Economic Feasibility of Campus-Wide Photovoltaic Systems in New England

Compared to the national average residential retail electricity price, Connecticut (CT) had the 4th 26 highest electricity price in the country with 19.23 cents/kWh in September 2015, nearly 50% 27 higher than the national average for price of electricity. This study aims to assess the economic 28 feasibility of the solar PV systems at the campus under realistic constraints, by analyzing actual 29 data from the solar array on campus. The project focused on the economic feasibility of solar PV 30 systems on campus with physical, spatial, and practical constraints that result in a project to 31 deviate from theoretical (estimated) values. To achieve that, the prediction of the PV power 32 generation from the building was developed and compared with the actual (measured) data. 33 The average payback period of a campus-wide PV system was calculated as primarily 11 34 years, within a range of 8-12 years, and was estimated to reduce overall building operating 35 expenses by $250,000, or 8%. The economic parameters such as NPV and IRR also validated the 36 investment worthiness. The results of the study could be used to analyze or further develop 37 feasibility studies of PV systems at other universities in Connecticut and neighboring states that 38 share similar climatic characteristics and economic factors

Evaluation of a large dish-type concentrator solar lighting system for underground car park

To utilize solar energy more efficiently and reduce lighting power consumption in underground public spaces such as car park, a large dish-type concentrator solar lighting system is put forward along with its evaluation, which is a unique design to apply a laminated layer of beam split thin film coating and thin film solar cells onto the dish reflector. The collected sunlight is split into two parts, one being reflected into a fibre optical bundle (FOB) and transmitted for daylighting while the rest being absorbed by solar cells for electricity generation as other way to replenish daylighting. A set of four solar lighting system using 3.28m diameter dish are designed to meet the lighting requirement in a 17712munderground car park. A mathematical model is adopted to calculate the output power and conversion efficiency of solar cells distributed on the parabolic dish surface. The indoor illuminance distribution is given by lighting simulation. The results indicate that the average daylight illuminance in the car park can vary between 62.7 lx and 284 lx on 25 February 2016, and between 62.7 lx and 353 lx on 17 August 2016 for two chosen days respectively. For the presented design, the electricity produced by solar cells is just enough to power light emitting diodes (LEDs) for lighting meeting a criterion at night. Considering about 19% conversion efficiency of solar cells and the efficacy of 129.5 lm/W of LEDs, the hybrid solar lighting system can have about 40% utilization ratio of solar energy, so it can be concluded that a sufficient lighting provision can be provided by the proposed large dish-type concentrator solar lighting system for applications in underground car park

Assessment of Current Cervical Cancer Screening Practice and Responses to a Novel Screening Device, Transvaginal Digital Colposcopy, Among Gynecologists in Hyderabad, India

<p>Background: India has the highest burden of cervical cancer mortality, globally, with 67,477 deaths in 2012. A novel device, the transvaginal digital colposcope (TVDC), or a small handheld colposcope, could potentially improve quality of care and address barriers to cervical cancer screening, by reducing patient discomfort and aiding practitioners in screening. Studies which validate India-WHO guidelines for cervical cancer screening report wide ranges of sensitivity and specificity for techniques currently used in low-resource settings, all of which are contingent on numerous factors from patient awareness to receptivity to user training, suggesting that the context is paramount to improving cervical cancer detection. To that end, assessment of the healthcare and physician environment in terms of practice and reaction to the new device is essential prior to device implementation in order to anticipate benefits or negative consequences of device use.</p><p>Methods: A survey was developed to explore experiences, practice, and approaches to cervical cancer screening based on a new technology, and administered to 15 gynecologists in various clinical settings in Hyderabad, India. First, participants answered questions about past and current practices for cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment procedures. Next, physicians assessed images from a clinical trial involving imaging of cervix by the TVDC and with standard colposcopy. To check physician interpretation of images from the clinical trial, biopsy or histologic confirmation was used for positive results, while colposcopy was used as the reference standard for negative results. </p><p>Results: Colposcopy and magnification for visualization of the cervix were preferred by all physicians, in spite of low frequency of in-house use or referrals for the procedure. Accuracy among physicians interpreting TVDC images ranged from 25%-100%, while accuracy with colposcopy images ranged from 38%-100%. Sensitivity for TVDC images and corresponding colposcopy images was 72% and 91% respectively, while specificity was 54% and 38% respectively. Physicians were more likely to report suspicion for cancer in positive cases with a false negative rate with TVDC images and corresponding colposcopy images at 19% and 0%. Images with the new device were either considered comparable to or were preferred to colposcopy images, but disagreement in interpretation between TVDC and colposcopy for the same patient ranged from 13%-63%. </p><p>Conclusion: This study shows how observation-based cervical cancer screening or diagnostic techniques, without preceding, adjunct screening or diagnostic tests, may have low specificity in disease detection. However, a new technology TVDC may be appropriate for this type of setting. Further research into patient attitudes, physician motivation, physician experience with colposcopy and clinical decision-making is required prior to implementation if gains in reduction of cervical cancer incidence and deaths are to be realized.</p>Thesi

Truss-Integrated Thermoformed Ductwork Final Technical Report

This report summarizes a multi-year research effort to develop a leak-free duct system that can be readily installed within the thermal envelope. There are numerous efforts underway to improve duct system efficiency. Most of these involve modifications to current technology such as air sealing techniques like mastic and aeroseal, snap together duct connections, and greater levels of insulation. This project sought to make a more significant stride forward by introducing a duct system of a material that can be more readily sealed and can exhibit lower friction losses. The research focused on the use of smooth internal surface, low friction plastic ducts that could be easily installed with very low air leakage. The initial system concept that was proposed and researched in Phase I focused on the use of thermoformed plastic ducts installed in a recessed roof truss underneath the attic insulation. A bench top thermoformed system was developed and tested during Phase I of the project. In Phase II, a first generation duct system utilizing a resin impregnated fiberglass duct product was designed and specified. The system was installed and tested in an Atlanta area home. Following this installation research and correspondence with code officials was undertaken to alleviate the continued concern over the code acceptance of plastic ducts in above ground applications. A Committee Interpretation response was received from the International Code Council (ICC) stating that plastic ducts were allowed, but must be manufactured from materials complying with Class 0 or Class 1 rating. With assurance of code acceptance, a plastic duct system using rotomolded high density polyethylene ducts that had passed the material test requirements by impregnating the material with a fire retardant during the molding process was installed in the basement of a new ranch-style home in Madison, WI. A series of measurements to evaluate the performance benefits relative to a similar control house with a standard sheet metal installation were made

Development of CFD-based Aerodynamic Parameters for a Multi-sided Cylinder

High mast light poles (HMLP) are used nationwide on major interstates and at local intersections for luminary purposes in the United States. The HMLPs are subjected to major oscillatory wind loading which may cause fatigue and earlier life expediency failure. From the concerns that HMLP failures would lead to pedestrian harm, extensive studies were performed to develop a standard model of behavior for high wind loads and vortex shedding that can be used for future design. Numerical modeling with the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is proposed to simulate the typical shape (dodecagonal cylinders) of the HMLPs and be validated with wind tunnel experiments. The k-ω based SAS-SST turbulence model will be used to handle the turbulence closure for the fully turbulent flow regime. The work done will look at validating static and dynamic force coefficients of a dodecagonal cylinder at different orientations. In addition, the lock-in behavior will be simulated to determine the applicability of modern CFD approaches to be able to perform the oscillatory behavior of a dodecagonal cylinder. Added mass cases also will be examined to determine the damping effects on an unsteady cylinder as additional in-depth study