Energy efficiency in buildings

Generally existing buildings are responsible for over 40% of the world's primary energy consumption and account for 34% of world CO2 emissions. Currently, most of the housing fund of Kazakhstan falls on old energy inefficient buildings constructed during the Soviet Union, in a period between 1956-1989, is found to be inefficient by international standards. Their energy consumption reaches 13.5% and 24% of electrical and heating energy consequently. At the same time the statistical data of 2009 shows that the housing fund of Kazakhstan is about 160 million square meters and it projected to continue growing in the next 5 years. The expected increase in housing construction will lead to higher energy consumption coming from space heating and air-conditioning systems, higher GHG emissions, and development of unsustainable energy supply that will result to energy insecurity

Energy efficiency in buildings

Generally existing buildings are responsible for over 40% of the world's primary energy consumption and account for 34% of world CO2 emissions. Currently, most of the housing fund of Kazakhstan falls on old energy inefficient buildings constructed during the Soviet Union, in a period between 1956-1989, is found to be inefficient by international standards. Their energy consumption reaches 13.5% and 24% of electrical and heating energy consequently. At the same time the statistical data of 2009 shows that the housing fund of Kazakhstan is about 160 million square meters and it projected to continue growing in the next 5 years. The expected increase in housing construction will lead to higher energy consumption coming from space heating and air-conditioning systems, higher GHG emissions, and development of unsustainable energy supply that will result to energy insecurity

Compact Modeling Framework v3.0 for high-resolution global ocean–ice–atmosphere models

We present a new version of the Compact Modeling Framework (CMF3.0) developed for the software environment of stand-alone and coupled global geophysical fluid models. The CMF3.0 is designed for use on high- and ultrahigh-resolution models on massively parallel supercomputers.The key features of the previous CMF, version 2.0, are mentioned to reflect progress in our research. In CMF3.0, the message passing interface (MPI) approach with a high-level abstract driver, optimized coupler interpolation and I/O algorithms is replaced with the Partitioned Global Address Space (PGAS) paradigm communications scheme, while the central hub architecture evolves into a set of simultaneously working services. Performance tests for both versions are carried out. As an addition, some information about the parallel realization of the EnOI (Ensemble Optimal Interpolation) data assimilation method and the nesting technology, as program services of the CMF3.0, is presented.</p

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on the Optoelectronic Properties of Graphene Oxide Films

The effect of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on the optical and optoelectronic properties of films based on graphene oxide has been studied. In the presence of Ag NPs, the morphology, as well as the thickness of graphene oxide films, were not changed. When Ag NPs were added, a change in the shape and position of the absorption bands and Raman spectra of graphene oxide was observed. It is shown that with the addition of Ag NPs, the G band of graphene oxide shifts to low frequencies, which may be the result of the absence of separate double bonds, while the ID/IG ratio was not changed, as did the number of Gr layers. In the absorption spectrum of the films, along with the absorption band of graphene oxide, a shoulder was registered, which can be associated with the absorption of Ag NPs. The optical density of Gr films with plasmonic NPs is higher than without them. Measurements of the optoelectronic characteristics showed that, in the presence of Ag NPs, an increase in the values of the photocurrent of graphene oxide is observed. The sensitivity of graphene oxide films was increased by almost 20 times when plasmonic NPs were added to them, and the detection ability increased by 25 times. The results obtained can be used in the development of new photosensitive devices for optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications

The Laser Active Element Based on Dye on Porous Alumina

Luminescent properties of Rhodamine 6G in porous alumina matrix have been investigated. From the SEM images the pore diameter is determined to be ~ 50 nm and the distance between the pores to be about 250 nm. Specific surface area of nanoporous alumina films measured by gas adsorption (BET method) was 6 m2/g. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of Rhodamine 6G embedded in pores of anodic alumina oxide were measured. Decreasing of absorbance of monomers was observed upon increasing of Rhodamine 6G concentrations. At the same time appearing of new maximum at the short-wavelength part as a result of formation of dimer of dye was registered. Increasing of concentration of dye molecules in the pores leads to quenching of fluorescence of Rhodamine 6G. The lasing characteristics were examined upon excitation of the samples by second harmonic Nd: YAG laser λgen = 532 nm, Еimp = 90 mJ, τ = 10 ns in the longitudinal form. The dye generation spectra in nanoporous alumina under different power densities of the pump source were measured. It is established that when the pumping source power is 0.4 MW/cm2 on the background spectrum of laser - induced fluorescence the narrow strip of the laser emission with a peak wavelength of 572 nm appears. Further increase in the power density of the pumping source leads to a narrowing of the band of generation and an increase in its intensity. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of using nanoporous alumina for creating the active elements of quantum electronics

