Ułomności rynku dodatkowych planów emerytalnych w Polsce z punktu widzenia polityki regulacyjnej

The supplementary pension market in Poland is regulated to a very limited extent and the range of pension plans available is relatively broad. The regulations in force relate primarily to ensuring financial security from the perspective of the operation of financial institutions, their solvency and liquidity. But efficiency and effectiveness of supplementary pension vehicles in delivering adequate incomes in old age are not regulated or regularly assessed. The most urgent regulatory changes include preliminary product assessment ensuring that only an “appropriate” vehicle is allowed to enter the market, i.e. contracts that meet minimum requirements in terms of design, efficiency and cost. The recommended amendments apply also to risk-sharing, forms of pay-outs, cost limits, market transparency and information policy.Dodatkowy rynek emerytalny w Polsce jest regulowany w bardzo ograniczonych zakresie, a oferta dostępnych planów emerytalnych jest stosunkowo szeroka. Obowiązujące przepisy odnoszą się przede wszystkim do zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa finansowego z punktu widzenia funkcjonowania instytucji finansowych. Zbyt mało uwagi poświęcono natomiast regulacjom umożliwiającym skuteczną i efektywną alokację dochodu w cyklu życia z punktu widzenia indywidualnego oszczędzającego. Konieczna jest weryfikacja warunków planów przed ich wprowadzeniem na rynek, aby wyeliminować z niego produkty nieodpowiednie zarówno z punktu widzenia efektywności inwestycyjnej, jak i kosztowności. Istotnych zmian regulacyjnych wymagają takie obszary, jak: podział ryzyka, formy wypłaty, poziom kosztów, przejrzystość i polityka informacyjna

Application of Quantum Cascade Lasers in Nitric Oxide and Nitrous Oxide Detection

Application of quantum cascade lasers in NO and $N_2O$ sensor is described. Cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy was used for this purpose. The detection was performed at vibronic molecular transitions in spectral regions of 5.23-5.29 μm and 4.46-4.54 μm for NO and $N_2O$, respectively. In order to avoid interferences by the gases contained in atmosphere $(H_2O, CO_2)$ the lines of 5.263 μm for NO and 4.530 μm for $N_2O$ were selected. Our two channel sensor is designated for simultaneous detection of both compounds. Each channel consists of single mode quantum cascade laser, optical cavity, and a photodetection module. The lasers were precisely tuned to the wavelength of interest. Optical cavities were built with spherical mirrors of high reflectance. The signals from the cavities outputs were registered with specially developed low noise detection modules

Applying CEAS method to UV, VIS, and IR spectroscopy sensors

In the paper, several applications of Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (CEAS) for trace mater detection are described. NO2 sensor was constructed using this technique with blue-violet lasers (395–440 nm). The sensor sensitivity reaches the level of single ppb and it was applied in security portal. For detection of two gases at the same time, two-channel sensor was constructed. Used method allows a significant reduction in the cost of optoelectronic CEAS sensor designed to measure of concentrations of many gases simultaneously. Successful monitoring of N2O and NO in the air requires high precision mid-infrared spectroscopy. The constructed sensors are able to measure concentration at ppb level. These sensors might be used for monitoring of atmospheric purity as well as for detection of explosives

Nitrogen Oxides Optoelectronic Sensors Operating in Infrared Range of Wavelengths

Investigation of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide optoelectronic sensors is described. The detection of both components was done by measurement of absorption that occurs due to transition between vibronic molecular transitions. The improvement of the sensitivity was achieved due to application of cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy. Two optical cavities (each one for each gas) built of high reflectance spherical mirrors were used. While the spectra of observed transitions are situated in mid-infrared range, two single mode quantum cascade lasers were applied. Their narrow emission lines were precisely tuned to the absorption lines of both investigated gases. The measurement of different mixtures of $Ar-NO$ and $Ar-N_2O$ within the range from 100 ppb to 10 ppm was performed. The relative uncertainty of the results did not exceed the level of 13%

