Non-Isolated Interleaved Hybrid Boost Converter for Renewable Energy Applications

DC-DC boost converters are necessary to extract power from solar panels. The output voltage from these panels is far lower than the utility voltage levels. One of the main functions of the boost converter is to provide a considerable step-up gain to interface the panel to the utility lines. There are several techniques used to boost the low panel voltage. Some of the issues faced by these topologies are a high duty ratio operation, complex design with multiple active switches and discontinuous input current that affects the power drawn from the panel. This paper presents a boost converter topology that combines the advantages of an interleaved structure, a voltage lift capacitor and a passive voltage multiplier network. A mathematical analysis of the proposed converter during its various modes of operation is presented. A 100 W prototype of the proposed converter is designed and tested. The prototype is controlled by a PIC16F18455 microcontroller. The converter is capable of achieving a gain of 10 without operating at extremely high duty ratios. The voltage stress of the switch is far lower than the maximum output voltage.

Complete Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas Stutzeri S116 Provides Insights into the Mechanism of Microbial Fuel Cells

To identify suitable biocatalysts applied in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), Pseudomonas stutzeri S116 isolated from marine sludge was investigated, which possessed excellcent bioelectricity generation ability (BGA). Herein, P. stutzeri as a bioanode and biocathode achieved maximum output voltage (254.2 mV and 226.0 mV), and power density of (765 mW/m2 and 656.6 mW/m2). Complete genome sequencing of P. stutzeri was performed to reveal its potential microbial functions. The results exhibited that the strain was the ecologically dominant Pseudomonas, and its primary annotations were associated with energy production and conversion (6.84%), amino acid transport and metabolism (6.82%) and inorganic ion transport and metabolism (6.77%). The thirty-six genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation indicate that strain possesses an integrated electron transport chain. Moreover, many genes encoding redox mediators (mainly riboflavin and phenazine) were detected in the databases. Simultaneously, thiosulfate oxidization and dissimilatory nitrate reduction were annotated in the sulfur metabolism and nitrogen metabolism pathway. Gene function and cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis indicated BGA of P. stutzeri probably was attributed to its cytochrome c and redox mediators, which enhance extracellular electron transfer (EET) rate.

Design and Implementation of Charge Pump Phase-Locked Loop Frequency Source Based on GaAs pHEMT Process

This paper realized a charge pump phase locked loop (CPPLL) frequency source circuit based on 0.15 μm Win GaAs pHEMT process. In this paper, an improved fully differential edge-triggered frequency discriminator (PFD) and an improved differential structure charge pump (CP) are proposed respectively. In addition, a low noise voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a static 64:1 frequency divider is realized. Finally, the phase locked loop (PLL) is realized by cascading each module. Measurement results show that the output signal frequency of the proposed CPPLL is 3.584 GHz–4.021 GHz, the phase noise at the frequency offset of 1 MHz is −117.82 dBc/Hz, and the maximum output power is 4.34 dBm. The chip area is 2701 μm × 3381 μm, and the power consumption is 181 mw.

Impact of Multi-Walled CNT Incorporation on Dielectric Properties of PVDF-BaTiO3 Nanocomposites and Their Energy Harvesting Possibilities

The current study investigated the fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) adhering to Barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticles and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposites, as well as the impact of MWCNT on the PVDF-BaTiO3 matrix in terms of dielectric constant and dielectric loss with a view to develop a high performance piezoelectric energy harvester in future. The capacity and potential of as-prepared nanocomposite films for the fabrication of high-performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) were also investigated in this work. In particular, five distinct types of nanocomposites and films were synthesized: PB (bare PVDF–BaTiO3), PBC-1 (PVDF–BaTiO3-0.1 wt% CNT), PBC-2 (PVDF–BaTiO3-0.3 wt% CNT), PBC-3 (PVDF–BaTiO3-0.5 wt% CNT), and PBC-4 (PVDF–BaTiO3-1 wt% CNT). The dielectric constant and dielectric loss increased as MWCNT concentration increased. Sample PBC-3 had the optimum dielectric characteristics of all the as-prepared samples, with the maximum output voltage and current of 4.4 V and 0.66 μA, respectively, with an applied force of ~2N. Fine-tuning the BaTiO3 content and thickness of the PNGs is likely to increase the harvester’s performance even more. It is anticipated that the work would make it easier to fabricate high-performance piezoelectric films and would be a suitable choice for creating high-performance PNG.

