Refine
Year of publication
Document Type
- Article (reviewed) (413) (remove)
Language
- English (413) (remove)
Has Fulltext
- no (413) (remove)
Keywords
- Dünnschichtchromatographie (17)
- Adsorption (10)
- Metallorganisches Netzwerk (9)
- Lithiumbatterie (8)
- Ermüdung (6)
- Intelligentes Stromnetz (6)
- Plastizität (6)
- Brennstoffzelle (5)
- Energieversorgung (5)
- Finite-Elemente-Methode (5)
Institute
- Fakultät Maschinenbau und Verfahrenstechnik (M+V) (186)
- Fakultät Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik (E+I) (bis 03/2019) (108)
- INES - Institut für nachhaltige Energiesysteme (62)
- Fakultät Elektrotechnik, Medizintechnik und Informatik (EMI) (ab 04/2019) (48)
- Fakultät Wirtschaft (W) (45)
- Fakultät Medien und Informationswesen (M+I) (bis 21.04.2021) (11)
- IfTI - Institute for Trade and Innovation (11)
- ivESK - Institut für verlässliche Embedded Systems und Kommunikationselektronik (11)
- Fakultät Medien (M) (ab 22.04.2021) (5)
- IMLA - Institute for Machine Learning and Analytics (5)
Open Access
- Closed Access (181)
- Open Access (107)
- Closed (42)
- Diamond (6)
- Gold (5)
- Hybrid (5)
- Bronze (3)
- Grün (1)
Phosphate-based inorganic–organic hybrid nanoparticles (IOH-NPs) with the general composition [M]2+[Rfunction(O)PO3]2– (M = ZrO, Mg2O; R = functional organic group) show multipurpose and multifunctional properties. If [Rfunction(O)PO3]2– is a fluorescent dye anion ([RdyeOPO3]2–), the IOH-NPs show blue, green, red, and near-infrared fluorescence. This is shown for [ZrO]2+[PUP]2–, [ZrO]2+[MFP]2–, [ZrO]2+[RRP]2–, and [ZrO]2+[DUT]2– (PUP = phenylumbelliferon phosphate, MFP = methylfluorescein phosphate, RRP = resorufin phosphate, DUT = Dyomics-647 uridine triphosphate). With pharmaceutical agents as functional anions ([RdrugOPO3]2–), drug transport and release of anti-inflammatory ([ZrO]2+[BMP]2–) and antitumor agents ([ZrO]2+[FdUMP]2–) with an up to 80% load of active drug is possible (BMP = betamethason phosphate, FdUMP = 5′-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine 5′-monophosphate). A combination of fluorescent dye and drug anions is possible as well and shown for [ZrO]2+[BMP]2–0.996[DUT]2–0.004. Merging of functional anions, in general, results in [ZrO]2+([RdrugOPO3]1–x[RdyeOPO3]x)2– nanoparticles and is highly relevant for theranostics. Amine-based functional anions in [MgO]2+[RaminePO3]2– IOH-NPs, finally, show CO2 sorption (up to 180 mg g–1) and can be used for CO2/N2 separation (selectivity up to α = 23). This includes aminomethyl phosphonate [AMP]2–, 1-aminoethyl phosphonate [1AEP]2–, 2-aminoethyl phosphonate [2AEP]2–, aminopropyl phosphonate [APP]2–, and aminobutyl phosphonate [ABP]2–. All [M]2+[Rfunction(O)PO3]2– IOH-NPs are prepared via noncomplex synthesis in water, which facilitates practical handling and which is optimal for biomedical application. In sum, all IOH-NPs have very similar chemical compositions but can address a variety of different functions, including fluorescence, drug delivery, and CO2 sorption.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy with atrioventricular and interventricular delay optimized biventricular pacing is an established therapy for symptomatic heart failure patients with prolongation of QRS duration, left bundle branch block and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The aim of the investigation was to evaluate right atrial, right ventricular and left ventricular electrical signals of implantable electronic cardiac devices with and without signal averaging technique with novel LabVIEW software. Electrical interatrial conduction delay and inter-ventricular conduction delay may be useful parameters to evaluate electrical atrial and ventricular desynchronization in heart failure patients.
In this paper we present a model of the discharge of a lithium–oxygen battery with aqueous electrolyte. Lithium–oxygen batteries (Li–O2) have recently received great attention due to their large theoretical specific energy. Advantages of the aqueous design include the stability of the electrolyte, the long experience with gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs), and the solubility of the reaction product lithium hydroxide. However, competitive specific energies can only be obtained if the product is allowed to precipitate. Here we present a dynamic one-dimensional model of a Li–O2 battery including a GDE and precipitation of lithium hydroxide. The model is parameterized using experimental data from the literature. We demonstrate that GDEs remove power limitations due to slow oxygen transport in solutions and that lithium hydroxide tends to precipitate on the anode side. We discuss the system architecture to engineer where nucleation and growth predominantly occurs and to optimize for discharge capacity.
Compact solid discharge products enable energy storage devices with high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities, but solid deposits on active surfaces can disturb charge transport and induce mechanical stress. In this Letter, we develop a nanoscale continuum model for the growth of Li2O2 crystals in lithium–oxygen batteries with organic electrolytes, based on a theory of electrochemical nonequilibrium thermodynamics originally applied to Li-ion batteries. As in the case of lithium insertion in phase-separating LiFePO4 nanoparticles, the theory predicts a transition from complex to uniform morphologies of Li2O2 with increasing current. Discrete particle growth at low discharge rates becomes suppressed at high rates, resulting in a film of electronically insulating Li2O2 that limits cell performance. We predict that the transition between these surface growth modes occurs at current densities close to the exchange current density of the cathode reaction, consistent with experimental observations.
Adsorption of N2 and CO2 on Activated Carbon, AlO(OH) Nanoparticles, and AlO(OH) Hollow Spheres
(2015)
Adsorption behaviors of nitrogen and CO2 on Norit R1 Extra and AlO(OH) nanoparticles and hollow spheres were measured under different temperature and pressure conditions using a magnetic suspension balance. Independent from the substrate investigated, all isotherms increase at lower pressure, reach a maximum, and then decrease with increasing pressure. In addition, selected experimental data were correlated with different model approaches and compared with reliable literature data. In case of CO2 on AlO(OH), capillary condensation was observed at two defined temperatures. The results suggest that the conversion of the liquid into a supercritical adsorbate phase does not take place suddenly.
A 2D-separation of 16 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) according to the Environmental Protecting Agency (EPA) standard was introduced. Separation took place on a TLC RP-18 plate (Merck, 1.05559). In the first direction, the plate was developed twice using n-pentane at −20°C as the mobile phase. The mixture acetonitrile-methanol-acetone-water (12:8:3:3, v/v) was used for developing the plate in the second direction. Both developments were carried out over a distance of 43 mm. Further on in this publication, a specific and very sensitive indication method for benzo[a]pyrene and perylene was presented. The method can detect these hazardous compounds even in complicated PAH mixtures. These compounds can be quantified by a simple chemiluminescent reaction with a limit of detection (LOD) of 48 pg per band for perylene and 95 pg per band for benzo[a]pyrene. Although these compounds were separated from all other PAHs in the standard, a separation of both compounds was not possible from one another. The method is suitable for tracing benzo[a]pyrene and/or perylene. The proposed chemiluminescence screening test on PAHs is extremely sensitive but may indicate a false positive result for benzo[a]pyrene.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a therapy for patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and symptomatic aortic stenosis. The aim of the study was to compare the pre-and post- transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures to determine the QRS and QT ventricular conduction times as a potential predictor of permanent pacemaker therapy requirement after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. QRS and QT ventricular conduction times were prolonged after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in heart failure patients with permanent dual chamber pacemaker therapy after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. QRS and QT ventricular conduction times may be useful parameters to evaluate the risk of post-procedural ventricular conduction block and permanent pacemaker therapy in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established therapy for heart failure patients and improves quality of life in patients with sinus rhythm, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left bundle branch block and wide QRS duration. Since approximately sixty percent of heart failure patients have a normal QRS duration they do not benefit or respond to the CRT. Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) releases nonexcitatoy impulses during the absolute refractory period in order to enhance the strength of the left ventricular contraction. The aim of the investigation was to evaluate differences in cardiac index between optimized and nonoptimized CRT and CCM devices versus standard values. Impedance cardiography, a noninvasive method was used to measure cardiac index (CI), a useful parameter which describes the blood volume during one minutes heart pumps related to the body surface. CRT patients indicate an increase of 39.74 percent and CCM patients an improvement of 21.89 percent more cardiac index with an optimized device.
Nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) based lithium-ion battery electrodes exhibit a distinct asymmetry in discharge/charge behavior towards high bulk stoichiometry (low state of charge). We show that basic electrochemical relationships, that is, the Nernst equation and the Butler-Volmer equation, are able to reproduce this behavior when a two-step reaction mechanism is assumed. The two-step mechanism consists of (1) lithium-ion adsorption from the electrolyte onto the active material particle surface under electron transfer, and (2) intercalation of surface-adsorbed lithium atoms into the bulk material. The asymmetry of experimental half-cell data of an NCA electrode cycled at 0.1 C-rate can be quantitatively reproduced with this simple model. The model parameters show two alternative solutions, predicting either a saturated (highly-covered) or a depleted surface for high bulk lithiation.
Impedance of the Surface Double Layer of LSCF/CGO Composite Cathodes: An Elementary Kinetic Model
(2014)
Physics-based Modeling of the Electric Arc furnace Process using Object-Oriented Language Modelica
(2016)
Electric arc furnaces (EAF) are complex industrial plants whose actual behavior depends upon numerous factors. Due to its energy intensive operation, the EAF process has always been subject to optimization efforts. For these reasons, several models have been proposed in literature to analyze and predict different modes of operation. Most of these models focused on the processes inside the vessel itself. The present paper introduces a dynamic, physics-based model of a complete EAF plant which consists of the four subsystems vessel, electric system, electrode regulation, and off-gas system. Furthermore the solid phase is not treated to be homogenous but a simple spatial discretization is employed. Hence it is possible to simulate the energy input by electric arcs and fossil fuel burners depending on the state of the melting progress. The model is implemented in object-oriented, equation-based language Modelica. The simulation results are compared to literature data.
The interaural time difference (ITD) is an important cue for the localization of sounds. ITD changes as little as 10 μs can be detected by the human auditory system. By provision of one ear with a cochlear implant (CI) ITD are altered due to the partial replacement of the peripheral auditory system. A hearing aid (HA), in contrast, does not replace but adds a processing delay component to the peripheral auditory system extending ITD. The aim of the present study was to quantify interaural stimulation timing between these different modalities to estimate the need for central auditory temporal compensation in single sided deaf CI users or bimodal CI/HA users. For this purpose, wave V latencies of auditory brainstem responses evoked either acoustically (ABR) or electrically via the CI (EABR) have been measured. The sum of delays consisting of CI signal processing measured in the MED-EL OPUS2 audio processor and EABR wave V latencies evoked on different intracochlear sites allowed an estimation of the entire CI channel-specific delay for MED-EL MAESTRO CI systems. We compared these values with ABR wave V latencies measured in the contralateral normal hearing or HA provided ear in different frequency bands. The results showed that EABR wave V latencies were consistently shorter than those evoked acoustically in the unaided normal hearing ear. Thus, artificial delays within the audio processor can be implemented to adjust interaural stimulation timing. The currently implemented group delays in the MED-EL CI system turned out to be reasonably similar to those of the unaided ear. For adjustment of CI and contralateral HA, in contrast, an adjustable additional across-frequency delay in the range of 1–11 ms implemented in the CI would be required. Especially for bimodal CI/HA users the adjustment of interaural stimulation timing may induce improved binaural hearing, reduced need for central auditory temporal compensation and increased acceptance of the CI/HA provision.
Background: R-wave synchronised atrial pacing is an effective temporary pacing
therapy in infants with postoperative junctional ectopic tachycardia. In the technique
currently used, adverse short or long intervals between atrial pacing and ventricular
sensing (AP–VS) may be observed during routine clinical practice.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyse outcomes of R-wave synchronised
atrial pacing and the relationship between maximum tracking rates and AP–VS
intervals.
Methods: Calculated AP–VS intervals were compared with those predicted by experienced
pediatric cardiologist.
Results: A maximum tracking rate (MTR) set 10 bpm higher than the heart rate (HR)
may result in undesirable short AP–VS intervals (minimum 83 ms). A MTR set 20 bpm
above the HR is the hemodynamically better choice (minimum 96 ms). Effects of either
setting on the AP–VS interval could not be predicted by experienced observers. In our
newly proposed technique the AP–VS interval approaches 95 ms for HR > 210 bpm
and 130 ms for HR < 130 bpm. The progression is linear and decreases strictly
(− 0.4 ms/bpm) between the two extreme levels.
Conclusions: Adjusting the AP–VS interval in the currently used technique is complex
and may imply unfavorable pacemaker settings. A new pacemaker design is advisable
to allow direct control of the AP–VS interval.
Selective separation of CO2-CH4 mixed gases via magnesium aminoethylphosphonate nanoparticles
(2016)
The existence of acoustic waves with displacements localized at the tip of an isotropic elastic wedge was rigorously proven by Kamotskii, Zavorokhin and Nazarov. This proof, which is based on a variational approach, is extended to rectangular anisotropic wedges. For two high-symmetry configurations of rectangular edges in elastic media with tetragonal symmetry, a criterion is derived that allows identifying the boundary between the regions of existence for wedge modes of even and odd symmetry in regions of parameter space, where even- and odd-symmetry modes do not exist simultaneously. Furthermore, rectangular edges with non-equivalent surfaces are analyzed, and it is shown that at rectangular edges of cubic elastic media with one (110) surface and one (001) surface, a tip-localized guided wave always exists, apart from special cases that are characterized.
Laser pulses focused near the tip of an elastic wedge generate acoustic waves guided at its apex. The shapes of the acoustic wedge wave pulses depend on the energy and the profile of the exciting laser pulse and on the anisotropy of the elastic medium the wedge is made of. Expressions for the acoustic pulse shapes have been derived in terms of the modal displacement fields of wedge waves for laser excitation in the thermo-elastic regime and for excitation via a pressure pulse exerted on the surface. The physical quantity considered is the local inclination of a surface of the wedge, which is measured optically by laser-probe-beam deflection. Experimental results on pulse shapes in the thermo-elastic regime are presented and confirmed by numerical calculations. They pertain to an isotropic sharp-angle wedge with two wedge-wave branches and to a non-reciprocity phenomenon at rectangular silicon edges.
This paper focuses on the microstructure-dependent inelastic behavior of lamellar gray cast iron. It comprises the reconstruction of three dimensional volume elements by use of the serial sectioning method for the materials GJL-150, GJL-250 and GJL-350. The obtained volume elements are prepared for the numerical analyses by means of finite-element method. In the finite-element analysis, the metallic matrix is modeled with an elastic–plastic deformation law. The graphite inclusions are modeled nonlinear elastic with a decreasing value of Young’s modulus for increasing tensile loading. Thus, the typical tension–compression asymmetry of this material class can be described. The stress–strain curves obtained with the microstructure-based finite-element models agree well with experimental curves of tension and compression tests. Besides the analysis of the whole volume element, the scatter of the stress–strain response in smaller statistical volume elements is investigated. Furthermore, numerical studies are performed to reduce computational costs.
