Engineering topics
Wang, Yu
Publications and source records attributed to Wang, Yu.
A novel risk analysis methodology to evaluate the economic performance of a biorefinery and to quantify the economic incentives for participating biomass producers
In this work, a novel risk analysis methodology is presented to evaluate the economic performance of a biorefinery given the volatility in the market price of the final product and the variability in the biomass delivered cost. In addition, potential economic incentives for participating biomass producers are quantified for different farm participation rates. The Monte Carlo simulation model, IBSAL-MC, is used to estimate the biomass delivered cost distribution, and a modified risk heat map is used to visualize the expected return on investment (ROI) for various combinations of the market price of the final product and the biomass delivered cost. The developed methodology is applied to an under-construction cellulosic sugar facility located in Sarnia, southwestern Ontario. Four farm participation rates of 20% (base-case scenario), 30%, 40% and 50% are studied. Additionally, the results show that the expected annual ROI for the base-case scenario is estimated to be 1.3%. As the farm participation rate increases, the expected annual ROI increases from 1.3% at 20% farm participation rate to 3.4%, 4.6% and 5.1% at 30%, 40% and 50% rates, respectively. At high sugar market prices ($375–$525/tonne), the overall expected annual ROI increases to 9.5%, 11.4%, 12.6% and 13.0% in 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% farm participation rates, respectively. In this case, the economic incentives to share with biomass producers are estimated to be $14.10/dry tonne (dt), $15.77/dt and $16.33/dt by increasing the farm participation rate from 20% to 30%, 40% and 50%, respectively.
Study on Microwave Performance of Low-Temperature Sintered, Ba(CoTi){sub 1.5}Fe{sub 9}O{sub 19} Ferrite for Application at UHF Frequency
M-type barium ferrite, Ba(CoTi){sub 1.5}Fe{sub 9}O{sub 19}, was synthesized via the solid-state reaction method. BBSZ, i.e., B{sub 2}O{sub 3} −Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} −SiO{sub 2} −ZnO, was added to adjust the sintering temperature to values lower than that of silver (i.e., ∼961 °C). The phase formation characteristics, microstructure, magnetic, and microwave properties were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, vibrating sample magnetometer, and impedance analyzer, respectively. The results show that densification of samples were enhanced by increasing the amount of BBSZ with corresponding gains realized in magnetic properties. Such enhanced properties in Ba(CoTi){sub 1.5}Fe{sub 9}O{sub 19} are attributed to the low-melting point experienced as the result of BBSZ glass additives which gave rise to the stabilization of a liquid phase during sintering.
Abrogation of Fam20c altered cell behaviors and BMP signaling of immortalized dental mesenchymal cells
Highlights: • Fam20c deficiency decreases the proliferation, mobility and mineralization of mouse immortalized dental mesenchymal cells. • Fam20c deficiency decreases the tooth mineralization, as well as the gene expression on dental mesenchymal differentiation. • Canonical and non-canonical BMP signaling pathways are declined in the mouse Fam20c-deficient dental mesenchyaml cell line. FAM20C mutations compromise the mineralization of skeleton and tooth in both human and mouse. Putatively, the mineralization disorder is attributed to the elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), which reduced the serum phosphorus by suppressing the reabsorption of phosphorus in kidney. Besides the regulation on systemic phosphorus homeostasis, FAM20C was also implicated to regulate cell behaviors and gene expression through a cell-autonomous manner. To identify the primary effects of Fam20c on dental mesenchymal cells, mouse Fam20c-deficient dental mesenchymal cells were generated by removing the floxed alleles from the immortalized mouse Fam20c{sup f/f} dental mesenchymal cells with Cre-expressing lentivirus. The removal of Fam20c exerted no impact on cell morphology, but suppressed the proliferation and mobility of the dental mesenchymal cells. Fam20c deficiency also significantly reduced the expression of Osterix, Runx2, type I Collagen a 1 (Col1a1), Alkaline phosphatase (Alpl) and the members of the small integrin-binding ligand, N-linked glycoprotein (SIBLING) family, but increased Fgf23 expression. Consistently, the in vitro mineralization of Fam20c-deficient dental mesenchymal cells was severely disabled. However, supplements of the non-collagenous proteins from wild type rat dentin failed to rescue the compromised mineralization, suggesting that the roles of FAM20C in tooth mineralization are more than phosphorylating local matrices and regulating systemic phosphorus metabolism. Moreover, the down-regulated BMP signaling pathways in the Fam20c deficient dental mesenchymal cells revealed that the kinase activity of FAM20C might be required to maintain BMP signaling. In summary, our study discloses that Fam20c indeed regulates cell behaviors and cell signaling pathway in a cell-autonomous manner.
