Lowering the temperature of solid oxide fuel cells

Fuel cells are uniquely capable of overcoming combustion efficiency limitations (e.g., the Carnot cycle). However, the linking of fuel cells (an energy conversion device) and hydrogen (an energy carrier) has emphasized investment in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells as part of a larger hydrogen economy and thus relegated fuel cells to a future technology. In contrast, solid oxide fuel cells are capable of operating on conventional fuels (as well as hydrogen) today. The main issue for solid oxide fuel cells is high operating temperature (about 800°C) and the resulting materials and cost limitations and operating complexities (e.g., thermal cycling). Recent solid oxide fuel cells results have demonstrated extremely high power densities of about 2 watts per square centimeter at 650°C along with flexible fueling, thus enabling higher efficiency within the current fuel infrastructure. Newly developed, high-conductivity electrolytes and nanostructured electrode designs provide a path for further performance improvement at much lower temperatures, down to ~350°C, thus providing opportunity to transform the way we convert and store energy.     

High-performance solid Acid fuel cells through humidity stabilization

Although they hold the promise of clean energy, state-of-the-art fuel cells based on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are inoperable above 100 degrees C, require cumbersome humidification systems, and suffer from fuel permeation. These difficulties all arise from the hydrated nature of the electrolyte. In contrast, "solid acids" exhibit anhydrous proton transport and high-temperature stability. We demonstrate continuous, stable power generation for both H2/O2 and direct methanol fuel cells operated at approximately 250 degrees C using a humidity-stabilized solid acid CsH2PO4 electrolyte.     

Powering the nanoworld

Devens Gust, a chemist at Arizona State University in Tempe, and a handful of colleagues have built tiny refineries that convert the energy in sunlight to chemical fuel to power nanomachines. The fuel in this case is adenosine triphosphate, the same energy-rich molecule that powers chemical reactions inside cells. At last August's meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, D.C., Gust reported that he and his colleagues had collaborated with other groups to run their protein-based molecular machines on little more than sunlight.     

An octane-fueled solid oxide fuel cell

There are substantial barriers to the introduction of hydrogen fuel cells for transportation, including the high cost of fuel-cell systems, the current lack of a hydrogen infrastructure, and the relatively low fuel efficiency when using hydrogen produced from hydrocarbons. Here, we describe a solid oxide fuel cell that combines a catalyst layer with a conventional anode, allowing internal reforming of iso-octane without coking and yielding stable power densities of 0.3 to 0.6 watts per square centimeter. This approach is potentially the basis of a simple low-cost system that can provide substantially higher fuel efficiency by using excess fuel-cell heat for the endothermic reforming reaction.     

Renewable hydrogen from ethanol by autothermal reforming

Ethanol and ethanol-water mixtures were converted directly into H2 with approximately 100% selectivity and >95% conversion by catalytic partial oxidation, with a residence time on rhodium-ceria catalysts of <10 milliseconds. Rapid vaporization and mixing with air with an automotive fuel injector were performed at temperatures sufficiently low and times sufficiently fast that homogeneous reactions producing carbon, acetaldehyde, ethylene, and total combustion products can be minimized. This process has great potential for low-cost H2 generation in fuel cells for small portable applications where liquid fuel storage is essential and where systems must be small, simple, and robust.     

甲醇、CO和水在Pt（111）表面吸附的理论研究

基于第一性原理的密度泛函理论,利用密度泛函理论和周期平板模型相结合的方法,并使用MaterimalsStudio4.0软件中的Dmol 34.0程序包来模拟甲醇、CO、水在Pt(111)表面的吸附反应,计算出各位点的吸附能、态密度以及能带分析图.     

High-performance electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction derived from polyaniline, iron, and cobalt

The prohibitive cost of platinum for catalyzing the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has hampered the widespread use of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. We describe a family of non-precious metal catalysts that approach the performance of platinum-based systems at a cost sustainable for high-power fuel cell applications, possibly including automotive power. The approach uses polyaniline as a precursor to a carbon-nitrogen template for high-temperature synthesis of catalysts incorporating iron and cobalt. The most active materials in the group catalyze the ORR at potentials within ~60 millivolts of that delivered by state-of-the-art carbon-supported platinum, combining their high activity with remarkable performance stability for non-precious metal catalysts (700 hours at a fuel cell voltage of 0.4 volts) as well as excellent four-electron selectivity (hydrogen peroxide yield <1.0%).     

