Design Considerations for Deep-Ocean Scientific Robotic Vehicles

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 231-245
Author(s):  
Narayanaswamy Vedachalam ◽  
Gidugu Ananda Ramadass
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Hydrostatic Pressure ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Robotic Systems ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Robotic Vehicles ◽  
Change Monitoring

Abstract Oceans cover 72% of the Earth's surface, house immense living and non-living resources, and play a key role in regulating the planet's climate. Robotic vehicles are essential for exploring vast deep-ocean resources, spatiotemporal monitoring of oceans to understand the patterns of climate change, monitoring marine pollution, providing defense, and identifying assets lost in the oceans. The article discusses key design considerations for realizing safe, reliable, and efficient deep-ocean unmanned and manned robotic vehicles capable of operating in challenging environments characterized by high hydrostatic pressure, low temperature, salinity, darkness, dynamic medium, and soft seabed conditions. Strategic technologies to enable cost-effective and increased spatiotemporal monitoring including homing and docking stations, autonomous intervention vehicles, swarm robotic systems, and bio-inspired vehicle designs are discussed.

Survival of mouse blastocysts after low-temperature preservation under high pressure

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cs. Pribenszky ◽  
M. Molnár ◽  
S. Cseh ◽  
L. Solti
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transition ◽  
Hydrostatic Pressure ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
High Hydrostatic Pressure ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Freezing Point ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Embryo Cryopreservation ◽  
Subzero Temperatures ◽  
Survival Capacity

Cryoinjuries are almost inevitable during the freezing of embryos. The present study examines the possibility of using high hydrostatic pressure to reduce substantially the freezing point of the embryo-holding solution, in order to preserve embryos at subzero temperatures, thus avoiding all the disadvantages of freezing. The pressure of 210 MPa lowers the phase transition temperature of water to -21°C. According to the results of this study, embryos can survive in high hydrostatic pressure environment at room temperature; the time embryos spend under pressure without significant loss in their survival could be lengthened by gradual decompression. Pressurisation at 0°C significantly reduced the survival capacity of the embryos; gradual decompression had no beneficial effect on survival at that stage. Based on the findings, the use of the phenomena is not applicable in this form, since pressure and low temperature together proved to be lethal to the embryos in these experiments. The application of hydrostatic pressure in embryo cryopreservation requires more detailed research, although the experience gained in this study can be applied usefully in different circumstances.

scholarly journals Design Considerations and Selection of Cost-Effective Switched Reluctance Drive for Radiator Cooling Fans

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 917
Author(s):  
Ickjin Son ◽  
Grace Firsta Lukman ◽  
Mazahir Hussain Shah ◽  
Kwang-Il Jeong ◽  
Jin-Woo Ahn
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Magnetic Characteristics ◽  
Switched Reluctance Motors ◽  
Switched Reluctance ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Cooling Fan ◽  
Cooling Fans ◽  
Power Switches ◽  
Selection Of

Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) are simple in structure, easy to manufacture, magnet-less, brushless, and highly robust compared to other AC motors which makes them a good option for applications that operate in harsh environment. However, the motor has non-linear magnetic characteristics, and it comes with various pole-phase combinations and circuit topologies that causes many difficulties in deciding on which type to choose. In this paper, the viability of SRM as a low-cost, rugged machine for vehicle radiator cooling fan is considered. First, necessary design considerations are presented, then three commonly use types of SRM are analyzed: A 3-phase 6/4, 3-phase 12/8, and a 4-phase 8/6 to find their static and dynamic characteristics so the most suitable type can be selected. Simulation results show that the 8/6 SRM produces the highest efficiency with less phase current which reduces the converter burden. However, with asymmetric half bridge converter, eight power switches are required for 8/6 SRM and thus put a burden on the overall drive cost. As a solution, the Miller converter with only six switches for four phase SRM. To verify the proposed idea, the 8/6 SRM was manufactured and tested. The results show that Miller converter can be used for the proposed SRM with slightly reduced efficiency at 80.4%.

scholarly journals Zinc Seed Priming Improves Spinach Germination at Low Temperature

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 271
Author(s):  
Muhammad Imran ◽  
Asim Mahmood ◽  
Günter Neumann ◽  
Birte Boelt
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Temperature Stress ◽  
Multispectral Imaging ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Seedling Development ◽  
Low Temperature Stress ◽  
Early Seedling ◽  
Early Seedling Development

Low temperature during germination hinders germination speed and early seedling development. Zn seed priming is a useful and cost-effective tool to improve germination rate and resistance to low temperature stress during germination and early seedling development. Spinach was tested to improve germination and seedling development with Zn seed priming under low temperature stress conditions. Zn priming increased seed Zn concentration up to 48 times. The multispectral imaging technique with VideometerLab was used as a non-destructive method to differentiate unprimed, water- and Zn-primed spinach seeds successfully. Localization of Zn in the seeds was studied using the 1,5-diphenyl thiocarbazone (DTZ) dying technique. Active translocation of primed Zn in the roots of young seedlings was detected with laser confocal microscopy. Zn priming of spinach seeds at 6 mM Zn showed a significant increase in germination rate and total germination under low temperature at 8 °C.

scholarly journals Elucidation of the Crystal Growth Characteristics of SnO2 Nanoaggregates Formed by Sequential Low-Temperature Sol-Gel Reaction and Freeze Drying

