A Different Approach to the Design of a Rooftop Photovoltaic System

The need to accelerate the energy transition has strongly increased the interest towards the installation of photovoltaic arrays on building roofs. At the same time, for reasons mainly related to the deep digital transformation all the world is experiencing, the number of mobile telephony base stations, the antennas, is growing too. As a result, a high number of such installations is expected, particularly in the most highly populated cities just on the same roofs that should be available for photovoltaic plants. Typically, an antenna is expected to interfere with the operation of the photovoltaic system only because of its possible shading effect on the photovoltaic panels, so that, where possible, countermeasures are undertaken by properly designing the PV array. But the interaction can be much more complicated than that. In this work the interaction of a PV plant with a mobile telephony base station is investigated both in terms of the electromagnetic shielding effect that PV panels can operate on the RF waves propagation and in terms of the passive electromagnetic reflective action that the same array can exhibit. It is found that: a) the shielding effect by the PV array can significantly reduce the risk deriving from exposure to the antenna generated em fields that several studies agree now to result in health risks for the populations living in close proximity to the antennas and b) a suitable design of the array and the selection of a proper orientation could help in a better and more uniform propagation of the RF communication signals

Conductometric Gas Nanosensors

This paper presents a review of the current research activities in the field of gas nanosensors. Nanomaterials are characterized by physical and chemical properties that differ from their macroscopic counterparts and, in particular, by an enhanced chemical reactivity even at room temperature. This effect has stimulated the development of chemical sensors based on several different nanomaterials. Here we focus most attention on carbon nanotubes, silicon and metal oxide nanoparticles and metal nanowires. After introducing a few general definitions a discussion on the fundamental properties of the nanostate used in the sensor field is presented and several nanosensors, based on the aforementioned nanomaterials, are discussed. Finally, some personal conclusions will be drawn

Multi-modality imaging approach in a challenging case of surgically corrected partial anomalous pulmonary venous return and atrial tachycardia treated with radiofrequency ablation

Pulmonary anomalous venous return (PAPVR) is defined as a congenital anomaly in which at least one but not all of the pulmonary veins abnormally drain into a systemic vein or directly into the right atrium. Signs and symptoms related to this condition are due to the hemodynamic abnormalities secondary to left-to-right shunt and the possible presence of other associated cardiac anomalies (e.g., sinus venous atrial septal defect). Therefore, depending on the extent of the shunt, the clinical presentation of PAPVR is variable, ranging from asymptomatic patients to patients affected by severe heart failure with right-sided volume overload. PAPVR with a clinically significant shunt should be referred for surgical correction with different techniques depending on the presence of associated cardiac anomalies. We are presenting a case of partial anomalous venous return (PAPVR) in a 66-year-old man who underwent surgery 26 years ago to correct an anomalous venous connection between the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV) and the superior vena cava (SVC) through a veno-atrial baffle. The patient was admitted to the emergency department due to atrial tachycardia. Trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a dilated right ventricle (RV) with mild RV systolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension.Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) further confirmed the findings described by TTE and also demonstrated areas of fibrosis replacement in the hinge points. Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) was able to accurately depict and evaluate the surgically created veno-atrial baffle and also showed an anomalous connection between the left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV) and the brachiocephalic vein (BCV) through a vertical vein. The patient was successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation for his arrhythmia

Electronic Nose as an NDT Tool for Aerospace Industry

AbstractArtificial olfaction is an emerging technology aiming to develop tools for easy, rapid and mobile gas mixture analysis. So far, its application to several application fields is under investigation with some commercial solution already deployed. In this work we present the results of the development process for an electronic nose devised for NDT in aerospace industry focusing on its pattern recognition stage

Combining Real Time Classifiers for Fast and Reliable Electronic Nose Response Analysis for Aerospace NDTs

AbstractFast response and reliability are a prerogative in non- destructive tests s p e c i f i c a l l y in aerospace industry for safety and efficiency reasons. Currently, composite panels bonding, in green aircraft concept, is lacking a validated NDT technique for the bond quality. E-noses equipped with PARC algorithms appear a promising choice to acquire speedily a complete pattern response maximizing reliability. In this paper, combining real time classifiers, we show how to obtain a rapid first- hand response with the possibility of increasing accuracy awaiting for the end of the e-nose measurement cycle. A reject option is casted on the base of classifier self-perceived reliability to nullify false negatives while keeping the false positive rate at minimum

Cooperative 3D Air Quality Assessment with Wireless Chemical Sensing Networks

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Graphene-based Schottky Device Detecting NH3 at ppm level in Environmental Conditions

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Extended Non-destructive Testing for Surface Quality Assessment

AbstractThis chapter introduces various extended non-destructive testing (ENDT) techniques for surface quality assessment, which are first characterized, then enhanced, and finally applied to assess the level of pre-bond contaminations intentionally applied to carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) adherends following the procedures described in the previous chapter. Based on two user cases comprising different scenarios that are characteristic of either aeronautical production or repair, the detailed tests conducted on two types of sample geometry, namely flat coupons and scarfed pilot samples with a more complex shape, form the basis for applying the advanced ENDT procedures for the monitoring of realistic and real aircraft parts, as will be described in Chap. 10.1007/978-3-319-92810-4_5. Specifically, the reported investigations were performed to assess the surface quality of first ground and then intentionally contaminated CFRP surfaces using the following ENDT tools: the aerosol wetting test (AWT), optically stimulated electron emission (OSEE), two differently implemented approaches based on electronic noses, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), and laser vibrometry

The Development of Sensor Applications in the Sectors of Energy and Environment in Italy, 1976–2015

Although sensor technologies have been developing quite similarly all over the world, the investigation of their applications has been more affected by the specific industrial and economic characteristics of each country. This paper aims to investigate the development of applications based on sensor devices in the sectors of energy and the environment, in Italy, throughout the last forty years (1976–2015), examining the most relevant papers published by Italian R & D groups working in this field. Italy depends on foreign imports for more than 80% of its primary energy needs, and this has directed the research effort on the development of sensor applications both to improve load shaping and consumers’ awareness and to develop specific equipment to maximize renewable energy production. Similarly, for the environment sector, there are increasing efforts to develop solutions to support a more and more capillary control of the environment itself using a cooperative approach. In both the sectors it seems that the solutions proposed can help to relieve the structural problems that Italy suffers and that the scientific and technical results obtained so far also have significant international relevance