Effect of platform configurations and environmental conditions on the performance of floating solar photovoltaic structures

The growth and development of floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) power plants is a prominent topic within renewable energy technology. One reason contributing to this desired technology design concept is the possibility of land acquisition issues, whereas the usage of the ocean provides a greater technical alternative area. The objective of the research is to present an innovative design for a floating structure, focusing on investigating and comparing the seakeeping performance of several hull configurations: catamaran, trimaran, quadrimaran and pentamaran. The final computational simulation results indicate a linear negative trend in the motion response graphs, particularly in specific significant response values for heave (Global Z), roll (Global RX), and pitch (Global RY), as the hull configuration increases.The authors express their gratitude to Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember for providing research funding through the Outbound Researcher Mobility (ORM) program for the 2023/2024 period, batches 1, 2, and 3, under contract number 2432/IT2/T/HK.00.01/2023.15th International Marine Design Conference (IMDC 2024)International Marine Design Conferenc

A comparative experimental study on the hydrodynamic performance of two floating solar structures with a breakwater in waves

Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) is considered as a highly promising clean energy solution. In recent years, FPV has been widely deployed in calm water around the world. However, to find available space for further expansion, FPV needs to be deployed in seas whilst the oceanic waves significantly influence the structural stability and energy performance. On one hand, wave loads may cause structural fatigue and damage. On the other hand, wave-induced rotations of a floating solar panel will vary its tilt angle to the sunlight and thus affect the power output. To explore the new research field of ocean-based FPV, this work first designed a novel catamaran FPV floater with a four-point mooring system. Comparative experiments were then conducted in a wave tank to compare its seakeeping ability with a conventional flat-plate floater. Besides, a breakwater structure was further introduced to enhance the stability of these two types of floaters. Detailed data on floater motions and mooring line forces were collected under monochromatic wave conditions. Extensive analysis was performed to evaluate the wave-mitigating performance of the breakwater, as well as the nonlinearity in the motion and force time histories. Overall, the work provides valuable experimental data and novel insights into the design of FPV floaters and breakwater protection, supporting long-term sustainability of FPV on the ocean.L.H. acknowledges grants received from Innovate UK, United Kingdom (No. 10048187, 10079774, 10081314), the Royal Society, United Kingdom (IEC NSFC 223253, RG R2 232462) and UK Department for Transport (TRIG2023 - No. 30066).Solar Energ

Hepatitis B virus genotypes/subgenotypes in voluntary blood donors in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype appears to show varying geographic distribution. Molecular epidemiological study of HBV in particular areas in Indonesia is still limited. This study was aimed to identify the prevalence of HBV genotype/subgenotype and mutations in basal core promoter (BCP) region in voluntary blood donors in Makassar, one of the biggest cities in east part of Indonesia.</p> <p>A total of 214 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive samples were enrolled in this study. HBV genotype/subgenotype was identified by genotype-specific PCR method or direct sequencing of pre-S region. Mutations in BCP were identified by direct sequencing of the corresponding region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HBV/B and HBV/C were detected in 61.21% and 25.23% of the samples, while mix of HBV/B and HBV/C was found in 12.62% of the samples. Based on pre-S region, among HBV/B and HBV/C, HBV/B3 (95.00%) and HBV/C1 (58.82%) were predominant. Interestingly, HBV/D was identified in two samples (22.165.07 and 22.252.07). Complete genome sequences of two HBV/D strains (22.165.07 and 22.252.07) demonstrated that both strains belong to HBV/D6, and the divergence between the two strains were 1.45%, while divergences of both 22.165.07 and 22.252.07 strains with reference strain (<ext-link ext-link-id="AM422939" ext-link-type="gen">AM422939</ext-link>/France) were 2.67%. A1762T/G1764A mutation was observed in 1.96% and 5.36%, whereas T1753V mutation was found in 2.94% and 1.79% of HBV/B and HBV/C, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HBV/B and HBV/C are dominant in Makassar, similar to most areas in Indonesia. Mutations in BCP which might be associated with severity of liver disease are less common.</p

Virologic and clinical characteristics of HBV genotypes/subgenotypes in 487 Chinese pediatric patients with CHB

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes/subgenotypes with clinical characteristics is increasingly recognized. However, the virologic and clinical features of HBV genotypes/subgenotypes in pediatric patients remain largely unknown.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four hundred and eighty-seven pediatric inpatients with CHB were investigated, including 217 nucleos(t)ide analog-experienced patients. HBV genotypes/subgenotypes and reverse transcriptase (RT) mutations were determined by direct sequencing. The stage of fibrosis and degree of inflammatory activity were evaluated by the Metavir score system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among 487 enrolled pediatric patients, HBV genotype C2 and B2 were the most two prevalent (73.7% and 21.1%). Comparing with HBV/B2 infected patients, no significant difference was observed in the incidence rate and mutant patterns of lamivudine- or adefovir-resistant mutations in HBV/C2 infected patients (<it>P </it>> 0.05). Importantly, we found that the degree of hepatic inflammation degree, fibrosis stage and ALT level were significantly higher in HBV/C2-infected HBeAg positive patients than it was in HBV/B2-infected ones.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The pediatric patients with HBV/C2 infection might be more susceptible to develop severe liver pathogenesis.</p

Resolved-sideband Raman cooling of an optical phonon in semiconductor materials

The radiation pressure of light has been widely used to cool trapped atoms or the mechanical vibrational modes of optomechanical systems. Recently, by using the electrostrictive forces of light, spontaneous Brillouin cooling and stimulated Brillouin excitation of acoustic modes of the whispering-gallery-type resonator have been demonstrated. The laser cooling of specific lattice vibrations in solids (that is, phonons) proposed by Dykman in the late 1970s, however, still remains sparsely investigated. Here, we demonstrate the first strong spontaneous Raman cooling and heating of a longitudinal optical phonon (LOP) with a 6.23 THz frequency in polar semiconductor zinc telluride nanobelts. We use the exciton to resonate and assist photoelastic Raman scattering from the LOPs caused by a strong exciton-LOP coupling. By detuning the laser pump to a lower (higher) energy-resolved sideband to make a spontaneous scattering photon resonate with an exciton at an anti-Stokes (Stokes) frequency, the dipole oscillation of the LOPs is photoelastically attenuated (enhanced) to a colder (hotter) state.NRF (Natl Research Foundation, S’pore)MOE (Min. of Education, S’pore)Accepted versio