Two closely related series of paddle-wheel-based triazolyl isophthalate MOFs are presented. Thermal and CO2 adsorption studies reveal network flexibility induced by alkyl substituents of the linker. By choice of the substituent, the pore volumes and pore diameters can be adjusted. Fine-tuning of the gate opening pressure and the hysteresis shape is possible by modulating the substitution pattern and by choice of the metal ion.
MITK-OpenIGTLink for combining open-source toolkits in real-time computer-assisted interventions
(2016)
PURPOSE:
Due to rapid developments in the research areas of medical imaging, medical image processing and robotics, computer-assisted interventions (CAI) are becoming an integral part of modern patient care. From a software engineering point of view, these systems are highly complex and research can benefit greatly from reusing software components. This is supported by a number of open-source toolkits for medical imaging and CAI such as the medical imaging interaction toolkit (MITK), the public software library for ultrasound imaging research (PLUS) and 3D Slicer. An independent inter-toolkit communication such as the open image-guided therapy link (OpenIGTLink) can be used to combine the advantages of these toolkits and enable an easier realization of a clinical CAI workflow.
METHODS:
MITK-OpenIGTLink is presented as a network interface within MITK that allows easy to use, asynchronous two-way messaging between MITK and clinical devices or other toolkits. Performance and interoperability tests with MITK-OpenIGTLink were carried out considering the whole CAI workflow from data acquisition over processing to visualization.
RESULTS:
We present how MITK-OpenIGTLink can be applied in different usage scenarios. In performance tests, tracking data were transmitted with a frame rate of up to 1000 Hz and a latency of 2.81 ms. Transmission of images with typical ultrasound (US) and greyscale high-definition (HD) resolutions of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is possible at up to 512 and 128 Hz, respectively.
CONCLUSION:
With the integration of OpenIGTLink into MITK, this protocol is now supported by all established open-source toolkits in the field. This eases interoperability between MITK and toolkits such as PLUS or 3D Slicer and facilitates cross-toolkit research collaborations. MITK and its submodule MITK-OpenIGTLink are provided open source under a BSD-style licence ( http://mitk.org )
Modeling and Simulation the Influence of Solid Carbon Formation on SOFC Performance and Degradation
(2013)
Cardiac resynchronization therapy is an established therapy for heart failure patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate electrical left cardiac atrioventricular delay and interventricular desynchronization in sinus rhythm cardiac resynchronization therapy responder and non-responder. Cardiac electrical desynchronization were measured by surface ECG and focused transesophageal bipolar left atrial and left ventricular ECG before implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators. Preoperative electrical cardiac desynchronization was 195.7 ± 46.7 ms left cardiac atrioventricular delay and 74.8 ± 24.5 ms interventricular delay in cardiac resynchronization therapy responder. Cardiac resynchronization therapy responder New York Heart Association class improved during long term biventricular pacing. Transesophageal left cardiac atrioventricular delay and interventricular delay may be additional useful parameters to improve patient selection for cardiac resynchronization therapy.
This is a commentary note on the situation of functional neuroimaging in psychiatry. With this we would like to encourage psychiatrists and the journal editors of psychiatric and related journals to at least rethink the role of functional neuroimaging in this discipline and use these imaging techniques in their various aspects of clinical diagnosis and therapy regimens,respectively.
We present a two-dimensional (2D) planar chromatographic separation method for phytoestrogenic active compounds on RP-18 W (Merck, 1.14296) phase. It could be shown that an ethanolic extract of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) roots contains four phytoestrogenic active compounds. As solvent, in the first direction, the mix of hexane, ethyl acetate, and acetone (45:15:10, v/v) was used, and, in the second direction, that of acetone and water (15:10, v/v) was used. After separation, a modified yeast estrogen screen (YES) test was applied, using the yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae BJ3505. The test strain (according to McDonnell) contains the estrogen receptor. Its activation by estrogen active compounds is measured by inducing the reporter gene lacZ which encodes the enzyme β-galactosidase. This enzyme activity is determined on plate by using the fluorescent substrate MUG (4-methylumbelliferyl-β-d-galactopyranoside). The enzyme can also hydrolyse X-β-Gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoxyl-β-d-galactopyranosid) into β-galactose and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoxyl. The indoxyl compound is oxidized by oxygen forming the deep-blue dye 5,5β-dibromo-4,4β-dichloro-indigo which allows to detect phytoestrogenic activity more specific in the presence of native fluorescing compounds.
Comparison of Time Warping Algorithms for Rail Vehicle Velocity Estimation in Low Speed Scenarios
(2017)
Background: The electrical field (E-field) of the biventricular (BV) stimulation is important for the success of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with cardiac insufficiency and widened QRS complex. The 3D modeling allows the simulation of CRT and high frequency (HF) ablation.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to model different pacing and ablation electrodes and to integrate them into a heart model for the static and dynamic simulation of atrial and BV stimulation and high frequency (HF) ablation in atrial fibrillation (AF).
Methods: The modeling and simulation was carried out using the electromagnetic simulation software CST (CST Darmstadt). Five multipolar left ventricular (LV) electrodes, one epicardial LV electrode, four bipolar right atrial (RA) electrodes, two right ventricular (RV) electrodes and one HF ablation catheter were modeled. Selected electrodes were integrated into the Offenburg heart rhythm model for the electrical field simulation. The simulation of an AV node ablation at CRT was performed with RA, RV and LV electrodes and integrated ablation catheter with an 8 mm gold tip.
Results: The right atrial stimulation was performed with an amplitude of 1.5 V with a pulse width of 0.5. The far-field potentials generated by the atrial stimulation were perceived by the right and left ventricular electrode. The far-field potential at a distance of 1 mm from the right ventricular electrode tip was 36.1 mV. The far-field potential at a distance of 1 mm from the left ventricular electrode tip was measured with 37.1 mV. The RV and LV stimulation were performed simultaneously at amplitude of 3 V at the LV electrode and 1 V at the RV electrode with a pulse width of 0.5 ms each. The far-field potentials generated by the BV stimulations could be perceived by the RA electrode. The far-field potential at the RA electrode tip was 32.86 mV. AV node ablation was simulated with an applied power of 5 W at 420 kHz and 10 W at 500 kHz at the distal 8 mm ablation electrode.
Conclusions: Virtual heart and electrode models as well as the simulations of electrical fields and temperature profiles allow the static and dynamic simulation of atrial synchronous BV stimulation and HF ablation at AF. The 3D simulation of the electrical field and temperature profile may be used to optimize the CRT and AF ablation.
The building sector is one of the main consumers of energy. Therefore, heating and cooling concepts for renewable energy sources become increasingly important. For this purpose, low-temperature systems such as thermo-active building systems (TABS) are particularly suitable. This paper presents results of the use of a novel adaptive and predictive computation method, based on multiple linear regression (AMLR) for the control of TABS in a passive seminar building. Detailed comparisons are shown between the standard TABS and AMLR strategies over a period of nine months each. In addition to the reduction of thermal energy use by approx. 26% and a significant reduction of the TABS pump operation time, this paper focuses on investment savings in a passive seminar building through the use of the AMLR strategy. This includes the reduction of peak power of the chilled beams (auxiliary system) as well as a simplification of the TABS hydronic circuit and the saving of an external temperature sensor. The AMLR proves its practicality by learning from the historical building operation, by dealing with forecasting errors and it is easy to integrate into a building automation system.
Polygeneration systems are a key technology for the reduction of primary energy usage and emissions. High costs, lack of flexibility and effort for parameterization hinder the wide usage of modeling tools during their conceptual design. This paper describes how planning tools can be structured for the conceptual design phase where only little information is available to the planner. A library concept was developed using the principles of object-oriented modeling to address the flexibility issue. With respect to cost and expandability, the open-source modeling language Modelica was chosen. Furthermore, easy-to-parameterize component models were developed. In addition to the improved library concept and novel component models, an easy-to-adapt control concept is proposed. The component models were validated and the applicability of the library was demonstrated by means of an example. It was shown that the data usually obtained from spec sheets are sufficient to parameterize the models. In addition to this, the control concept was approved.
