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At least 829 records · Page 46

Mitigation of Hot-Spots in Photovoltaic Systems Using Distributed Power Electronics

In the presence of partial shading and other mismatch factors, bypass diodes may not offer complete elimination of excessive power dissipation due to cell reverse biasing, commonly referred to as hot-spotting in photovoltaic (PV) systems. As a result, PV systems may experience higher failure rates and accelerated ageing. In this paper, a cell-level simulation model is used to assess occurrence of hot-spotting events in a representative residential rooftop system scenario featuring a moderate shading environment. The approach is further used to examine how well distributed power electronics converters mitigate the effects of partial shading and other sources of mismatch by preventing activation of bypass diodes and thereby reducing the chances of heavy power dissipation and hot-spotting in mismatched cells. The simulation results confirm that the occurrence of heavy power dissipation is reduced in all distributed power electronics architectures, and that submodule-level converters offer nearly 100% mitigation of hot-spotting. In addition, the paper further elaborates on the possibility of hot-spot-induced permanent damage, predicting a lifetime energy loss above 15%. In conclusion, this energy loss is fully recoverable with submodule-level power converters that mitigate hot-spotting and prevent the damage.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Space Shuttle base heating

First-stage and second-stage heating environments of the base region of the Space Shuttle are characterized in detail in terms of Orbiter-main-engine-plume and booster-plume radiation, freestream-air convective cooling, and reversed-plume-flow convective heating as they affect each base-region design point. Design predictions are compared with selected heating-rate data from flights STS-1 through STS-5; the flight data are found to show excellent interflight repeatability independent of small changes in trajectory, and to verify the validity of the prediction methodology. The impact of individual flight events on base heating is indicated.

Greenwood, T. F.↗

Hyper-resistivity produced by tearing mode turbulence

Tearing mode turbulence produces a hyperresistivity or effective anomalous electron viscosity. The hyperresistivity is calculated for the mean magnetic field quasi-linearly, and for long-wavelength modes using the direct interaction approximation. The hyperresistivity accounts for current relaxation in reversed-field pinch experiments, and gives a magnetic fluctuation scaling of S to the -1/3. It causes enhanced tearing mode growth rates in the turbulent phase of tokamak disruptions. In astrophysics, it limits magnetic energy growth because of the dynamo effect, and may explain rapid reconnection phenomena such as solar flares.

Strauss, H. R.↗

Numerical quasi-linear study of the critical ionization velocity phenomenon

The critical ionization velocity (CIV) for a neutral barium (Ba) gas cloud moving across the static magnetic field is studied numerically using quasi-linear equations and a parameter range which is typical for the shaped-charge Ba gas release experiments in space. For consistency the charge exchange between the background oxygen ions and neutral atoms and its reverse process, as well as the excitation of the neutral Ba atoms, are included. The numerical results indicate that when the ionization rate due to CIV becomes comparable to the charge exchange rate the energy lost to the ionization and excitation collisions by the superthermal electrons exceeds the energy gain from the waves that are excited by the ion beam. This results in a CIV yield less than the yield by the charge exchange process.

Moghaddam-Taaheri, E.↗

Chemical Amplification with Encapsulated Reagents

Autocatalysis and chemical amplification are characteristic properties of living systems, and they give rise to behaviors such as increased sensitivity, responsiveness, and self-replication. Here we report a synthetic system in which a unique form of compartmentalization leads to nonlinear, autocatalytic behavior. The compartment is a reversibly formed capsule in which a reagent is sequestered. Reaction products displace the reagent from the capsule into solution and the reaction rate is accelerated. The resulting self-regulation is sensitive to the highly selective molecular recognition properties of the capsule.

Chen, Jian↗

Nonuniform Expansion of the Youngest Galactic Supernova Remnant G1.9+0.3

We report measurements of the X-ray expansion of the youngest Galactic supernova remnant, G1.9+0.3, using Chandra observations in 2007, 2009, and 2011. The measured rates strongly deviate from uniform expansion, decreasing radially by about 60 along the X-ray bright SE-NW axis from 0.84 plus or minus 0.06% yr(exp -1) to 0.52% plus or minus 0.03 yr(exp -1). This corresponds to undecelerated ages of 120-190 yr, confirming the young age of G1.9+0.3 and implying a significant deceleration of the blast wave. The synchrotron-dominated X-ray emission brightens at a rate of 1.9% plus or minus 0.4% yr(exp -1). We identify bright outer and inner rims with the blast wave and reverse shock, respectively. Sharp density gradients in either the ejecta or ambient medium are required to produce the sudden deceleration of the reverse shock or the blast wave implied by the large spread in expansion ages. The blast wave could have been decelerated recently by an encounter with a modest density discontinuity in the ambient medium, such as may be found at a wind termination shock, requiring strong mass loss in the progenitor.

