Ambient nanoparticles/nanominerals and hazardous elements from coal combustion activity:Implications on energy challenges and health hazards

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in the world. Because of the growth of coal mining, coal-fired power plants and coal-burning industries, the increase of the emission of particulates(coarse, fine or ultrafine)is of great concern. There is a relationship between increasing human morbidity and mortality and progressive environmental air pollution caused by these types of particles. Thus, the knowledge of the physico-chemical composition and ambient concentrations of coal-derived nanoparticles will improve pollution control strategy. Given the current importance of this area of research, the advanced characterization of this coal combustion-derived nanoparticles/nanominerals as well as hazardous elements is likely to be one of the hottest research fields in coming days. In this review, we try to compile the existing knowledge on coal-derived nanoparticles/nanominerals and discuss the advanced level of characterization techniques for future research. This review also provides some of aspects of health risks associated with exposure to ambient nanoparticles. In addition, the presence of some of the hazardous elements in coal and coal combustion activities is also reviewed.

Self-adaptive one-dimensional nonlinear finite element method based on element energy projection method

The element energy projection （EEP） method for computation of super- convergent resulting in a one-dimensional finite element method （FEM） is successfully used to self-adaptive FEM analysis of various linear problems, based on which this paper presents a substantial extension of the whole set of technology to nonlinear problems. The main idea behind the technology transfer from linear analysis to nonlinear analysis is to use Newton＇s method to linearize nonlinear problems into a series of linear problems so that the EEP formulation and the corresponding adaptive strategy can be directly used without the need for specific super-convergence formulation for nonlinear FEM. As a re- sult, a unified and general self-adaptive algorithm for nonlinear FEM analysis is formed. The proposed algorithm is found to be able to produce satisfactory finite element results with accuracy satisfying the user-preset error tolerances by maximum norm anywhere on the mesh. Taking the nonlinear ordinary differential equation （ODE） of second-order as the model problem, this paper describes the related fundamental idea, the imple- mentation strategy, and the computational algorithm. Representative numerical exam- ples are given to show the efficiency, stability, versatility, and reliability of the proposed approach.

Base force element method of complementary energy principle for large rotation problems

Using the concept of the base forces, a new finite element method （base force element method, BFEM） based on the complementary energy principle is presented for accurate modeling of structures with large displacements and large rotations. First, the complementary energy of an element is described by taking the base forces as state variables, and is then separated into deformation and rotation parts for the case of large deformation. Second, the control equations of the BFEM based on the complementary energy principle are derived using the Lagrange multiplier method. Nonlinear procedure of the BFEM is then developed. Finally, several examples are analyzed to illustrate the reliability and accuracy of the BFEM.

SELF-ADAPTIVE STRATEGY FOR ONE-DIMENSIONAL FINITE ELEMENT METHOD BASED ON ELEMENT ENERGY PROJECTION METHOD

Based on the newly-developed element energy projection （EEP） method for computation of super-convergent results in one-dimensional finite element method （FEM）, the task of self-adaptive FEM analysis was converted into the task of adaptive piecewise polynomial interpolation. As a result, a satisfactory FEM mesh can be obtained, and further FEM analysis on this mesh would immediately produce an FEM solution which usually satisfies the user specified error tolerance. Even though the error tolerance was not completely satisfied, one or two steps of further local refinements would be sufficient. This strategy was found to be very simple, rapid, cheap and efficient. Taking the elliptical ordinary differential equation of second order as the model problem, the fundamental idea, implementation strategy and detailed algorithm are described. Representative numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed approach.

