Evaluation and measurement of heliostat misalignment in solar power plant using vector model

Heliostat alignment evaluation is among the main issues in solar tower concentration plant operation and maintenance. This paper describes a novel method used to evaluate heliostat misalignment and its experimental verification. This method provides a different way of visualizing beam centroid pointing errors by generating the complete deviation curve for each axis. This, for example, would be useful for verifying a heliostat’s correct alignment by using a measurement performed out of the receiver target, using these traces to calculate its reflection’s expected location, given a known misalignment. This measurement could be performed during operation simply by including a reflective element in the heliostat and two detector arrays on the tower’s surface. This model has been tested for various types of misalignments of a heliostat at different hours, dates, and heliostat locations. The simulation results have been validated by using an experimental setup at a scale of 1:100

Intermediation for technology diffusion and user innovation in a developing rural economy:a social learning perspective

Technology intermediaries are seen as potent vehicles for addressing perennial problems in transferring technology from university to industry in developed and developing countries. This paper examines what constitutes effective user-end intermediation in a low-technology, developing economy context, which is an under-researched topic. The social learning in technological innovation framework is extended using situated learning theory in a longitudinal instrumental case study of an exemplar technology intermediation programme. The paper documents the role that academic-related research and advisory centres can play as intermediaries in brokering, facilitating and configuring technology, against the backdrop of a group of small-scale pisciculture businesses in a rural area of Colombia. In doing so, it demonstrates how technology intermediation activities can be optimized in the domestication and innofusion of technology amongst end-users. The design components featured in this instrumental case of intermediation can inform policy making and practice relating to technology transfer from university to rural industry. Future research on this subject should consider the intermediation components put forward, as well as the impact of such interventions, in different countries and industrial sectors. Such research would allow for theoretical replication and help improve technology domestication and innofusion in different contexts, especially in less-developed countries

Multilayer ion trap technology for scalable quantum computing and quantum simulation

We present a novel ion trap fabrication method enabling the realization of multilayer ion traps scalable to an in principle arbitrary number of metal-dielectric levels. We benchmark our method by fabricating a multilayer ion trap with integrated three-dimensional microwave circuitry. We demonstrate ion trapping and microwave control of the hyperfine states of a laser cooled 9Be+ ion held at a distance of 35 above the trap surface. This method can be used to implement large-scale ion trap arrays for scalable quantum information processing and quantum simulation

Climate change and management of biofilms within drinking water distribution systems

Climate change will increase the temperature of water in our drinking-water distribution systems, impacting the biofilms that grow in these vast infrastructure systems and hence the quality and safety of drinking water at the tap. Using a full-scale laboratory-controlled facility, we studied the impact of such temperature increase and the impacts of different control strategies. Our results show that increasing the temperature from 16 to 24°C changed the biofilm community structure and increased the potential for discoloration. Interventions of flushing only or flushing supplemented with hyperchlorination showed a similar reduction in discoloration potential and reduced the abundance of microorganisms that can compromise water quality and safety such as the bacteria Flavobacterium or Sphingobium and the fungi Fusarium and Cladosporium. However, there was no difference between the interventions, suggesting no benefit from adding hyperchlorination. This study provides useful understanding to inform strategies for managing biofilms within chlorinated HDPE DWDS, understanding and mitigating the impact of increasing temperature due to climate change

"A little theatrical but mostly athletic": The mutable erotics of Miranda July's The First Bad Man

By attending to the inherent flux of sexual fantasy, Miranda July’s first novel The First Bad Man reveals a mobile and mutable erotics capable of generating an enlarged range of self-identification and relational intimacy, far from any essentialist assumptions of stable or coherent sexual identity. July focuses specifically upon role-play as the means to unpack the normative categories of hetero/homosexuality, masculinity and femininity, celebrating rather than pathologising qualities like superficiality and inconsistency. The novel touches upon many polarising issues (for example, sexual violence, sadomasochism and assisted reproductive technology), deftly avoiding the conventional language which colours perception. Both erotic and humorous, The First Bad Man helps to redefine the often highly charged discourse around sex and sexuality

Intermittent water supply impacts on distribution system biofilms and water quality

