A Study on the Integration of a High-Speed Flywheel as an Energy Storage Device in Hybrid Vehicles

The last couple of decades have seen the rise of the hybrid electric vehicle as a compromise between the outstanding specific energy of petrol fuels and its low-cost technology, and the zero tail-gate emissions of the electric vehicle. Despite this, considerable reductions in cost and further increases in fuel economy are needed for their widespread adoption. An alternative low-cost energy storage technology for vehicles is the high-speed flywheel. The flywheel has important limitations that exclude it from being used as a primary energy source for vehicles, but its power characteristics and low-cost materials make it a powerful complement to a vehicle's primary propulsion system. This thesis presents an analysis on the integration of a high-speed flywheel for use as a secondary energy storage device in hybrid vehicles. Unlike other energy storage technologies, the energy content of the flywheel has a direct impact on the velocity of transmission. This presents an important challenge, as it means that the flywheel must be able to rotate at a speed independent of the vehicle's velocity and therefore it must be coupled via a variable speed transmission. This thesis presents some practical ways in which to accomplish this in conventional road vehicles, namely with the use of a variator, a planetary gear set or with the use of a power-split continuously variable transmission. Fundamental analyses on the kinematic behaviour of these transmissions particularly as they pertain to flywheel powertrains are presented. Computer simulations were carried out to compare the performance of various transmissions, and the models developed are presented as well. Finally the thesis also contains an investigation on the driving and road conditions that have the most beneficial effect on hybrid vehicle performance, with a particular emphasis on the effect that the road topography has on fuel economy and the significance of this

Key Features of the Entry, Descent, and Landing Repository

This presentation was part of the session : Poster SessionsSixth International Planetary Probe WorkshopThis poster will illustrate the key features of the Entry, Descent, and Landing Repository (EDL-R) web application. Features of keen interest, such as security, multiple search methods, the submission process, and automatic notification, will be highlighted. Also, the motivation for the task and future plans will be summarized.NASA Engineering and Safety Cente

Hispanic Men's Perceptions About Depression and Attitudes Toward Mental Health Treatment

AbstractThe following literature review analyzes different studies concerning the views and beliefs of Hispanic men regarding depression and their attitudes toward help-seeking behaviors. Men are less likely to be diagnosed with depression and utilize mental health services, compared to women, yet the suicide rates conflict with the previous statement (Rochlen et al., 2010). The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss potential factors contributing to the underdiagnosis of depression in the Latino men population and the underutilization of mental health treatments. Factors discussed include stigma, masculine norms, male gender role conflict, cultural/religious beliefs, and treatment preference; they will be treated as perceived barriers to help-seeking behaviors. Coping strategies and protective factors will be discussed as an alternative to professional treatment. Conclusions suggest a need for further research and examination of each subgroup individually to address differences. The findings of this paper can be used to improve services and encourage Hispanic men to seek professional mental health treatment.Keywords: depression, Hispanic/Latino men, stigma, help-seeking behaviors, protective factor

New measurements of magnetic fields of roAp stars with FORS1 at the VLT

Magnetic fields play a key role in the pulsations of rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars since they are a necessary ingredient of all pulsation excitation mechanisms proposed so far. This implies that the proper understanding of the seismological behaviour of the roAp stars requires knowledge of their magnetic fields. However, the magnetic fields of the roAp stars are not well studied. Here we present new results of measurements of the mean longitudinal field of 14 roAp stars obtained from low resolution spectropolarimetry with FORS1 at the VLT.Comment: 5 pages, accepted for publication in A&