Search Results (215)

This study evaluates the potential of integrating floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems with green hydrogen production on UK reservoirs to support decarbonization across electricity, heating, and transport sectors. PVsyst was used to simulate annual electricity generation for monofacial and bifacial systems at Killington reservoir and Drift reservoir, while HOMER Pro was used to model hydrogen production via electrolysis and its potential applications. Results indicate that maximum FPV deployment could generate approximately 61 GWh/year at Killington and 20 GWh/year at Drift. Surplus electricity during peak production enables PEM electrolysis, producing up to 869,149 kg/year and 185,277 kg/year of hydrogen for the bifacial systems, respectively. This hydrogen could alternatively deliver up to 9.216 GWh/year and 1.977 GWh/year of electricity or 26.071 GWh/year and 5.558 GWh/year of heat, or support approximately 1,225,808 km/year and 454,550 km/year of hydrogen-powered transport. Additional co-location benefits include significant reductions in reservoir evaporation, estimated at 1.96 million m³/year for Killington and 452,037 m³/year for Drift. Overall, the findings demonstrate that hydrogen integrated FPV systems represent a promising system configuration under idealized deployment conditions, with location-specific modeling providing a UK-specific multi-sector assessment of the low-carbon potential of reservoir-based energy systems. The hydrogen use cases presented are alternative applications of the total hydrogen produced and are not intended to occur simultaneously. Full article

Maintaining structural stability and reliable mooring performance remains a key challenge for offshore floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems. This study investigates the coupled hydrodynamic and mooring behavior of a novel large-scale hexagonal rigid FPV platform through 1:25-scale physical model tests. A near-zero-pre-tension slack mooring arrangement was adopted to isolate the effects of mooring type, including anchor chain (M1), steel cable (M2), and elastic cable (M3). The results show that the influence of mooring configuration is strongly degree-of-freedom dependent. Surge motion is highly sensitive to mooring type, whereas heave and pitch remain largely consistent among the three cases. In regular waves, the maximum surge-acceleration RAO of M2 is 1.82 and 2.27 times those of M1 and M3, respectively. Peak mooring tension shows a strong correlation with maximum surge acceleration in both regular and irregular waves, indicating that surge motion can serve as a useful indicator of extreme mooring loads under similar slack-mooring conditions. Among the three configurations, M1 exhibits the strongest short-term peak-load buffering. Under extreme irregular waves, its peak mooring tension is 82.4% and 24.7% lower than those of M2 and M3, respectively. These results provide experimental guidance for the mooring design of large-scale rigid FPV systems. Full article

The rapid growth of technology is not only providing ease in life but also increasing energy demands. To meet these requirements, fossil fuel sources are primarily used in different parts of the world. To efficiently satisfy energy demands, many countries are installing offshore floating photovoltaic plants. But installing FPVs on a large scale hinders the ability of sunlight, which is a necessary element for marine life food, to reach the depths of the sea. This research study aims to assess the impact on algae growth of varying irradiance resulting from offshore photovoltaic power plants. A mathematical model is developed using differential equations to examine the population dynamics of aquatic organisms that depend on algae as their primary food source. To determine the impact of irradiance on algae growth, a simulation is done on five different irradiance coverage levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). The simulation is conducted in MATLAB R2020a, and the ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are solved by using multiple factors that are considered to gauge the growth of algae in a low-irradiance environment. The simulation results show a significant decay in algae growth due to irradiance blockage and an increasing number of days. The developed simulated model shows that 100% coverage leads to rapid exponential decay in the population growth of algae, up to 94.95% in 100 days. When 50% solar panel coverage is considered, the algae population increases from 100 g to about 305.56 g over 100 days, corresponding to a 205.56% increase. Lastly, in the absence of solar panel coverage, the algae population grows rapidly from 100 g to approximately 997.77 g, which represents an 897.77% increase. This scenario reflects the natural logistic growth of algae when sufficient sunlight and environmental resources are available. Algae decaying over an increasing number of days will disturb the entire marine life ecosystem and impact many endangered species that depend on algae. Full article