Micro gas turbines (MGTs) are regarded as combined heat and power (CHP) units which offer high fuel utilization and low emissions. They are applied in decentralized energy neration.
To facilitate the planning process of energy systems, namely in the context of the increasing application of optimization techniques, there is a need for easy-to-parametrize component models with sufficient accuracy which allow a fast computation. In this paper, a model is proposed where the non-linear part load characteristics of the MGT are linearized by means of physical insight of the working principles of turbomachinery. Further, it is shown that the model can be parametrized by the data usually available in spec sheets. With this model a uniform description of MGTs from several manufacturers
covering an electrical power range from 30kW to 333kW can be obtained. The MGT model was
implemented by means of Modelica/Dymola. The resulting MGT system model, comprising further heat exchangers and hydraulic components, was validated using the experimental data of a 65kW MGT from a trigeneration energy system.
Radiation is an important means of heat transfer inside an electric arc furnace (EAF).
To gain insight into the complex processes of heat transfer inside the EAF vessel, not only radiation from the surfaces but also emission and absorption of the gas phase and the dust cloud need to be considered.
Furthermore, the radiative heat exchange depends on the geometrical configuration which is continuously changing throughout the process.
The present paper introduces a system model of the EAF which takes into account the radiative heat transfer between the surfaces
and the participating medium. This is attained by the development of a simplified geometrical model,
the use of a weighted-sum-of-gray-gases model, and a simplified consideration of dust radiation.
The simulation results were compared with the data of real EAF plants available in literature.
The following contribution deals with the growth of cracks in low-cycle fatigue (LCF) and thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) tested specimens of Inconel 718 measured by using the replica method. The specimens are loaded with different strain rates. The material shows a significantly higher crack growth rate if the strain rate is decreased. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is adopted to identify the failure mechanism and the misorientation relationship of failed grain boundaries in secondary cracks. The analyzed cracks propagated mainly transgranular but also intergranular failure can be observed in some areas. It is found that grain boundaries with coincidence site lattice (CSL) boundary structure are generally less susceptible for intergranular failure than grain boundaries with random misorientation. For modeling the experimentally identified crack behavior an existing model for fatigue crack growth based on the mechanism of time dependent elastic–plastic crack tip blunting is enhanced to describe environmental effects based on the mechanism of oxygen diffusion at the crack tip. For the diffusion process the temperature dependent parabolic diffusion law is assumed. As a result, the time dependent cyclic crack tip opening displacement (DCTOD) is used as representative value to describe both mechanisms. Thus, most
of the included model parameters characterize the deformation behavior of the material and can be determined by independent material tests. With the determined material properties, the proposed model describes the experimentally measured crack growth curves very well. The model is validated based on predictions of the number of cycles to failure of LCF as well as in-phase and out-of-phase TMF tests in the temperature range between room temperature and 650 °C.
Cast iron materials are used as materials for cylinder heads for heavy duty internal combustion engines. These components must withstand severe cyclic mechanical and thermal loads throughout their service life. While high-cycle fatigue (HCF) is dominant for the material in the water jacket region, the combination of thermal transients with mechanical load cycles results in thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) of the material in the fire deck region, even including superimposed TMF and HCF loads. Increasing the efficiency of the engines directly leads to increasing combustion pressure and temperature and, thus, lower safety margins for the currently used cast iron materials or alternatively the need for superior cast iron materials. In this paper (Part I), the TMF properties of the lamellar graphite cast iron GJL250 and the vermicular graphite cast iron GJV450 are characterized in uniaxial tests and a mechanism-based model for TMF life prediction is developed for both materials. The model can be used to estimate the fatigue life of components by means of finite-element calculations (Part II of the paper) and supports engineers in finding the appropriate material and design. Furthermore, the effect of the elastic, plastic and creep properties of the materials on the fatigue life can be evaluated with the model. However, for a material selection also the thermophysical properties, controlling to a high level the thermal stresses in the component, must be considered. Hence, the need for integral concepts for material characterization and selection from a multitude of existing and soon-to-be developed cast iron materials is discussed.
A complete thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) life prediction methodology is developed for predicting the TMF life of cast iron cylinder heads for efficient heavy duty internal combustion engines. The methodology uses transient temperature fields as thermal loads for the non-linear structural finite-element analysis (FEA). To obtain reliable stress and strain histories in the FEA for cast iron materials, a time and temperature dependent plasticity model which accounts for viscous effects, non-linear kinematic hardening and tensioncompression asymmetry is required. For this purpose a unified elasto-viscoplastic Chaboche model coupled with damage is developed and implemented as a user material model (USERMAT) in the general purpose FEA program ANSYS. In addition, the mechanismbased DTMF model for TMF life prediction developed in Part I of the paper is extended to three-dimensional stress states under transient non-proportional loading conditions. The material properties of the plasticity model are determined for lamellar graphite cast iron GJL250 and vermicular graphite cast iron GJV450 from isothermal and non-isothermal uniaxial tests. The methodology is applied to obtain a TMF life prediction on two cast iron cylinder heads for heavy duty diesel engine applications made from both cast iron materials. It is shown that the life predictions using the developed methodology correlate very well with observed lives from two bench tests in terms of location as well as number of cycles to failure.
Electric arc furnaces (EAF) are complex industrial plants whose actual behavior depends upon numerous factors. Due to its energy intensive operation, the EAF process has always been subject to optimization efforts. For these reasons, several models have been proposed in literature to analyze and predict different modes of operation. Most of these models focused on the processes inside the vessel itself. The present paper introduces a dynamic, physics-based model of a complete EAF plant which consists of the four subsystems vessel, electric system, electrode regulation, and off-gas system. Furthermore the solid phase is not treated to be homogenous but a simple spatial discretization is employed. Hence it is possible to simulate the energy input by electric arcs and fossil fuel burners depending on the state of the melting progress. The model is implemented in object-oriented, equation-based language Modelica. The simulation results are compared to literature data.
Battery degradation is a complex physicochemical process that strongly depends on operating conditions. We present a model-based analysis of lithium-ion battery degradation in a stationary photovoltaic battery system. We use a multi-scale multi-physics model of a graphite/lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, LFP) cell including solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation. The cell-level model is dynamically coupled to a system-level model consisting of photovoltaics (PV), inverter, load, grid interaction, and energy management system, fed with historic weather data. Simulations are carried out for two load scenarios, a single-family house and an office tract, over annual operation cycles with one-minute time resolution. As key result, we show that the charging process causes a peak in degradation rate due to electrochemical charge overpotentials. The main drivers for cell ageing are therefore not only a high state of charge (SOC), but the charging process leading towards high SOC. We also show that the load situation not only influences system parameters like self-sufficiency and self-consumption, but also has a significant impact on battery ageing. We assess reduced charge cut-off voltage as ageing mitigation strategy.
The DMFC is a promising option for backup power systems and for the power supply of portable devices. However, from the modeling point of view liquid-feed DMFC are challenging systems due to the complex electrochemistry, the inherent two-phase transport and the effect of methanol crossover. In this paper we present a physical 1D cell model to describe the relevant processes for DMFC performance ranging from electrochemistry on the surface of the catalyst up to transport on the cell level. A two-phase flow model is implemented describing the transport in gas diffusion layer and catalyst layer at the anode side. Electrochemistry is described by elementary steps for the reactions occurring at anode and cathode, including adsorbed intermediate species on the platinum and ruthenium surfaces. Furthermore, a detailed membrane model including methanol crossover is employed. The model is validated using polarization curves, methanol crossover measurements and impedance spectra. It permits to analyze both steady-state and transient behavior with a high level of predictive capabilities. Steady-state simulations are used to investigate the open circuit voltage as well as the overpotentials of anode, cathode and electrolyte. Finally, the transient behavior after current interruption is studied in detail.
