An Analysis of Markets for Small-Scale, Advanced Coal-Combustion Technology in Spain, Italy, and Turkey

This report discusses the examination of potential overseas markets for using small-scale, US-developed, advanced coal-combustion technologies (ACTs). In previous work, member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) were rated on their potential for using ACTs through a comprehensive screening methodology. The three most promising OECD markets were found to be Spain, Italy, and Turkey. This report provides in-depth analyses of these three selected countries. First, it addresses changes in the European Community with particular reference to the 1992 restructuring and its potential effect on the energy situation in Europe, specifically in the three subject countries. It presents individual country studies that examine demographics, economics, building infrastructures, and energy-related factors. Potential niches for ACTs are explored for each country through regional analyses. Marketing channels, strategies, and the trading environments in each country are also discussed. The information gathered indicates that Turkey is a most promising market, Spain is a fairly promising market, and Italy appears to be a somewhat limited market for US ACTs. 76 refs., 16 figs., 14 tabs

Climate Change Mitigation: An Analysis of Advanced Technology Scenarios

This report documents a scenario analysis that explores three advanced technology pathways toward climate stabilization using the MiniCAM model

Effect of Operating and Sampling Conditions on the Exhaust Gas Composition of Small-Scale Power Generators

Small stationary diesel engines, like in generator sets, have limited emission control measures and are therefore responsible for 44% of the particulate matter (PM) emissions in the United States. The diesel exhaust composition depends on operating conditions of the combustion engine. Furthermore, the measurements are influenced by the used sampling method. This study examines the effect of engine loading and exhaust gas dilution on the composition of small-scale power generators. These generators are used in different operating conditions than road-transport vehicles, resulting in different emission characteristics. Experimental data were obtained for gaseous volatile organic compounds (VOC) and PM mass concentration, elemental composition and nitrate content. The exhaust composition depends on load condition because of its effect on fuel consumption, engine wear and combustion temperature. Higher load conditions result in lower PM concentration and sharper edged particles with larger aerodynamic diameters. A positive correlation with load condition was found for K, Ca, Sr, Mn, Cu, Zn and Pb adsorbed on PM, elements that originate from lubricating oil or engine corrosion. The nitrate concentration decreases at higher load conditions, due to enhanced nitrate dissociation to gaseous NO at higher engine temperatures. Dilution on the other hand decreases PM and nitrate concentration and increases gaseous VOC and adsorbed metal content. In conclusion, these data show that operating and sampling conditions have a major effect on the exhaust gas composition of small-scale diesel generators. Therefore, care must be taken when designing new experiments or comparing literature results

High-Throughput Analysis of Promoter Occupancy Reveals New Targets for Arx, a Gene Mutated in Mental Retardation and Interneuronopathies

Genetic investigations of X-linked intellectual disabilities have implicated the ARX (Aristaless-related homeobox) gene in a wide spectrum of disorders extending from phenotypes characterised by severe neuronal migration defects such as lissencephaly, to mild or moderate forms of mental retardation without apparent brain abnormalities but with associated features of dystonia and epilepsy. Analysis of Arx spatio-temporal localisation profile in mouse revealed expression in telencephalic structures, mainly restricted to populations of GABAergic neurons at all stages of development. Furthermore, studies of the effects of ARX loss of function in humans and animal models revealed varying defects, suggesting multiple roles of this gene during brain development. However, to date, little is known about how ARX functions as a transcription factor and the nature of its targets. To better understand its role, we combined chromatin immunoprecipitation and mRNA expression with microarray analysis and identified a total of 1006 gene promoters bound by Arx in transfected neuroblastoma (N2a) cells and in mouse embryonic brain. Approximately 24% of Arx-bound genes were found to show expression changes following Arx overexpression or knock-down. Several of the Arx target genes we identified are known to be important for a variety of functions in brain development and some of them suggest new functions for Arx. Overall, these results identified multiple new candidate targets for Arx and should help to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of intellectual disability and epilepsy associated with ARX mutations

Viscoelastic properties of green wood across the grain measured by harmonic tests in the range 0-95°C : hardwood vs. softwood and normal wood vs. reaction wood

International audienc

Caractérisation du comportement viscoélastique du bois vert par des essais harmoniques à haute température (135°C)

4 avri

WAVE, a custom device able to measure viscoelastic properties of green wood up to 100°C

International audienc

Energy, Cost-Savings and Pollution-Reduction Impacts of Industrial Programs Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT), within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, has been working with industry since 1976 to encourage the development and adoption of new, energy-efficient technologies. OIT's cost-shared research, development, and demonstration (RD&D), technology transfer, and information-sharing efforts have helped industry not only use energy and materials more efficiently but also improve environmental performance, enhance product quality, and increase productivity. To help OIT determine the impacts of its programs, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) conducts a periodic review and analysis of the benefits of OIT programs. PNNL contacts vendors and users of OIT-sponsored technologies that have been commercialized, estimates the number of units that have been penetrated the market, and conducts engineering analysis, in conjunction with the vendors/users, to estimate energy savings associated with the new technologies. Estimates of air pollution and carbon emission reductions are then estimated (based on energy savings as well as process changes that have environmental benefits). This paper will discuss the results of the most recent PNNL review (conducted in 2000). In total, the commercialized technologies resulting from OIT's R&D programs and other OIT activities (such as work conducted by the Industrial Assessment Centers) have resulted in a cumulative energy savings over the period 1976-1999 equal to 1.6 quads, with a net cost savings of$3.2 billion