Gentherm (Germany)

ABSTRACT The assessment of the risk of human exposure to heat is a topic as relevant today as a century ago. The introduction and use of heat stress indices and models to predict and quantify heat stress and heat strain has helped to reduce morbidity and mortality in industrial, military, sports, and leisure activities dramatically. Models used range from simple instruments that attempt to mimic the human‐environment heat exchange to complex thermophysiological models that simulate both internal and external heat and mass transfer, including related processes through (protective) clothing. This article discusses the most commonly used indices and models and looks at how these are deployed in the different contexts of industrial, military, and biometeorological applications, with focus on use to predict related thermal sensations, acute risk of heat illness, and epidemiological analysis of morbidity and mortality. A critical assessment is made of tendencies to use simple indices such as WBGT in more complex conditions (e.g., while wearing protective clothing), or when employed in conjunction with inappropriate sensors. Regarding the more complex thermophysiological models, the article discusses more recent developments including model individualization approaches and advanced systems that combine simulation models with (body worn) sensors to provide real‐time risk assessment. The models discussed in the article range from historical indices to recent developments in using thermophysiological models in (bio) meteorological applications as an indicator of the combined effect of outdoor weather settings on humans. © 2016 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 6:255‐302, 2016.

The activation of immunocompetent cells by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during severe Gram-negative infections is responsible for the pathophysiological reactions, possibly resulting in the clinical picture of sepsis. Monocytes recognize LPS mainly through the LPS receptor CD14, however, other cellular binding structures have been assumed to exist. In previous studies, we have described an 80-kDa LPS-binding membrane protein (LMP80), which is present on human monocytes as well as endothelial cells. Here we demonstrate that LMP80 is widely distributed and that it forms complexes together with LPS and sCD14. Furthermore, we report on the biochemical purification of LMP80 and its identification as decay-accelerating factor, CD55, by amino acid sequencing and cloning techniques. Our results imply a new feature of CD55 as a molecule which interacts with LPS/sCD14 complexes. However, the involvement of CD55 in LPS-induced signaling remains to be elucidated.

BACKGROUND: In this study we developed a method to measure cell concentration and viability in specimens received in flow cytometry and cytogenetics laboratories. METHODS: Specimens are stained with a vital fluorescent dye, SYTO13, the cell impermeant viability dye, 7-AAD, and a leukocyte marker, CD45. After the addition of an internal calibrator microsphere, FLOW-COUNT, the flow cytometer is capable of measuring the viability of nucleated cells, giving a general assessment of leukocyte populations and measuring their concentration. RESULTS: An accurate assessment of specimen quality is an important parameter when performing flow cytometric and cytogenetic leukemia/lymphoma assessment. High quality specimen is desired to avoid the pitfalls of non-specific staining and limited cellularity/viability. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a cell count and viability measurement prior to leukemia and lymphoma assessment by flow cytometry and cytogenetics helps to increase the rate of successful immunophenotypic and cytogenetic analysis.

Molten Salt as alternative heat transfer medium for parabolic trough systems shows a potential for lowering the levelized cost of electricity (LCoE). Kearney et al [1] described that a reduction of LCoE greater than 10% depending on the salt mixture is possible. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of using molten salts as heat transfer fluid as well as thermal energy storage medium in a parabolic trough solar field (SF) a demonstration plant in Évora, Portugal is being engineered, procured and constructed. It consists of one loop of HelioTrough® collectors summing up to a total irradiated length of 684 m. Safe operation is ensured by a solar field heating system comprising impedance heating and heat tracing. The thermal energy storage (TES) system thermally disconnects the solar loop from the steam generating system (SGS) for providing a solar-independent steam production. The SGS is designed to provide live steam parameters of 560°C at 140 bar by a single path once-through boiler design. In the HPS2 project the Yara MOST salt-mix will be used, it combines a low-melting temperature with high operation temperatures. The water-steam cycle is equipped with throttling equipment in order to simulate different steam turbine behaviors and allow the demonstration of sliding pressure operation in the subcritical once through-type boiler.

