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Abstract With drastic fossil fuel depletion and environmental deterioration concerns, a move towards a more sustainable bioenergy-based economy is essential. Lately, the application of microwave (MW) irradiation for waste processing has been attracting interest globally. MW-assisted heating possesses several advantages such as the provision of high microwave energy into dielectric materials with deeper penetration for internal heat generation, showing beneficial features in improving the heating rate and reducing the reaction time. Consequently, the most recent literature regarding the applications of MW-assisted heating for biomass pretreatment as well as biofuel and bioenergy production was reviewed and consolidated in this study. An impressive increase in the product yield and improvement of the product properties are reported, with the use of MW-assisted heating in several conversion routes to produce biofuels. Despite being a promising technology for biofuel production, some major fundamental data of MW-assisted heating have not been comprehensively identified. Therefore, the feasibility of this technology for large-scale implementation is still subpar. Understanding the interaction between the feedstock and the microwave electromagnetic field, and the optimization of several operational and mechanical parameters are the two main keystones that would propel the industrialization of MW heating in the near future. This provides key insights leading to increased feasibility and more advanced application of MW heating.

In this paper, the performances of two iron-based syngas-fueled chemical looping (SCL) systems for hydrogen (H2) and electricity production, with carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, using different reactor configurations were evaluated and compared. The first investigated system was based on a moving bed reactor configuration (SCL-MB) while the second used a fluidized bed reactor configuration (SCL-FB). Two modes of operation of the SCL systems were considered, namely, the H2 production mode, when H2 was the desired product from the system, and the combustion mode, when only electricity was produced. The SCL systems were modeled and simulated using Aspen Plus software. The results showed that the SCL system based on a moving bed reactor configuration is more efficient than the looping system with a fluidized bed reactor configuration. The H2 production efficiency of the SCL-MB system was 11 % points higher than that achieved in the SCL-FB system (55.1 % compared to 44.0 %). When configured to produce only electricity, the net electrical efficiency of the SCL-MB system was 1.4 % points higher than that of the SCL-FB system (39.9 % compared to 38.5 %). Further, the results showed that the two chemical looping systems could achieve >99 % carbon capture efficiency and emit ~2 kg CO2/MWh, which is significantly lower than the emission rate of conventional coal gasification-based plants for H2 and/or electricity generation with CO2 capture.

Le Meillour & Sinet-Mathiot et al. 2024 Increasing sustainability in palaeoproteomics by optimizing digestion times for large-scale archaeological bone analyses DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109432 MALDI-ToF MS data (raw data: mzML files, merged spectra: msd files) used for the ZooMS analysis of the bone material from Baishiya Karst Cave (China) and La Draga (Spain), along with the R codes for merging triplicates into one msd file. 

We report on surface channeling experiments of singly charged ions on single crystal surfaces of Pt(1 1 0) and Pd(1 1 0). Using a time-of-flight system installed in forward direction we analyze the energy distribution of the scattered projectiles. By variation of the primary energy and the angle of incidence we investigate effects of the perpendicular energy on the channeling features. The perpendicular energy is defined as E-perpendicular to = E(0)sin(2)psi with psi the angle of incidence. In combination with precise azimuthal rotations of the crystal, we are sensitive to axial channeling and obtain information about the limits of axial surface channeling. From a comparison with detailed trajectory calculations we find that axial channeling effects are most pronounced for a perpendicular energy between 5 and 20 eV. As a result, we obtain an exemplary channeling map for the interaction of nitrogen ions with the (1 x 2) reconstructed Pt(1 1 0) surface identifying different channeling regimes. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Climaps.eu is an online atlas providing data, visualizations and commentaries about climate adaptation debate. It contains 33 issue-maps and 5 issue-stories. Each of the maps focuses on one issue in the adaptation debate and provides.The atlas is addressed to climate experts (negotiators, NGOs and companies concerned by global warming, journalists…) and to citizens willing to engage with the issues of climate adaptation.It employs advanced digital methods to deploy the complexity of the issues related to climate adaptation and information design to make this complexity legible.

The present paper exhibits a real time assessment of a robust Energy Management Strategy (EMS) for battery-super capacitor (SC) Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS). The proposed algorithm, dedicated to an electric vehicular application, is based on a self-gain scheduled controller, which guarantees the H∞ performance for a class of linear parameter varying (LPV) systems. Assuming that the duty cycle of the involved DC-DC converters are considered as the variable parameters, that can be captured in real time, and forwarded to the controller to ensure both; the performance and robustness of the closed-loop system. The subsequent controller is therefore time-varying and it is automatically scheduled according to each parameter variation. This algorithm has been validated through experimental results provided by a tailor-made test bench including both the HESS and the vehicle traction emulation system. The experimental results demonstrate the overall stability of the system, where the proposed LPV supervisor successfully accomplishes a power frequency splitting in an adequate way, respecting the dynamic of the sources. The proposed solution provides significant performances for different speed levels.

In the anodisation of Nb in acidic fluoride solutions or warm aqueous alkali, and in that of Mo in concentrated phosphoric acid, impedance spectroscopy provides evidence that 3D film growth proceeds already during the active–passive transition. Indeed, linear potential dependences of both the inverse of the high-frequency capacitance and of the product of the high-frequency resistance times the steady-state current are observed already below the peak potential. Simultaneously, a pseudo-inductive loop at intermediate frequencies is detected in the impedance spectra. In the present paper, we propose a kinetic model for the interpretation of these data. The model assumes that the metal is covered with a non-stoichiometric oxide containing at least two oxidation states of the cation. The processes of oxidative dissolution of the lower valence cations and their transformation to cations of higher valence, leading to passivation, explain the shape of the I–E curve. These processes are limited by both charge transfer at the film–solution (F/S) interface and transport of cation vacancies through the film. Thickening of the oxide film is assumed to proceed simultaneously, and is limited by transport of oxygen vacancies accelerated by an interfacial charge of cation vacancies.

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 116 + (2013) 176-181. doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2013.04.019