32,400 research outputs found
Research and development of silicon solar cells optimized for space exploration power systems Quarterly report, 1 Apr. - 30 Jun. 1970
Optimized silicon solar cell development for spacecraft with near-sun mission
Optimized silicon solar cells for space exploration power systems
Optimized silicon solar cells for space exploration power system
The impact of stochastic physics on climate sensitivity in EC-Earth
Stochastic schemes, designed to represent unresolved sub-grid scale
variability, are frequently used in short and medium-range weather forecasts,
where they are found to improve several aspects of the model. In recent years,
the impact of stochastic physics has also been found to be beneficial for the
model's long term climate. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time
that the inclusion of a stochastic physics scheme can notably affect a model's
projection of global warming, as well as its historical climatological global
temperature. Specifically, we find that when including the 'stochastically
perturbed parametrisation tendencies' scheme (SPPT) in the fully coupled
climate model EC-Earth v3.1, the predicted level of global warming between 1850
and 2100 is reduced by 10% under an RCP8.5 forcing scenario. We link this
reduction in climate sensitivity to a change in the cloud feedbacks with SPPT.
In particular, the scheme appears to reduce the positive low cloud cover
feedback, and increase the negative cloud optical feedback. A key role is
played by a robust, rapid increase in cloud liquid water with SPPT, which we
speculate is due to the scheme's non-linear interaction with condensation.Comment: Under review in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmosphere
Estimates of global terrestrial isoprene emissions using MEGAN (Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature)
Reactive gases and aerosols are produced by terrestrial ecosystems, processed within plant canopies, and can then be emitted into the above-canopy atmosphere. Estimates of the above-canopy fluxes are needed for quantitative earth system studies and assessments of past, present and future air quality and climate. The Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN) is described and used to quantify net terrestrial biosphere emission of isoprene into the atmosphere. MEGAN is designed for both global and regional emission modeling and has global coverage with ~1 km<sup>2</sup> spatial resolution. Field and laboratory investigations of the processes controlling isoprene emission are described and data available for model development and evaluation are summarized. The factors controlling isoprene emissions include biological, physical and chemical driving variables. MEGAN driving variables are derived from models and satellite and ground observations. Tropical broadleaf trees contribute almost half of the estimated global annual isoprene emission due to their relatively high emission factors and because they are often exposed to conditions that are conducive for isoprene emission. The remaining flux is primarily from shrubs which have a widespread distribution. The annual global isoprene emission estimated with MEGAN ranges from about 500 to 750 Tg isoprene (440 to 660 Tg carbon) depending on the driving variables which include temperature, solar radiation, Leaf Area Index, and plant functional type. The global annual isoprene emission estimated using the standard driving variables is ~600 Tg isoprene. Differences in driving variables result in emission estimates that differ by more than a factor of three for specific times and locations. It is difficult to evaluate isoprene emission estimates using the concentration distributions simulated using chemistry and transport models, due to the substantial uncertainties in other model components, but at least some global models produce reasonable results when using isoprene emission distributions similar to MEGAN estimates. In addition, comparison with isoprene emissions estimated from satellite formaldehyde observations indicates reasonable agreement. The sensitivity of isoprene emissions to earth system changes (e.g., climate and land-use) demonstrates the potential for large future changes in emissions. Using temperature distributions simulated by global climate models for year 2100, MEGAN estimates that isoprene emissions increase by more than a factor of two. This is considerably greater than previous estimates and additional observations are needed to evaluate and improve the methods used to predict future isoprene emissions
The limitations of speech control: perceptions of provision of speech-driven environmental controls
This study set out to collect data from assistive technology professionals about their provision of speech-driven environmental control systems. This study is part of a larger study looking at developing a new speech-driven environmental control system
Enabling local rapid change solutions to the Climate Emergency
Three quarters of UK Local Authorities (LAs) have declared Climate Emergencies. Most include an ambition for carbon neutrality by 2030. Yet a lack of clarity on a national policy framework through to 2030 means that LAs now face the challenge of creating an enabling environment to respond to urgent Climate Emergency targets.
This paper reviews the implications of the LA Climate Emergency Declarations for local policy making in respect of low carbon retrofit. It will focus on evidence from a council whose dedicated project team is creating and implementing 2030 Climate response strategies, as well as built environment practitioners who have expertise to deliver retrofit services. Using documentary evidence and expert testimony, this paper will explore the gaps in creating an enabling environment/policy roadmap to 2030, the role might local government play in delivering large scale domestic retrofit, and how to align the various stakeholder groups.
The paper finds that despite the simplistic term ‘retrofit’, the domestic retrofit landscape is far from simple. It is not a homogenous entity, rather a complex, multi-layered and segmented eco-system. We propose reviewing this segmentation through the lens of ‘first-mover’ which would help clarify where efforts should be focused, and which measures could be taken to accelerate consumer engagement. The authors discover there is potential for Local Authorities to develop novel approaches to retrofit processes, by taking the role of ‘middle actor’, reshaping the customer journey and engaging a range of stakeholders to stimulate local economies and deliver on social and environmental goals. Open collaboration with third sector organisations can provide access to research, resources, and networks to help deploy rapid change solutions
The counter-streaming instability in dwarf ellipticals with off-center nuclei
n many nucleated dwarf elliptical galaxies (dE,N's), the nucleus is offset by
a significant fraction of the scale radius with respect to the center of the
outer isophotes. Using a high-resolution N-body simulation, we demonstrate that
the nucleus can be driven off-center by the m=1 counterstreaming instability,
which is strong in flattened stellar systems with zero rotation. The model
develops a nuclear offset on the order of 30% of the exponential scale length.
We compare our numerical results with the photometry and kinematics of FCC 046,
a Fornax Cluster dE,N with a nucleus offset by 1.2" we find good agreement
between the model and FCC 046. We also discuss mechanisms that may cause
counterrotation in dE,N's and conclude that the destruction of box orbits in an
initially triaxial galaxy is the most promising.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Partial suppression of the radial orbit instability in stellar systems
It is well known that the simple criterion proposed originally by Polyachenko
and Shukhman (1981) for the onset of the radial orbit instability, although
being generally a useful tool, faces significant exceptions both on the side of
mildly anisotropic systems (with some that can be proved to be unstable) and on
the side of strongly anisotropic models (with some that can be shown to be
stable). In this paper we address two issues: Are there processes of
collisionless collapse that can lead to equilibria of the exceptional type?
What is the intrinsic structural property that is responsible for the sometimes
noted exceptional stability behavior? To clarify these issues, we have
performed a series of simulations of collisionless collapse that start from
homogeneous, highly symmetrized, cold initial conditions and, because of such
special conditions, are characterized by very little mixing. For these runs,
the end-states can be associated with large values of the global pressure
anisotropy parameter up to 2K_r/K_T \approx 2.75. The highly anisotropic
equilibrium states thus constructed show no significant traces of radial
anisotropy in their central region, with a very sharp transition to a radially
anisotropic envelope occurring well inside the half-mass radius (around 0.2
r_M). To check whether the existence of such almost perfectly isotropic
"nucleus" might be responsible for the apparent suppression of the radial orbit
instability, we could not resort to equilibrium models with the above
characteristics and with analytically available distribution function; instead,
we studied and confirmed the stability of configurations with those
characteristics by initializing N-body approximate equilibria (with given
density and pressure anisotropy profiles) with the help of the Jeans equations.Comment: 26 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical
Journa
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