Green Route for Fabrication of Water-Treatable Thermoelectric Generators

Since future energy harvesting technologies require stable supply and high-efficiency energy conversion, there is an increasing demand for high-performance organic thermoelectric generators (TEGs) based on waterproof thermoelectric materials. The poor stability of n-type organic semiconductors in air and water has proved a roadblock in the development of reliable thermoelectric power generators. We developed a simple green route for preparing n-type carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by doping with cationic surfactants and fabricated films of the doped CNTs using only aqueous media. The thermoelectric properties of the CNT films were investigated in detail. The nanotubes doped using a cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC)) retained an n-doped state for at least 28 days when exposed to water and air, indicating higher stability than that for contemporary CNT-based thermoelectric materials. The wrapping of the surfactant molecules around the CNTs is responsible for blocking oxygen and water from attacking the CNT walls, thus, extending the lifetime of the n-doped state of the CNTs. We also fabricated thermoelectric power conversion modules comprising CTAC-doped (n-type) and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate- (SDBS-) doped (p-type) CNTs and tested their stabilities in water. The modules retained 80±2.4% of their initial maximum output power (at a temperature difference of 75°C) after being submerged in water for 30 days, even without any sealing fills to prevent device degradation. The remarkable stability of our CNT-based modules can enable the development of reliable soft electronics for underwater applications.

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF MICROBIAL FUEL CELL BASED LIVE SLUDGE FOR VOLTAGE PRODUCTION AND CONGO RED DYE REMOVAL

: In this work, Single chamber Microbial fuel cells (SCMFCs) are a versatile technology is depends on the interaction mechanisms of bacteria, to produce bioelectricity simultaneously and treat Congo red (CR) dye from aqueous solution at different pH (6.5-8). Electricity generation from the biodegradable organic substrate (sucrose) accompanied by decolorization of azo dye was investigated in the batch test results showed that more than 99% decolorization demonstrated at UV-Visible Spectrophotometer (500 nm) was achieved within 20 days and maximum output voltage (889 mv) had been obtained in an open circuit at a pH value of 7.5. Microbial community analysis showed that species in live sludge and the impact of bacteria grown on removal and voltage.

Research and results of mathematical modeling of block ion-exchange water treatment plants operating modes and regeneration

The problem of water treatment at thermal power plants using ion-exchange technologies is a multi-parameter task. Mathematical modeling is essential for research and optimization of ion exchange technology. The analysis of hydrodynamic processes during the operation of ion-exchange filters was carried out according to the developed mathematical model. Also, a physicochemical analysis of the composition of the water treatment plant solutions under real conditions was carried out. It is shown that in the cationite and anionite filters, the flow movement occurs mainly in a mixed hydrodynamic mode. This mode of regeneration and the filter design do not allow achieving the minimum consumption of the reagent for regeneration, the minimum volume of wastewater and the maximum output of demineralized water. The mixed mode of the anion exchange filter operation allows division of the outgoing solution flow into fractions, which can be successfully used in the TPP water cycle.

The Urgency of Restorative Justice on Medical Dispute Resolution in Indonesia

Medical disputes in Indonesia are regulated by a host of laws. The important question that needs to be asked, however, is whether those laws have guaranteed justice for patients and doctors. This study aims to analyze the urgency of restorative justice in medical disputes. It explores secondary data and is normative legal research. The data was gathered through library research consisting of data collection activities based on several publications. This study focuses on legal principles with a doctrinal approach. It concludes that restorative justice is urgent to use in medical, criminal, and civil cases. This is evident in the will of the Health Law which prioritizes mediation as the first mechanism before being brought to trial. Furthermore, the use of restorative justice in medical dispute resolution is driven by the presence of three conditions: First is structural challenges among law enforcers and their limited capabilities in dealing with complex medical cases; Second is the condition of Indonesian correctional institutions which is overburdened and unable to provide maximum output, and the third is the relatively low number of Indonesian health workers. (Sengketa Medis di Indonesia telah diatur dalam beberapa peraturan perundang-undangan. Namun, pertanyaan penting yang perlu diajukan yaitu apakah peraturan yang ada telah menjamin kedilan bagi pasien dan dokter. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis urgensi prinsip keadilan restoratif dalam penyelesaian sengketa medis. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian hukum normatif yang mengkaji data sekunder. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan studi pustaka (library research), yaitu kegiatan pengumpulan data yang berasal dari berbagai literatur. Penelitian ini fokus pada asas-asas hukum dengan pendekatan dokrinal. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah bahwa prinsip keadilan restoratif penting diterapkan dalam kasus medis, pidana, maupun perdata. Ini misalnya dapat dilihat dari i’tikad baik dalam Hukum Kesehatan yang mempriorotaskan mediasi sebagai mekanisme pertama sebelum dibawa ke pengadilan. Dalam konteks sengketa medis, prinsip keadilan restoratif menjadi urgen untuk diterapkan sedikitnya karena tiga hal; pertama adalah tantangan struktural di kalangan para penegak hukum serta kemampuan mereka yang terbatas dalam menghadapi kasus medis yang biasanya kompleks. Kedua, kondisi lembaga pemasyarakatan Indonesia yang over kapastias sehingga tidak mampu memberikan output yang maksimal; dan ketiga adalah jumlah tenaga kesehatan di Indonesia yang relatif rendah.