Electric Assistance Research Articles

Development of partial denitrification process in upflow-anaerobic sludge blanket and effect of electric field on partial denitrification performance

Partial denitrification (PD) is an alternative to providing NO2– for the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process. In this study, three upflow anaerobic sludge blankets (UASB) were used to investigate the effect of an external electric field on PD performance. The results indicated that the maximum nitrite transformation ratio (NTR) reached 76.3 %, with an average NTR of 54.1 %, in the presence of external electric field, whereas the average NTR of the control was only 49.8 %. The fitted maximum specific nitrate reduction rates of PD1, PD2, and PD3 were 83.7, 90.5, and 92.3 mg N g−1VSS h−1, respectively, according to the Haldane model analysis. Microbial community analysis demonstrated that the abundance of Thauera, Comamonas, and Accumulibacter increased with electric assistance. In summary, UASB reactor with electrodes set in the upper region was most feasible for the stable PD process, providing an alternative for developing a coupled PD-anammox process.

Examining the Efficiency of Electric-Assisted Mountain Biking across Different Types of Terrain

Mountain bikes with electric assistance (e-bikes) have gained popularity recently by allowing riders to increase their pedaling power through an electric motor. This innovation has raised questions about how e-bikes compare to traditional mountain bikes regarding physical effort, speed, and physiological demands. By examining these factors, the study aims to compare and characterize differences in performance-related parameters when using an electric-assisted mountain bike compared to a conventional mountain bike on different types of terrain (uphill, downhill, flat section, technically demanding terrain) concerning power output, velocity, cardiorespiratory parameters, and energy expenditure. Six experienced mountain bikers (mean age: 44.6 ± 6.4 years, mean body height: 173.3 ± 5.6 cm, mean body weight: 70.6 ± 4.9 kg) cycled 4.5 km on varying off-road terrain at their own race pace, once with and once without electrical assistance, in randomized order. The results of the study indicate significantly faster (24.3 ± 1.85 to 17.2 ± 1.22 km/h (p < 0.001)) cycling on an electric-assisted mountain bike, which reduces cardiorespiratory parameters and metabolic effort as well as results in less demanding workload (138.5 ± 31.8 W) during the cycling with an electric-assisted mountain bike in comparison to a conventional mountain bike (217.5 ± 24.3 W (p < 0.001)). The results indicate significant differences especially when riding uphill. The performance advantage of an electrically assisted mountain bike diminishes compared to a conventional mountain bike on downhill, flat, or technically challenging terrain. The highlighted advantages of electric-assisted mountain bikes could represent a novel strategy for cycling in different terrains to optimize efficiency.

Design and Validity of a Smart Healthcare and Control System for Electric Bikes.

This paper presents the development of an electronic system that converts an electrically assisted bicycle into an intelligent health monitoring system, allowing people who are not athletic or who have a history of health issues to progressively start the physical activity by following a medical protocol (e.g., max heart rate and power output, training time). The developed system aims to monitor the health state of the rider, analyze data in real-time, and provide electric assistance, thus diminishing muscular exertion. Furthermore, such a system can recover the same physiological data used in medical centers and program it into the e-bike to track the patient's health. System validation is conducted by replicating a standard medical protocol used in physiotherapy centers and hospitals, typically conducted in indoor conditions. However, the presented work differentiates itself by implementing this protocol in outdoor environments, which is impossible with the equipment used in medical centers. The experimental results show that the developed electronic prototypes and the algorithm effectively monitored the subject's physiological condition. Moreover, when necessary, the system can change the training load and help the subject remain in their prescribed cardiac zone. This system allows whoever needs to follow a rehabilitation program to do so not only in their physician's office, but whenever they want, including while commuting.

Impact of OEI requirement on parallel hybrid electric turboprop regional aircraft optimization

PurposeParallel hybrid electric (HE) propulsion retrofit is a promising alternative to reduce fuel burn of aircraft operating on short regional flights. However, if the batteries are depleted at the end of the mission, the hybrid powertrain designs with downsized gas turbines (GTs) and additional electric motors might not meet the one-engine inoperative (OEI) missed approach climb performance required by the certification. Alternatively, hybrid designs using the original full-size GT can perform one engine climb without electric assistance. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of overshoot climb requirements on powertrain design and performance comparing the two design approaches.Design/methodology/approachAn aircraft-level parametric mission analysis model is used to evaluate aircraft performance combined with an optimization framework including multiple constraints. An indirect approach using metamodels is used to optimize powertrain sizing and operation strategy.FindingsConsidering OEI climb requirements, no benefits were found using a design with downsized GTs. Equivalent fuel burns were found for hybrid designs that keep the original size GTs, but do not require electric energy for the OEI overshoot at the end of the mission. Then, it is recommended to size the GT to maintain the emergency climb capabilities with no electric assistance to ensure power availability regardless of remaining battery energy.Originality/valueThis work introduces a new perspective on parallel HE sizing with consideration for the dependency of power capability at aircraft level on the electric energy availability in case of critical mission scenarios such as overshoot climb at the end of the mission.

