compatibility with the elastomeric substrate. Both TFTs and logic circuits can be stretched beyond 50% strain along either channel length or channel width directions for thousands of cycles while showing no significant degradation in electrical performance. Finally, by applying the SWNTs as the channel layer of the thin film transistor, we successfully fabricate the fully printed flexible photodetector which exhibits good electrical characteristics and the transistors exhibit good reliability under bending conditions owing to the ultrathin polyimide substrate as well as the superior mechanical flexibility of the gate dielectric and carbon nanotube network. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that by using two types of SWCNT samples with different optical absorption characteristics, the photoresponse exhibits unique wavelength selectivity, as manifested by the good correlation between the responsive wavelengths of the devices with the absorption peaks of the corresponding carbon nanotubes. All the proposed materials above together with the unique direct printing process may offer an entry into more sophisticated flexible or stretchable electronic systems with monolithically integrated sensors, actuators, and displays for real life applications.

Hollow Few-Layer Graphene-Based Structures from Parafilm Waste for Flexible Transparent Supercapacitors and Oil Spill Cleanup.

PubMed

Nguyen, Duc Dung; Hsieh, Ping-Yen; Tsai, Meng-Ting; Lee, Chi-Young; Tai, Nyan-Hwa; To, Bao Dong; Vu, Duc Tu; Hsu, Chia Chen

2017-11-22

We report a versatile strategy to exploit parafilm waste as a carbon precursor for fabrication of freestanding, hollow few-layer graphene fiber mesh (HFGM) structures without use of any gaseous carriers/promoters via an annealing route. The freestanding HFGMs possess good mechanical flexibility, tailorable transparency, and high electrical conductivity, consequently qualifying them as promising electrochemical electrodes. Because of the hollow spaces, electrolyte ions can easily access into and contact with interior surfaces of the graphene fibers, accordingly increasing electrode/electrolyte interfacial area. As expected, solid-state supercapacitors based on the HFGMs exhibit a considerable enhancement in specific capacitance (20-30 fold) as compared to those employing chemical vapor deposition compact graphene films. Moreover, the parafilm waste is found to be beneficial for one-step fabrication of nanocarbon/few-layer graphene composite meshes with superior electrochemical performance, outstanding superhydrophobic property, good self-cleaning ability, and great promise for oil spill cleanup.

Roll-to-Roll Manufacturing of Robust Superhydrophobic Coating on Metallic Engineering Materials.

PubMed

Dong, Shuliang; Wang, Zhenlong; Wang, Yukui; Bai, Xuelin; Fu, Yong Qing; Guo, Bin; Tan, Chaoliang; Zhang, Jia; Hu, PingAn

2018-01-17

Creating a robust superhydrophobic surface on the conventional engineering materials at mass production is of great importance for a self-cleaning, anti-icing, nonwetting surface and low flow resistance in industrial applications. Herein, we report a roll-to-roll strategy to create durable and robust superhydrophobic surfaces with designed micro-/nanoscale hierarchical structures on many conventional engineering materials by combining electrical discharge machining and coating of carbon nanoparticles, followed by oil penetration and drying. The treated surface shows good superhydrophobic properties with a static water contact angle of 170 ± 2° and slide angle of 3 ± 1°. The treated surface also exhibits good resilience and maintains the performance after being tested in various harsh conditions, including water flushing for several days, sand abrasion, scratching with sandpapers, and corrosive solution. Significantly, the superhydrophobic surfaces also show a high efficiency of self-cleaning properties even after oil contamination during applications.

Design of Diaphragm and Coil for Stable Performance of an Eddy Current Type Pressure Sensor.

PubMed

Lee, Hyo Ryeol; Lee, Gil Seung; Kim, Hwa Young; Ahn, Jung Hwan

2016-07-01

The aim of this work was to develop an eddy current type pressure sensor and investigate its fundamental characteristics affected by the mechanical and electrical design parameters of sensor. The sensor has two key components, i.e., diaphragm and coil. On the condition that the outer diameter of sensor is 10 mm, two key parts should be designed so as to keep a good linearity and sensitivity. Experiments showed that aluminum is the best target material for eddy current detection. A round-grooved diaphragm is suggested in order to measure more precisely its deflection caused by applied pressures. The design parameters of a round-grooved diaphragm can be selected depending on the measuring requirements. A developed pressure sensor with diaphragm of t = 0.2 mm and w = 1.05 mm was verified to measure pressure up to 10 MPa with very good linearity and errors of less than 0.16%.

Urban household energy use in Thailand

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

Tyler, S.R.

Changes in household fuel and electricity use that accompany urbanization in Third World countries bear large economic and environmental costs. The processes driving the fuel transition, and the policy mechanisms by which it can be influenced, need to be better understood for the sake of forecasting and planning, especially in the case of electricity demand. This study examines patterns of household fuel use and electrical appliance utilization in Bangkok, Chieng Mai and Ayutthaya, Thailand, based on the results of a household energy survey. Survey data are statistically analyzed using a variety of multiple regression techniques to evaluate the relative influencemore » of various household and fuel characteristics on fuel and appliance choice. Results suggest that changes to the value of women's time in urban households, as women become increasingly active in the labor force, have a major influence on patterns of household energy use. The use of the home for small-scale commercial activities, particularly food preparation, also has a significant influence on fuel choice. In general, household income does not prove to be an important factor in fuel and appliance selection in these cities, although income is closely related to total electricity use. The electricity use of individual household appliances is also analyzed using statistical techniques as well as limited direct metering. The technology of appliance production in Thailand is evaluated through interviews with manufacturers and comparisons of product performance. These data are used to develop policy recommendations for improving the efficiency of electrical appliances in Thailand by relying principally on the dynamism of the consumer goods market, rather than direct regulation. The annual electricity savings from the recommended program for fostering rapid adoption of efficient technologies are estimated to reach 1800 GWh by the year 2005 for urban households alone.« less

Multiple electrical phase transitions in Al substituted barium hexaferrite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Sunil; Supriya, Sweety; Kar, Manoranjan

2017-12-01

Barium hexaferrite is known to be a very good ferromagnetic material. However, it shows very good dielectric properties, i.e., the dielectric constant is comparable to that of the ferroelectric material. However, its crystal symmetry does not allow it to be a ferroelectric material. Hence, the electrical properties have revived the considerable research interest on these materials, not only for academic interest, but also for technological applications. There are a few reports on temperature dependent dielectric behavior of these materials. However, the exact cause of dielectric as well as electrical conductivity is yet to be established. Hence, Al (very good conducting material) substituted barium hexaferrite (BaFe12-xAlxO19, x = 0.0-4.0) has been prepared by following the modified sol-gel method to understand the ac and DC electrical properties of these materials. The crystal structure and parameters have been studied by employing the XRD and FTIR techniques. There are two transition temperatures, which have been observed in the temperature dependent ac dielectric and DC resistivity measurement. The response of dielectric behaviors to temperature is similar to that of the ferroelectric material; however, the dielectric polarization is due to the polaron hopping, which is evident from the DC resistivity analysis. Hence, the present observations lead to understand the electrical properties of barium hexaferrite. The frequency dependent dielectric dispersion can be understood by the modified Debye model. More interestingly, the dielectric constant decreases and DC resistivity increases with the increase in the Al concentration, which has the correlation between bond length modifications in the crystal due to substitution.

Multifunctional smart composites with integrated carbon nanotube yarn and sheet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauhan, Devika; Hou, Guangfeng; Ng, Vianessa; Chaudhary, Sumeet; Paine, Michael; Moinuddin, Khwaja; Rabiee, Massoud; Cahay, Marc; Lalley, Nicholas; Shanov, Vesselin; Mast, David; Liu, Yijun; Yin, Zhangzhang; Song, Yi; Schulz, Mark

2017-04-01

Multifunctional smart composites (MSCs) are materials that combine the good electrical and thermal conductivity, high tensile and shear strength, good impact toughness, and high stiffness properties of metals; the light weight and corrosion resistance properties of composites; and the sensing or actuation properties of smart materials. The basic concept for MSCs was first conceived by Daniel Inman and others about 25 years ago. Current laminated carbon and glass fiber polymeric composite materials have high tensile strength and are light in weight, but they still lack good electrical and thermal conductivity, and they are sensitive to delamination. Carbon nanotube yarn and sheets are lightweight, electrically and thermally conductive materials that can be integrated into laminated composite materials to form MSCs. This paper describes the manufacturing of high quality carbon nanotube yarn and sheet used to form MSCs, and integrating the nanotube yarn and sheet into composites at low volume fractions. Various up and coming technical applications of MSCs are discussed including composite toughening for impact and delamination resistance; structural health monitoring; and structural power conduction. The global carbon nanotube overall market size is estimated to grow from 2 Billion in 2015 to 5 Billion by 2020 at a CAGR of 20%. Nanotube yarn and sheet products are predicted to be used in aircraft, wind machines, automobiles, electric machines, textiles, acoustic attenuators, light absorption, electrical wire, sporting equipment, tires, athletic apparel, thermoelectric devices, biomedical devices, lightweight transformers, and electromagnets. In the future, due to the high maximum current density of nanotube conductors, nanotube electromagnetic devices may also become competitive with traditional smart materials in terms of power density.

A Flemion-based actuator with ionic liquid as solvent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jin; Xu, Chunye; Taya, Minoru; Kuga, Yasuo

2007-04-01

A perfluorinated carboxylic acid membrane, i.e. Flemion, shows improved performance as actuator material compared with Nafion (perfluorinated sulfonic acid). Flemion has a higher ion exchange capacity and good mechanical strength. In particular, Flemion will deform with no back relaxation under applied electrical stimulus. However, with water as solvent, the operation of Flemion in air has serious problems, since water would evaporate quickly in air. Moreover, the electrochemical stability for use in water is around 1 V at room temperature. In previous work, investigations on Nafion with ionic liquid as solvents have been carried out by some researchers and good results have been obtained. In this work, we explore the use of highly stable ionic liquid instead of water as solvent in Flemion. Experimental results indicate that Flemion-based actuators with ionic liquid as solvent have improved stability as compared to the water samples. Although the forces exhibited by Flemion-based actuators with the use of ionic liquid decreased dramatically compared to water, these preliminary results suggest good potential for the use of Flemion with ionic liquid in future applications.

Flemion-based actuator with ionic liquid as solvent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jin; Xu, Chunye; Taya, Minoru; Kuga, Yasuo

2006-03-01

A perfluorinated carboxylic acid membrane, i.e. Flemion, shows improved performance as actuator material compared with Nafion (perfluorinated sulfonic acide). Flemion has a higher ion exchange capacity and good mechanical strength. Especially, Flemion will deform with no back relaxation when applied electrical stimulus. However, with water as solvent, the operation of Flemion in air has serious problems. Since water would evaporate quickly in air. Moreover, the electrochemical stability for use in water is around 1V at room temperature. In previous work, investigations on Nafion with ionic liquid as solvents have been carried out and good results have been obtained. In this work, we explore the use of highly stable ionic liquid instead of water as solvent in Flemion. Experimental results indicate that Flemion based actuators with ionic liquid as solvent have improved stability as compared to the water samples. Although the forces exhibited by Flemion based actuators with the use of ionic liquid decreased dramatically as compared to water, these preliminary results suggest a good potential for use of Flemion with ionic liquid in some applications.

40 CFR 1065.210 - Work input and output sensors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... may decide to measure the tractive (i.e., electrical output) power of a locomotive, rather than the brake power of the locomotive engine. In these cases, divide the electrical work by accurate values of... boundary, use good engineering judgment to estimate any work-conversion losses in a way that avoids...

40 CFR 1065.210 - Work input and output sensors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... may decide to measure the tractive (i.e., electrical output) power of a locomotive, rather than the brake power of the locomotive engine. In these cases, divide the electrical work by accurate values of... boundary, use good engineering judgment to estimate any work-conversion losses in a way that avoids...

Greed and Good Intentions: What Really Happened in California's Electricity Markets

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

Warwick, William M.; Grover, Stephen

2002-03-01

This article gives a detailed account of the 2000-2001 energy crisis in California. Deregulation of California's electric power industry is described and factors leading up to the failure of retail power markets are explained. The current state of the power market in California is also reported.

Electrical conductivity of Icelandic deep geothermal reservoirs: insight from HT-HP laboratory experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nono, Franck; Gibert, Benoit; Loggia, Didier; Parat, Fleurice; Azais, Pierre; Cichy, Sarah

2016-04-01

Although the Icelandic geothermal system has been intensively investigated over the years, targeting increasingly deeper reservoirs (i.e. under supercritical conditions) requires a good knowledge of the behaviour of physical properties of the host rock in order to better interpret large scale geophysical observations. In particular, the interpretation of deep electrical soundings remains controversial as only few studies have investigated the influence of altered minerals and pore fluid properties on electrical properties of rocks at high temperature and pressure. In this study, we investigate the electrical conductivity of drilled samples from different Icelandic geothermal fields at elevated temperature, confining pressure and pore pressure conditions (100°C < T < 600°C, confining pressure up to 100 MPa and pore pressure up to 35 MPa). The investigated rocks are composed of hyaloclastites, dolerites and basalts taken from depths of about 800 m for the hyaloclastites, to almost 2500 m for the dolerites. They display different porosity structures, from vuggy and intra-granular to micro-cracked porosities, and have been hydrothermally alterated in the chlorite to amphibolite facies. Electrical conductivity measurements are first determined at ambient conditions as a function of pore fluid conductivity in order to establish their relationships with lithology and pore space topology, prior to the high pressure and temperature measurements. Cementation factor varies from 1.5 for the dolerites to 2.83 for the basalt, reflecting changes in the shape of the conductive channels. The surface conductivities, measured at very low fluid conductivity, increases with the porosity and is correlated with the cation exchange capacity. At high pressure and temperature, we used the two guard-ring electrodes system. Measurements have been performed in dry and saturated conditions as a function of temperature and pore pressure. The supercritical conditions have been investigated and temperature cycles have been performed systematically. Dry electrical conductivity measurements show for most of the samples irreversible changes when temperatures exceed 500°C. These changes are interpreted as destabilization/dehydration of alteration minerals that could lead to the presence of a conductive fluid phase in the samples. Very low and high salinity (NaCl) electrical conductivity measurements have been performed as a function of temperature. At supercritical conditions, electrical conductivity at low salinity is not pore pressure dependent and surface conduction is preponderant. At saturated conditions, the rock's electrical conductivity increases linearly (as a function of T-1) until 350°C. Above 350°C, the conductivity decreases. All rock types exhibit the same increasing rate. This work was funded by the of the EC project IMAGE (Integrated Methods for Advanced Geothermal Exploration, grant agreement No. 608553).

Synthesis and characterization of conductive, biodegradable, elastomeric polyurethanes for biomedical applications.

PubMed

Xu, Cancan; Yepez, Gerardo; Wei, Zi; Liu, Fuqiang; Bugarin, Alejandro; Hong, Yi

2016-09-01

Biodegradable conductive polymers are currently of significant interest in tissue repair and regeneration, drug delivery, and bioelectronics. However, biodegradable materials exhibiting both conductive and elastic properties have rarely been reported to date. To that end, an electrically conductive polyurethane (CPU) was synthesized from polycaprolactone diol, hexadiisocyanate, and aniline trimer and subsequently doped with (1S)-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (CSA). All CPU films showed good elasticity within a 30% strain range. The electrical conductivity of the CPU films, as enhanced with increasing amounts of CSA, ranged from 2.7 ± 0.9 × 10(-10) to 4.4 ± 0.6 × 10(-7) S/cm in a dry state and 4.2 ± 0.5 × 10(-8) to 7.3 ± 1.5 × 10(-5) S/cm in a wet state. The redox peaks of a CPU1.5 film (molar ratio CSA:aniline trimer = 1.5:1) in the cyclic voltammogram confirmed the desired good electroactivity. The doped CPU film exhibited good electrical stability (87% of initial conductivity after 150 hours charge) as measured in a cell culture medium. The degradation rates of CPU films increased with increasing CSA content in both phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) and lipase/PBS solutions. After 7 days of enzymatic degradation, the conductivity of all CSA-doped CPU films had decreased to that of the undoped CPU film. Mouse 3T3 fibroblasts proliferated and spread on all CPU films. This developed biodegradable CPU with good elasticity, electrical stability, and biocompatibility may find potential applications in tissue engineering, smart drug release, and electronics. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2305-2314, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Analysis of the Diurnal Variation of the Global Electric Circuit Obtained From Different Numerical Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jánský, Jaroslav; Lucas, Greg M.; Kalb, Christina; Bayona, Victor; Peterson, Michael J.; Deierling, Wiebke; Flyer, Natasha; Pasko, Victor P.

2017-12-01

This work analyzes different current source and conductivity parameterizations and their influence on the diurnal variation of the global electric circuit (GEC). The diurnal variations of the current source parameterizations obtained using electric field and conductivity measurements from plane overflights combined with global Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite data give generally good agreement with measured diurnal variation of the electric field at Vostok, Antarctica, where reference experimental measurements are performed. An approach employing 85 GHz passive microwave observations to infer currents within the GEC is compared and shows the best agreement in amplitude and phase with experimental measurements. To study the conductivity influence, GEC models solving the continuity equation in 3-D are used to calculate atmospheric resistance using yearly averaged conductivity obtained from the global circulation model Community Earth System Model (CESM). Then, using current source parameterization combining mean currents and global counts of electrified clouds, if the exponential conductivity is substituted by the conductivity from CESM, the peak to peak diurnal variation of the ionospheric potential of the GEC decreases from 24% to 20%. The main reason for the change is the presence of clouds while effects of 222Rn ionization, aerosols, and topography are less pronounced. The simulated peak to peak diurnal variation of the electric field at Vostok is increased from 15% to 18% from the diurnal variation of the global current in the GEC if conductivity from CESM is used.

Effect of polyamide 6 on the morphology and electrical conductivity of carbon black-filled polypropylene composites

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xuewei; Liu, Jiang; Wang, Yi

2017-01-01

Carbon black (CB)-filled polypropylene (PP) with surface resistivity between 106 and 109 Ω sq−1 is the ideal antistatic plastic material in the electronics and electric industry. However, a large amount of CB may have an adverse effect on the mechanical properties and processing performance of the material, thus an improved ternary system is developed. Blends of CB-filled PP and polyamide 6 (PA6) have been prepared by melt blending in order to obtain electrically conductive polymer composites with a low electrical percolation threshold based on the concept of double percolation. The morphological developments of these composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that CB particles were selectively dispersed in PA6 phases due to the good interaction and interfacial adhesion between CB and PA6. At the same CB loadings, the surface resistivity of PP/PA6/CB composite was smaller than that of PP/CB composite system, which indicated the better conductivity in the former composite. The increasing amount of PA6 in the composites changed the morphology from a typical sea–island morphology to a co-continuous morphology. What is more, with 8 wt% of CB and PP/PA6 phase ratio of 70/30 in which the PP and PA6 phases formed a co-continuous structure, the electrical conductivity of the composite peaked at 2.01 × 105 Ω sq−1. PMID:29308223

Bio-inspired hybrid microelectrodes: a hybrid solution to improve long-term performance of chronic intracortical implants

PubMed Central

De Faveri, Sara; Maggiolini, Emma; Miele, Ermanno; De Angelis, Francesco; Cesca, Fabrizia; Benfenati, Fabio; Fadiga, Luciano

2014-01-01

The use of implants that allow chronic electrical stimulation and recording in the brain of human patients is currently limited by a series of events that cause the deterioration over time of both the electrode surface and the surrounding tissue. The main reason of failure is the tissue inflammatory reaction that eventually causes neuronal loss and glial encapsulation, resulting in a progressive increase of the electrode-electrolyte impedance. Here, we describe a new method to create bio-inspired electrodes to mimic the mechanical properties and biological composition of the host tissue. This combination has a great potential to increase the implant lifetime by reducing tissue reaction and improving electrical coupling. Our method implies coating the electrode with reprogrammed neural or glial cells encapsulated within a hydrogel layer. We chose fibrin as a hydrogel and primary hippocampal neurons or astrocytes from rat brain as cellular layer. We demonstrate that fibrin coating is highly biocompatible, forms uniform coatings of controllable thickness, does not alter the electrochemical properties of the microelectrode and allows good quality recordings. Moreover, it reduces the amount of host reactive astrocytes – over time – compared to a bare wire and is fully reabsorbed by the surrounding tissue within 7 days after implantation, avoiding the common problem of hydrogels swelling. Both astrocytes and neurons could be successfully grown onto the electrode surface within the fibrin hydrogel without altering the electrochemical properties of the microelectrode. This bio-hybrid device has therefore a good potential to improve the electrical integration at the neuron-electrode interface and support the long-term success of neural prostheses. PMID:24782757

Silver Oxalate Ink with Low Sintering Temperature and Good Electrical Property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Wendong; Wang, Changhai; Arrighi, Valeria

2018-02-01

Favorable conductivity at low temperature is desirable for flexible electronics technology, where formulation of a suitable ink material is very critical. In this paper, a type of silver organic decomposable ink (10 wt.% silver content) was formulated by using as-prepared silver oxalate and butylamine, producing silver films with good uniformity and conductivity on a polyimide substrate after sintering below 130°C (15.72 μΩ cm) and even at 100°C (36.29 μΩ cm). Silver oxalate powder with good properties and an appropriate solid amine complex with lower decomposition temperature were synthesized, both differing from those reported in the literature. The influence of the factors on the electrical properties of the produced silver films such as sintering temperature and time was studied in detail and the relationship between them was demonstrated.

Electric field effect on exchange interaction in ultrathin Co films with ionic liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishibashi, Mio; Yamada, Kihiro T.; Shiota, Yoichi; Ando, Fuyuki; Koyama, Tomohiro; Kakizakai, Haruka; Mizuno, Hayato; Miwa, Kazumoto; Ono, Shimpei; Moriyama, Takahiro; Chiba, Daichi; Ono, Teruo

2018-06-01

Electric-field modulations of magnetic properties have been extensively studied not only for practical applications but also for fundamental interest. In this study, we investigated the electric field effect on the exchange interaction in ultrathin Co films with ionic liquids. The exchange coupling J was characterized from the direct magnetization measurement as a function of temperature using Pt/ultrathin Co/MgO structures. The trend of the electric field effect on J is in good agreement with that of the theoretical prediction, and a large change in J by applying a gate voltage was observed by forming an electric double layer using ionic liquids.

