Total cost of ownership of electric vehicles using energy from a renewable-based microgrid

This work aims at analyzing the integration between electric mobility and renewable energy sources studying the case of the grid-connected microgrid under construction at the University of Trieste, Italy. A general model able to estimate the charging price and the resulting total cost of ownership per kilometer considering the match between the demand and the production of a photovoltaic generator is presented. The result is that the electric vehicle is mainly charged with the produced renewable energy (72%) and that the 60% of it flows through the storage unit. The study also presents a sensitivity analysis to show how the battery size and cost, together with the travelled distance, influence the charging price and the total cost of ownership per kilometer. Considering the current Italian prices and subsidies, results show that the use of an electric car is today feasibl

Development of n-DoF Preloaded structures for impact mitigation in cobots

A core issue in collaborative robotics is that of impact mitigation, especially when collisions happen with operators. Passively compliant structures can be used as the frame of the cobot, although, usually, they are implemented by means of a single-degree-offreedom (DoF). However, n-DoF preloaded structures offer a number of advantages in terms of flexibility in designing their behavior. In this work, we propose a comprehensive framework for classifying n-DoF preloaded structures, including one-, two-, and threedimensional arrays. Furthermore, we investigate the implications of the peculiar behavior of these structures-which present sharp stiff-to-compliant transitions at designdetermined load thresholds-on impact mitigation. To this regard, an analytical n-DoF dynamic model was developed and numerically implemented. A prototype of a 10DoF structure was tested under static and impact loads, showing a very good agreement with the model. Future developments will see the application of n-DoF preloaded structures to impact-mitigation on cobots and in the field of mobile robots, as well as to the field of novel architected materials

The effect of manufacturing mismatch on energy production for large-scale photovoltaic plants

In the literature, the effect of the mismatch due to manufacturing tolerances on PV plant productivity has been investigated under the hypothesis of plant operation in Standard Test Conditions (STC). In this paper, mismatch impacts are evaluated in more realistic terms taking into account various possible operating conditions. Results are illustrated through the study case of a 1 MWp solar park for which module datasheets as well as flash test data are available. The plant production is evaluated assuming operating conditions that comply with the European efficiency standards. It is shown how the effect of a given mismatch on the annual productivity estimation can significantly change depending on the operating conditions

Polished stone axes from Varna/Nössingbühel and Castelrotto/Grondlboden, South Tyrol (Italy)

A collection of polished stone axes from a late Neolithic site and an Early Bronze Age hill fort in South Tyrol (Italy) have been analysed through a multi-analytical approach, mainly based on non-destructive techniques (i.e. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and prompt gamma activation analysis) to identify the raw materials used in the same area during different periods and compare them with those in use in the surrounding territories. The analytical results suggest raw material exploitation strategies based on local or close sedimentary, metamorphic and magmatic rocks. Most of the artefacts are made from antigoritic serpentinite, whose origin is probably from Hohe Tauern (Austria) or related secondary deposits. These data confirm the importance of such raw material for the production of polished stone axes during recent prehistory and integrate the present knowledge about the distribution of antigoritic artefacts in north-eastern Italy and neighbouring countries

BRDF characterization of Al-coated thermoplastic polymer surfaces

In this paper, we present a combined morphological and optical characterization of aluminum-coated thermoplastic polymer surfaces. Flat plastic substrates, obtained by means of an injection molding process starting from plastic granules, were coated with ultra-thin aluminum films evaporated in vacuo, on top of which a silicon-based protective layer was plasma deposited in order to prevent oxidation of the metal reflective surface. Different sample treatments were studied to unravel the influence of substrate chemistry, substrate thickness, aluminum and protective layer thickness, and surface roughness on the actual optical reflectance properties. Bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurements, corroborated by surface morphological information obtained by means of atomic force microscopy, correlate reflectance characteristics with the root-mean-square surface roughness, providing evidence for\ua0the role of the substrate and the thin films\u2019 morphology. The results unravel information of interest within many applicative fields involving metal coating processes of plastic substrates as an example in the case of automotive lighting