Anisotropic Continuum Stored Energy Functional Solved by Lie Group and Differential Geometry

An anisotropic continuum stored energy (CSE), which is essentially composed of invariant component groups (ICGs), is postulated to be balanced with its stress work done, constructing a partial differential equation (PDE). The anisotropic CSE PDE is generally solved by the Lie group and the ICGs through curvatures of elasticity tensor are particularly grouped by differential geometry, representing three general deformations: preferred translational deformations, preferred rotational deformations, and preferred powers of ellipsoidal deformations. The anisotropic CSE constitutive models have been curve-fitted for uniaxial tension tests of rabbit abdominal skins and porcine liver tissues, and biaxial tension and triaxial shear tests of human ventricular myocardial tissues. With the newly defined second invariant component, the anisotropic CSE constitutive models capture the transverse effects in uniaxial tension deformations and the shear coupling effects in triaxial shear deformations.

Energy Harvesting Strategy Using Piezoelectric Element Driven by Vibration Method

This study demonstrates a method for harvesting the electrical power by the piezoelectric actuator from vibration energy. This paper presents the energy harvesting technique using the piezoelectric element of a bimorph type driven by a geared motor and a vibrator. The geared motor is a type of PWM controlled device that is a combination of an oval shape cam with five gears and a speed controller. When using the geared motor, the piezoelectric element is size of 36L×13W×0.6H. The output voltage characteristics of the piezoelectric element were investigated in terms of the displacement and vibration. When using the vibrator, the electric power harvesting is based on piezoelectric effect and piezoelectric vibrator consists of a magnetic type oscillator, a cantilever, a bimorph actuator and controllers. Low frequency operating technique using piezoelectric vibrator is very important because normal vibration sources in the environment such as building, human body, windmill and ship have low frequency characteristics. We can know from this study results that there are many energy sources such as vibration, wind power and wave power. Also, these can be used to the energy harvesting system using smart device like piezoelectric element.

A modified discrete element method for concave granular materials based on energy-conserving contact model

The development of a general discrete element method for irregularly shaped particles is the core issue of the simulation of the dynamic behavior of granular materials.The general energy-conserving contact theory is used to establish a universal discrete element method suitable for particle contact of arbitrary shape.In this study,three dimentional(3D)modeling and scanning techniques are used to obtain a triangular mesh representation of the true particles containing typical concave particles.The contact volumebased energy-conserving model is used to realize the contact detection between irregularly shaped particles,and the contact force model is refined and modified to describe the contact under real conditions.The inelastic collision processes between the particles and boundaries are simulated to verify the robustness of the modified contact force model and its applicability to the multi-point contact mode.In addition,the packing process and the flow process of a large number of irregular particles are simulated with the modified discrete element method(DEM)to illustrate the applicability of the method of complex problems.

Stored energy analysis of Zn-5Al eutectic alloy in superplastic deformation

The stored energy and the energy release during SPD (superplastic deformation) of a Zn-5 Al alloy were studied. The alloy after rolling process gains more stored energy, and the as-rolled specimen can obtain maximum elongation and minimum flow stress without hot holding treatment before SPD. Experimental results show that stored energy release process is along with SPD process and is also an impetus to SPD. The as-rolled Zn-5Al alloy has 48 J/mol stored energy which was measured with DSC (differential scanning calorimeter) and conforms well to the calculated value. The as-rolled Zn-5Al alloy after SPD with an elongation of 2 500% releases 112 J/mol stored energy. Analysis shows that the strain rate is in direct ratio to the rate of stored energy release.

ADAPTIVE EIGENFREQUENCY ANALYSIS BY IMPROVED r-AND h-ADAPTIVE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD BASED ON PERTURBATION AND ELEMENT ENERGY RATIO

A new adaptive technique of r-and h-version for vibration problemsutilizing the matrix per- turbation theory and element energy ratiois proposed. In structural vibration analysis, through the r-conver-gence adaptvie finite element process, mesh optimization can berealized. In the light of the judgement on the changes in themagnitude of the element energy ratio, local refinement can beachieved in the process of h- convergence adaptive finite element sothat more accurate finite element solutions can be obtained with asfew meshes as possible. Many numerical examples are given and theproposed approach is shown to be feasible and effective.