Empirical correlations of the performance of vapor-anode PX-series AMTEC cells

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

Huang, L.; Merrill, J.M.; Mayberry, C.

Power systems based on AMTEC technology will be used for future NASA missions, including a Pluto-Express (PX) or Europa mission planned for approximately year 2004. AMTEC technology may also be used as an alternative to photovoltaic based power systems for future Air Force missions. An extensive development program of Alkali-Metal Thermal-to-Electric Conversion (AMTEC) technology has been underway at the Vehicle Technologies Branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Albuquerque, New Mexico since 1992. Under this program, numerical modeling and experimental investigations of the performance of the various multi-BASE tube, vapor-anode AMTEC cells have been and are being performed.more » Vacuum testing of AMTEC cells at AFRL determines the effects of changing the hot and cold end temperatures, T{sub hot} and T{sub cold}, and applied external load, R{sub ext}, on the cell electric power output, current-voltage characteristics, and conversion efficiency. Test results have traditionally been used to provide feedback to cell designers, and to validate numerical models. The current work utilizes the test data to develop empirical correlations for cell output performance under various working conditions. Because the empirical correlations are developed directly from the experimental data, uncertainties arising from material properties that must be used in numerical modeling can be avoided. Empirical correlations of recent vapor-anode PX-series AMTEC cells have been developed. Based on AMTEC theory and the experimental data, the cell output power (as well as voltage and current) was correlated as a function of three parameters (T{sub hot}, T{sub cold}, and R{sub ext}) for a given cell. Correlations were developed for different cells (PX-3C, PX-3A, PX-G3, and PX-5A), and were in good agreement with experimental data for these cells. Use of these correlations can greatly reduce the testing required to determine electrical performance of a given type of AMTEC cell over a wide range of operating conditions.« less

Synthesis of Mesoporous Co2+-Doped TiO2 Nanodisks Derived from Metal Organic Frameworks with Improved Sodium Storage Performance.

PubMed

Hong, Zhensheng; Kang, Meiling; Chen, Xiaohui; Zhou, Kaiqiang; Huang, Zhigao; Wei, Mingdeng

2017-09-20

TiO 2 is a most promising anode candidate for rechargeable Na-ion batteries (NIBs) because of its appropriate working voltage, low cost, and superior structural stability during chage/discharge process. Nevertheless, it suffers from intrinsically low electrical conductivity. Herein, we report an in situ synthesis of Co 2+ -doped TiO 2 through the thermal treatment of metal organic frameworks precursors of MIL-125(Ti)-Co as a superior anode material for NIBs. The Co 2+ -doped TiO 2 possesses uniform nanodisk morphology, a large surface area and mesoporous structure with narrow pore distribution. The reversible capacity, Coulombic efficiency (CE) and rate capability can be improved by Co 2+ doping in mesoporous TiO 2 anode. Co 2+ -doped mesoporous TiO 2 nanodisks exhibited a high reversible capacity of 232 mAhg -1 at 0.1 Ag 1- , good rate capability and cycling stability with a stable capacity of about 140 mAhg -1 at 0.5 Ag 1- after 500 cycles. The enhanced Na-ion storage performance could be due to the increased electrical conductivity revealed by Kelvin probe force microscopy measurements.

Development of a Woven-Grid Quasi-Bipolar Battery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tokumaru, P.; Rippel, W.; Zambrano, T.

1998-01-01

This report describes an analytical and experimental investigation of AeroVironment's Quasi-Bipolar battery concept. The modelling/battery design part of the study demonstrates that there is a trade-off between thermal and specified electrical performance. Even so, quasi-bipolar batteries can be designed, with ten times better thermal uniformity, that meet or exceed current state-of-the-art hybrid-electric vehicle battery pack performance, even using the same active materials. The thermal uniformity, power, and energy for these quasi-bipolar battery packs is projected to be very good. The experimental part of the investigation demonstrates the concept of the quasi-bipolar plate applied to a lead foil current collector wrapping around two sides of an inexpensive plastic film core. Approximately 50 quasi-biplate samples were fabricated using a hot laminating press. Hot lamination with "texture" between the plastic and lead shows some promise as a low cost method for fabricating the plates. Five of these plates were assembled into two cells plus one two-cell battery. Data from these test cells were compared with existing data for similar true bipolar batteries. The positive side of the plates exhibited corrosion where not protected by the active material.

Electrically-pumped 850-nm micromirror VECSELs.

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

Geib, Kent Martin; Peake, Gregory Merwin; Serkland, Darwin Keith

Vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs) combine high optical power and good beam quality in a device with surface-normal output. In this paper, we describe the design and operating characteristics of an electrically-pumped VECSEL that employs a wafer-scale fabrication process and operates at 850 nm. A curved micromirror output coupler is heterogeneously integrated with AlGaAs-based semiconductor material to form a compact and robust device. The structure relies on flip-chip bonding the processed epitaxial material to an aluminum nitride mount; this heatsink both dissipates thermal energy and permits high frequency modulation using coplanar traces that lead to the VECSEL mesa. Backside emission ismore » employed, and laser operation at 850 nm is made possible by removing the entire GaAs substrate through selective wet etching. While substrate removal eliminates absorptive losses, it simultaneously compromises laser performance by increasing series resistance and degrading the spatial uniformity of current injection. Several aspects of the VECSEL design help to mitigate these issues, including the use of a novel current-spreading n type distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). Additionally, VECSEL performance is improved through the use of a p-type DBR that is modified for low thermal resistance.« less

Electrically pumped 850-nm micromirror VECSELs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keeler, Gordon A.; Serkland, Darwin K.; Geib, Kent M.; Peake, Gregory M.; Mar, Alan

2005-03-01

Vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs) combine high optical power and good beam quality in a device with surface-normal output. In this paper, we describe the design and operating characteristics of an electrically-pumped VECSEL that employs a wafer-scale fabrication process and operates at 850 nm. A curved micromirror output coupler is heterogeneously integrated with AlGaAs-based semiconductor material to form a compact and robust device. The structure relies on flip-chip bonding the processed epitaxial material to an aluminum nitride mount; this heatsink both dissipates thermal energy and permits high frequency modulation using coplanar traces that lead to the VECSEL mesa. Backside emission is employed, and laser operation at 850 nm is made possible by removing the entire GaAs substrate through selective wet etching. While substrate removal eliminates absorptive losses, it simultaneously compromises laser performance by increasing series resistance and degrading the spatial uniformity of current injection. Several aspects of the VECSEL design help to mitigate these issues, including the use of a novel current-spreading n type distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). Additionally, VECSEL performance is improved through the use of a p-type DBR that is modified for low thermal resistance.

Evaluation of SF6-alternative gas C5-PFK based on arc extinguishing performance and electric strength

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yi; Wang, Chunlin; Sun, Hao; Rong, Mingzhe; Murphy, Anthony Bruce; Li, Tianwei; Zhong, Jianying; Chen, Zhexin; Yang, Fei; Niu, Chunpin

2017-09-01

C5-PFK (C5-perfluoroketone, C5F10O) is under wide consideration as an environmentally-friendly alternative gas to SF6 in high-voltage applications, because of its superior insulation performance. The aim of this work is to study theoretically the arc extinguishing performance and electric strength of C5-PFK. The arc extinguishing performance of C5-PFK was evaluated by analyzing and comparing the thermophysical properties of C5-PFK, SF6, CF4, CO2 and N2 plasmas. It was difficult to obtain the species formed in C5-PFK plasmas because of the complex C5-PFK molecular decomposition process. In this work, the decomposition process of C5-PFK and the related species were analyzed by the bond energy analysis method. For the species for which parameters such as the partition function and the enthalpy of formation were not available, computational chemistry methods were used to obtain the required data. The collision integrals were calculated using the phenomenological potential model. Using these results, the local thermodynamic equilibrium composition at temperatures from 300 to 30 000 K at 1-10 atm of pure C5-PFK was calculated by the method of minimization of the Gibbs free energy, and the corresponding transport coefficients were calculated by Chapman-Enskog method. Through the comparison of the thermophysical properties, it was found that C5-PFK had similar characteristics to SF6, with large peaks in specific heat below 4500 K, indicating potentially good thermal interruption capability. However, the specific heat peak at 7000 K corresponding to CO decomposition may detract from the thermal interruption capability. Specific heat peaks at higher temperatures are associated with the breaking of double or triple bonds, and should be avoided if possible in the new alternative gases. The electric strength of C5-PFK was assessed using the molecular electrostatic potential, which can be accurately calculated or measured, and gives strong insights into important characteristics of the molecule. Based on the analysis of the molecular surface electrostatic potential and electric strength of C5-PFK, SF6, CF4, CO2, and N2, it is found that the positive potential area of the molecular surface has a strong correlation with the electric strength and is expected to be one of the predictors of electric strength. To verify this phenomenon, 36 kinds of particles were used for the correlation analysis. The correlation coefficient between the positive potential area and electric strength is up to 0.9 which means strong correlation.

Development of ultracapacitor modules for 42-V automotive electrical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Do Yang; Kim, Young Ho; Kim, Sun Wook; Lee, Suck-Hyun

Two types of ultracapacitor modules have been developed for use as energy-storage devices for 42-V systems in automobiles. The modules show high performance and good reliability in terms of discharge and recharge capability, long-term endurance, and high energy and power. During a 42-V system simulation test of 6-kW power boosting/regenerative braking, the modules demonstrate very good performance. In high-power applications such as 42-V and hybrid vehicle systems, ultracapacitors have many merits compared with batteries, especially with respect to specific power at high rate, thermal stability, charge-discharge efficiency, and cycle-life. Ultracapacitors are also very safe, reliable and environmentally friendly. The cost of ultracapacitors is still high compared with batteries because of the low production scale, but is decreasing very rapidly. It is estimated that the cost of ultracapacitors will decrease to US$ 300 per 42-V module in the near future. Also, the maintenance cost of the ultracapacitor is nearly zero because of its high cycle-life. Therefore, the combined cost of the capacitor and maintenance will be lower than that of batteries in the near future. Overall, comparing performance, price and other parameters of ultracapacitors with batteries, ultracapacitors are the most likely candidate for energy-storage in 42-V systems.

Perturbative and Ab-Initio Calculations of Electrical Susceptibilities of Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spott, Andrew

Perturbative nonlinear optics consists of many powerful predictive theoretical methods, including the perturbative series of observables related to the interaction of light with matter. The light intensity limits of such series have been studied in the past for highly nonlinear processes such as above threshold ionization and high harmonic generation. A more recent debate focuses on the limits of applicability of perturbation theory for the nonlinear electrical susceptibility and the nonlinear index of refraction of atoms, which are important parameters to study, for example, for filamentation of laser pulses in nonlinear media. In this thesis we analyze theoretical predictions for the electrical susceptibility of atoms for the transition from the perturbative to the nonperturbative intensity regime. To this end, we apply a numerical basis state method that allows us to perform respective calculations in the framework of perturbation theory as well as using ab-initio methods. The results let us identify the intensity at which the application of perturbation theory breaks down. Furthermore, we provide an analysis of the nonlinear susceptibility as a function of time during the interaction with the laser pulse and find that theoretical predictions are in good agreement with recent experimental data.

Effect of pulsed laser parameters on the corrosion limitation for electric connector coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Georges, C.; Semmar, N.; Boulmer-Leborgne, C.

2006-12-01

Materials used in electrical contact applications are usually constituted of multilayered compounds (e.g.: copper alloy electroplated with a nickel layer and finally by a gold layer). After the electro-deposition, micro-channels and pores within the gold layer allow undesirable corrosion of the underlying protection. In order to modify the gold-coating microstructure, a laser surface treatment was applied. The laser treatment suppressing porosity and smoothing the surface sealed the original open structure as a low roughness allows a good electrical contact. Corrosion tests were carried out in humid synthetic air containing three polluting gases. SEM characterization of cross-sections was performed to estimate the gold melting depth and to observe the modifications of gold structure obtained after laser treatment. The effects of the laser treatment were studied according to different surface parameters (roughness of the substrate and thickness of the gold layer) and different laser parameters (laser wavelength, laser fluence, pulse duration and number of pulses). A thermokinetic model was used to understand the heating and melting mechanism of the multilayered coating to optimize the process in terms of laser wavelength, energy and time of interaction.

A novel composite conductive microfiltration membrane and its anti-fouling performance with an external electric field in membrane bioreactors

PubMed Central

Huang, Jian; Wang, Zhiwei; Zhang, Junyao; Zhang, Xingran; Ma, Jinxing; Wu, Zhichao

2015-01-01

Membrane fouling remains an obstacle to wide-spread applications of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for wastewater treatment and reclamation. Herein, we report a simple method to prepare a composite conductive microfiltration (MF) membrane by introducing a stainless steel mesh into a polymeric MF membrane and to effectively control its fouling by applying an external electric field. Linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses showed that this conductive membrane had very good electrochemical properties. Batch tests demonstrated its anti-fouling ability in filtration of bovine serum albumin, sodium alginate, humic acid and silicon dioxide particles as model foulants. The fouling rate in continuous-flow MBRs treating wastewater was also decreased by about 50% for this conductive membrane with 2 V/cm electric field compared to the control test during long-term operation. The enhanced electrostatic repulsive force between foulants and membrane, in-situ cleaning by H2O2 generated from oxygen reduction, and decreased production of soluble microbial products and extracellular polymeric substances contributed to fouling mitigation in this MBR. The results of this study shed light on the control strategy of membrane fouling for achieving a sustainable operation of MBRs. PMID:25784160

Characterization of poly methyl methaacrylate and reduced graphene oxide composite for application as electrolyte in dye sensitized solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shrivatsav, Roshan; Mahalingam, Vignesh; Lakshmi Narayanan, E. R.; Naveen Balaji, N.; Balu, Murali; Krishna Prasad, R.; Kumaresan, Duraisamy

2018-04-01

Quasi-solid state iodide/triiodide redox electrolyte containing reduced graphene oxide and poly (methyl methaacrylate) (RGO-PMMA) composites for the fabrication of more durable, high performance dye sensitized solar cells are prepared. The morphological analysis of prepared RGO-PMMA composites showed formation of spherical like morphologies of RGO dispersed PMMA particles with their macroscopic inter-particle networks having voids. The x ray diffraction and electrical conductivity studies showed the addition of 1 wt% of filler RGO into amorphous PMMA matrix increased the electrical conductivity of the polymer composite about three orders of magnitude from 10‑7 and 10‑4 S cm‑1. Further, the photovoltaic current-voltage analysis of DSSCs with different RGO-PMMA composite based iodide/triiodide redox electrolytes showed the highest power conversion efficiency of 5.38% and the fill factor 0.63 for 2% RGO-PMMA electrolyte. The EIS analysis showed an increased recombination resistance (Rct2) at TiO2 electrode/dye/electrolyte interface due to the better electrical conductivity of RGO with good ionic conductivity in 2% RGO-PMMA composite based redox electrolyte boosted the generation of a high current density and fill factor in their DSSCs.

Experimental investigation on On-Off current ratio behavior near onset voltage for a pentacene based organic thin film transistor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amrani, Aumeur El; Es-saghiri, Abdeljabbar; Boufounas, El-Mahjoub; Lucas, Bruno

2018-06-01

The performance of a pentacene based organic thin film transistor (OTFT) with polymethylmethacrylate as a dielectric insulator and indium tin oxide based electrical gate is investigated. On the one hand, we showed that the threshold voltage increases with gate voltage, and on the other hand that it decreases with drain voltage. Thus, we noticed that the onset voltage shifts toward positive voltage values with the drain voltage increase. In addition, threshold-onset differential voltage (TODV) is proposed as an original approach to estimate an averaged carrier density in pentacene. Indeed, a value of about 4.5 × 1016 cm-3 is reached at relatively high gate voltage of -50 V; this value is in good agreement with that reported in literature with other technique measurements. However, at a low applied gate voltage, the averaged pentacene carrier density remains two orders of magnitude lower; it is of about 2.8 × 1014 cm-3 and remains similar to that obtained from space charge limited current approach for low applied bias voltage of about 2.2 × 1014 cm-3. Furthermore, high IOn/IOff and IOn/IOnset current ratios of 5 × 106 and 7.5 × 107 are reported for lower drain voltage, respectively. The investigated OTFTs also showed good electrical performance including carrier mobility increasing with gate voltage; mobility values of 4.5 × 10-2 cm2 V-1 s-1 and of 4.25 × 10-2 cm2 V-1 s-1 are reached for linear and saturation regimes, respectively. These results remain enough interesting since current modulation ratio exceeds a value of 107 that is a quite important requirement than high mobility for some particular logic gate applications.

Basin Characterisation by Means of Joint Inversion of Electromagnetic Geophysical Data, Borehole Data and Multivariate Statistical Methods: The Loop Head Peninsula, Western Ireland, Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campanya, J. L.; Ogaya, X.; Jones, A. G.; Rath, V.; McConnell, B.; Haughton, P.; Prada, M.

2016-12-01

The Science Foundation Ireland funded project IRECCSEM project (www.ireccsem.ie) aims to evaluate Ireland's potential for onshore carbon sequestration in saline aquifers by integrating new electromagnetic geophysical data with existing geophysical and geological data. One of the objectives of this component of IRECCSEM is to characterise the subsurface beneath the Loop Head Peninsula (part of Clare Basin, Co. Clare, Ireland), and identify major electrical resistivity structures that can guide an interpretation of the carbon sequestration potential of this area. During the summer of 2014, a magnetotelluric (MT) survey was carried out on the Loop Head Peninsula, and data from a total of 140 sites were acquired, including audio-magnetotelluric (AMT), and broadband magnetotelluric (BBMT). The dataset was used to generate shallow three-dimensional (3-D) electrical resistivity models constraining the subsurface to depths of up to 3.5 km. The three-dimensional (3-D) joint inversions were performed using three different types of electromagnetic data: MT impedance tensor (Z), geomagnetic transfer functions (T), and inter-station horizontal magnetic transfer-functions (H). The interpretation of the results was complemented with second-derivative models of the resulting electrical resistivity models, and a quantitative comparison with borehole data using multivariate statistical methods. Second-derivative models were used to define the main interfaces between the geoelectrical structures, facilitating superior comparison with geological and seismic results, and also reducing the influence of the colour scale when interpreting the results. Specific analysis was performed to compare the extant borehole data with the electrical resistivity model, identifying those structures that are better characterised by the resistivity model. Finally, the electrical resistivity model was also used to propagate some of the physical properties measured in the borehole, when a good relation was possible between the different types of data. The final results were compared with independent geological and geophysical data for a high-quality interpretation.

New multifunction materials with both electrorheological performance and luminescence property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ming-Xing; Shang, Yan-Li; Jia, Yun-Ling; Dong, Xiang-Yu; Ren, Jing; Li, Jun-Ran

2017-02-01

Novel multifunctional materials, the composites AlOOH-NaYFTb5 and AlOOH-NaYFTb10, containing AlO(OH) and β-NaYF4:5%Tb3+, have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route and a simple grinding method. The boehmite [AlO(OH)], yttrium nitrate [Y(NO3)3·6H2O], terbium nitrate, [Tb(NO3)3·6H2O], sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7·2H2O) and sodium fluoride (NaF) were used as starting materials. The composition, electrorheological (ER) performance, and luminescence property of the functional materials were studied. Our results show that the composites not only have good electrorheological (ER) performance, but also have good optics property. The relative shear stress τ r ( τ r = τ E/ τ 0, τ E and τ 0 are the shear stresses at the electric field strength E = 4 and 0 kV/mm, respectively) values of the suspension (25 wt.%) of AlOOHNaYFTb5 material in silicone oil are all larger than 50 in a shear rate ranging from 0.06 to 26 s-1, the τr value reaches 1333 at a shear rate of 0.06 s-1. The material with such high ER activity and favorable luminescence performance is advantageous in its application as a multifunctional material.

Today's utility business (or, Boy Scouts in the Temple of Mammon)

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

Hyman, L.S.

1993-06-01

In the good old days of monopoly, it didn't matter so much how assets or liabilities were carried on the books. Today it matters very much. But in today's competitive environment it is even more important that utilities have a corporate strategy that takes advantage of their assets and is sensitive to both their customers and their competitors. In the good old days, electric utilities were natural monopolies. Regulators substituted their judgments for those of the marketplace, the utility's engineers managed the production process, its lawyers managed the regulators, and nobody managed the utility as a business. The utility wasmore » not a business. It was a quasi-governmental public service institution that - incidentally - threw off an ever-increasing dividend stream to shareholders who thought that they had purchased the equivalent of a bond that had an attached inflation hedge. The good old days are gone. The business is becoming a real one. Customers have choices. Yet the utility's accounting, managerial, and regulatory policies are rooted in the precepts of the old natural monopoly: the utility will always be the cheapest source of electricity, and customers will always need electricity.« less

Organometallic Polymeric Conductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

For aerospace applications, the use of polymers can result in tremendous weight savings over metals. Suitable polymeric materials for some applications like EMI shielding, spacecraft grounding, and charge dissipation must combine high electrical conductivity with long-term environmental stability, good processability, and good mechanical properties. Recently, other investigators have reported hybrid films made from an electrically conductive polymer combined with insulating polymers. In all of these instances, the films were prepared by infiltrating an insulating polymer with a precursor for a conductive polymer (either polypyrrole or polythiophene), and oxidatively polymerizing the precursor in situ. The resulting composite films have good electrical conductivity, while overcoming the brittleness inherent in most conductive polymers. The highest conductivities reported (approximately 4/Scm) were achieved with polythiophene in a polystyrene host polymer. The best films using a polyamide as base polymer were four orders of magnitude less conductive than the polystyrene films. The authors suggested that this was because polyimides were unable to swell sufficiently for infiltration of monomer as in the polystyrene. It was not clear, however, if the different conductivities obtained were merely the result of differing oxidation conditions. Oxidation time, temperature and oxidant concentration varied widely among the studies.