This paper presents an experimental investigation of a spherical photovoltaic (SPV) system enhanced with an integrated paraboloid reflector and monitored via an Internet of Things (IoT) platform. The SPV’s omnidirectional geometry enables improved light absorption from multiple angles, maximizing energy capture throughout the day and under diverse weather conditions, particularly in extreme climates such as in Qatar. A prototype was developed using photovoltaic cells mounted on a 30 cm diameter spherical frame, paired with a reflector constructed from Styrofoam covered with mini glass mirrors. Performance was benchmarked against a conventional flat photovoltaic (FPV) panel with an equal number of cells. Real-time IoT monitoring captured voltage, temperature, and irradiance data, enabling precise performance evaluation. Results demonstrate that the SPV system achieved a 32.2% higher weekly energy output than the FPV panel, with reflector-assisted gains ranging from 14.8% to 39.7%. The SPV operated at 8–12 °C cooler, producing more stable voltage outputs (24–28 V vs. 17–25 V). Additionally, the design reduced dust accumulation by 27% and required ~35% less installation area per watt. IoT integration facilitated automated monitoring and alerts for critical conditions such as overheating (>50 °C) or voltage drops (<12 V). These findings highlight the SPV system as a compact, efficient, and intelligent solution for next-generation solar energy harvesting in urban and extreme-environment applications. Full article

Scrutiny over land-based photovoltaic systems (LPV) infringing on agricultural land is increasing with heightened demand for electricity. As a solution, we investigated the electricity generation potential of installing photovoltaic panels on embankments of, and floating in, ~800 irrigation reservoirs covering ~11,300 ha in Arkansas. We compared floating photovoltaic systems (FPV) to LPV using a techno-economic feasibility study that quantified (1) the difference in surface area requirements and installation cost per MW, (2) reduced wave action on embankment erosion with FPV compared to uncovered reservoirs, and (3) evaporation water savings from photovoltaic panel shading. Sensitivity analyses on water area coverage and investor adoption were also performed. Assuming a 5-MW FPV, covering 25% of surface water, and comparing it to a 100-MW LPV, the annual added electricity cost was estimated at 8.99 USD (7.80–10.54) per household (max. +0.7%). With economies of size, larger than 5-MW FPV systems installed on all reservoirs could quadruple photovoltaic capacity compared to 2025 without agricultural land use diversion. Policy options analyzed included (1) subsidizing FPV using a fee on electric bills, (2) continuing federal photovoltaic investment tax credits to lessen installation cost differences between FPV and LPV, (3) encouraging renewable energy portfolio standards, or (4) using funding sources targeted at water savings. Full article

While viral diseases of domestic cats (Felis catus) can threaten the recovery of the European wildcat (Felis s. silvestris), their epidemiology in wildcat populations remains poorly understood. Here, we analyzed 428 road-killed wildcats from Western and Central Germany for the presence of antibodies/antigens of six feline viruses. The presence of at least one viral antigen or antiviral antibody was detected in 53.3% of the animals. Antibodies against feline parvovirus (FPV) showed the highest seroprevalence (29.2%), while feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigens were detected in 22.2% of the animals. Antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) were detected in 10% or fewer of the wildcats. No antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were detected. FeLV antigens clustered spatially, with prevalence declining from southwest to northeast, consistent with the geographic expansion of the virus antigens. Seroprevalence of FPV and prevalence of FeLV increased with age, suggesting cumulative exposure, while juvenile males were particularly unlikely to be seropositive for FPV. Proximity to built-up areas did not predict seroprevalence for any virus. FeLV and FPV in particular warrant further investigation as potential threats to wildcat recovery in Germany and highlight the need for longitudinal health monitoring alongside existing conservation efforts. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the introduction of Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 (feline panleukopenia virus, FPV/canine parvovirus type 2, CPV-2) and feline coronavirus (FCoV) at admission in a public feline shelter, their molecular epidemiology, and potential associated risk factors. For this purpose, rectal swabs collected from a total number of 368 stray and colony cats were analyzed by a set of classical PCR assays for the detection, typing, and sequencing of FPV/CPV-2 (368 cats) and FCoV (198 cats). A statistical analysis (Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test) was performed to evaluate the association between FPV/FCoV positive results and associated data. FPV, CPV-2c, and FCoV-I were detected in 25.8%, 0.5%, and 30.8% of the tested cats, respectively. High degrees of nucleotide identity were observed with local, national, and international viral strains previously collected from cats, wild carnivores, and dogs. Presence of FPV was significantly more likely in male cats (p = 0.024; OR = 0.580) and in 6–12-month (p = 0.003; OR = 4.69) or 12–36-month (p = 0.004; OR = 2.4) cats, while presence of FCoV was higher in younger cats (<3 months) and in those showing respiratory signs (p = 0.046; OR = 2.76). Monitoring both viruses and their associated infection risk factors can help reduce the risks of introduction and transmission within feline colonies, veterinary clinics, or hospitals, supporting targeted measures and standards of care. Full article

Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing contributors to the global energy market. Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems have emerged as a promising solution to the land-use challenges faced by conventional solar farms. However, the extension of FPV systems to offshore environments is hindered by dynamic wave–structure interactions. Inspired by air-cushion vessels, this study proposes and experimentally validates a novel FPV platform supported by an inflatable air cushion that provides adjustable stiffness and passive damping through air compressibility and wave-induced volumetric deformation. The investigated platform adopts a symmetric structural configuration, which inherently mitigates asymmetric roll and yaw coupling to maintain a balanced hydrodynamic response and stable power generation under wave action. Wave tank experiments were conducted to evaluate the coupled hydro-elastic response, mooring loads, and power generation stability under varying wave heights. The results show that the air-cushion design can significantly reduce peak mooring loads by over 50% compared with the catamaran benchmark. The highest pressure of 20 mbar increases structural stiffness but causes wave-induced losses of up to 30%. Conversely, the lowest pressure of 5 mbar results in excessive compliance that amplifies pitch and heave motion. A moderate pressure of 10 mbar acts as the optimal damping condition within the tested pressure range, suppressing motion resonance while maintaining power output stability. These findings demonstrate the potential of air-cushion integration for offshore FPV adaptability. Full article

During the global transition toward cleaner energy infrastructure, floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems have emerged as a research focus in renewable energy technologies due to their distinctive spatial utilization advantages. This study examines the hydrodynamic performance of a novel FPV system comprising multiple floating modules connected via flexible connectors to a circular frame. Three distinct connection schemes among the floating modules were designed for comparative analysis. To ensure computational accuracy, a numerical model was established and validated against existing experimental data from a 2 × 3 scaled array. Although the validation setup differs from the novel configurations proposed in this study, the results confirm the reliability of the adopted numerical method. Based on this validated model, time-domain analyses were conducted to evaluate the six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) motions of the FPV, as well as the dynamic responses of the flexible connectors and mooring system under various wave periods, heights, and directions. The study shows that the motion differences in FPV under different connection schemes are mainly observed in short wave periods and oblique waves. At a wave direction of 45°, the maximum differences in surge and sway motions among the schemes reach 0.2 m. The disparity in mooring tension and connector tension for different connection schemes increases as the wave period decreases and the wave height increases. Specifically, the maximum difference in connector tension attains 10 kN under a wave period of 9 s and a wave direction of 45°, while the peak difference in mooring chain tension reaches 13 kN at a wave direction of 90°. The dynamic responses of the connectors and mooring chains in the second connection scheme are superior to those of the other two schemes. The numerical simulations identify the optimal connection scheme. The results provide theoretical guidance for the design and practical application of FPV system. Full article

This study investigates the thermal and vibration-attenuation performance of a novel 7-inch FPV drone frame manufactured from cast AZ31 magnesium alloy (MG), compared to 6061-T6 aluminum (AL) and carbon fiber (CF) composite structures under an extreme payload of 2 kg. Using quantitative spectral analysis of Blackbox flight logs, the research demonstrates that the MG frame provides superior system-level vibration damping, particularly under high-stress conditions. Under a 2 kg payload, the MG frame exhibited a 49% reduction in vibration power compared to the AL frame. Spectral data identified primary resonance peaks for the MG frame at 147 Hz (0 kg) and 204 Hz (2 kg), whereas the AL frame showed significantly higher frequency peaks at 179.5 Hz (0 kg) and 239.4 Hz (2 kg). Comparative modal hammer tests further validated these findings, with the magnesium design exhibiting lower impulse energy (0.22 mW/Hz) and faster decay than aluminum (0.24 mW/Hz). Thermal imaging analysis showed better motor cooling for the metallic frames; average motor temperatures on the magnesium frame (51.8 °C) and AL frame (50.3 °C) were significantly lower than on the CF structure (77.5 °C). The findings establish that AZ31 magnesium alloy offers an excellent synergy of lightweight stiffness and damping capacity, making it a viable alternative for heavy-duty FPV platforms requiring high signal integrity. Full article

Feline panleukopenia (FPL) is a serious viral disease caused by Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) that causes leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia, particularly in young or unvaccinated cats. There is no specific antiviral treatment available for FPL, and treatment protocols generally consist of fluid therapy and supportive care. This study evaluated the clinical and hematological efficacy of filgrastim, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) that has shown successful results in treating FPL in various studies, and the paraimmune activator-inactivated Parapoxvirus ovis (iPPVO) in 49 cats naturally infected with FPV. Cats were randomly assigned to four groups: low-dose filgrastim (5 µg/kg, n = 13), high-dose filgrastim (20 µg/kg, n = 14), iPPVO (n = 12), and standard supportive treatment (n = 10). Clinical signs and complete blood counts were assessed on days 0 and 7. By day 7, high-dose filgrastim showed greater increases in white blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte, and neutrophil counts compared with the other groups (p < 0.05), whereas moderate improvements were observed in the iPPVO group. Leukopenia and lymphopenia resolved faster in the high-dose filgrastim group than in the low-dose filgrastim and standard treatment groups. Clinical recovery, including reduction in vomiting and lethargy, was more pronounced in the high-dose filgrastim and iPPVO groups. Survival rates did not differ significantly among groups (p = 0.615), although the high-dose filgrastim group showed the lowest mortality (42.9%). These findings suggest that high-dose filgrastim may contribute to cytopenias and promote hematological recovery in FPL, while iPPVO may serve as a supportive immunomodulatory therapy. However, it should be noted that the efficacy of filgrastim and/or iPPVO treatments has not been definitively confirmed, likely due to the small sample size and the lack of well-controlled randomized studies. Full article