NONUNIFORM EXPANSION↗

ZEB1 induces non-small cell lung cancer development by targeting microRNA-320a to increase the expression of RAD51AP1

Lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide, with its mortality rate reported to be in millions annually; one of the two subtypes is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we investigated the interactions and expressions of zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), microRNA-320a (miR-320a) and RAD51-associated protein 1 (RAD51AP1) in NSCLC tissues to determine the roles of ZEB1 in regulation of miR-320a and RAD51AP1 in the development and metastasis of NSCLC. First, the expression levels of miR-320a and ZEB1 were quantified in NSCLC tissues and cells. Transfection assay was conducted to identify the effects of miR-320a on the progression of NSCLC cells. The interaction of miR-320a with ZEB1 and RAD51AP1 was predicted and verified using dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Finally, subcutaneous xenograft tumors of 6-week mice and metastatic model tumors of 8-week mice were established to further explore the in vivo effect of miR-320a/ZEB1/RAD51AP1 on NSCLC. The findings revealed a lower expression of miR-320a in NSCLC tissues and cells, while this result was reversed regarding ZEB1 expression. ZEB1 suppressed miR-320a expression and upregulation of miR-320a resulted in the reduction of proliferation, invasion and metastasis rate of NSCLC cells, and promoted NSCLC cell apoptosis. ZEB1 promoted the expression of RAD51AP1 via inhibition of miR-320a, promoting tumor growth in vivo. ZEB1 transcriptionally inhibited the expression of miR-320a and upregulated the expression of RAD51AP1, thereby promoting metastasis in NSCLC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Graphene Wrapped FeSe 2 Nano–Microspheres with High Pseudocapacitive Contribution for Enhanced Na–Ion Storage

Pseudocapacitance is a Faradaic process that involves surface or near surface redox reactions. Increasing the pseudocapacitive contribution is one of the most effective means to improve the rate performance of electrode materials. In this study, graphene oxide is used as a template to in situ synthesize burr globule–like FeSe 2 /graphene hybrid (B–FeSe 2 /G) using a facile one–step hydrothermal method. Structural characterization demonstrates that graphene layers not only wrap the surfaces of FeSe 2 particles, but also stretch into the interior of these particles, as a result of which the unique nano–microsphere structure is successfully established. When serving as anode material for Na–ion batteries, B–FeSe 2 /G hybrid displays high electrochemical performance in the voltage range of 0.5–2.9 V. The B–FeSe 2 /G hybrid has high reversible capacity of 521.6 mAh·g –1 at 1.0 A g –1 . Meanwhile, after 400 cycles, high discharge capacity of 496.3 mAh g –1 is obtained at a rate of 2.5 A g –1 , with a high columbic efficiency of 96.6% and less than 1.0% loss of discharge capacity. Even at the ultrahigh rate of 10 A g –1 , a specific capacity of 316.8 mAh g –1 can be achieved. Furthermore, kinetic analyses reveal that the excellent performance of the B–FeSe 2 /G hybrid is largely attributed to the high pseudocapacitive contribution induced by the special nano–micro structure.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

A layered Prussian blue analogue as fast-charging negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries

The simultaneous achievement of fast-charging and high specific capacity remains a critical challenge for lithium-ion battery negative electrodes. Here we report a layered manganese-based Prussian blue analogue, synthesized through vacancy control and subsequent thermal transformation. As a conversion-type negative electrode, this material exhibits high-rate performance, delivering a specific capacity of 510 mAh g −1 at a specific current of 8 A g −1 , and operates at a moderate average voltage of approximately 1.2 V vs. Li/Li + , which mitigates lithium plating risks. This high-rate capability stems from the analogue’s specific linkage configurations, which facilitate a high content of active transition metal and strong Li+ adsorption at nitrogen sites. The high transition metal content enables a high reversible capacity, while strong Li + adsorption promotes an efficient initial crystalline-to-amorphous transformation. This process induces dynamically reversible component migration during subsequent cycling, thereby enhancing conversion reaction kinetics. Our findings provide insights into the application of Prussian blue analogues as fast-charging negative electrode materials. The development of fast-charging and high-capacity negative electrodes is critical for advanced lithium-ion batteries. Here, authors use a vacancy engineering strategy to develop a layered Prussian blue analogue with competitive rate capability, delivering a specific capacity of 510 mAh g −1 at a specific current of 8 A g −1 .

