Towards a direct transition energy measurement of the lowest nuclear excitation in 229Th

The isomeric first excited state of the isotope 229Th exhibits the lowest nuclear excitation energy in the whole landscape of known atomic nuclei. For a long time this energy was reported in the literature as 3.5(5) eV, however, a new experiment corrected this energy to 7.6(5) eV, corresponding to a UV transition wavelength of 163(11) nm. The expected isomeric lifetime is $\tau=$ 3-5 hours, leading to an extremely sharp relative linewidth of Delta E/E ~ 10^-20, 5-6 orders of magnitude smaller than typical atomic relative linewidths. For an adequately chosen electronic state the frequency of the nuclear ground-state transition will be independent from influences of external fields in the framework of the linear Zeeman and quadratic Stark effect, rendering 229mTh a candidate for a reference of an optical clock with very high accuracy. Moreover, in the literature speculations about a potentially enhanced sensitivity of the ground-state transition of $^{229m}$Th for eventual time-dependent variations of fundamental constants (e.g. fine structure constant alpha) can be found. We report on our experimental activities that aim at a direct identification of the UV fluorescence of the ground-state transition energy of 229mTh. A further goal is to improve the accuracy of the ground-state transition energy as a prerequisite for a laser-based optical control of this nuclear excited state, allowing to build a bridge between atomic and nuclear physics and open new perspectives for metrological as well as fundamental studies

Sediment Estimation and Assessment of Hydraulic Structure of Hirna Small Scale Irrigation Scheme, West Hararghe Zone Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Accelerated soil erosion and sedimentation is a serious concern worldwide problem and the problem of sedimentation is clearly felt in the irrigation canals, in dry years when there is scarcity of rain more silt-laden water is diverted to the canals which cause high reduction of canal capacity discharge. Hirna watershed at which Hirna small scale irrigation project found is one of the most erosion-prone watersheds in the eastern highland of Ethiopia which little attention is given. The objectives of this study were to estimate Hirna river watershed sediment loss and to evaluate the design concept of Hirna small scale irrigation canals in view of water and sediment transport. This study spatial predict soil loss rate of the watershed using Geographic Information System, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation was used to estimate potential soil loss. Based on the analysis, the mean and total annual soil loss potential of the study watershed was 26.61 ton/ha/yr and 140,569.99 tons/yr respectively. About 36.60% (1,933.42 ha) of watershed was classified under high to very high soil loss class while the remaining 63.40% (3349.17 ha) of watershed categorized under slow to moderate soil loss class. The total soil loss at the outlet of watershed or at the weir site estimated as 25,311.80 tons. Beside spatial estimation of soil loss, field soil loss measurement by runoff controlling point was also done. The estimated mean annual soil loss from watershed with runoff pot method was 22.30 ton/ha/yr. which that the two value of soil loss estimated with runoff plot and spatial estimated with the help of the model was almost the same. Assessment of irrigation project and structural problem by measuring bed load, structural problem observation, and redesigning of the Hirna small scale irrigation were done to relate the capacity of the structure with the designed discharge and sediment deposited. As the assessment show the project have a problem of sedimentation due to improper design of flow velocity and canal slope. Finally the result show 116.80 tons of sediment was deposited in irrigation canal which have dramatically reduced the quantity of designed water depth into 41.67% and reduced designed discharge with 50.2%. Keywords: - GIS, RUSLE, hydraulic structure, Design, Hirna, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/10-3-01 Publication date:March 31st 201

A Small-Radius Rotating-Coil Measurement System for Field Characterization of Small-Bore-Diameter Magnets

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

Time dissemination and synchronization methods to support Galileo timing interfaces

