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Inventions, Volume 5, Issue 1 (March 2020) – 13 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Recently, hybrid multi-energy systems have been receiving great attention as a promising option to meet the multi-energy demand of residential end-users. The design problem of such systems is challenging due to the large number of degrees of freedom in the design and operation phases, so the system as a whole must be optimized. The study presents a methodology for optimal design from the economic and energetic perspectives of multi-energy nano-grids operating in grid-connected and islanded modes. View this paper.
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26 pages, 12588 KiB  
Article
Near-Field Simulations of Film Cooling with a Modified DES Model
by Feiyan Yu and Savas Yavuzkurt
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010013 - 10 Mar 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3664
Abstract
Modeling the heat transfer characteristics of highly turbulent flow in gas turbine film cooling is important for providing better insights and engineering solutions to the film cooling problem. This study proposes a modified detached eddy simulation (DES) model for better film cooling simulations. [...] Read more.
Modeling the heat transfer characteristics of highly turbulent flow in gas turbine film cooling is important for providing better insights and engineering solutions to the film cooling problem. This study proposes a modified detached eddy simulation (DES) model for better film cooling simulations. First, spatially varying anisotropic eddy viscosity is found from the results of the large eddy simulation (LES) of film cooling. Then the correlation for eddy viscosity anisotropy ratio has been established based on the LES results and is proposed as the modification approach for the DES model. The modified DES model has been tested for the near-field film cooling simulations under different blowing ratios. Detailed comparisons of the centerline and 2D film cooling effectiveness indicate that the modified DES model enhances the spanwise spreading of the temperature field. The DES model leads to deviations of 62.4%, 39.8%, and 33.5% from the experimental centerline effectiveness under blowing ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5, respectively, while the modified DES reduces the deviations to 51.5%, 26.7%, and 28.9%. The modified DES model provides a promising approach for film cooling numerical simulations. It embraces the advantage of LES in resolving detailed vortical structure dynamics with a moderate computational cost. It also significantly improves the original DES model on the spanwise counter rotating vortex pair (CRVP) spreading, mixing, and effectiveness prediction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heat transfer and Thermal Managements of Innovative Systems)
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18 pages, 3343 KiB  
Article
Autonomous Mobile Ground Control Point Improves Accuracy of Agricultural Remote Sensing through Collaboration with UAV
by Xiongzhe Han, J. Alex Thomasson, Tianyi Wang and Vaishali Swaminathan
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010012 - 02 Mar 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5340
Abstract
Ground control points (GCPs) are critical for agricultural remote sensing that require georeferencing and calibration of images collected from an unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) at different times. However, the conventional stationary GCPs are time-consuming and labor-intensive to measure, distribute, and collect their information [...] Read more.
Ground control points (GCPs) are critical for agricultural remote sensing that require georeferencing and calibration of images collected from an unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) at different times. However, the conventional stationary GCPs are time-consuming and labor-intensive to measure, distribute, and collect their information in a large field setup. An autonomous mobile GCP and a collaboration strategy to communicate with the UAV were developed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the UAV-based data collection process. Prior to actual field testing, preliminary tests were conducted using the system to show the capability of automatic path tracking by reducing the root mean square error (RMSE) for lateral deviation from 34.3 cm to 15.6 cm based on the proposed look-ahead tracking method. The tests also indicated the feasibility of moving reflectance reference panels successively along all the waypoints without having detrimental effects on pixel values in the mosaicked images, with the percentage errors in digital number values ranging from −1.1% to 0.1%. In the actual field testing, the autonomous mobile GCP was able to successfully cooperate with the UAV in real-time without any interruption, showing superior performances for georeferencing, radiometric calibration, height calibration, and temperature calibration, compared to the conventional calibration method that has stationary GCPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Robotics and Automation in Agriculture)
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10 pages, 2404 KiB  
Article
Design of a Wide-Band Microstrip Filtering Antenna with Modified Shaped Slots and SIR Structure
by Yasir I. A. Al-Yasir, Hana’a A. Alhamadani, Ahmed S. Kadhim, Naser Ojaroudi Parchin, Ameer L. Saleh, Issa T. E. Elfergani, Jonathan Rodriguez and Raed A. Abd-Alhameed
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010011 - 24 Feb 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5170
Abstract
This paper presents a new compact microstrip filtering antenna with modified shaped slots to improve the impedance bandwidth. The proposed microstrip filtering antenna consists of three parts: the monopole radiating patch antenna; the Stepped Impedance Resonator (SIR) filter; and the feeding microstrip line. [...] Read more.