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is a major feline pathogen, but canine-derived FPV variants have recently been identified. Here, we compared the pathogenicity of a canine-derived FPV strain in cats with that of a lethal feline-derived FPV strain and evaluated the evolutionary significance of its NS1 mutations. Kittens infected with the canine-derived strain developed only mild, self-limiting diarrhea without fever or mortality, whereas those infected with the feline-derived strain developed severe disease and reached humane endpoints by 9 dpi. The canine-derived strain caused prolonged fecal shedding from 6 to 38 dpi but only low tissue viral loads (10¹–10³ copies/g), while the feline-derived strain reached markedly higher loads (10³–10⁶ copies/g), particularly in the ileum, jejunum, and lungs. Viral DNA levels in the lungs, ileum, caecum, and rectum were significantly higher in the feline-derived group. Sequence analysis identified four NS1 mutations, 115I, 132L, 247Q, and 595Q, which showed stepwise evolutionary accumulation and signatures of positive selection. These findings indicate that canine-derived FPV retains infectivity in cats but exhibits attenuated pathogenicity and reduced replication fitness, highlighting NS1 as a potential determinant of host adaptation. Full article

Following successful applications in inland water bodies, floating photovoltaics (FPV) developers are now targeting offshore sites. This advancement requires numerical tools that can quantify the hydrodynamic performance of large-scale FPV farms. The existing wave-diffraction solver DIFFRAC was extended to simulate the response of a large number of interconnected floating objects on a supercomputer. The applicability is demonstrated by simulating a 2 MWp offshore solar farm, consisting of 3660 FPV modules moored inside a protective ring of 32 interconnected floating breakwaters (FBWs). The FPV motions and loads on FPV connectors in regular and irregular waves are compared to a reference case without FBW protection. Results show an average reduction in axial FPV connector loads in the setup with FBW ring, but local load enhancements occur due to dynamic amplifications of horizontal FPV module motions. Vertical loads and overturning moments onto FPV connectors are globally reduced by up to 50% in steep irregular seas but are locally enhanced due to standing waves that develop inside the ring. The insights of the hydrodynamic behaviour lead to recommendations for improving the farm configuration to further reduce fatigue and survival loads onto FPV modules and connectors. Full article

Autonomous monitoring is essential for precision agriculture in greenhouses, yet deploying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in confined, GPS-denied environments remains limited by payload, power, and cost constraints. This study developed and validated an autonomous UAV system for reliable, low-cost operation in such conditions. The proposed system employs a dual-link edge-computing architecture: a lightweight onboard controller handles flight control and sensor acquisition, while visual simultaneous localization and mapping (V-SLAM) is offloaded to an edge computer via the FPV video link. Phenotyping (flower detection and tracking/counting) is performed offline from the side-view RGB stream and does not participate in the flight control loop. Using muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) flower development as a case study, the UAV autonomously executed daily missions for 27 days in a commercial greenhouse, performing flower detection and tracking to monitor phenological dynamics. Localization and control accuracy were evaluated against a validated UWB reference system, achieving 5.4~8.0 cm 2D RMSE for trajectory tracking and 12.7 cm translation RMSE for greenhouse mapping. This work demonstrates a practical architecture for autonomous monitoring in GPS-denied agricultural environments, with operational boundaries characterized through the sustained field deployment. The system’s design principles may extend to other indoor or communication-limited scenarios requiring lightweight, intelligent robotic operation. Full article

This work presents the design of a compact, omnidirectional, and circular polarized antenna for first-person-view (FPV) drones. An FPV drone is an aircraft used in sporting activities, where the pilot, equipped with a visor, controls the drone’s activities. Due to the high velocity of FPV and the required low reaction time, the radio connection must be safe and accurate. An omnidirectional antenna with circular polarization, high gain, low weight, and good mechanical robustness is mandatory for FPV design. The proposed antenna is designed and fabricated on a ceramic substrate operating at 5.8 GHz. The prototypes tested ensure that the proposed design is a potential candidate for FPV applications. A set of antenna prototypes has been designed, fabricated, and assessed numerically and experimentally, demonstrating the capabilities and potential of the proposed antenna design. Full article