The Continuum Stored Energy for Constitutive Modeling Finite Deformations of Polymeric Materials

With symmetries measured by the Lie group and curvatures revealed by differential geometry, the continuum stored energy function possesses a translational deformation component, a rotational deformation component, and an ellipsoidal volumetric deformation component. The function, originally developed for elastomeric polymers, has been extended to model brittle and ductile polymers. The function fits uniaxial tension testing data for brittle, ductile, and elastomeric polymers, and elucidates deformation mechanisms. A clear distinction in damage modes between brittle and ductile deformations has been captured. The von Mises equivalent stress has been evaluated by the function and the newly discovered break-even stretch. Common practices of constitutive modeling, relevant features of existing models and testing methods, and a new perspective on the finite elasticity-plasticity theory have also been offered.

Mechanistic insights into homogeneous electrocatalytic reaction for energy storage using finite element simulation

The application of homogeneous electrocatalytic reactions in energy storage and conversion has driven surging interests of researchers in exploring the reaction mechanisms of molecular catalysts.In this paper,homogeneous electrocatalytic reaction between hydroxymethylferrocene(HMF)and L-cysteine is intensively investigated by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry for which,the secondorder rate constant(k_(ec))of the chemical reaction between HMF^(+)and L-cysteine is determined via a 1D homogeneous electrocatalytic reaction model based on finite element simulation.The corresponding k_(ec)(1.1(mol·m^(-3))^(-1)·s^(-1))is further verified by linear sweep voltammograms under the same model.Square wave voltammetry parameters including potential frequency(f),increment(Estep)and amplitude(ESW)have been comprehensively investigated in terms of the voltammetric waveform transition of homogeneous electrocatalytic reaction.Specifically,the effect of potential frequency and increment is in accordance with the potential scan rate in cyclic voltammetry and the increase of pulsed potential amplitude results in a conspicuous split oxidative peaks phenomenon.Moreover,the proposed methodology of k_(ec)prediction is examined by hydroxyethylferrocene(HEF)and L-cysteine.The present work facilitates the understanding of homogeneous electrocatalytic reaction for energy storage purpose,especially in terms of electrochemical kinetics extraction and flow battery design.

Finite Element Analysis on a Square Canister Piezoelectric Energy Harvester in Asphalt Pavement

A novel square canister piezoelectric energy harvester was proposed for harvesting energy from asphalt pavement. The square of the harvester was of great advantage to compose the harvester array for harvesting energy from the asphalt pavement in a large scale. The open circuit voltage of the harvester was obtained by the piezoelectric constant d33 of the piezoelectric ceramic. The harvester is different from the cymbal harvester which works by the piezoelectric constant d31. The finite element model of the single harvester was constructed. The open circuit voltage increased with increase of the outer load. The finite element model of the single harvester buried in the asphalt pavement was built. The open circuit voltage, the deformation difference percent and the stress of the ceramic of the harvester were obtained with different buried depth. The open circuit voltage decreased when the buried depth was increased. The proper buried depth of the harvester should be selected as 30 - 50 mm. The effects of structure parameters on the open circuit voltage were gotten. The output voltage about 64.442 V could be obtained from a single harvester buried under 40 mm pavement at the vehicle load of 0.7 MPa. 0.047 mJ electric energy could be gotten in the harvester. The output power was about 0.705 mW at 15 Hz vehicle load frequency.

