"Written by some of the world's foremost experts, the articles in this book show how plasma science can be applied to environmental problems, including atmospheric sensing and modification, energy conservation, reduction of air pollution, and processing of ordinary and radioactive wastes. Atmospheric CFC's might be zapped with big lasers. Urban air pollution could be removed by large convection towers built in or near cities. And weapons-grade plutonium can be destroyed with specially designed particle accelerators. Some of the technologies described here are in use already, while others are in the prototype stage, or are speculative approaches deserving of further study." "Contents" Written by some of the world's foremost experts, the articles in this book show how plasma science can be applied to environmental problems, including atmospheric sensing and modification, energy conservation, reduction of air pollution, and processing of ordinary and radioactive wastes. Atmospheric CFC's might be zapped with big lasers. Urban air pollution could be removed by large convection towers built in or near cities. And weapons-grade plutonium can be destroyed with specially designed particle accelerators. Some of the technologies described here are in use already, while others are in the prototype stage, or are speculative approaches deserving of further study.

This book is about mechanical design engineering, in particular design for mechanical system durability and performance density. It addresses diversified mechanical design issues that relate to several application areas, and provides potential solutions. Design for Durability and Performance Density includes four real-world case studies which help to identify the root cause of problems and failure cases encountered in industry and in the oil field. It suggests remedies for the ones that could be solved, and includes sample calculations and worked examples to quantify the extent of problems where necessary. This book will be of use to senior-level mechanical engineering students, design and application engineers as well as consulting engineering firms. It could help them to learn how things could be designed the wrong way, and how old experience could prevent novice mistakes, to avoid being tempted into any of the various subtle design pitfalls and confronting their consequences.

"Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy in PEM Fuel Cells" discusses one of the most powerful and useful diagnostic tools for various aspects of the study of fuel cells: electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). This comprehensive reference on EIS fundamentals and applications in fuel cells contains information about basic principles, measurements, and fuel cell applications of the EIS technique. Many illustrated examples are provided to ensure maximum clarity and observability of the spectra. "Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy in PEM Fuel Cells" will enable readers to explore the frontiers of EIS technology in PEM fuel cell research and other electrochemical systems. As well as being a useful text for electrochemists, it can also help researchers who are unfamiliar with EIS to learn the technique quickly and to use it correctly in their fuel cell research. Managers or entrepreneurs may also find this book a useful guide to accessing the challenges and opportunities in fuel cell technology.

Second-Generation High-Temperature Superconducting Coils and Their Applications for Energy Storage addresses the practical electric power applications of high-temperature superconductors. It validates the concept of a prototype energy storage system using newly available 2G HTS conductors by investigating the process of building a complete system from the initial design to the final experiment. It begins with a clear introduction of the related background and then presents a comprehensive design of a superconducting energy storage system that can store maximum energy using a limited length of superconductors. The author has created a modeling environment for analysis of the system and also presents experimental results that are highly consistent with his theoretical calculations.

The book offers a comprehensive report on the design and optimization of a thermochemical heat storage system for use in buildings. It combines theoretical and experimental work, with a special emphasis on model-based methods. It describes the numerical modeling of the heat exchanger, which allows recovery of about two thirds of the waste heat from both solar and thermal energy. The book also provides readers with a snapshot of current research on thermochemical storage systems, and an in-depth review of the most important concepts and methods in thermal management modeling. It represents a valuable resource for students, engineers and researchers interested in thermal energy storage processes, as well as for those dealing with modeling and 3D simulations in the field of energy and process engineering.

The Proceedings of the 11th European Conference on Thermoelectrics contains manuscripts from leading experts on topics spanning from material processing to applications in the field of thermoelectrics. The selected manuscripts also describe recent developments on measurement systems of thermoelectric properties, and the design and modelling of thermoelectric generators.

In the decade since the introduction of the first commercial lithium-ion battery research and development on virtually every aspect of the chemistry and engineering of these systems has proceeded at unprecedented levels. This book is a snapshot of the state-of-the-art and where the work is going in the near future. The book is intended not only for researchers, but also for engineers and users of lithium-ion batteries which are found in virtually every type of portable electronic product.