Precise timing is an important factor in the modern information-oriented society and culture. Timing is one of the key technologies for such basic and everyday things, like cellular communications, Internet, satellite navigation and many others. Satellite navigation systems offer cost-efficient and high-performance timing services, and GPS is presently the unchallenged market leader. However, GPS is under military control and does not offer availability and performance guarantees. From a user perspective, this situation will change with the advent of the European satellite navigation system Galileo which shall be operated on a commercial basis by civil entities and shall accept certain liabilities for its services providing also guaranteed service performances. This work is motivated by the new opportunities and challenges related to Galileo timekeeping and applications, and in particular by the necessity to (a) produce and maintain a stable, accurate and robust system timescale which can serve for both accurate prediction of satellite clocks and for the metrological purposes, (b) establish accurate and reliable timing interface to GPS to facilitate Galileo interoperability, (c) maximize user benefits from the new system features like service guarantees and support application development by enabling their certification. The thesis starts with overview of atomic clocks, timekeeping and timing applications. Further Galileo project and system architecture are described and details on Galileo timekeeping concept are given. In addition, the state-of-the-art timekeeping and time dissemination methods and algorithms are presented. Main findings of the thesis focus on (a) Galileo timekeeping. Various options for generation of Galileo system time are proposed and compared with respect to the key performance parameters (stability and reliability). Galileo System Time (GST) stability requirements driven by its navigation and metrological functions are derived. In addition, achievable level of GST stability (considering hardware components) is analyzed. Further, optimization of the present baseline with respect to the design of Galileo Precise Timing Facility (PTF), and its redundancy and switching concepts is undertaken. Finally, performance analysis of different options for generation of the ensemble time is performed and considerations with respect to the role of the ensemble time in Galileo are provided, (b) GPS Galileo timing interface. The magnitude and statistical properties of the time offset are investigated and the impact of the time offset onto the user positioning and timing accuracy is studied with the help of simulated GPS and Galileo observations. Here a novel simulation concept which is based on utilization of GPS data and their scaling for Galileo is proposed. Both GPS and Galileo baseline foresees that the GPS/Galileo time offset shall be determined and broadcast to users in the navigation messages. For this purposes, the offset shall be predicted using available measurement data. Simulations of GPS Galileo time offset determination and prediction are presented. The prediction is made relying on both traditional method and on the advanced techniques like Box-Jenkins prediction (based on the autoregressive moving average approach) and Kalman filter. The end-to-end budgets for different options of GPS Galileo time offset determination are also presented. (c) Galileo interface to timing users (Galileo timing service). The relevance of GST restitution from the metrological point of view is discussed and recognition of GST as a legal time reference is proposed. Assessment of the accuracy of the Galileo timing service is presented. Finally, recommendations for Galileo are provided based on the findings of the thesis

Extensive cosmic showers detection: the importance of timing and the role of GPS in the EEE experiment

Extreme Energy Events (EEE) is an extended Cosmic Rays (CRs) Observatory, composed of about 60 tracking telescopes spread over more than 10 degrees in Latitude and Longitude. We present the metrological characterization of a representative set of actually installed EEE GPS receivers, their calibration and their comparison with respect to dual-frequency receivers for timing applications, as well as plans for a transportable measurement system to calibrate the currently deployed GPS receivers. Finally, the realization of an INRIM Laboratory dedicated to EEE, aimed at hosting reference telescopes and allowing timing studies for Particle Physics/Astrophysics experiments, is presented, as well as the possibility of synchronizing already deployed telescopes utilizing White Rabbit Technique, over optical fiber links, directly with the Universal Time Coordinated time scale, as realized by INRIM (UTC(IT))

Application of demand response strategies for the management of natural gas systems under the smart grid configuration: development of a methodology for technical, economic and environmental evaluation