Hydrogen: Its Future Role in the Nation's Energy Economy

In examining the potential role of hydrogen in the energy economy of the future, we take an optimistic view. All the technology required for implementation is feasible but a great deal of development and refinement is necessary. A pessimistic approach would obviously discourage further thinking about an important and perhaps the most reasonable alternative for the future. We have considered a limited number of alternative energy systems involving hydrogen and have shown that hydrogen could be a viable secondary source of energy derived from nuclear power; for the immediate future, hydrogen could be derived from coal. A hydrogen supply system could have greater flexibility and be competitive with a more conventional all-electric delivery system. Technological improvements could make hydrogen as an energy source an economic reality. The systems examined in this article show how hydrogen can serve as a general-purpose fuel for residential and automotive applications. Aside from being a source of heat and motive power, hydrogen could also supply the electrical needs of the household via fuel cells (19), turbines, or conventional "total energy systems." The total cost of energy to a residence supplied with hydrogen fuel depends on the ratio of the requirements for direct fuel use to the requirements for electrical use. A greater direct use of hydrogen as a fuel without conversion to electricity reduces the overall cost of energy supplied to the household because of the greater expense of electrical transmission and distribution. Hydrogen fuel is especially attractive for use in domestic residential applications where the bulk of the energy requirement is for thermal energy. Although a considerable amount of research is required before any hydrogen energy delivery system can be implemented, the necessary developments are within the capability of present-day technology and the system could be made attractive economically .Techniques for producing hydrogen from water by electrolysis, from coal, and directly from thermal energy could be found that are less expensive than those now available; inexpensive fuel cells could be developed, and high-temperature turbines could be used for the efficient conversion of hydrogen (and oxygen) to electricity. The use of hydrogen as an automotive fuel would be a key factor in the development of a hydrogen energy economy, and safe storage techniques for carrying sufficient quantities of hydrogen in automotive systems can certainly be developed. The use of hydrogen in automobiles would significantly reduce urban pollution because the dispersed fossil fuel emissions would be replaced by radioactive wastes generated at large central stations. The conversion of internal or external combustion engines for combustion of hydrogen fuel would probably have less economic impact on the automotive industry than the mass introduction of electric automobiles. However, this is a subject that requires more detailed study. All of the safety aspects of hydrogen utilization will have to be examined, especially the problems of safety in the domestic use and the long distance transport of hydrogen in pipelines at high pressures. It is our opinion that the various energy planning agencies should now begin to outline the mode of implementing hydrogen energy delivery systems in the energy economy. The initial transition to hydrogen energy derived from available fossil fuels such as coal should be considered together with the long range view of all the hydrogen being derived eventually from nuclear energy. By the year 1985 when petroleum imports may be in excess of the domestic supply, these plans could set the stage for the transition period from fossil to a predominantly nuclear energy economy able to supply abundant synthetic fuels such as hydrogen. Synthetic fuels will obviously be more expensive than fuels now derived from petroleum; however, there may be no other viable choice. Thus, it is essential that the analysis and technological feasibility of a hydrogen energy system be considered now. It is of vital importance to the nation to develop some general-purpose fuel that can be Produced from a variety of domestic energy sources and reduce our dependence on imported oil.     

Hydrazine-air fuel cells. Hydrazine-air fuel cells emerge from the laboratory

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that continues to generate electrical power as long as reactants are supplied and products are removed at properly controlled rates. An assembly of cells is required within which the conversion of chemical to electrical energy occurs; also required is a set of auxiliary components to supply the reactants and remove the products (including waste heat) under controlled steady-state conditions. In addition to the desired energy-conversion reactions, there are deleterious side reactions that can impair fuel economy. From knowledge of these factors influencing the possible reactions, and guided by principles of elementary chemical thermodynamics, the electrochemist can select optimum conditions for cell performance. It is then the job of the engineer to design auxiliary components and controlling devices to provide the electrochemical cells with the best possible approach to these optimum conditions.     

