Energy Storage (energy + storage)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of Energy Storage

  • thermal energy storage

  • Terms modified by Energy Storage

  • energy storage material
  • energy storage system

  • Selected Abstracts


    Design and Synthesis of Hierarchical Nanowire Composites for Electrochemical Energy Storage

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 21 2009
    Zheng Chen
    Abstract Nanocomposites of interpenetrating carbon nanotubes and vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanowires networks are synthesized via a simple in situ hydrothermal process. These fibrous nanocomposites are hierarchically porous with high surface area and good electric conductivity, which makes them excellent material candidates for supercapacitors with high energy density and power density. Nanocomposites with a capacitance up to 440 and 200,F g,1 are achieved at current densities of 0.25 and 10 A g,1, respectively. Asymmetric devices based on these nanocomposites and aqueous electrolyte exhibit an excellent charge/discharge capability, and high energy densities of 16,W h kg,1 at a power density of 75,W kg,1 and 5.5,W h kg,1 at a high power density of 3,750,W kg,1. This performance is a significant improvement over current electrochemical capacitors and is highly competetive with Ni,MH batteries. This work provides a new platform for high-density electrical-energy storage for electric vehicles and other applications. [source]


    Energy Saving Speed and Charge/Discharge Control of a Railway Vehicle with On-board Energy Storage by Means of an Optimization Model

    IEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2009
    Masafumi Miyatake Member
    Abstract The optimal operation of rail vehicle minimizing total energy consumption is discussed in this paper. In recent years, the energy storage devices have enough energy and power density to use in trains as on-board energy storage. The on-board storage can assist the acceleration/deceleration of the train and may decrease energy consumption. Many works on the application of the energy storage devices to trains were reported, however, they did not deal enough with the optimality of the control of the devices. The authors pointed out that the charging/discharging command and vehicle speed profile should be optimized together based on the optimality analysis. The authors have developed the mathematical model based on a general optimization technique, sequential quadratic programming. The proposed method can determine the optimal acceleration/deceleration and current commands at every sampling point under fixed conditions of transfer time and distance. Using the proposed method, simulations were implemented in some cases. The electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) is assumed as an energy storage device in our study, because of its high power density etc. The trend of optimal solutions such as values of control inputs and energy consumption is finally discussed. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source]


    Experimental Investigation of Performances of Microcapsule Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage

    CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 2 2010
    G. Fang
    Abstract Performances of microcapsule phase change material (MPCM) for thermal energy storage are investigated. The MPCM for thermal energy storage is prepared by a complex coacervation method with gelatin and acacia as wall materials and paraffin as core material in an emulsion system. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to study the microstructure of the MPCM. In thermal analysis, a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was employed to determine the melting temperature, melting latent heat, solidification temperature, and solidification latent heat of the MPCM for thermal energy storage. The SEM micrograph indicates that the MPCM has been successfully synthesized and that the particle size of the MPCM is about 81 ,m. The DSC output results show that the melting temperature of the MPCM is 52.05,°C, the melting latent heat is 141.03 kJ/kg, the solidification temperature is 59.68,°C, and the solidification latent heat is 121.59 kJ/kg. The results prove that the MPCM for thermal energy storage has a larger phase change latent heat and suitable phase change temperature, so it can be considered as an efficient thermal energy storage material for heat utilizing systems. [source]


    Local Electrochemical Functionality in Energy Storage Materials and Devices by Scanning Probe Microscopies: Status and Perspectives

    ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 35 2010
    Sergei V. Kalinin
    Abstract Energy storage and conversion systems are an integral component of emerging green technologies, including mobile electronic devices, automotive, and storage components of solar and wind energy economics. Despite the rapidly expanding manufacturing capabilities and wealth of phenomenological information on the macroscopic device behaviors, the microscopic mechanisms underpinning battery and fuel cell operations in the nanometer,micrometer range are virtually unknown. This lack of information is due to the dearth of experimental techniques capable of addressing elementary mechanisms involved in battery operation, including electronic and ion transport, vacancy injection, and interfacial reactions, on the nanometer scale. In this article, a brief overview of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) methods addressing nanoscale electrochemical functionalities is provided and compared with macroscopic electrochemical methods. Future applications of emergent SPM methods, including near field optical, electromechanical, microwave, and thermal probes and combined SPM-(S)TEM (scanning transmission electron microscopy) methods in energy storage and conversion materials are discussed. [source]


