Energy market transition and climate change: a review of TSOs-DSOs C+++ framework from 1800 to present. - In: Energies, ISSN 1996-1073, Bd. 16 (2023), 17, 6139, S. 1-24
In response to the pressing global challenges around climate change and the imperative of transitioning the energy market towards sustainability, this paper presents a comprehensive review starting from the late 18th century. The study examines the pivotal role of Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in shaping the evolving energy landscape, with a specific emphasis on the C+++ Framework. This framework emphasizes coordination, cooperation, and collaboration between TSOs and DSOs to achieve sustainable energy systems through the integration of renewable energy technologies, storage systems, and efficient energy demand management. In addition, the review provides a historical overview of global warming from 1800 to the present, highlighting key events and developments related to greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the paper delves into the significance of international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions for a sustainable future. Recognizing the vital role of the C+++ Framework, the paper concludes with a discussion of future hybrid sustainable technologies incorporating various storage and efficient lighting technologies that can optimize energy management and reduce carbon emissions. This research aims to contribute valuable insights to inform energy policy and decision-making processes for a reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy delivery system.
https://doi.org/10.3390/en16176139
In-situ calibration method for thermocouples in accelerating rate calorimeter based on multiple fixed-points and Joule heat. - In: Thermochimica acta, Bd. 726 (2023), 179559, S. 1-11
To solve the problem of temperature drift of thermocouples in accelerating rate calorimeter caused by long-term operation, an in-situ calibration method based on multiple fixed-points and Joule heat is proposed in this article. Firstly, the heat transfer model of the calorimeter is established, and the validity of the method is verified by numerical simulation. Secondly, a multiple fixed-points graphite calibrator and a cylindrical electronic resistance element are designed. Finally, the in-situ calibration is carried out. The calibration results show that the maximum permissible measurement error of the sample thermocouple after calibration is better than 0.220 ˚C and that the bias of consistency in-situ calibration method is smaller than 0.110 ˚C. In addition, a di-tert-butyl peroxide in toluene solution with a mass percent of 20% is selected as the experimental sample. The sample experiment results show that the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters are closer to the reference values after thermocouples calibration.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2023.179559
Tailoring the weight of surface and intralayer edge states to control LUMO energies. - In: Advanced materials, ISSN 1521-4095, Bd. 35 (2023), 40, 2305006, S. 1-11
The energies of the frontier molecular orbitals determine the optoelectronic properties in organic films, which are crucial for their application, and strongly depend on the morphology and supramolecular structure. The impact of the latter two properties on the electronic energy levels relies primarily on nearest-neighbor interactions, which are difficult to study due to their nanoscale nature and heterogeneity. Here, an automated method is presented for fabricating thin films with a tailored ratio of surface to bulk sites and a controlled extension of domain edges, both of which are used to control nearest-neighbor interactions. This method uses a Langmuir–Schaefer-type rolling transfer of Langmuir layers (rtLL) to minimize flow during the deposition of rigid Langmuir layers composed of π-conjugated molecules. Using UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, it is shown that the rtLL method advances the deposition of multi-Langmuir layers and enables the production of films with defined morphology. The variation in nearest-neighbor interactions is thus achieved and the resulting systematically tuned lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies (determined via square-wave voltammetry) enable the establishment of a model that functionally relates the LUMO energies to a morphological descriptor, allowing for the prediction of the range of accessible LUMO energies.
