22 research outputs found
Identifying energy model fingerprints in mitigation scenarios
Energy models are used to study emissions mitigation pathways, such as those compatible with the Paris Agreement goals. These models vary in structure, objectives, parameterization and level of detail, yielding differences in the computed energy and climate policy scenarios. To study model differences, diagnostic indicators are common practice in many academic fields, for example, in the physical climate sciences. However, they have not yet been applied systematically in mitigation literature, beyond addressing individual model dimensions. Here we address this gap by quantifying energy model typology along five dimensions: responsiveness, mitigation strategies, energy supply, energy demand and mitigation costs and effort, each expressed through several diagnostic indicators. The framework is applied to a diagnostic experiment with eight energy models in which we explore ten scenarios focusing on Europe. Comparing indicators to the ensemble yields comprehensive âenergy model fingerprintsâ, which describe systematic model behaviour and contextualize model differences for future multi-model comparison studies
A far-ultraviolet-driven photoevaporation flow observed in a protoplanetary disk.
Most low-mass stars form in stellar clusters that also contain massive stars, which are sources of far-ultraviolet (FUV) radiation. Theoretical models predict that this FUV radiation produces photodissociation regions (PDRs) on the surfaces of protoplanetary disks around low-mass stars, which affects planet formation within the disks. We report James Webb Space Telescope and Atacama Large Millimeter Array observations of a FUV-irradiated protoplanetary disk in the Orion Nebula. Emission lines are detected from the PDR; modeling their kinematics and excitation allowed us to constrain the physical conditions within the gas. We quantified the mass-loss rate induced by the FUV irradiation and found that it is sufficient to remove gas from the disk in less than a million years. This is rapid enough to affect giant planet formation in the disk
Identifying energy model fingerprints in mitigation scenarios
Energy models are used to study emissions mitigation pathways, such as those compatible with the Paris Agreement goals. These models vary in structure, objectives, parameterization and level of detail, yielding differences in the computed energy and climate policy scenarios. To study model differences, diagnostic indicators are common practice in many academic fields, for example, in the physical climate sciences. However, they have not yet been applied systematically in mitigation literature, beyond addressing individual model dimensions. Here we address this gap by quantifying energy model typology along five dimensions: responsiveness, mitigation strategies, energy supply, energy demand and mitigation costs and effort, each expressed through several diagnostic indicators. The framework is applied to a diagnostic experiment with eight energy models in which we explore ten scenarios focusing on Europe. Comparing indicators to the ensemble yields comprehensive âenergy model fingerprintsâ, which describe systematic model behaviour and contextualize model differences for future multi-model comparison studies
PDRs4All II: JWST's NIR and MIR imaging view of the Orion Nebula
The JWST has captured the most detailed and sharpest infrared images ever
taken of the inner region of the Orion Nebula, the nearest massive star
formation region, and a prototypical highly irradiated dense photo-dissociation
region (PDR). We investigate the fundamental interaction of far-ultraviolet
photons with molecular clouds. The transitions across the ionization front
(IF), dissociation front (DF), and the molecular cloud are studied at
high-angular resolution. These transitions are relevant to understanding the
effects of radiative feedback from massive stars and the dominant physical and
chemical processes that lead to the IR emission that JWST will detect in many
Galactic and extragalactic environments. Due to the proximity of the Orion
Nebula and the unprecedented angular resolution of JWST, these data reveal that
the molecular cloud borders are hyper structured at small angular scales of
0.1-1" (0.0002-0.002 pc or 40-400 au at 414 pc). A diverse set of features are
observed such as ridges, waves, globules and photoevaporated protoplanetary
disks. At the PDR atomic to molecular transition, several bright features are
detected that are associated with the highly irradiated surroundings of the
dense molecular condensations and embedded young star. Toward the Orion Bar
PDR, a highly sculpted interface is detected with sharp edges and density
increases near the IF and DF. This was predicted by previous modeling studies,
but the fronts were unresolved in most tracers. A complex, structured, and
folded DF surface was traced by the H2 lines. This dataset was used to revisit
the commonly adopted 2D PDR structure of the Orion Bar. JWST provides us with a
complete view of the PDR, all the way from the PDR edge to the substructured
dense region, and this allowed us to determine, in detail, where the emission
of the atomic and molecular lines, aromatic bands, and dust originate
PDRs4All IV. An embarrassment of riches: Aromatic infrared bands in the Orion Bar
(Abridged) Mid-infrared observations of photodissociation regions (PDRs) are
dominated by strong emission features called aromatic infrared bands (AIBs).
