Enhancement of ‘dry’ proton conductivity by self-assembled nanochannels in all-solid polyelectrolytes

Proton transport has been recognized as an essential process in many biological systems, as well as electrochemical devices including fuel cells and redox flow batteries. In the present study, we address the pressing need for solvent-free proton conducting polymer electrolytes for high-temperature PEM fuel cell applications by developing a novel all-solid polyelectrolyte membrane with a self-assembled proton-channel structure. We show that this self-assembled nanostructure endows the material with exciting ‘dry’ proton conductivity at elevated temperatures, as high as 0.3 mS cm−1 at 120 °C, making it an attractive candidate for high-temperature PEM fuel cell applications. Based on the combined investigation of solid-state NMR, FTIR and conductivity measurements, we propose that both molecular design and nano-scale structures are essential for obtaining highly conductive anhydrous proton conductors.

Synthesis of a porous sheet-like V₂O₅-CNT nanocomposite using an ice-templating 'bricks-and-mortar' assembly approach as a high-capacity, long cyclelife cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Tailoring the nanostructures of electrode materials is an effective way to enhance their electrochemical performance for energy storage. Herein, an ice-templating "bricks-and-mortar" assembly approach is reported to make ribbon-like V2O5 nanoparticles and CNTs integrated into a two-dimensional (2D) porous sheet-like V2O5-CNT nanocomposite. The obtained sheet-like V2O5-CNT nanocomposite possesses unique structural characteristics, including a hierarchical porous structure, 2D morphology, large specific surface area and internal conducting networks, which lead to superior electrochemical performances in terms of long-term cyclability and significantly enhanced rate capability when used as a cathode material for LIBs. The sheet-like V2O5-CNT nanocomposite can charge/discharge at high rates of 5C, 10C and 20C, with discharge capacities of approximately 240 mA h g-1, 180 mA h g-1, and 160 mA h g-1, respectively. It also retains 71% of the initial discharge capacity after 300 cycles at a high rate of 5C, with only 0.097% capacity loss per cycle. The rate capability and cycling performance of the sheet-like V2O5-CNT nanocomposite are significantly better than those of commercial V2O5 and most of the reported V2O5 nanocomposite.

Continuous validation for data analytics systems

From a future history of 2025: Continuous development is common for build/test (continuous integration) and operations (devOps). This trend continues through the lifecycle, into what we call `devUsage': continuous usage validation. In addition to ensuring systems meet user needs, organisations continuously validate their legal and ethical use. The rise of end-user programming and multi-sided platforms exacerbate validation challenges. A separate trend isthe specialisation of software engineering for technical domains, including data analytics. This domain has specific validation challenges. We must validate the accuracy of sta-tistical models, but also whether they have illegal or unethical biases. Usage needs addressed by machine learning are sometimes not speci able in the traditional sense, and statistical models are often `black boxes'. We describe future research to investigate solutions to these devUsage challenges for data analytics systems. We will adapt risk management and governance frameworks previously used for soft-ware product qualities, use social network communities for input from aligned stakeholder groups, and perform cross-validation using autonomic experimentation, cyber-physical data streams, and online discursive feedback.

Adaptive intelligent energy management system of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

Efficient energy management in hybrid vehicles is the key for reducing fuel consumption and emissions. To capitalize on the benefits of using PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles), an intelligent energy management system is developed and evaluated in this paper. Models of vehicle engine, air conditioning, powertrain, and hybrid electric drive system are first developed. The effect of road parameters such as bend direction and road slope angle as well as environmental factors such as wind (direction and speed) and thermal conditions are also modeled. Due to the nonlinear and complex nature of the interactions between PHEV-Environment-Driver components, a soft computing based intelligent management system is developed using three fuzzy logic controllers. The crucial fuzzy engine controller within the intelligent energy management system is made adaptive by using a hybrid multi-layer adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system with genetic algorithm optimization. For adaptive learning, a number of datasets were created for different road conditions and a hybrid learning algorithm based on the least squared error estimate using the gradient descent method was proposed. The proposed adaptive intelligent energy management system can learn while it is running and makes proper adjustments during its operation. It is shown that the proposed intelligent energy management system is improving the performance of other existing systems. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Effects of beacon administration on energy expenditure and substrate utilisation in Psammomys obesus (Israeli sand rats)

Objective: To investigate whether beacon administration affects substrate utilisation, physical activity levels or energy expenditure in Psammomys obesus. Design: Pairs of age- and sex-matched Psammomys obesus were randomly assigned to either beacon-treated (15 µg/day for 7 days (i.c.v.)) or control (i.c.v. saline) groups. Measurements: Indirect calorimetry on day 0 and day 7 to measure oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, which were used to calculate fat oxidation, carbohydrate oxidation and total energy expenditure. Physical activity in the calorimeter was measured using an infrared beam system. Food intake and body weight were measured daily. Results: The administration of beacon significantly increased body weight compared to saline-treated control animals. This body weight gain was primarily due to increased body fat content. Average daily food intake tended to be higher in beacon-treated Psammomys obesus, but no effect of beacon administration on substrate oxidation, activity or energy expenditure was detected. Conclusion: The effects of beacon on body weight are due to increased food intake, with no detectable effect on nutrient partitioning, physical activity or energy expenditure.