Abstract Gas combustion occurring within porous inert media (PIM) results in intensified heat and mass transfer in comparison to free laminar combustion. This leads to considerably lower emissions of pollutant species, that is, NO x and CO, larger flame stability range, lower thermo‐acoustic instabilities, gradual response to operative changes, and geometric flexibility of design. In this work, experiments were carried out to describe the influence of flow rate, pressure, temperature, and air‐to‐fuel ratio on the flame stability within PIM at nearly adiabatic conditions. The macroscopic thermal flame thickness and the burning velocity were calculated from measured temperature profiles and flow rates. As the main result, it was observed that the pressure effect on the burning velocity can differ considerably from that of laminar free flames, that is, the increase of pressure can positively affect the burning velocity. The obtained results were supported by theoretical modeling. A new model to average the species production rates in a volume‐averaged numerical model was proposed. The model considered spatial deviations of temperature and mass fractions along the cross‐sectional area using presumed probability density functions. Using this new model, results of burning velocities and profiles of average temperature were satisfactorily predicted when compared to experimental results shown here. Furthermore, easy‐to‐use tools for porous burner design were formulated and validated.

Abstract At present, nitrogen production from air by pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is simulated almost exclusively at low product purity levels (< 99% N 2 ). However, with increasing global demand for highly purified gases provided by energy-efficient separation processes the requirement for either extensive experimental research in the high-purity range or predictive computer simulations arises. This paper presents a mathematical model of a twin-bed PSA plant equipped with a carbon molecular sieve (Shirasagi MSC CT-350) for the generation of high-purity nitrogen (99.9–99.999% N 2 ). The model is implemented in the process simulator Aspen Adsorption™. The influence of operating conditions as well as the cycle organisation on the process performance is validated, especially the influence of pressure, temperature, half-cycle time, purge flow rate, and cutting time. The precision of the performance prediction by numerical simulations is critically discussed. Based on the new insights efficiency improvement strategies with a focus on reduced energy consumption are introduced and discussed by means of radar charts.

We present the results from an analysis of damageability and determination of dominating mechanisms through which thinning occurs to the metal of elements used in the tube system of heat recovery boilers used as part of combined-cycle plants during operation and during their outages. Results obtained from putting in use a technology for making the tubes of such boilers more resistant to erosion-corrosion wear with the aid of film-forming amines are also presented. Measures are proposed on extending the service life of the tube system of heat recovery boilers used as part of combined-cycle plants and operating under the conditions of single- and two-phase flows.

This study emphasizes the influential role of rheology in decoding the viscoelastic properties of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) vital to predicting key application features such as shear, tack, and peel, depending on the flow characteristics of PSAs during bonding and debonding processes. By applying the principle of time-temperature superposition (TTS), we extend the scope of our frequency analysis, surpassing the technical constraints of the available apparatus. Our exploration aims to uncover the general correlations between PSAs' viscoelastic properties and their performance in end-use applications. Initially, the adhesive performance and viscoelastic properties of a UV-crosslinkable styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) model adhesive prior and subsequent to UV irradiation were examined. The subsequent crosslinking reaction increased cohesive strength and heat resistance, although tack and peel strength observed a substantial decline. We successfully demonstrated these effects by logging the viscoelastic properties, specifically the storage modulus G' at lower frequencies, which mirrors the shear strength at higher temperatures and the shift in the tan δ peak to represent each PSA's tack. These correlations were partially reflected in three commercial UV crosslinkable acrylic PSA products, although the effect of UV irradiation was less distinctive. This study also revealed the challenges in predicting tack and peel strength, which result from a complex interplay of bonding and debonding processes. Our findings reinforce the necessity for more sophisticated analysis techniques and models that can accurately predict the end-use performance of PSAs across different physical structures and chemical compositions. Further research is needed to develop these predictive models, which may reduce the need for labor-intensive testing under real-life conditions.

Abstract We determined the dermal exposure of plant protection products containing prothioconazole (PTZ) after spraying a standard crop using a tractor‐operated boom sprayer. Dermal exposure of adult and child bystanders to PTZ and its metabolite, PTZ‐desthio was quantified in bystander drift studies. Exposure was greater on mannequins placed 2 m from the zero line, compared with 5 m or 8 m. When the overall boom height above the ground was the same, the relative boom and canopy heights had no impact on the spray drift, allowing pooling of data from different studies. Wind tunnel experiments were used to compare two flat fan nozzle types, which allowed dermal exposure measured in early bystander field studies using the flat fan TeeJet XR 110 03 nozzle to be adjusted using a conversion factor to reflect exposure from Hypro F110‐03 nozzles. Values from studies using both flat fan nozzle types were pooled and compared with exposure using drift reduction nozzles. For the first time, 3D life‐size mannequins used in field studies have shown that drift reduction nozzles exceed the EFSA‐recommended 50% reduction in drift (potential exposure was reduced by 58–67%). The BREAM2 (Bystander and Resident Exposure Assessment Model) model resulted in better predictions of measured dermal exposure of PTZ equivalents than BREAM, albeit producing more conservative values for the 75th and 95th percentiles of potential dermal exposure compared to field studies (2.6‐fold higher than measured values). Our results using measured potential and actual exposures indicate that the EFSA calculation of 18% protection by light clothing was too conservative.