马铃薯生产燃料乙醇的性能分析

我国能源安全正面临严峻挑战,洁净的可再生能源燃料乙醇被认为是化石能源的理想替代物。首先介绍了马铃薯的基本属性和以其为原料生产燃料乙醇的必要性;其次在同其它几种原料比较了生产性能的基础上,认为发展马铃薯燃料乙醇具有一定的优势;最后指出以马铃薯为原料生产燃料乙醇在我国有较好的产业化前景。     

平地无风条件下红松针叶床层林火蔓延的影响因子分析及模拟

以红松(Pinus koraiensis)人工林的针叶为材料,在实验室内,根据黑龙江省帽儿山地区同类可燃物的野外条件,构建了不同载量、高度和含水率的可燃物床层,共进行了100次的平地无风条件下的点烧试验,结果表明,平地无风条件下红松针叶床层的林火蔓延速率不超过0.4 m.min-1。红松针叶含水率、床层高度和压缩比对林火蔓延速率具有显著的影响。其中,含水率对林火蔓延速率的影响与可燃物床层的高度、载量等无显著关系,而可燃物床层高度和压缩比对林火蔓延的影响可能受可燃物床层特征的影响,需进一步研究确定。床层载量对红松针叶床层的林火蔓延速率影响不大。以可燃物含水率和床层高度为预测因子的林火蔓延速率线性预测模型,能够解释85%的林火蔓延速率变差,模型的平均绝对误差为0.03 m.min-1,平均相对误差不超过13%。     

具有时滞的可燃物含水率预测模型

利用相关性分析法选取了影响可燃物含水率变化的影响因子和延迟时间,同时说明气温、相对湿度和风速等影响因子对可燃物含水率变化的影响有滞后性,并通过微分方程理论推导,建立了具有时滞的可燃物含水率预测模型,给出了模型中各影响因子的取值范围。结果表明:所建模型的精度达到96.0%,说明在研究森林可燃物含水率变化规律时考虑时滞因素是正确的。     

北京地区8种树种枯死可燃物含水率预测模型及变化规律

目的森林可燃物含水率对林火的发生蔓延，尤其是对森林火灾火行为影响重大，可燃物含水率预测模型在预报火灾和预测林火行为方面作用显著。方法对北京地区8种常见森林树种防火期内可燃物含水率连续测定，分析不同树种不同种类可燃物含水率与当期和前期气象因子间的关系。选择影响程度较大的当期和前期气象因子为自变量建立可燃物含水率的预测模型，并在此基础上定量分析可燃物含水率的日变化和整个防火期内的变化规律。结果不同树种可燃物含水率存在显著差异，8个树种平均可燃物含水率由大到小依次为:栓皮栎 > 槲栎 > 榆树 > 刺槐 > 五角枫 > 侧柏 > 油松 > 落叶松。不同种类可燃物含水率存在显著差异，可燃物含水率总体上表现为阔叶树大于针叶树，枯叶和枯枝1 hr大于枯枝10 hr和100 hr。枯叶和枯枝1 hr主要受当期气象因子影响，而枯枝10 hr和100 hr主要受前期气象因子影响。所建立的32个线性预测模型各检验指标显示模型拟合效果好。可燃物含水率日变化表现为夜间高白天低，夜间稳定白天变幅大，06:00—08:00达到最大值，而后急剧下降，12:00—14:00左右达到全天最低值。防火期内，可燃物含水率呈现出先上升后下降趋势，11月可燃物含水率较低，但在缓慢增加，12月至次年1月含水率较高，而3月初至4月底可燃物含水率保持很低状态。结论不同种类不同类型可燃物含水率预测模型精度较高，可为防火工作提供理论支撑，可以实践运用。北京地区3月份和日内中午时间干燥多风，温度较高，可燃物含水率达到很低的状态，森林火险等级较高，应加强管理。      

Lineage tracing reveals Lgr5+ stem cell activity in mouse intestinal adenomas

The concept that tumors are maintained by dedicated stem cells, the so-called cancer stem cell hypothesis, has attracted great interest but remains controversial. Studying mouse models, we provide direct, functional evidence for the presence of stem cell activity within primary intestinal adenomas, a precursor to intestinal cancer. By "lineage retracing" using the multicolor Cre-reporter R26R-Confetti, we demonstrate that the crypt stem cell marker Lgr5 (leucine-rich repeat-containing heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptor 5) also marks a subpopulation of adenoma cells that fuel the growth of established intestinal adenomas. These Lgr5(+) cells, which represent about 5 to 10% of the cells in the adenomas, generate additional Lgr5(+) cells as well as all other adenoma cell types. The Lgr5(+) cells are intermingled with Paneth cells near the adenoma base, a pattern reminiscent of the architecture of the normal crypt niche.     