This work demonstrates the potentials of procedural content generation (PCG) for games, focusing on the generation of specific graphic props (reefs) in an explorer game. We briefly portray the state-of-the-art of PCG and compare various methods to create random patterns at runtime. Taking a step towards the game industry, we describe an actual game production and provide a detailed pseudocode implementation showing how Perlin or Simplex noise can be used efficiently. In a comparative study, we investigate two alternative implementations of a decisive game prop: once created traditionally by artists and once generated by procedural algorithms. 41 test subjects played both implementations. The analysis shows that PCG can create a user experience that is significantly more realistic and at the same time perceived as more aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the ever-changing nature of the procedurally generated environments is preferred with high significance, especially by players aged 45 and above.
There is a growing trend for the use of thermo-active building systems (TABS) for the heating and cooling of buildings, because these systems are known to be very economical and efficient. However, their control is complicated due to the large thermal inertia, and their parameterization is time-consuming. With conventional TABS-control strategies, the required thermal comfort in buildings can often not be maintained, particularly if the internal heat sources are suddenly changed. This paper shows measurement results and evaluations of the operation of a novel adaptive and predictive calculation method, based on a multiple linear regression (AMLR) for the control of TABS. The measurement results are compared with the standard TABS strategy. The results show that the electrical pump energy could be reduced by more than 86%. Including the weather adjustment, it could be demonstrated that thermal energy savings of over 41% could be reached. In addition, the thermal comfort could be improved due to the possibility to specify mean room set-point temperatures. With the AMLR, comfort category I of the comfort norms ISO 7730 and DIN EN 15251 are observed in about 95% of occasions. With the standard TABS strategy, only about 24% are within category I.
Adaptive predictive control of thermo-active building systems (TABS) based on a multiple regression algorithm: First practical test. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305903009_Adaptive_predictive_control_of_thermo-active_building_systems_TABS_based_on_a_multiple_regression_algorithm_First_practical_test [accessed Jul 7, 2017].
All you need is sleep
(2016)
In 21st century, the century when the humanity hopes to embark on interplanetary travel, we are yet to fully reach an understanding of our very own idiosyncratic terra incognita – the human sleep. Sleep is a highly conserved evolutionary process that constitutes approximately one third of our life, and the lack or inadequate sleep may lead to impairment across multiple cognitive domains (Tononi and Cirelli, 2014; Lim and Dinges, 2010). Sleep deprivation also leads to aberrant brain functioning, immunological and metabolic collapse, and if it is sufficiently prolonged it will ultimately lead to death (Tononi and Cirelli, 2014).
There is increasing evidence of central hyperexcitability in chronic whiplash-associated disorders (cWAD). However, little is known about how an apparently simple cervical spine injury can induce changes in cerebral processes. The present study was designed (1) to validate previous results showing alterations of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in cWAD, (2) to test if central hyperexcitability reflects changes in rCBF upon non-painful stimulation of the neck, and (3) to verify our hypothesis that the missing link in understanding the underlying pathophysiology could be the close interaction between the neck and midbrain structures. For this purpose, alterations of rCBF were explored in a case-control study using H215O positron emission tomography, where each group was exposed to four different conditions, including rest and different levels of non-painful electrical stimulation of the neck. rCBF was found to be elevated in patients with cWAD in the posterior cingulate and precuneus, and decreased in the superior temporal, parahippocampal, and inferior frontal gyri, the thalamus and the insular cortex when compared with rCBF in healthy controls. No differences in rCBF were observed between different levels of electrical stimulation. The alterations in regions directly involved with pain perception and interoceptive processing indicate that cWAD symptoms might be the consequence of a mismatch during the integration of information in brain regions involved in pain processing.
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) are energy efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional energy conversion systems in many yet emerging applications. In order to enable prediction of their performance and durability, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the relevant operation phenomena, e.g., electrochemistry, transport phenomena, thermodynamics as well as the mechanisms leading to the degradation of cell components. Achieving the goal of providing predictive tools to model PEMFC performance, durability and degradation is a challenging task requiring the development of detailed and realistic models reaching from the atomic/molecular scale over the meso scale of structures and materials up to components, stack and system level. In addition an appropriate way of coupling the different scales is required.
This review provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in modeling of PEMFC, covering all relevant scales from atomistic up to system level as well as the coupling between these scales. Furthermore, it focuses on the modeling of PEMFC degradation mechanisms and on the coupling between performance and degradation models.
To this date, it is difficult to find high-level statistics on YouTube that paint a fair picture of the platform in its entirety. This study attempts to provide an overall characterization of YouTube, based on a random sample of channel and video data, by showing how video provision and consumption evolved over the course of the past 10 years. It demonstrates stark contrasts between video genres in terms of channels, uploads and views, and that a vast majority of on average 85% of all views goes to a small minority of 3% of all channels. The analytical results give evidence that older channels have a significantly higher probability to garner a large viewership, but also show that there has always been a small chance for young channels to become successful quickly, depending on whether they choose their genre wisely.
Since their dawning, space communications have been among the strongest driving applications for the development of error correcting codes. Indeed, space-to-Earth telemetry (TM) links have extensively exploited advanced coding schemes, from convolutional codes to Reed-Solomon codes (also in concatenated form) and, more recently, from turbo codes to low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. The efficiency of these schemes has been extensively proved in several papers and reports. The situation is a bit different for Earth-to-space telecommand (TC) links. Space TCs must reliably convey control information as well as software patches from Earth control centers to scientific payload instruments and engineering equipment onboard (O/B) spacecraft. The success of a mission may be compromised because of an error corrupting a TC message: a detected error causing no execution or, even worse, an undetected error causing a wrong execution. This imposes strict constraints on the maximum acceptable detected and undetected error rates.
Objectives: Speech recognition on the telephone poses a challenge for patients with cochlear implants (CIs) due to a reduced bandwidth of transmission. This trial evaluates a home-based auditory training with telephone-specific filtered speech material to improve sentence recognition. Design: Randomised controlled parallel double-blind. Setting: One tertiary referral centre. Participants: A total of 20 postlingually deafened patients with CIs. Main outcome measures: Primary outcome measure was sentence recognition assessed by a modified version of the Oldenburg Sentence Test filtered to the telephone bandwidth of 0.3-3.4 kHz. Additionally, pure tone thresholds, recognition of monosyllables and subjective hearing benefit were acquired at two separate visits before and after a home-based training period of 10-14 weeks. For training, patients received a CD with speech material, either unmodified for the unfiltered training group or filtered to the telephone bandwidth in the filtered group. Results: Patients in the unfiltered training group achieved an average sentence recognition score of 70.0%±13.6% (mean±SD) before and 73.6%±16.5% after training. Patients in the filtered training group achieved 70.7%±13.8% and 78.9%±7.0%, a statistically significant difference (P=.034, t10 =2.292; two-way RM ANOVA/Bonferroni). An increase in the recognition of monosyllabic words was noted in both groups. The subjective benefit was positive for filtered and negative for unfiltered training. Conclusions: Auditory training with specifically filtered speech material provided an improvement in sentence recognition on the telephone compared to training with unfiltered material.
BACKGROUND:
While hearing aids for a contralateral routing of signals (CROS-HA) and bone conduction devices have been the traditional treatment for single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL), in recent years, cochlear implants (CIs) have increasingly become a viable treatment choice, particularly in countries where regulatory approval and reimbursement schemes are in place. Part of the reason for this shift is that the CI is the only device capable of restoring bilateral input to the auditory system and hence of possibly reinstating binaural hearing. Although several studies have independently shown that the CI is a safe and effective treatment for SSD and AHL, clinical outcome measures in those studies and across CI centers vary greatly. Only with a consistent use of defined and agreed-upon outcome measures across centers can high-level evidence be generated to assess the safety and efficacy of CIs and alternative treatments in recipients with SSD and AHL.