Chitin and carbon nanotube composites as biocompatible scaffolds for neuron growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Nandita; Chen, Jinhu; Koziol, Krzysztof K.; Hallam, Keith R.; Janas, Dawid; Patil, Avinash J.; Strachan, Ally; G. Hanley, Jonathan; Rahatekar, Sameer S.

2016-04-01

The design of biocompatible implants for neuron repair/regeneration ideally requires high cell adhesion as well as good electrical conductivity. Here, we have shown that plasma-treated chitin carbon nanotube composite scaffolds show very good neuron adhesion as well as support of synaptic function of neurons. The addition of carbon nanotubes to a chitin biopolymer improved the electrical conductivity and the assisted oxygen plasma treatment introduced more oxygen species onto the chitin nanotube scaffold surface. Neuron viability experiments showed excellent neuron attachment onto plasma-treated chitin nanotube composite scaffolds. The support of synaptic function was evident on chitin/nanotube composites, as confirmed by PSD-95 staining. The biocompatible and electrically-conducting chitin nanotube composite scaffold prepared in this study can be used for in vitro tissue engineering of neurons and, potentially, as an implantable electrode for stimulation and repair of neurons.

Chitin and carbon nanotube composites as biocompatible scaffolds for neuron growth.

PubMed

Singh, Nandita; Chen, Jinhu; Koziol, Krzysztof K; Hallam, Keith R; Janas, Dawid; Patil, Avinash J; Strachan, Ally; G Hanley, Jonathan; Rahatekar, Sameer S

2016-04-21

The design of biocompatible implants for neuron repair/regeneration ideally requires high cell adhesion as well as good electrical conductivity. Here, we have shown that plasma-treated chitin carbon nanotube composite scaffolds show very good neuron adhesion as well as support of synaptic function of neurons. The addition of carbon nanotubes to a chitin biopolymer improved the electrical conductivity and the assisted oxygen plasma treatment introduced more oxygen species onto the chitin nanotube scaffold surface. Neuron viability experiments showed excellent neuron attachment onto plasma-treated chitin nanotube composite scaffolds. The support of synaptic function was evident on chitin/nanotube composites, as confirmed by PSD-95 staining. The biocompatible and electrically-conducting chitin nanotube composite scaffold prepared in this study can be used for in vitro tissue engineering of neurons and, potentially, as an implantable electrode for stimulation and repair of neurons.

Temperature Dependence of Density, Viscosity and Electrical Conductivity for Hg-Based II-VI Semiconductor Melts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, C.; Ban, H.; Lin, B.; Scripa, R. N.; Su, C.-H.; Lehoczky, S. L.

2004-01-01

The relaxation phenomenon of semiconductor melts, or the change of melt structure with time, impacts the crystal growth process and the eventual quality of the crystal. The thermophysical properties of the melt are good indicators of such changes in melt structure. Also, thermophysical properties are essential to the accurate predication of the crystal growth process by computational modeling. Currently, the temperature dependent thermophysical property data for the Hg-based II-VI semiconductor melts are scarce. This paper reports the results on the temperature dependence of melt density, viscosity and electrical conductivity of Hg-based II-VI compounds. The melt density was measured using a pycnometric method, and the viscosity and electrical conductivity were measured by a transient torque method. Results were compared with available published data and showed good agreement. The implication of the structural changes at different temperature ranges was also studied and discussed.

EAF Management Optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costoiu, M.; Ioana, A.; Semenescu, A.; Marcu, D.

2016-11-01

The article presents the main advantages of electric arc furnace (EAF): it has a great contribution to reintroduce significant quantities of reusable metallic materials in the economic circuit, it constitutes itself as an important part in the Primary Materials and Energy Recovery (PMER), good productivity, good quality / price ratio, the possibility of developing a wide variety of classes and types of steels, including special steels and high alloy. In this paper it is presented some important developments of electric arc furnace: vacuum electric arc furnace, artificial intelligence expert systems for pollution control Steelworks. Another important aspect presented in the article is an original block diagram for optimization the EAF management system. This scheme is based on the original objective function (criterion function) represented by the price / quality ratio. The article presents an original block diagram for optimization the control system of the EAF. For designing this concept of EAF management system, many principles were used.

77 FR 9303 - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-16

... Utility Steam Generating Units and Standards of Performance for Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Utility... Performance for Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Utility, Industrial-Commercial-Institutional, and Small Industrial... electric utility steam generating units (EGUs) and standards of performance for fossil-fuel-fired electric...

Effects of HfO2 encapsulation on electrical performances of few-layered MoS2 transistor with ALD HfO2 as back-gate dielectric.

PubMed

Xu, Jingping; Wen, Ming; Zhao, Xinyuan; Liu, Lu; Song, Xingjuan; Lai, Pui-To; Tang, Wing-Man

2018-08-24

The carrier mobility of MoS 2 transistors can be greatly improved by the screening role of high-k gate dielectric. In this work, atomic-layer deposited (ALD) HfO 2 annealed in NH 3 is used to replace SiO 2 as the gate dielectric to fabricate back-gated few-layered MoS 2 transistors, and good electrical properties are achieved with field-effect mobility (μ) of 19.1 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , subthreshold swing (SS) of 123.6 mV dec -1 and on/off ratio of 3.76 × 10 5 . Furthermore, enhanced device performance is obtained when the surface of the MoS 2 channel is coated by an ALD HfO 2 layer with different thicknesses (10, 15 and 20 nm), where the transistor with a 15 nm HfO 2 encapsulation layer exhibits the best overall electrical properties: μ = 42.1 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , SS = 87.9 mV dec -1 and on/off ratio of 2.72 × 10 6 . These improvements should be associated with the enhanced screening effect on charged-impurity scattering and protection from absorption of environmental gas molecules by the high-k encapsulation. The capacitance equivalent thickness of the back-gate dielectric (HfO 2 ) is only 6.58 nm, which is conducive to scaling of the MoS 2 transistors.

Speed Sensorless Induction Motor Drives for Electrical Actuators: Schemes, Trends and Tradeoffs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elbuluk, Malik E.; Kankam, M. David

1997-01-01

For a decade, induction motor drive-based electrical actuators have been under investigation as potential replacement for the conventional hydraulic and pneumatic actuators in aircraft. Advantages of electric actuator include lower weight and size, reduced maintenance and operating costs, improved safety due to the elimination of hazardous fluids and high pressure hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, and increased efficiency. Recently, the emphasis of research on induction motor drives has been on sensorless vector control which eliminates flux and speed sensors mounted on the motor. Also, the development of effective speed and flux estimators has allowed good rotor flux-oriented (RFO) performance at all speeds except those close to zero. Sensorless control has improved the motor performance, compared to the Volts/Hertz (or constant flux) controls. This report evaluates documented schemes for speed sensorless drives, and discusses the trends and tradeoffs involved in selecting a particular scheme. These schemes combine the attributes of the direct and indirect field-oriented control (FOC) or use model adaptive reference systems (MRAS) with a speed-dependent current model for flux estimation which tracks the voltage model-based flux estimator. Many factors are important in comparing the effectiveness of a speed sensorless scheme. Among them are the wide speed range capability, motor parameter insensitivity and noise reduction. Although a number of schemes have been proposed for solving the speed estimation, zero-speed FOC with robustness against parameter variations still remains an area of research for speed sensorless control.

Properties of radiation stable insulation composites for fusion magnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zhixiong; Huang, Rongjin; Huang, Chuanjun; Li, Laifeng

2017-09-01

High field superconducting magnets made of Nb3Al will be a suitable candidate for future fusion device which can provide magnetic field over 15T without critical current degradation caused by strain. The higher magnetic field and the larger current will produce a huge electromagnetic force. Therefore, it is necessary to develop high strength cryogenic structural materials and electrical insulation materials with excellent performance. On the other hand, superconducting magnets in fusion devices will experience significant nuclear radiation exposure during service. While typical structural materials like stainless steel and titanium have proven their ability to withstand these conditions, electrical insulation materials used in these coils have not fared as well. In fact, recent investigations have shown that electrical insulation breakdown is a limiting factor in the performance of high field magnets. The insulation materials used in the high field fusion magnets should be characterized by excellent mechanical properties, high radiation resistivity and good thermal conductivity. To meet these objectives, we designed various insulation materials based on epoxy resins and cyanate ester resins and investigated their processing characteristic and mechanical properties before and after irradiation at low temperature. In this paper, the recent progress of the radiation stable insulation composites for high field fusion magnet is presented. The materials have been irradiated by 60Co γ-ray irradiation in air at ambient temperature with a dose rate of 300 Gy/min. The total doses of 1 MGy, 5 MGy and 10 MGy were selected to the test specimens.

New materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell current collectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hentall, Philip L.; Lakeman, J. Barry; Mepsted, Gary O.; Adcock, Paul L.; Moore, Jon M.

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel cells for automotive applications need to have high power density, and be inexpensive and robust to compete effectively with the internal combustion engine. Development of membranes and new electrodes and catalysts have increased power significantly, but further improvements may be achieved by the use of new materials and construction techniques in the manufacture of the bipolar plates. To show this, a variety of materials have been fabricated into flow field plates, both metallic and graphitic, and single fuel cell tests were conducted to determine the performance of each material. Maximum power was obtained with materials which had lowest contact resistance and good electrical conductivity. The performance of the best material was characterised as a function of cell compression and flow field geometry.

Novel textile systems for the continuous monitoring of vital signals: design and characterization.

PubMed

Trindade, Isabel G; Martins, Frederico; Dias, Rúben; Oliveira, Cristina; Machado da Silva, José

2015-08-01

In this article we present a smart textile system for the continuous monitoring of cardiorespiratory signals, produced and integrated with an industrial embroidery unit. The design of a T-shirt system, having embedded textile sensors and interconnects and custom designed circuit for data collection and Bluetooth transmission is presented. The performance of skin-contact textile electrodes, having distinctive electrical characteristics and surface morphologies, was characterized by measurements of signal to noise ratio, under dry and moisture conditions. The influence of the electrodes size and the wear resistance were addressed. Results of an electrocardiogram acquisition with a subject wearing the T-shirt and display on a smartphone are also shown. The presented smart textile systems exhibit good performance and versatility for custom demand production.

Experiments with a DC Motor

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kraftmakher, Yaakov

2010-01-01

Experiments with an electric motor provide good opportunity to demonstrate some basic laws of electricity and magnetism. The aim of the experiments with a low-power dc motor is to show how the motor approaches its steady rotation and how its torque, mechanical power and efficiency depend on the rotation velocity. The tight relationship between the…

24 CFR 902.23 - Physical condition standards for public housing-decent, safe, and sanitary housing in good repair...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... water, electrical system, elevators, emergency power, fire protection, HVAC, and sanitary system. Each..., call-for-aid, ceiling, doors, electrical systems, floors, hot water heater, HVAC (where individual... HOUSING ASSESSMENT SYSTEM PHAS Indicator #1: Physical Condition § 902.23 Physical condition standards for...

24 CFR 5.703 - Physical condition standards for HUD housing that is decent, safe, sanitary and in good repair...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... domestic water, electrical system, elevators, emergency power, fire protection, HVAC, and sanitary system... applicable), ceiling, doors, electrical systems, floors, hot water heater, HVAC (where individual units are... standards address the major areas of the HUD housing: the site; the building exterior; the building systems...

24 CFR 5.703 - Physical condition standards for HUD housing that is decent, safe, sanitary and in good repair...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... domestic water, electrical system, elevators, emergency power, fire protection, HVAC, and sanitary system... applicable), ceiling, doors, electrical systems, floors, hot water heater, HVAC (where individual units are... standards address the major areas of the HUD housing: the site; the building exterior; the building systems...

24 CFR 5.703 - Physical condition standards for HUD housing that is decent, safe, sanitary and in good repair...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... domestic water, electrical system, elevators, emergency power, fire protection, HVAC, and sanitary system... applicable), ceiling, doors, electrical systems, floors, hot water heater, HVAC (where individual units are... standards address the major areas of the HUD housing: the site; the building exterior; the building systems...

24 CFR 5.703 - Physical condition standards for HUD housing that is decent, safe, sanitary and in good repair...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... domestic water, electrical system, elevators, emergency power, fire protection, HVAC, and sanitary system... applicable), ceiling, doors, electrical systems, floors, hot water heater, HVAC (where individual units are... standards address the major areas of the HUD housing: the site; the building exterior; the building systems...

40 CFR 1037.525 - Special procedures for testing hybrid vehicles with power take-off.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... of this section to allow testing hybrid vehicles other than electric-battery hybrids, consistent with... model, use good engineering judgment to select the vehicle type with the maximum number of PTO circuits... as needed to stabilize the battery at a full state of charge. For electric hybrid vehicles, we...

The Australian electricity market's pre-dispatch process: Some observations on its efficiency using ordered probit model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zainudin, Wan Nur Rahini Aznie; Becker, Ralf; Clements, Adam

2015-12-01

Many market participants in Australia Electricity Market had cast doubts on whether the pre-dispatch process in the electricity market is able to give them good and timely quantity and price information. In a study by [11], they observed a significant bias (mainly indicating that the pre-dispatch process tends to underestimate spot price outcomes), a seasonality features of the bias across seasons and/or trading periods and changes in bias across the years in our sample period (1999 to 2007). In a formal setting of an ordered probit model we establish that there are some exogenous variables that are able to explain increased probabilities of over- or under-predictions of the spot price. It transpires that meteorological data, expected pre-dispatch prices and information on past over- and under-predictions contribute significantly to explaining variation in the probabilities for over- and under-predictions. The results allow us to conjecture that some of the bids and re-bids provided by electricity generators are not made in good faith.

Electrical Nanocontact Between Bismuth Nanowire Edges and Electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murata, Masayuki; Nakamura, Daiki; Hasegawa, Yasuhiro; Komine, Takashi; Uematsu, Daisuke; Nakamura, Shinichiro; Taguchi, Takashi

2010-09-01

Three methods for attaching electrodes to a bismuth nanowire sample were investigated. In the first and second methods, thin layers of titanium and copper were deposited by ion plating under vacuum onto the edge surface of individual bismuth nanowire samples that were encapsulated in a quartz template. Good electrical contact between the electrodes and the nanowire was achieved using silver epoxy and conventional solder on the thin-film layers in the first and second methods, respectively. In the third method, a low-melting-point solder was utilized and was also successful in achieving good electrical contact in air atmosphere. The connection methods showed no difference in terms of resistivity temperature dependence or Seebeck coefficient. The third method has an advantage in that nanocontact is easily achieved; however, diffusion of the solder into the nanowire allows contamination near the melting point of the solder. In the first and second methods, the thin-film layer enabled electrical contact to be more safely achieved than the direct contact used in the third method, because the thin-film layer prevented diffusion of binder components.

Solution hardened platinum alloy flexure materials for improved performance and reliability of MEMS devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brazzle, John D.; Taylor, William P.; Ganesh, Bala; Price, James J.; Bernstein, Jonathan J.

2005-01-01

Solution hardened platinum alloys are presented for use as a MEMS flexure material. Two Pt alloys are discussed in this work; Pt alloyed with 15% Rh and 6% Ru (known as Alloy 851) and an alloy of Pt with 10% Ir. These alloys do not require protective masking, resulting in fewer fabrication steps because the alloys can be exposed to fluorine, chlorine and oxygen plasmas as well as wet chemical etches without damage. These alloys combine many desirable properties such as biocompatibility, extreme corrosion resistance, good electrical/thermal conductivity, high Young's modulus, high yield strength [1], low hysteresis and fatigue, and they are non-ferromagnetic. Compositional profiles for the sputtered films are described, as well as stress control during deposition. Nanoindentation experiments were performed to measure mechanical properties. The mechanical performance of these Pt alloy flexures as supports for rotating micromirror structures is described.

New energy storage option: toward ZnCo2O4 nanorods/nickel foam architectures for high-performance supercapacitors.

PubMed

Liu, Bin; Liu, Boyang; Wang, Qiufan; Wang, Xianfu; Xiang, Qingyi; Chen, Di; Shen, Guozhen

2013-10-23

Hierarchical ZnCo2O4/nickel foam architectures were first fabricated from a simple scalable solution approach, exhibiting outstanding electrochemical performance in supercapacitors with high specific capacitance (∼1400 F g(-1) at 1 A g(-1)), excellent rate capability (72.5% capacity retention at 20 A g(-1)), and good cycling stability (only 3% loss after 1000 cycles at 6 A g(-1)). All-solid-state supercapacitors were also fabricated by assembling two pieces of the ZnCo2O4-based electrodes, showing superior performance in terms of high specific capacitance and long cycling stability. Our work confirms that the as-prepared architectures can not only be applied in high energy density fields, but also be used in high power density applications, such as electric vehicles, flexible electronics, and energy storage devices.

Electric papers of graphene-coated Co₃O₄ fibers for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

PubMed

Yang, Xiaoling; Fan, Kaicai; Zhu, Yihua; Shen, Jianhua; Jiang, Xin; Zhao, Peng; Luan, Shaorong; Li, Chunzhong

2013-02-01

A facile strategy to synthesize the novel composite paper of graphene nanosheets (GNS) coated Co(3)O(4) fibers is reported as an advanced anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The GNS were able to deposit onto Co(3)O(4) fibers and form the coating via electrostatic interactions. The unique hybrid paper is evaluated as an anode electrode for LIBs, and it exhibits a very large reversible capacity (∼840 mA h g(-1) after 40 cycles), excellent cyclic stability and good rate capacity. The substantially excellent electrochemical performance of the graphene/Co(3)O(4) composite paper is the result from its unique features. Notably, the flexible structure of graphenic scaffold and the strong interaction between graphene and Co(3)O(4) fibers are beneficial for providing excellent electronic conductivity, short transportation length for lithium ions, and elastomeric space to accommodate volume varies upon Li(+) insertion/extraction.

Hierarchical silicon nanowires-carbon textiles matrix as a binder-free anode for high-performance advanced lithium-ion batteries

PubMed Central

Liu, Bin; Wang, Xianfu; Chen, Haitian; Wang, Zhuoran; Chen, Di; Cheng, Yi-Bing; Zhou, Chongwu; Shen, Guozhen

2013-01-01

Toward the increasing demands of portable energy storage and electric vehicle applications, the widely used graphite anodes with significant drawbacks become more and more unsuitable. Herein, we report a novel scaffold of hierarchical silicon nanowires-carbon textiles anodes fabricated via a facile method. Further, complete lithium-ion batteries based on Si and commercial LiCoO2 materials were assembled to investigate their corresponding across-the-aboard performances, demonstrating their enhanced specific capacity (2950 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C), good repeatability/rate capability (even >900 mAh g−1 at high rate of 5 C), long cycling life, and excellent stability in various external conditions (curvature, temperature, and humidity). Above results light the way to principally replacing graphite anodes with silicon-based electrodes which was confirmed to have better comprehensive performances. PMID:23572030

Construction and performance evaluation of mediator-less microbial fuel cell using carbon nanotubes as an anode material.

PubMed

Roh, Sung-Hee; Kim, Sun-Il

2012-05-01

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that converts chemical energy to electrical energy using the catalytic reaction of microorganisms. We investigated the performance of mediator-less MFC with carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/graphite felt composite electrodes. The addition of CNTs to a graphite felt electrode increases the specific surface area of the electrode and enhances the charge transfer capability so as to cause considerable improvement of the electrochemical activity for the anode reaction in a MFC. The performance of the MFC using CNTs/graphite felt electrode has been compared against a plain graphite felt electrode based MFC. A CNTs/graphite felt electrode showed as high as 15% increase in the power density (252 mW/m2) compared to graphite felt electrode (214 mW/m2). The CNTs/graphite felt anode therefore offers good prospects for application in MFCs.

Experimental validation of ultrasonic guided modes in electrical cables by optical interferometry.

PubMed

Mateo, Carlos; de Espinosa, Francisco Montero; Gómez-Ullate, Yago; Talavera, Juan A

2008-03-01

In this work, the dispersion curves of elastic waves propagating in electrical cables and in bare copper wires are obtained theoretically and validated experimentally. The theoretical model, based on Gazis equations formulated according to the global matrix methodology, is resolved numerically. Viscoelasticity and attenuation are modeled theoretically using the Kelvin-Voigt model. Experimental tests are carried out using interferometry. There is good agreement between the simulations and the experiments despite the peculiarities of electrical cables.

Electrical Resistivity of Vanadium and Zirconium.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

general agreement on the temperature depodeace of the electrical resistivity. There are little good data from 300 VI to 1200 K. The recommended values...liquid region, are based on the compromise between the only two data sets available. due to Seydel and Fucks [91 (data set 1) and to Gathers et al. (101...555-600 (1928). 8. Block. F., ’The Electrical Resistance Law at Low Temperatures,’ Z. Phys.. 12.208-14 (1930). -𔄃. Seydel, U. and Fucke , W

NREL Updates Baseline Cost and Performance Data for Electricity Generation

Science.gov Websites

Technologies | News | NREL Updates Baseline Cost and Performance Data for Electricity Generation Technologies News Release: NREL Updates Baseline Cost and Performance Data for Electricity generation technology cost and performance data used to support and inform electric sector analysis in the

Impact of physical pre-treatment of source-sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste on greenhouse-gas emissions and the economy in a Swedish anaerobic digestion system.