Thermal, Mechanical, and Hybrid Chemical Energy Storage Systems provides unique and comprehensive guidelines on all non-battery energy storage technologies, including their technical and design details, applications, and how to make decisions and purchase them for commercial use. The book covers all short and long-term electric grid storage technologies that utilize heat or mechanical potential energy to store electricity, including their cycles, application, advantages and disadvantages, such as round-trip-efficiency, duration, cost and siting. Also discussed are hybrid technologies that utilize hydrogen as a storage medium aside from battery technology. Readers will gain substantial knowledge on all major mechanical, thermal and hybrid energy storage technologies, their market, operational challenges, benefits, design and application criteria.

This monograph presents a wider spectrum of researches, developments, and case specific studies in the area of smart power systems and integration of renewable energy systems. The book will be for the benefit of a wider audience including researchers, postgraduate students, practicing engineers, academics, and regulatory policy makers. It covers a wide range of topics from fundamentals, and modelling and simulation aspects of traditional and smart power systems to grid integration of renewables; Micro Grids; challenges in planning and operation of a smart power system; risks, security, and stability in smart operation of a power system; and applied research in energy storage.

This book introduces the reader to the state of the art in nanostructured anode and cathode electrocatalysts for low-temperature acid and alkaline fuel cells. It explores the electrocatalysis of anode (oxidation of organic molecules) and cathode (oxygen reduction) reactions. It also offers insights into metal-carbon interactions, correlating them with the catalytic activity of the electrochemical reactions. The book explores the electrocatalytic behaviour of materials based on noble metals and their alloys, as well as metal-metal oxides and metal-free nanostructures. It also discusses the surface and structural modification of carbon supports to enhance the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts for fuel-cell reactions.

The series Topics in Organometallic Chemistry presents critical overviews of research results in organometallic chemistry. As our understanding of organometallic structure, properties and mechanisms increases, new ways are opened for the design of organometallic compounds and reactions tailored to the needs of such diverse areas as organic synthesis, medical research, biology and materials science. Thus the scope of coverage includes a broad range of topics in pure and applied organometallic chemistry, where new breakthroughs are being achieved that are of significance to a larger scientific audience. The individual volumes of Topics in Organometallic Chemistry are thematic. Review articles are generally invited by the volume editors.

This book discusses innovations in the field of hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) and covers the durability, practicality, cost-effectiveness, and utility of a HESS. It demonstrates how the coupling of two or more energy storage technologies can interact with and support renewable energy power systems. Different structures of stand-alone renewable energy power systems with hybrid energy storage systems such as passive, semi-active, and active hybrid energy storage systems are examined. A detailed review of the state-of-the-art control strategies, such as classical control strategies and intelligent control strategies for renewable energy power systems with hybrid energy storage systems are highlighted. The future trends for combination and control of the two systems are also discussed.

CMOS DC-DC Converters aims to provide a comprehensive dissertation on the matter of monolithic inductive Direct-Current to Direct-Current (DC-DC) converters. For this purpose seven chapters are defined which will allow the designer to gain specific knowledge on the design and implementation of monolithic inductive DC-DC converters, starting from the very basics.

Due to their environmental and efficiency characteristics fuel cells are promising technological solutions for many energy related applications (stationary power generation, vehicle propulsion, portable equipment). This book describes the economic dynamics of fuel cells by analyzing their diffusion perspectives as well as the strategic and organisational arrangements designed to promote their development. The costs, risks and economic stakes of fuel cell technologies require both a sustained involvement from public entities and the setting up of innovation networks with a large variety of heterogeneous actors. This context corresponds to a new space for technological competition located at the intersection between firms, networks and national/regional systems of innovation. The book presents a comprehensive analysis of this cooperation/competition phenomenon through different theoretical and empirical investigations. 