This paper presents a new compact microstrip filtering antenna with modified shaped slots to improve the impedance bandwidth. The proposed microstrip filtering antenna consists of three parts: the monopole radiating patch antenna; the Stepped Impedance Resonator (SIR) filter; and the feeding microstrip line. The designed structure is achieved on one-sided glass epoxy FR-4 substrate with dielectric constant εr = 4.4 and thickness h = 1.6 mm. The design procedure of the proposed filtering antenna starts from the second-order Chebyshev low pass filter (LPF) prototype. The achieved results show an excellent performance of S11-parameter with broadside antenna gain on +z-direction. Having two transmission zeros at 5.4 GHz and 7.7 GHz, good skirt selectivity and a wide-band impedance bandwidth of about 1.66 GHz makes the designed filtering antenna suitable for high-speed data communications. Both the simulation results generated by using the Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software package and the measurement achieved by using a vector network analyzer (HP 8510C) and the anechoic chamber show good agreement. Full article
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39 pages, 20603 KiB  
Review
Graph Theory: A Comprehensive Survey about Graph Theory Applications in Computer Science and Social Networks
by Abdul Majeed and Ibtisam Rauf
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010010 - 20 Feb 2020
Cited by 40 | Viewed by 26601
Abstract
Graph theory (GT) concepts are potentially applicable in the field of computer science (CS) for many purposes. The unique applications of GT in the CS field such as clustering of web documents, cryptography, and analyzing an algorithm’s execution, among others, are promising applications. [...] Read more.
Graph theory (GT) concepts are potentially applicable in the field of computer science (CS) for many purposes. The unique applications of GT in the CS field such as clustering of web documents, cryptography, and analyzing an algorithm’s execution, among others, are promising applications. Furthermore, GT concepts can be employed to electronic circuit simplifications and analysis. Recently, graphs have been extensively used in social networks (SNs) for many purposes related to modelling and analysis of the SN structures, SN operation modelling, SN user analysis, and many other related aspects. Considering the widespread applications of GT in SNs, this article comprehensively summarizes GT use in the SNs. The goal of this survey paper is twofold. First, we briefly discuss the potential applications of GT in the CS field along with practical examples. Second, we explain the GT uses in the SNs with sufficient concepts and examples to demonstrate the significance of graphs in SN modeling and analysis. Full article
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22 pages, 2153 KiB  
Review
Worldwide Research on Low Cost Technologies through Bibliometric Analysis
by Esther Salmerón-Manzano and Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010009 - 19 Feb 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3931
Abstract
It is essential to address research into low-cost technologies, as those employed on a wide scale demand a great amount of resources. The main goal of this work was to analyze the research on low cost technologies worldwide by studying the scientific output [...] Read more.