PubMed

Carlsson, My; Holmström, David; Bohn, Irene; Bisaillon, Mattias; Morgan-Sagastume, Fernando; Lagerkvist, Anders

2015-04-01

Several methods for physical pre-treatments of source sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste (SSOFMSW) before for anaerobic digestion (AD) are available, with the common feature that they generate a homogeneous slurry for AD and a dry refuse fraction for incineration. The selection of efficient methods relies on improved understanding of how the pre-treatment impacts on the separation and on the slurry's AD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the performance of physical pre-treatment of SSOFMSW on greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and on the economy of an AD system including a biogas plant with supplementary systems for heat and power production in Sweden. Based on the performance of selected Swedish facilities, as well as chemical analyses and BMP tests of slurry and refuse, the computer-based evaluation tool ORWARE was improved as to accurately describe mass flows through the physical pre-treatment and anaerobic degradation. The environmental and economic performance of the evaluated system was influenced by the TS concentration in the slurry, as well as the distribution of incoming solids between slurry and refuse. The focus to improve the efficiency of these systems should primarily be directed towards minimising the water addition in the pre-treatment provided that this slurry can still be efficiently digested. Second, the amount of refuse should be minimised, while keeping a good quality of the slurry. Electricity use/generation has high impact on GHG emissions and the results of the study are sensitive to assumptions of marginal electricity and of electricity use in the pre-treatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hydrogen Fueled Hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell-Gas Turbine (SOFC-GT) System for Long-Haul Rail Application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chow, Justin Jeff

Freight movement of goods is the artery for America's economic health. Long-haul rail is the premier mode of transport on a ton-mile basis. Concerns regarding greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions, however, have motivated the creation of annually increasing locomotive emissions standards. Health issues from diesel particulate matter, especially near rail yards, have also been on the rise. These factors and the potential to raise conventional diesel-electric locomotive performance warrants the investigation of using future fuels in a more efficient system for locomotive application. This research evaluates the dynamic performance of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell-Gas Turbine (SOFC-GT) Hybrid system operating on hydrogen fuel to power a locomotive over a rail path starting from the Port of Los Angeles and ending in the City of Barstow. Physical constraints, representative locomotive operation logic, and basic design are used from a previous feasibility study and simulations are performed in the MATLAB Simulink environment. In-house controls are adapted to and expanded upon. Results indicate high fuel-to-electricity efficiencies of at least 54% compared to a conventional diesel-electric locomotive efficiency of 35%. Incorporation of properly calibrated feedback and feed-forward controls enables substantial load following of difficult transients that result from train kinematics while maintaining turbomachinery operating requirements and suppressing thermal stresses in the fuel cell stack. The power split between the SOFC and gas turbine is deduced to be a deterministic factor in the balance between capital and operational costs. Using hydrogen results in no emissions if renewable and offers a potential of 24.2% fuel energy savings for the rail industry.

Organometallic Polymeric Conductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Youngs, Wiley J.

1997-01-01

For aerospace applications, the use of polymers can result in tremendous weight savings over metals. Suitable polymeric materials for some applications like EMI shielding, spacecraft grounding, and charge dissipation must combine high electrical conductivity with long-term environmental stability, good processability, and good mechanical properties. Recently, other investigators have reported hybrid films made from an electrically conductive polymer combined with insulating polymers. In all of these instances, the films were prepared by infiltrating an insulating polymer with a precursor for a conductive polymer (either polypyrrole or polythiophene), and oxidatively polymerizing the precursor in situ. The resulting composite films have good electrical conductivity, while overcoming the brittleness inherent in most conductive polymers. Many aerospace applications require a combination of properties. Thus, hybrid films made from polyimides or other engineering resins are of primary interest, but only if conductivities on the same order as those obtained with a polystyrene base could be obtained. Hence, a series of experiments was performed to optimize the conductivity of polyimide-based composite films. The polyimide base chosen for this study was Kapton. 3-MethylThiophene (3MT) was used for the conductive phase. Three processing variables were identified for producing these composite films, namely time, temperature, and oxidant concentration for the in situ oxidation. Statistically designed experiments were used to examine the effects of these variables and synergistic/interactive effects among variables on the electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of the films. Multiple linear regression analysis of the tensile data revealed that temperature and time have the greatest effect on maximum stress. The response surface of maximum stress vs. temperature and time (for oxidant concentration at 1.2 M) is shown. Conductivity of the composite films was measured for over 150 days in air at ambient temperature. The conductivity of the films dropped only half an order of magnitude in that time. Films aged under vacuum at ambient temperature diminished slightly in conductivity in the first day, but did not change thereafter. An experimental design approach will be applied to maximize the efficiency of the laboratory effort. The material properties (initial and long term) will also be monitored and assessed. The experimental results will add to the existing database for electrically conductive polymer materials. Attachments: 1) Synthesis Crystal Structure, and Polymerization of 1,2:5,6:9,10-Tribenzo-3,7,11,13-tetradehydro(14) annulene. 2) Reinvestigation of the Photocyclization of 1,4-Phenylene Bis(phenylmaleic anhydride): Preparation and Structure of (5)Helicene 5,6:9,10-Dianhydride. 3) Preparation and Structure Charecterization of a Platinum Catecholate Complex Containing Two 3-Ethynyltheophone Groups. and 4) Rigid-Rod Polymers Based on Noncoplanar 4,4'-Biphenyldiamines: A Review of Polymer Properties vs Configuration of Diamines.

Solution-processed assembly of ultrathin transparent conductive cellulose nanopaper embedding AgNWs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yuanyuan; Jiang, Yaoquan; Shi, Liyi; Cao, Shaomei; Feng, Xin; Miao, Miao; Fang, Jianhui

2015-08-01

Natural biomass based cellulose nanopaper is becoming a promising transparent substrate to supersede traditional petroleum based polymer films in realizing future flexible paper-electronics. Here, ultrathin, highly transparent, outstanding conductive hybrid nanopaper with excellent mechanical flexibility was synthesized by the assembly of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) using a pressured extrusion paper-making technique. The hybrid nanopaper with a thickness of 4.5 μm has a good combination of transparent conductive performance and mechanical stability using bamboo/hemp NFC and AgNWs cross-linked by hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC). The heterogeneous fibrous structure of BNFC/HNFC/AgNWs endows a uniform distribution and an enhanced forward light scattering, resulting in high electrical conductivity and optical transmittance. The hybrid nanopaper with an optimal weight ratio of BNFC/HNFC to AgNWs shows outstanding synergistic properties with a transmittance of 86.41% at 550 nm and a sheet resistance of 1.90 ohm sq-1, equal to the electronic conductivity, which is about 500 S cm-1. The BNFC/HNFC/AgNW hybrid nanopaper maintains a stable electrical conductivity after the peeling test and bending at 135° for 1000 cycles, indicating remarkably strong adhesion and mechanical flexibility. Of importance here is that the high-performance and low-cost hybrid nanopaper shows promising potential for electronics application in solar cells, flexible displays and other high-technology products.Natural biomass based cellulose nanopaper is becoming a promising transparent substrate to supersede traditional petroleum based polymer films in realizing future flexible paper-electronics. Here, ultrathin, highly transparent, outstanding conductive hybrid nanopaper with excellent mechanical flexibility was synthesized by the assembly of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) using a pressured extrusion paper-making technique. The hybrid nanopaper with a thickness of 4.5 μm has a good combination of transparent conductive performance and mechanical stability using bamboo/hemp NFC and AgNWs cross-linked by hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC). The heterogeneous fibrous structure of BNFC/HNFC/AgNWs endows a uniform distribution and an enhanced forward light scattering, resulting in high electrical conductivity and optical transmittance. The hybrid nanopaper with an optimal weight ratio of BNFC/HNFC to AgNWs shows outstanding synergistic properties with a transmittance of 86.41% at 550 nm and a sheet resistance of 1.90 ohm sq-1, equal to the electronic conductivity, which is about 500 S cm-1. The BNFC/HNFC/AgNW hybrid nanopaper maintains a stable electrical conductivity after the peeling test and bending at 135° for 1000 cycles, indicating remarkably strong adhesion and mechanical flexibility. Of importance here is that the high-performance and low-cost hybrid nanopaper shows promising potential for electronics application in solar cells, flexible displays and other high-technology products. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr03218k

Simultaneous measurement of temperature, stress, and electric field in GaN HEMTs with micro-Raman spectroscopy.

PubMed

Bagnall, Kevin R; Moore, Elizabeth A; Badescu, Stefan C; Zhang, Lenan; Wang, Evelyn N

2017-11-01

As semiconductor devices based on silicon reach their intrinsic material limits, compound semiconductors, such as gallium nitride (GaN), are gaining increasing interest for high performance, solid-state transistor applications. Unfortunately, higher voltage, current, and/or power levels in GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) often result in elevated device temperatures, degraded performance, and shorter lifetimes. Although micro-Raman spectroscopy has become one of the most popular techniques for measuring localized temperature rise in GaN HEMTs for reliability assessment, decoupling the effects of temperature, mechanical stress, and electric field on the optical phonon frequencies measured by micro-Raman spectroscopy is challenging. In this work, we demonstrate the simultaneous measurement of temperature rise, inverse piezoelectric stress, thermoelastic stress, and vertical electric field via micro-Raman spectroscopy from the shifts of the E 2 (high), A 1 longitudinal optical (LO), and E 2 (low) optical phonon frequencies in wurtzite GaN. We also validate experimentally that the pinched OFF state as the unpowered reference accurately measures the temperature rise by removing the effect of the vertical electric field on the Raman spectrum and that the vertical electric field is approximately the same whether the channel is open or closed. Our experimental results are in good quantitative agreement with a 3D electro-thermo-mechanical model of the HEMT we tested and indicate that the GaN buffer acts as a semi-insulating, p-type material due to the presence of deep acceptors in the lower half of the bandgap. This implementation of micro-Raman spectroscopy offers an exciting opportunity to simultaneously probe thermal, mechanical, and electrical phenomena in semiconductor devices under bias, providing unique insight into the complex physics that describes device behavior and reliability. Although GaN HEMTs have been specifically used in this study to demonstrate its viability, this technique is applicable to any solid-state material with a suitable Raman response and will likely enable new measurement capabilities in a wide variety of scientific and engineering applications.

Simultaneous measurement of temperature, stress, and electric field in GaN HEMTs with micro-Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagnall, Kevin R.; Moore, Elizabeth A.; Badescu, Stefan C.; Zhang, Lenan; Wang, Evelyn N.

2017-11-01

As semiconductor devices based on silicon reach their intrinsic material limits, compound semiconductors, such as gallium nitride (GaN), are gaining increasing interest for high performance, solid-state transistor applications. Unfortunately, higher voltage, current, and/or power levels in GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) often result in elevated device temperatures, degraded performance, and shorter lifetimes. Although micro-Raman spectroscopy has become one of the most popular techniques for measuring localized temperature rise in GaN HEMTs for reliability assessment, decoupling the effects of temperature, mechanical stress, and electric field on the optical phonon frequencies measured by micro-Raman spectroscopy is challenging. In this work, we demonstrate the simultaneous measurement of temperature rise, inverse piezoelectric stress, thermoelastic stress, and vertical electric field via micro-Raman spectroscopy from the shifts of the E2 (high), A1 longitudinal optical (LO), and E2 (low) optical phonon frequencies in wurtzite GaN. We also validate experimentally that the pinched OFF state as the unpowered reference accurately measures the temperature rise by removing the effect of the vertical electric field on the Raman spectrum and that the vertical electric field is approximately the same whether the channel is open or closed. Our experimental results are in good quantitative agreement with a 3D electro-thermo-mechanical model of the HEMT we tested and indicate that the GaN buffer acts as a semi-insulating, p-type material due to the presence of deep acceptors in the lower half of the bandgap. This implementation of micro-Raman spectroscopy offers an exciting opportunity to simultaneously probe thermal, mechanical, and electrical phenomena in semiconductor devices under bias, providing unique insight into the complex physics that describes device behavior and reliability. Although GaN HEMTs have been specifically used in this study to demonstrate its viability, this technique is applicable to any solid-state material with a suitable Raman response and will likely enable new measurement capabilities in a wide variety of scientific and engineering applications.

Ab-initio study of liquid systems: Concentration dependence of electrical resistivity of binary liquid alloy Rb1-xCsx

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thakur, Anil; Sharma, Nalini; Chandel, Surjeet; Ahluwalia, P. K.

2013-02-01

The electrical resistivity (ρL) of Rb1-XCsX binary alloys has been made calculated using Troullier Martins ab-initio pseudopotentials. The present results of the electrical resistivity (ρL) of Rb1-XCsX binary alloys have been found in good agreement with the experimental results. These results suggest that ab-initio approach for calculating electrical resistivity is quite successful in explaining the electronic transport properties of binary Liquid alloys. Hence ab-initio pseudopotentials can be used instead of model pseudopotentials having problem of transferability.

Apparatus for mounting a diode in a microwave circuit

DOEpatents

Liu, Shing-gong

1976-07-27

Apparatus for mounting a diode in a microwave circuit for making electrical contact between the circuit and ground and for dissipation of heat between the diode and a heat sink. The diode, supported on a thermally and electrically conductive member, is resiliently pressed in electrical contact with the microwave circuit. A tapered collar on the member is elastically deformably wedged into a tapered aperture formed in a heat sink. The wedged collar tightens firmly around the member establishing good thermal and electrical conduction from the diode to the heat sink and ground. Disassembly is facilitated because of the elastically deformed collar.

Study of electrical resistivity on the location and identification of contamination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCarty, B. D.

1985-12-01

Electrical resistance studies were conducted in two laboratory models to determine electrical resistivity relationships and to use those defined relationships to identify contamination spikes. A good correlation was established between resistance data and the composition of leachate and copper spiked leachate gelatin blocks under study. The major variable that could not be eliminated from this study which had the greatest effect on data was moisture content. This thesis contains a review of the theory and field application of electrical resistivity, a description of the experimental approach used, and a summary of the data collected.

Drivers of U.S. mineral demand

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sznopek, John L.

2006-01-01

Introduction: The word 'demand' has different meanings for different people. To some, it means their 'wants and needs,' to others it is what they consume. Yet, when considering economics, demand refers to the specific amounts of goods or services that individuals will purchase at various prices. Demand is measured over a given time period. It is determined by a number of factors including income, tastes, and the price of complementary and substitute goods. In this paper, the term consumption is used fairly synonymously with the term demand. Most mineral commodities, like iron ore, copper, zinc, and gravel, are intermediate goods, which means that they are used in the production of other goods, called final goods. Demand for intermediate goods is called derived demand because such demand is derived from the demand for final goods. When demand increases for a commodity, generally the price rises. With everything else held constant, this increases the profits for those who provide this commodity. Normally, this would increase profits of existing producers and attract new producers to the market. When demand for a commodity decreases, generally the price falls. Normally, this would cause profits to fall and, as a consequence, the least efficient firms may be forced from the industry. Demand changes for specific materials as final goods or production techniques are reengineered while maintaining or improving product performance, for example, the use of aluminum in the place of copper in long distance electrical transmission lines or plastic replacing steel in automobile bumpers. Substitution contributes to efficient material usage by utilizing cheaper or technically superior materials. In this way, it may also alleviate materials scarcity. If a material becomes relatively scarce (and thus more expensive), a more abundant (and less expensive) material generally replaces it (Wagner and others, 2003, p. 91).

Novel Nanofiber-based Membrane Separators for Lithium-Ion Batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanilmaz, Meltem

Lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in electronic devices including mobile phones, laptop computers, and cameras due to their high specific energy, high energy density, long cycling lifetime, and low self-discharge rate. Nowadays, lithium-ion batteries are finding new applications in electric/hybrid vehicles and energy storage for smart grids. To be used in these new applications, novel battery components are needed so that lithiumion batteries with higher cell performance, better safety, and lower cost can be developed. A separator is an important component to obtain safe batteries and its primary function is to prevent electronic contact between electrodes while regulating cell kinetics and ionic flow. Currently, microporous membranes are the most commonly used separator type and they have good mechanical properties and chemical stability. However, their wettability and thermal stabilities are not sufficient for applications that require high operating temperature and high performance. Due to the superior properties such as large specific surface area, small pore size and high porosity, electrospun nanofiber membranes can be good separator candidate for highperformance lithium-ion batteries. In this work, we focus our research on fabricating nanofiber-based membranes to design new high-performance separators with good thermal stability, as well as superior electrochemical performance compared to microporous polyolefin membranes. To combine the good mechanical strength of PP nonwovens with the excellent electrochemical properties of SiO2/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite nanofibers, SiO 2/PVDF composite nanofiber-coated PP nonwoven membranes were prepared. It was found that the addition of SiO2 nanoparticles played an important role in improving the overall performance of these nanofiber-coated nonwoven membranes. Although ceramic/polymer composites can be prepared by encapsulating ceramic particles directly into polymer nanofibers, the performance of the resultant composite membranes is restricted because these nanoparticles are not exposed to liquid electrolytes and have limited effect on improving the cell performance. Hence, we introduced new nanoparticle-on-nanofiber hybrid membrane separators by combining electrospraying with electrospinning techniques. Electrochemical properties were enhanced due to the increased surface area caused by the unique hybrid structure of SiO2 nanoparticles and PVDF nanofibers. To design a high-performance separator with enhanced mechanical properties and good thermal stability, electrospun SiO2/nylon 6,6 nanofiber membranes were fabricated. It was found that SiO2/nylon 6,6 nanofiber membranes had superior thermal stability and mechanical strength. Electrospinning has serious drawbacks such as low spinning rate and high production cost. Centrifugal spinning is a fast, cost-effective and safe alternative to the electrospinning. SiO2/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membranes were produced by using centrifugal spinning. Compared with commercial microporous polyolefin membranes, SiO2/PAN membranes had larger liquid electrolyte uptake, higher electrochemical oxidation limit, and lower interfacial resistance with lithium. SiO2/PAN membrane separators were assembled into lithium/lithium iron phosphate cells and these cells exhibited good cycling and C-rate performance.

Heat transport in electrically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes dispersed in water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cervantes-Alvarez, F.; Macias, J. D.; Alvarado-Gil, J. J.

2018-02-01

A modified Ångström method was used to determine the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of aqueous dispersions of multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a function of their weight fraction concentration and in the presence of an externally applied electric field. Measurements were performed in planar samples, with a fixed thickness of 3.18 mm applying an AC voltage in the range from 0 to 70~V_RMS and for concentrations of carbon nanotubes from 0 to 2 wf%. It is shown that this field induces the formation of clusters followed by their alignment along the electric field, which can favor heat transfer in that direction. Heat transfer measurements show two regimes, in the first one under 0.5 wf%, voltages lower than 30~V_RMS are not strong enough to induce the adequate order of the carbon nanostructures, and as a consequence, thermal diffusivity of the dispersion remains close to the thermal diffusivity of water. In contrast for higher concentrations (above 1.5 wf%), 10~V_RMS are enough to get a good alignment. Above such thresholds of concentrations and voltages, thermal diffusivity and conductivity increase, when the electric field is increased, in such a way that for an applied voltage of 20~V_RMS and for a concentration of 1.5 wf%, an increase of 49% of the thermal conductivity was obtained. It is also shown that this approach exhibits limits, due to the fact that the electric-field induced structure, can act as a heating element at high electric field intensities and carbon nanotubes concentrations, which can induce convection and evaporation of the liquid matrix.

In vitro analysis of various cell lines responses to electroporative electric pulses by means of electrical impedance spectroscopy.

PubMed

García-Sánchez, Tomás; Bragós, Ramon; Mir, Lluis M

2018-06-07

This paper reports the comparative analysis, by means of electric impedance spectroscopy measurements, of three different cell lines subjected to electroporative pulses. The multifrequency information is recorded simultaneously at 21 frequency values in the range between 5 kHz and 1.3 MHz using a multisine based measuring approach. The analysis of the pre-electroporation impedance spectra shows how the system is able to detect differences and similarities between the cell lines under analysis. Particularly, a good agreement is found between the average cell diameter and the characteristic frequency (the frequency corresponding to a maximum in the imaginary part of the impedance). The measurements performed during electroporation at three different electric field intensities show how the impedance spectra changes dynamically between the consecutive pulses of a train of 8,100 µs pulses delivered at 1 Hz repetition rate. There are clear differences between the changes in the impedance measured at low and high frequency. The multifrequency information has been fitted to an electrical equivalent model in order to understand the different contributions in the observed impedance changes (mainly separate between membrane permeabilization and the conductivity changes in the extracellular medium). Finally, a ratio of the low and high frequency impedance information is used to estimate the accumulated impedance decay and to compare it to the internalization of a fluorescent permeabilization reporter. The comparison between both techniques at the three electroporation electric field intensities assayed confirms the ability of impedance measurements to detect in a precise way the level of membrane permeabilization. Additionally, this study demonstrates how the real time information obtained thanks to impedance measurements can provide a more precise quantification of the membrane permeabilization extent. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electric current focusing efficiency in a graphene electric lens.

PubMed

Mu, Weihua; Zhang, Gang; Tang, Yunqing; Wang, Wei; Ou-Yang, Zhongcan

2011-12-14

In the present work, we study theoretically the electron wave's focusing phenomenon in a single-layered graphene pn junction (PNJ) and obtain the electric current density distribution of graphene PNJ, which is in good agreement with the qualitative result in previous numerical calculations (Cheianov et al 2007 Science, 315, 1252). In addition, we find that, for a symmetric PNJ, 1/4 of total electric current radiated from the source electrode can be collected by the drain electrode. Furthermore, this ratio reduces to 3/16 in a symmetric graphene npn junction. Our results obtained by the present analytical method provide a general design rule for an electric lens based on negative refractory index systems. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd

Simultaneous sulfide removal and electricity generation with corn stover biomass as co-substrate in microbial fuel cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Jing; Zhang, Baogang; Tian, Caixing; Ye, Zhengfang; Liu, Ye; Lei, Zhongfang; Huang, Wenli; Feng, Chuanping

2013-06-01

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), representing a promising method to treat combined pollutants with energy recovery, were utilized to remove sulfide and recover power with corn stover filtrate (CSF) as the co-substrate in present study. A maximum power density of 744 mW/m(2) was achieved with sulfide removal of 91% during 72 h operation when the CSF concentrations (mg-COD/l) and the electrolyte conductivity were set at 800 mg/l and 10.06 mS/cm, respectively, while almost 52% COD was removed due to the microbial degradation of CSF to the volatile organic carbons. CSF concentrations and electrolyte conductivities had significant effects on the performance of the MFCs. Simultaneous removals of inorganic pollutant and complex organic compounds with electricity generation in MFCs are reported for the first time. These results provide a good reference for multiple contaminations treatment especially sulfide containing wastewaters based on the MFC technology. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tribological and Electrical Properties of Diamond-Like Carbon Films Deposited by Filtered Vacuum Arc Method for Medical Guidewire Application.