The field of solid state ionics is multidisciplinary in nature. Chemists, physicists, electrochimists, and engineers all are involved in the research and development of materials, techniques, and theoretical approaches. This science is one of the great triumphs of the second part of the 20th century. For nearly a century, development of materials for solid-state ionic technology has been restricted. During the last two decades there have been remarkable advances: more materials were discovered, modem technologies were used for characterization and optimization of ionic conduction in solids, trial and error approaches were deserted for defined predictions. During the same period fundamental theories for ion conduction in solids appeared. The large explosion of solid-state ionic material science may be considered to be due to two other influences. The first aspect is related to economy and connected with energy production, storage, and utilization. There are basic problems in industrialized countries from the economical, environmental, political, and technological points of view. The possibility of storing a large amount of utilizable energy in a comparatively small volume would make a number of non-conventional intermittent energy sources of practical convenience and cost. The second aspect is related to huge increase in international relationships between researchers and exchanges of results make considerable progress between scientists; one find many institutes joined in common search programs such as the material science networks organized by EEC in the European countries.

Graphite intercalation compounds are a new class of electronic materials that are classified as graphite-based host guest systems. They have specific structural features based on the alternating stacking of graphite and guest intercalate sheets. The electronic structures show two-dimensional metallic properties with a large variety of features including superconductivity. They are also interesting from the point of two-dimensional magnetic systems. This book presents the synthesis, crystal structures, phase transitions, lattice dynamics, electronic structures, electron transport properties, magnetic properties, surface phenomena, and applications of graphite intercalation compounds. The applications covered include batteries, highly conductive graphite fibers, exfoliated graphite and intercalated fullerenes and nanotubes.

A lithium-ion battery comprises essentially three components: two intercalation compounds as positive and negative electrodes, separated by an ionic-electronic electrolyte. Each component is discussed in sufficient detail to give the practising engineer an understanding of the subject, providing guidance on the selection of suitable materials in actual applications. Each topic covered is written by an expert, reflecting many years of experience in research and applications. Each topic is provided with an extensive list of references, allowing easy access to further information. Readership: Research students and engineers seeking an expert review. Graduate courses in electrical drives can also be designed around the book by selecting sections for discussion. The coverage and treatment make the book indispensable for the lithium battery community.

This book presents contributions to the topics of materials for energy infrastructure with a focus on data and informatics for materials. This spectrum of topics has been chosen because challenges in terms of materials are identified to lie in transport and storage of energy, adequate supply of food and water, well-working infrastructure, materials for medical application and health, efficient use of scarce resources or elements and alternate materials solutions as well as recycling. The contributions were invited at the 4th WMRIF Young Materials Scientist Workshop held at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado, USA during September 8-10, 2014.

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, including H2/O2 (air) and methanol/O2 (air) fuel cells, are promising clean energy converting devices with high efficiency and low to zero emissions. Such power sources can be used in transportation, stationary, portable and micro power applications. The key components of these fuel cells are catalysts and catalyst layers.

PEM Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts and Catalyst Layers covers all of the fundamental aspects and applications of this field. The opening chapters introduce the essential topics on electrochemical theory and fuel cell catalysis, including: electrode thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass transfer; electrode/electrolyte interface electrocatalysis; electrocatalytic reactions, including O2 reduction and H2/CH3OH oxidations; quantum chemistry simulations of catalyst activity; catalyst contamination; spectroscopic methods for catalysis research; porous gas electrode theory; and catalyst layers and modeling. Later chapters investigate the synthesis, characterization, and activity validation of PEM fuel cell catalysts. All fuel cell related catalysts are reviewed, including noble and non-noble catalysts and their preparation/performance. Further chapters describe in detail the integration of the electrocatalyst/catalyst layers into the fuel cell, and their performance validation, including; catalyst layer structure function and optimization, catalyst degradation and diagnosis, and strategies to mitigate the failure modes.

PEM Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts and Catalyst Layers provides a comprehensive, in-depth survey of PEM fuel cell electrocatalysts and catalyst layers, presented by internationally renowned fuel cell scientists. Researchers and engineers in the fuel cell industry will find this book a valuable resource, as will students of electrochemical engineering and catalyst synthesis.

PEM Fuel Cell Failure Mode Analysis presents a systematic analysis of PEM fuel cell durability and failure modes. It provides readers with a fundamental understanding of insufficient fuel cell durability, identification of failure modes and failure mechanisms of PEM fuel cells, fuel cell component degradation testing, and mitigation strategies against degradation.

