The Concept of Autonomous Power Supply System Fed with Renewable Energy Sources

Sustainable economic development requires the use of renewable energy sources in a rational and thoughtful way. In Polish conditions the use of several types of renewable energy sources on a single setup is a new issue. In particular, hybrid devices in conjunction with intelligent energy systems, such as lighting systems are generally not used. Therefore, the Polish energy production still relies on the burning of coal. Despite their advantages, renewable energy sources are characterized by seasonality and considerable instability. Access to renewable energy varies daily and seasonally, hence activities promoting the use of autonomous, hybrid power systems must be intensified. The presented research aims at the development of the Autonomous Power Supply (APS) system based on the so-called energy mix. Such a system works in an isolated arrangement and serves to reliably supply electricity from renewable sources for small residential or public utility devices in an urban area. Systems with up to 3 kW power consist of modules, whose modular design allows the combination of various power configurations and types of renewable energy used. The basic system consists of a primary power source, additional power source, emergency power source, energy storage device, weather station and controller. The energy mix depends on the geographical location of the system. The emergency source can be implemented as an on-grid connector or fuel power generator with the participation of 100% until the primary or accessory power source failure is removed. The energy storage system consists of batteries or supercapacitors. The proposed system can be combined to create a local network that automatically responds to energy shortages in various network nodes by adjusting the supply of electricity within the network depending on its needs. For Poland realistic solutions in this article are the new and modern answer to these requirements

Added value of combined acromiohumeral distance and critical shoulder angle measurements on conventional radiographs for the prediction of rotator cuff pathology

Purpose: To investigate the role of acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and critical shoulder angle (CSA) measurements from conventional radiographs (CR) in isolation and combined (prognostic index PIAHD-CSA) as predictors of full thickness rotator cuff tendon tears (RCT) and critical fatty degeneration (CFD; i.e. as much fat as muscle). Method: In this retrospective study AHD and CSA were measured in 127 CR. MR arthrograms served as reference standard and were screened for RCT and CFD. Statistical analysis for inter-reader agreement, Spearman's rank correlation, linear stepwise regression and logistic regression for AHD and CSA with ROC analyses including PIAHD-CSA were performed. Results: In 90 subjects (17 females, mean age 36.1 ± 14.1) no RCT were found on MR imaging and served as control group. In 37 patients (13 females, mean age 58.7 ± 13.2) ≥ one RCT was found. Inter-reader agreements rated between к = 0.42-0.82 for categorical and 0.91-0.96 for continuous variables. No significant correlation of AHD and CSA with either age or sex was seen (p = 0.28 and p = 0.74, respectively). Case group had significantly smaller mean AHD (8.7 ± 3.2 vs. 10.8 ± 2.2 mm; p < 0.001) and larger mean CSA (36.5 ± 4.5° vs. 33.1 ± 4.0°; p < 0.001). PIAHD-CSA increased diagnostic performance for prediction of RCT and CFD (AUC = 0.78 and 0.71), compared to isolated AHD (0.74 and 0.71) and CSA (0.71 and 0.66). Conclusions: AHD and CSA do not depend on age or sex but differ significantly between healthy and pathologic rotator cuffs. A decreased AHD is most influenced by infraspinatus muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration. Combined PIAHD-CSA increases diagnostic performance for predicting RCT and CFD. Keywords: Acromiohumeral distance; Conventional radiography; Critical shoulder angle; Fatty degeneration; Magnetic resonance arthrography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Rotator cuff tear

Light Sheet Microscopy for Single Molecule Tracking in Living Tissue

Single molecule observation in cells and tissue allows the analysis of physiological processes with molecular detail, but it still represents a major methodological challenge. Here we introduce a microscopic technique that combines light sheet optical sectioning microscopy and ultra sensitive high-speed imaging. By this approach it is possible to observe single fluorescent biomolecules in solution, living cells and even tissue with an unprecedented speed and signal-to-noise ratio deep within the sample. Thereby we could directly observe and track small and large tracer molecules in aqueous solution. Furthermore, we demonstrated the feasibility to visualize the dynamics of single tracer molecules and native messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) in salivary gland cell nuclei of Chironomus tentans larvae up to 200 µm within the specimen with an excellent signal quality. Thus single molecule light sheet based fluorescence microscopy allows analyzing molecular diffusion and interactions in complex biological systems

Experimental investigation of two-phase pressure drop in rough minichannels

Following the general tendency of miniaturization of devices in many branches of industry, smaller and smaller components are used. Mini channels are used to construct mini heat exchangers and mini reactors. Because of this fact, predicting two-phase pressure drops along the mini tube plays an important role already at the design stage. It defines the proper and safe operating conditions of such devices. It was decided to research this phenomena in five single mini channels and undertake a comparison of various correlations models reported in literature and check how the process of changing critical Reynolds value affects the conformity of the experimental data and results reported in literature. It was found that the Mishima-Hibiki model derived from literature offers the possibility of most accurate mathematical modelling. It was also found that changing critical Reynolds value because of mini channel roughness can significantly improve the accuracy of the existing correlations models e.g. for Lee-Lee model the improvement is equal to almost 9%

Experimental investigation of moving particles in rotating drum

This paper is about cataracting motion in a rotating drum. The research was carried out for three types of filling. A PIV program - which allows to determine the local velocity field and particles trajectory - was applied to define the filling behaviour. Experimental and calculated (by the Oyama equation) results have been compared. An attempt to revision of implemented model notation have been undertaken, so that a better description of start- and final-cataracting motion will be achieved

The Use of the Image Analysis Method for the Segregation of Shredded Waste in An Air Classifier

Segregation of shredded waste is one of the technologies of waste management, along with issues related to manual segregation, while nowadays it starts to be associated with pneumatic classification. This paper discusses the use of an air classifier and image analysis techniques for the purposes of evaluation of segregation of shredded waste. This type of air classifier plays an important role due to the efficiency of the device and the characteristics of segregation. The authors report the results of research into image analysis of segregation of shredded waste on the basis of the use of image analysis

Experimental investigation of two-phase pressure drop in rough minichannels

Following the general tendency of miniaturization of devices in many branches of industry, smaller and smaller components are used. Mini channels are used to construct mini heat exchangers and mini reactors. Because of this fact, predicting two-phase pressure drops along the mini tube plays an important role already at the design stage. It defines the proper and safe operating conditions of such devices. It was decided to research this phenomena in five single mini channels and undertake a comparison of various correlations models reported in literature and check how the process of changing critical Reynolds value affects the conformity of the experimental data and results reported in literature. It was found that the Mishima-Hibiki model derived from literature offers the possibility of most accurate mathematical modelling. It was also found that changing critical Reynolds value because of mini channel roughness can significantly improve the accuracy of the existing correlations models e.g. for Lee-Lee model the improvement is equal to almost 9%