    Thermoluminescence and color center peculiarities of Ce doped LiCaAlF6 and LiSrAlF6 crystals

    PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 1 2005
    S. Neicheva
    Abstract Energy storage in pure and Ce-doped LiCaAlF6 and LiSrAlF6 crystals has been investigated. X-ray irradiated samples were treated thermally to determine the number of color centers. The absorption spectra and thermostimulated luminescence were studied to establish a relation between coloration and glow curve peaks. The similarity of the induced absorption band positions in both crystals in contrast to energy storage efficiency was observed. The coloration of LiSrAlF6:Ce is much higher than of LiCaAlF6:Ce. The color center nature is discussed starting from intrinsic and activator defect structure. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    AMP-activated protein kinase in the regulation of hepatic energy metabolism: from physiology to therapeutic perspectives

    ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009
    B. Viollet
    Abstract As the liver is central in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis and energy storage, knowledge of the physiology as well as physiopathology of hepatic energy metabolism is a prerequisite to our understanding of whole-body metabolism. Hepatic fuel metabolism changes considerably depending on physiological circumstances (fed vs. fasted state). In consequence, hepatic carbohydrate, lipid and protein synthesis/utilization are tightly regulated according to needs. Fatty liver and hepatic insulin resistance (both frequently associated with the metabolic syndrome) or increased hepatic glucose production (as observed in type 2 diabetes) resulted from alterations in substrates oxidation/storage balance in the liver. Because AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is considered as a cellular energy sensor, it is important to gain understanding of the mechanism by which hepatic AMPK coordinates hepatic energy metabolism. AMPK has been implicated as a key regulator of physiological energy dynamics by limiting anabolic pathways (to prevent further ATP consumption) and by facilitating catabolic pathways (to increase ATP generation). Activation of hepatic AMPK leads to increased fatty acid oxidation and simultaneously inhibition of hepatic lipogenesis, cholesterol synthesis and glucose production. In addition to a short-term effect on specific enzymes, AMPK also modulates the transcription of genes involved in lipogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis. The identification of AMPK targets in hepatic metabolism should be useful in developing treatments to reverse metabolic abnormalities of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. [source]


    An adipocentric view of signaling and intracellular trafficking

    DIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 5 2002
    Silvia Mora
    Abstract Adipocytes have traditionally been considered to be the primary site for whole body energy storage mainly in the form of triglycerides and fatty acids. This occurs through the ability of insulin to markedly stimulate both glucose uptake and lipogenesis. Conventional wisdom held that defects in fuel partitioning into adipocytes either because of increased adipose tissue mass and/or increased lipolysis and circulating free fatty acids resulted in dyslipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance and perhaps diabetes. However, it has become increasingly apparent that loss of adipose tissue (lipodystrophies) in both animal models and humans also leads to metabolic disorders that result in severe states of insulin resistance and potential diabetes. These apparently opposite functions can be resolved by the establishment of adipocytes not only as a fuel storage depot but also as a critical endocrine organ that secretes a variety of signaling molecules into the circulation. Although the molecular function of these adipocyte-derived signals are poorly understood, they play a central role in the maintenance of energy homeostasis by regulating insulin secretion, insulin action, glucose and lipid metabolism, energy balance, host defense and reproduction. The diversity of these secretory factors include enzymes (lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and adipsin), growth factors [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)], cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-,, interleukin 6) and several other hormones involved in fatty acid and glucose metabolism (leptin, Acrp30, resistin and acylation stimulation protein). Despite the large number of molecules secreted by adipocytes, our understanding of the pathways and mechanisms controlling intracellular trafficking and exocytosis in adipocytes is poorly understood. In this article, we will review the current knowledge of the trafficking and secretion processes that take place in adipocytes, focusing our attention on two of the best characterized adipokine molecules (leptin and adiponectin) and on one of the most intensively studied regulated membrane proteins, the GLUT4 glucose transporter. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Feeding, growth and nutritional status of restocked salmon parr along the longitudinal gradient of a large European river: the Allier

    ECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 2 2009
    A. Descroix
    Abstract,,, The feeding, growth and nutritional status of salmon parr (0+) released at fry stage in different riffles were studied in a large temperate river (Allier, France) throughout the active feeding period. Significant differences were observed along the upstream,downstream gradient. Parr growth performance and energy storage were higher in downstream riffles and low in the most upstream one. These longitudinal growth variations are discussed in the context of diet and food availability differences, habitat variables and intra- and inter-species competition. The most favourable site for optimum growth and nutritional status appeared to be the intermediary riffle located in the grayling zone. [source]


    Power flow congestion relief by using customer-side energy storage systems

    ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING IN JAPAN, Issue 1 2007
    Ken Furusawa
    Abstract In recent years, energy storage systems have increasingly been expected as a means of load leveling of the annual load factor. Of course there is an effect of installing the energy storage systems at the substation. But some customers operate their storage system in an integrated way and it also has an effect of increasing the load factor. In this paper the authors proposed that the energy storage systems on the customer side be used for congestion relief on transmission networks. However, it is not clear which kind of customer has the effect of relieving transmission line congestion. First, this paper assumes the authors determine the optimal configuration of energy equipment including energy storage systems. We propose a new contract whereby electric utility subsidizes a part of the entrance cost of the energy storage systems and customers change the output pattern of energy storage according to the request of the electric utility. This paper evaluates the possibility that the contract gives merit to both the electric utility and the customer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(1): 36,45, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20299 [source]


    Effects of pulp and paper mill effluent on fish: A temporal assessment of fish health across sampling cycles

    ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2010
    Timothy J. Barrett
    Abstract The Canadian environmental effects monitoring (EEM) program is a regulated, cyclical, industry-funded program designed to determine whether receiving water impacts exist when a mill is in compliance with its discharge limits. The results from three cycles of the fish monitoring program (1992 to 2004) are available from over 200 surveys of fish compared between sites located upstream and downstream of pulp and paper mill effluent outfalls. Previous meta-analyses have shown a national average response pattern across cycles characterized by an increase in endpoints measuring energy storage and growth and a decrease in a reproductive endpoint, consistent with a response of nutrient enrichment in combination with some form of metabolic disruption. Although the national average pattern of effects was temporally consistent, there was some variability in the magnitude of effects among cycles. Questions were raised as to whether the intercycle variability was due to changes in effluent quality or due, at least in part, to other factors. The present study compares responses over the first three cycles, and shows that the choice of sentinel species is likely to be a major contributing factor to the variability in observed effects. Subset analyses using studies from mills that used the same sentinel species across cycles reveal fairly uniform responses and little evidence of significant improvements in overall fish health from cycles one to three. However, a meta-analysis using 1991 data collected from 10 mills before the implementation of the EEM program and data from the same mills collected during cycles one to three of the program reveal significantly reduced effects on relative liver weight and potential improvements in other endpoints. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:440,452. © 2009 SETAC [source]


    The application of NN technique to automatic generation control for the power system with three areas including smes units

    EUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 4 2003
    A. Demirören
    The study includes an application of layered neural network controller to study automatic generation control (AGC) problem of the power system, which contains superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) units. The effectiveness of SMES unit over frequency oscillations improvement against load perturbations in power system is well known. In addition, the proposed control scheme provides the steady state error of frequency and inadvertent interchange of tie-lines to be maintained in steady state values. The power system considered has three areas two of which including steam turbines while the other containing a hydro turbine, and all of them contain SMES units, in addition. In the power system each area with a steam turbine contains the non-linearity due to reheat effect of the steam turbine and all of the areas contain upper and lower constraints for generation rate. Only one neural network (NN) controller, which controls all the inputs of each area in the power system, is considered. In the NN controller, back propagation-through-time algorithm is used as neural network learning rule. The performance of the power system is simulated by using conventional integral controller and NN controller for the cases with or without SMES units in all areas, separately. By comparing the results for both cases, it can be seen that the performance of NN controller is better than conventional controllers. [source]