Operating experiences with an advanced fabric energy storage system in Australia

Despite their proven track record in the cold climate countries of northern Europe, there are no reports in the research literature of experiences using advanced fabric energy storage (FES) systems in countries where cooling rather than heating is the main priority. This paper reports some of the experiences with the first known advanced FES system in Australia made over the first full calendar .year of operation. It is located in a three storey building on a university campus in Victoria and has been in operation since mid-2002. Temperature, energy use and operational mode data were recorded during 2003. Airflow measurements through the FES have been made in five areas of the building. On-going operating problems still exist with the system and this has prevented a conclusive evaluation of its suitability for the southern Australian climate.

Reality therapy and the human energy field : working with needs that influence mind and body

There is accumulating evidence that body and mind, or rather the physical and the non-physical, are intrinsically connected. The mechanisms through which reality therapy works on mind and body may be explained via positive dynamics in the central nervous system, the body's biochemistry and the human energy field. The purpose of this paper is to show the relationship between choice theory and the nature of the power centers in the human energy field. Understanding the drivers behind human behavior and facilitating the choice to think realistically and to make responsible choices assists wholeness and enhances the physical, mental and spiritual health.

Towards a universal and integrated digital representation of physical phenomena: a model to investigate comfort and energy efficiency in future environments

This thesis describes the exploration and the development of computational means to investigate the behaviour of design objects before they are available for investigation in the physical world. The motivation is to inform the design process about the design object's performance in order to achieve better--more performance-oriented--design outcomes in the sense of energy efficiency and comfort performance than can be achieved by conventional design techniques.

A systematic policy approach to changing the food system and physical activity environments to prevent obesity

As obesity prevention becomes an increasing health priority in many countries, including Australia
and New Zealand, the challenge that governments are now facing is how to adopt a systematic
policy approach to increase healthy eating and regular physical activity. This article sets out a
structure for systematically identifying areas for obesity prevention policy action across the food
system and full range of physical activity environments. Areas amenable to policy intervention can
be systematically identified by considering policy opportunities for each level of governance (local,
state, national, international and organisational) in each sector of the food system (primary
production, food processing, distribution, marketing, retail, catering and food service) and each
sector that influences physical activity environments (infrastructure and planning, education,
employment, transport, sport and recreation). Analysis grids are used to illustrate, in a structured
fashion, the broad array of areas amenable to legal and regulatory intervention across all levels of
governance and all relevant sectors. In the Australian context, potential regulatory policy
intervention areas are widespread throughout the food system, e.g., land-use zoning (primary
production within local government), food safety (food processing within state government), food
labelling (retail within national government). Policy areas for influencing physical activity are
predominantly local and state government responsibilities including, for example, walking and
cycling environments (infrastructure and planning sector) and physical activity education in schools
(education sector). The analysis structure presented in this article provides a tool to systematically
identify policy gaps, barriers and opportunities for obesity prevention, as part of the process of
developing and implementing a comprehensive obesity prevention strategy. It also serves to
highlight the need for a coordinated approach to policy development and implementation across
all levels of government in order to ensure complementary policy action.

A rule-based intelligent energy management system for an internal combustion engine vehicle

An intelligent energy management system (IEMS) is developed to improve fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine vehicle. It helps determine the best approach to run the engine system through dynamically analysing various factors relating to vehicle. The energy balance technique is implemented and utilised. The simulation outcome of the IEMS is compared against that of a conventional system under the same driving factors. The results show that the IEMS reduces the fuel consumption around 5.6% for the tested conditions.

Development of a building integrated photovoltaic/thermal solar energy cogeneration system

Using renewable energy sources for onsite cogeneration from structural building elements is a relatively new concept and is gaining considerable interest. In this study the design, development, manufacturing and testing of a novel building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPVT) solar energy cogeneration system is discussed.

