PsiPsi - Vectors for Three Dimensional Models

In this paper we apply the method of psi-vectors to three dimensional statistical models. This method gives the correspondence between the Bazhanov -- Baxter model and its vertex formulation. Considering psi-vectors for the Planar model, we obtain its self-duality.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX, no figure

Dilepton distributions at backward rapidities

The dilepton production at backward rapidities in $pAu$ and $pp$ collisions at RHIC and LHC energies is investigated in the dipole approach. The results are shown through the nuclear modification ratio $R_{pA}$ considering transverse momentum and rapidity spectra. The dilepton modification ratio presents interesting behavior at the backward rapidities when compared with the already known forward ones, since it is related with the large $x$ kinematical region that is being probed. The rapidity dependence of the nuclear modification ratio in the dilepton production is strongly dependent on the Bjorken $x$ behavior of the nuclear structure function ratio $R_{F_{2}}=F_{2}^{A}/F_{2}^{p}$. The $R_{pA}$ transverse momentum dependence at backward rapidities is modified due to the large $x$ nuclear effects: at RHIC energies, for instance, the ratio $R_{pA}$ is reduced as $p_T$ increases, presenting an opposite behavior when compared with the forward one. It implies that the dilepton production at backward rapidities should carry information of the nuclear effects at large Bjorken $x$, as well as that it is useful to investigate the $p_T$ dependence of the observables in this kinematical regime.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures. Version published in the Phys. Rev.

Bioenergy production using high rate, low F:M anaerobic digestion

Any scheme to create renewable energy from waste streams will undoubtedly utilize some degree of anaerobic conversion of organics to biogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide). Traditionally, anaerobic treatment has been utilized as a pretreatment step (e.g., anaerobic lagoon) or as a sludge stabilization step at the tail end of a treatment scheme. The difficulty in using anaerobic digestion as the main treatment step is threefold: anaerobic bacteria are slow growers, anaerobic bacteria are difficult to separate from the non-productive solids, and toxic and/or inhibitory conditions can cause the digestion process to deteriorate to the point of process failure. The research presented here takes a fresh look at anaerobic digestion and provides an alternate strategy that reduces the required detention time and eliminates the necessity of operating at mesophilic or thermophilic temperatures. The anaerobic treatment of municipal wastewater was successfully performed with the Static Granular Bed Reactor (SGBR). Five-day, carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5) and total suspended solids were reduced to less than 30 mg/L in the effluent at HRTs of 24 hours and above and at an HRT of eight hours. Suspended solids accumulated within the reactor on top of the granule bed, and were easily wasted from a valved port. Due to the limiting rate of hydrolysis, biodegradable suspended solids were not fully metabolized, and methane recovery of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removed by the reactor was incomplete.Bajada New Energy, General Membrane, EcoGroup, Econetique, Energy Investment, JMV Vibro Blocks, Solar Engineering, Solar Solutionspeer-reviewe

Making the most of community energies:Three perspectives on grassroots innovation

Grassroots innovations for sustainability are attracting increasing policy attention. Drawing upon a wide range of empirical research into community energy in the UK, and taking recent support from national government as a case study, we apply three distinct analytical perspectives: strategic niche management; niche policy advocacy; and critical niches. Whilst the first and second perspectives appear to explain policy influence in grassroots innovation adequately, each also shuts out more transformational possibilities. We therefore argue that, if grassroots innovation is to realise its full potential, then we need to also pursue a third, critical niches perspective, and open up debate about more socially transformative pathways to sustainability

UK Large-scale Wind Power Programme from 1970 to 1990: the Carmarthen Bay experiments and the Musgrove Vertical-Axis Turbines

This article describes the development of the Musgrove Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) concept, the UK ‘Carmarthen Bay’ wind turbine test programme, and UK government’s wind power programme to 1990. One of the most significant developments in the story of British wind power occurred during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, with the development of the Musgrove vertical axis wind turbine and its inclusion within the UK Government’s wind turbine test programme. Evolving from a supervisor’s idea for an undergraduate project at Reading University, the Musgrove VAWT was once seen as an able competitor to the horizontal axis wind systems that were also being encouraged at the time by both the UK government and the Central Electricity Generating Board, the then nationalised electricity utility for England and Wales. During the 1980s and 1990s the most developed Musgrove VAWT system, along with three other commercial turbine designs was tested at Carmarthen Bay, South Wales as part of a national wind power test programme. From these developmental tests, operational data was collected and lessons learnt, which were incorporated into subsequent wind power operations.http://dx.doi.org/10.1260/03095240677860621

Evaluation of the LEP Centre-of-Mass Energy Above the W-Pair Production Threshold

Knowledge of the centre-of-mass energy at LEP2 is of primary importance to set the absolute energy scale for the measurement of the W-boson mass. The beam energy above 80 GeV is derived from continuous measurements of the magnetic bending field by 16 NMR probes situated in a number of the LEP dipoles. The relationship between the fields measured by the probes and the beam energy is calibrated against precise measurements of the average beam energy between 41 and 55 GeV made using the resonant depolarisation technique. The linearity of the relationship is tested by comparing the fields measured by the probes with the total bending field measured by a flux loop. This test results in the largest contribution to the systematic uncertainty. Several further corrections are applied to derive the the centre-of-mass energies at each interaction point. In addition the centre-of-mass energy spread is evaluated. The beam energy has been determined with a precision of 25 MeV for the data taken in 1997, corresponding to a relative precision of 2.7x10^{-4}. This is small in comparison to the present uncertainty on the W mass measurement at LEP. However, the ultimate statistical precision on the W mass with the full LEP2 data sample should be around 25 MeV, and a smaller uncertainty on the beam energy is desirable. Prospects for improvements are outlined.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figures, Latex, epsfig; replaced by version accepted by European Physical Journal

Developments in Lithium-Ion Battery Technology in the Peoples Republic of China.

Argonne National Laboratory prepared this report, under the sponsorship of the Office of Vehicle Technologies (OVT) of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, for the Vehicles Technologies Team. The information in the report is based on the author's visit to Beijing; Tianjin; and Shanghai, China, to meet with representatives from several organizations (listed in Appendix A) developing and manufacturing lithium-ion battery technology for cell phones and electronics, electric bikes, and electric and hybrid vehicle applications. The purpose of the visit was to assess the status of lithium-ion battery technology in China and to determine if lithium-ion batteries produced in China are available for benchmarking in the United States. With benchmarking, DOE and the U.S. battery development industry would be able to understand the status of the battery technology, which would enable the industry to formulate a long-term research and development program. This report also describes the state of lithium-ion battery technology in the United States, provides information on joint ventures, and includes information on government incentives and policies in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC)

Solar cooling at the oenology and viticulture research centre, Buskett, Rabat

This paper describes the design, installation and testing of two solar cooling systems at the Oenology and Viticulture Research Centre, Buskett, Rabat, Malta. One system consisted of a bank of photovoltaic panels converting solar energy into electricity which was fed into the national grid and a conventional vapour compression chiller powered by electricity from the grid. The second system was based on an ammonia-water vapour absorption chiller which was driven by hot water from a bank of vacuum-tube solar collectors. Dry re-cooling was chosen as the method of heat rejection.peer-reviewe