    Application of a self-tuning to automatic generation control in power system including smes units

    EUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 2 2002
    A. Demirören
    In this study, a self-tuning control scheme is proposed and applied to automatic generation control (AGC) in power system with superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES). The system is assumed consisting of two areas. The proposed self-tuning control scheme is used to implement the automatic generation control adding to conventional control configuration. The performance of the system for load changes in the areas in the interconnected power system is studied. A comprehensive performance evaluation of the system is presented. The computer simulation of the interconnected power system with two areas shows that the proposed self-tuning control scheme is very effective in damp out of oscillations caused by load disturbances. [source]


    Tuning the Composition and Nanostructure of Pt/Ir Films via Anodized Aluminum Oxide Templated Atomic Layer Deposition

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2010
    David J. Comstock
    Abstract Nanostructured metal films have been widely studied for their roles in sensing, catalysis, and energy storage. In this work, the synthesis of compositionally controlled and nanostructured Pt/Ir films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) into porous anodized aluminum oxide templates is demonstrated. Templated ALD provides advantages over alternative synthesis techniques, including improved film uniformity and conformality as well as atomic-scale control over morphology and composition. Nanostructured Pt ALD films are demonstrated with morphological control provided by the Pt precursor exposure time and the number of ALD cycles. With these approaches, Pt films with enhanced surface areas, as characterized by roughness factors as large as 310, are reproducibly synthesized. Additionally, nanostructured PtIr alloy films of controlled composition and morphology are demonstrated by templated ALD, with compositions varying systematically from pure Pt to pure Ir. Lastly, the application of nanostructured Pt films to electrochemical sensing applications is demonstrated by the non-enzymatic sensing of glucose. [source]


    Tuning the Composition and Nanostructure of Pt/Ir Films via Anodized Aluminum Oxide Templated Atomic Layer Deposition

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2010
    David J. Comstock
    Abstract Nanostructured metal films have been widely studied for their roles in sensing, catalysis, and energy storage. In this work, the synthesis of compositionally controlled and nanostructured Pt/Ir films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) into porous anodized aluminum oxide templates is demonstrated. Templated ALD provides advantages over alternative synthesis techniques, including improved film uniformity and conformality as well as atomic-scale control over morphology and composition. Nanostructured Pt ALD films are demonstrated with morphological control provided by the Pt precursor exposure time and the number of ALD cycles. With these approaches, Pt films with enhanced surface areas, as characterized by roughness factors as large as 310, are reproducibly synthesized. Additionally, nanostructured PtIr alloy films of controlled composition and morphology are demonstrated by templated ALD, with compositions varying systematically from pure Pt to pure Ir. Lastly, the application of nanostructured Pt films to electrochemical sensing applications is demonstrated by the non-enzymatic sensing of glucose. [source]


    High K Capacitors and OFET Gate Dielectrics from Self-Assembled BaTiO3 and (Ba,Sr)TiO3 Nanocrystals in the Superparaelectric Limit

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 4 2010
    Limin Huang
    Abstract Nanodielectrics is an emerging field with applications in capacitors, gate dielectrics, energy storage, alternatives to Li-ion batteries, and frequency modulation in communications devices. Self-assembly of high k dielectric nanoparticles is a highly attractive means to produce nanostructured films with improved performance,namely dielectric tunability, low leakage, and low loss,as a function of size, composition, and structure. One of the major challenges is conversion of the nanoparticle building block into a reliable thin film device at conditions consistent with integrated device manufacturing or plastic electronics. Here, the development of BaTiO3 and (Ba,Sr)TiO3 superparaelectric uniform nanocrystal (8,12,nm) films prepared at room temperature by evaporative driven assembly with no annealing step is reported. Thin film inorganic and polymer composite capacitors show dielectric constants in the tunable range of 10,30, dependent on composition, and are confirmed to be superparaelectric. Organic thin film transistor (TFT) devices on flexible substrates demonstrate the readiness of nanoparticle-assembled films as gate dielectrics in device fabrication. [source]


    Compact and Light Supercapacitor Electrodes from a Surface-Only Solid by Opened Carbon Nanotubes with 2,200 m2 g,1 Surface Area