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Seat cooling and heating strategies have enhanced human thermal comfort in automotive environments. Cooling/heating strategies also need to focus on the distribution of the seat cooling/heating power across the seat and the effect of such distributions on human thermal comfort. This paper studies the effect of active cooling combined with ventilation only strategy on thermal comfort. As part of the study, heat flux between the occupant and seat is mapped and is correlated to a step increase in the occupant’s local thermal comfort of body segments in contact with seat. A human physiological model and the Berkeley comfort model were combined to determine power and optimum placement of cooling to effectively cool an occupant using a climate control seat in a warm environment. This leads to a new approach using asymmetric seat cooling to distribute cooling power resulting in improved and balanced subjective comfort than traditional climate seat and ventilation technologies. A computational model was developed and validated through chamber test results. The computational model can deliver temperature distribution and thermal sensation/comfort values for varied boundary conditions such as differing ambient temperatures, mass flow rates and temperatures of cooling air through seat. In this study, the thermal chamber and seat were soaked to 44<sup>o</sup>C before running the test with the human seated. Active cooling was applied to seat back/lumbar area and ventilation only was applied to the seat cushion area. The occupants recorded their local contact segment sensation and comfort every two minutes. Temperatures for the seat and human as well as heat flux between them were measured every 1 second. The model temperatures correlated to within 1<sup>o</sup>C of experiment. The computed local thermal sensation and comfort values were also correlated to those measured in the chamber.</div></div>

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Increased adoption of electric-drive vehicles requires overcoming hurdles including limited vehicle range. Vehicle cabin heating and cooling demand for occupant climate control requires energy from the main battery and has been shown to significantly degrade vehicle range. During peak cooling and heating conditions, climate control can require as much as or more energy than propulsion. As part of an ongoing project, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and project partners Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., Gentherm, Pittsburgh Glass Works, PPG Industries, Sekisui, 3 M, and Hanon Systems developed a thermal load reduction system to reduce the range penalty associated with electric vehicle climate control. Solar reflective paint, solar control glass, heated and cooled/ventilated seats, heated surfaces, and a heated windshield with door demisters were integrated into a Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Cold weather field-testing was conducted in Fairbanks, Alaska, and warm weather testing was conducted in Death Valley, California, to assess the system performance in comparison to the baseline production vehicle. In addition, environmental chamber testing at peak heating and cooling conditions was performed to assess the performance of the system in standardized conditions compared to the baseline. Experimental results are presented in this paper, providing quantitative data to automobile manufacturers on the impact of climate control thermal load reduction technologies to increase the advanced thermal technology adoption and market penetration of electric drive vehicles.</div></div>

New principles, methods, and measures used for preventing the occurrence of failures in elements, pipelines, and equipment of nuclear power stations and making them more resistant to erosion-corrosion wear during operation are outlined. Results obtained from comprehensive work on optimizing operational monitoring of the main metal of pipelines used in the condensate-feedwater path of power units at nuclear power stations equipped with VVER-1000 reactors are presented. The main directions and stages of work on elaborating normative documents and software systems for supporting the personnel of nuclear power stations are determined.

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">As the global automotive industry makes a critical transition from the traditional ICEVs (Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles) to EVs (Electric Vehicles), it faces two conflicting technological challenges: 1) range degradation in cold weather conditions and 2) reducing time to thermal comfort in winter driving in absence of waste heat from the IC engine. Next to the EV drivetrain, the HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system is the highest consumer of electric power in the vehicle. To get the occupants to a thermally comfortable state as quickly and efficiently as possible, automotive OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are exploring microclimate systems that involve localized heating and cooling. Unlike the central HVAC system, localized heating and cooling devices such as climate-controlled seats, steering wheel heaters, neck warmers, etc. directly condition the occupant rather than conditioning the entire cabin environment to provide thermal comfort to the occupant. Consequently, microclimate systems improve time-to-comfort while being energy efficient. In this paper, a general methodology to design a human-centric auto-climate control system is presented. Such a system uses microclimate devices in conjunction with the electric HVAC or heat pump system and the control is based on real-time estimation of heat transfer rates to the occupant. This approach can provide additional benefits such as enhanced personalization along with energy savings and reduced time to comfort. The authors have also highlighted the challenges associated with existing measurement and data acquisition systems including calibration, verification and validation and have recommended a real-time comfort metric measurement system as a possible solution for future development.</div></div>