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Biomarkers’ Responses to Reductive Dechlorination Rates and Oxygen Stress in Bioaugmentation Culture KB-1TM

Using mRNA transcript levels for key functional enzymes as proxies for the organohalide respiration (OHR) rate, is a promising approach for monitoring bioremediation populations in situ at chlorinated solvent-contaminated field sites. However, to date, no correlations have been empirically derived for chlorinated solvent respiring, Dehalococcoides mccartyi (DMC) containing, bioaugmentation cultures. In the current study, genome-wide transcriptome and proteome data were first used to confirm the most highly expressed OHR-related enzymes in the bioaugmentation culture, KB-1TM, including several reductive dehalogenases (RDases) and a Ni-Fe hydrogenase, Hup. Different KB-1™ DMC strains could be resolved at the RNA and protein level through differences in the sequence of a common RDase (DET1545-like homologs) and differences in expression of their vinyl chloride-respiring RDases. The dominant strain expresses VcrA, whereas the minor strain utilizes BvcA. We then used quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) as a targeted approach for quantifying transcript copies in the KB-1TM consortium operated under a range of TCE respiration rates in continuously-fed, pseudo-steady-state reactors. These candidate biomarkers from KB-1TM demonstrated a variety of trends in terms of transcript abundance as a function of respiration rate over the range: 7.7 × 10-12 to 5.9 × 10-10 microelectron equivalents per cell per hour (μeeq/cell∙h). Power law trends were observed between the respiration rate and transcript abundance for the main DMC RDase (VcrA) and the hydrogenase HupL (R2 = 0.83 and 0.88, respectively), but not transcripts for 16S rRNA or three other RDases examined: TceA, BvcA or the RDase DET1545 homologs in KB1TM. Overall, HupL transcripts appear to be the most robust activity biomarker across multiple DMC strains and in mixed communities including DMC co-cultures such as KB1TM. The addition of oxygen induced cell stress that caused respiration rates to decline immediately (>95% decline within one hour). Although transcript levels did decline, they did so more slowly than the respiration rate observed (transcript decay rates between 0.02 and 0.03 per hour). Data from strain-specific probes on the pangenome array strains suggest that a minor DMC strain in KB-1™ that harbors a bvcA homolog preferentially recovered following oxygen stress relative to the dominant, vcrA-containing strain.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Efficient reactive Brownian dynamics

We develop a Split Reactive Brownian Dynamics (SRBD) algorithm for particle simulations of reaction-diffusion systems based on the Doi or volume reactivity model, in which pairs of particles react with a specified Poisson rate if they are closer than a chosen reactive distance. In our Doi model, we ensure that the microscopic reaction rules for various association and dissociation reactions are consistent with detailed balance (time reversibility) at thermodynamic equilibrium. The SRBD algorithm uses Strang splitting in time to separate reaction and diffusion and solves both the diffusion-only and reaction-only subproblems exactly, even at high packing densities. To efficiently process reactions without uncontrolled approximations, SRBD employs an event-driven algorithm that processes reactions in a time-ordered sequence over the duration of the time step. A grid of cells with size larger than all of the reactive distances is used to schedule and process the reactions, but unlike traditional grid-based methods such as reaction-diffusion master equation algorithms, the results of SRBD are statistically independent of the size of the grid used to accelerate the processing of reactions. We use the SRBD algorithm to compute the effective macroscopic reaction rate for both reaction-limited and diffusion-limited irreversible association in three dimensions and compare to existing theoretical predictions at low and moderate densities. We also study long-time tails in the time correlation functions for reversible association at thermodynamic equilibrium and compare to recent theoretical predictions. Finally, we compare different particle and continuum methods on a model exhibiting a Turing-like instability and pattern formation. Our studies reinforce the common finding that microscopic mechanisms and correlations matter for diffusion-limited systems, making continuum and even mesoscopic modeling of such systems difficult or impossible. We also find that for models in which particles diffuse off lattice, such as the Doi model, reactions lead to a spurious enhancement of the effective diffusion coefficients.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Facile synthesis of 3D foam-like CoNiO{sub 2} for high-performance sodium ion batteries