The most prominent AIBs are found at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.2 m. The
most sensitive, highest-resolution infrared spectral imaging data ever taken of
the prototypical PDR, the Orion Bar, have been captured by JWST. We provide an
inventory of the AIBs found in the Orion Bar, along with mid-IR template
spectra from five distinct regions in the Bar: the molecular PDR, the atomic
PDR, and the HII region. We use JWST NIRSpec IFU and MIRI MRS observations of
the Orion Bar from the JWST Early Release Science Program, PDRs4All (ID: 1288).
We extract five template spectra to represent the morphology and environment of
the Orion Bar PDR. The superb sensitivity and the spectral and spatial
resolution of these JWST observations reveal many details of the AIB emission
and enable an improved characterization of their detailed profile shapes and
sub-components. While the spectra are dominated by the well-known AIBs at 3.3,
6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.2, and 12.7 m, a wealth of weaker features and
sub-components are present. We report trends in the widths and relative
strengths of AIBs across the five template spectra. These trends yield valuable
insight into the photochemical evolution of PAHs, such as the evolution
responsible for the shift of 11.2 m AIB emission from class B in
the molecular PDR to class A in the PDR surface layers. This
photochemical evolution is driven by the increased importance of FUV processing
in the PDR surface layers, resulting in a "weeding out" of the weakest links of
the PAH family in these layers. For now, these JWST observations are consistent
with a model in which the underlying PAH family is composed of a few species:
the so-called 'grandPAHs'.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures, to appear in A&
PDRs4All III: JWST's NIR spectroscopic view of the Orion Bar
(Abridged) We investigate the impact of radiative feedback from massive stars
on their natal cloud and focus on the transition from the HII region to the
atomic PDR (crossing the ionisation front (IF)), and the subsequent transition
to the molecular PDR (crossing the dissociation front (DF)). We use
high-resolution near-IR integral field spectroscopic data from NIRSpec on JWST
to observe the Orion Bar PDR as part of the PDRs4All JWST Early Release Science
Program. The NIRSpec data reveal a forest of lines including, but not limited
to, HeI, HI, and CI recombination lines, ionic lines, OI and NI fluorescence
lines, Aromatic Infrared Bands (AIBs including aromatic CH, aliphatic CH, and
their CD counterparts), CO2 ice, pure rotational and ro-vibrational lines from
H2, and ro-vibrational lines HD, CO, and CH+, most of them detected for the
first time towards a PDR. Their spatial distribution resolves the H and He
ionisation structure in the Huygens region, gives insight into the geometry of
the Bar, and confirms the large-scale stratification of PDRs. We observe
numerous smaller scale structures whose typical size decreases with distance
from Ori C and IR lines from CI, if solely arising from radiative recombination
and cascade, reveal very high gas temperatures consistent with the hot
irradiated surface of small-scale dense clumps deep inside the PDR. The H2
lines reveal multiple, prominent filaments which exhibit different
characteristics. This leaves the impression of a "terraced" transition from the
predominantly atomic surface region to the CO-rich molecular zone deeper in.