PubMed

Kang, Ki-Noh; Jeong, Hyejeong; Lee, Jaehyeong; Park, Yong Seob

2018-09-01

A good medical guidewires are used to introduce stents, catheters, and other medical devices inside the human body. In this study, diamond-like carbon (DLC) film was proposed to solve the poor adhesion problem of guidewire and to improve the tribological performance of guidewire. DLC films were fabricated on Si substrate by using FVA (Filtered Vacuum Arc) method. In this work, the tribological, structural, and electrical properties of the fabricated DLC films with various arc currents were experimentally investigated. All DLC films showed smooth and uniform surface with increasing applied arc current. The rms surface roughness was increased and the value of contact angle on the film surface was decreased with increasing arc current. The hardness and elastic modulus of DLC films were improved, and the resistivity value of DLC films were decreased with increasing arc current. These results are associated with ion bombardment effects by the applied arc current and bias voltage.

Giant energy density and high efficiency achieved in bismuth ferrite-based film capacitors via domain engineering.

PubMed

Pan, Hao; Ma, Jing; Ma, Ji; Zhang, Qinghua; Liu, Xiaozhi; Guan, Bo; Gu, Lin; Zhang, Xin; Zhang, Yu-Jun; Li, Liangliang; Shen, Yang; Lin, Yuan-Hua; Nan, Ce-Wen

2018-05-08

Developing high-performance film dielectrics for capacitive energy storage has been a great challenge for modern electrical devices. Despite good results obtained in lead titanate-based dielectrics, lead-free alternatives are strongly desirable due to environmental concerns. Here we demonstrate that giant energy densities of ~70 J cm -3 , together with high efficiency as well as excellent cycling and thermal stability, can be achieved in lead-free bismuth ferrite-strontium titanate solid-solution films through domain engineering. It is revealed that the incorporation of strontium titanate transforms the ferroelectric micro-domains of bismuth ferrite into highly-dynamic polar nano-regions, resulting in a ferroelectric to relaxor-ferroelectric transition with concurrently improved energy density and efficiency. Additionally, the introduction of strontium titanate greatly improves the electrical insulation and breakdown strength of the films by suppressing the formation of oxygen vacancies. This work opens up a feasible and propagable route, i.e., domain engineering, to systematically develop new lead-free dielectrics for energy storage.

Additive Manufacturing of Multifunctional Components Using High Density Carbon Nanotube Yarn Filaments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gardner, John M.; Sauti, Godfrey; Kim, Jae-Woo; Cano, Roberto J.; Wincheski, Russell A.; Stelter, Christopher J.; Grimsley, Brian W.; Working, Dennis C.; Siochi, Emilie J.

2016-01-01

Additive manufacturing allows for design freedom and part complexity not currently attainable using traditional manufacturing technologies. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), for example, can yield novel component geometries and functionalities because the method provides a high level of control over material placement and processing conditions. This is achievable by extrusion of a preprocessed filament feedstock material along a predetermined path. However if fabrication of a multifunctional part relies only on conventional filament materials, it will require a different material for each unique functionality printed into the part. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are an attractive material for many applications due to their high specific strength as well as good electrical and thermal conductivity. The presence of this set of properties in a single material presents an opportunity to use one material to achieve multifunctionality in an additively manufactured part. This paper describes a recently developed method for processing continuous CNT yarn filaments into three-dimensional articles, and summarizes the mechanical, electrical, and sensing performance of the components fabricated in this way.

Fabrication of a liquid-gated enzyme field effect device for sensitive glucose detection.

PubMed

Fathollahzadeh, M; Hosseini, M; Haghighi, B; Kolahdouz, M; Fathipour, M

2016-06-14

This study presents fabrication of a liquid-gated enzyme field effect device and its implementation as a glucose biosensor. The device consisted of four electrodes on a glass substrate with a channel functionalized by carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes-polyaniline nanocomposite (MWCNTCOOH/PAn) and glucose oxidase. The resistance of functionalized channel increased with increasing the concentration of glucose when an electric field was applied to the liquid gate. The most effective and stable performance was obtained at the applied electric field of 100 mV. The device resistance, R, exhibited a linear relationship with the logarithm of glucose concentration in the range between 0.005 and 500 mM glucose. The detection limit (S/N = 3) for glucose was about 0.5 μM. Large effective area and good conductivity properties of MWCNTCOOH/PAn nanocomposite were the key features of the fabricated sensitive and stable glucose biosensor. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrical impedance myography in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

PubMed

Statland, Jeffrey M; Heatwole, Chad; Eichinger, Katy; Dilek, Nuran; Martens, William B; Tawil, Rabi

2016-10-01

In this study we determined the reliability and validity of electrical impedance myography (EIM) in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). We performed a prospective study of EIM on 16 bilateral limb and trunk muscles in 35 genetically defined and clinically affected FSHD patients (reliability testing on 18 patients). Summary scores based on body region were derived. Reactance and phase (50 and 100 kHz) were compared with measures of strength, FSHD disease severity, and functional outcomes. Participants were mostly men, mean age 53.0 years, and included a full range of severity. Limb and trunk muscles showed good to excellent reliability [intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) 0.72-0.99]. Summary scores for the arm, leg, and trunk showed excellent reliability (ICC 0.89-0.98). Reactance was the most sensitive EIM parameter to a broad range of FSHD disease metrics. EIM is a reliable measure of muscle composition in FSHD that offers the possibility to serially evaluate affected muscles. Muscle Nerve 54: 696-701, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition of porous carbon film as supercapacitive electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Ai-Min; Feng, Chen-Chen; Huang, Hao; Paredes Camacho, Ramon Alberto; Gao, Song; Lei, Ming-Kai; Cao, Guo-Zhong

2017-07-01

Highly porous carbon film (PCF) coated on nickel foam was prepared successfully by microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) with C2H2 as carbon source and Ar as discharge gas. The PCF is uniform and dense with 3D-crosslinked nanoscale network structure possessing high degree of graphitization. When used as the electrode material in an electrochemical supercapacitor, the PCF samples verify their advantageous electrical conductivity, ion contact and electrochemical stability. The test results show that the sample prepared under 1000 W microwave power has good electrochemical performance. It displays the specific capacitance of 62.75 F/g at the current density of 2.0 A/g and retains 95% of its capacitance after 10,000 cycles at the current density of 2.0 A/g. Besides, its near-rectangular shape of the cyclic voltammograms (CV) curves exhibits typical character of an electric double-layer capacitor, which owns an enhanced ionic diffusion that can fit the requirements for energy storage applications.

Highly efficient flexible optoelectronic devices using metal nanowire-conducting polymer composite transparent electrode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Eui Dae; Nam, Yun Seok; Seo, Houn; Lee, Bo Ram; Yu, Jae Choul; Lee, Sang Yun; Kim, Ju-Young; Park, Jang-Ung; Song, Myoung Hoon

2015-09-01

Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of the electrical, optical, mechanical, and surface morphological properties of composite nanostrutures based on silver nanowires (AgNW) and PEDOT:PSS conducting polymer for the use as flexible and transparent electrodes. Compared to ITO or the single material of AgNW or PEDOT:PSS, the AgNW/PEDOT:PSS composite electrode showed high electrical conductivity with a low sheet resistance of 26.8 Ω/sq at 91% transmittance (at 550 nm), improves surface smoothness, and enhances mechanical properties assisted by an amphiphilic fluoro-surfactant. The polymeric light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) and organic solar cells (OSCs) using the AgNW/PEDOT:PSS composite electrode showed higher device performances than those with AgNW and PEDOT:PSS electrodes and excellent flexibility under bending test. These results indicates that the AgNW/PEDOT:PSS composite presented is a good candidate as next-generation transparent elelctrodes for applications into flexible optoelectronic devices. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Crystal electric field excitations in the quasicrystal approximant TbCd 6 studied by inelastic neutron scattering

DOE PAGES

Das, Pinaki; Lory, P. -F.; Flint, R.; ...

2017-02-07

Here, we have performed inelastic neutron scattering measurements on powder samples of the quasicrystal approximant, TbCd 6, grown using isotopically enriched 112Cd. Both quasielastic scattering and distinct inelastic excitations were observed below 3 meV. The intensity of the quasielastic scattering measured in the paramag- netic phase diverges as T N ~ 22 K is approached from above. The inelastic excitations, and their evolution with temperature, are well characterized by the leading term, Bmore » $$0\\atop{2}$$O$$0\\atop{2}$$, of the crystalline electric field (CEF) level scheme for local pentagonal symmetry for the rare-earth ions [1] indicating that the Tb moment is directed primarily along the unique local pseudo-five-fold axis of the Tsai-type clusters. We also find good agreement between the inverse susceptibility determined from magnetization measurements using a magnetically diluted Tb 0.05Y 0.95Cd 6 sample and that calculated using the CEF level scheme determined from the neutron measurements.« less

Electromechanical modelling for piezoelectric flextensional actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jinghang; O'Connor, William J.; Ahearne, Eamonn; Byrne, Gerald

2014-02-01

The piezoelectric flextensional actuator investigated in this paper comprises three pre-stressed piezoceramic lead zirconate titanate (PZT) stacks and an external, flexure-hinged, mechanical amplifier configuration. An electromechanical model is used to relate the electrical and mechanical domains, comprising the PZT stacks and the flexure mechanism, with the dynamic characteristics of the latter represented by a multiple degree-of-freedom dynamic model. The Maxwell resistive capacitive model is used to describe the nonlinear relationship between charge and voltage within the PZT stacks. The actuator model parameters and the electromechanical couplings of the PZT stacks, which describe the energy transfer between the electrical and mechanical domains, are experimentally identified without disassembling the embedded piezoceramic stacks. To verify the electromechanical model, displacement and frequency experiments are performed. There was good agreement between modelled and experimental results, with less than 1.5% displacement error. This work outlines a general process by which other pre-stressed piezoelectric flextensional actuators can be characterized, modelled and identified in a non-destructive way.

Modelling and validation of Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohiuddin, A. K. M.; Basran, N.; Khan, A. A.

2018-01-01

This paper is the outcome of a small scale fuel cell project. Fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts energy from chemical reaction to electrical work. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is one of the different types of fuel cell, which is more efficient, having low operational temperature and fast start up capability results in high energy density. In this study, a mathematical model of 1.2 W PEMFC is developed and simulated using MATLAB software. This model describes the PEMFC behaviour under steady-state condition. This mathematical modeling of PEMFC determines the polarization curve, power generated, and the efficiency of the fuel cell. Simulation results were validated by comparing with experimental results obtained from the test of a single PEMFC with a 3 V motor. The performance of experimental PEMFC is little lower compared to simulated PEMFC, however both results were found in good agreement. Experiments on hydrogen flow rate also been conducted to obtain the amount of hydrogen consumed to produce electrical work on PEMFC.

Crystal electric field excitations in the quasicrystal approximant TbCd6 studied by inelastic neutron scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Pinaki; Lory, P.-F.; Flint, R.; Kong, T.; Hiroto, T.; Bud'ko, S. L.; Canfield, P. C.; de Boissieu, M.; Kreyssig, A.; Goldman, A. I.

2017-02-01

We have performed inelastic neutron scattering measurements on powder samples of the quasicrystal approximant, TbCd6, grown using isotopically enriched 112Cd. Both quasielastic scattering and distinct inelastic excitations were observed below 3 meV. The intensity of the quasielastic scattering measured in the paramagnetic phase diverges as TN˜22 K is approached from above. The inelastic excitations, and their evolution with temperature, are well characterized by the leading term, B20O20 , of the crystal electric field (CEF) level scheme for local pentagonal symmetry for the rare-earth ions [S. Jazbec et al., Phys. Rev. B 93, 054208 (2016), 10.1103/PhysRevB.93.054208] indicating that the Tb moment is directed primarily along the unique local pseudofivefold axis of the Tsai-type clusters. We also find good agreement between the inverse susceptibility determined from magnetization measurements using a magnetically diluted Tb0.05Y0.95Cd6 sample and that calculated using the CEF level scheme determined from the neutron measurements.

Screen Cage Ion Plating (SCIP) and scratch testing of polycrystalline aluminum oxide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spalvins, Talivaldis; Sliney, Harold E.; Deadmore, Daniel L.

1992-01-01

A screen cage ion plating (SCIP) technique was developed to apply silver films on electrically nonconducting aluminum oxide. It is shown that SCIP has remarkable throwing power; surfaces to be coated need not be in direct line of sight with the evaporation source. Scratch tests, employing a diamond stylus with a 200 micro m radius tip, were performed on uncoated and on silver coated alumina. Subsequent surface analysis show that a significant amount of silver remains on the scratched surfaces, even in areas where high stylus load produced severe crack patterns in the ceramic. Friction coefficients were lowered during the scratch tests on the coated alumina indicating that this modification of the ion planting process should be useful for applying lubricating films of soft metals to electrical insulating materials. The very good throwing power of SCIP also strongly suggests general applicability of this process in other areas of technology, e.g., electronics, in addition to tribology.

Molecular Insights into Carbon Nanotube Supercapacitors: Capacitance Independent of Voltage and Temperature

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

Feng, Guang; Li, Song; Atchison, Jennifer S.

2013-04-12

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of supercapacitors with single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) electrodes in room-temperature ionic liquids were performed to investigate the influences of the applied electrical potential, the radius/curvature of SWCNTs, and temperature on their capacitive behavior. It is found that (1) SWCNTs-based supercapacitors exhibit a near-flat capacitance–potential curve, (2) the capacitance increases as the tube radius decreases, and (3) the capacitance depends little on the temperature. We report the first MD study showing the influence of the electrode curvature on the capacitance–potential curve and negligible dependence of temperature on capacitance of tubular electrode. The latter is in good agreementmore » with recent experimental findings and is attributed to the similarity of the electrical double layer (EDL) microstructure with temperature varying from 260 to 400 K. The electrode curvature effect is explained by the dominance of charge overscreening and increased ion density per unit area of electrode surface.« less

Transparent Thin-Film Transistors Based on Sputtered Electric Double Layer

PubMed Central

Cai, Wensi; Ma, Xiaochen; Zhang, Jiawei; Song, Aimin

2017-01-01

Electric-double-layer (EDL) thin-film transistors (TFTs) have attracted much attention due to their low operation voltages. Recently, EDL TFTs gated with radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtered SiO2 have been developed which is compatible to large-area electronics fabrication. In this work, fully transparent Indium-Gallium-Zinc-Oxide-based EDL TFTs on glass substrates have been fabricated at room temperature for the first time. A maximum transmittance of about 80% has been achieved in the visible light range. The transparent TFTs show a low operation voltage of 1.5 V due to the large EDL capacitance (0.3 µF/cm2 at 20 Hz). The devices exhibit a good performance with a low subthreshold swing of 130 mV/dec and a high on-off ratio > 105. Several tests have also been done to investigate the influences of light irradiation and bias stress. Our results suggest that such transistors might have potential applications in battery-powered transparent electron devices. PMID:28772789

Transparent Thin-Film Transistors Based on Sputtered Electric Double Layer.

PubMed

Cai, Wensi; Ma, Xiaochen; Zhang, Jiawei; Song, Aimin

2017-04-20

Electric-double-layer (EDL) thin-film transistors (TFTs) have attracted much attention due to their low operation voltages. Recently, EDL TFTs gated with radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtered SiO₂ have been developed which is compatible to large-area electronics fabrication. In this work, fully transparent Indium-Gallium-Zinc-Oxide-based EDL TFTs on glass substrates have been fabricated at room temperature for the first time. A maximum transmittance of about 80% has been achieved in the visible light range. The transparent TFTs show a low operation voltage of 1.5 V due to the large EDL capacitance (0.3 µF/cm² at 20 Hz). The devices exhibit a good performance with a low subthreshold swing of 130 mV/dec and a high on-off ratio > 10⁵. Several tests have also been done to investigate the influences of light irradiation and bias stress. Our results suggest that such transistors might have potential applications in battery-powered transparent electron devices.

Measurement and simulation of thermoelectric efficiency for single leg

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Xiaokai; Yamamoto, Atsushi; Ohta, Michihiro; Nishiate, Hirotaka

2015-04-01

Thermoelectric efficiency measurements were carried out on n-type bismuth telluride legs with the hot-side temperature at 100 and 150 °C. The electric power and heat flow were measured individually. Water coolant was utilized to maintain the cold-side temperature and to measure heat flow out of the cold side. Leg length and vacuum pressure were studied in terms of temperature difference across the leg, open-circuit voltage, internal resistance, and heat flow. Finite-element simulation on thermoelectric generation was performed in COMSOL Multiphysics, by inputting two-side temperatures and thermoelectric material properties. The open-circuit voltage and resistance were in good agreement between the measurement and simulation. Much larger heat flows were found in measurements, since they were comprised of conductive, convective, and radiative contributions. Parasitic heat flow was measured in the absence of bismuth telluride leg, and the conductive heat flow was then available. Finally, the maximum thermoelectric efficiency was derived in accordance with the electric power and the conductive heat flow.

Breathing silicon anodes for durable high-power operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Chihyun; Joo, Sehun; Kang, Na-Ri; Lee, Ungju; Kim, Tae-Hee; Jeon, Yuju; Kim, Jieun; Kim, Young-Jin; Kim, Ju-Young; Kwak, Sang-Kyu; Song, Hyun-Kon

2015-09-01

Silicon anode materials have been developed to achieve high capacity lithium ion batteries for operating smart phones and driving electric vehicles for longer time. Serious volume expansion induced by lithiation, which is the main drawback of silicon, has been challenged by multi-faceted approaches. Mechanically rigid and stiff polymers (e.g. alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose) were considered as the good choices of binders for silicon because they grab silicon particles in a tight and rigid way so that pulverization and then break-away of the active mass from electric pathways are suppressed. Contrary to the public wisdom, in this work, we demonstrate that electrochemical performances are secured better by letting silicon electrodes breathe in and out lithium ions with volume change rather than by fixing their dimensions. The breathing electrodes were achieved by using a polysaccharide (pullulan), the conformation of which is modulated from chair to boat during elongation. The conformational transition of pullulan was originated from its α glycosidic linkages while the conventional rigid polysaccharide binders have β linkages.

Inkjet printing of metal-oxide-based transparent thin-film capacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matavž, A.; Malič, B.; Bobnar, V.

2017-12-01

We report on the inkjet printing of transparent, thin-film capacitors (TTFCs) composed of indium-zinc-oxide electrodes and a tantalum-oxide-based dielectric on glass substrates. The printing parameters were adapted for the sequential deposition of functional layers, resulting in approximately 100-nm-thick transparent capacitors with a uniform thickness. The relatively high electrical resistivity of the electrodes is reflected in the frequency dispersive dielectric behaviour, which is explained in terms of an equivalent circuit. The resistivity of the electrode strongly decreases with the number of printing passes; consequently, any misalignment of the printed layers is detected in the measured response. At low frequency, the TTFCs show a stable intrinsic dielectric response and a high capacitance density of ˜280 nF/cm2. The good dielectric performance as well as the low leakage-current density (8 × 10-7 A/cm2 at 1 MV cm-1) of our capacitors indicates that inkjet printing can be used to produce all-printed, high-quality electrical devices.

Heating-rate-induced porous α-Fe2O3 with controllable pore size and crystallinity grown on graphene for supercapacitors.

PubMed

Yang, Shuhua; Song, Xuefeng; Zhang, Peng; Gao, Lian

2015-01-14

Porous α-Fe2O3/graphene composites (S-PIGCs) have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method combined with a slow annealing route. The S-PIGCs as a supercapacitors electrode material exhibit an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 343.7 F g(-1) at a current density of 3 A g(-1), good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. The enhanced electrochemical performances are attributed to the combined contribution from the optimally architecture of the porous α-Fe2O3, as a result of a slow annealing, and the extraordinary electrical conductivity of the graphene sheets.

Electrothermal actuation based on carbon nanotube network in silicone elastomer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, L. Z.; Liu, C. H.; Hu, C. H.; Fan, S. S.

2008-06-01

The authors report an electrothermal actuator, which is fabricated by involving carbon nanotube network into the silicone elastomer. The actuators exhibit excellent performances as good as normal dielectric elastomer actuators while working under much lower voltages (e.g., 1.5Vmm-1). They are longitudinal actuators and there is no need for stacking or rolling sheets of materials. In addition, they can satisfy the demand of different voltage applications ranging from dozens of voltages to thousands of voltages by using different carbon nanotube loading composites. Visible maximal strain of 4.4% occurs at an electric power intensity around 0.03Wmm-3.

Versatile light-emitting-diode-based spectral response measurement system for photovoltaic device characterization.

PubMed

Hamadani, Behrang H; Roller, John; Dougherty, Brian; Yoon, Howard W

2012-07-01

An absolute differential spectral response measurement system for solar cells is presented. The system couples an array of light emitting diodes with an optical waveguide to provide large area illumination. Two unique yet complementary measurement methods were developed and tested with the same measurement apparatus. Good agreement was observed between the two methods based on testing of a variety of solar cells. The first method is a lock-in technique that can be performed over a broad pulse frequency range. The second method is based on synchronous multifrequency optical excitation and electrical detection. An innovative scheme for providing light bias during each measurement method is discussed.

Hierarchical porous carbon/MnO2 hybrids as supercapacitor electrodes.

PubMed

Lee, Min Eui; Yun, Young Soo; Jin, Hyoung-Joon

2014-12-01

Hybrid electrodes of hierarchical porous carbon (HPC) and manganese oxide (MnO2) were synthesized using a fast surface redox reaction of potassium permanganate under facile immersion methods. The HPC/MnO2 hybrids had a number of micropores and macropores and the MnO2 nanoparticles acted as a pseudocapacitive material. The synergistic effects of electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC)-induced capacitance and pseudocapacitance brought about a better electrochemical performance of the HPC/MnO2 hybrid electrodes compared to that obtained with a single component. The hybrids showed a specific capacitance of 228 F g(-1) and good cycle stability over 1000 cycles.

Contribution of the channel electron multiplier to the race of vacuum tubes towards picosecond resolution time

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

Pietri, G.