Adhesives (ADH), resistance seam welding (RSW) and autoclaving (ATC) were identified as the most appropriate for fabricating BIPVT roofing panels. Of these manufacturing methods ADH was found to be most suitable for low volume production systems due to its low capital cost.

A prototype panel, fabricated using ADH methods, exhibited good thermal performance. It was also shown that BIPVT performance could be theoretically predicted using a one dimensional heat transfer model and showed excellent agreement with experimental data. The model was used to suggest further design improvements. Finally, a transient simulation of the BIPVT was performed in TRNSYS and is used to illustrate the benefits of the system.

Reducing energy consumption of vehicle air conditioning system by an energy management system

This paper presents an energy management system to reduce the energy consumption of a vehicle when its air conditioning system is in use. The system controls the mass flow rate of the air by dynamically adjusting the blower speed and air-gates opening under various heat and loads circumstances. Simulations were conducted for a travelling vehicle operating the air conditioning system without and with the developed energy management system. The results show that the comfort temperature within the cabin room is achieved for reduced amount of energy consumption.

Reliability and validity of the system for observing children's activity and relationships during play (SOCARP)

Background: Children frequently engage in diverse activities that are broadly defined as play, but little research has documented children’s activity levels during play and how they are influenced by social contexts. Assessing potentially modifiable conditions that influence play behavior is needed to design optimal physical activity interventions.

Methods: System for Observing Children’s Activity and Relationships during Play (SOCARP) was developed to simultaneously assess children’s physical activity, social group sizes, activity type, and social behavior during play. One hundred and fourteen children (48 boys, 66 girls; 42% overweight) from 8 elementary schools were observed during recess over 24 days, with 12 days videotaped for reliability purposes. Ninety-nine children wore a uni-axial accelerometer during their observation period.

Results: Estimated energy expenditure rates from SOCARP observations and mean accelerometer counts were significantly correlated (r = .67; P < .01), and interobserver reliabilities (ie, percentage agreement) for activity level (89%), group size (88%), activity type (90%) and interactions (88%) met acceptable criteria. Both physical activity and social interactions were influenced by group size, activity type, and child gender and body weight status.

Conclusions: SOCARP is a valid and reliable observation system for assessing physical activity and play behavior in a recess context.

Incorporation of a hybrid cooling system in water cooled power stations to reduce water and energy consumptions

Water shortage is a major problem facing the power industry in many nations around the world. The largest consumer of water in most power plants is the wet cooling tower. To assist water and energy saving for thermal power stations using conventional evaporative wet cooling towers, a hybrid cooling system is proposed in this paper. The hybrid cooling system may consists of all or some of an air pre-cooler, heat pump, heat exchangers, and adsorption chillers together with the existing cooling tower. The hybrid cooling system described in the paper, consisting of a metal hydride heat pump operating in conjunction with the existing wet cooling tower, is capable of achieving water saving by reducing the temperature of warm water entering the cooling tower. Cooler inlet water temperatures effectively reduce the cooling load on existing towers. This will ultimately reduce the amount of water lost to the air by evaporation whilst still achieving the same cooling output. At the same time, the low grade waste energy upgraded by the metal hydride heat pump, in the process of cooling the water, can be used to replace the bleed of steam for the lower stage feed heaters which will increase overall cycle efficiency.

Advancing architecture ecologies : energy principles in nature and urban systems

The search for a coherent approach to optimising the delivery of sustainable development has moved from rhetoric to reality, shaped by international drivers such as the UN Millennium Development Goal and the UN 'Decade of Education for sustainable development 2005- 2014'. Emphasis has been recently placed by Governmental bodies on creativity and innovation as a way to promote and sustain the social, cultural and economic well-being. This has led to, amongst other things, the development of a series of new initiatives to promote sustainable development. There is still a lack of understanding of the impacts of sustainability on architecture and their associated and interrelated ecologies because, at least in part, there is no significant joined up thinking regarding the implications of sustainability across the whole design, implementation and operation processes. There is a considerable challenge to ensure integration, cross-fertilisation and dissemination to provide meaningful outputs from the vast array of ecological systems with their differing structures. This paper explores the processes rather than products of ecological systems and possibilities for a credible integral system that guide sustainable development and advance architecture ecologies. The paper traces back the roots of the divorce between architecture profession and technology and highlights the importance of reaching back to the true meanings of Techne as key to develop integral sustainable systems. The paper underlines the energy principles that construct ecological principles and provide explanation of how such systems can be interpreted in the built environment. Enriching ecological culture is not a physical development or a large expensive projects but rather in a coherent and focused efforts by a group of professionals, academics, and practitioners with multi disciplinary talents to build a complex and multi facets of integral systems and ideas.