Nanocomposite Thin Films for both Mechanical and Functional Applications

The design methodology and realization of nanocomposite films aiming for mechanical (superhardness, toughness) and functional (optical, microelectronic) properties were discussed in this paper. Superhard TiCrCN and nc-TiN/a-SiNx films and super-tough nc-TiC/a-C(Al) films were prepared through co-sputtering method by optimal design of microstructure. The nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) passivated with a matrix of thermally grown silicon dioxide were prepared using implantation of Si into SiO₂ film, and showed improved photoluminescence and optical properties. Also discussed is the nano-composite design of thin film resistor with optimized temperature coefficient of resistivity.Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA

Serum proteomic profiling of precancerous gastric lesions and early gastric cancer reveals signatures associated with systemic inflammatory response and metaplastic differentiation

The noninvasive detection technique using serum for large-scale screening is useful for the early diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC). Herein, we employed liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to determine the serum proteome signatures and related pathways in individuals with gastric precancerous (pre-GC) lesions and GC and explore the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Differentially expressed proteins in GC and pre-GC compared with non-atrophic gastritis (NAG) group were identified. APOA4, a protein associated with metaplastic differentiation, and COMP, an extracellular matrix protein, were increased in the serum of patients with pre-GC lesions and GC. In addition, several inflammation-associated proteins, such as component C3, were decreased in the GC and pre-GC groups, which highlight a tendency for the inflammatory response to converge at the gastric lesion site during the GC cascade. Moreover, the abundance of proteins associated with oxidant detoxification was higher in the GC group compared with that in the NAG group, and these proteins were also increased in the serum of the H. pylori-positive GC group compared with that in the H. pylori-negative GC patients, reflecting the importance of oxidative stress pathways in H. pylori infection. Collectively, the findings of this study highlight pathways that play important roles in GC progression, and may provide potential diagnostic biomarkers for the detection of pre-GC lesions

Positive-Sum Game-Based Capacity Configuration Planning Method of Solar-Wind-Battery System Designed for Black-Start

For achieving the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the renewable energy and the battery energy storage will be developed more rapidly. The participation of the solar-wind-battery renewable energy system (SWBS) in black-start can improve the resilience of the power grid. Aiming at the balance between the capacity demand of SWBS participating in black-start and the benefit of SWBS, this paper proposes a positive-sum game-based SWBS capacity configuration planning method. First, a levelized cost of energy- (LCOE-) based full life cycle index is presented and constructs an economic benefit model of SWBS considering the participation of wind and solar power plants in carbon trading. Second, a black-start capacity demand model is constructed considering the continuous power demand on the auxiliary devices of the operated thermal power generator. Taking the economic benefit of SWBS and the black-start capacity requirement into account, this paper establishes a positive-sum game-based SWBS capacity optimal configuration model, in which maximizing the economic benefits of SWBS as an objective. Third, the simulation analysis is carried out by using a real power system, and results verify that the proposed method can achieve the optimal balance between the feasibility of black-start and the economic benefit of the SWBS

A Method for Load Classification and Energy Scheduling Optimization to Improve Load Reliability

With the large amount of distributed generation in use, the structure of the distribution system is increasingly complex. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a method to improve load reliability. Based on the reliability model of distributed generation, this paper investigates the time sequential simulation of a wind/solar/storage combined power supply system under off-grid operation. After classifying the load by power supply region, the load weight coefficient is established, which modifies the reliability index of the load point and system. The modified expected energy not supplied (EENS) is adopted as the objective function, and the particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to solving the optimal energy scheduling for improving the load reliability. Finally, the load reliability is calculated with a hybrid method. Using the IEEE-RBTS Bus 6 system as an example, the correctness and validity of the proposed method are verified as an effective way to improve load reliability

Operation Flexibility Evaluation and Its Application to Optimal Planning of Bundled Wind-Thermal-Storage Generation System

The growing penetration of wind power in a power system brings great challenges to system operation flexibility. For generation planning in presence of high wind power penetration, it is essential to take the operation flexibility of the system into account. Firstly, this paper developed the system operation flexibility metrics through considering the flexibility contribution of thermal generating units (TGUs) by operational state transition. Secondly, a planning model for the bundled wind-thermal-storage generation system (BWTSGS) that considers the operation flexibility constraints is proposed. The planning model is used to determine the power and energy rating of an energy storage system (ESS) as well as the type and number of TGUs. A daily scheduling simulation model of a BWTSGS is proposed to calculate the operation cost for the planning model and consider the sequential operation characteristics of the BWTSGS. Further, in order to accelerate the computation, a wind power sequential clustering technique based on the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) method is developed for improving the computational efficiency. Case studies have been conducted on a 1000-MW wind farm to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed model

Study on internet of things architecture of substation online monitoring equipment

This paper introduces the structure of the existing on-line monitoring system, and analyzes the problems of poor compatibility and reliability of IED in different manufacturers. Then it gives two ways to transform the on-line monitoring system of substation equipment to the Internet of things, which is to retain IED and to remove IED. On this basis, this paper introduces the application scenarios of the on-line monitoring system of substation equipment connected to the Internet of things, including accurate perception of equipment status, accurate evaluation of equipment status and intelligent research and judgment of equipment status

America the Beautiful: Meeting '30x30' conservation goals through connected protected areas

Protected areas are a primary instrument for biodiversity conservation, and area-based targets have become a hallmark of global efforts with the recent Kunming-Montreal Global Biological Framework recommending at least 30 percent of land and water be protected by 2030. In parallel, the U.S. has implemented “America the Beautiful”, a call for local, state, and regionally-led efforts to conserve, connect, and restore 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. However, achieving these goals is complicated by the multiple policy scales at which conservation decisions are made and the limited guidance provided on how gains to protected and connected areas should be evaluated. We assess the connectedness of U.S. protected areas at multiple scales and find that less than 3 percent of the U.S. is protected and connected. Connectedness increases when the area under investigation is partitioned into smaller policy units (e.g., counties), a product of the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). Similarly, connectedness values increase by an order of magnitude when assessed in relative terms of just the PA network rather than all land area. Both findings support the need for standardized reporting frameworks and highlight the challenges in coordinating conservation goals across administrative units