Trace Elements in Chromian Spinels from Four Siberian Kimberlites

We analysed the major, minor and trace elements chemistry of forty-two Cr-spinels from four Siberian kimberlites. They showed a wide range in Mg# (Mg/(Mg + Fe2+); 0.42–0.78) and Cr# (Cr/(Cr + Al); 0.32–0.92) and a common trend of increasing Cr# with decreasing Mg#. The major element classification schemes suggested that there were spinels deriving from a peridotitic source (Xen) and spinels crystallised from kimberlitic melts (Chr). Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry on both groups showed that the trace elements with the highest abundance were Mn (985–3390 ppm), Ni (531–3162 ppm), V (694–2510 ppm) and Zn (475–2230 ppm). Testing the effectiveness of trace elements in determining the source for Cr-spinels, we found out that Cr-spinels crystallised directly from a kimberlitic melt usually showed higher Mn, Ni, Sc and V concentrations with respect to those of peridotitic origin. In addition, using the available partitioning models, we found that the correlations between major elements and Ni, Co, Sc and Ga in the Xen group could be explained by subsolidus equilibration between spinel, olivine and clinopyroxene at 800–1000 °C, thus supporting a peridotitic source for this group. Finally, we calculated the composition of the possible melts in equilibrium with the Cr-spinels of the Chr group, using a selected set of partition coefficients. Calculated abundances of Cu, Ga and Zr were comparable to those of the kimberlite, while V was never close to the kimberlite composition. This simulation highlighted the need for new data on the trace elements partition coefficients between kimberlitic melts and Cr-spinel

nanoscale characterisation of hybrid photovoltaic cells based on c61 capped cdse qds

Hybrid solar cells based on 1,2 methanofullerene (C61) capped CdSe and poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) were been investigated through a range of techniques. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was used to characterize size, morphology and crystal structure of as-grown and C61-capped CdSe quantum dots. Cross sectional lamellar specimens were prepared from full photovoltaic devices using a focused ion beam milling approach. The sections were analysed by high angle annular dark field imaging in scanning TEM mode to determine the morphology of the device, in particular the intermixing of P3HT and capped quantum dots

Comparing the Prevalence of Polypharmacy and Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Nursing Homes and in the Community Dwelling Elderly of Emilia Romagna Region

Backround: We aimed at assessing the prevalence of polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with clinical relevance in elderly patient on Emilia Romagna area. Both outpatients and residents in nursing homes were assessed, with only partially overlapping strategies. Methods: We defined a list of 190 pairs of potentially interacting drugs, based on literature appraisal and availability of therapeutic alternatives. January-June 2018 data on drug use in patients over 65 years-old were collected from nine Local Health Authorities of Emilia Romagna: data on community-dwelling subjects were extracted from archives of reimbursed prescriptions, while drug use in a sample of nursing homes was recorded from clinical charts in one index day within the same semester. The frequency of polypharmacy (at least five or at least 10 concurrent drugs) and of each DDI was calculated. Results: In line with different rates of polypharmacy (80% vs 16%), the risk of exposure to at least one interaction was 53.7% in nursing homes and 26.4% in outpatients. Among DDIs, in nursing homes antidepressants—anxiolytics (11.9%) ranked first, followed by antidepressants—aspirin (7.4%). In outpatients, ACE-inhibitors—non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reached 7.2% followed by the calcium channel blockers—α-blockers (2.4%). Discussion: Polypharmacy and risk of DDIs appeared very different in the two settings, due to both technical and clinical reasons. In order to reduce use of benzodiazepines, NSAIDs, antidepressants and relevant DDIs, 1) defining alternative options for pain relief in elderly outpatients, and 2) implementing non-pharmacological management of insomnia and anxiety in nursing homes should be prioritized