Graphical abstract: 3D foam-like CoNiO{sub 2} on Cu foil was synthesized by a low-temperature hydrothermal method with subsequent annealing treatment. In the following figure, the left is the schematic illustration of sodium ion and electron transportation of the CoNiO{sub 2} film, and the right is the rate performance comparison of the CoNiO{sub 2} film and scraped CoNiO{sub 2} powder. - Highlights: • CoNiO{sub 2} film is designed as the anode for sodium ion batteries. • Unique 3D foam-like structure is synthesized by a hydrothermal method. • The binder-free CoNiO{sub 2} electrode exhibits excellent sodium storage performances. - Abstract: 3D foam-like CoNiO{sub 2} on Cu foil was synthesized by a low-temperature hydrothermal method with subsequent annealing treatment. The structure and composition of the 3D foam-like CoNiO{sub 2} have been analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). When employed as anode electrode for sodium ion batteries, the as-prepared CoNiO{sub 2} film electrode exhibited a high reversible capacity of 323.7 mAh g{sup −1} after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g{sup −1}. Moreover, the CoNiO{sub 2} film electrode delivered an excellent rate capability of 210.3 mAh g{sup −1} at 1.6 A g{sup −1}. It is believed that the remarkable electrochemical performance of the film electrode is attributed to the 3D foam-like structure and binder-free feature, which effectively improve the ionic and electron conductivity of the electrode.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Greenhouse gas and dissolved oxygen production and consumption rates associated with Regier et al. (2023)

Tidal inundation along the coastal terrestrial-aquatic interface controls soil and sediment biogeochemistry and gas dynamics. Although a rich literature exist on studies of the influence of tidal waters on the biogeochemistry of coastal ecosystem soils, few studies have experimentally addressed the reverse question: How do soils (or sediments) from different coastal ecosystems influence the biogeochemistry of the tidal waters that inundate them? We conducted short-term microcosm laboratory experiments where seawater was amended with sediments and soils collected across regional gradients of inundation exposure (i.e., frequently to rarely inundated) and measured changes in dissolved oxygen and greenhouse gas concentrations to calculate gas consumption or production rates occurring during seawater exposure to terrestrial materials. This data package contains dissolved oxygen and greenhouse gas data collected during incubation of soils and sediments collected at 18 sites, which were used in the publication Regier et al. (2023) entitled “Coastal inundation regime moderates the short-term effects of sediment and soil additions on seawater oxygen and greenhouse gas dynamics: a microcosm experiment” which is published in Frontiers in Marine Science (DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1308590).---Acknowledging EXCHANGE: General Support and Data Product UseWe ask that users of EXCHANGE data add the following acknowledgement when publishing data in scholarly articles and data repositories:"This research is based on work supported by COMPASS-FME, a multi-institutional project supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research as part of the Environmental System Science Program."

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Positional stability of field-reversed-configurations in the presence of resistive walls

We show that in a field-reversed-configuration, the plasma is unstable to either transverse or axial rigid displacement, but never to both. Driving forces are found to be parallel to the direction of displacement with no orthogonal components. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the properties of a resistive wall (geometry and resistivity) in the vicinity of the plasma do not affect whether the plasma is stable or unstable, but in the case of an unstable system determine the instability growth rate. Depending on the properties of the wall, the instability growth is dominated by plasma inertia (and not affected by wall resistivity) or dominated by ohmic dissipation of wall eddy currents (and thus proportional to the wall resistivity).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Surface Amorphization of Vanadium Dioxide (B) for K-ion Battery

Given the merits of low cost, fast ionic transport in electrolyte, and high operating voltage, potassium ion batteries (PIBs) are promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. However, developing suitable electrode materials that can reversibly accommodate large potassium ions is a great challenge. In this paper, guided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, it is demonstrated that the strategy of interfacial engineering via surface amorphization of VO 2 (B) nanorods (SA-VO 2 ), which results in the formation of a crystalline core/amorphous shell heterostructure, enables superior K + storage performance in terms of large capacity, outstanding rate capability, and long cycle stability working as an anode for PIBs. DFT calculations reveal that the created crystalline/amorphous heterointerface in SA-VO 2 can substantially lower the surface energy, narrow the band gap, and reduce the K + diffusion barrier of VO 2 (B). These conditions enable enhanced K + storage capacity and rapid K + /electron transfer, which result in large capacity and outstanding rate capability. Using in situ X-ray diffraction and in situ transmission electron microscopy complemented by ex situ microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, it is unveiled that the superior cycling stability originates from the excellent phase reversibility with negligible strain response and robust mechanical behavior of SA-VO 2 upon (de)potassiation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