Differential degradation patterns of photovoltaic backsheets at the array level
There are relatively few field studies on the degradation of non-fluoropolymer-based backsheets, and understanding their in-field behavior is critical for further development of such products. In this paper, backsheet degradation of modules with one of these new types of backsheets (polyethylene naphthalate (PEN)-based) was documented at a four-year old utility-scale array located in Maryland (USA). Visual inspection, colorimetry, glossimetry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed highly varied properties depending on module position within the array. Specifically, modules near the edge of the array and with higher mounting elevations underwent greater amounts of backsheet degradation, as indicated by yellowing and gloss-loss. The reason for these unique degradation patterns were differential backside exposure conditions, especially of ultraviolet light. This was strongly influenced by the array design, including array structural and environmental factors, such as module spacing and ground cover, respectively. Within the array, no clear link between backsheet degradation and module output or safety has been identified. However, such a relationship may be expected to become more pronounced with time, affecting system lifetime and ultimately the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). Finally, the observed phenomena have implications for both backsheet product development and array design, especially for modules that utilize newer classes of non-fluoropolymer-based backsheets which are typically more susceptible to environmental degradation.
Gate-Induced Interfacial Superconductivity in 1T-SnSe 2
Layered metal chalcogenide materials provide a versatile platform to investigate emergent phenomena and two-dimensional (2D) superconductivity at/near the atomically thin limit. In particular, gate-induced interfacial superconductivity realized by the use of an electric-double-layer transistor (EDLT) has greatly extended the capability to electrically induce superconductivity in oxides, nitrides, and transition metal chalcogenides and enable one to explore new physics, such as the Ising pairing mechanism. Exploiting gate-induced superconductivity in various materials can provide us with additional platforms to understand emergent interfacial superconductivity. In this paper, we report the discovery of gate-induced 2D superconductivity in layered 1T-SnSe 2 , a typical member of the main-group metal dichalcogenide (MDC) family, using an EDLT gating geometry. A superconducting transition temperature T c ≈ 3.9 K was demonstrated at the EDL interface. The 2D nature of the superconductivity therein was further confirmed based on (1) a 2D Tinkham description of the angle-dependent upper critical field B c2 , (2) the existence of a quantum creep state as well as a large ratio of the coherence length to the thickness of superconductivity. Interestingly, the in-plane B c2 approaching zero temperature was found to be 2–3 times higher than the Pauli limit, which might be related to an electric field-modulated spin–orbit interaction. Finally, such results provide a new perspective to expand the material matrix available for gate-induced 2D superconductivity and the fundamental understanding of interfacial superconductivity.
Investigation of RE-O-S-As Inclusions in High Carbon Steels
The formation of RE-O-S-As inclusions is an inevitable issue when rare earth (RE) elements are used to modify the existing state of residual element arsenic. The evolution process of La-O-S-As inclusions in high carbon steels was investigated under conditions of different La contents. An in-situ sample preparation method was used to prepare film samples. The results show that it is practical to add RE elements to stabilize arsenic by generating As-bearing RE inclusions. A new type of As-bearing RE inclusion was discovered and identified as LaAsO{sub 4}. As La content increased from 0.003 to 0.089 wt pct, the dominant inclusions of the La-O-S-As system changed from La{sub 2}O{sub 3} to La{sub 2}O{sub 2}S, then to La{sub 2}O{sub 2}S-LaAsO{sub 4}, and finally to LaAsO{sub 4}. A full model of the inclusion formation of the RE-O-S-As system was also established to describe what kind of inclusion to form in conditions of different atomic ratios of RE/O and RE/S. The first As-bearing RE inclusion is RE-O-As or RE-S-As, and RE-O-S-As inclusions can be controlled to form certain inclusions that make O and S useful to modify the existing state of arsenic.
Modeling urban building energy use: A review of modeling approaches and procedures
With rapid urbanization and economic development, the world has been experiencing an unprecedented increase in energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions is a common interest shared by major developed and developing countries, actions to enable these global reductions are generally implemented at the city scale. This is because baseline information from individual cities plays an important role in identifying economical options for improving building energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions. Numerous approaches have been proposed for modeling urban building energy use in the past decades. This paper aims to provide an up-to-date review of the broad categories of energy models for urban buildings and describes the basic workflow of physics-based, bottom-up models and their applications in simulating urban-scale building energy use. Because there are significant differences across models with varied potential for application, strengths and weaknesses of the reviewed models are also presented. This is followed by a discussion of challenging issues associated with model preparation and calibration.