METHODS:
This paper presents a comparative study design and minimum outcome measures for the assessment of current treatment options in patients with SSD/AHL. The protocol was developed, discussed, and eventually agreed upon by expert panels that convened at the 2015 APSCI conference in Beijing, China, and at the CI 2016 conference in Toronto, Canada.
RESULTS:
A longitudinal study design comparing CROS-HA, BCD, and CI treatments is proposed. The recommended outcome measures include (1) speech in noise testing, using the same set of 3 spatial configurations to compare binaural benefits such as summation, squelch, and head shadow across devices; (2) localization testing, using stimuli that rove in both level and spectral content; (3) questionnaires to collect quality of life measures and the frequency of device use; and (4) questionnaires for assessing the impact of tinnitus before and after treatment, if applicable.
CONCLUSION:
A protocol for the assessment of treatment options and outcomes in recipients with SSD and AHL is presented. The proposed set of minimum outcome measures aims at harmonizing assessment methods across centers and thus at generating a growing body of high-level evidence for those treatment options.
We present a two-dimensional (2D) planar chromatographic separation of estrogenic active compounds on RP-18 W (Merck, 1.14296) phase. A mixture of 8 substances was separated using a solvent mix consisting of hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone (55:15:10, v/v) in the first direction and of acetone and water (15:10, v/v) in the second direction. Separation was performed on an RP-18 W plate over a distance of 70 mm. This 2D-separation method can be used to quantify 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in an effect-directed analysis, using the yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae BJ3505. The test strain (according to McDonnell) contains the estrogen receptor. Its activation by estrogen active compounds is measured by inducing the reporter gene lacZ which encodes the enzyme β-galactosidase. This enzyme activity is determined on plate by using the fluorescent substrate MUG (4-methylumbelliferyl-β-d-galactopyranoside).
The energy system of the future will transform from the current centralised fossil based to a decentralised, clean, highly efficient, and intelligent network. This transformation will require innovative technologies and ideas like trigeneration and the crowd energy concept to pave the way ahead. Even though trigeneration systems are extremely energy efficient and can play a vital role in the energy system, turning around their deployment is hindered by various barriers. These barriers are theoretically analysed in a multiperspective approach and the role decentralised trigeneration systems can play in the crowd energy concept is highlighted. It is derived from an initial literature research that a multiperspective (technological, energy-economic, and user) analysis is necessary for realising the potential of trigeneration systems in a decentralised grid. And to experimentally quantify these issues we are setting up a microscale trigeneration lab at our institute and the motivation for this lab is also briefly introduced.
In recent years simple CAD systems have entered the market, which are offered as freeware or open source projects. These systems prove to be a key technology especially for the further expansion of 3D printing, because a 3D model of the object to be printed is a prerequisite for the use of a 3D printer. Therefore, this contribution reviews several common simple CAD systems. Thus technical and economic criteria are evaluated. It is also demonstrated how the models designed in this manner can be used in 3D printing. A case study shows the possibilities and limitations to be expected when using simple CAD systems.
Time-of-Flight Cameras Enabling Collaborative Robots for Improved Safety in Medical Applications
(2017)
Human-robot collaboration is being used more and more in industry applications and is finding its way into medical applications. Industrial robots that are used for human-robot collaboration, cannot detect obstacles from a distance. This paper introduced the idea of using wireless technology to connect a Time-of-Flight camera to off-the-shelf industrial robots. This way, the robot can detect obstacles up to a distance of five meters. Connecting Time-of-Flight cameras to robots increases the safety in human-robot collaboration by detecting obstacles before a collision. After looking at the state of the art, the authors elaborated the different requirements for such a system. The Time-of-Flight camera from Heptagon is able to work in a range of up to five meters and can connect to the control unit of the robot via a wireless connection.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a widely-used diagnostic technique to characterize electrochemical processes. It is based on the dynamic analysis of two electrical observables, that is, current and voltage. Electrochemical cells with gaseous reactants or products (e.g., fuel cells, metal/air cells, electrolyzers) offer an additional observable, that is, the gas pressure. The dynamic coupling of current and/or voltage with gas pressure gives rise to a number of additional impedance definitions, for which we use the term electrochemical pressure impedance. It also gives rise to different experimental probing approaches. In this article we present a model-based study of electrochemical pressure impedance spectroscopy (EPIS). Possible quantifications and realizations of EPIS are discussed. The study of generic cell geometries consisting of gas reservoir, diffusion layer(s) and electrochemically active layer(s) reveals distinct spiral-shaped features in the Nyquist plot. Using the example of a sodium/oxygen (Na/O2) cell, the dynamic spatiotemporal behavior of the state variables is quantified and interpreted. Results are compared to first experimental EPIS measurements by Hartmann et al. [J. Phys. Chem. C118, 1461, 2014]. A sensitivity analysis highlights the properties of EPIS with respect to geometric, transport, and kinetic parameters. We demonstrate that EPIS is sensitive to transport parameters that are not well-accessible with standard EIS.
Lithium–oxygen cells with nonaqueous electrolyte show high overpotentials during charge, indicating asymmetric charge/discharge reaction mechanisms. We present a kinetic modeling and simulation study of the lithium–oxygen cell cycling behavior. The model includes a multistep reaction mechanism of the cell reaction (2Li + O2 ⇄ Li2O2) forming lithium peroxide by precipitation, coupled to a 1D porous-electrode transport model. We apply the model to study the asymmetric discharge/charge characteristics and analyze the influence of a redox mediator dissolved homogeneously in the liquid electrolyte. Model predictions are compared to experimental galvanostatic cycling data of cells without and with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) as redox mediator. The predicted discharge behavior shows good agreement with the experimental results. A spatiotemporal analysis of species concentrations reveals inhomogeneous distributions of dissolved oxygen and reaction products within the cathode during discharge. The experimentally observed charge overpotentials as well as their reduction by using a redox mediator can be qualitatively reproduced with a partially irreversible reaction mechanism. However, the proposed models fail to reproduce the particular shape of the experimental charge curve with continuously increasing charge overpotential, which implies that part of the reaction mechanism is still open for investigation in future work.
Economic growth is usually driven by improvements in productivity, economic efficiency, trade and innovation. Increasing efficiency means to produce larger output using the same amount of factors for production such as raw materials, labour, and capital. However, regardless of the driver, growth is often investment-hungry and it is not rare to find an economy with potential for growth but lacking locally available investment. In this scenario, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) can fill the gap between investment needed to promote economic growth and locally available investments.
In the past two decades much has been published on whiplash injury, yet both the confusion regarding the condition, and the medicolegal discussion about it have increased. In this paper, functional imaging research results are summarized using MRIcroGL3D visualization software and assembled in an image comprising regions of cerebral activation and deactivation.
n this work a mathematical model for describing the performance of lithium-ion battery electrodes consisting of porous active material particles is presented. The model represents an extension of the Newman-type model, accounting for the agglomerate structure of the active material particles, here Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 (NCM) and Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Al1/3)O2 (NCA). To this goal, an additional pore space is introduced on the active material level. The space is filled with electrolyte and a charge-transfer reaction takes place at the liquid-solid interface within the porous active material particles. Volume-averaging techniques are used to derive the model equations. A local Thiele modulus is defined and provides an insight into the potentially limiting factors on the active material level. The introduction of a liquid-phase ion transport within the active material reduces the overall transport losses, while the additional active surface area within the agglomerate lowers the charge-transfer resistance. As a consequence, calculated discharge capacities are higher for particles modeled as agglomerates. This finding is more pronounced in the case of high C-rates
A crack opening stress equation for in-phase and out-of-phase thermomechanical fatigue loading
(2016)
In this paper, a crack opening stress equation for in-phase and out-of-phase thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) loading is proposed. The equation is derived from systematic calculations of the crack opening stress with a temperature dependent strip yield model for both plane stress and plane strain, different load ratios and different ratios of the temperature dependent yield stress in compression and tension. Using a load ratio scaled by the ratio of the yield stress in compression and tension, the equation accounts for the effect of the temperature dependent yield stress and the constraint on the crack opening stress. Based on the scaling relation established in this paper, Newman's crack opening stress equation for isothermal loading is enabled to predict the crack opening stress under TMF loading.