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202305006
Targeting the insula with transcranial direct current stimulation: a simulation study. - In: Psychiatry research, ISSN 1872-7506, Bd. 335 (2023), 111718
Insula is considered an important region of the brain in the generation and maintenance of a wide range of psychiatric symptoms, possibly due to being key in fundamental functions such as interoception and cognition in general. Investigating the possibility of targeting this area using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques can open new possibilities to probe the normal and abnormal functioning of the brain and potentially new treatment protocols to alleviate symptoms of different psychiatric disorders. In the current study, COMETS2, a MATLAB based toolbox was used to simulate the magnitude of the current density and electric field in the brain caused by different transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) protocols to find an optimum montage to target the insula and its 6 subregions for three different current intensities, namely 2, 3, and 4 mA. Frontal and occipital regions were found to be optimal candidate regions. The results of the current study showed that it is viable to reach the insula and its individual subregions using tDCS.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111718
A flexible humidity sensor constructed by ordered-pore-array of slightly reduced graphene oxide with much enhanced sensing response. - In: Surfaces and Interfaces, ISSN 2468-0230, Bd. 41 (2023), 103204
Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) flexible film humidity sensor has received increasing attention, but the low sensing response caused by lack of available hydrophilic functional groups is still a limitation. Herein, a slightly reduced graphene oxide (SrGO) ordered-pore-array, fabricated via a monolayer colloid crystal template method, was introduced as a resistive humidity sensor. It was obtained based on adsorption between the GO sheets and the template microspheres, in-situ slight reduction of the GO shells and the removal of template. The reduction way allows the functional groups of GO to be retained as much as possible, and the unique structures (e.g., spherical double surfaces and small through-holes on pore-walls) facilitate the substantial exposure of functional groups, the penetration of water molecules and the utilization of buried functional groups. The available functional groups are thereby efficiently increased, giving the sensor an unprecedented high sensing response, more than 2600 times the maximum response of existing rGO sensors. The sensor also demonstrated excellent practical characteristics, and by detecting a single exhale, it could be employed in quick and quantitative evaluation of human activities and health. This strategy paves a facile and promising route to improve the sensing response and application of graphene-based humidity sensors or gas sensors.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2023.103204
Interaction between local shielding gas supply and laser spot size on spatter formation in laser beam welding of AISI 304. - In: Applied Sciences, ISSN 2076-3417, Bd. 13 (2023), 18, 10507, S. 1-25
Background. Spatter formation at melt pool swellings at the keyhole rear wall is a major issue for laser deep penetration welding at speeds beyond 8 m/min. A gas nozzle directed towards the keyhole, that supplies shielding gas locally, is advantageous in reducing spatter formation due to its simple utilization. However, the relationship between local gas flow, laser spot size, and the resulting effects on spatter formation at high welding speeds up to 16 m/min are not yet fully understood. Methods. The high-alloy steel AISI 304 (1.4301/X5CrNi18-10) was welded with laser spot sizes of 300 μm and 600 μm while using a specially designed gas nozzle directed to the keyhole. Constant welding depth was ensured by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Spatter formation was evaluated by precision weighing of samples. Subsequent processing of high-speed images was used to evaluate spatter quantity, size, and velocity. The keyhole oscillation was determined by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis. Tracking the formation of melt pool swellings at the keyhole rear wall provided information on the upward melt flow velocity. Results. The local gas flow enabled a significant reduction in the number of spatters and loss of mass for both laser spot sizes and indicated an effect on surface tension by shielding the processing zone from the ambient atmosphere. The laser spot size affected the upward melt flow velocity and spatter velocity.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810507
Meldrum’s acid furfural conjugate MAFC: a new entry as chromogenic sensor for specific amine identification. - In: Molecules, ISSN 1420-3049, Bd. 28 (2023), 18, 6627, S. 1-17
Bioactive amines are highly relevant for clinical and industrial application to ensure the metabolic status of a biological process. Apart from this, generally, amine identification is a key step in various bioorganic processes ranging from protein chemistry to biomaterial fabrication. However, many amines have a negative impact on the environment and the excess intake of amines can have tremendous adverse health effects. Thus, easy, fast, sensitive, and reliable sensing methods for amine identification are strongly searched for. In the past few years, Meldrum’s acid furfural conjugate (MAFC) has been extensively explored as a starting material for the synthesis of photoswitchable donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASA). DASA formation hereby results from the rapid reaction of MAFC with primary and secondary amines, which has so far been demonstrated through numerous publications for different applications. The linear form of the MAFC-based DASA exhibits intense pink coloration due to its linear conjugated triene-2-ol conformation, which has inspired researchers to use this easy synthesizable molecule as an optical sensor for primary, secondary, and biogenic amines. Due to its new entry into amine identification, a collection of the literature exclusively on MAFC is demanded. In this mini review, we intend to present the state-of-the-art of MAFC as an optical molecular sensor in hopes to motivate researchers to find even more applications of MAFC-based sensors and methods that pave the way to their usage in medicinal applications.