轨压与喷油提前角对柴油机NOx排放的影响研究

结合某小型直列4缸、直喷式、增压中冷、电控高压共轨柴油机,通过试验研究了十三工况点下不同共轨压力和喷油提前角参数组合对柴油机NOx排放的影响,并分析了NOx形成机理与喷油参数轨压、喷油提前角改善柴油机排放的作用。结果表明:NOx排放值随着轨压的增大基本上均呈现逐渐增大趋势,并且随着喷油提前角的增大而增高,同时轨压对NOx排放值的影响小于喷油提前角的影响;喷油提前角应在8~10°间选取,轨压选1 200 bar左右较为合适;仅改变喷油参数轨压和喷油提前角难以实现全工况的NOx排放值达标。     

杉木人工林地表可燃物负荷量动态模型的研究

通过收集 1 0 8块杉木人工林样地资料 ,应用回归分析 ,建立林分地表可燃物载量与主要林分因子动态关系的数学模型 .检验结果表明 ,林分因子对地表可燃物载量变化有极显著的影响 .林分郁闭度主要影响地表 1 h时滞可燃物载量变化 ,林分平均年龄主要影响地表 1 0 h时滞可燃物载量的变化 .在实际中拟合效果良好 ,可用于预测杉木人工林地表可燃物载量的动态规律 ,为地表可燃物管理提供科学的依据     

杉木人工林地表易燃物含水率变化规律

设立标准地,测定杉木人工林内地表易燃物的含水率与林内气象因子及地表可燃负荷量的关系,应用回归分析,建立数学模型.结果表明,影响地表易燃物含水率的主要因子依次是:相对湿度>风速>地表可燃物负荷量>气温.     

油松和侧柏林地表可燃物负荷量及影响因素

[目的]研究北京地区典型针叶林地表可燃物负荷量及其影响因素,构建可燃物负荷量模型,为可燃物的科学管理提供依据.[方法]结合林分因子(胸径、树高、郁闭度、冠幅、第1活枝高)和地形因子(海拔、坡度),在北京市7个区选择具有代表性的油松林和侧柏林,每种林型各设置42块样地,调查和测定了2种针叶林的可燃物负荷量(上层枯叶、下层...     

北京山区主要针叶林可燃物空间连续性研究——可燃物水平连续性与树冠火蔓延

以北京市山区主要针叶林(侧柏林和油松林)为研究对象,通过对林分树冠可燃物的负荷量、结构、理化性质及火行为特征进行分析,建立了树冠可燃物水平连续性指数D和评估等级,并对侧柏林和油松林的可燃物水平连续性进行评估与分析。研究结果显示:可燃物负荷量对火蔓延速度的影响显著,随可燃物负荷量增大,火蔓延速度增加,增加幅度受到可燃物紧密度的影响;风速对火蔓延速度的影响十分明显,对可燃物水平连续性的影响程度大于坡度;相同风速下,油松林树冠火的蔓延速度大于侧柏林;侧柏林D的平均值为1.470(高度连续),油松林D的平均值为0.933(中度连续),侧柏林树冠火蔓延的危险性大于油松林,一旦发生火灾,侧柏林比油松林更容易形成大面积高强度树冠火;D的主要影响因素是针叶树种树冠负荷量及其空间分布,以及风速和坡度及其协同作用。     

X195柴油机掺水燃烧的试验研究

 结合195柴油机的结构特点,在不改变原机任何结构的前提下,增设一套供水系统,发动机工作时,喷水器适时向气缸内喷射一定量的水,喷入气缸的水微粒在高温高压的条件下产生“微爆”效应,使柴油颗粒进一步雾化和高度分散,与空气混合更加均匀,促使燃料完全燃烧,以达到节油,降污的目的。试验结果表明,增设的供水系统工作性能的可靠,掺水燃烧时比油耗及排烟度等明显下降。