A submerged ocean wave energy converter

The design of a Submerged Ocean Wave Energy Converter (SOWEC) was developed and evaluated using physical models in the University of New Hampshire (UNH) wave tank. The SOWEC is a unique pumping device and was designed to capture both potential (heave) energy and the kinetic (surge) energy from waves. The testing was done with a 1:8 scale model in the Chase Laboratory wave tank where it was subjected to regular (single frequency) waves having the maximum wave heights available for each period. The SOWEC was deployed at different depths and angles, with and without flow control attachments to enhance performance. A piston water pump was used as the power take-off system in this testing. Scale model peak pressure mechanical efficiencies up to 40 % were achieved in the model depending on operating configuration

Dynamic analysis of functionally graded material bars by using novel weak form quadrature element method

This paper presents an efficient approach to simulate frequency and wave propagations in functionally graded material (FGM) bars by using novel weak form quadrature element method (WQEM). Based on Mindlin-Herrmann rod theory, a time domain N-node quadrature bar element is proposed. Detailed formulations are given. Dynamic problems of FGM bars are investigated by using the proposed weak form quadrature bar element. Comparisons are made with results obtained by using frequency domain spectral element method (SEM) and by using strong form differential quadrature method (DQM) to verify the developed quadrature bar element. It is shown that one 21-node bar element can yield very accurate frequencies and that the proposed element can efficiently simulate the wave propagation in FGM bars. Compared to results based on the simple rod theory, the results based on Mindlin-Herrmann rod theory should be more reliable, especially for the wave forms and group velocity

Eliciting Positive Responses to Refurbished Electronics Through Consumer Empowerment

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, with small equipment accounting for a significant portion. Refurbished electronics can satisfy consumers\u27 device needs while enabling the appropriate reuse of replaced devices, promising a pathway to address the problem. However, research concerning consumer perceptions and behaviours towards refurbished electronics remains limited. This research investigates how to elicit consumers\u27 positive responses to refurbished electronics through message framing. Specifically, we suggest that framing the contribution to sustainability from a different perspective (consumers vs. manufacturers) could influence consumers with different personality traits, i.e., power distance belief (high vs. low). People with high power distance beliefs prefer advertisements that emphasise the contribution from the consumers\u27 viewpoint or perspective. Low power distance belief individuals respond indifferently to message frames. This differential effect is due to consumers\u27 perception of empowerment

Smooth, Low-Resistance, Pinhole-free, Conformal Ruthenium Films by Pulsed Chemical Vapor Deposition

Ruthenium (Ru) thin films were deposited by pulsed chemical vapor deposition with precursors bis(N,N′-di-tert-butylacetamidinato)ruthenium(II)dicarbonyl, ammonia and hydrogen. Low-resistance polycrystalline Ru films with bulk density were obtained. Good adhesion to $SiO_2$ substrates was achieved by introducing a thin layer of WN in between the Ru and the $SiO_2$. Ru films only $\sim 2$ nm thick fully covered the WN layer without any pinholes. Deposition of Ru inside narrow holes showed that good conformality was obtained by lowering the deposition temperature. The film surface was smooth, and the rms roughness value did not increase too much after rapid thermal annealing at 700°C.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Simulation of wave propagation in plate structures by using new spectral element with piezoelectric coupling

This paper presents an efficient approach to simulate Lamb wave propagations in thin plate structures by using new time domain spectral plate elements. A novel approach is proposed to incorporate the coupling of piezoelectric transducers within the two-dimensional plate element. The diagonal mass matrix is obtained by using a simple method with less computational effort. Detailed formulations are given. The benchmark problem of a thin aluminum plate with two surface-mounted piezoelectric transducers was investigated in detail. Comparisons are made with results obtained by using ABAQUS to verify the developed spectral plate element. It is shown that the proposed element can efficiently simulate the propagation of Lamb wave generated by a piezoelectric actuator and picked up by a piezoelectric sensor