15,111 research outputs found
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Next Steps for Hydrogen - physics, technology and the future
Hydrogen has been proposed as a future energy carrier for more than 40 years. In recent decades, impetus has been given by the need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. In addition, hydrogen has the potential to facilitate the large-scale deployment of variable renewables in the electricity system. Despite such drivers, the long-anticipated hydrogen economy is proving to be slow to emerge. This report stresses the role that physics and physics-based technology could play in accelerating the large-scale deployment of hydrogen in the energy system.
Emphasis is given to the potential of cryogenic liquid hydrogen and the opportunities afforded by developments in nanoscience for hydrogen storage and use. The use of low-temperature liquid hydrogen opens up a technological opportunity separate from, but complementary with, energy applications. The new opportunity is the ability to cool novel materials into the superconducting state without the need to use significant quantities of expensive liquid helium. Two of the authors have previously coined the term âhydrogen cryomagneticsâ for when liquid hydrogen is utilised in high-field and high-efficiency magnets. The opportunity for liquid hydrogen to displace liquid helium may be a relatively small business opportunity compared to global transport energy
demands, but it potentially affords an opportunity to kick-start the wider commercial use of hydrogen.
The report considers various important factors shaping the future for hydrogen, such as competing production methods and the importance of safety, but throughout it is clear that science and engineering are of central importance to hydrogen innovation and physics has an important role to play
Intelligent energy buildings based on RES and Nanotechnology
The paper presents the design features, the energy modelling and optical performance details of two pilot Intelligent Energy Buildings, (IEB). Both are evolution of the Zero Energy Building (ZEB) concept. RES innovations backed up by signal processing, simulation models and ICT tools were embedded into the building structures in order to implement a new predictive energy management concept. In addition, nano-coatings, produced by TiO2 and ITO nano-particles, were deposited on the IEB structural elements and especially on the window panes and the PV glass covers. They exhibited promising SSP values which lowered the cooling loads and increased the PV modules yield. Both pilot IEB units were equipped with an on-line dynamic hourly solar radiation prediction model, implemented by sensors and the related software to manage effectively the energy source, the loads and the storage or the backup system. The IEB energy sources covered the thermal loads via a south façade embedded in the wall and a solar roof which consists of a specially designed solar collector type, while a PV generator is part of the solar roof, like a compact BIPV in hybrid configuration to a small wind turbine
New Models of Technology Assessment for Development
This report explores the role that ânew modelsâ of
technology assessment can play in improving the lives of
poor and vulnerable populations in the developing world.
The ânew modelsâ addressed here combine citizen and
decision-maker participation with technical expertise. They
are virtual and networked rather than being based in a
single office of technology assessment (as was the case in
the United States in the 1970s-90s). They are flexible
enough to address issues across disciplines and are
increasingly transnational or global in their reach and
scope. The report argues that these new models of
technology assessment can make a vital contribution to
informing policies and strategies around innovation,
particularly in developing regions. They are most beneficial
if they enable the broadening out of inputs to technology
assessment, and the opening up of political debate around
possible directions of technological change and their
interactions with social and environmental systems.
Beyond the process of technology assessment itself, the
report argues that governance systems within which these
processes are embedded play an important role in
determining the impact and effectiveness of technology
assessment. Finally, the report argues for training and
capacity-building in technology assessment
methodologies in developing countries, and support for
internationally co-ordinated technology assessment
efforts to address global and regional development
challenges
The potential of additive manufacturing in the smart factory industrial 4.0: A review
Additive manufacturing (AM) or three-dimensional (3D) printing has introduced a novel production method in design, manufacturing, and distribution to end-users. This technology has provided great freedom in design for creating complex components, highly customizable products, and efficient waste minimization. The last industrial revolution, namely industry 4.0, employs the integration of smart manufacturing systems and developed information technologies. Accordingly, AM plays a principal role in industry 4.0 thanks to numerous benefits, such as time and material saving, rapid prototyping, high efficiency, and decentralized production methods. This review paper is to organize a comprehensive study on AM technology and present the latest achievements and industrial applications. Besides that, this paper investigates the sustainability dimensions of the AM process and the added values in economic, social, and environment sections. Finally, the paper concludes by pointing out the future trend of AM in technology, applications, and materials aspects that have the potential to come up with new ideas for the future of AM explorations
The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research: A New Paradigm for Battery Research and Development
The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR) seeks transformational
change in transportation and the electricity grid driven by next generation
high performance, low cost electricity storage. To pursue this transformative
vision JCESR introduces a new paradigm for battery research: integrating
discovery science, battery design, research prototyping and manufacturing
collaboration in a single highly interactive organization. This new paradigm
will accelerate the pace of discovery and innovation and reduce the time from
conceptualization to commercialization. JCESR applies its new paradigm
exclusively to beyond-lithium-ion batteries, a vast, rich and largely
unexplored frontier. This review presents JCESR's motivation, vision, mission,
intended outcomes or legacies and first year accomplishments.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, 96 reference
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Contending European agendas for agricultural innovation
Amid expectations for a European âtransition to sustainable agricultureâ, there are competing transitional processes. Given the widely acknowledged harm from agro-industrial systems, âunsustainable agricultureâ has divergent diagnoses and innovative solutions. This rivalry can be analysed as contending innovation agendas; the analysis here combines theoretical paradigms of agricultural innovation.
In an EU policy context of a Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy (KBBE), there are divergent accounts of its key terms: biological resources, economy, relevant knowledge and knowledge-producers. Likewise, divergent accounts are found of innovation, intensification, resource efficiency, resilience, bio-energy, horizontal integration, etc. These divergent agendas are promoted by distinct stakeholder networks. The dominant agenda favours laboratory-based techno-scientific innovation as a source of âefficientâ inputs, which can use renewable resources more efficiently for competitive advantage in global value chains. By contrast, other agendas promote farmersâ knowledge of natural resources, especially via agro-ecological methods which can reduce energy inputs, increase productivity and add value through quality.
With those contending agendas, rival stakeholder networks seek to influence R&D priorities. From the standpoint of multifunctional agriculture, such contending agendas can play complementary roles in different rural spaces. Some agro-food practices may combine aspects of different paradigms. As a concept, Agricultural Knowledge Systems may provide a common space for interchanges between divergent agendas and their research priorities. However, these innovation agendas promote conflicting visions of the future
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