A Study of Changes in the Element Composition and Structure of Surfaces under Irradiation of Dense Xenon Gas （270 bar） by y-Rays with a Maximum Energy of 10 MeV

A high-pressure chamber filled with natural xenon （XeHPC） under initial pressure 270 bar was irradiated during 43 hours by braking γ-rays with a maximum energy of 10 MeV at the MT-25 electron accelerator at an average beam intensity of 20-22 μA. After about 14 hours of irradiation, the pressure in the XeHPC dropped to 185 bar and did not change till the end of the irradiation cycle. Upon completion of exposure, part of the gas from XeHPC was bypassed into a separate reservoir to measure the xenon composition by mass-analyzer QMA-200. After the opening of the XeHPC, an inner assembly without xenon was fixed at the Ge-detector for measurement of γ-spectra of radionuclides produced in the XeHPC and the background during 15 hours. A visual inspection of the inner assembly indicated that the surfaces of its elements were covered with a siskin green layer. Using SEM （scanning electron microscopy） studies and MPRA （microprobe roentgen analysis） , the element compositions of the synthesized micro-objects and micro-particles were determined. In order to explain the observed anomalies in the formation of new elements in the micro-particles and micro-objects, nuclear fission and synthesis reactions should be used.

Method and portable facility for measurement of trace element concentration in prostate fluid samples using radionuclideinduced energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent analysis

A facility and method for109 Cd radionuclide-induced energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent(EDXRF) were developed to determine the Fe,Zn,Br,Rb,and Sr concentrations in the specimens of human prostatic fluid.Specimens of expressed prostatic fluid were obtained from 51 men(mean age 51 years,range 18–82 years) with apparently normal prostates using standard rectal massage procedure.Mean values(M ± SEL) for concentration of trace elements(mg L^(-1)) in human prostate fluid were:Fe 9.04 ±1.21,Zn 573 ± 35,Br 3.58 ± 0.59,Rb 1.10 ± 0.08,and Sr B 0.76.It was shown that the results of trace element analysis in the micro-samples(20 l L) are sufficiently representative for assessment of the Fe,Zn,Br,and Rb concentration in the prostate fluid.The facility for109 Cd radionuclide-induced EDXRF is comparatively compact and can be located in close proximity to the site of carrying out the massage procedure.The means of Zn and Rb concentration obtained for prostate fluid agree well with median of reported means.For the first time,the Fe and Br concentrations,as well as the upper limit of the Sr concentration,were determined in the human prostate fluid.

An Assessment for Energy Management in Retail Stores

Retail stores are responsible for large energy consumption, which requires more intensified action to improve energy efficiency. Effective energy management can improve energy efficiency in retail stores. However, it is a challenge to implement energy management in retail stores due to different stakeholders’ roles and diverse store features. Literally, technical and management aspects of energy management have received much attention in research. However, limited studies systemically investigate internal and external factors and stakeholders’ involvement in the energy management of retail buildings. With multi-cases in the Philippines, this paper examines the energy profiles in retail stores and develops an assessment for energy management in retail stores. The assessment includes store features, internal and external stakeholders, climate, electricity price and grid condition, energy consumption, and management. The assessment can assist retail stores to develop their energy management plans with their store profile.

Estimation of stored energy in deformed metals from EBSD data sets

A number of methods for estimating the stored energy of deformation from EBSD data have been examined.The methods are illustrated here using samples of AA1100 deformed to strains of εvM=2.4 and εvM=4.0 using the accumulative roll bonding process.A qualitative method,based on pattern contrast,reveals some aspects of local differences in stored energy in the deformed samples.Quantitative methods where the stored energy is estimated through the use of the Read-Shockley equation have also been examined.A special mean misorientation angle is developed to take account of nonlinearity of the Read-Shockley equation.Two approaches have been considered.One is based on subgrain reconstruction and the other is based on misorientation angles taken directly from an orientation map.Calculations show that the subgrain method is particularly sensitive to orientation noise in the data and care must be taken when using this method.