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 3 2010
    Tatsuki Hiraoka
    Abstract An approach is presented to make a "surface-only solid" with a surface area of 2,240,m2 g,1 (1,310,m2,cm,3), corresponding to 85% of the atoms constituting a surface, by opening single-walled carbon nanotube forests and solids via controlled oxidation. The controllability of the approach is demonstrated by tailoring the hole size to match the guest molecule, for example, nitrogen, fullerene, or solvated ions. These features make the surface-only solid an ideal vessel for material and energy storage, as demonstrated by its use for electrodes to realize a light and compact supercapacitor with high energy (24.7,W h kg,1) and power (98.9,kW kg,1) densities, exceeding those of activated carbon (16.9,W h kg,1 and 35.7,kW kg,1). [source]


    Fuel Cell Vehicle Simulation , Part 1: Benchmarking Available Fuel Cell Vehicle Simulation Tools

    FUEL CELLS, Issue 3 2003
    K.H. Hauer
    Abstract Fuel cell vehicle simulation is one method for systematic and fast investigation of the different vehicle options (fuel choice, hybridization, reformer technologies). However, a sufficient modeling program, capable of modeling the different design options, is not available today. Modern simulation programs should be capable of serving as tools for analysis as well as development. Shortfalls of the existing programs, initially developed for internal combustion engine hybrid vehicles, are: (i)Insufficient modeling of transient characteristics; (ii) Insufficient modeling of the fuel cells system; (iii) Insufficient modeling of advanced hybrid systems; (iv) Employment of a non-causal (backwards looking) structure; (v) Significant shortcomings in the area of controls. In the area of analysis, a modeling tool for fuel cell vehicles needs to address the transient dynamic interaction between the electric drive train and the fuel cell system. Especially for vehicles with slow responding on-board fuel processor, this interaction is very different from the interaction between a battery (as power source) and an electric drive train in an electric vehicle design. Non-transient modeling leads to inaccurate predictions of vehicle performance and fuel consumption. When applied in the area of development, the existing programs do not support the employment of newer techniques, such as rapid prototyping. This is because the program structure merges control algorithms and component models, or different control algorithms (from different components) are lumped together in one single control block and not assigned to individual components as they are in real vehicles. In both cases, the transfer of control algorithms from the model into existing hardware is not possible. This paper is the first part of a three part series and benchmarks the "state of the art" of existing programs. The second paper introduces a new simulation program, which tries to overcome existing barriers. Specifically it explicitly recognizes the dynamic interaction between fuel cell system, drive train and optional additional energy storage. [source]


    Enhanced anti-predator defence in the presence of food stress in the water flea Daphnia magna

    FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
    Kevin Pauwels
    Summary 1. ,Many prey organisms show adaptive trait shifts in response to predation. These responses are often studied under benign conditions, yet energy stress may be expected to interfere with optimal shifts in trait values. 2. ,We exposed the water flea Daphnia magna to fish predation and food stress and quantified both life history responses as well as physiological responses (metabolic rate, stress proteins, energy storage and immune function) to explore the architecture of defence strategies in the face of the combined stressors and the occurrence of trade-offs associated with energy constraints. 3. ,All traits studied showed either an overall or clone-dependent response to food stress. The chronic response to predation risk was less strong for the measured physiological traits than for life history traits, and stronger under food stress than under benign conditions for age at maturity, intrinsic population growth rate and offspring performance (measured as juvenile growth). Immune function (measured as phenoloxidase activity) was lower under predation risk but only at high food, probably because minimum levels were maintained at low food. 4. ,Overall, food stress induced stronger adaptive predator-induced responses, whereas more energy was invested in reproduction under benign conditions at the cost of being less defended. Our results suggest that food stress may increase the capacity to cope with predation risk and underscore the importance of integrating responses to different stressors and traits, and show how responses towards one stressor can have consequences for the susceptibility to other stressors. [source]


    Nanocomposite Hybrid Molecular Materials for Application in Solid-State Electrochemical Supercapacitors,

    ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 7 2005
    K. Cuentas-Gallegos
    Abstract Molecular hybrid materials formed from polyoxometalates dispersed in conducting polymers represent an innovative concept in energy storage. This work reports in detail the first practical realization of electrodes based on these materials for energy storage in electrochemical supercapacitors. The molecular hybrids PAni/H4SiW12O40, PAni/H3PW12O40, and PAni/H3PMo12O40 (PAni: polyaniline) have been prepared electrochemically on platinum or carbon substrates, with PAni/H3PMo12O40 being the prototypical example presenting the best energy-storage performance in the series. This hybrid displays the combined activity of its organic and inorganic components to store and release charge in solid-state electrochemical capacitor cells, leading to a promising value of 120,F,g,1 and good cyclability beyond 1000,cycles. [source]


    Adhesion and detachment characteristics of a TBAB hydrate solid on a heat transfer surface (Effect of concentration of TBAB solutions)

    HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 6 2009
    Tadafumi Daitoku
    Abstract In air-conditioning systems, it is desirable that the liquid,solid phase change temperature of a cool energy storage material be approximately 10°C, with respect to improving the coefficient of performance (COP). Moreover, a thermal storage material that forms slurry can realize a large heat capacity of the working fluids. A solid that adheres to the heat transfer surface forms a thermal resistance layer and significantly reduces the rate of cold storage; therefore, it is important to avoid the adhesion of a thick solid layer on the surface so as to realize efficient energy storage. Considering a harvest type cooling unit, the force required for removal of the solid phase from the heat transfer surface was investigated. Tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB) clathrate hydrate was used as a cold storage material and the effect of the TBAB solution concentration on the scraping force required to detach the adhered TBAB hydrate solid from the heat transfer surface was experimentally examined. The TBAB hydrate solids were broadly categorized into two types, and the scraping force required for removal of these two types of TBAB hydrate solid was different. The scraping force required for removal of the solid increased due to the effect of increasing the concentration of the TBAB solution. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20254 [source]


    An effect of scraper shapes on detachment of solid adhered to cooling surface for formation of clathrate hydrate slurry

    HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 8 2007
    Tadafumi Daitoku
    Abstract In air-conditioning systems, it is desirable that the liquid, solid phase change temperature of a cool energy storage material is approximately 10°C from the perspective of improving the coefficient of performance (COP). Moreover, a thermal storage material that forms slurry can realize large heat capacity of working fluids. Since the solid that adheres to the heat transfer surface forms a thermal resistance layer and remarkably reduces the rate of cold storage, it is important to avoid the adhesion of a thick solid layer on the surface so as to realize efficient energy storage. Considering a harvest type cooling unit, the force required for removing the solid phase from the heat transfer surface was studied. Tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB) clathrate hydrate was used as a cold storage material. The effect of the scraper shapes on the scraping force for detachment of the adhered solid of TBAB hydrate to the heat transfer surface was examined experimentally. The TBAB hydrate solids were categorized broadly into two kinds of solids. The scraping force of the TBAB hydrate solid on the heat transfer surface was different for the two kinds of the TBAB hydrate solids. And the scraping force of the TBAB hydrate solid formed after scraping was improved by the modifying the scraper shape. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 36(8): 489, 500, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20179 [source]


    Local Electrochemical Functionality in Energy Storage Materials and Devices by Scanning Probe Microscopies: Status and Perspectives

    ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 35 2010
    Sergei V. Kalinin
    Abstract Energy storage and conversion systems are an integral component of emerging green technologies, including mobile electronic devices, automotive, and storage components of solar and wind energy economics. Despite the rapidly expanding manufacturing capabilities and wealth of phenomenological information on the macroscopic device behaviors, the microscopic mechanisms underpinning battery and fuel cell operations in the nanometer,micrometer range are virtually unknown. This lack of information is due to the dearth of experimental techniques capable of addressing elementary mechanisms involved in battery operation, including electronic and ion transport, vacancy injection, and interfacial reactions, on the nanometer scale. In this article, a brief overview of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) methods addressing nanoscale electrochemical functionalities is provided and compared with macroscopic electrochemical methods. Future applications of emergent SPM methods, including near field optical, electromechanical, microwave, and thermal probes and combined SPM-(S)TEM (scanning transmission electron microscopy) methods in energy storage and conversion materials are discussed. [source]