Planning for Speed in the Public Space: The Case of Speed E-bikes in France, Belgium, and Switzerland

Speed e-bikes are electrically assisted pedal cycles with a speed of up to 45 km/h. Because of their high speed, these vehicles are not classified as bicycles in the European Union. However, their external aspect and their mode of propulsion—the user needs to pedal for the electric assistance to work—make them part of the symbolic universe of bicycles. This raises the following question: should these vehicles ride on cycle lanes, or on the road? The authors argue that answering this question implies understanding both how these vehicles are used, and how speed e-bike users perceive themselves. How do users experience their high-velocity bikes? Using qualitative interviews with speed e-bike users in France, Belgium, and Switzerland, this research offers novel data on the actual usage of this emerging mode of transport and what it represents symbolically to users. Results show that speed e-bike users consider themselves as cyclists and value the opportunity to ride on cycle lanes, whether this is allowed or not. However, they self-regulate their positioning on the road depending on their actual speed. When they want to accelerate, speed e-bike users tend to leave bike lanes to ensure their own safety as well as that of other cyclists. These results allow a case to be made for a speed-based regulation according to which riders could use different segments of the public space alternatively depending on their actual speed at a given moment.

Long term assessment of a successful e-bike-sharing system. Key drivers and impact on travel behaviour

The many benefits of cycling, such as eco-friendliness, low cost, health benefits, and efficiency in congested areas, had encouraged governmental strategies to promote it, triggering a global growth of bike-sharing systems (BSS). In this line, it is important to avoid service termination by assessing the evolution, identifying drawbacks and success factors, that could be determinant on the system’s future. Nonetheless, in many cases, subjective and objective information regarding BSS was not collected nor compared. In this study, we analyse the evolution of Madrid’s pioneer electric system, by combining the subjective data of three surveys, conducted since 2014 to 2019, with objective data from the service operator. The insights extracted shed light on the key factors determining the system’s success, and its influence on travel behaviour. Results suggest that the user profile of the young early adopters evolved to middle-aged workers. Strong maintenance campaigns and network expansions improved bikes availably and user satisfaction. Slope of the streets is one of the lowest importance factors, whereas pedelec assistance the highest. It is likely to believe that there is a relationship between both, suggesting that electric assistance encourages cycling in a hilly city like Madrid. Transferable experiences to other cities evolving from traditional to e-BSS could be valuable, like the results suggesting that the introduction of an electric BSS is a potential trigger for bicycle adoption in dense urban environments. In addition, that subscribers tend to reduce the use of private car while increase cycling. This longitudinal analysis offers valuable policy implications, like those related with bike maintenance, network extension, and measures focused on keeping the new subscribers of the COVID-19 post-lockdown.

A novel electric-assisted photocatalytic technique using self-doped TiO2 nanotube films

Semiconductor doping is an effective strategy for improving the light absorption efficiency and the photogenerated carrier transport in photocatalysts. However, bulk defects induced by doping act as recombination centers, accelerating the recombination of carriers, which is detrimental to the photocatalytic performance. In this study, a novel electric-assisted photocatalytic technique was developed to reduce the recombination of the carriers trapped by the defects. The technique involves applying a low external voltage to a self-doped TiO2 nanotube film, without any electrolyte and counter electrode. The remarkable improvement in the charge carrier dynamics under the electric assistance is attributed to the significant promotion of photogenerated electron fluxes and prevention of charge recombination. The electric-assisted photocatalytic technique is compatible with a liquid- or a gas-phase reactive system, e.g., water splitting, H2O2 synthesis, and CO2 photoreduction. The technique is sufficiently advanced to allow scale-up of the photocatalytic process from laboratory scale to industrial-scale.