Explosives Vapors–Concentrating and Optoelectronic Detection

Detection of explosives vapors is an extremely difficult task. The sensitivity of currently constructed detectors is often insufficient. The paper presents a description of an explosive vapors concentrator that improves the detection limit of some explosives detectors. These detector s have been developed at the Institute of Optoelectronics. The concentrator is especially dedicated to operate with nitrogen oxide detectors. Preliminary measurements show that using the concentrator, the recorded amount of nitrogen dioxide released from a 0.5 ng sample of TNT increases by a factor of approx. 20. In the concentrator an induction heater is applied. Thanks to this and because of the miniaturization of the container with an adsorbing material (approx. 1 cm3), an extremely high rate of tempera ture growth is achieved (up to 500°C within approx. 25 s). The concentration process is controlled by a microcontroller. Compact construction and battery power supply provide a possibility of using the concentrator as a portable device

Explosives vapors–concentrating and optoelectronic detection

Detection of explosives vapors is an extremely difficult task. The sensitivity of currently constructed detectors is often insufficient. The paper presents a description of an explosive vapors concentrator that improves the detection limit of some explosives detectors. These detector s have been developed at the Institute of Optoelectronics. The concentrator is especially dedicated to operate with nitrogen oxide detectors. Preliminary measurements show that using the concentrator, the recorded amount of nitrogen dioxide released from a 0.5 ng sample of TNT increases by a factor of approx. 20. In the concentrator an induction heater is applied. Thanks to this and because of the miniaturization of the container with an adsorbing material (approx. 1 cm3), an extremely high rate of tempera ture growth is achieved (up to 500°C within approx. 25 s). The concentration process is controlled by a microcontroller. Compact construction and battery power supply provide a possibility of using the concentrator as a portable device

Optoelectronic gas sensors

W artykule przedstawiono prace dotyczące optoelektronicznych sensorów gazów oraz osiągnięcia własne w zakresie wykrywania tlenków azotu (NOx). W sensorach do wykrywania NOx zastosowano polskie lasery emitujące promieniowanie o długości fali 410 nm oraz nowoczesne kwantowe lasery kaskadowe na zakres podczerwieni. Opracowane sensory charakteryzują się czułością graniczną na poziomie ppb i mogą być zastosowane do monitoringu zanieczyszczeń atmosfery, wykrywania materiałów wybuchowych oraz w diagnostyce chorób.The paper presents an overview of a few optoelectronic technologies for gases detection. Two sensors of nitrogen oxides (NOx) are also described. In the sensors the cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy was applied. It is characterized by a very good sensitivity and selectivity of the detection process. The main aspect of its operation bases on absorption of the light by specific compounds. The identification of the matter is determined by spectral matching of the two spectra: optical radiation and absorption lines of species of interest. In contrast to the remote detection methods, the measurements are made at the place of sampling. Polish laser diodes and modern quantum cascade lasers were used there. Laser emission wavelengths were located in the visible (410 nm) and infrared range. The detection limit of ppb level was achieved. Due to that, they can be successfully applied to monitoring of atmospheric pollution, explosives detection and in diseases diagnosis. The preliminary studies using the developed sensors showed that it was possible to detect explosives such as TNT, PETN, RDX, HMX at the level of ng. Additionally, there is also discussed application of sensors to analysis of the exhaled air. This will be particularly useful for: the early detection of a disease, the monitoring of the therapy, the monitoring of the greenhouse exogenous (bacterial emissions or toxins), or the analysis of metabolic gases

Effects of grain refinement on the microstructure, mechanical properties and reliability of AlSi7Cu3Mg gravity die cast cylinder heads

The effect of grain refinement on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a secondary AlSi7Cu3Mg gravity die cast cylinder head is reported. Metallographic and image analysis techniques have been used to quantitatively examine the macro- and microstructural changes occurring with the addition of grain-refining agent. The results indicate that the AlTi5B1 addition produces a fine and uniform grain structure throughout the casting and this effect is more pronounced in the slowly solidified regions. The initial contents of Ti and B, which are present as impurity elements in the supplied secondary alloy ingots, are not sufficient to produce an effective grain refinement. The combined addition of AlTi5B1 and Sr doesn’t produce any reciprocal interaction under the present casting conditions. Grain refinement improves the mechanical properties of as-cast AlSi7Cu3Mg alloy and increases the reliability of the castings, as evidenced by the Weibull analysis