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At least 1,639 records · Page 91

Plasmon absorption modulator systems and methods

Plasmon absorption modulator systems and methods are disclosed. A plasmon absorption modulator system includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of quantum well layers stacked on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a metal layer formed on a top surface of the stack of quantum well layers. A method for modulating plasmonic current includes enabling propagation of the plasmonic current along a metal layer, and applying a voltage across the stack of quantum well layers to cause absorption of a portion of energy of the plasmonic current by the stack of quantum well layers. A metamaterial switching system includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of quantum well layers stacked on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, and at least one metamaterial structure formed on a top surface of the stack of quantum well layers.

42 ENGINEERING↗

International PV QA Task Force's Proposed Comparative Rating System for PV Modules: Preprint

The International PV Quality Assurance Task Force is developing a rating system that provides comparative information about the relative durability of PV modules. Development of accelerated stress tests that can provide such comparative information is seen as a major step toward being able to predict PV module service life. This paper will provide details of the ongoing effort to determine the format of such an overall module rating system. The latest proposal is based on using three distinct climate zones as defined in IEC 60721-2-1 for two different mounting systems. Specific stresses beyond those used in the qualification tests are being developed for each of the selected climate zones.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Normal operation and maintenance safety lessons from the ITER US PbLi test blanket module program for a US FNSF and DEMO

A leading power reactor breeding blanket candidate for a fusion demonstration power plant (DEMO) being pursued by the US Fusion Community is the Dual Coolant Lead Lithium (DCLL) concept. The safety hazards associated with the DCLL concept as a reactor blanket have been examined in several US design studies. These studies identify the largest radiological hazards as those associated with the dust generation by plasma erosion of plasma blanket module first walls, oxidation of blanket structures at high temperature in air or steam, inventories of tritium bred in or permeating through the ferritic steel structures of the blanket module and blanket support systems, and the 210Po and 203Hg produced in the PbLi breeder/coolant. What these studies lack is the scrutiny associated with a licensing review of the DCLL concept. An insight into this process was gained during the US participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Test Blanket Module (TBM) Program. In this paper we discuss the lessons learned during this activity and make safety proposals for the design of a Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF) or a DEMO that employs a lead lithium breeding blanket.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Progress of MICE RFCC Module

Recent progress on the design and fabrication of the RFCC (RF and superconducting Coupling Coil) module for the international MICE (Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment) are reported. The MICE ionization cooling channel has two RFCC modules, each having four 201- MHz normal conducting RF cavities surrounded by one superconducting coupling coil (solenoid) magnet. The magnet is designed to be cooled by three cryocoolers. Fabrication of the RF cavities is complete; preparation for the cavity electro-polishing, low power RF measurements, and tuning are in progress at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Fabrication of the cold mass of the first coupling coil magnet has been completed in China and the cold mass arrived at LBNL in late 2011. Preparations for testing the cold mass are currently under way at Fermilab. Plans for the RFCC module assembly and integration are being developed and are described.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Hole-thru-laminate mounting supports for photovoltaic modules

A mounting support for a photovoltaic module is described. The mounting support includes a pedestal having a surface adaptable to receive a flat side of a photovoltaic module laminate. A hole is disposed in the pedestal, the hole adaptable to receive a bolt or a pin used to couple the pedestal to the flat side of the photovoltaic module laminate.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

High Performance ZVT with Bus Clamping Modulation Technique for Single Phase Full Bridge Inverters

This paper proposes a topology based on bus clamping modulation and zero-voltage-transition (ZVT) technique to realize zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) for all the main switches of the full bridge inverters, and inherent ZVS and/or ZCS for the auxiliary switches. The advantages of the strategy include significant reduction in the turn-on loss of the ZVT auxiliary switches which typically account for a major part of the total loss in other ZVT circuits, and reduction in the voltage ratings of auxiliary switches. The modulation scheme and the commutation stages are analyzed in detail. Finally, a 1kW, 500 kHz switching frequency inverter of the proposed topology using SiC MOSFETs has been built to validate the theoretical analysis. The ZVT with bus clamping modulation technique of fixed timing and adaptive timing schemes are implemented in DSP TMS320F28335 resulting in full ZVS for the main switches in the full bridge inverter. The proposed scheme can save up to 33 % of the switching loss compared with no ZVT case.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

System and method for design and optimization of grid connected photovoltaic power plant with multiple photovoltaic module technologies

A system and method of using one or more DC-DC/DC-AC converters and/or alternative devices allows strings of multiple module technologies to coexist within the same PV power plant. A computing (optimization) framework estimates the percentage allocation of PV power plant capacity to selected PV module technologies. The framework and its supporting components considers irradiation, temperature, spectral profiles, cost and other practical constraints to achieve the lowest levelized cost of electricity, maximum output and minimum system cost. The system and method can function using any device enabling distributed maximum power point tracking at the module, string or combiner level.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Optical modulator including grapene

The present invention provides for a one or more layer graphene optical modulator. In a first exemplary embodiment the optical modulator includes an optical waveguide, a nanoscale oxide spacer adjacent to a working region of the waveguide, and a monolayer graphene sheet adjacent to the spacer. In a second exemplary embodiment, the optical modulator includes at least one pair of active media, where the pair includes an oxide spacer, a first monolayer graphene sheet adjacent to a first side of the spacer, and a second monolayer graphene sheet adjacent to a second side of the spacer, and at least one optical waveguide adjacent to the pair.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Low profile, highly configurable, current sharing paralleled wide band gap power device power module