It is essential to address research into low-cost technologies, as those employed on a wide scale demand a great amount of resources. The main goal of this work was to analyze the research on low cost technologies worldwide by studying the scientific output recorded in the Scopus database. This analysis makes it possible to determine the evolution of research into low cost technologies. In particular, we analyzed the distribution of this research by the different scientific categories, the categories’ evolution over time, the types of publications, the geographical distribution throughout different countries, the main institutions in each scientific category, and the areas of research identified through the main keywords indexed in the publications. A remarkable finding of this work has been that the universities that are most active in low-cost technologies are those in the most technologically advanced countries. There is only one exception to the above statement and it is in the field of medicine, where the most technologically developed countries are not always the most interested in this field. Given the trends observed in recent years, there is a need for a major change and for low-cost technologies to become an area of interest in countries with emerging economies. Full article
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24 pages, 6363 KiB  
Review
Wind Turbines Offshore Foundations and Connections to Grid
by Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro, Miguel Sánchez-Calero, Alfredo Alcayde, Carlos San-Antonio-Gómez, Alberto-Jesús Perea-Moreno and Esther Salmeron-Manzano
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010008 - 28 Jan 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 10083
Abstract
Most offshore wind farms built thus far are based on waters below 30 m deep, either using big diameter steel monopiles or a gravity base. Now, offshore windfarms are starting to be installed in deeper waters and the use of these structures—used for [...] Read more.
Most offshore wind farms built thus far are based on waters below 30 m deep, either using big diameter steel monopiles or a gravity base. Now, offshore windfarms are starting to be installed in deeper waters and the use of these structures—used for oil and gas like jackets and tripods—is becoming more competitive. Setting aside these calls for direct or fixed foundations, and thinking of water depths beyond 50 m, there is a completely new line of investigation focused on the usage of floating structures; TLP (tension leg platform), Spar (large deep craft cylindrical floating caisson), and semisubmersible are the most studied. We analyze these in detail at the end of this document. Nevertheless, it is foreseen that we must still wait sometime before these solutions, based on floating structures, can become truth from a commercial point of view, due to the higher cost, rather than direct or fixed foundations. In addition, it is more likely that some technical modifications in the wind turbines will have to be implemented to improve their function. Regarding wind farm connections to grid, it can be found from traditional designs such as radial, star or ring. On the other hand, for wind generator modeling, classifications can be established, modeling the wind turbine and modeling the wind farm. Finally, for the wind generator control, the main strategies are: passive stall, active stall, and pitch control; and when it is based on wind generation zone: fixed speed and variable speed. Lastly, the trend is to use strategies based on synchronous machines, as the permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and the wound rotor synchronous generator (WRSG). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances and Challenges in Wind Energy Extraction)
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23 pages, 7463 KiB  
Article
Designing of Cost-Effective and Low-Carbon Multi-Energy Nanogrids for Residential Applications
by Marialaura Di Somma, Martina Caliano, Giorgio Graditi, Anna Pinnarelli, Daniele Menniti, Nicola Sorrentino and Giuseppe Barone
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010007 - 21 Jan 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4225
Abstract
Recently, hybrid multi-energy systems consisting of multiple generation, conversion, and storage technologies have been receiving great attention as a promising option to meet the multi-energy demands of residential end-users, by transforming them from passive consumers to active prosumers, who both produce and consume [...] Read more.
Recently, hybrid multi-energy systems consisting of multiple generation, conversion, and storage technologies have been receiving great attention as a promising option to meet the multi-energy demands of residential end-users, by transforming them from passive consumers to active prosumers, who both produce and consume energy. The design problem of such systems is challenging due to the large number of degrees of freedom in the design and operation phases, so the system as a whole must be optimized. Moreover, both economic and low-carbon priorities should be considered in the design problem to foster an effective implementation and deployment. The aim of this paper was to present a methodology for the optimal design of multi-energy nanogrids (MENs) operating in grid-connected and islanded modes. Based on a pre-defined MEN superstructure, a multi-objective linear problem was established to find the types and sizes of the technologies in the MEN, with the aim to reduce the total annual cost and the fossil primary energy input, while satisfying the assigned time-varying user multi-energy demand. With reference to the latter, the thermal behavior of the building was simulated by using the dynamic simulation software TRNSYS. The Pareto frontier was found by minimizing a weighted sum of the total annual cost and fossil primary energy input, and the problem was solved by using branch-and-cut. In the numerical testing, a single-family house of 200 m2 located in Italy was considered as the residential end-user. Results show the effectiveness of the model for providing good balancing solutions for end-users based on economic and energetic priorities. Moreover, it was found that the MEN operating in grid-connected mode showed economic and environmental performances much better than those found for the configuration operating in islanded mode. Full article
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22 pages, 4563 KiB  
Article
Study of Two-Phase Newtonian Nanofluid Flow Hybrid with Hafnium Particles under the Effects of Slip
by Rahmat Ellahi, Farooq Hussain, Syed Asad Abbas, Mohammad Mohsen Sarafraz, Marjan Goodarzi and Mostafa Safdari Shadloo
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010006 - 20 Jan 2020
Cited by 91 | Viewed by 5542
Abstract
This paper investigates the role of slip in a two-phase flow of Newtonian fluid. The nano-size Hafnium particles are used in the base fluid. The fluid under consideration is studied for two cases namely (i) fluid phase (ii) phase of particles. Both cases [...] Read more.
