Losses in energy storage systems (ESSs) are considered operational costs and it is critical to improve efficiency in order to expand their use. We proposed a method of improving efficiency through the operation algorithm of an ESS, consisting of multiple energy storage units (ESUs). Since the ESS used for frequency adjustment maintains a fast response characteristics, we have created a lookup t...

A unique method has been developed to equalize nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery packs using a new selective equalizer. This equalizer detects batteries either at a very low state of charge (SOC) or at an extremely high SOC. In this system a set of electromechanical relays is connected in a matrix to route boost current to the weaker batteries. The relay switching is controlled by a 32 bit mi...

pH variation in sewers has a significant effect on hydrogen sulfide production and emissions, and hence its accurate prediction is critical for the optimization of mitigation strategies. In this study, the nature and dynamics of pH variation in a sewer system is examined. Three sewer systems collecting domestic wastewater were monitored, with pH in all cases showing large diurnal variations. pH...

where Ca and Cb are the analytical (starting) concentration of the acid and base, respectively. Over the past 50 years, chemists have elaborated upon Charlot’s method so that variations upon the “proton accounting” theme are plentiful. The investigators are correct to note that a properly written proton balance equation will not violate the conservation of charge and makes explicit use of charg...

Fuzzy logic is a soft computing technique that has been very successful in recent years when it is used as a complement to improve meta-heuristic optimization. In this paper, we present a new variant of the bio-inspired optimization algorithm based on the self-defense mechanisms of plants in the nature. The optimization algorithm proposed in this work is based on the predator-prey model origina...

Unlike many plants reported in the literature, lupins do not excrete OH(-) in amounts equivalent to the net excess of inorganic anion uptake over inorganic cation uptake. To investigate the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of charge balance, nutrient uptake and organic anion accumulation of lupins and peas supplied with a range of NO(3)(-) concentrations, were compared. Lupins absorbed le...

Escherichia coli responds to an increase in medium osmolarity by accumulating K+ and glutamate. At low osmolarity a large fraction of cytoplasmic K+ serves to balance charge on macromolecular anions. That fraction of K+ is here referred to as "bound," as distinguished from "free" K+ that serves to balance charge of small anions. At higher osmolarity where cytoplasmic K+ increases markedly, the ...

Many ssRNA/ssDNA viruses bind their genome by highly basic semiflexible peptide arms of capsid proteins. Here, we show that nonspecific electrostatic interactions control both the length of the genome and genome conformations. Analysis of available experimental data shows that the genome length is linear in the net charge on the capsid peptide arms, irrespective of the actual amino acid sequenc...

Neurotransmitter-sodium symporters (NSS), targets for psychostimulants and therapeutic drugs, have a critical role in neurotransmission. Whereas eukaryotic NSS show chloride-dependent transport, bacterial NSS feature Cl(-)-independent substrate transport. Recently we showed that mutation of an acidic residue near one of the sodium ion-binding sites in LeuT of Aquifex aeolicus or Tyt1 of Fusobac...

A semiconductor nanocrystal film is a unique class of nanocomposite, whose collective properties are determined by those of its constituents. Colloidal synthetic methods offer precise size control and finely tuned optical properties via quantum confinement, while recent improvements in charge transport through films have led to a variety of optoelectronic applications. However, understanding th...