Photovoltaic (PV) module working conditions lack consistency and PV array power outputs fluctuate due to the non-uniform impact that aging has on various PV modules in a PV array. No assessment has been conducted on the energy potential of a non-uniform PV array, despite the fact that the maximum power point (MPP) can be tracked by global maximum power point tracking (GMPPT). Therefore, the present work undertakes such an assessment by devising an algorithm to optimise the PV array electrical structure as the PV modules undergo aging in a non-uniform way. To enable PV arrays with non-uniform aging to produce as much power as possible and to make maintenance more cost-effective, the work puts forward a novel approach for reconfiguring PV arrays, where the PV modules are repositioned by retaining the aged PV modules. By this approach, the selection of the best reconfiguration topology necessitates the information on the electrical parameters associated with the PV modules in an array. Furthermore, the non-uniform aging of the PV modules can engender an incompatibility effect, which can be diminished in the proposed algorithm through iterative sorting of the modules in a hierarchical pattern. To determine how effective the method is for PV arrays with non-uniform aging and of different sizes, such as 3 × 4, 5 × 8 and 7 × 8 arrays, computer simulation and analysis have been conducted, with findings indicating that, irrespective of dimensions, PV arrays with non-uniform aging can have improved power yield.

Aging is known to exert various non-uniform effects on photovoltaic (PV) modules within a PV array that consequently can result in non-uniform operational parameters affecting the individual PV modules, leading to a variable power output of the overall PV array. This study presents an algorithm for optimising the configuration of a PV array within which different PV modules are subject to non-uniform aging processes. The PV array reconfiguration approach suggests maximising power generation across non-uniformly aged PV arrays by merely repositioning, rather than replacing, the PV modules, thereby keeping maintenance costs to a minimum. Such a reconfiguration strategy demands data input on the PV module electrical parameters so that optimal reconfiguration arrangements can be selected. The algorithm repetitively sorts the PV modules according to a hierarchical pattern to minimise the impact of module mismatch arising due to non-uniform aging of panels across the array. Computer modelling and analysis have been performed to assess the efficacy of the suggested approach for a variety of dimensions of randomly non-uniformly aged PV arrays (e.g., 5 × 5 and 7 × 20 PV arrays) using MATLAB. The results demonstrate that enhanced power output is possible from a non-uniformly aged PV array and that this can be applied to a PV array of any size.

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The new technology solutions are playing an important role in the hardware security. One of the latest techniques is the use of the Memristor as an encryption element. In this paper, it has been introduced a two-column array inductor for Memristor-Based Wireless Power Transfer (M-WPT) systems. The traditional WPT circuits are based on switches, which do require a control circuit for timing and have low data encryption factor. By adopting the memristive Chua's circuit with the chaotic behaviour characteristic, it is possible to create a symmetrical dual-key cryptography. Furthermore, in this innovative solution, the high inductance value of the traditional Chua circuit can be further reduced by using the dynamic effects of the coils flux linkage. The simulation results exhibit the dual-scroll attractors phase portrait, which is available for encryption features. Therefore, the data collected from the phase portrait are used as true random number generator in Python code. Instead of using algorithms, the code can create a symmetrical key for an unique chaotic cryptography. In order to build a prototype, it has been created a PCB design for the whole system. The experiment highlights the unpredictable voltage and current and validates the chaotic behaviour of the transmitter and receiver.

For a photovoltaic (PV) power generation system, the shading effect of PV panels caused by dust deposition is extremely unfavorable. The deposition of dust results in a severe reduction of power generation output, since the efficiency of PV panels is affected by the shading irradiance and blocking the cooling. In this study, a numerical simulation method is proposed to model the dust accumulation on PV panels to detect the effects on PV power generation caused by different wind directions and wind speeds. Due to the high accuracy of numerical simulation, and the short calculation cycle, the proposed method provides a certain prediction for the soiling management of PV panels in the wind-sand environment. Through simulations and experiments, the impacts of dust accumulation on the performance of PV panels with different wind directions are studied in detail with the wind speed changing from 4.43 m/s to 6.48 m/s and the dust particle size of 10 µm to 100 µm, which are based on the environment of Liverpool, England in a year. Besides, for PV arrays, the turbulences of the dust distribution around the PV panels are also analyzed. The data collected from experiments and simulations are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

Modeling of a clinical lab carbon footprint is performed in this study from the aspects of electricity, water, gas consumption and waste production from lab instruments. These environmental impact indicators can be expressed in the form of the CO 2 equivalent. For each type of clinical test, the corresponding consumption of energy resources and the production of plastics and papers are taken into consideration. In addition, the basic lab infrastructures such as heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, lights, and computers also contribute to the environmental impact. Human comfort is to be taken into account when optimizing the operation of lab instruments, and is related to the operation of HVAC and lighting systems. The detailed modeling takes into consideration the types of clinical tests, operating times, and instrument specifications. Two ways of disposing waste are classified. Moreover, the indoor environment is modeled. A case study of the Biochrom 30+ amino acid analyzer physiological system in Alder Hey Children's Hospital is carried out, and the methods of mitigating the overall environmental impacts are discussed. Furthermore, the influence of climate on the results is investigated by using the climate data in Liverpool and Athens in October.

Single point incremental forming (SPIF) is an innovative sheet forming process with a high economic pay-off. The formability in this process can be maximized by executing forming with a tool of specific small radius, regarded as threshold critical radius. Its value has been reported as 2.2 mm for 1 mm thick sheet materials. However, with a change in the forming conditions specifically in the sheet thickness and step size, the critical radius is likely to alter due to a change in the bending condition. The main aim of the present study is to undertake this point into account and develop a relatively generic condition. The study is composed of experimental and numerical investigations. The maximum wall angle (θmax) without sheet fracturing is regarded as sheet formability. A number of sheet materials are formed to fracture and the trends correlating formability with normalized radius (i.e., R/To where R is the tool-radius and To is the sheet thickness) are drawn. These trends confirm that there is a critical tool-radius (Rc) that maximizes the formability in SPIF. Furthermore, it is found that the critical radius is not fixed rather it shows dependence on the sheet thickness such that Rc = βTo, where β varies from 2.2 to 3.3 as the thickness increases from 1 mm to 3 mm. The critical radius, however, remains insensitive to variation in step size ranging from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. This is also observed that the selection of tool with R < Rc narrows down the formability window not only on the higher side but also on the lower side. The higher limit, as revealed by the experimental and FEA results, diminishes due to excessive shearing because of in-plane biaxial compression, and the lower limit reduces due to pillowing in the bottom of part. The new tool-radius condition proposed herein study would be helpful in maximizing the formability of materials in SPIF without performing experimental trials.

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