Optimal microgrid scheduling with peak load reduction involving an electrolyzer and flexible loads
(2016)
This work consists of a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming model for defining optimized schedules of components in a grid-connected microgrid. The microgrid includes a hydrogen energy system consisting of an alkaline electrolyzer, hydrogen cylinder bundles and a fuel cell for energy storage. Local generation is provided from photovoltaic panels, and the load is given by a fixed load profile combined with a flexible electrical load, which is a battery electric vehicle. The electrolyzer has ramp-up constraints which are modeled explicitly. The objective function includes, besides operational costs and an environmental indicator, a representation of peak power costs, thus leading to an overall peak load reduction under optimized operation. The model is used both for controlling a microgrid in a field trial set-up deployed in South-West Germany and for simulating the microgrid operation for defined period, thus allowing for economic system evaluation. Results from defined sample runs show that the energy storage is primarily used for trimming the peak of electricity drawn from the public grid and is not solely operated with excess power. The flexible demand operation also helps keeping the peak at its possible minimum.
Covert channels have been known for a long time because of their versatile forms of appearance. For nearly every technical improvement or change in technology, such channels have been (re-)created or known methods have been adapted. For example, the introduction of hyperthreading technology has introduced new possibilities for covert communication between malicious processes because they can now share the arithmetic logical unit as well as the L1 and L2 caches, which enable establishing multiple covert channels. Even virtualization, which is known for its isolation of multiple machines, is prone to covert- and side-channel attacks because of the sharing of resources. Therefore, it is not surprising that cloud computing is not immune to this kind of attacks. Moreover, cloud computing with multiple, possibly competing users or customers using the same shared resources may elevate the risk of illegitimate communication. In such a setting, the “air gap” between physical servers and networks disappears, and only the means of isolation and virtual separation serve as a barrier between adversary and victim. In the work at hand, we will provide a survey on vulnerable spots that an adversary could exploit trying to exfiltrate private data from target virtual machines through covert channels in a cloud environment. We will evaluate the feasibility of example attacks and point out proposed mitigation solutions in case they exist.
Structured Innovation with TRIZ in Science and Industry - Creating Value for Customers and Society
(2016)
Lithium-oxygen cells with organic electrolyte suffer high overpotentials during charge, indicating asymmetric charge/discharge reaction mechanisms. We present a multi-physics dynamic modeling and simulation study of the Li/O2 cell cycling behavior. We present three different multi-step mechanisms of the 2 Li + O2 ⇄ Li2O2 cell reaction, (A) a reversible 5-step mechanism, (B) a partially irreversible 6-step mechanism, and (C) a partially irreversible 8-step mechanism that includes reactions of a redox mediator. Model predictions are compared to experimental galvanostatic cycling data of Swagelok cells without and with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) as redox mediator. All mechanisms are able to predict the discharge behavior in good agreement to the experimental results. The experimentally observed high charge overpotentials as well as their reduction by using a redox mediator can be qualitatively reproduced with the irreversible reaction mechanisms. However, the particular shape of the experimental charge curve with continuously increasing charge overpotential cannot be reproduced with the present mechanisms.
In this paper fatigue crack closure under in-phase and out-of-phase thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) loading is studied using a temperature dependent strip yield model. It is shown that fatigue crack closure is strongly influenced by the phase relation between mechanical loading and temperature, if the temperature difference goes along with a temperature dependence of the yield stress. In order to demonstrate the effect of the temperature dependent yield stress, the influence of in-phase and out-of-phase TMF loading is studied for a polycrystalline nickel-base superalloy. By using a mechanism based lifetime model, implications for fatigue lives are demonstrated.
To do justice to the legacy of Alexander von Humboldt, a 19th century German scientist and explorer an information and knowledge management system is required to preserve the author’s original intent and promote an awareness of all his relevant works. Although all of Humboldt's works can be found on the internet as digitized papers, the complexity and internal interconnectivity of the writings is not very transparent. Humboldt's concepts of interaction cannot be adequately represented only by digitized papers or scanned documents.
The Humboldt Portal is an attempt to create a new generation of digital libraries, providing a new form of interaction and synthesis between humanistic texts and scientific observation. The digital version of his documents supplies dynamic links to sources, maps, images, graphs and relevant texts in accordance with his visions, because “everything is interconnectedness”.
Aqueous lithium–oxygen batteries are promising candidates for electric energy storage. In this paper we present and discuss a multiphase continuum model of an aqueous lithium–oxygen single cell including reactions and transport in a porous gas diffusion electrode (GDE). The model is parameterized using in-house half-cell experiments and available literature data on aqueous electrolytes. We validate our transport model with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements over a wide range of temperatures (25, 40, 55 °C) and electrolyte concentrations (0.1–2 M). We observe very good agreement between simulations and measurements during oxygen reduction conditions. A sensitivity analysis of the validated model demonstrates the influence of the porous structure on GDE performance and gives directions for the future development of electrodes.
The ability to detect a target signal masked by noise is improved in normal-hearing listeners when interaural phase differences (IPDs) between the ear signals exist either in the masker or in the signal. To improve binaural hearing in bilaterally implanted cochlear implant (BiCI) users, a coding strategy providing the best possible access to IPD is highly desirable. In this study, we compared two coding strategies in BiCI users provided with CI systems from MED-EL (Innsbruck, Austria). The CI systems were bilaterally programmed either with the fine structure processing strategy FS4 or with the constant rate strategy high definition continuous interleaved sampling (HDCIS). Familiarization periods between 6 and 12 weeks were considered. The effect of IPD was measured in two types of experiments: (a) IPD detection thresholds with tonal signals addressing mainly one apical interaural electrode pair and (b) with speech in noise in terms of binaural speech intelligibility level differences (BILD) addressing multiple electrodes bilaterally. The results in (a) showed improved IPD detection thresholds with FS4 compared with HDCIS in four out of the seven BiCI users. In contrast, 12 BiCI users in (b) showed similar BILD with FS4 (0.6 ± 1.9 dB) and HDCIS (0.5 ± 2.0 dB). However, no correlation between results in (a) and (b) both obtained with FS4 was found. In conclusion, the degree of IPD sensitivity determined on an apical interaural electrode pair was not an indicator for BILD based on bilateral multielectrode stimulation.
The effect of fluctuating maskers on speech understanding of high-performing cochlear implant users
(2016)
Objective: The present study evaluated whether the poorer baseline performance of cochlear implant (CI) users or the technical and/or physiological properties of CI stimulation are responsible for the absence of masking release. Design: This study measured speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in continuous and modulated noise as a function of signal to noise ratio (SNR). Study sample: A total of 24 subjects participated: 12 normal-hearing (NH) listeners and 12 subjects provided with recent MED-EL CI systems. Results: The mean SRT of CI users in continuous noise was −3.0 ± 1.5 dB SNR (mean ± SEM), while the normal-hearing group reached −5.9 ± 0.8 dB SNR. In modulated noise, the difference across groups increased considerably. For CI users, the mean SRT worsened to −1.4 ± 2.3 dB SNR, while it improved for normal-hearing listeners to −18.9 ± 3.8 dB SNR. Conclusions: The detrimental effect of fluctuating maskers on SRTs in CI users shown by prior studies was confirmed by the current study. Concluding, the absence of masking release is mainly caused by the technical and/or physiological properties of CI stimulation, not just the poorer baseline performance of many CI users compared to normal-hearing subjects. Speech understanding in modulated noise was more robust in CI users who had a relatively large electrical dynamic range.