The first several chapters of the book examine the degradation of various fuel cell components, including degradation mechanisms, the effects of operating conditions, mitigation strategies, and testing protocols. The book then discusses the effects of different contamination sources on the degradation of fuel cell components and explores the relationship between external environment and the degradation of fuel cell components and systems. It also reviews the correlation between operational mode, such as start-up and shut-down, and the degradation of fuel cell components and systems. The last chapter explains how the design of fuel cell hardware relates to failure modes.

Written by international scientists active in PEM fuel cell research, this volume is enriched with practical information on various failure modes analysis for diagnosing cell performance and identifying failure modes of degradation. This in turn helps in the development of mitigation strategies and the increasing commercialization of PEM fuel cells.

This book focuses on nanocarbons (carbon nanotubes, graphene, nanoporous carbon, and carbon black) and related materials for energy conversion, including fuel cells (predominately proton exchange membrane fuel cells [PEMFC]), Li-ion batteries, and supercapacitors. Written by a group of internationally recognized researchers, it offers an in-depth review of the structure, properties, and functions of nanocarbons, and summarizes recent advances in the design, fabrication and characterization of nanocarbon-based catalysts for energy applications. As such, it is an invaluable resource for graduate students, academics and industrial scientists interested in the areas of nanocarbons, energy materials for fuel cells, batteries and supercapacitors as well as materials design, and supramolecular science.

This book contains an in-depth analysis of thermoelectric theory, an overview of present day thermoelectric materials and devices, and as an updated source of information on the most studied recent thermoelectric materials developments. The main emphasis is on a basic understanding of the concepts and experimental techniques needed to propel researchers towards new and novel classes of thermoelectric materials with enhanced properties. The aim is to assist researchers in the field. The text is an expanded edition of a previous text "Electronic Refrigeration" by one of the authors, Julian Goldsmid. Half of the text is devoted to research that has taken place since the publication of that text. In addition, emphasis is placed on new materials research and developments.

This book highlights the development of novel metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs). It describes the metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) that consist of a microporous stainless steel support, nanoporous electrode composites and a thin ceramic electrolyte using the "tape casting-sintering-infiltrating" method. Further, it investigates the reaction kinetics of the fuel cells' electrodes, structure-performance relationship and degradation mechanism. By optimizing the electrode materials, preparation process for the fuel cells, and nano-micro structure of the electrode, the resulting MS-SOFCs demonstrated (1) great output power densities at low temperatures, e.g., 1.02 W cm-2 at 600 DegreesC, when operating in humidified hydrogen fuels and air oxidants; (2) excellent long-term stability, e.g., a degradation rate of 1.3% kh-1 when measured at 650 DegreesC and 0.9 A cm-2 for 1500 h. The design presented offers a promising pathway for the development of low-cost, high power-density and long-term-stable SOFCs for energy conversion.

The storage of electroenergy is an essential feature of modem energy technologies. Unfortunately, no economical and technically feasible method for the solution of this severe problem is presently available. But electrochemistry is a favourite candidate from an engineering point of view. It promises the highest energy densities of all possible alternatives. If this is true, there will be a proportionality between the amount of electricity to be stored and the possible voltage, together with the mass of materials which make this storage possible. Insofar it is a matter of material science to develop adequate systems. Electricity is by far the most important secondary energy source. The present production rate, mainly in the thermal electric power stations, is in the order of 1.3 TW. Rechargeable batteries (RB) are of widespread use in practice for electroenergy storage and supply. The total capacity of primary and rechargeable batteries being exploited is the same as that of the world electric power stations. However, the important goal in the light of modem energy technology, namely the economical storage of large amounts of electricity for electric vehicles, electric route transport, load levelling, solar energy utilization, civil video & audio devices, earth and spatial communications, etc. will not be met by the presently available systems. Unless some of the new emerging electrochemical systems are established up to date, RB's based on aqueous acidic or alkali accumulators are mainly produced today.

The book presents the modeling and control of hydrogen-air PEM fuel cells, including simultaneous estimation of the parameters and states, fuzzy cluster modeling, SPM-based predictive control and advanced fuzzy control. MATLAB/Simulink-based modeling and control programs are discussed in detail. With simulations and experiments, it is an essential reference for both scientists and industrial engineers.