Control of scroll wave turbulence using resonant perturbations

Turbulence of scroll waves is a sort of spatio-temporal chaos that exists in three-dimensional excitable media. Cardiac tissue and the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction are examples of such media. In cardiac tissue, chaotic behaviour is believed to underlie fibrillation which, without intervention, precedes cardiac death. In this study we investigate suppression of the turbulence using stimulation of two different types, "modulation of excitability" and "extra transmembrane current". With cardiac defibrillation in mind, we used a single pulse as well as repetitive extra current with both constant and feedback controlled frequency. We show that turbulence can be terminated using either a resonant modulation of excitability or a resonant extra current. The turbulence is terminated with much higher probability using a resonant frequency perturbation than a non-resonant one. Suppression of the turbulence using a resonant frequency is up to fifty times faster than using a non-resonant frequency, in both the modulation of excitability and the extra current modes. We also demonstrate that resonant perturbation requires strength one order of magnitude lower than that of a single pulse, which is currently used in clinical practice to terminate cardiac fibrillation. Our results provide a robust method of controlling complex chaotic spatio-temporal processes. Resonant drift of spiral waves has been studied extensively in two dimensions, however, these results show for the first time that it also works in three dimensions, despite the complex nature of the scroll wave turbulence.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, submitted to Phys Rev E 2008/06/13. Last version: 2008/09/18, after revie

Study of Vertically Oriented Solar Battery by Exposure of Concentrated Solar Radiation

Solar power is one of the largest sectors of the global electric and heat power industry. In search of new energy sources, scientists and engineers around the world are increasingly turning their attention to solar batteries, which can be a suitable replacement for non-renewable energy sources. Vertically oriented solar batteries will generate electricity throughout the daylight hours, which eliminates use of additional equipment. The paper proposes a 3D model of a solar battery with a vertical orientation of its modules, as well as the calculation and evaluation of temperature characteristics and the range of efficiency variations obtained under conditions of both the diurnal and seasonal changes in ambient temperature, and the po-wer density changes of concentrated solar radiation, the maximum values of which were chosen equal to 1; 5 and 10 kW/m2. The dependences of the maximum values of the solar battery temperature and the temperature gradient inside it, as well as the dependences of the minimum, average and maximum values of the radiative heat flux to the solar battery surface in the presence and absence of temperature stabilization of the heat sink backside versus the time of day in the middle of January and July have been plotted. As calculations have shown, at the solar radiation concentration of 10 kW/m2, the efficiency in July is increased by more than 2 times due to the use of thermoelectric converters in the battery. Moreover, according to the obtained results, when the solar modules are oriented vertically, temperature gradients and, consequently, the total efficiency of the solar battery and power generation time will be greater compared to the horizontal position of the solar modules, which will reduce operational costs

Моделирование тонкопленочных солнечных элементов со структурой халькопирита CuInSe2