    Optimization of Train Speed Profile for Minimum Energy Consumption

    IEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2010
    Masafumi Miyatake Member
    Abstract The optimal operation of railway systems minimizing total energy consumption is discussed in this paper. Firstly, some measures of finding energy-saving train speed profiles are outlined. After the characteristics that should be considered in optimizing train operation are clarified, complete optimization based on optimal control theory is reviewed. Their basic formulations are summarized taking into account most of the difficult characteristics peculiar to railway systems. Three methods of solving the formulation, dynamic programming (DP), gradient method, and sequential quadratic programming (SQP), are introduced. The last two methods can also control the state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage devices. By showing some numerical results of simulations, the significance of solving not only optimal speed profiles but also optimal SOC profiles of energy storage are emphasized, because the numerical results are beyond the conventional qualitative studies. Future scope for applying the methods to real-time optimal control is also mentioned. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source]


    Energy Saving Speed and Charge/Discharge Control of a Railway Vehicle with On-board Energy Storage by Means of an Optimization Model

    IEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2009
    Masafumi Miyatake Member
    Abstract The optimal operation of rail vehicle minimizing total energy consumption is discussed in this paper. In recent years, the energy storage devices have enough energy and power density to use in trains as on-board energy storage. The on-board storage can assist the acceleration/deceleration of the train and may decrease energy consumption. Many works on the application of the energy storage devices to trains were reported, however, they did not deal enough with the optimality of the control of the devices. The authors pointed out that the charging/discharging command and vehicle speed profile should be optimized together based on the optimality analysis. The authors have developed the mathematical model based on a general optimization technique, sequential quadratic programming. The proposed method can determine the optimal acceleration/deceleration and current commands at every sampling point under fixed conditions of transfer time and distance. Using the proposed method, simulations were implemented in some cases. The electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) is assumed as an energy storage device in our study, because of its high power density etc. The trend of optimal solutions such as values of control inputs and energy consumption is finally discussed. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source]


    Energy Saving and Environmental Measures in Railway Technologies: Example with Hybrid Electric Railway Vehicles

    IEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2008
    Masamichi Ogasa Member
    Abstract The electric railway system is the highest class of energy efficient transportation means. This is due to two important points: (i) low running resistance (including low energy losses) and (ii) energy regeneration in braking. Regenerative braking of railway electric vehicles is effective when the other powering ones, in other words electrical load, exist near the regenerating train on the same electrified line. So, early in the morning and at midnight, or in the low-density district lines, regeneration cancellation phenomenon often occurs and the regenerative brake force cannot be operated in accordance with the recommended value. Newly appeared high-performance energy storage devices press the issues of energy storage and reuse technologies on ground and on vehicles. Hybrid energy source is one effective solution. In this paper, as an example, we show our trolley and on-board battery hybrid controlled tramcar, developed to reduce regeneration cancellation. With the trolley line collective power as well as charge and discharge power of the on-board lithium ion rechargeable battery, the hybrid energy providing and regenerating technology is achieved. The running test results show a maximum regenerative ratio of 44%, which is top class value in an electric railway system. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source]


    Improved load frequency control with superconducting magnetic energy storage in interconnected power systems

    IEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2007
    Mairaj ud din Mufti Non-member
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Radical Polymers for Organic Electronic Devices: A Radical Departure from Conjugated Polymers?

    ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 22 2009
    Kenichi Oyaizu
    Abstract Radical polymers are aliphatic or nonconjugated polymers bearing organic robust radicals as pendant groups per repeating unit. A large population of the radical redox sites allows the efficient redox gradient-driven electron transport through the polymer layer by outer-sphere self-exchange reactions in electrolyte solutions. The radical polymers are emerging as a new class of electroactive materials useful for various kinds of wet-type energy storage, transport, and conversion devices. Electric-field-driven charge transport by hopping between the densely populated radical sites is also a remarkable aspect of the radical polymers in the solid state, which leads to many dry-type devices such as organic memories, diodes, and switches. [source]