Energy systems are evolving into structures in which the role of the consumer is more and more significant. Consumers are no longer the passive entities that in the past had to be supplied in an unidirectional way (from the network to the customer), but can also supply power to the grid through renewable resources, storage capacity through the batteries of their electric vehicles or operating services through the use of their flexibility. However, when discussing on smart grids, electricity supply and consump-tion are the only considered side on many occasions, neglecting other dimensions such as natural gas, sanitary hot water or transport. In this context, this dissertation represents a novel approach to the role of consumers in the natural gas sector. While it is true that electricity consumers have been involved for years in different operation services related to the use of their flexibility (especial-ly in countries such as the United States and more recently in the European Union), the use of demand response resources in the gas sector has been so far non-existent. However, the success of demand response initiatives in electricity systems and their similarity to the gas sector, where their regulatory and technological development has been carried out in parallel in recent years, allows us to expect similar successful re-sults when implementing equivalent programs to gas networks. This dissertation highlights the huge potential that remains unexplored on the demand side of natural gas, which could be used by gas network operators for the solution of technical constraints, balance services or optimization of programming of under-ground storage. This potential is especially interesting at the moment, when the mas-sive installation of smart gas meters has started in some European countries, an infra-structure that would facilitate the use of demand response resources for the better op-eration of gas networks. The dissertation presents, firstly, an exhaustive analysis of the demand response pro-grams currently used in electrical systems around the world, identifying those services that could be equally applicable to the gas sector. The traditional structure based on which gas systems have been developed in different countries is analyzed below. In order to make better use of resources and to optimize its operation, an architecture based on the concept of smart grid is then proposed, identifying the agents that would participate in this structure and emphasizing the role that consumers would play, not only as energy demanders, but also as providers of network services. This active role of demand requires the use of adequate measurement, control and communication technologies, aspect that is also properly analyzed. Based on the results of the analysis mentioned above, this thesis proposes a new meth-odology for the development and evaluation of demand response mechanisms that allow a greater participation of gas consumers in the provision of operating services to the manager of the network, increasing the joint efficiency of the system and reducing the costs associated with such services. The proposed methodology has been successfully applied to the gas network in Italy, where the analyzed operation services have been evaluated in a town of 16,000 inhab-itants located in the central north-Italian area. In that town, consumers have been grouped by end-use, sector and size, which evidences the need to enhance the role of the aggregator for the proper use of the potential of smaller consumers, whether they receive a gas supply directly or through a distributed heat network. The results presented in this dissertation should encourage regulators to empower the use of the consumers' flexibility in order to increase the efficiency of the natural gas system, as it reduces operating costs while favoring the participation of customers in a more dynamic energy structure.Los sistemas energéticos están evolucionando hacia estructuras en las que el papel desempeñado por el consumidor es cada vez más importante. Hoy en día, los consumidores ya no son los entes pasivos de antaño a los que había que suministrar energía de forma unidireccional (de la red al cliente), sino que también pueden suministrar energía a la red a través de recursos renovables, capacidad de almacenamiento mediante las baterías de sus vehículos eléctricos o servicios de operación a través de la utilización de su flexibilidad. Sin embargo, al hablar de redes inteligentes, en muchas ocasiones se sobreentiende únicamente lo relativo al suministro y consumo de electricidad, obviando otras dimensiones como pueden ser el gas natural, el agua caliente sanitaria o el transporte. En este marco, esta tesis supone un enfoque novedoso en lo que se refiere al papel de los consumidores en el sector del gas natural. Si bien es cierto que los consumidores de electricidad han participado desde hace años en diferentes servicios relacionados con el uso de su flexibilidad, la utilización de la respuesta de la demanda en el sector gasista ha sido hasta ahora inexistente. Sin embargo, el éxito de iniciativas de respuesta de la demanda en los sistemas eléctricos y su similitud con el sector gasista, cuyo desarrollo normativo y tecnológico se ha realizado en paralelo en los últimos años, permite esperar resultados igualmente exitosos al aplicar programas equivalentes a las redes de gas. Esta tesis pone de manifiesto el enorme potencial que permanece inexplorado en el lado de la demanda de gas natural, el cual podría ser utilizado para la solución de restricciones técnicas, servicios de balance u optimización de la programación de los almacenamientos subterráneos. Este potencial resulta especialmente interesante en estos momentos, cuando en algunos países europeos se ha comenzado la instalación masiva de contadores inteligentes de gas. La tesis presenta un análisis exhaustivo de los programas de respuesta de la demanda utilizados en la actualidad en sistemas eléctricos