Plasmon effect on triplet-singlet energy transfer in the dye-doped Langmuir-Blodgett films

The effect of silver plasmonic nanoparticles on triplet-singlet energy transfer in the donor-acceptor pair of organic dyes was studied. Layered dye films were prepared on the surface of glass and island silver films using the Langmuir-Blodgett method. Amphiphilic analogs of Rose bengal and polymethine dye were used as donor and acceptor of energy. A polymer monolayer was deposited between monolayers of donor and acceptor molecules to exclude the competing triplet-triplet energy transfer. The spectra of delayed fluorescence and phosphorescence of donor-acceptor films and the delayed luminescence lifetime of donor in these films have been measured. It is shown that a threefold increase in the fluorescence intensity and a twofold increase in the donor phosphorescence intensity are observed on silver island films. The successful triplet-singlet energy transfer is evidenced by both the quenching of donor centers and appearance of sensitized delayed fluorescence of the acceptor with the duration close to the donor triplet lifetime. In the presence of silver nanoparticles, in addition to enhancement in the intensity of the donor emission, an increase in the efficiency of tripletsinglet energy transfer was observed. The obtained results can be used in various optical devices

Анализ условий размещения на дорогах и характеристик железнодорожных переездов Республики Казахстан

Road traffic accidents of vehicles with a rolling stock of railways lead to the most serious consequences. Many level crossings are places of long delays of vehicles both before and after the traffic. In this case and in many others, the intersections of highways with railways sharply limit the capacity of the highway. Level crossings require the utmost attention of the traffic organization, since they must include not only devices for the movement of cars, but also pedestrian and sidings. Despite the fact that the problem of road traffic accidents at level crossings is not new, research and analysis of statistics in this area continues around the world. The paper considers the level crossings on the Republican highways of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Research has been carried out on ways to improve traffic safety at such crossings. The situation at the level crossings of the roads of Republican significance, as well as possible restrictions and regulatory requirements, have been studied in the paper. The paper presents results of a detailed collection of data at the facilities, which will serve as the basis for the development of a detailed program for improving the regulatory and technical base of the road sector in Kazakhstan to improve the safety of  road transport infrastructure, taking into account existing standards. Recommendations are given for the implementation and generalization of advanced international experience in organizing road traffic at railway crossings, which will contribute to the adaptation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of the development of transport and communications.Дорожно-транспортные происшествия автомобилей с подвижным составом железных дорог приводят к наиболее тяжелым последствиям. Многие железнодорожные переезды являются местами длительных задержек транспортных средств как до, так и после дорожно-транспортного происшествия. Во многих случаях пересечения автомобильных дорог с железнодорожными путями резко ограничивают пропускную способность автомобильной дороги. Железнодорожные переезды требуют самого пристального внимания службы организации дорожного движения, поскольку должны включать не только устройства для движения автомобилей, но также пешеходные и запасные пути. Несмотря на то что проблема дорожно-транспортных происшествий на железнодорожных переездах не является новой, во всем мире продолжаются исследования и анализы статистики в данной области. В статье рассмотрены железнодорожные переезды на республиканских автомобильных дорогах Казахстана. Выполнены исследования направлений повышения безопасности движения на таких переездах. Изучены ситуации на железнодорожных переездах дорог республиканского значения, а также возможные ограничения и нормативные требования. Приведены результаты детального сбора данных на объектах, что послужит основанием для совершенствования нормативно-технической базы дорожного сектора Казахстана по улучшению безопасности дорожно-транспортной инфраструктуры с учетом существующих стандартов. Даны рекомендации по внедрению и обобщению передового международного опыта в организации дорожного движения на железнодорожных переездах, что будет способствовать адаптации Республики Казахстан в условиях развития транспорта и коммуникаций

iCLAP: Shape Recognition by Combining Proprioception and Touch Sensing

The work presented in this paper was partially supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Council (EPSRC) Grant (Ref: EP/N020421/1) and the King’s-China Scholarship Council Ph.D. scholarship