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1738
Author(s):  
Saeid Vafaei ◽  
Alexander Wolosz ◽  
Catlin Ethridge ◽  
Udo Schnupf ◽  
Nagisa Hattori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Growth ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Freeze Drying ◽  
Sno2 Nanoparticles ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Concentration

SnO2 nanoparticles are regarded as attractive, functional materials because of their versatile applications. SnO2 nanoaggregates with single-nanometer-scale lumpy surfaces provide opportunities to enhance hetero-material interfacial areas, leading to the performance improvement of materials and devices. For the first time, we demonstrate that SnO2 nanoaggregates with oxygen vacancies can be produced by a simple, low-temperature sol-gel approach combined with freeze-drying. We characterize the initiation of the low-temperature crystal growth of the obtained SnO2 nanoaggregates using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results indicate that Sn (II) hydroxide precursors are converted into submicrometer-scale nanoaggregates consisting of uniform SnO2 spherical nanocrystals (2~5 nm in size). As the sol-gel reaction time increases, further crystallization is observed through the neighboring particles in a confined part of the aggregates, while the specific surface areas of the SnO2 samples increase concomitantly. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements suggest that Sn (II) ions exist in the SnO2 samples when the reactions are stopped after a short time or when a relatively high concentration of Sn (II) is involved in the corresponding sol-gel reactions. Understanding this low-temperature growth of 3D SnO2 will provide new avenues for developing and producing high-performance, photofunctional nanomaterials via a cost-effective and scalable method.

scholarly journals Assessment of Energy Transition Policy in Taiwan—A View of Sustainable Development Perspectives

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4402
Author(s):  
Chun-Kai Wang ◽  
Chien-Ming Lee ◽  
Yue-Rong Hong ◽  
Kan Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Power Generation ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Adaptive Policy ◽  
Electricity Saving ◽  
Transition Policy ◽  
Development Perspective

Energy transition has become a priority for adaptive policy and measures taken in response to climate change around the world. This is an opportunity and a challenge for the Taiwan government to establish a climate-resilient power generation mixed to ensure electricity security as well as climate change mitigation. This study adopted a sustainable development perspective and applied optimal control theory to establish a cost-effective model to evaluate a long-term (2050), climate-resilient power generation mix for Taiwan. Furthermore, this study applies the STIRPAT approach to predict the demand of electricity by 2050 for the demand side management. The results not only showed the share of various power generation mixed, but also recommended the trajectory of electricity saving by 2050.

Early-life temperature modifies adult encapsulation response in an invasive ectoparasite

Parasitology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 142 (10) ◽  
pp. 1290-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
SIRPA KAUNISTO ◽  
LAURA HÄRKÖNEN ◽  
MARKUS J. RANTALA ◽  
RAINE KORTET
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Favourable Effect ◽  
Temperature Peak ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
High Temperature Peak

SUMMARYImmunity of parasites has been studied amazingly little, in spite of the fact that parasitic organisms, especially the arthropod parasites, need immunity to survive their own infections to successfully complete life cycles. Long-term effects of challenging environmental temperatures on immunity have remained unstudied in insects and parasites. Our study species, the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi; Linnaeus 1758), is an invasive, blood-feeding parasitic fly of cervids. Here, it was studied whether thermal stress during the pupal diapause stage could modify adult immunity (encapsulation capacity) in L. cervi. The effect of either a low temperature or high temperature peak, experienced during winter dormancy, on encapsulation response of active adult was tested. It was found that low temperature exposure during diapause, as long as the temperature is not too harsh, had a favourable effect on adult immunity. An abnormal, high temperature peak during pupal winter diapause significantly deteriorated the encapsulation capacity of emerged adults. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as high temperature fluctuations are likely to increase with climate change. Thus, the climate change might have previously unknown influence on host-ectoparasite interactions, by affecting ectoparasite's immune defence and survival.

scholarly journals Global warming in Amazonia: impacts and Mitigation

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1003-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Martin Fearnside
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
El Niño ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Carbon Accounting ◽  
Amazon Forest ◽  
Temperature Oscillations

Global warming has potentially catastrophic impacts in Amazonia, while at the same time maintenance of the Amazon forest offers one of the most valuable and cost-effective options for mitigating climate change. We know that the El Niño phenomenon, caused by temperature oscillations of surface water in the Pacific, has serious impacts in Amazonia, causing droughts and forest fires (as in 1997-1998). Temperature oscillations in the Atlantic also provoke severe droughts (as in 2005). We also know that Amazonian trees die both from fires and from water stress under hot, dry conditions. In addition, water recycled through the forest provides rainfall that maintains climatic conditions appropriate for tropical forest, especially in the dry season. What we need to know quickly, through intensified research, includes progress in representing El Niño and the Atlantic oscillations in climatic models, representation of biotic feedbacks in models used for decision-making about global warming, and narrowing the range of estimating climate sensitivity to reduce uncertainty about the probability of very severe impacts. Items that need to be negotiated include the definition of "dangerous" climate change, with the corresponding maximum levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Mitigation of global warming must include maintaining the Amazon forest, which has benefits for combating global warming from two separate roles: cutting the flow the emissions of carbon each year from the rapid pace of deforestation, and avoiding emission of the stock of carbon in the remaining forest that can be released by various ways, including climate change itself. Barriers to rewarding forest maintenance include the need for financial rewards for both of these roles. Other needs are for continued reduction of uncertainty regarding emissions and deforestation processes, as well as agreement on the basis of carbon accounting. As one of the countries most subject to impacts of climate change, Brazil must assume the leadership in fighting global warming.

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