A power module with multiple equalized parallel power paths supporting multiple parallel bare die power devices constructed with low inductance equalized current paths for even current sharing and clean switching events. Wide low profile power contacts provide low inductance, short current paths, and large conductor cross section area provides for massive current carrying. An internal gate & source kelvin interconnection substrate is provided with individual ballast resistors and simple bolted construction. Gate drive connectors are provided on either left or right size of the module. The module is configurable as half bridge, full bridge, common source, and common drain topologies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Li-ion pouch cell and a cell module

The present invention provides a Li-ion pouch cell wherein the Li-ion pouch cells comprise a sealed enclosure, electrode stack and thermally conductive elements, wherein the electrode stack and the thermally conductive elements are in the sealed enclosure, the thermally conductive elements include extensions which extend beyond the electrode stack, the sealed enclosure has thermal conductivity, the thermally conductive elements provide a thermally conductive pathway connecting the electrode stack and the sealed enclosure by way of the extension. The present invention also provides a cell module comprising the Li-ion pouch cells. The Li-ion pouch cell and the cell module according to the present application could minimize differences in cell temperature, monitor internal cell temperature, cool the cell rapidly, increase cell and module safety, allowing for minimal impact on cell energy density, performance or life and difficulty of manufacturing.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Triaxial photoconductive switch module

Methods, systems, and devices describe triaxial photoconductive switch modules that include a center conductor, an inner conductor, an outer conductor, a high voltage capacitor that is formed between the center conductor and the inner conductor, and a photoconductive switch that is formed between the center conductor and a section of the outer conductor. The disclosed triaxial photoconductive switch modules include low inductance current paths that lead to high current efficiencies. Furthermore, the disclosed triaxial photoconductive switch modules eliminate or reduce parasitic capacitance problems of existing systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Sensing, interlocking solar module system and installation method

A solar module system is coupled directly to a fixed structure either individually or collectively as an array. Universal mounting brackets attached to the back of each solar panel module each connect to one or more other brackets of adjacent solar panels and/or to mounting feet that anchor to the fixed structure. Mounting brackets interlock with mounting brackets on adjacent solar modules and include a flexible snap coupling mechanism including a locking feature to selectively flexibly connect to and disconnect from other mounting brackets of adjacent solar panels.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Significant Improvement in PV Module Performance Prediction Accuracy Using a New Model Based on IEC-61853 Data: Preprint

This paper presents a significant improvement in accuracy for photovoltaic (PV) module performance prediction using a new approach based on IEC-61853 test data. The method is based on the concept of a single diode model and calibrates its performance across a broad set of operating conditions. The new method reduces irradiance-weighted error in maximum power point (MPP) power relative to the standard 6-parameter single diode model, on average across 20 different module types, by 88% across the entire range of measured irradiance and temperature conditions, while retaining a continuous mathematical representation of the full current-voltage characteristic that allows for accurate off-MPP module modeling.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Hole-thru-laminate mounting supports for photovoltaic modules

A mounting support for a photovoltaic module is described. The mounting support includes a pedestal having a surface adaptable to receive a flat side of a photovoltaic module laminate. A hole is disposed in the pedestal, the hole adaptable to receive a bolt or a pin used to couple the pedestal to the flat side of the photovoltaic module laminate.

Wexler, Jason↗

Test Beam Analysis of Silicon Microstrip Module with Transverse Momentum Discrimination for CMS HL-LHC

The front end chip of the 2S modules (CBC) is capable of reconstructing short track segments correlating the hits of the two closely spaced silicon microstrip sensors constituting a module. These track segments can be used at the level 1 trigger to reconstruct complete tracks with a transverse momentum above 2 GeV/c keeping the trigger selection discrimination very efficient. A prototype mini-module was produced with the latest CBC version and tested before and after irradiation at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility (FTBF) during 3 test-beam campaigns.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

High resolution, non-contact removal rate module for serial sectioning

The present invention relates to a metallographic system including a measurement module configured to provide precise differential measurements of a sample after serial sectioning, as well as methods of employing such a module. In particular example, the measurement module provides differential measurement(s) without contacting the surface of a sample, thereby minimizing contamination of the sample surface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Per-page control of physical address space distribution among memory modules

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing per-page control of physical address space distribution among memory modules are disclosed. A computing system includes a plurality of processing units coupled to a plurality of memory modules. A determination is made as to which physical address space distribution granularity to implement for physical memory pages allocated for a first data structure. The determination can be made on a per-data-structure basis (e.g., file, page, block, etc.) or on a per-application-basis. A physical address space distribution granularity is encoded as a property of each physical memory page allocated for the first data structure, and physical memory pages of the first data structure distributed across the plurality of memory modules based on a selected physical address space distribution granularity. Page table entries (PTEs) may be annotated with the selected physical address space distribution granularity, using an addressing mapping granularity (AMG) field of a page table entry, where the granularity may be, for example, a fine-grain distribution granularity or a coarse-grain distribution granularity.

Jayasena, Nuwan S.↗