An environmental impact assessment of quantum dot photovoltaics (QDPV) from raw material acquisition through use

Some emerging technologies are expected to be pivotal for solving many of the environmental challenges faced today, especially those related to energy. However, many of these technologies may incur significant environmental impacts over their life cycle, while having environmental benefits during their use. This paper presents results of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a proposed type of nanophotovoltaic, quantum dot photovoltaic (QDPV) module. The LCA is confined to the stages of raw materials acquisition, manufacturing, and use. The impacts of QDPV are compared with other types of PV modules and energy sources - both renewable and nonrenewable. To provide a comprehensive comparative assessment, QDPV modules were compared with mature as well as emerging PV types for which data are available. Comparative assessment with other types of energy sources includes coal, oil, lignite, natural gas, diesel, nuclear, wind, and hydropower.QDPV modules may have the potential to overcome two current barriers of solar technology: low efficiencies and high manufacturing costs. If higher efficiencies are realized, QDPV modules could pave the way to large scale implementation of solar energy, helping nations move toward greater energy independence. On the other hand, candidate materials as quantum dots for solar cell applications are mostly compound semiconductors such as cadmium selenide, cadmium telluride, and lead sulfide which may be toxic and for which renewable options are limited. Toxic effects of these materials may be exacerbated by their nanoscale features.The LCA was carried out using the software SimaPro, and the Ecoinvent Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) database supplemented with available literature and patent information. Our results indicate that while QDPV modules have shorter Energy PayBack Time (EPBT), lower Global Warming Potential (GWP), SO_x and NO_x emissions than other types of PV modules, they have higher heavy metal emissions, underscoring the need for investigation of emerging technologies, especially nano-based ones, from a life cycle perspective. QDPV modules are better in all impact categories assessed than carbon-based energy sources but they have longer EPBT than wind and hydropower and higher GWP.     

Frog, Bat, and Dung Beetle Diversity in the Cloud Forest and Coffee Agroecosystems of Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract:  We compared the species diversity of copronecrophagous beetles (Scarabaeinae) , bats, and frogs in tropical montane cloud forest (original vegetation) and shaded coffee plantations (an agroecosystem common to the region) for a landscape in central Veracruz, Mexico. We sampled in three tropical montane cloud forest fragments and in three coffee plantations with traditional polyculture shade between 1998 and 2001. The three indicator groups responded differently to the transformation of tropical montane cloud forest into shaded coffee plantations. The species richness of frogs was one-fifth less in coffee plantations than in forest fragments, and only one-third of the frog species occurred in both forest fragments and coffee plantations. The number of beetle species and their abundance was significantly greater in coffee plantations than in the forest fragments, whereas species richness and species composition of bats were virtually the same in both habitats. The majority of the abundant species remained as such in both communities, but species that were less abundant were not scarce in both habitats. We attributed differences in the species assemblages to the differing degrees of penetrability of the borders of the two habitat types (especially for the coffee plantations) and to the differences in life-history traits among species. Shaded coffee plantations form a matrix that envelops the remaining fragments of cloud forest. Together they connect the forest fragments with the other habitats of the landscape and represent a highly functional resource for the preservation of biodiversity that serves as a complement to but not a substitute for cloud forest in this notably modified landscape.     

有机溶剂中温法溶出光伏组件封装材料乙烯-醋酸乙烯酯

采用有机溶剂邻二氯苯中温法溶出模拟光伏组件的封装材料乙烯-醋酸乙烯酯（EVA）,探究了不同条件下EVA的溶出率及模拟组件的分离率,通过正交实验确定了有机溶剂中温法处理EVA的最佳条件。实验结果表明,在反应温度160 ℃、固液比（光伏组件个数与邻二氯苯体积之比,个/mL）4∶100、搅拌转速800 r/min、反应时间240 min的最佳条件下,EVA的溶出率为95.0%,模拟组件的分离率达100%。各影响因素的主次顺序为反应温度>反应时间>搅拌转速>固液比。反应前后邻二氯苯的主要官能团未发生变化。     

气候因子对混播草地不同种群生长及其个体消长的影响

采用数理统计方法 ,研究了混播草地中黑麦草 (Lolium perenne)、白三叶 (Trifoliumrepens)和白苞蒿(Artemisialactiflora)的生长特征及其个体消长特点 ,分析了主要气候因子 (温度、降水和日照 )对其构件生长的影响 .温度对黑麦草分蘖的负效应显著 (P〈0 .0 1) ;温度和降水与黑麦草叶片、白三叶匍匐茎和白苞蒿侧枝生长存在显著 (P〈0 .0 1)或弱显著 (P〈0 .1)正相关 ;日照对 3种植物的生长有不同程度抑制作用 .温度和日照对植物生长的互作效应大于温度和降水的互作效应 .黑麦草分蘖数与白三叶分枝数相互消长 ,而黑麦草叶片与白三叶匍匐茎生长具相互促进作用 ;白苞蒿侧枝和白三叶匍匐茎生长相互促进 ,其生长点数则由相互促进向相互抑制转化 ;黑麦草与白苞蒿种群生长具正效应作用 .黑麦草叶片、白三叶匍匐茎和白苞蒿侧枝生长具明显季节动态性 ,而黑麦草分蘖、白三叶分枝和白苞蒿侧芽数季节性变化不明显 .黑麦草分蘖和白苞蒿侧芽具夏秋发生优势 ,而黑麦草叶片生长具春末潜势 ,白苞蒿侧枝具旺盛期 (6～ 9月 )生长优势 .图 1表 3参 2 7     