1977-02-01

The ability to tightly pack millions of microscopic secondary emitting channels into a two-dimensional, very thin, array known as a microchannel plate (MCP) provides excellent electrical charge or current amplification associated with an extremely short response time as well as very good spatial resolution. The ultimate performances in spatial and temporal resolutions achieved by MCP-based vacuum devices are discussed and illustrated by the description of a large range of experimental prototypes (photomultipliers, oscilloscope tubes, streak camera tubes, etc.) designed and produced at LEP, then tested in cooperation with Nuclear Research and Plasma Physics Centers in Europe and USA.

Polypyrrole based nanocomposites for supercapacitor applications: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sardar, A.; Gupta, P. S.

2018-05-01

Recently conducting polymers have attracted great interest for supercapacitor applications. Among conducting polymers polypyrrole is most popular due to its unique electrical conductivity, optoelectrical properties, redox property and excellent environmental stability. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of polypyrrole and polypyrrole based nanocomposites for supercapacitor applications. We have included study of various parameters like power density, energy density, specific-capacitance by various authors for different kinds of nanocomposites where fillers are metal oxides, metal sulphides, graphene etc. Some polypyrrole nanocomposits show good electrochemical performances. The extremely stable supercapacitors with excellent flexibility and scalability hold considerable promise for the commerical application of flexible and wearable electronics.

Design of PI Controlled Non Isolated Bidirectional DC to DC Converter for Electric Vehicle Application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geetha, A.; Subramani, C.; Thamizh Thentral, T. M.; Krithika, V.; Usha, S.

2018-04-01

Non isolated Bidirectional DC-DC Converter (NIBDDC) is a good interface between DC source and inverter Fed induction motor drive. This paper deals with comparison between open loop and PI controlled Bidirectional DC to DC Converter Inverter System (BDDCIS). The modelling and control of BDDC is becomes an important issue. Open loop BDDCIS and closed loop PI controlled BDDCIS are designed, modelled and simulated using Matlab- simulink and their results are presented. The investigations indicate superior performance of PI controlled BDDCIS. The proposed BDDCIS has advantages like bidirectional power transfer ability, reduced hardware count and improved dynamic response.

Soybean Root-Derived Hierarchical Porous Carbon as Electrode Material for High-Performance Supercapacitors in Ionic Liquids.

PubMed

Guo, Nannan; Li, Min; Wang, Yong; Sun, Xingkai; Wang, Feng; Yang, Ru

2016-12-14

Soybeans are extensively cultivated worldwide as human food. However, large quantities of soybean roots (SRs), which possess an abundant three-dimensional (3D) structure, remain unused and produce enormous pressure on the environment. Here, 3D hierarchical porous carbon was prepared by the facile carbonization of SRs followed by chemical activation. The as-prepared material, possessing large specific surface area (2143 m 2 g -1 ), good electrical conductivity, and unique 3D hierarchical porosity, shows outstanding electrochemical performance as an electrode material for supercapacitors, such as a high capacitance (276 F g -1 at 0.5 A g -1 ), superior cycle stability (98% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles at 5 A g -1 ), and good rate capability in a symmetric two-electrode supercapacitor in 6 M KOH. Furthermore, the maximum energy density of as-assembled symmetric supercapacitor can reach 100.5 Wh kg -1 in neat EMIM BF 4 . Moreover, a value of 40.7 Wh kg -1 is maintained at ultrahigh power density (63000 W kg -1 ). These results show that the as-assembled supercapacitor can simultaneously deliver superior energy and power density.

High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries with a Self-Assembled Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Interlayer and a Robust Electrode-Electrolyte Interface.

PubMed

Kim, Hee Min; Hwang, Jang-Yeon; Manthiram, Arumugam; Sun, Yang-Kook

2016-01-13

Elemental sulfur electrode has a huge advantage in terms of charge-storage capacity. However, the lack of electrical conductivity results in poor electrochemical utilization of sulfur and performance. This problem has been overcome to some extent previously by using a bare multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) paper interlayer between the sulfur cathode and the polymeric separator, resulting in good electron transport and adsorption of dissolved polysulfides. To advance the interlayer concept further, we present here a self-assembled MWCNT interlayer fabricated by a facile, low-cost process. The Li-S cells fabricated with the self-assembled MWCNT interlayer and a high loading of 3 mg cm(-2) sulfur exhibit a first discharge specific capacity of 1112 mAh g(-1) at 0.1 C rate and retain 95.8% of the capacity at 0.5 C rate after 100 cycles as the self-assembled MWCNT interlayer facilitates good interfacial contact between the interlayer and the sulfur cathode and fast electron and lithium-ion transport while trapping and reutilizing the migrating polysulfides. The approach presented here has the potential to advance the commercialization feasibility of the Li-S batteries.

Evaluation of Graphene/WO3 and Graphene/CeO x Structures as Electrodes for Supercapacitor Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaitoglou, Stefanos; Amade, Roger; Bertran, Enric

2017-12-01

The combination of graphene with transition metal oxides can result in very promising hybrid materials for use in energy storage applications thanks to its intriguing properties, i.e., highly tunable surface area, outstanding electrical conductivity, good chemical stability, and excellent mechanical behavior. In the present work, we evaluate the performance of graphene/metal oxide (WO3 and CeO x ) layered structures as potential electrodes in supercapacitor applications. Graphene layers were grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on copper substrates. Single and layer-by-layer graphene stacks were fabricated combining graphene transfer techniques and metal oxides grown by magnetron sputtering. The electrochemical properties of the samples were analyzed and the results suggest an improvement in the performance of the device with the increase in the number of graphene layers. Furthermore, deposition of transition metal oxides within the stack of graphene layers further improves the areal capacitance of the device up to 4.55 mF/cm2, for the case of a three-layer stack. Such high values are interpreted as a result of the copper oxide grown between the copper substrate and the graphene layer. The electrodes present good stability for the first 850 cycles before degradation.

Core-Shell Coating Silicon Anode Interfaces with Coordination Complex for Stable Lithium-Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Zhou, Jinqiu; Qian, Tao; Wang, Mengfan; Xu, Na; Zhang, Qi; Li, Qun; Yan, Chenglin

2016-03-02

In situ core-shell coating was used to improve the electrochemical performance of Si-based anodes with polypyrrole-Fe coordination complex. The vast functional groups in the organometallic coordination complex easily formed hydrogen bonds when in situ modifying commercial Si nanoparticles. The incorporation of polypyrrole-Fe resulted in the conformal conductive coating surrounding each Si nanoparticle, not only providing good electrical connection to the particles but also promoting the formation of a stable solid-electrolyte-interface layer on the Si electrode surface, enhancing the cycling properties. As an anode material for Li-ion batteries, modified silicon powders exhibited high reversible capacity (3567 mAh/g at 0.3 A/g), good rate property (549.12 mAh/g at 12 A/g), and excellent cycling performance (reversible capacity of 1500 mAh/g after 800 cycles at 1.2 A/g). The constructed novel concept of core-shell coating Si particles presented a promising route for facile and large-scale production of Si-based anodes for extremely durable Li-ion batteries, which provided a wide range of applications in the field of energy storage of the renewable energy derived from the solar energy, hydropower, tidal energy, and geothermal heat.

Low-temperature electrical resistivity of transition-metal carbides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allison, C. Y.; Finch, C. B.; Foegelle, M. D.; Modine, F. A.

1988-10-01

The electrical resistivities of single crystals of ZrC 0.93, VC 0.88, NbC 0.95, and TaC 0.99 were measured from liquid helium temperature to 350 K. The Bloch-Gruneisen theory of electrical resistivity gives a good fit to the zirconium carbide and the vanadium carbide measurements. In contrast, the resistivities of the two superconducting crystals, tantalum carbide and niobium carbide, show excellent agreement with the Wilson model. The appropriate model appears to depend upon the superconducting properties of the crystals.

A percolation approach to study the high electric field effect on electrical conductivity of insulating polymer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benallou, Amina; Hadri, Baghdad; Martinez-Vega, Juan; El Islam Boukortt, Nour

2018-04-01

The effect of percolation threshold on the behaviour of electrical conductivity at high electric field of insulating polymers has been briefly investigated in literature. Sometimes the dead ends links are not taken into account in the study of the electric field effect on the electrical properties. In this work, we present a theoretical framework and Monte Carlo simulation of the behaviour of the electric conductivity at high electric field based on the percolation theory using the traps energies levels which are distributed according to distribution law (uniform, Gaussian, and power-law). When a solid insulating material is subjected to a high electric field, and during trapping mechanism the dead ends of traps affect with decreasing the electric conductivity according to the traps energies levels, the correlation length of the clusters, the length of the dead ends, and the concentration of the accessible positions for the electrons. A reasonably good agreement is obtained between simulation results and the theoretical framework.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Physlet-Based Materials in Supporting Conceptual Learning about Electricity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ülen, Simon; Gerlic, Ivan; Slavinec, Mitja; Repnik, Robert

2017-01-01

To provide a good understanding of many abstract concepts in the field of electricity above that of their students is often a major challenge for secondary school teachers. Many educational researchers promote conceptual learning as a teaching approach that can help teachers to achieve this goal. In this paper, we present Physlet-based materials…

Renewable Electricity Standards: Good Practices and Design Considerations

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

Cox, Sadie; Esterly, Sean

2016-01-02

In widespread use globally, renewable electricity standards (RES) are one of the most widely adopted renewable energy policies and a critical regulatory vehicle to accelerate renewable energy deployment. This policy brief provides an introduction to key RES design elements, lessons from country experience, and support resources to enable more detailed and country-specific RES policy design.

Predictive capability of average Stokes polarimetry for simulation of phase multilevel elements onto LCoS devices.

PubMed

Martínez, Francisco J; Márquez, Andrés; Gallego, Sergi; Ortuño, Manuel; Francés, Jorge; Pascual, Inmaculada; Beléndez, Augusto

2015-02-20

Parallel-aligned (PA) liquid-crystal on silicon (LCoS) microdisplays are especially appealing in a wide range of spatial light modulation applications since they enable phase-only operation. Recently we proposed a novel polarimetric method, based on Stokes polarimetry, enabling the characterization of their linear retardance and the magnitude of their associated phase fluctuations or flicker, exhibited by many LCoS devices. In this work we apply the calibrated values obtained with this technique to show their capability to predict the performance of spatially varying phase multilevel elements displayed onto the PA-LCoS device. Specifically we address a series of multilevel phase blazed gratings. We analyze both their average diffraction efficiency ("static" analysis) and its associated time fluctuation ("dynamic" analysis). Two different electrical configuration files with different degrees of flicker are applied in order to evaluate the actual influence of flicker on the expected performance of the diffractive optical elements addressed. We obtain a good agreement between simulation and experiment, thus demonstrating the predictive capability of the calibration provided by the average Stokes polarimetric technique. Additionally, it is obtained that for electrical configurations with less than 30° amplitude for the flicker retardance, they may not influence the performance of the blazed gratings. In general, we demonstrate that the influence of flicker greatly diminishes when the number of quantization levels in the optical element increases.

Porous Graphene Microflowers for High-Performance Microwave Absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chen; Xi, Jiabin; Zhou, Erzhen; Peng, Li; Chen, Zichen; Gao, Chao

2018-06-01

Graphene has shown great potential in microwave absorption (MA) owing to its high surface area, low density, tunable electrical conductivity and good chemical stability. To fully realize graphene's MA ability, the microstructure of graphene should be carefully addressed. Here we prepared graphene microflowers (Gmfs) with highly porous structure for high-performance MA filler material. The efficient absorption bandwidth (reflection loss ≤ -10 dB) reaches 5.59 GHz and the minimum reflection loss is up to -42.9 dB, showing significant increment compared with stacked graphene. Such performance is higher than most graphene-based materials in the literature. Besides, the low filling content (10 wt%) and low density (40-50 mg cm-3) are beneficial for the practical applications. Without compounding with magnetic materials or conductive polymers, Gmfs show outstanding MA performance with the aid of rational microstructure design. Furthermore, Gmfs exhibit advantages in facile processibility and large-scale production compared with other porous graphene materials including aerogels and foams.

Structural and electrical characterization of ultra-thin SrTiO3 tunnel barriers grown over YBa2Cu3O7 electrodes for the development of high Tc Josephson junctions.

PubMed

Félix, L Avilés; Sirena, M; Guzmán, L A Agüero; Sutter, J González; Vargas, S Pons; Steren, L B; Bernard, R; Trastoy, J; Villegas, J E; Briático, J; Bergeal, N; Lesueur, J; Faini, G

2012-12-14

The transport properties of ultra-thin SrTiO(3) (STO) layers grown over YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7) electrodes were studied by conductive atomic force microscopy at the nano-scale. A very good control of the barrier thickness was achieved during the deposition process. A phenomenological approach was used to obtain critical parameters regarding the structural and electrical properties of the system. The STO layers present an energy barrier of 0.9 eV and an attenuation length of 0.23 nm, indicating very good insulating properties for the development of high-quality Josephson junctions.

An Antenna with Good Electrical Properties and Artistic Shape for Lampshade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Chang; Yu, Yang; Ji, Chen

2018-06-01

An improved transparent antenna based on transparent ceramic MgAl2O4 with artistic shape which can be used as lampshade is presented in this paper. A great peak gain and good pattern can be achieved by choosing the property shape and optimizing location of the feed of the antenna. Simulation results indicate that this antenna can achieve return loss >-15dB, peak gain >8 dBi at 2 GHz and 40% relative impedance bandwidth. Both the electrical properties and artistic shape of the antenna are realized and the lampshade which made by MgAl2O4 meets the requirement for communication, decoration and high light transmission.

Field Tests of the Magnetotelluric Method to Detect Gas Hydrates, Mallik, Mackenzie Delta, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Craven, J. A.; Roberts, B.; Bellefleur, G.; Spratt, J.; Wright, F.; Dallimore, S. R.

2008-12-01

The magnetotelluric method is not generally utilized at extreme latitudes due primarily to difficulties in making the good electrical contact with the ground required to measure the electric field. As such, the magnetotelluric technique has not been previously investigated to direct detect gas hydrates in on-shore permafrost environments. We present the results of preliminary field tests at Mallik, Northwest Territories, Canada, that demonstrate good quality magnetotelluric data can be obtained in this environment using specialized electrodes and buffer amplifiers similar to those utilized by Wannamaker et al (2004). This result suggests that subsurface images from larger magnetotelluric surveys will be useful to complement other techniques to detect, quantify and characterize gas hydrates.

Green marketing, renewables, and free riders: increasing customer demand for a public good

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

Wiser, R.; Pickle, S.

1997-09-01

Retail electricity competition will allow customers to select their own power suppliers and some customers will make purchase decisions based, in part, on their concern for the environment. Green power marketing targets these customers under the assumption that they will pay a premium for ``green`` energy products such as renewable power generation. But renewable energy is not a traditional product because it supplies public goods; for example, a customer supporting renewable energy is unable to capture the environmental benefits that their investment provides to non-participating customers. As with all public goods, there is a risk that few customers will purchasemore » ``green`` power and that many will instead ``free ride`` on others` participation. By free riding, an individual is able to enjoy the benefits of the public good while avoiding payment. This report reviews current green power marketing activities in the electric industry, introduces the extensive academic literature on public goods, free riders, and collective action problems, and explores in detail the implications of this literature for the green marketing of renewable energy. Specifically, the authors highlight the implications of the public goods literature for green power product design and marketing communications strategies. They emphasize four mechanisms that marketers can use to increase customer demand for renewable energy. Though the public goods literature can also contribute insights into the potential rationale for renewable energy policies, they leave most of these implications for future work (see Appendix A for a possible research agenda).« less

RHETT/EPDM Performance Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haag, T.; Osborn, M.

1998-01-01

The 0.6 kW Electric Propulsion Demonstration Module (EPDM) flight thruster system was tested in a large vacuum facility for performance measurements and functional checkout. The thruster was operated at a xenon flow rate of 3.01 mg/s, which was supplied through a self-contained propellant system. All power was provided through a flight-packaged power processing unit, which was mounted in vacuum on a cold plate. The thruster was cycled through 34 individual startup and shutdown sequences. Operating periods ranged from 3 to 3600 seconds. The system responded promptly to each command sequence and there were no involuntary shutdowns. Direct thrust measurements indicated that steady state thrust was temperature sensitive, and varied from a high of 41.7 mN at 16 C, to a low of 34.8 mN at 110 C. Short duration thruster firings showed rapid response and good repeatability.

High performance p-type half-Heusler thermoelectric materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Junjie; Xia, Kaiyang; Zhao, Xinbing; Zhu, Tiejun

2018-03-01

Half-Heusler compounds, which possess robust mechanical strength, good high temperature thermal stability and multifaceted physical properties, have been verified as a class of promising thermoelectric materials. During the last two decades, great progress has been made in half-Heusler thermoelectrics. In this review, we summarize some representative work of p-type half-Heusler materials, the thermoelectric performance of which has been remarkably enhanced in recent years. We introduce the features of the crystal and electronic structures of half-Heusler compounds, and successful strategies for optimizing electrical and thermal transport in the p-type RFeSb (R  =  V, Nb, Ta) and MCoSb (M  =  Ti, Zr, Hf) based systems, including band engineering, the formation of solid solutions and hierarchical phonon scattering. The outlook for future research directions of half-Heusler thermoelectrics is also presented.

Facile synthesis of graphene-wrapped honeycomb MnO2 nanospheres and their application in supercapacitors.

PubMed

Zhu, Jiayi; He, Junhui

2012-03-01

Graphene-wrapped MnO(2) nanocomposites were first fabricated by coassembly between honeycomb MnO(2) nanospheres and graphene sheets via electrostatic interaction. The materials were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The novel MnO(2)/graphene hybrid materials were used for investigation of electrochemical capacitive behaviors. The hybrid materials displayed enhanced capacitive performance (210 F/g at 0.5 A/g). Additionally, over 82.4% of the initial capacitance was retained after repeating the cyclic voltammetry test for 1000 cycles. The improved electrochemical performance might be attributed to the combination of the pesudocapacitance of MnO(2) nanospheres with the honeycomb-like "opened" structure and good electrical conductivity of graphene sheets. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Dielectric properties of inorganic fillers filled epoxy thin film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Norshamira, A.; Mariatti, M.

2015-07-01

The demand on the small size and high performance electronics has driven changes in the electronic packaging requirements from discrete capacitor to embedded capacitor. Embedded capacitor can improve electrical performance compared with discrete capacitor. This study aimed to achieve high dielectric of epoxy thin film composite that were targeted for application as embedded capacitor. In this study, inorganic fillers such as Calcium Copper Titanate (CCTO), Iron(III) Oxide (Fe2O3) and Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) were loaded in epoxy system at 5 and 20vol%. Morphology and dielectric properties were investigated to identify the effect of fillers loading and types of fillers on the properties of epoxy thin film composite. Based on the study, CCTO with 20vol% loading was found to have good dielectric properties compared to other type of fillers.

Electrical Transport Properties of Liquid Sn-Sb Binary Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thakore, B. Y.; Suthar, P. H.; Khambholja, S. G.; Jani, A. R.

2010-06-01

The study of electrical transport properties viz. electrical resistivity, thermo electrical power and thermal conductivity of liquid Sn-Sb binary alloys have been made by our well recognized single parametric model potential. In the present work, screening functions due to Hartree, Taylor, Ichimaru et al.. Farid et al.. and Sarkar et al.. have been employed to incorporate the exchange and correlation effects. The liquid alloy is studied as a function of its composition at temperature 823 K according to the Faber-Ziman model. Further, thermoelectric power and thermal conductivity have been predicted. The values of electrical resistivity of binary alloys computed with Ichimaru et al. and Farid et al.. screening function are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Mineral resource of the month: tantalum

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cunningham, Larry D.

2004-01-01

Tantalum is a metal that is critical to the United States because of its defense-related applications in aircraft, missiles and radio communications. It is ductile, easily fabricated, highly resistant to corrosion by acids, a good conductor of heat and electricity, and has a high melting point. Tantalum’s first commercial usage was as filament material in incandescent electric lamps in the early 1900s.

Young Scientists Explore Electricity & Magnetism. Book 7--Intermediate Level. A Good Apple Activity Book.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeBruin, Jerry

Designed to develop creativity in young learners, this book contains interdisciplinary activities which focus on the theme of electricity and magnetism. Activity pages are provided that can serve as front and back covers of a student booklet and the suggested activities can be duplicated for insertion between the covers resulting in a booklet for…

Global Optimization of Low-Thrust Interplanetary Trajectories Subject to Operational Constraints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Englander, Jacob Aldo; Vavrina, Matthew; Hinckley, David

2016-01-01

Low-thrust electric propulsion provides many advantages for mission to difficult targets-Comets and asteroids-Mercury-Outer planets (with sufficient power supply)Low-thrust electric propulsion is characterized by high power requirements but also very high specific impulse (Isp), leading to very good mass fractions. Low-thrust trajectory design is a very different process from chemical trajectory.

18 CFR 2.20 - Good faith requests for transmission services and good faith responses by transmitting utilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... section 212 of the FPA, access to the electric transmission system for the purposes of wholesale... on its transmission system. (5) The names of any other parties likely to provide transmission service... requirement by specifying a rate methodology (e.g., embedded or incremental cost) or by referencing an...

Low-temperature magnetic properties of GdCoIn5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Betancourth, D.; Facio, J. I.; Pedrazzini, P.; Jesus, C. B. R.; Pagliuso, P. G.; Vildosola, V.; Cornaglia, Pablo S.; García, D. J.; Correa, V. F.

2015-01-01

A comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of the low temperature properties of GdCoIn5 was performed. Specific heat, thermal expansion, magnetization and electrical resistivity were measured in good quality single crystals down to 4He temperatures. All the experiments show a second-order-like phase transition at 30 K probably associated with the onset of antiferromagnetic order. The magnetic susceptibility shows a pronounced anisotropy below TN with an easy magnetic axis perpendicular to the crystallographic ĉ-axis. Total energy GGA+U calculations indicate a ground state with magnetic moments localized at the Gd ions and allowed a determination of the Gd-Gd magnetic interactions. Band structure calculations of the electron and phonon contributions to the specific heat together with Quantum Monte Carlo calculations of the magnetic contributions show a very good agreement with the experimental data. Comparison between experiment and calculations suggests a significant anharmonic contribution to the specific heat at high temperature (T ≳ 100 K).

HIGH-k GATE DIELECTRIC: AMORPHOUS Ta/La2O3 FILMS GROWN ON Si AT LOW PRESSURE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahari, Ali; Khorshidi, Zahra

2014-09-01

In the present study, Ta/La2O3 films (La2O3 doped with Ta2O5) as a gate dielectric were prepared using a sol-gel method at low pressure. Ta/La2O3 film has some hopeful properties as a gate dielectric of logic device. The structure and morphology of Ta/La2O3 films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrical properties of films were performed using capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current density-voltage (J-V) measurements. The optical bandgap of samples was studied by UV-visible optical absorbance measurement. The optical bandgap, Eopt, is determined from the absorbance spectra. The obtained results show that Ta/La2O3 film as a good gate dielectric has amorphous structure, good thermal stability, high dielectric constant (≈ 25), low leakage current and wide bandgap (≈ 4.7 eV).

High-performance SERS substrate based on hybrid structure of graphene oxide/AgNPs/Cu film@pyramid Si

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhe; Xu, Shi Cai; Zhang, Chao; Liu, Xiao Yun; Gao, Sai Sai; Hu, Li Tao; Guo, Jia; Ma, Yong; Jiang, Shou Zhen; Si, Hai Peng

2016-12-01

We present a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate based on graphene oxide/silver nanoparticles/copper film covered silicon pyramid arrays (GO/AgNPs/PCu@Si) by a low-cost and simple method. The GO/AgNPs/PCu@Si substrate presents high sensitivity, good homogeneity and well stability with R6G molecules as a probe. The detected concentration of Rhodamine 6 G (R6G) is as low as 10-15 M. These sensitive SERS behaviors are also confirmed in theory via a commercial COMSOL software, the electric field enhancement is not only formed between the AgNPs, but also formed between the AgNPs and Cu film. And the GO/AgNPs/PCu@Si substrates also present good property on practical application for the detection of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV). This work may offer a novel and practical method to facilitate the SERS applications in areas of medicine, food safety and biotechnology.

High-performance SERS substrate based on hybrid structure of graphene oxide/AgNPs/Cu film@pyramid Si.

PubMed

Li, Zhe; Xu, Shi Cai; Zhang, Chao; Liu, Xiao Yun; Gao, Sai Sai; Hu, Li Tao; Guo, Jia; Ma, Yong; Jiang, Shou Zhen; Si, Hai Peng

2016-12-07

We present a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate based on graphene oxide/silver nanoparticles/copper film covered silicon pyramid arrays (GO/AgNPs/PCu@Si) by a low-cost and simple method. The GO/AgNPs/PCu@Si substrate presents high sensitivity, good homogeneity and well stability with R6G molecules as a probe. The detected concentration of Rhodamine 6 G (R6G) is as low as 10 -15 M. These sensitive SERS behaviors are also confirmed in theory via a commercial COMSOL software, the electric field enhancement is not only formed between the AgNPs, but also formed between the AgNPs and Cu film. And the GO/AgNPs/PCu@Si substrates also present good property on practical application for the detection of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV). This work may offer a novel and practical method to facilitate the SERS applications in areas of medicine, food safety and biotechnology.

High-performance SERS substrate based on hybrid structure of graphene oxide/AgNPs/Cu film@pyramid Si

PubMed Central

Li, Zhe; Xu, Shi Cai; Zhang, Chao; Liu, Xiao Yun; Gao, Sai Sai; Hu, Li Tao; Guo, Jia; Ma, Yong; Jiang, Shou Zhen; Si, Hai Peng

2016-01-01

We present a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate based on graphene oxide/silver nanoparticles/copper film covered silicon pyramid arrays (GO/AgNPs/PCu@Si) by a low-cost and simple method. The GO/AgNPs/PCu@Si substrate presents high sensitivity, good homogeneity and well stability with R6G molecules as a probe. The detected concentration of Rhodamine 6 G (R6G) is as low as 10−15 M. These sensitive SERS behaviors are also confirmed in theory via a commercial COMSOL software, the electric field enhancement is not only formed between the AgNPs, but also formed between the AgNPs and Cu film. And the GO/AgNPs/PCu@Si substrates also present good property on practical application for the detection of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV). This work may offer a novel and practical method to facilitate the SERS applications in areas of medicine, food safety and biotechnology. PMID:27924863

Program for the development of high temperature electrical materials and components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neff, W. S.; Lowry, L. R.

1972-01-01

Evaluation of high temperature, space-vacuum performance of selected electrical materials and components, high temperature capacitor development, and evaluation, construction, and endurance testing of compression sealed pyrolytic boron nitride slot insulation are described. The first subject above covered the aging evaluation of electrical devices constructed from selected electrical materials. Individual materials performances were also evaluated and reported. The second subject included study of methods of improving electrical performance of pyrolytic boron nitride capacitors. The third portion was conducted to evaluate the thermal and electrical performance of pyrolytic boron nitride as stator slot liner material under varied temperature and compressive loading. Conclusions and recommendations are presented.

Electromechanical characterization of individual micron-sized metal coated polymer particles

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

Bazilchuk, Molly; Kristiansen, Helge; Conpart AS, Skjetten 2013

Micron-sized polymer particles with nanoscale metal coatings are essential in conductive adhesives for electronics assembly. The particles function in a compressed state in the adhesives. The link between mechanical properties and electrical conductivity is thus of the utmost importance in the formation of good electrical contact. A custom flat punch set-up based on nanoindentation has been developed to simultaneously deform and electrically probe individual particles. The set-up has a sufficiently low internal resistance to allow the measurement of sub-Ohm contact resistances. Additionally, the set-up can capture mechanical failure of the particles. Combining this data yields a fundamental understanding of contactmore » behavior. We demonstrate that this method can clearly distinguish between particles of different sizes, with different thicknesses of metal coating, and different metallization schemes. The technique provides good repeatability and physical insight into the behavior of these particles that can guide adhesive design and the optimization of bonding processes.« less

Power Flow Angles for Slanted Finger Surface Acoustic Wave Filters on Langasite Substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goto, Mikihiro; Yatsuda, Hiromi; Chiba, Takao

2007-07-01

Power flow angles (PFAs) on a langasite (LGS) substrate with Euler angles of (0{\\degree}, 138.5{\\degree}, \\psi), \\psi=25.7 to 27.7° are investigated for slanted finger interdigital transducer (SFIT) surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters by an electrical and optical methods. In the electrical method, several tilted SFIT SAW filters with different tilt angles for (0{\\degree}, 138.5{\\degree}, \\psi) LGS substrates were designed, and the frequency responses of the filters were measured. In the optical method, the PFAs were directly measured by optical probing for a parallel interdigital transducer (IDT) with wide propagation area on the substrate. As a result, a good correlation between electrical and optical measurements of the PFAs is obtained, but the calculated PFAs are slightly different from the measured PFAs. A good frequency response of a tilted 380 MHz SFIT SAW filter with an appropriate tilt angle corresponding to the PFA on the substrate is obtained even though the aperture is small.

Solar Photovoltaic DC Systems: Basics and Safety: Preprint

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

McNutt, Peter F; Sekulic, William R; Dreifuerst, Gary

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems are common and growing with 42.4 GW installed capacity in U.S. (almost 15 GW added in 2016). This paper will help electrical workers, and emergency responders understand the basic operating principles and hazards of PV DC arrays. We briefly discuss the following aspects of solar photovoltaic (PV) DC systems: the effects of solar radiation and temperature on output power; PV module testing standards; common system configurations; a simple PV array sizing example; NEC guidelines and other safety features; DC array commissioning, periodic maintenance and testing; arc-flash hazard potential; how electrical workers and emergency responders can andmore » do work safely around PV arrays; do moonlight and artificial lighting pose a real danger; typical safe operating procedures; and other potential DC-system hazards to be aware of. We also present some statistics on PV DC array electrical incidents and injuries. Safe PV array operation is possible with a good understanding of PV DC arrays basics and having good safe operating procedures in place.« less

Love waves in functionally graded piezoelectric materials by stiffness matrix method.

PubMed

Ben Salah, Issam; Wali, Yassine; Ben Ghozlen, Mohamed Hédi

2011-04-01

A numerical matrix method relative to the propagation of ultrasonic guided waves in functionally graded piezoelectric heterostructure is given in order to make a comparative study with the respective performances of analytical methods proposed in literature. The preliminary obtained results show a good agreement, however numerical approach has the advantage of conceptual simplicity and flexibility brought about by the stiffness matrix method. The propagation behaviour of Love waves in a functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM) is investigated in this article. It involves a thin FGPM layer bonded perfectly to an elastic substrate. The inhomogeneous FGPM heterostructure has been stratified along the depth direction, hence each state can be considered as homogeneous and the ordinary differential equation method is applied. The obtained solutions are used to study the effect of an exponential gradient applied to physical properties. Such numerical approach allows applying different gradient variation for mechanical and electrical properties. For this case, the obtained results reveal opposite effects. The dispersive curves and phase velocities of the Love wave propagation in the layered piezoelectric film are obtained for electrical open and short cases on the free surface, respectively. The effect of gradient coefficients on coupled electromechanical factor, on the stress fields, the electrical potential and the mechanical displacement are discussed, respectively. Illustration is achieved on the well known heterostructure PZT-5H/SiO(2), the obtained results are especially useful in the design of high-performance acoustic surface devices and accurately prediction of the Love wave propagation behaviour. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A flexible 70 MHz phase-controlled double waveguide system for hyperthermia treatment of superficial tumours with deep infiltration.

PubMed

van Stam, Gerard; Kok, H Petra; Hulshof, Maarten C C M; Kolff, M Willemijn; van Tienhoven, Geertjan; Sijbrands, Jan; Bakker, Akke; Zum Vörde Sive Vörding, Paul J; Oldenborg, Sabine; de Greef, Martijn; Rasch, Coen R N; Crezee, Hans

2017-11-01

Superficial tumours with deep infiltration in the upper 15 cm of the trunk cannot be treated adequately with existing hyperthermia systems. The aim of this study was to develop, characterise and evaluate a new flexible two-channel hyperthermia system (AMC-2) for tumours in this region. The two-channel AMC-2 system has two horizontally revolving and height adjustable 70 MHz waveguides. Three different interchangeable antennas with sizes 20 × 34, 15 × 34 and 8.5 × 34 cm were developed and their electrical properties were determined. The performance of the AMC-2 system was tested by measurements of the electric field distribution in a saline water filled elliptical phantom, using an electric field vector probe. Clinical feasibility was demonstrated by treatment of a melanoma in the axillary region. Phantom measurements showed a good performance for all waveguides. The large reflection of the smallest antenna has to be compensated by increased forward power. Field patterns become asymmetrical when using smaller top antennas, necessitating phase corrections. The clinical application showed that tumours deeper than 4 cm can be heated adequately. A median tumour temperature of 42 °C can be reached up to 12 cm depth with adequate antenna positioning and phase-amplitude steering. This 70 MHz AMC-2 waveguide system is a useful addition to existing loco-regional hyperthermia equipment as it is capable of heating axillary tumours and other tumours deeper than 4 cm.

Multiscale modeling of PVDF matrix carbon fiber composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greminger, Michael; Haghiashtiani, Ghazaleh

2017-06-01

Self-sensing carbon fiber reinforced composites have the potential to enable structural health monitoring that is inherent to the composite material rather than requiring external or embedded sensors. It has been demonstrated that a self-sensing carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite can be created by using the piezoelectric polymer polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) as the matrix material and using a Kevlar layer to separate two carbon fiber layers. In this configuration, the electrically conductive carbon fiber layers act as electrodes and the Kevlar layer acts as a dielectric to prevent the electrical shorting of the carbon fiber layers. This composite material has been characterized experimentally for its effective d 33 and d 31 piezoelectric coefficients. However, for design purposes, it is desirable to obtain a predictive model of the effective piezoelectric coefficients for the final smart composite material. Also, the inverse problem can be solved to determine the degree of polarization obtained in the PVDF material during polarization by comparing the effective d 33 and d 31 values obtained in experiment to those predicted by the finite element model. In this study, a multiscale micromechanics and coupled piezoelectric-mechanical finite element modeling approach is introduced to predict the mechanical and piezoelectric performance of a plain weave carbon fiber reinforced PVDF composite. The modeling results show good agreement with the experimental results for the mechanical and electrical properties of the composite. In addition, the degree of polarization of the PVDF component of the composite is predicted using this multiscale modeling approach and shows that there is opportunity to drastically improve the smart composite’s performance by improving the polarization procedure.

TiO2 Nanorod Arrays Based Self-Powered UV Photodetector: Heterojunction with NiO Nanoflakes and Enhanced UV Photoresponse.

PubMed

Gao, Yanyan; Xu, Jianping; Shi, Shaobo; Dong, Hong; Cheng, Yahui; Wei, Chengtai; Zhang, Xiaosong; Yin, Shougen; Li, Lan

2018-04-04

The self-powered ultraviolet photodetectors (UV PDs) have attracted increasing attention due to their potential applications without consuming any external power. It is important to obtain the high-performance self-powered UV PDs by a simple method for the practical application. Herein, TiO 2 nanorod arrays (NRs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method, which were integrated with p-type NiO nanoflakes to realize a high performance pn heterojunction for the efficient UV photodetection. TiO x thin film can improve the morphological and carrier transport properties of TiO 2 NRs and decrease the surface and defect states, resulting in the enhanced photocurrent of the devices. NiO/TiO 2 nanostructural heterojunctions show excellent rectifying characteristics (rectification ratio of 2.52 × 10 4 and 1.45 × 10 5 for NiO/TiO 2 NRs and NiO/TiO 2 NRs/TiO x , respectively) with a very low reverse saturation current. The PDs based on the heterojunctions exhibit good spectral selectivity, high photoresponsivity, and fast response and recovery speeds without external applied bias under the weak light radiation. The devices demonstrate good stability and repeatability under UV light radiation. The self-powered performance could be attributed to the proper built-in electric field of the heterojunction. TiO 2 NRs and NiO nanoflakes construct the well-aligned energy-band structure. The enhanced responsivity and detectivity for the devices with TiO x thin films is related to the increased interfacial charge separation efficiency, reduced carrier recombination, and relatively good electron transport of TiO 2 NRs.

Strategies for Radiation Hardness Testing of Power Semiconductor Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soltis, James V. (Technical Monitor); Patton, Martin O.; Harris, Richard D.; Rohal, Robert G.; Blue, Thomas E.; Kauffman, Andrew C.; Frasca, Albert J.

2005-01-01

Plans on the drawing board for future space missions call for much larger power systems than have been flown in the past. These systems would employ much higher voltages and currents to enable more powerful electric propulsion engines and other improvements on what will also be much larger spacecraft. Long term human outposts on the moon and planets would also require high voltage, high current and long life power sources. Only hundreds of watts are produced and controlled on a typical robotic exploration spacecraft today. Megawatt systems are required for tomorrow. Semiconductor devices used to control and convert electrical energy in large space power systems will be exposed to electromagnetic and particle radiation of many types, depending on the trajectory and duration of the mission and on the power source. It is necessary to understand the often very different effects of the radiations on the control and conversion systems. Power semiconductor test strategies that we have developed and employed will be presented, along with selected results. The early results that we have obtained in testing large power semiconductor devices give a good indication of the degradation in electrical performance that can be expected in response to a given dose. We are also able to highlight differences in radiation hardness that may be device or material specific.

Middle Electrode in a Vertical Transistor Structure Using an Sn Layer by Thermal Evaporation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nogueira, Gabriel Leonardo; da Silva Ozório, Maiza; da Silva, Marcelo Marques; Morais, Rogério Miranda; Alves, Neri

2018-05-01

We report a process for performing the middle electrode for a vertical field effect transistor (VOFET) by the evaporation of a tin (Sn) layer. Bare aluminum oxide (Al2O3), obtained by anodization, and Al2O3 covered with a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) layer were used as the gate dielectric. We measured the electrical resistance of Sn while the evaporation was carried out to find the best condition to prepare the middle electrode, that is, good lateral conduction associated with openings that give permeability to the electric field in a vertical direction. This process showed that 55 nm Sn thick is suitable for use in a VOFET, being easier to achieve optimal thickness when the Sn is evaporated onto PMMA than onto bare Al2O3. The addition of a PMMA layer on the Al2O3 surface modifies the morphology of the Sn layer, resulting in a lowering of the threshold voltage. The values of threshold voltage and electric field, VTH = - 8 V and ETH = 354.5 MV/m respectively, were calculated using an Al2O3 film 20 nm thick covered with a 14 nm PMMA layer as gate dielectric, while for bare Al2O3 these values were VTH = - 10 V and ETH = 500 MV/m.

Effect of electric field induced alignment and dispersion of functionalized carbon nanotubes on properties of natural rubber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Jiangshan; He, Yan; Gong, Xiubin

2018-06-01

The original equipment and method for orienting multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in natural rubber (NR) by alternating current (AC) electric field were reported in the present study. MWCNTs with various volume fractions were dispersed in the mixture latex which composed of natural rubber, additives and methylbenzene. The application of AC electric field during nanocomposites curing process was used to induce the formation of aligned conductive nanotube networks between the electrodes. The aligned MWCNTs in the composites have a better orientation performance and dispersion quality than these of random MWCNTs by analyzing TEM and SEM images. The effects of MWCNTs anisotropy on thermal conductivity, dielectric properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of NR were studied. The mean value of thermal conductivity of composites loading with aligned MWCNTs was 8.67% higher than that of composites with random MWCNTs due to the anisotropy of aligned MWCNTs. The compounds with aligned MWCNTs possessed low dielectric constant, loss tangents and conductivity, namely a good insulativity. The compounds loading with aligned MWCNTs had lower loss modulus and better dynamic mechanical properties than those with random MWCNTs. This method can make full use of the high thermal conductivity of MWCNTs axis, and expand the application areas of natural rubber like conducting heat in a certain direction with a high efficiency.

Seebeck Coefficient of Thermocouples from Nickel-Coated Carbon Fibers: Theory and Experiment.

PubMed

Hardianto, Hardianto; De Mey, Gilbert; Ciesielska-Wrόbel, Izabela; Hertleer, Carla; Van Langenhove, Lieva

2018-05-30

Thermocouples made of etched and non-etched nickel-coated carbon yarn (NiCCY) were investigated. Theoretic Seebeck coefficients were compared to experimental results from measurements of generated electric voltage by these thermocouples. The etching process for making thermocouples was performed by immersion of NiCCY in the solution containing a mixture of hydrochloric acid (HCl) (37% of concentration), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in three different concentrations-3%, 6%, and 10%. Thirty minutes of etching to remove Ni from NiCCY was followed by washing and drying. Next, the ability to generate electrical voltage by the thermocouples (being a junction of the etched and the non-etched NiCCY) was measured in different ranges of temperatures, both a cold junction (291.15⁻293.15 K) and a hot junction (293.15⁻325.15 K). A formula predicting the Seebeck coefficient of this thermocouple was elaborated, taking into consideration resistance values of the tested samples. It was proven that there is a good agreement between the theoretical and experimental data, especially for the yarns etched with 6% and 10% peroxide (both were mixed with HCl). The electrical resistance of non-fully etched nickel remaining on the carbon fiber surface ( R 1 ) can have a significant effect on the thermocouples' characteristics.

Relativistic Normal Coupled-Cluster Theory for Accurate Determination of Electric Dipole Moments of Atoms: First Application to the 199Hg Atom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahoo, B. K.; Das, B. P.

2018-05-01

Recent relativistic coupled-cluster (RCC) calculations of electric dipole moments (EDMs) of diamagnetic atoms due to parity and time-reversal violating (P ,T -odd) interactions, which are essential ingredients for probing new physics beyond the standard model of particle interactions, differ substantially from the previous theoretical results. It is therefore necessary to perform an independent test of the validity of these results. In view of this, the normal coupled-cluster method has been extended to the relativistic regime [relativistic normal coupled-cluster (RNCC) method] to calculate the EDMs of atoms by simultaneously incorporating the electrostatic and P ,T -odd interactions in order to overcome the shortcomings of the ordinary RCC method. This new relativistic method has been applied to 199Hg, which currently has a lower EDM limit than that of any other system. The results of our RNCC and self-consistent RCC calculations of the EDM of this atom are found to be close. The discrepancies between these two results on the one hand and those of previous calculations on the other are elucidated. Furthermore, the electric dipole polarizability of this atom, which has computational similarities with the EDM, is evaluated and it is in very good agreement with its measured value.

Relativistic Normal Coupled-Cluster Theory for Accurate Determination of Electric Dipole Moments of Atoms: First Application to the ^{199}Hg Atom.

PubMed

Sahoo, B K; Das, B P

2018-05-18

Recent relativistic coupled-cluster (RCC) calculations of electric dipole moments (EDMs) of diamagnetic atoms due to parity and time-reversal violating (P,T-odd) interactions, which are essential ingredients for probing new physics beyond the standard model of particle interactions, differ substantially from the previous theoretical results. It is therefore necessary to perform an independent test of the validity of these results. In view of this, the normal coupled-cluster method has been extended to the relativistic regime [relativistic normal coupled-cluster (RNCC) method] to calculate the EDMs of atoms by simultaneously incorporating the electrostatic and P,T-odd interactions in order to overcome the shortcomings of the ordinary RCC method. This new relativistic method has been applied to ^{199}Hg, which currently has a lower EDM limit than that of any other system. The results of our RNCC and self-consistent RCC calculations of the EDM of this atom are found to be close. The discrepancies between these two results on the one hand and those of previous calculations on the other are elucidated. Furthermore, the electric dipole polarizability of this atom, which has computational similarities with the EDM, is evaluated and it is in very good agreement with its measured value.