The implications of dust ice nuclei effect on cloud top temperature in a complex mesoscale convective system
Mineral dust is the most important natural source of atmospheric ice nuclei (IN) which may significantly mediate the properties of ice cloud through heterogeneous nucleation and lead to crucial impacts on hydrological and energy cycle. The potential dust IN effect on cloud top temperature (CTT) in a well-developed mesoscale convective system (MCS) was studied using both satellite observations and cloud resolving model (CRM) simulations. We combined satellite observations from passive spectrometer, active cloud radar, lidar, and wind field simulations from CRM to identify the place where ice cloud mixed with dust particles. For given ice water path, the CTT of dust-mixed cloud is warmer than that in relatively pristine cloud. The probability distribution function (PDF) of CTT for dust-mixed clouds shifted to the warmer end and showed two peaks at about -45°C and -25°C. The PDF for relatively pristine cloud only show one peak at -55°C. Cloud simulations with different microphysical schemes agreed well with each other and showed better agreement with satellite observations in pristine clouds, but they showed large discrepancies in dust-mixed clouds. Some microphysical schemes failed to predict the warm peak of CTT related to heterogeneous ice formation.
Degradation Analysis of Field-Exposed Photovoltaic Modules with Non-Fluoropolymer-Based Backsheets
The selection of polymeric materials utilized in photovoltaic (PV) modules has changed relatively little since the inception of the PV industry, with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and fluoropolymer-based laminates being the most widely adopted primary components of the encapsulant and backsheet materials. The backsheet must serve to electrically insulate the solar cells and protect them from the effects of weathering. Due to continued downward pressure on cost, other polymeric materials are being formulated to withstand outdoor exposure for use in backsheets to replace either the PET film, the fluoropoymer film, or both. Because of their relatively recent deployment, less is known about their reliability and if they are durable enough to fulfill the greater than or equal to 25 year warranties of current PV modules. This work presents a degradation analysis of field-exposed modules with polyamide- and polyester-based backsheets. Modules were exposed for up to five years in different geographic locations: USA (Maryland, Ohio), China, and Italy. Surface and cross-sectional analysis included visual inspection, colorimetry, glossimetry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Each module experienced different types of degradation depending on the exposure site, even for the same material and module brand. For instance, the polyamide-based backsheet experienced hairline cracking and greater yellowing and chemical changes in China (Changsu, humid subtropical climate), while in Italy (Rome, hot-summer Mediterranean climate) it underwent macroscopic cracking and greater losses in gloss. Spectroscopic studies have permitted identification of degradation products and changes in polymer structure over time. Comparisons are made to fielded modules with fluoropolymer-based backsheets, as well as backsheet materials in accelerated laboratory exposures. Implications for qualification testing and service life prediction of the non-fluoropolymer-based backsheets are discussed.
Model Development of Degradation of PV Modules Backsheet with Locating Place of Module
Performance of a photovoltaic (PV) module is related to the micro-environment around the module. The position of photovoltaic modules in an array row have a large effect on the yellowing and gloss of PV module backsheet exposed in Dfa climatic zone (Gaithersburg, MD) with a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) outer layer. Stress/Response models of yellowing and gloss-losing as function of location parameters of module, including the shed, row, measurement position in a same module and the distance of module location to the row center, are under development. The module installation height had the greatest influence on degradation of PEN PV backsheet in the Dfa climatic zone. The module backsheets at the end of an array have higher degradation rate (edge effect). The edge effect decreases with increasing of module installation heights.
Serum long non coding RNA MALAT-1 protected by exosomes is up-regulated and promotes cell proliferation and migration in non-small cell lung cancer
Circulating lncRNAs have been defined as a novel biomarker for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), MALAT-1 was first identified lncRNA that was related to lung cancer metastasis. However, the relationship between exosomal lncRNAs and the diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC was poorly understood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of serum exosomal MALAT-1 as a biomarker in the metastasis of NSCLC. In this study, we firstly isolated the exosomes from healthy subjects and NSCLC patients. Then we measured the expression levels of MALAT-1 contained in exosomes, and found that exosomal MALAT-1 was highly expressed in NSCLC patients, more importantly, the levels of exosomal MALAT-1 were positively associated with tumor stage and lymphatic metastasis. In addition, we decreased MALAT-1 expression by short hairpin RNA and conducted a series of assays including MTT, cell cycle, colony formation, wound-healing scratch and Annexin/V PI by flow cytometry in human lung cancer cell lines. These in vitro studies demonstrated that serum exosome-derived long noncoding RNA MALAT-1 promoted the tumor growth and migration, and prevented tumor cells from apoptosis in lung cancer cell lines. Taken together, this study shed a light on utilizing MALAT-1 in exosomes as a non-invasive serum-based tumor biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC. - Highlights: • serum MALAT-1 contained in exosomes is upregulated in NSCLC patients. • Exosomal MALAT-1 was positively associated with TNM stage and lymphatic node metastasis. • MALAT-1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation and cell migration. • MALAT-1 knockdown induced cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis.