alrededor del mundo, identificándose aquellos servicios que podrían ser aplicables al sector gasista. A continuación se analiza la estructura tradicional en base a la que los sistemas gasistas se han desarrollado en diversos países, proponiéndose a continuación una arquitectura basada en el concepto de red inteligente, donde se identifican los agentes que participarían en esta estructura y se enfatiza el rol que los consumidores desempeñarían no sólo como demandantes de energía, sino también como proveedores de servicios de red. Este papel activo de la demanda necesita de la utilización de tecnologías de medición, control y comunicación adecuadas, aspecto que también se analiza en detalle. En base a los resultados del análisis mencionado, esta tesis propone una nueva metodología para el desarrollo y evaluación de mecanismos de respuesta de la demanda que permitan una mayor participación de los consumidores de gas en la provisión de servicios de operación al gestor de la red, aumentando la eficiencia conjunta del sistema y reduciendo los costes asociados a dichos servicios. La metodología propuesta ha sido aplicada con éxito a la red gasista de Italia, donde los servicios de operación analizados han sido evaluados en una ciudad de 16.000 habitantes, donde los consumidores han sido agrupados por uso final, sector y tamaño. Esto ha puesto de manifiesto la necesidad de potenciar el papel del agregador para valorizar el potencial de los consumidores más pequeños, tanto si reciben un suministro de gas directo o a través de una red de calor distribuido. Los resultados expuestos en esta tesis deberían impulsar a los reguladores a incentivar la utilización de la flexibilidad de los consumidores a fin de incrementar la eficiencia del sistema de gas natural, ya que reduce los costes de operación al tiempo que favorece la participEls sistemes energètics estan evolucionant cap a estructures en què el paper exercit pel consumidor és cada vegada més important. Avui dia, els consumidors ja no són els ens passius d'antany als quals calia subministrar energia de forma unidireccional (de la xarxa al client), sinó que també poden subministrar energia a la xarxa a través de recursos renovables, capacitat d'emmagatzematge mitjançant les bateries dels seus vehicles elèctrics o serveis d'operació a través de la utilització de la seva flexibilitat. No obstant això, en parlar de xarxes intel·ligents, en moltes ocasions se sobreentén únicament quant al subministrament i consum d'electricitat, obviant altres dimensions com poden ser el gas natural, l'aigua calenta sanitària o el transport. En aquest marc, aquesta tesi suposa un enfocament nou pel que fa al paper dels consumidors en el sector del gas natural. Si bé és cert que els consumidors d'electricitat han participat des de fa anys en diferents serveis d'operació relacionats amb l'ús de la seva flexibilitat, la utilització de la resposta de la demanda en el sector gasista ha estat fins ara inexistent. No obstant això, l'èxit d'iniciatives de resposta de la demanda en els sistemes elèctrics i la seva similitud amb el sector gasista, el desenvolupament normatiu i tecnològic s'ha realitzat en paral·lel en els últims anys, permet esperar resultats igualment reeixits en aplicar programes equivalents a les xarxes de gas. Aquesta tesi posa de manifest l'enorme potencial que roman inexplorat en el costat de la demanda de gas natural, el qual podria ser utilitzat per a la solució de restriccions tècniques, serveis de balanç o optimització de la programació dels emmagatzematges subterranis. Aquest potencial és especialment interessant en aquests moments, quan en alguns països europeus s'ha començat la instal·lació massiva de comptadors intel·ligents de gas. La tesi presenta una anàlisi exhaustiva dels programes de resposta de la demanda utilitzats en l'actualitat en sistemes elèctrics voltant del món, identificant-se aquells serveis que podrien ser aplicables al sector gasista. A continuació s'analitza l'estructura tradicional sobre la base de la qual els sistemes gasistes s'han desenvolupat en diversos països, proposant-se a continuació una arquitectura basada en el concepte de xarxa intel·ligent, on s'identifiquen els agents que participarien en aquesta estructura i s'emfatitza el paper que els consumidors exercirien no només com a demandants d'energia, sinó també com a proveïdors de serveis de xarxa. Aquest paper actiu de la demanda necessita de la utilització de tecnologies de mesurament, control i comunicació adequades, aspecte que també s'analitza en detall. En base als resultats de l'anàlisi esmentat, aquesta tesi proposa una nova metodologia per al desenvolupament i avaluació de mecanismes de resposta de la demanda que permetin una major participació dels consumidors de gas a la provisió de serveis d'operació al gestor de la xarxa, augmentant l'eficiència conjunta del sistema i reduint els costos associats a aquests serveis. La metodologia proposada ha estat aplicada amb èxit a la xarxa gasista d'Itàlia, on els serveis d'operació analitzats han estat avaluats en una ciutat de 16.000 habitants, on els consumidors han estat agrupats per ús final, sector i grandària. Això ha posat de manifest la necessitat de potenciar el paper de l'agregador per valoritzar el potencial dels consumidors més petits, tant si reben un subministrament de gas directe o mitjançant una xarxa de calor distribuïda. Els resultats exposats en aquesta tesi haurien d'impulsar els reguladors a incentivar la utilització de la flexibilitat dels consumidors a fi d'incrementar l'eficiència del sistema de gas natural, ja que redueix els costos d'operació i alhora afavoreix la participació dels clients en una estructura més dinàmica.Montuori, L. (2017). Application of demand response strategies for the management of natural gas systems under the smart grid configuration: development of a methodology for technical, economic and environmental evaluation [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/90407TESI