Load allocation of power plant using multi echelon economic dispatch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wahyuda, Santosa, Budi; Rusdiansyah, Ahmad

2017-11-01

In this paper, the allocation of power plant load which is usually done with a single echelon as in the load flow calculation, is expanded into a multi echelon. A plant load allocation model based on the integration of economic dispatch and multi-echelon problem is proposed. The resulting model is called as Single Objective Multi Echelon Economic Dispatch (SOME ED). This model allows the distribution of electrical power in more detail in the transmission and distribution substations along the existing network. Considering the interconnection system where the distance between the plant and the load center is usually far away, therefore the loss in this model is seen as a function of distance. The advantages of this model is its capability of allocating electrical loads properly, as well as economic dispatch information with the flexibility of electric power system as a result of using multi-echelon. In this model, the flexibility can be viewed from two sides, namely the supply and demand sides, so that the security of the power system is maintained. The model was tested on a small artificial data. The results demonstrated a good performance. It is still very open to further develop the model considering the integration with renewable energy, multi-objective with environmental issues and applied to the case with a larger scale.

Electrical and dielectric properties of Na1/2La1/2Cu3Ti4O12 ceramics prepared by high energy ball-milling and conventional sintering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahfoz Kotb, H.; Ahmad, Mohamad M.

2016-12-01

We report on the measurements of the electrical and dielectric properties of Na1/2La1/2Cu3Ti4O12 (NLCTO) ceramics prepared by high energy ball-milling and conventional sintering without any calcination steps. The x-ray powder diffraction analysis shows that pure perovskite-like CCTO phase is obtained after sintering at 1025 °C-1075 °C. Higher sintering temperatures result in multi-phase ceramics due to thermal decomposition. Scanning electron microscope observations reveal that the grain size is in a range of ˜3 μm-5μm for these ceramics. Impedance spectroscopy measurements performed in a wide frequency range (1 Hz-10 MHz) and at various temperatures (120 K-470 K) are used to study the dielectric and electrical properties of NLCTO ceramics. A good compromise between high ɛ‧ (5.7 × 103 and 4.1 × 103 at 1.1 kHz and 96 kHz, respectively) and low tan δ (0.161 and 0.126 at 1.1 kHz and 96 kHz, respectively) is obtained for the ceramic sintered at 1050 °C. The observed high dielectric constant behavior is explained in terms of the internal barrier layer capacitance effect.

A multi-scale and multi-field coupling nonlinear constitutive theory for the layered magnetoelectric composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Hao; Pei, Yongmao; Li, Faxin; Fang, Daining

2018-05-01

The magnetic, electric and mechanical behaviors are strongly coupled in magnetoelectric (ME) materials, making them great promising in the application of functional devices. In this paper, the magneto-electro-mechanical fully coupled constitutive behaviors of ME laminates are systematically studied both theoretically and experimentally. A new probabilistic domain switching function considering the surface ferromagnetic anisotropy and the interface charge-mediated effect is proposed. Then a multi-scale multi-field coupling nonlinear constitutive model for layered ME composites is developed with physical measureable parameters. The experiments were performed to compare the theoretical predictions with the experimental data. The theoretical predictions have a good agreement with experimental results. The proposed constitutive relation can be used to describe the nonlinear multi-field coupling properties of both ME laminates and thin films. Several novel coupling experimental phenomena such as the electric-field control of magnetization, and the magnetic-field tuning of polarization are observed and analyzed. Furthermore, the size-effect of the electric tuning behavior of magnetization is predicted, which demonstrates a competition mechanism between the interface strain-mediated effect and the charge-driven effect. Our study offers deep insight into the coupling microscopic mechanism and macroscopic properties of ME layered composites, which is benefit for the design of electromagnetic functional devices.

Estimation Model for Magnetic Properties of Stamped Electrical Steel Sheet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kashiwara, Yoshiyuki; Fujimura, Hiroshi; Okamura, Kazuo; Imanishi, Kenji; Yashiki, Hiroyoshi

Less deterioration in magnetic properties of electrical steel sheets in the process of stamping out iron-core are necessary in order to maintain its performance. First, the influence of plastic strain and stress on magnetic properties was studied by test pieces, in which plastic strain was added uniformly and residual stress was not induced. Because the influence of plastic strain was expressed by equivalent plastic strain, at each equivalent plastic strain state the influence of load stress was investigated. Secondly, elastic limit was determined about 60% of macroscopic yield point (MYP), and it was found to agree with stress limit inducing irreversible deterioration in magnetic properties. Therefore simulation models, where beyond elastic limit plastic deformation begins and magnetic properties are deteriorated steeply, are proposed. Besides considered points in the deformation analysis are strain-rate sensitivity of flow stress, anisotropy under deformation, and influence of stress triaxiality on fracture. Finally, proposed models have been shown to be valid, because magnetic properties of 5mm width rectangular sheets stamped out from non-oriented electrical steel sheet (35A250 JIS grade) can be estimated with good accuracy. It is concluded that the elastic limit must be taken into account in both stamping process simulation and magnetic field calculation.

A new computer-aided simulation model for polycrystalline silicon film resistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ching-Yuan Wu; Weng-Dah Ken

1983-07-01

A general transport theory for the I-V characteristics of a polycrystalline film resistor has been derived by including the effects of carrier degeneracy, majority-carrier thermionic-diffusion across the space charge regions produced by carrier trapping in the grain boundaries, and quantum mechanical tunneling through the grain boundaries. Based on the derived transport theory, a new conduction model for the electrical resistivity of polycrystalline film resitors has been developed by incorporating the effects of carrier trapping and dopant segregation in the grain boundaries. Moreover, an empirical formula for the coefficient of the dopant-segregation effects has been proposed, which enables us to predict the dependence of the electrical resistivity of phosphorus-and arsenic-doped polycrystalline silicon films on thermal annealing temperature. Phosphorus-doped polycrystalline silicon resistors have been fabricated by using ion-implantation with doses ranged from 1.6 × 10 11 to 5 × 10 15/cm 2. The dependence of the electrical resistivity on doping concentration and temperature have been measured and shown to be in good agreement with the results of computer simulations. In addition, computer simulations for boron-and arsenic-doped polycrystalline silicon resistors have also been performed and shown to be consistent with the experimental results published by previous authors.

Fabrication and electrical properties of MoS2 nanodisc-based back-gated field effect transistors.

PubMed

Gu, Weixia; Shen, Jiaoyan; Ma, Xiying

2014-02-28

Two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is an attractive alternative semiconductor material for next-generation low-power nanoelectronic applications, due to its special structure and large bandgap. Here, we report the fabrication of large-area MoS2 nanodiscs and their incorporation into back-gated field effect transistors (FETs) whose electrical properties we characterize. The MoS2 nanodiscs, fabricated via chemical vapor deposition (CVD), are homogeneous and continuous, and their thickness of around 5 nm is equal to a few layers of MoS2. In addition, we find that the MoS2 nanodisc-based back-gated field effect transistors with nickel electrodes achieve very high performance. The transistors exhibit an on/off current ratio of up to 1.9 × 105, and a maximum transconductance of up to 27 μS (5.4 μS/μm). Moreover, their mobility is as high as 368 cm2/Vs. Furthermore, the transistors have good output characteristics and can be easily modulated by the back gate. The electrical properties of the MoS2 nanodisc transistors are better than or comparable to those values extracted from single and multilayer MoS2 FETs.

Binaural hearing with electrical stimulation.

PubMed

Kan, Alan; Litovsky, Ruth Y

2015-04-01

Bilateral cochlear implantation is becoming a standard of care in many clinics. While much benefit has been shown through bilateral implantation, patients who have bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) still do not perform as well as normal hearing listeners in sound localization and understanding speech in noisy environments. This difference in performance can arise from a number of different factors, including the areas of hardware and engineering, surgical precision and pathology of the auditory system in deaf persons. While surgical precision and individual pathology are factors that are beyond careful control, improvements can be made in the areas of clinical practice and the engineering of binaural speech processors. These improvements should be grounded in a good understanding of the sensitivities of bilateral CI patients to the acoustic binaural cues that are important to normal hearing listeners for sound localization and speech in noise understanding. To this end, we review the current state-of-the-art in the understanding of the sensitivities of bilateral CI patients to binaural cues in electric hearing, and highlight the important issues and challenges as they relate to clinical practice and the development of new binaural processing strategies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled . Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Super Nonlinear Electrodeposition-Diffusion-Controlled Thin-Film Selector.

PubMed

Ji, Xinglong; Song, Li; He, Wei; Huang, Kejie; Yan, Zhiyuan; Zhong, Shuai; Zhang, Yishu; Zhao, Rong

2018-03-28

Selector elements with high nonlinearity are an indispensable part in constructing high density, large-scale, 3D stackable emerging nonvolatile memory and neuromorphic network. Although significant efforts have been devoted to developing novel thin-film selectors, it remains a great challenge in achieving good switching performance in the selectors to satisfy the stringent electrical criteria of diverse memory elements. In this work, we utilized high-defect-density chalcogenide glass (Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 ) in conjunction with high mobility Ag element (Ag-GST) to achieve a super nonlinear selective switching. A novel electrodeposition-diffusion dynamic selector based on Ag-GST exhibits superior selecting performance including excellent nonlinearity (<5 mV/dev), ultra-low leakage (<10 fA), and bidirectional operation. With the solid microstructure evidence and dynamic analyses, we attributed the selective switching to the competition between the electrodeposition and diffusion of Ag atoms in the glassy GST matrix under electric field. A switching model is proposed, and the in-depth understanding of the selective switching mechanism offers an insight of switching dynamics for the electrodeposition-diffusion-controlled thin-film selector. This work opens a new direction of selector designs by combining high mobility elements and high-defect-density chalcogenide glasses, which can be extended to other materials with similar properties.

Electrochemical treatment of cork boiling wastewater with a boron-doped diamond anode.

PubMed

Fernandes, Annabel; Santos, Diana; Pacheco, Maria José; Ciríaco, Lurdes; Simões, Rogério; Gomes, Arlindo C; Lopes, Ana

2015-01-01

Anodic oxidation at a boron-doped diamond anode of cork boiling wastewater was successfully used for mineralization and biodegradability enhancement required for effluent discharge or subsequent biological treatment, respectively. The influence of the applied current density (30-70 mA/cm2) and the background electrolyte concentration (0-1.5 g/L Na2SO4) on the performance of the electrochemical oxidation was investigated. The supporting electrolyte was required to achieve conductivities that enabled anodic oxidation at the highest current intensities applied. The results indicated that pollutant removal increased with the applied current density, and after 8 h, reductions greater than 90% were achieved for COD, dissolved organic carbon, total phenols and colour. The biodegradability enhancement was from 0.13 to 0.59 and from 0.23 to 0.72 for the BOD/COD ratios with BOD of 5 and 20 days' incubation period, respectively. The tests without added electrolyte were performed at lower applied electrical charges (15 mA/cm2 or 30 V) with good organic load removal (up to 80%). For an applied current density of 30 mA/cm2, there was a minimum of electric conductivity of 1.9 mS/cm (corresponding to 0.75 g/L of Na2SO4), which minimized the specific energy consumption.

Performance evaluation of Ormat unit at Wabuska, Nevada. Final report

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

Culver, G.

1986-07-01

Three nominal 24 hour tests under summer, winter and spring weather conditions, were run on an Ormat geothermal binary power generation machine. The machine, located at TAD's Enterprises in Wabuska, Nevada is supplied with approximately 830 gpm of geothermal water at 221/sup 0/F and has two spray cooling ponds. During the tests, temperature, pressure, and flows of geothermal water, freon, cooling water and instantaneous electrical production were recorded hourly. At least once during each test, energy consumption of the well pump, freon feed pump and cooling water pumps were made. Power output of the machine is limited by spray pondmore » capacity. Net output ranged from 410.2 kW during summer conditions when cooling water was 65/sup 0/F to 610.4 kW during winter conditions when cooling water was 55/sup 0/F. Net resource utilization ranged from 1.005 Whr/lb during the summer test to 1.55 Whr/lb during the winter test. Spray pond performance averaged 63% for the fall and winter tests. Availability of the Ormat unit itself during the eight month test period was generally good, averaging 95.5%. Overall system availability, including well pumps, cooling system and electric grid was somewhat less - averaging 83%.« less

Extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray spectral lines in Rb XXIX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Indu, Khatri; Arun, Goyal; Sunny, Aggarwal; A, K. Singh; Man, Mohan

2016-03-01

An extensive theoretical set of atomic data for Rb XXIX in a wide range with L-shell electron excitations to the M-shell has been reported. We have computed energy levels for the lowest 113 fine structure levels of Rb XXIX. The fully relativistic multiconfigurational Dirac-Fock method (MCDF) within the framework of Dirac-Coulomb Hamiltonian taking quantum electrodynamics (QED) and Breit corrections into account has been adopted for calculations. Radiative data are reported for electric dipole (E1), magnetic dipole (M1), electric quadrupole (E2), and magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions from the ground level, although calculations have been performed for a much larger number of levels. To assess the accuracy of results, we performed analogous calculations using flexible atomic code (FAC). Comparisons are made with existing available results and a good agreement has been achieved. Most of the wavelengths calculated lie in the soft x-ray (SXR) region. Lifetimes for all 113 levels have also been provided for the first time. Additionally, we have provided the spectra for allowed transitions from n = 2 to n = 3 within the x-ray region and also compared our SXR photon wavelengths with experimentally recognized wavelengths. We hope that our results will be beneficial in fusion plasma research and astrophysical applications.

Synthesis of free-standing carbon nanohybrid by directly growing carbon nanotubes on air-sprayed graphene oxide paper and its application in supercapacitor

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

Wei, Li; Jiang, Wenchao; Yuan, Yang

We report the synthesis of a free-standing two dimensional carbon nanotube (CNT)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrid by directly growing CNTs on air-sprayed GO paper. As a result of the good integration between CNTs and thermally reduced GO film during chemical vapor deposition, excellent electrical conductivity (2.6×10{sup 4} S/m), mechanical flexibility (electrical resistance only increases 1.1% after bent to 90° for 500 times) and a relatively large surface area (335.3 m{sup 2}/g) are achieved. Two-electrode supercapacitor assembled using the CNT–rGO hybrids in ionic liquid electrolyte (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) shows excellent stability upon 500 bending cycles with the gravimetric energy density measuring 23.7more » Wh/kg and a power density of 2.0 kW/kg. Furthermore, it shows an impedance phase angle of −64.4° at a frequency of 120 Hz, suggesting good potentials for 120 Hz alternating current line filtering applications. - Graphical abstract: Flexible and highly conductive carbon nanotube-reduced graphene oxide nanohybrid. - Highlights: • Direct growth of carbon nanotubes by chemical vapor deposition on air-sprayed graphene oxide paper. • Two-dimensional carbon nanohybrid with excellent conductivity and mechanical flexibility. • Supercapacitor with excellent performance stability upon mechanical deformation for flexible electronics applications. • Supercapacitor with high impedance phase angle for 120 Hz alternating current line filtering applications.« less

Membrane on a Chip: A Functional Tethered Lipid Bilayer Membrane on Silicon Oxide Surfaces

PubMed Central

Atanasov, Vladimir; Knorr, Nikolaus; Duran, Randolph S.; Ingebrandt, Sven; Offenhäusser, Andreas; Knoll, Wolfgang; Köper, Ingo

2005-01-01

Tethered membranes have been proven during recent years to be a powerful and flexible biomimetic platform. We reported in a previous article on the design of a new architecture based on the self-assembly of a thiolipid on ultrasmooth gold substrates, which shows extremely good electrical sealing properties as well as functionality of a bilayer membrane. Here, we describe the synthesis of lipids for a more modular design and the adaptation of the linker part to silane chemistry. We were able to form a functional tethered bilayer lipid membrane with good electrical sealing properties covering a silicon oxide surface. We demonstrate the functional incorporation of the ion carrier valinomycin and of the ion channel gramicidin. PMID:16127170

Calculated electric dipole moment of NiH X2Delta

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walch, S.; Bauschlicher, C. W., Jr.; Langhoff, S. R.

1985-01-01

A calculated dipole moment of 2.39 D at R sub e = 2.79 a sub 0 is reported, obtained from complete active space SCF/configuration interaction calculations plus one natural orbital iteration. The calculation is in good agreement with the experimental value of 2.4 + or - 0.1 D measured for the lowest vibrational level. In agreement with Gray et al. (1985), it is found that the dipole moment is strongly correlated with the 3d electron population; the good agreement with experiment thus provides verification of the mixed state model of NiH. It is concluded that the electric dipole moment of NiH is a sensitive test of the quality of the NiH wave function.

HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRODES

DOEpatents

Murray, J.J.

1963-04-23

S>This patent relates to electrode structure for creating an intense direct current electric field which may have a field strength of the order of two to three times that heretofore obtained, with automatic suppression of arcing. The positive electrode is a conventional conductive material such as copper while the negative electrode is made from a special material having a resistivity greater than that of good conductors and less than that of good insulators. When an incipient arc occurs, the moderate resistivity of the negative electrode causes a momentary, localized decrease in the electric field intensity, thus suppressing the flow of electrons and avoiding arcing. Heated glass may be utilized for the negative electrode, since it provides the desired combination of resistivity, capacity, dielectric strength, mechani-cal strength, and thermal stability. (AEC)

77 FR 45967 - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-02

... Electric Utility Steam Generating Units and Standards of Performance for Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Utility...-fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units and Standards of Performance for Fossil-Fuel-Fired...

Simultaneous perineal ultrasound and vaginal pressure measurement prove the action of electrical pudendal nerve stimulation in treating female stress incontinence.

PubMed

Wang, Siyou; Zhang, Shujing

2012-11-01

Study Type - Diagnostic (case series) Level of Evidence 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and transvaginal electrical stimulation (TES) are two commonly used forms of conservative treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). PFMT may build up the structural support of the pelvis, but many SUI patients are unable to perform PFMT effectively and its primary disadvantage is lack of long-term patient compliance. TES is a passive treatment that produces PFM contraction and patient compliance with it is good; however, its effect is not as good as that of PFMT when performed correctly. Electrical pudendal nerve stimulation (EPNS) combines the advantages of PFMT and TES and incorporates the technique of deep insertion of long needles. In this study, simultaneous perineal ultrasound and vaginal pressure measurement prove that EPNS can contract the PFM and simulate PFMT. It is shown that EPNS is an alternative therapy for female SUI patients who fail PFMT and TES and the therapy can also be used for severe SUI. • To prove that electrical pudendal nerve stimulation (EPNS) can contract the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and simulate pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). • To show that EPNS is an alternative therapy for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) that does not respond effectively to PFMT and transvaginal electrical stimulation (TES). • Thirty-five female patients with SUI who did not respond effectively to PFMT and TES (group I) were enrolled and 60 other female patients with SUI were allocated to group II (30 patients) and group III (30 patients). • Long needles were deeply inserted into four sacral points and electrified to stimulate the pudendal nerves. Group I and group II were treated by a doctor skilled in performing EPNS and group III, by a doctor unskilled in performing EPNS. • When EPNS was performed in group I, perineal ultrasonographic PFM movements, vaginal pressure (VP) and PFM electromyography were recorded simultaneously. • The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to objective and subjective criteria • When EPNS was performed correctly, the patient felt strong PFM contractions. Simultaneous recordings in group I showed: B-mode cranio-caudal PFM movements; M-mode PFM movement curves (amplitude: about 1 mm, n= 31); a sawtooth curve of VP changes (2.61 ± 1.29 cmH(2) O, n= 34); and PFM myoelectric waves (amplitude: 23.9 ± 25.3 µV). • If during the EPNS process the electric current was stopped or its intensity was reduced to about 7-12 mA or the two lower needles were drawn back, then the above ultrasonographic PFM movements and VP changes disappeared. • In group I, the incontinence severity and quality of life score was 16.5 ± 4.0 before treatment and decreased to 4.2 ± 4.0 after 27.5 ± 11.9 sessions of treatment (P < 0.01). At the end of treatment, 100% improvement occurred in 16 cases (45.7%). A 2-year follow-up showed that 100% improvement occurred in 14 of cases (40.0%). • In group II, the incontinence severity and quality of life score was 17.1 ± 6.3 before treatment and decreased to 3.5 ± 3.7 after 10 sessions of treatment (P < 0.01) and 100% improvement occurred in 12 cases (40.0%). In group III, the incontinence severity and quality of life score was 17.6 ± 6.3 before treatment and decreased to 10.8 ± 8.2 after 10 sessions of treatment (P < 0.01) and 100% improvement occurred in one case (3.3%). • The post-treatment score was lower and the therapeutic effect was better in group II than in group III (both P < 0.01). • EPNS can contract the PFM and simulate PFMT. • EPNS is an alternative therapy for female SUI patients who fail PFMT and TES. © 2012 BJU INTERNATIONAL.

Laser Cooled YbF Molecules for Measuring the Electron's Electric Dipole Moment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, J.; Almond, J. R.; Trigatzis, M. A.; Devlin, J. A.; Fitch, N. J.; Sauer, B. E.; Tarbutt, M. R.; Hinds, E. A.

2018-03-01

We demonstrate one-dimensional sub-Doppler laser cooling of a beam of YbF molecules to 100 μ K . This is a key step towards a measurement of the electron's electric dipole moment using ultracold molecules. We compare the effectiveness of magnetically assisted and polarization-gradient sub-Doppler cooling mechanisms. We model the experiment and find good agreement with our data.

Laser Cooled YbF Molecules for Measuring the Electron's Electric Dipole Moment.

PubMed

Lim, J; Almond, J R; Trigatzis, M A; Devlin, J A; Fitch, N J; Sauer, B E; Tarbutt, M R; Hinds, E A

2018-03-23

We demonstrate one-dimensional sub-Doppler laser cooling of a beam of YbF molecules to 100  μK. This is a key step towards a measurement of the electron's electric dipole moment using ultracold molecules. We compare the effectiveness of magnetically assisted and polarization-gradient sub-Doppler cooling mechanisms. We model the experiment and find good agreement with our data.

Optimize out-of-core thermionic energy conversion for nuclear electric propulsion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, J. F.

1977-01-01

Current designs for out of core thermionic energy conversion (TEC) to power nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) were evaluated. Approaches to improve out of core TEC are emphasized and probabilities for success are indicated. TEC gains are available with higher emitter temperatures and greater power densities. Good potentialities for accommodating external high temperature, high power density TEC with heat pipe cooled reactors exist.