Charge density studies of 3 d metal (Ni/Cu) complexes with a non-innocent ligand
High-resolution X-ray diffraction experiments and atom-specific X-ray absorption experiments are applied to investigate a series of square planar complexes with the non-innocent ligand of maleonitriledithiolate (mnt), [S 2 C 2 (CN) 2 ] z - , containing M —S bonds. Four complexes of (PyH) z [ M (mnt) 2 ] z - , where M = Ni or Cu, z = 2 or 1 and PyH + = C 5 NH 6 + , were studied in order to clarify whether such one-electron oxidation–reduction, [ M (mnt) 2 ] 2- /[ M (mnt) 2 ] 1- , is taking place at the metal or the ligand site. Combining the techniques of metal K -, L -edge and S K -edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy with high-resolution X-ray charge density studies, it is unambiguously demonstrated that the electron redox reaction is ligand based and metal based for Ni and Cu pairs, respectively. The bonding characters in terms of topological properties associated with the bond critical points are compared between the oxidized form [ ML ] - and the reduced form [ ML ] 2- . In the case of Ni complexes, the formal oxidation state of Ni remains as Ni 2+ and each mnt ligand carries a 2- charge in [Ni(mnt) 2 ] 2- , but only one of the ligands is formally oxidized in [Ni(mnt) 2 ] 1- . In contrast, in the case of Cu complexes, the mnt remains as 2- in both complexes, but the formal oxidation states of the metal are Cu 2+ and Cu 3+ . Bond characterizations and d -orbital populations will be presented. The complementary results of XAS, XRD and DFT calculations will be discussed. The conclusion on the redox reactions in these complexes can be firmly established.
Correlation between magnetostriction and magnetic structure in pseudobinary compounds Tb(Co 1-x Fe x ) 2
Giant low-field magnetostriction has been achieved in pseudobinary Laves phase compounds RR’T 2 (R and R’: rare earth elements; T: transition metal elements) around the ferromagnetic - ferromagnetic (ferro.-ferro.) transition temperature. Evolution of the magnetic structure across such transition requires comprehensive investigation. In this work, pseudobinary system Tb(Co 1-x Fe x ) 2 is selected to investigate the evolution of local magnetic moment, for which two end terminals TbCo 2 and TbFe 2 possess the rhombohedral (R) structure at the ferromagnetic state but with different magnetic ordering temperatures (T C ). Magnetometry measurements reveal that a composition independent ferromagnetic - ferromagnetic transition occurs at ~100 K despite the increased Curie temperature T C with raised Fe concentration in the Tb(Co 1-x Fe x ) 2 . Synchrotron XRD data reveal that both the lattice parameter and the lattice strain along the <111> direction are abnormally temperature dependent, accompanied with experimentally observed magnetostriction abnormality at 100 K. In-situ neutron powder diffraction (NPD) results show that the local magnetic moments of T2 (9e site) atoms are also abnormally temperature dependent, which is larger at 100 K than that at a lower temperature 50 K. Such findings indicate close correlations between the magnetic structure and the magnetostrictive effect in the pseudobinary RT 2 compounds.
Tunability of indium tin oxide materials for mid-infrared plasmonics applications
Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) have emerged as alternative plasmonic materials in recent years to replace noble metals. The advantages of TCOs include CMOS compatibility, tunability of optical and structural properties, and reduced losses. In this work, we demonstrate how post-deposition annealing of indium tin oxide (ITO) films in oxygen atmosphere allows for tuning their optical dispersion properties to the mid-infrared spectral range while simultaneously reducing their absorption losses. In particular, we show a materials strategy that extends the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) point of ITO from the near-infrared to the mid-infrared range. This is demonstrated by fabricating periodic arrays of ITO discs of varying diameters and characterizing their plasmonic resonances in the mid-infrared range from λ = 5 to 10 µm. The developed ITO plasmonic structures pave the way to the development of novel infrared active devices for sensing and spectroscopy on a silicon-compatible platform.