The article is devoted to the consideration of the possibility of using a film-ceramic composite based on functional ceramics and polyethylene film in increasing the efficiency of microalgae production. The main advantages of the composite relative to the traditional method arepresented.

The accurate and precise determination of the compositions of silicate glasses formed from melts containing the volatile components H2O and CO2 recovered from high-pressure, high-temperature experiments is essential to our understanding of geodynamic processes taking place within the planet. Silicate melts are often difficult to analyse chemically because the formation of quench crystals and overgrowths on silicate phases is rapid and widespread upon quenching of experiments, preventing the formation of glasses in low-SiO2 and volatile-rich compositions. Here, we present experiments conducted in a novel rapid quench piston cylinder apparatus on a series of partially molten low-silica alkaline rock compositions (lamproite, basanite, calk-alkaline basalt) with a range of water contents. Quench modification of the volatile-bearing silicate glasses is significantly reduced compared to those produced in older piston-cylinder apparatuses. The recovered glasses are almost completely free of quench modification and facilitate the determination of precise chemical compositions. We illustrate the significantly improved quench textures and provide an analytical protocol that recovers accurate chemical compositions from both poorly and well-quenched silicate glasses.

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Optimizing climate seat systems requires increased complexity in seat design which in turn is driving a need for more detailed thermal simulation methods. This paper presents the model development considerations and results of a thermal simulation study aimed at improving the thermal seat comfort experience of Hyundai-Kia's heated seating systems.</div></div>

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems use plates coated with peptides or expressed and purified proteins to monitor immunoglobulins derived from patient serum. However, there is currently no easy, flexible, and fast adaptive ELISA-based system for testing antibodies directed against new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. In this study, we utilized the tANCHOR protein display system that provides a cell surface decorated with the receptor-binding domain (RBD) to monitor specific antibodies derived from SARS-CoV-2 convalescent and vaccinated individuals directed against it. To test sera from vaccinees or convalescent individuals, only the RBD coding sequence needs to be cloned in the tANCHOR vector system and transfected into HeLa cells. Time-consuming protein expression, isolation, and purification followed by coating assay plates are not necessary. With this technique, the immune evasion of new SARS-CoV-2 variants from current vaccination regimes can be examined quickly and reliably.

Abstract Traction motors are electric motors used in vehicle propulsion. In this study, an externally cooled 3-phase AC induction motor which has cooling tubes drilled axially throughout the length of the rotor and stator, is analyzed for thermal performance. The cooling air is supplied by a centrifugal blower connected to the inlet plenum of the motor. Unlike in static condition, the relative distribution of air in the rotor and the stator tubes is not uniform and varies due to the rotation of rotor. It has been shown in previous studies that due to rotor’s rotation, the resistance of the flow path through the rotor tubes increases compared to the static condition. This results in reduction of flow through the rotor tubes. Generally, the steady state MRF (Multiple Reference Frame) approach is used to model the rotational effect. While this approach works in the initial design phase, Unsteady sliding mesh approach is suggested for design validation. It was found that at 3000 RPM, the mass flow rate in the rotor predicted by the Sliding mesh model could be as much as 16% lower than that predicted by the MRF model. To assess its impact on thermal performance, steady state conjugate heat transfer analysis was performed. It was found that the rotor temperatures could be up to 8.6-degree C higher based on the mass flow predictions by sliding mesh approach compared to the MRF approach.

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Specific features relating to development of the information-analytical system on the problem of flow-accelerated corrosion of pipeline elements in the secondary coolant circuit of the VVER-440-based power units at the Novovoronezh nuclear power plant are considered. The results from a statistical analysis of data on the quantity, location, and operating conditions of the elements and preinserted segments of pipelines used in the condensate-feedwater and wet steam paths are presented. The principles of preparing and using the information-analytical system for determining the lifetime to reaching inadmissible wall thinning in elements of pipelines used in the secondary coolant circuit of the VVER-440-based power units at the Novovoronezh NPP are considered.