Avionics and controls research and technology

The workshop provided a forum for industry and universities to discuss the state-of-the-art, identify the technology needs and opportunities, and describe the role of NASA in avionics and controls research

Open-Source, Open-Architecture SoftwarePlatform for Plug-InElectric Vehicle SmartCharging in California

This interdisciplinary eXtensible Building Operating System–Vehicles project focuses on controlling plug-in electric vehicle charging at residential and small commercial settings using a novel and flexible open-source, open-architecture charge communication and control platform. The platform provides smart charging functionalities and benefits to the utility, homes, and businesses.This project investigates four important areas of vehicle-grid integration research, integrating technical as well as social and behavioral dimensions: smart charging user needs assessment, advanced load control platform development and testing, smart charging impacts, benefits to the power grid, and smart charging ratepayer benefits

Impact of accidents on organizational aspects of nuclear utilities

This paper applies the Beer Viable Systems Model (VSM) approach to the study of nuclear accidents. It relates how organizational structures and rules are affected by accidents in the attempt to improve safety and reduce risk. The paper illustrates this process with reference to a number of accidents. The dynamic cybernetic aspect of the VSM approach to organizations yields a better understanding of the need for good decision-making to minimize risk and how organizations really operate

An Assessment of PIER Electric Grid Research 2003-2014 White Paper

This white paper describes the circumstances in California around the turn of the 21st century that led the California Energy Commission (CEC) to direct additional Public Interest Energy Research funds to address critical electric grid issues, especially those arising from integrating high penetrations of variable renewable generation with the electric grid. It contains an assessment of the beneficial science and technology advances of the resultant portfolio of electric grid research projects administered under the direction of the CEC by a competitively selected contractor, the University of California’s California Institute for Energy and the Environment, from 2003-2014

Siting Power Plants: Recent Experience in California and Best Practices in Other States

Compares California's power plant siting with results in other states. Includes interviews with California state agency representatives, developers and process mediators. Part of a series of research reports that examines energy issues facing California

Parametric optimization of the femoropopliteal artery stent design based on numerical analysis

High-failure rates of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) stenting were reported due to the inability of certain stent strut configuration to accommodate severe biomechanical environment of the Femoro-Popliteal Artery (FPA) such as bends, twists, and axially compresses during limb flexion. The unique of mechanical deformation environment in FPA has been considered one of main factors affecting the durability of the FPA stent and reducing the stent life. Consequently, various optimization techniques have been developed to improve the mechanical performance of the FPA stent. The present work shown that, the first-two of twelve FPA resemble stent models stent models have been selected with a net score of 3.65 Model I and, with a net score of 3.55 Model II via applying Pictorial Selection Method. Finite Element Method (FEM) of optimization study based-parameterization has been conducted for stent strut dimensions, stents were compared in terms of force-stress behavior. Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method has been utilized to identify the best combination of strut dimensions. The strut thickness parameterization results were in relation T α 1/σ (T is strut thickness) for both models with all mechanical loading modes. Moreover, the strut width parameterization results were in relation W α 1/σ (W is strut width) for both models with all mechanical loading modes. Whereas, the strut length parameterization results were in relation L α σ in case of Model I and, L α 1/σ (L is strut length) in case of Model II, under axial loads, while under three-point bending and torsion loading modes L α σ for both models, under radial compression the relations were L α 1/σ in case of Model I and, L α σ in case of Model II. The best combination of strut dimension in the thickness case was t4 = 230 µm for both models, in strut width were w3=0.180, and w4= 0.250 mm for Model I and Model II, respectively, and in strut length were l2= 1.40, and l2= 1.75 mm for Model I and Model II, respectively. In conclusions, the mathematical selection approach and the consistent mathematical approach of MCDM has been proposed, also the mechanical performance has been improved for parameterized stent models

Alternative sweetener from curculigo fruits

This study gives an overview on the advantages of Curculigo Latifolia as an alternative sweetener and a health product. The purpose of this research is to provide another option to the people who suffer from diabetes. In this research, Curculigo Latifolia was chosen, due to its unique properties and widely known species in Malaysia. In order to obtain the sweet protein from the fruit, it must go through a couple of procedures. First we harvested the fruits from the Curculigo trees that grow wildly in the garden. Next, the Curculigo fruits were dried in the oven at 50 0C for 3 days. Finally, the dried fruits were blended in order to get a fine powder. Curculin is a sweet protein with a taste-modifying activity of converting sourness to sweetness. The curculin content from the sample shown are directly proportional to the mass of the Curculigo fine powder. While the FTIR result shows that the sample spectrum at peak 1634 cm–1 contains secondary amines. At peak 3307 cm–1 contains alkynes

A framework for effective management of condition based maintenance programs in the context of industrial development of E-Maintenance strategies

CBM (Condition Based Maintenance) solutions are increasingly present in industrial systems due to two main circumstances: rapid evolution, without precedents, in the capture and analysis of data and significant cost reduction of supporting technologies. CBM programs in industrial systems can become extremely complex, especially when considering the effective introduction of new capabilities provided by PHM (Prognostics and Health Management) and E-maintenance disciplines. In this scenario, any CBM solution involves the management of numerous technical aspects, that the maintenance manager needs to understand, in order to be implemented properly and effectively, according to the company’s strategy. This paper provides a comprehensive representation of the key components of a generic CBM solution, this is presented using a framework or supporting structure for an effective management of the CBM programs. The concept “symptom of failure”, its corresponding analysis techniques (introduced by ISO 13379-1 and linked with RCM/FMEA analysis), and other international standard for CBM open-software application development (for instance, ISO 13374 and OSA-CBM), are used in the paper for the development of the framework. An original template has been developed, adopting the formal structure of RCM analysis templates, to integrate the information of the PHM techniques used to capture the failure mode behaviour and to manage maintenance. Finally, a case study describes the framework using the referred template.Gobierno de Andalucía P11-TEP-7303 M

Cogeneration: A Successful Response to the Energy Crisis?

This article examines the concept of cogeneration, a term for the simultaneous production of both electricity and other useful energy in a single facility by a cascading use of heat energy. It analyzes the rise of cogeneration through the lens of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( PURPA ), enacted by Congress to improve the distribution of electric energy and encourage the conservation of resources, as well as the efforts of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ( FERC ) to encourage cogeneration. This article discusses a number of the issues raised and left unresolved by this federal policy of encouraging the development of cogeneration energy sources. It describes the attraction of cogeneration in an era of rising energy costs, and then goes on to discuss the legislative and administrative responses to the prospect of expanded cogeneration. Finally, it explores the impact of cogeneration on utilities, as well as the efects of the policy on regulatory control of utilities