Compressive property and energy absorption characteristic of interconnected porous Mg-Zn-Y alloys with adjusting Y addition

In this study,interconnected porous Mg-2Zn-xY alloys with different phase compositions were prepared by various Y additions(x=0.4,3,and 6 wt.%)to adjust the compressive properties and energy absorption characteristics.Several characterization methods were then applied to identify the microstructure of the porous Mg-Zn-Y and describe the details of the second phase.Compressive tests were performed at room temperature(RT),200℃,and 300℃to study the impact of the Y addition and testing temperature on the compressive properties of the porous Mg-Zn-Y.The experimental results showed that a high Y content promotes a microstructure refinement and increases the volume fraction of the second phase.When the Y content increases,different Mg-Zn-Y ternary phases appear:I-phase(Mg_(3)Zn_(6)Y),W-phase(Mg_(3)Zn_(3)Y_(2)),and LPSO phase(Mg_(12)ZnY).When the Y content ranges between 0.4%and 6%,the compressive strength increases from 6.30MPa to 9.23 MPa,and the energy absorption capacity increases from 7.33 MJ/m^(3)to 10.97 MJ/m^(3)at RT,which is mainly attributed to the phase composition and volume fraction of the second phase.However,the average energy absorption efficiency is independent of the Y content.In addition,the compressive deformation behaviors of the porous Mg-Zn-Y are altered by the testing temperature.The compressive strength and energy absorption capacity of the porous Mg-Zn-Y decrease due to the softening effect of the high temperature on the struts.The deformation behaviors at different temperatures are finally observed to reflect the failure mechanisms of the struts.

Implementation of a particle-in-cell method for the energy solver in 3D spherical geodynamic modeling

The thermal evolution of the Earth’s interior and its dynamic effects are the focus of Earth sciences.However,the commonly adopted grid-based temperature solver is usually prone to numerical oscillations,especially in the presence of sharp thermal gradients,such as when modeling subducting slabs and rising plumes.This phenomenon prohibits the correct representation of thermal evolution and may cause incorrect implications of geodynamic processes.After examining several approaches for removing these numerical oscillations,we show that the Lagrangian method provides an ideal way to solve this problem.In this study,we propose a particle-in-cell method as a strategy for improving the solution to the energy equation and demonstrate its effectiveness in both one-dimensional and three-dimensional thermal problems,as well as in a global spherical simulation with data assimilation.We have implemented this method in the open-source finite-element code CitcomS,which features a spherical coordinate system,distributed memory parallel computing,and data assimilation algorithms.

Improving Kinetic Energy Storage for Vehicles through the Combination of Rolling Element and Active Magnetic Bearing

The demand for short term energy storage providing high power for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles is increasing drastically. Stationary FESS （flywheel energy storage systems） is established as UPS （uninterruptible power supply） and represent an emerging market. In contrast, mobile FESSs are currently only used in a few application, e.g., in motor sports. To enable a wider use in personal and public transportation the life-span of the flywheel＇s bearings needs to be increased significantly. This paper presents an alternative approach to extend the lifespan of the flywheel＇s bearings significantly by using a CREAMB （combination of rolling element and active magnetic bearings）.

Assessment of liquefaction potential based on shear wave velocity:Strain energy approach

Liquefaction assessment based on strain energy is significantly superior to conventional stress-based methods.The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the correlation between shear wave velocity and strain energy capacity of silty sands.The dissipated energy until liquefaction occurs was calculated by analyzing the results of three series of comprehensive cyclic direct simple shear and triaxial tests on Ottawa F65,Nevada,and Firoozkuh sands with varying silt content by weight and relative densities.Additionally,the shear wave velocity of each series was obtained using bender element or resonant column tests.Consequently,for the first time,a liquefaction triggering criterion,relating to effective overburden normalized liquefaction capacity energy(WL=s’c)to effective overburden stresscorrected shear wave velocity(eVs1)has been introduced.The accuracy of the proposed criteria was evaluated using in situ data.The results confirm the ability of shear wave velocity as a distinguishing parameter for separating liquefied and non-liquefied soils when it is calculated against liquefaction capacity energy(WL=s’c).However,the proposed WL=s’c-Vs1 curve,similar to previously proposed cyclic resistance ratio(CRR)-Vs1 relationships,should be used conservatively for fields vulnerable to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading.