Examining the key drivers of residential solar adoption in upstate New York

This research examines the decision factors influencing adoption of residential solar electric power systems in upstate New York. New York has a goal to provide 100% of electric energy in the State through renewable resources, which includes solar electricity, by 2030. Thus, identifying the most important decision factors may be useful in understanding potential means of promoting solar technology adoption. Through an online survey of homeowners in upstate New York who have installed residential solar systems, the research examined the importance of decision factors influencing the decision to adopt and how factors have changed over time. The research finds that environmental motivations are slightly more important than economics and that perception of solar installers is also important to adopters. This work contributes new insights to the field of research examining solar and renewable energy technology adoption at the residential scale, addresses the role of policy in promoting solar adoption, and provides insights for developers and others looking to enhance the rates of solar technology adoption at the residential scale

Swelling and hydration studies on egg yolk samples via scanning fluid dynamic gauge and gravimetric tests

AbstractHydration and swelling in initially dry protein-based samples represent the first stage in their cleaning from hard surfaces. These phenomena have been studied in technical egg yolk stains via scanning Fluid Dynamic Gauge (sFDG) and gravimetric tests. Temperature (30 °C to 55 °C) and pH (9.5 to 11.5) were investigated as factors influencing the process. The kinetics did not appear to be significantly different as 95% of the equilibrium swelling was reached at approximately 90 min in all tests. No removal of the egg yolk layer was observed in most cases, except at high alkaline conditions (pH 11.5), where a lift-up followed by a partial removal of the protein network was seen when an external shear stress was applied. The process mimicked creep behaviour of plastic materials. Gravimetric data on the hydration of the sample suggested a Fickian diffusion transport (Case I), where solvent diffusion is the rate limiting stage. The initial hydration was proved to be linear. Two diffusion theories of increasing complexity were applied to estimate effective diffusion coefficients: Fick's second law (with moving boundaries) and a non-linear poroelasticity theory. The temperature dependence of different diffusion coefficients assuming an Arrhenius equation gave an activation energy in the range of 16.4 (±6.7) KJ/mol to 18.4 (±9.0) KJ/mol

Das Eltern-Kind-Programm EKP: ein Angebot der Erwachsenenbildung im Wandel der Zeit

Angebote der Erwachsenenbildung unterliegen dem Wandel der Zeit. Empirische Sozialforschung kann den Ist-Zustand erfassen und Anregungen für die Zukunft der Praxis geben. Das EKP® ist diesen Weg gegangen, um weiterhin attraktiv für Eltern zu bleiben

Development of a swelling-removal model for the scanning fluid dynamic gauge

AbstractA mathematical mechanistic swelling-removal approach has been developed for modelling the cleaning process in dried protein samples using the scanning fluid dynamic gauge (sFDG). The algorithm combines swelling phenomena with removal mechanisms (shear stress removal and soil dissolution). Swelling phenomena were described by applying analytical expressions based on poroelasticity theory. The nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE) describing the thickness swelling ratio was solved numerically, allowing the soil to be divided into theoretical layers. The novelty is presented as the cleaning process is integrated by the elimination of those layers. The model predicts the variation of the soil thickness over time. To describe kinetics of removal, experimental results were considered. Constant removal rates were found after an initial transition period. Removal rates were dependent on the different chemical and physical factors acting: temperature, chemistry concentration (pH, enzyme level), shear stress and frequency of application of shear stress. Soil remaining, total mass or percentage of cleaning over time can also be calculated as outputs. Overall the model has the potential to apply varying cleaning conditions over time and grow to a more theoretical approach in the future by applying enzyme kinetics

Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT) for the analysis of water motion in a domestic dishwasher

AbstractMotion of water inside a household dishwasher has been characterised via Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT). The technique enables the visualisation of the motion of a radioactive tracer in three-dimensional and opaque systems. Results showed a periodic sequence of the water over time, encompassing the following steps: movement inside internal equipment and spray arm, ejection via jets, impact over walls and crockery, downfall (either over walls, crockery or free falling) and recirculation of the bulk water from the bottom of the dishwasher. This sequence was shown to occur within a few seconds and the highest velocities, and therefore, the highest kinetic energies, were found upon ejection. Jet paths were observed to follow a straight line. Increased pump speeds increased velocity ejection profiles, but the effect over the downfall step was negligible. In fully loaded dishwasher (with crockery), the tracer moved slower in these high packing zones, showing low velocity profile areas with higher residence times. Other stagnant areas were found at the edges of the bulk of water remaining at the bottom of the dishwasher. Use of detergent did not seem to affect water motion. Finally, data generated via CFD was compared with equivalent PEPT data, showing good agreement for the spray arm and ejection steps but disagreement in the free falling step. The divergences in the results can be explained by a combination of PEPT data processing and CFD model constraints. Information gathered is helping the development of more sustainable and efficient dishwashing systems

Oscillator strengths for transitions to Rydberg levels in 12C16O^{12}C^{16}O, 13C16O^{13}C^{16}O and 13C18O^{13}C^{18}O between 967 and 972 A

Absorption oscillator strengths have been determined from high-resolution spectra in the 967-972 \AA region of three CO isotopomers for transitions to the Rydberg levels 4{\it p$\pi$}(0), 3{\it d$\pi$}(1) and 4{\it p$\sigma$}(0), as well as to the mixed {\it E(6)} level recently characterized by Eidelsberg et al. (2004). Synchrotron radiation from the Super-ACO electron storage ring at Orsay (LURE) was used as a light source. Oscillator strengths were extracted from the recorded spectra by least-squares fitting of the experimental profiles with synthetic spectra taking into account the homogeneous and heterogeneous interactions of the four levels. Column densities were derived from fits to the 3{\it p$\pi$}(0) absorption band whose oscillator strength is well established. These are the first reported measurements for $^{13}$C$^{18}$O. For $^{12}$C$^{16}$O, our results are consistent with the larger values obtained in the most recent laboratory and astronomical studies.Comment: 9 pages 7 figures 3 tables. Accepted in A&A, date of acceptance 11/05/200