By using numerical simulation, the operating temperatures of a thin-film solar cell based on CuInSe2 have been determined and the solar radiation density values, at which stabilization of the temperature operating conditions of the thin-film solar cell is not required, have been optimized. The maximum possible efficiency value of ~14.8 % is achieved under actual operating conditions, and is maintained by the incoming thermal energy as both emitted in this cell and infrared radiation of the sun and the environment. A model of the proposed thin-film solar cell was implemented in the COMSOL Multiphysics program environment with the use of the Heat Transfer Module. The operating temperatures of the solar cell without thermal stabilization under conditions of the diurnal and seasonal variations of both the ambient temperature and the power density of the AM1.5 solar spectrum have been determined. The maximum value of this power density was varied from 1.0 to 500 kW/m2 when using concentrators. The obtained values of operating temperatures of the thin-film solar cell were used to determine its main parameters in the SCAPS-1D program. The graphs of the operating temperature, efficiency and fill factor of the thin-film solar cell versus the solar radiation density are provided. It is shown that in order to obtain the highest possible efficiency of a solar cell, it is necessary to use concentrated solar radiation with a power density, the maximum value of which should be 8 kW/m2 in July and 10 kW/m2 in January. In the case of lower and higher values of power density, an appropriate thermal stabilization of the cell under consideration is necessary. The dependencies of efficiency, fill factor and open-circuit voltage versus the stabilization temperature of the solar cell, temperature gradients at the interfaces of the thermoelectric layer were also calculated. It is shown that by choosing optimal values of the thermal stabilization, the efficiency of the proposed solar cell may be about 15 % or more.С помощью численного моделирования определены рабочие температуры тонкопленочного солнечного элемента на основе CuInSe2 и оптимизированы значения плотности мощности солнечного излучения, при которых не требуется стабилизация температурного режима данного элемента. Максимально возможное значение КПД ~14,8 % достигается при реальных условиях эксплуатации и поддерживается за счет поступающей тепловой энергии, как выделяющейся в этом элементе, так и инфракрасных излучений – солнца и окружающей среды. Модель предлагаемого тонкопленочного солнечного элемента была реализована в программной среде COMSOL Multiphysics с использованием модуля «Теплопередача». Определены рабочие температуры солнечного элемента без термостабилизации в условиях сезонного и суточного изменения температуры окружающей среды и плотности мощности солнечного излучения спектра AM1,5, максимальное значение которой варьировалось в пределах от 1 до 500 кВт/м2 при использовании концентраторов. Полученные значения рабочих температур тонкопленочного солнечного элемента использовались при определении основных его параметров в программе SCAPS-1D. Приведены графики зависимостей рабочей температуры, коэффициента полезного действия и коэффициента заполнения тонкопленочного солнечного элемента от плотности мощности солнечного излучения. Показано, что для получения максимально возможного КПД солнечного элемента необходимо использовать концентрированное солнечное излучение с максимальным значением плотности мощности 8 кВт/м2 в июле и 10 кВт/м2 в январе. В случае более низких и высоких этих величин необходима соответствующая термостабилизация рассматриваемого элемента. Также рассчитаны зависимости КПД, коэффициента заполнения и напряжения холостого хода от температуры стабилизации солнечного элемента, градиенты температур на границах раздела термоэлектрического слоя. Показано, что при выборе оптимальных значений термостабилизации эффективность предлагаемого солнечного элемента может составлять порядка 15 % и более

Dynamics of lattice spins as a model of arrhythmia

We consider evolution of initial disturbances in spatially extended systems with autonomous rhythmic activity, such as the heart. We consider the case when the activity is stable with respect to very smooth (changing little across the medium) disturbances and construct lattice models for description of not-so-smooth disturbances, in particular, topological defects; these models are modifications of the diffusive XY model. We find that when the activity on each lattice site is very rigid in maintaining its form, the topological defects - vortices or spirals - nucleate a transition to a disordered, turbulent state.Comment: 17 pages, revtex, 3 figure

Исследование вертикально ориентированной солнечной батареи при воздействии концентрированного солнечного излучения

