Cost-minimization predictive energy management of a postal-delivery fuel cell electric vehicle with intelligent battery State-of-Charge Planner

Fuel cell electric vehicles have earned substantial attentions in recent decades due to their high-efficiency and zero-emission features, while the high operating costs remain the major barrier towards their large-scale commercialization. In such context, this paper aims to devise an energy management strategy for an urban postal-delivery fuel cell electric vehicle for operating cost mitigation. First, a data-driven dual-loop spatial-domain battery state-of-charge reference estimator is designed to guide battery energy depletion, which is trained by real-world driving data collected in postal delivery missions. Then, a fuzzy C-means clustering enhanced Markov speed predictor is constructed to project the upcoming velocity. Lastly, combining the state-of-charge reference and the forecasted speed, a model predictive control-based cost-optimization energy management strategy is established to mitigate vehicle operating costs imposed by energy consumption and power-source degradations. Validation results have shown that 1) the proposed strategy could mitigate the operating cost by 4.43% and 7.30% in average versus benchmark strategies, denoting its superiority in term of cost-reduction and 2) the computation burden per step of the proposed strategy is averaged at 0.123ms, less than the sampling time interval 1s, proving its potential of real-time applications

Mouse Strain– and Charge-Dependent Vessel Permeability of Nanoparticles at the Lower Size Limit

Remarkable advancement has been made in the application of nanoparticles (NPs) for cancer therapy. Although NPs have been favorably delivered into tumors by taking advantage of the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect, several physiological barriers present within tumors tend to restrict the diffusion of NPs. To overcome this, one of the strategies is to design NPs that can reach lower size limits to improve tumor penetration without being rapidly cleared out by the body. Several attempts have been made to achieve this, such as selecting appropriate nanocarriers and modifying surface properties. While many studies focus on the optimal design of NPs, the influence of mouse strains on the effectiveness of NPs remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether the vascular permeability of NPs near the lower size limit differs among mouse strains. We found that the vessel permeability of dextran NPs was size-dependent and dextran NPs with a size below 15 nm exhibited leakage from postcapillary venules in all strains. Most importantly, the leakage rate of 8-nm fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran was significantly higher in the BALB/c mouse strain than in other strains. This strain dependence was not observed in slightly positive TRITC-dextran with comparable sizes. Our results indicate that the influence on mouse strains needs to be taken into account for the evaluation of NPs near the lower size limit

Ultrasonic phased array detection of internal deffects in composite insulators

To reduce the risk imposed by use of defected composite insulators on the operation of power grids, this paper introduces a nondestructive ultrasonic phased array (UPA) technique that allows effectively test such insulators. The method offers a great potential by reducing inspection time as well as allowing for analyzing components characterized by a complex geometry. The UPA inspection system utilizes an open-ended rectangular waveguide sensor, operating at frequency of 2.5 MHz. The system is simple, safe and relatively inexpensive. In this work, samples of silicone rubber composite insulators with various types of detects are studied and the obtained results show that void defects in the bulk of the insulator housing are easiest to be detected. Holes under insulator sheds can also be detected by the edge of scanning range. For the defects near the core-shed interface, the detection becomes possible by comparisons with sample without defects

Ultrasonic phased array detection of internal deffects in composite insulators

To reduce the risk imposed by use of defected composite insulators on the operation of power grids, this paper introduces a nondestructive ultrasonic phased array (UPA) technique that allows effectively test such insulators. The method offers a great potential by reducing inspection time as well as allowing for analyzing components characterized by a complex geometry. The UPA inspection system utilizes an open-ended rectangular waveguide sensor, operating at frequency of 2.5 MHz. The system is simple, safe and relatively inexpensive. In this work, samples of silicone rubber composite insulators with various types of detects are studied and the obtained results show that void defects in the bulk of the insulator housing are easiest to be detected. Holes under insulator sheds can also be detected by the edge of scanning range. For the defects near the core-shed interface, the detection becomes possible by comparisons with sample without defects

Chitosan/bovine serum albumin co-micropatterns on functionalized titanium surfaces and their effects on osteoblasts

Chitosan (CS)/bovine serum albumin (BSA) micropatterns were prepared on functionalized Ti surfaces by micro-transfer molding (mu-TM). mu-TM realized the spatially controlled immobilization of cells and offered a new way of studying the interaction between micropatterns and cells. Two kinds of micropatterns were produced: (1) microgrooves representing a discontinuously grooved co-micropattern, with the rectangular CS region separated by BSA walls; (2) microcylinders representing a continuously interconnected co-micropattern, with the net-like CS region separated by BSA cylinders. A comparison of cell behaviors on the two types of micropatterns indicated that the shape rather than the size had a dominant effect on cell proliferation. The micropattern size in the same range of cell diameters favored cell proliferation. However, cell differentiation was more sensitive to the size rather than to the shape of the micropatterns. In conclusion, cell behavior can be regulated by micropatterns integrating different materials

Green-enhanced super-continuum generation in a tapered photonic crystal fiber for efficient fceo detection

We report the green-enhanced (530 nm) super-continuum generation in a tapered photonic crystal fiber by 280 pJ pulses from a mode-locked Yb:fiber laser. This system offers a technique for efficient fceo beating signal detection. ? 2014 OSA.EI

Antibacterial coatings of fluoridated hydroxyapatite for percutaneous implants

Percutaneous orthopedic and dental implants require not only good adhesion with bone but also the ability to attach and form seals with connective tissues and the skin. To solve the skin-seal problem of such implants, an electrochemical deposition method was used to modify the surfaces of metallic implants to improve their antibacterial ability and skin seals around them. A dense and uniform fluoridated calcium phosphate coating with a thickness of about 200 nm was deposited on an acid-etched pure titanium substrate by controlling the current density and reaction duration of the electrochemical process. The as-deposited amorphous fluoridated calcium phosphate transformed to fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA) after heat treatment at 600 degrees C in a water vapor environment for 3 h. Both single crystal diffraction patterns and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images confirmed the phase of the fluoridated calcium phosphate after the heat treatment. The antibacterial activities of FHA coatings were tested against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) with the film attachment method. The antibacterial activity of FHA coating is much higher than that of pure hydroxyapatite (HA) coating and acid-etched pure titanium surface. The promising features of FHA coating make it suitable for orthopedic and dental applications. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 95A: 588-599, 2010

Don Blair Photography Shop Explosion in 1987

Damage for explosion. Bigler's Vacuum, Utah Auto Body Parts; and American Auto Glass. An explosion on January 10, 1987, caused by an out-of-control car that swerved and crossed over the median and crashed into the studio, which in turn caused a natural gas meter to be damaged and the accumulation of gas was eventually ignited and exploded. This caused severe damage to Don Blair's studio and several other State St. businesses