    Metabolic phenotyping of mouse mutants in the German Mouse Clinic

    INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2006
    Ralf ELVERT
    Abstract The German Mouse Clinic was established as a phenotyping center to provide the scientific community with systematic standardized phenotyping of mouse models from various genetic backgrounds. We found metabolic phenotypes in nine out of 20 mutant lines screened in a primary screen. Based on these findings, the mutants were analyzed in secondary and tertiary screens. Mice of a sample mutant line, isolated from the ENU-screen at the National Research Center for Environment and Health in Munich, were found to have lower body weight, consume less food, but have higher ratios of metabolized energy per unit body weight compared with their wild-type littermates. Basal metabolic rate and heat production were simultaneously increased by 16,18%, whereas body fat content was reduced by 11,16%. The combination of various parameters of energy consumption, expenditure and energy storage illustrate the metabolic demands of the sample mutant mouse line and demonstrate the utility of the powerful phenotyping tool used at the German Mouse Clinic. [source]


    Thermodynamically consistent phase-field models of fracture: Variational principles and multi-field FE implementations

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 10 2010
    C. Miehe
    Abstract The computational modeling of failure mechanisms in solids due to fracture based on sharp crack discontinuities suffers in situations with complex crack topologies. This can be overcome by a diffusive crack modeling based on the introduction of a crack phase-field. In this paper, we outline a thermodynamically consistent framework for phase-field models of crack propagation in elastic solids, develop incremental variational principles and consider their numerical implementations by multi-field finite element methods. We start our investigation with an intuitive and descriptive derivation of a regularized crack surface functional that ,-converges for vanishing length-scale parameter to a sharp crack topology functional. This functional provides the basis for the definition of suitable convex dissipation functions that govern the evolution of the crack phase-field. Here, we propose alternative rate-independent and viscous over-force models that ensure the local growth of the phase-field. Next, we define an energy storage function whose positive tensile part degrades with increasing phase-field. With these constitutive functionals at hand, we derive the coupled balances of quasi-static stress equilibrium and gradient-type phase-field evolution in the solid from the argument of virtual power. Here, we consider a canonical two-field setting for rate-independent response and a time-regularized three-field formulation with viscous over-force response. It is then shown that these balances follow as the Euler equations of incremental variational principles that govern the multi-field problems. These principles make the proposed formulation extremely compact and provide a perfect base for the finite element implementation, including features such as the symmetry of the monolithic tangent matrices. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed phase-field formulations of fracture by means of representative numerical examples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Strain-driven homogenization of inelastic microstructures and composites based on an incremental variational formulation

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 11 2002
    Christian Miehe
    Abstract The paper investigates computational procedures for the treatment of a homogenized macro-continuum with locally attached micro-structures of inelastic constituents undergoing small strains. The point of departure is a general internal variable formulation that determines the inelastic response of the constituents of a typical micro-structure as a generalized standard medium in terms of an energy storage and a dissipation function. Consistent with this type of inelasticity we develop a new incremental variational formulation of the local constitutive response where a quasi-hyperelastic micro-stress potential is obtained from a local minimization problem with respect to the internal variables. It is shown that this local minimization problem determines the internal state of the material for finite increments of time. We specify the local variational formulation for a setting of smooth single-surface inelasticity and discuss its numerical solution based on a time discretization of the internal variables. The existence of the quasi-hyperelastic stress potential allows the extension of homogenization approaches of elasticity to the incremental setting of inelasticity. Focusing on macro-strain-driven micro-structures, we develop a new incremental variational formulation of the global homogenization problem where a quasi-hyperelastic macro-stress potential is obtained from a global minimization problem with respect to the fine-scale displacement fluctuation field. It is shown that this global minimization problem determines the state of the micro-structure for finite increments of time. We consider three different settings of the global variational problem for prescribed linear displacements, periodic fluctuations and constant stresses on the boundary of the micro-structure and discuss their numerical solutions based on a spatial discretization of the fine-scale displacement fluctuation field. The performance of the proposed methods is demonstrated for the model problem of von Mises-type elasto-visco-plasticity of the constituents and applied to a comparative study of micro-to-macro transitions of inelastic composites. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]