Intermittent water supplies (IWS) are routinely experienced by drinking water distribution systems around the world, either due to ongoing operational practices or due to one off interruptions. During IWS events changing conditions may impact the endemic biofilms leading to hydraulic mobilisation of organic and inorganic materials attached to pipes walls with a resulting degradation in water quality. To study the impact of IWS on the microbiological and physico-chemical characteristics of drinking water, an experimental full-scale chlorinated pipe facility was operated over 60 days under realistic hydraulic conditions to allow for biofilm growth and to investigate flow resumption behaviour post-IWS events of 6, 48 and 144 hours. Turbidity and metal concentrations showed significant responses to flow restarting, indicating biofilm changes, with events greater than 6 hours generating more turbidity responses and hence discolouration risk. The increase in pressure when the system was restarted showed a substantial increase in total cell counts, while the subsequent increases in flow led to elevated turbidity and metals concentrations. SUVA254 monitoring indicated that shorter times of non-water supply increased the risk of aromatic organic compounds and hence risk of disinfection-by-products formation. DNA sequencing indicated that increasing IWS times resulted in increased relative abundance of potential pathogenic microorganisms, such as Mycobacterium, Sphingomonas, and the fungi Penicillium and Cladosporium. Overall findings indicate that shorter IWS result in a higher proportion of aromatic organic compounds, which can potentially react with chlorine and increase risk of disinfection-by-products formation. However, by minimising IWS times, biofilm-associated impacts can be reduced, yet these are complex ecosystems and much remains to be understood about how microbial interactions can be managed to best ensure continued water safe supply

Máster Semipresencial en Protección Radiológica en IIRRR y IINN: Módulo aplicado a Instalaciones Nucleares en Operación y Desmantelamiento

En este trabajo se expone la experiencia en la impartición de un Máster Semipresencial en Protección Radiológica en Instalaciones Radiactivas y Nucleares, dirigido desde la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia y coordinado por Titania Servicios Tecnológicos, spin-off de dicha universidad, en el que colaboran entidades de amplia experiencia en el sector nuclear tales como Iberdrola, Enresa, Unidad de Protección Civil, Lainsa,..etc. En concreto se muestra en detalle el Módulo aplicado a Instalaciones Nucleares, tanto las que se encuentran en operación como las que están en fase de desmantelamiento. El contenido desarrollado en el máster en materia de protección radiológica, abarca los conocimientos y habilidades requeridas a nivel teórico y práctico, de funciones relativas a Jefe de Servicio de Protección Radiológica. De forma específica en el Módulo de Instalaciones Nucleares, los contenidos son los relacionados con aspectos generales y específicos necesarios para este tipo de instalaciones, como Cálculo de blindajes mediante códigos avanzados, Alara en la protección radiológica operacional, Normativa específica, Desmantelamiento en instalaciones nucleares, etc. El máster semipresencial cuenta con una parte online mediante la plataforma tecnológica Poliformat de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (lecciones guiadas, ejercicios, cuestiones test, autoevaluaciones y tutorías online) y una parte presencial integrada por diversas prácticas, además de seminario y examen presenciales. En el caso del módulo de Instalaciones Nucleares la colaboración con diversas entidades, ha permitido realizar prácticas relacionadas con el Servicio de Dosimetría, Servicios Médicos, Laboratorio de Instrumentación y Zona Controlada de la Central Nuclear de Cofrentes, visita a la instalación de VandellósI y central nuclear de José Cabrera para temas relacionados con el Desmantelamiento, simulación de Planes de Emergencia Nuclear y visita a Estaciones de Clasificación y Descontaminación gestionadas por la Unidad de Protección Civil y la Sección de Seguridad Radiológica, simulación de escenarios como dispersión atmosférica mediante distintos códigos informáticos..etcVerdú Martín, GJ.; Mayo Nogueira, P.; Fragio, R.; Sollet, E.; Pérez, C.; Ondaro, M.; Preciado, L.... (2012). Máster Semipresencial en Protección Radiológica en IIRRR y IINN: Módulo aplicado a Instalaciones Nucleares en Operación y Desmantelamiento. Sociedad Nuclear Española. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/71532