Seven cell design concepts for aqueous (alkaline) lithium–oxygen batteries are investigated using a multi-physics continuum model for predicting cell behavior and performance in terms of the specific energy and specific power. Two different silver-based cathode designs (a gas diffusion electrode and a flooded cathode) and three different separator designs (a porous separator, a stirred separator chamber, and a redox-flow separator) are compared. Cathode and separator thicknesses are varied over a wide range (50 μm–20 mm) in order to identify optimum configurations. All designs show a considerable capacity-rate effect due to spatiotemporally inhomogeneous precipitation of solid discharge product LiOH·H2O. In addition, a cell design with flooded cathode and redox-flow separator including oxygen uptake within the external tank is suggested. For this design, the model predicts specific power up to 33 W/kg and specific energy up to 570 Wh/kg (gravimetric values of discharged cell including all cell components and catholyte except housing and piping).
We present a two dimensional (2D) planar chromatographic separation of estrogenic active compounds on RP-18 (Merck, 1.05559) and silica gel (Merck, 1.05721) phase. A mixture of 13 substances was separated using a solvent mix consisting of methanol–acetonitrile–water (2 + 2 + 1, v/v/v) on RP-18 phase in the first direction and cyclohexane–butylacetate–methanol (8 + 6 + 1, v/v/v) in the second direction on silica gel plate. Both developments were carried out over a distance of 70 mm. We used the grafted method to combine both plates in a 2D-separation. This 2D-separation method can be used to quantify 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in an effect-directed analysis using the yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae BJ3505. The test strain (according to McDonnell) contains the estrogen receptor. Its activation by estrogen active compounds is measured by inducting the reporter gene lacZ that encodes the enzyme ß-galactosidase. This enzyme activity is determined on plate by using the fluorescent substrate MUG (4-methylumbelliferyl ß-D-galactopyranoside).
An Extraction Method for 17α-Ethinylestradiol from Water using a new kind of monolithic Stir-bar
(2015)
This paper presents an overview of the coding aspects of a GNSS receiver. Coding allows detection and correction of channel-induced errors at the receiver, here the focus is on the mitigation of threats from malicious interferences. Although the effects of interference at different stages of GNSS baseband processing has been deeply analyzed in the literature, little attention was devoted to its impact on the navigation message decoding stage. Theis paper provides an introduction to the various coding schemes employed by current GNSS signals, discussing their performance in the presence of noise in terms of block-error rate. Additionally, the benefits of soft-decoding schemes for navigation message decoding are highlighted when jamming interferences are present. The proposed scheme requires estimating the noise plus interference power, yielding to enhanced decoding performances under severe jamming conditions. Finally, cryptographic schemes as a means of providing anti-spoofing for geosecurity location-based services, and their potential vulnerability are discussed, with particular emphasis on the dependence on the dependence of the scheme on successful navigation message decoding
We present a novel scheme for Slotted ALOHA random access systems that combines physical-layer network coding (PLNC) with multiuser detection (MUD). The PLNC and MUD are applied jointly at the physical layer to be able to extract any linear combination of messages experiencing a collision within a slot. The set of combinations extracted from a whole frame is then processed by the receiver to recover the original packets. A simple precoding stage at the transmitting terminals allows the receiver to further decrease the packet loss rate. We present results for the decoding at the physical layer as well as several performance measures at frame level, namely, throughput, packet loss rate, and energy efficiency. The results we present are promising and suggest that a cross-layer approach leveraging on the joint use of PLNC and MUD can significantly improve the performance of random access systems in the presence of slow fading.
Passive solar elements for both direct and indirect gains, are systems used to maintain a comfortable living environment while saving energy, especially in the building energy retrofit and adaptation process. Sunspaces, thermal mass and glazing area and orientation have been often used in the past to guarantee adequate indoor conditions when mechanical devices were not available. After a period of neglect, nowadays they are again considered as appropriate systems to help face environmental issues in the building sector, and both international and national legislation takes into consideration the possibility of including them in the building planning tools, also providing economic incentives. Their proper design needs dynamic simulation, often difficult to perform and time consuming. Moreover, results generally suffer from several uncertainties, so quasi steady-state procedures are often used in everyday practice with good results, but some corrections are still needed. In this paper, a comparative analysis of different solutions for the construction of verandas in an existing building is presented, following the procedure provided by the slightly modified and improved Standard EN ISO 13790:2008. Advantages and disadvantages of different configurations considering thermal insulation, windows typology and mechanical ventilation systems are discussed and a general intervention strategy is proposed. The aim is to highlight the possibility of using sunspaces in order to increase the efficiency of the existing building stock, considering ease of construction and economic viability.
Energy Performance of Verandas in the Building Retrofit Process (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303093420_Energy_Performance_of_Verandas_in_the_Building_Retrofit_Process [accessed Jul 5, 2017].
Many SMEs are still faced with the problematic fact that their corporate structures and processes are not designed for efficient development and market positioning and there is a lack of appropriate methods and tools. SMEs are often inefficiently targeted to the internal or external demands for services. The following key questions are answered in this article: 1) Which studies are available in terms of strategic planning in young SMEs? 2) Which aspects should be considered in the implementation and control of these instruments?
Rubber materials are characterized by a variety of inelasticities such as softening behavior, hysteresis loops and permanent set. In order to calculate the inelastic material behavior, constitutive models, that describe rubber as a homogeneous continuum, have to make use of damping or friction elements.
On the nanoscale, there is no need to adopt such rheological models. Inelastic material behavior can be explained and simulated by a continuous rearrangement of bonds, in particular, the van der Waals interactions, and by the polymer chains transitioning between cis and trans equilibrium torsion angles. The discrete molecular dynamics simulations presented in this paper are performed in an explicit FEM environment using nonlinear but elastic force field potentials. From a structural mechanics point of view, topological changes of the polymer network can be interpreted as a sequence of local material instability problems due to negative tangential bond stiffnesses.
In order to obtain representative results within reasonable computational time, the model is optimized with respect to the number of atoms and the loading velocity. It is shown that by increasing the model size, the stress–strain curves become independent of both the atoms initial state and the strain amplitudes.
A variety of different additive manufacturing processes have been available for the last three decades. Some of these technologies are very energy-intensive, e.g. laser technology and the manufacture of metal powder. In many areas, the detailed investigation of the energy and material consumption of these new manufacturing methods is still in the beginning. This paper investigates energy and material consumption using 3D colour printing (3DP) as an example. The specific energy required for the layering can be determined from this. This then forms the basis for a comparison of the specific energy consumption with other generative (e.g. Fused Layer Modelling—FLM) and also conventional production processes (e.g. milling and grinding). Thus process selection is facilitated by introducing the specific energy for layering. In addition several variables, in which resource consumption can be reduced are also investigated and compared. For example the influence of the geometry or the positioning of the 3D-printed part in the design space on the consumption are investigated. But also the measuring of different batch sizes is compared. Using the results found, the use of 3D printing can initially be optimized so that less energy, resources and manufacturing time are required.
Member Lens
(2013)
The current methods used to assess the energy performance of ventilation devices do not consider all the aspects necessary for a comprehensive evaluation of decentralised ventilation concepts and can only be partially adapted to their needs. In order to improve the energy evaluation and to ensure the comparability of different systems, a calorimetric method was developed and implemented in test facilities for the evaluation of two decentralised devices: one equipped with a recuperative counter flow heat exchanger and one with a regenerative heat exchanger. This method, based on direct measurements of the heating load in an insulated test room, includes the effect of the electrical consumption of the fans on the energy performance of the ventilation devices. The calorimetric evaluation method was extended to a seasonal evaluation on the basis of a heating-degree-day method implemented for a warm, a cool and a moderate location in Europe: Athens, Strasbourg and Copenhagen. All the results are above 50% efficiency for both devices, even in Athens where the use of heat recovery ventilation is not usual.