Solar power is one of the largest sectors of the global electric and heat power industry. In search of new energy sources, scientists and engineers around the world are increasingly turning their attention to solar batteries, which can be a suitable replacement for non-renewable energy sources. Vertically oriented solar batteries will generate electricity throughout the daylight hours, which eliminates use of additional equipment. The paper proposes a 3D model of a solar battery with a vertical orientation of its modules, as well as the calculation and evaluation of temperature characteristics and the range of efficiency variations obtained under conditions of both the diurnal and seasonal changes in ambient temperature, and the power density changes of concentrated solar radiation, the maximum values of which were chosen equal to 1; 5 and 10 kW/m2. The dependences of the maximum values of the solar battery temperature and the temperature gradient inside it, as well as the dependences of the minimum, average and maximum values of the radiative heat flux to the solar battery surface in the presence and absence of temperature stabilization of the heat sink backside versus the time of day in the middle of January and July have been plotted. As calculations have shown, at the solar radiation concentration of 10 kW/m2, the efficiency in July is increased by more than 2 times due to the use of thermoelectric converters in the battery. Moreover, according to the obtained results, when the solar modules are oriented vertically, temperature gradients and, consequently, the total efficiency of the solar battery and power generation time will be greater compared to the horizontal position of the solar modules, which will reduce operational costs.Солнечная энергетика является одним из крупнейших секторов мировой электро- и теплоэнергетики. В поисках новых источников энергии ученые и инженеры всего мира все чаще обращают внимание на солнечные батареи, которые могут стать подходящей заменой невозобновляемых источников энергии. Вертикально ориентированные солнечные батареи позволят генерировать электроэнергию в течение всего светового дня, что исключает использование дополнительного оборудования. В статье предлагаются 3D модель солнечной батареи с вертикальной ориентацией ее модулей, а также расчет и оценка температурных характеристик и диапазон вариаций КПД, получаемых в условиях как суточных и сезонных изменений температуры окружающей среды, так и изменений плотности мощности концентрированного солнечного излучения, максимальные значения которой были выбраны равными 1; 5 и 10 кВт/м2. Построены зависимости максимальных значений температуры солнечной батареи и градиента температуры внутри ее, а также зависимости минимальных, средних и максимальных значений лучистого теплового потока к поверхности солнечной батареи при наличии и отсутствии стабилизации температуры тыльной стороны радиатора от времени суток в серединах января и июля. Как показали расчеты, при концентрации солнечного излучения 10 кВт/м2 КПД в июле увеличивается более чем в два раза за счет использования в батарее термоэлектрических преобразователей. Более того, согласно полученным результатам, при вертикальной ориентации солнечных модулей градиенты температуры и, следовательно, суммарный КПД солнечной батареи и время генерации энергии будут больше по сравнению с горизонтальным положением солнечных модулей, что позволит снизить эксплуатационные расходы

Моделирование характеристик фототермоэлектрической батареи

Solar radiation is an environmentally friendly and affordable energy source with high release of energy. The use of a photovoltaic thermoelectric battery makes it possible to increase the efficiency of converting solar and thermal radiation into electrical energy, both on serene and cloudy days. An original battery structure with photovoltaic and thermoelectric converters is proposed. The 3D model of the proposed photovoltaic thermoelectric battery was realized in the COMSOL Multiphysics software environment with the use of a heat transfer module. The simulation was performed for the geographical coordinates of Minsk and taking into account the diurnal and seasonal variations of both the ambient temperature and the power density of the concentrated AM1.5 solar spectrum, the maximum value of which being varied from 1 to 500 kW/m2. The dependences of the maximum temperature values of the photovoltaic thermoelectric battery and the thermoelectric converters as well as temperature gradient patterns in the thermoelectric converters have been calculated. The dependences of the maximum temperature gradient values inside the thermoelectric converters on the solar power density are obtained. The graphs of the temperature gradients inside the thermoelectric converters of the photovoltaic thermoelectric battery by concentrated solar radiation versus the time of day in the middle of July and January are provided. It is shown that the output voltage increases up to the maximum values of 635 and 780 mV, respectively, in January and in July were achieved due to the temperature stabilization of the back side of the external electrodes of the proposed deviceСолнечное излучение является экологически чистым и доступным источником энергии с высокой энергоотдачей. Использование фототермоэлектрической батареи позволяет увеличить эффективность преобразования солнечного и теплового излучений в электрическую энергию как в ясные, так и в пасмурные дни. В данной работе предложена оригинальная структура батареи с фото- и термоэлектрическими преобразователями. Трехмерная модель фототермоэлектрической батареи реализована в программном обеспечении COMSOL Multiphysics с использованием модуля «Теплопередача». Моделирование проводилось для географических координат г. Минска с учетом суточного и сезонного изменений температуры окружающей среды и плотности мощности концентрированного солнечного излучения спектра AM1.5, максимальное значение которой варьировалось от 1 до 500 кВт/м2. Рассчитаны зависимости максимальных значений температуры фототермоэлектрической батареи, термоэлектрических преобразователей, а также профили распределения градиента температуры в термоэлектрических преобразователях. Получены зависимости максимальных значений градиента температуры внутри термоэлектрических преобразователей от плотности мощности солнечного излучения. Построены графики зависимостей градиентов температуры внутри термоэлектрического преобразователя фототермоэлектрической батареи при воздействии концентрированного солнечного излучения от времени суток в середине июля и января. Показано, что за счет термостабилизации тыльной стороны внешних электродов предложенного устройства удалось достичь увеличения выходного напряжения до максимальных значений 635 мВ в январе и 780 мВ в июле.