This paper investigates the role of slip in a two-phase flow of Newtonian fluid. The nano-size Hafnium particles are used in the base fluid. The fluid under consideration is studied for two cases namely (i) fluid phase (ii) phase of particles. Both cases are examined for three types of geometries. The governing equations are simplified in nondimensional form for each phase along with boundary conditions. The resulting equations have been analytically solved to get exact solutions for both fluid and particle phases. Different features of significant physical factors are discussed graphically. The flow patterns have been examined through streamlines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends in Nanofluids)
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3 pages, 180 KiB  
Editorial
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Inventions in 2019
by Inventions Editorial Office
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010005 - 17 Jan 2020
Viewed by 3277
6 pages, 1468 KiB  
Article
Development of the New Analytic Model for Sand Deposition Particles Downstream of a Fence
by Peyman Razi
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010004 - 16 Jan 2020
Viewed by 3543
Abstract
Movement of sand particles is a complicated phenomenon that occurs in nature. In this paper, the main goal is to provide an analytic model for the deposition profile of sand particles downstream of a fence. The analytic model was derived with respect to [...] Read more.
Movement of sand particles is a complicated phenomenon that occurs in nature. In this paper, the main goal is to provide an analytic model for the deposition profile of sand particles downstream of a fence. The analytic model was derived with respect to governing equations and shear flows for upstream and downstream regions. In this approach, we obtain a new expression for the downstream velocity of the fence, which allows for the determination of potential areas of deposition particles by assuming a log-normal distribution profile. A discrete-phase flow (DPM) was used to inject particles in the simulation domain. The DPM gives capabilities to capture spatiotemporal velocities components, as we can define the probability of deposition particles in the downstream of the fence. The proposed model was validated with a numerical model and experimental results. The comparison with field data and numerical results shows that the deposition profile is in acceptable agreement. With some assumptions and modifications about the properties of particles, the results of this research can be extended to snow accumulation downstream of a fence. Full article
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15 pages, 8057 KiB  
Article
A Rolling Electrical Generator Design and Model for Ocean Wave Energy Conversion
by Praveen Damacharla and Ali Jamali Fard
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010003 - 10 Jan 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5567
Abstract
Wave and tidal energies are some of the most prominent potential sources of renewable energy. Presently, these energy sources are not being utilized to their maximum extent. In this paper, we present a new conversion mechanism with an innovative electrical energy converter design [...] Read more.