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186627
Fingerprints of the automotive radar scattering of passenger cars and vans. - In: Applied Sciences, ISSN 2076-3417, Bd. 13 (2023), 18, 10290, S. 1-12
The radar scattering characteristics of extended objects are an important parameter for perception and tracking algorithms in automated driving tasks. Therefore, high-fidelity sensor models are required to simulate and evaluate typical driving scenarios in virtual testing applications. While the general analysis of typical scattering centers of passenger cars is well studied, there are only a few publicly available reports that analyze specific features of the scattering characteristics of different vehicle types. Hence, this work presents detection distributions derived from systematic measurements for six different vehicle types, conducted with a commercial automotive radar on a proving ground. In particular, the contribution of underbody reflections to the respective radar signatures is analyzed, which are caused by multipath propagation via the road surface. The measurements reveal distinctive differences between the scattering characteristics of different vehicles, which are attributed to the respective underbody geometry.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810290
Manufacturing and static performance of porous aerostatic bearings. - In: Precision engineering, Bd. 84 (2023), S. 177-190
According to the common body of knowledge, aerostatic bearings invariably need narrow manufacturing tolerances to ensure maximal load capacity and high stiffness. This study experimentally investigates the manufacturing of porous material aerostatic bearings and the effect of manufacturing parameters on the performance properties of the bearings. During the study, samples were manufactured using different methods, and the geometrical and performance properties of each sample were inspected. The bearing performance measurement device developed during the study is introduced. The results present the dependence between manufacturing parameters and bearing properties under varying load and operating pressure conditions. The results clearly suggest that effect of bearing surface roughness on load capacity is small; meanwhile, surface planarity has a major impact on load capacity.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precisioneng.2023.06.014
Beta-diversity enhancement by archaeological structures: bacterial communities of an historical tannery area of the city of Jena (Germany) reflect the ancient human impact. - In: Ecologies, ISSN 2673-4133, Bd. 4 (2023), 2, S. 325-343
Soil samples taken during archaeological investigations of a historical tannery area in the eastern suburb of the medieval city of Jena have been investigated by 16S r-RNA gene profiling. The analyses supplied a large spectrum of interesting bacteria, among them Patescibacteria, Methylomirabilota, Asgardarchaeota, Zixibacteria, Sideroxydans and Sulfurifustis. Samples taken from soil inside the residues of large vats show large differences in comparison to the environmental soil. The PCAs for different abundance classes clearly reflect the higher similarity between the bacterial communities of the outside-vat soils in comparison with three of the inside-vat soil communities. Two of the in-side vat soils are distinguishable from the other samples by separate use of each abundance class, but classes of lower abundance are better applicable than the highly abundant bacteria for distinguishing the sampling sites by PCA, in general. This effect could be interpreted by the assumption that less abundant types in the 16S r-RNA data tend to be more related to an earlier state of soil development than the more abundant and might be, therefore, better suited for conclusions on the state of the soils in an earlier local situation. In addition, the analyses allowed identification of specific features of each single sampling site. In one site specifically, DNA hints of animal residue-related bacteria were found. Obviously, the special situation in the in-site vat soils contributes to the diversity of the place, and enhances its Beta-diversity. Very high abundancies of several ammonia-metabolizing and of sulphur compound-oxidizing genera in the metagenomics data can be interpreted as an echo of the former tannery activities using urine and processing keratin-rich animal materials. In summary, it can be concluded that the 16S r-RNA analysis of such archaeological places can supply a lot of data related to ancient human impacts, representing a kind of “ecological memory of soil”.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4020021