Maximum power point tracking methods for photovoltaic systems operating under partially shaded or rapidly variable insolation conditions: a review paper

To increase the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems, maximum power point (MPP) tracking of the solar arrays is needed. Under partially shaded conditions (PSCs), the solar arrays power–current (P–I) characteristic has multiple MPP. This paper presents various methods and approaches of tracking the MPP from a PV generator operating under PSC. Some comparisons, advantages, drawbacks and critical analysis of each method are discussed. It was found that, indirect methods use empirical data or mathematical expressions of numerical approximations to estimate the MPP from the PV generator’s voltage, current and irradiance. Direct methods offer the advantage of obtaining the actual maximum power from the PV generator’s voltage and current. Artificial intelligence methods do not need exact mathematical models. They can perform under parameter variation, load and supply voltage disturbances. Finally, novel methods require less number of iterations to converge, independent to the initial conditions. All these algorithms can be included in some of the DC/DC converters and MPP trackers for stand-alone or grid-connected systems.     

Optimal monitoring and control under state uncertainty: Application to lionfish management

State variables in many renewable resource management problems, such as the abundance of a fish stock, are imperfectly observed over time. In systems characterized by state uncertainty, decision makers often invest in monitoring to learn about the level of a stock. We develop a stochastic bioeconomic model of marine invasive species management under state uncertainty. The decision maker in our model simultaneously evaluates optimal investment in monitoring and population control. Using a recently-devised method for solving continuous-state Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs), we find that the ability to learn through monitoring can alter the role of population control in the optimal policy function, for example by reducing control intensity in favor of monitoring. Optimal monitoring depends on the management context, including in our application lionfish population structure. The rich transient dynamics of our model depend critically on the relationship between the initial conditions for information and invader abundance.     

Biodegradability,hydrolytic degradability,and builder performance in detergent formulations of partially dicarboxylated alginic acid

Partially dicarboxylated alginic acids with degree of dicarboxylations from 13 to 61 mol% were prepared and their biodegradability, hydrolytic degradability, and builder performances in detergent formulations were measured. Also, the correlations between biodegradability and hydrolytic degradability were examined with respect to the degree of dicarboxylation. The biodegradability of dicarboxylated alginic acid sodium salt (DCAa), evaluated by biochemical oxygen demand with activated sludge, depended on the degree of dicarboxylation. DCAa containing more than 75 mol% remaining uronide residues in the polymer chain showed excellent biodegradation. Hydrolytic degradation of DCAa depended on the degree of dicarboxylation and the pH of the incubation media. After 30-day incubation at 30°C at pH 4–6, a significant molecular weight reduction by hydrolytic degradation was observed for highly dicarboxylated alginic acid. DCAa with a high degree of dicarboxylation showed excellent builder performance in detergent formulations based on the detergency and calcium sequestration capacity.     

球床模块式高温气冷堆核电站特点及推广前景研究

结合20万千瓦级球床模块式高温气冷堆核电站示范工程技术特点,从安全性与经济性等角度深入研究高温气冷堆核电站的发展优势和前景。探索球床模块式高温气冷堆核电站潜在商机和未来融资方式。探索未来发展的产业布局和潜在用户。得出结论：球床模块式高温气冷堆核电站采用氦气透平发电技术能充分利用其技术潜力,未来群堆建设的经济性好,在国内和发展中国家大量建设有广阔的市场和重大意义。     

OLED显示模块的使用和储存环境耐久性的监测方法

介绍了OLED显示模块的技术特点,总结和分析了OLED显示模块的标准试验环境和环境耐久性试验的要求,为生产企业或检测机构进行OLED显示模块在使用和储存过程的耐久性试验提供依据。     

计算机图形学的教学实践及在煤矿安全中的应用

计算机图形学主要是研究用计算机及图形设备输入、表示、变换、运算和输出图形的原理、算法及系统。在教学、实验及应用中有独特的特点。该文建议在教学中,将该课程分为知识案例教学、案例实验、系统学习、课程设计、应用系统开发和综合训练模块,合理组织教学内容。在授课过程中使用概念图技术,建立可视化教学模型,将其落实到教学实践后,收到了良好的效果,使课程更加形象、生动、具体,调动了学生学习的主动性和积极性。该课程可与煤矿的安全生产管理相结合后,在煤矿的生产系统设计、火灾和瓦斯爆炸、安全教育和技术培训等方面应用,可以提高组织、指挥、协调和控制效率,可有效提高煤矿生产安全及管理水平。