Wave and tidal energies are some of the most prominent potential sources of renewable energy. Presently, these energy sources are not being utilized to their maximum extent. In this paper, we present a new conversion mechanism with an innovative electrical energy converter design that enables the use of wave energy to its maximum potential. The conventional wave energy converter comprises two stages of conversion (kinetic to mechanical and mechanical to electrical), imposing transformation loss that reduces the overall system efficiency. Additionally, the architecture and operational norms are dependent on the availability of shoreline areas, and the convertor is not suitable for all ocean weather conditions. To solve these problems, we have developed a wave energy conversion system that integrates the two stages of power with the minimum number of moving parts. This results in significant reduction of transformation losses that otherwise occur in the process. This paper presents an innovative idea of designing a DC generator that reduces the hierarchy of power conversion levels involved to improve the efficiency. The back and forth motion of the machine means it operates in a two-quadrant generation mode. The machine was constructed as a square box model with windings placed on both the top and bottom stator plates, and the rotor consisted of a field winding placed between these plates with two axes of operation. The electromagnetic field (EMF) induced in the stator plates is due to the resulting flux cutting, which is generated by a rolling object (rotor) in between them. A finite element analysis (FEA) of the machine is also listed to validate the flux linkage and operational efficiency. Additionally, a generator is fabricated to the predetermined design criteria as a proof of concept and the corresponding results are posted in the paper. Additionally, we present the material and cost limitations of this invention and outline some possible future directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances and Challenges in Wind Energy Extraction)
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11 pages, 2041 KiB  
Article
An Electroporation Device with Microbead-Enhanced Electric Field for Bacterial Inactivation
by Sanam Pudasaini, A. T. K. Perera, Syed. S. U. Ahmed, Yong Bing Chong, Sum Huan Ng and Chun Yang
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010002 - 27 Dec 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6090
Abstract
This paper presents an electroporation device with high bacterial inactivation performance (~4.75 log removal). Inside the device, insulating silica microbeads are densely packed between two mesh electrodes that enable enhancement of the local electric field strength, allowing improved electroporation of bacterial cells. The [...] Read more.
This paper presents an electroporation device with high bacterial inactivation performance (~4.75 log removal). Inside the device, insulating silica microbeads are densely packed between two mesh electrodes that enable enhancement of the local electric field strength, allowing improved electroporation of bacterial cells. The inactivation performance of the device is evaluated using two model bacteria, including one Gram-positive bacterium (Enterococcus faecalis) and one Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli) under various applied voltages. More than 4.5 log removal of bacteria is obtained for the applied electric field strength of 2 kV/cm at a flowrate of 4 mL/min. The effect of microbeads on the inactivation performance is assessed by comparing the performance of the microbead device with that of the device having no microbeads under same operating conditions. The comparison results show that only 0.57 log removal is achieved for the device having no microbeads—eightfold lower than for the device with microbeads. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microfluidic Devices)
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14 pages, 3674 KiB  
Article
Siphon-Induced Droplet Break-Off for Enhanced Mixing on a Centrifugal Platform
by Robert Burger, David J Kinahan, Hélène Cayron, Nuno Reis, João Fonseca and Jens Ducrée
Inventions 2020, 5(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions5010001 - 22 Dec 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4892
Abstract
We present a powerful and compact batch-mode mixing and dilution technique for centrifugal microfluidic platforms. Siphon structures are designed to discretize continuous flows into a sequence of droplets of volumes as low as 100 nL. Using a passive, self-regulating 4-step mechanism, discrete volumes [...] Read more.
We present a powerful and compact batch-mode mixing and dilution technique for centrifugal microfluidic platforms. Siphon structures are designed to discretize continuous flows into a sequence of droplets of volumes as low as 100 nL. Using a passive, self-regulating 4-step mechanism, discrete volumes of two fluids are alternatingly issued into a common intermediate chamber. At its base, a capillary valve acts as a fluidic shift register; a single droplet is held in place while two or more droplets merge and pass through the capillary stop. These merged droplets are advectively mixed as they pass through the capillary valve and into the receiving chamber. Mixing is demonstrated for various combinations of liquids such as aqueous solutions as well as saline solutions and human plasma. The mixing quality is assessed on a quantitative scale by using a colorimetric method based on the mixing of potassium thiocyanate and iron(III) chloride, and in the case of human plasma using a spectroscopic method. For instance, volumes of 5 µL have been mixed in less than 20 s. Single-step dilutions up to 1:5 of plasma in a standard phosphate buffer solution are also demonstrated. This work describes the preliminary development of the mixing method which has since been integrated into a commercially available microfluidic cartridge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microfluidic Devices)
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