Diagnostics of artificial ionospheric irregularities using short sounding radio paths

In this work, we consider the possibilities of diagnostics of artificial ionospheric irregularities with the transverse size l⊥ ≈ 50-200 m, which are excited in the Earth's ionosphere by highpower short-wave radio-frequency radiation from the "Sura" facility using the method of vertical sounding of the ionosphere by the ionosonde located near the heating facility. Some results of the performed studies showing the features of such a diagnostics are presented. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc

Investigation the impact of a laser on the chernov-luders lines in the 40X9C2 steel

The study presents investigation results of the hardening points impact, created on the model surface by means of a laser complex. The authors investigated the change in the steel microhardness in the area which is treated with laser processing and presented the model of stress-strain diagram. The article reveals a change in the yield point and the plasticity of the models as a result. The authors made a number of speckle photos showing the Chernov-Luders lines behavior

Theory of Spike Spiral Waves in a Reaction-Diffusion System

We discovered a new type of spiral wave solutions in reaction-diffusion systems --- spike spiral wave, which significantly differs from spiral waves observed in FitzHugh-Nagumo-type models. We present an asymptotic theory of these waves in Gray-Scott model. We derive the kinematic relations describing the shape of this spiral and find the dependence of its main parameters on the control parameters. The theory does not rely on the specific features of Gray-Scott model and thus is expected to be applicable to a broad range of reaction-diffusion systems.Comment: 4 pages (REVTeX), 2 figures (postscript), submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Theory of spiral wave dynamics in weakly excitable media: asymptotic reduction to a kinematic model and applications

In a weakly excitable medium, characterized by a large threshold stimulus, the free end of an isolated broken plane wave (wave tip) can either rotate (steadily or unsteadily) around a large excitable core, thereby producing a spiral pattern, or retract causing the wave to vanish at boundaries. An asymptotic analysis of spiral motion and retraction is carried out in this weakly excitable large core regime starting from the free-boundary limit of the reaction-diffusion models, valid when the excited region is delimited by a thin interface. The wave description is shown to naturally split between the tip region and a far region that are smoothly matched on an intermediate scale. This separation allows us to rigorously derive an equation of motion for the wave tip, with the large scale motion of the spiral wavefront slaved to the tip. This kinematic description provides both a physical picture and exact predictions for a wide range of wave behavior, including: (i) steady rotation (frequency and core radius), (ii) exact treatment of the meandering instability in the free-boundary limit with the prediction that the frequency of unstable motion is half the primary steady frequency (iii) drift under external actions (external field with application to axisymmetric scroll ring motion in three-dimensions, and spatial or/and time-dependent variation of excitability), and (iv) the dynamics of multi-armed spiral waves with the new prediction that steadily rotating waves with two or more arms are linearly unstable. Numerical simulations of FitzHug-Nagumo kinetics are used to test several aspects of our results. In addition, we discuss the semi-quantitative extension of this theory to finite cores and pinpoint mathematical subtleties related to the thin interface limit of singly diffusive reaction-diffusion models