A REVERSE SHOCK IN GRB 130427A

We present extensive radio and millimeter observations of the unusually bright GRB 130427A at z = 0.340, spanning 0.67-12 days after the burst. We combine these data with detailed multi-band UV, optical, NIR, and Swift X-ray observations and find that the broadband afterglow emission is composed of distinct reverse shock and forward shock contributions. The reverse shock emission dominates in the radio/millimeter and at ∼< 0.1 days in the UV/optical/NIR, while the forward shock emission dominates in the X-rays and at ∼> 0.1 days in the UV/optical/NIR. We further find that the optical and X-ray data require a wind circumburst environment, pointing to a massive star progenitor. Using the combined forward and reverse shock emission, we find that the parameters of the burst include an isotropic kinetic energy of E{sub K,{sub iso}} ≈ 2 × 10{sup 53} erg, a mass loss rate of M-dot ∼3×10{sup -8} M{sub ☉} yr{sup –1} (for a wind velocity of 1000 km s{sup –1}), and a Lorentz factor at the deceleration time of Γ(200 s) ≈ 130. Due to the low density and large isotropic energy, the absence of a jet break to ≈15 days places only a weak constraint on the opening angle, θ{sub j} ∼> 2.°5, and therefore a total energy of E{sub γ} + E{sub K} ∼> 1.2 × 10{sup 51} erg, similar to other gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The reverse shock emission is detectable in this burst due to the low circumburst density, which leads to a slow cooling shock. We speculate that this property is required for the detectability of reverse shocks in radio and millimeter bands. Following on GRB 130427A as a benchmark event, observations of future GRBs with the exquisite sensitivity of the Very Large Array and ALMA, coupled with detailed modeling of the reverse and forward shock contributions, will test this hypothesis.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Kinetic and modeling studies of the mechanism of the dehydrogenation of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 to Mg(B 3 H 8 ) 2

Since its discovery over 15 years ago, the reversible dehydrogenation of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 to Mg(B 3 H 8 ) 2 has remained one of the more intriguing hydrogen-cycling systems. While the mechanism of this reaction has been the subject of a good deal of speculation and computational studies, prior to this work it had not been probed through kinetic studies. Previous reports of the dehydrogenation of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 to Mg(B 3 H 8 ) 2 have not included kinetic studies. The present studies have shown that the dehydrogenation of Mg(BH 4 ) 2 to Mg(B 3 H 8 ) 2 is suppressed by hydrogen pressure indicating that the rate-limiting step in this process involves hydrogen elimination. Computational modeling of kinetic data obtained from monitoring the hydrogen elimination from Mg(BH 4 ) 2 to Mg(B 3 H 8 ) 2 under static vacuum over a range of temperatures supports that the dehydrogenation occurs through a reversible three-step process in which the elimination of hydrogen from the [B 3 H 10 ] − intermediate is rate limiting. A mechanism involving the low energy transfer of neighboring BH3 groups is proposed to account for the formation of [B 3 H 8 ] − at relatively low temperatures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effects of Water Vapor on the Reactivity of Aluminosilicates in Vapor-Phase Propanal Aldol Condensation

Aluminosilicate materials have been extensively studied as efficient aldol catalysts for C-C coupling reactions due to their acidic nature, high surface area, thermal stability, and porous structure. This work investigated the impact of water vapor pressure on the catalytic reactivity of aluminosilicates for the aldol condensation of propanal to 2-methyl-2-pentenal (MP). The catalytic performance of amorphous SiO2-Al2O3 (A-Si-Al) and aluminated MCM-41 (Al-MCM-41) for the vapor-phase aldol condensation of propanal was evaluated at 200 degrees C as a function of vapor-phase water content at atmospheric pressure. Our findings demonstrate that co-feeding low water vapor pressures (1-18 kPa) with propanal enhances the rates of MP production at 200 degrees C on A-Si-Al. Conversely, water vapor pressures of 25 kPa result in a decrease in aldol dimer formation rates. The rate of MP production evaluated on Al-MCM-41 also increased in the presence of 5 kPa water compared to anhydrous conditions. Propylamine temperature-programmed desorption analyses revealed an increase in Bronsted acid site density when both catalysts were exposed to water, which likely accounts for the observed enhancement in aldol condensation reactivity under hydrous conditions. Reversibility testing of the water vapor effect under reaction conditions, combined with X-ray diffraction analysis of fresh, spent, and regenerated catalysts, revealed no structural changes in either aluminosilicate upon exposure to water or reaction conditions. The rates of aldol condensation and the impact of water vapor were highly consistent across both materials, suggesting that zeolite crystallinity has minimal influence on the catalytic performance.

acid catalysts↗