Because solar energy is available in large excess relative to current rates of energy consumption, effective conversion of this renewable yet intermittent resource into a transportable and dispatchable chemical fuel may ensure the goal of a sustainable energy future. However, low conversion efficiencies, particularly with CO(2) reduction, as well as utilization of precious materials have limite...

Liquid water produced in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell experiences a freeze/thaw cycle when the cell is switched off and on while operating at ambient temperatures below freezing. This freeze/thaw cycle permanently deforms the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell capillary structures and reduces both the cell life and its ability to generate electric power. The X-ray tomography fac...

The research presented here describes the numerical optimization of a multi-step ignition model to predict the auto-ignition of dimethyl ether (DME) in a rapid compression machine. The multi-step modeling concept is aimed at capturing the ignition behavior of new oxygenated fuel blends, where detailed or reducedmechanisms are not available. Experimental data for the ignition ofDME/O2/N2mixtures...

Best economy (lean of peak or LOP) operation of aircraft engines rather than best power (rich of peak or ROP) has been suggested as a means to reduce fuel consumption in light aircraft with modest speed reduction leading to reduced operating cost (increased miles per gallon), and to reduce cylinder head temperatures (CHTs) leading to improved engine longevity and reduced maintenance cost. A rec...

Knudsen layer losses of tail fuel ions can significantly reduce the fusion reactivity of multi-keV DT in capsules with small fuel ρr; sizable yield reduction can result for small inertial confinement fusion (ICF) capsules. This effect is most pronounced when the distance from a burning DT gas region to a nonreacting or cold wall is comparable to the mean free path of reacting fuel ions. A simpl...

Methanol is recognized as a potential renewable energy source for its uses in gasoline blending and direct methanol fuel cells. This work aims to develop a simulation model that can adequately represent and industrial real-life methanol reactor from a petrochemical plant at steady-state conditions. The main purpose is to provide a tool for investigating the effects of inlet temperatures, coolan...

Novel quasi-symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells (Q-SSOFCs) are proposed. PrBaFe2O5þd and PrBaFe1.6Ni0.4O5þd are developed as new SSOFC electrodes. Q-SSOFC demonstrates superior performance by comparison with other SSOFC cells. Q-SSOFC offers more prospects at lower temperatures. Q-SSOFC opens doors for improvement of electrochemical performance in SSOFC. a r t i c l e i n f o

Pseudomonas sp. strain Ant30-3, isolated from fuel-contaminated Antarctic soil, exhibited distinctive psychrotolerant attributes and the potential for degrading aromatic hydrocarbon compounds at cold temperatures. We report here the 6.14-Mb draft genome of Ant30-3, which will provide insights into the genomic basis for the psychrotolerant and biodegradative properties of this bacterium.