Modelling and Forecasting Temporal PM_2.5 Concentration Using Ensemble Machine Learning Methods

Exposure of humans to high concentrations of PM2.5 has adverse effects on their health. Researchers estimate that exposure to particulate matter from fossil fuel emissions accounted for 18% of deaths in 2018—a challenge policymakers argue is being exacerbated by the increase in the number of extreme weather events and rapid urbanization as they tinker with strategies for reducing air pollutants. Drawing on a number of ensemble machine learning methods that have emerged as a result of advancements in data science, this study examines the effectiveness of using ensemble models for forecasting the concentrations of air pollutants, using PM2.5 as a representative case. A comprehensive evaluation of the ensemble methods was carried out by comparing their predictive performance with that of other standalone algorithms. The findings suggest that hybrid models provide useful tools for PM2.5 concentration forecasting. The developed models show that machine learning models are efficient in predicting air particulate concentrations, and can be used for air pollution forecasting. This study also provides insights into how climatic factors influence the concentrations of pollutants found in the air

ARIES 2018 - Infrastructure, Innovation, Outreach

This article has two outreach aims. It concisely summarizes the main research and technical efforts in the EC H2020 ARIES Integrating Activity – Accelerator Research and Innovation for European Science and Society [1] during the period 2017/2018. ARIES is a continuation of CARE, TIARA and EuCARD projects [2-3]. The article also tries to show these results as an encouragement for local physics and engineering, research and technical communities to participate actively in such important European projects. According to the author’s opinion this participation may be much bigger [4-27]. All the needed components to participate – human, material and infrastructural are there [4,7]. So why the results are not satisfying as they should be?  The major research subjects of ARIES are: new methods of particles acceleration including laser, plasma and particle beam interactions, new materials and accelerator components, building new generations of accelerators, energy efficiency and management of large accelerator systems, innovative superconducting magnets, high field and ultra-high gradient magnets,  cost lowering, system miniaturization, promotion of innovation originating from accelerator research, industrial applications, and societal implications. Two institutions from Poland participate in ARIES – these are Warsaw University of Technology and Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology in Warsaw. There are not present some of the key institutes active in accelerator technology in Poland. Let this article be a small contribution why Poland, a country of such big research potential, contributes so modestly to the European accelerator infrastructural projects?   The article bases on public and internal documents of ARIES project, including the EU Grant Agreement and P1 report. The views presented in the paper are only by the author and not necessarily by the ARIES