This study showcases the discovery space created by JWST to further our
understanding of the impact radiation from young stars has on their natal
molecular cloud and proto-planetary disk, which touches on star- and planet
formation as well as galaxy evolution.Comment: 52 pages, 30 figures, submitted to A&
A far-ultraviolet-driven photoevaporation flow observed in a protoplanetary disk
Most low-mass stars form in stellar clusters that also contain massive stars,
which are sources of far-ultraviolet (FUV) radiation. Theoretical models
predict that this FUV radiation produces photo-dissociation regions (PDRs) on
the surfaces of protoplanetary disks around low-mass stars, impacting planet
formation within the disks. We report JWST and Atacama Large Millimetere Array
observations of a FUV-irradiated protoplanetary disk in the Orion Nebula.
Emission lines are detected from the PDR; modelling their kinematics and
excitation allows us to constrain the physical conditions within the gas. We
quantify the mass-loss rate induced by the FUV irradiation, finding it is
sufficient to remove gas from the disk in less than a million years. This is
rapid enough to affect giant planet formation in the disk
Engineered versus hybrid cellular vesicles as efficient drug delivery systems: A comparative study with brain targeted vesicles.
Herein we elaborated on methods to load cellular vesicles (CVs) and to incorporate cholesterol (Chol) and PEG lipids in their membrane, for enhancing the potential of such engineered CVs (e-CVs) as drug carriers. Hybrids formed by fusion between PEGylated liposomes (PEG-LIP) and CVs were evaluated as alternatives to e-CV, for the first time. Freeze-thawing cycles (FT) and incubation protocols were tested, and vesicle fusion was monitored by FRET dilution. B16F10, hCMEC/D3, and LLC cells were used for e-CV or hybrid development, and FITC-dextran as a model hydrophilic drug. Results show that dehydration rehydration vesicle (DRV) method is optimal for highest CV loading and integrity, while optimal protocols for Chol/PEG enrichment were identified. FT was found to be more efficient than incubation for hybrid formation. Interestingly, despite their high Chol content, CVs had very low integrity that was not increased by enrichment with Chol, but only after PEG coating; e-CVs demonstrated higher integrity than hybrids. Vesicle uptake by hCMEC cells is in the order: LIPâ<âe-CVsâ<âHybridsââ€âCVs (verified by confocal microscopy); the higher PEG content of e-CVs is possibly the reason for their reduced cell uptake. While CV and hybrid uptake are highly caveolin-dependent, e-CVs mostly follow clathrin-dependent pathways. In vivo and ex vivo results show that brain accumulation of hybrids is only slightly higher that of CVs, indicating that the surface PEG content of hybrids is not sufficient to prevent uptake by macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system. Taking together with the fact that subjection of CVs to FT cycles reduced their cellular uptake, it is concluded that PEGylated e-CVs are better than hybrids as brain-targeted drug carriers
Hydroclimatic change challenges the EU planned transition to a carbon neutral electricity system
EU Member States are progressively decarbonizing their electricity systems by replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources to achieve rapid greenhouse gases emissions reductions. While the planned decarbonized system will be more resilient to hydroclimatic change than existing water-dependent portfolios, water availability and temperature are still influential factors during this transition to a carbon neutral electricity system, with potential negative impacts on the economy and the environment. Here, we conduct a model-based analysis to assess the impacts of hydroclimatic change on EU decarbonization strategies in two regions, the Iberian Peninsula (IP) and the Danube river basin, characterized by a high share of water-dependent energy sources and expected to be highly affected by climate change. We find that, under the reference electricity system scenario for 2040 aligned with the EU climate and energy strategies, generation from fossil fuels increases, in particular from combined cycle gas turbine plants, to balance the reduction of hydro generation consistently observed in the hydroclimatic scenarios examined. This reduction, in conjunction with increased thermal plants shutdown events due to high water temperature especially in the IP, produces load cuts undermining the reliability of the electricity system. Moreover, increased fossil fuel use results in higher generation costs and carbon intensity, jeopardizing emissions reduction targets and ultimately slowing down the decarbonization process