Design of a Charge-Sustaining Energy Management System for a Free-Floating Electric Shared Bicycle

This article proposes an energy management system (EMS) for shared electric bicycles. The objective is to guarantee electric assistance to the cyclist while avoiding discharging the battery. The basic working principle exploits the cycling efficiency gaps. The proposed multilayered EMS is specifically tailored to a free-floating bike-sharing setting. The innermost layer manages the assistance and energy harvesting with the objective of yielding an intuitive human–machine interface. The middle level modulates the level of assistance so to track a desired average battery power. This is an adaptive model-based controller designed on a control-oriented model of the cyclist and bicycle energy dynamics. A cyclist profiling mechanism enables the model adaptation. The outermost loop guarantees the long-term robustness by tracking a desired battery state-of-charge profile. Extensive simulations and experimental tests validate this approach in terms of usability and charge sustenance, proving that the cyclist profiling is of paramount importance.

Evaluation of the Effect of Walking Exercise Using an Ankle Foot Orthosis with Electric Assistance for Chronic Hemiplegic Stroke Patients

Evaluation of the Effect of Walking Exercise Using an Ankle Foot Orthosis with Electric Assistance for Chronic Hemiplegic Stroke Patients

Study of mechanical properties of mild steel joint made by electrically assisted friction stir welding using DC and AC

Abstract Hybrid Friction Stir Welding (FSW) has the ability to join high meting point materials, it can also increase the joint efficiency and reduce the tool wear. Generally, in the hybrid FSW, the work pieces to be welded are preheated, post heated or additional heat is provided with some external sources. Different techniques are being studied upon to heat the work pieces. Use of Plasma, Induction, Ultrasonic Vibration, Electric Assistance, etc., are few of the techniques. In the present study, mechanical properties of welded joints using conventional FSW have compared with that of Electrically Assisted Friction Stir Welding (EAFSW) with two different approaches. In the first case, a Direct Current has been used to preheat the carbon steel plates (CS to IS2062 Gr B). In the other case, an alternating current has been used to preheat the plates. The hardness, ultimate tensile strength and weld efficiency of the welded joints were found out for the above-mentioned cases and a comparative study of the mechanical properties have been done. It has been observed that with DC in EAFSW, better joint efficiency has been observed whereas, with AC uniform hardness, in both advancing and retreating side of the joint, has been concluded.

Analysis of mechanical property of electrically assisted friction stir welding to enhance the efficiency of joints

The concept of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technique was invented in year 1991 and since then many research have been done in the same field. To utilize the technique in various materials, many additional heat sources had been tested successfully and many such hybrid FSW methods came up. Electric Resistance Friction Stir Welding has been invented as one of the hybrid technology and produces less tear and wear of the tool with fewer defects of the joint produced. This study has been done to find the effect of secondary source of energy by electric assistance to FSW for improving the efficiency of the weld and to study the effect of various process parameters to improve the property of the weld joint of CS to IS 2062 Grade B. Design of Experiment has been applied to study the influence of the process parameters viz tool speed (rpm), electric current (Amps) and feed on the UTS of the weld. The joint has also been tested for checking the variation of the weld efficiency and hardness of the joint due to change in process parameters. The optimization of the process parameters has been done to obtain maximum Tensile strength, weld efficiency and hardness. The results of the optimization has been found to be indicating that due to the effect of addition of secondary heat source of electric current, the welding efficiency and hardness value has been found higher than the specimen joined without the secondary source.

Autonomous Hydrogen Production for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells PEMFC

This paper focuses on hydrogen production for green mobility applications (other applications are currently under investigation). Firstly, a brief state of the art of hydrogen generation by hydrolysis with magnesium is shown. The hydrolysis performance of Magnesium powder ball–milled along with different additives (graphite and transition metals TM = Ni, Fe, and Al) is taken for comparison. The best performance was observed with Mg–10 wt.% g mixtures (95% of theoretical hydrogen generation yield in about 3 min). An efficient solution to control this hydrolysis reaction is proposed to produce hydrogen on demand and to feed a PEM fuel cell. Tests on a bench fitted with a 100 W Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell have demonstrated the technological potential of this solution for electric assistance applications in the field of light mobility.

Planning a project of the creation of an electric vehicle technical assistance point

The purpose of the article is to plan a project of an electric vehicle technicalassistance point. the methodology of the study is to use the critical path method.the scientific novelty of the obtained results is that the article describes the practicalaspects of project planning of the creation of an electric vehicle technical assistancepoint. In particular, the tasks of the project are described, labor, material and financialresources necessary for its realization are specified. conclusions. The implementationof the developed project will effectively manage the content, time and resources ofthe project of the creation of an electric vehicle technical assistance point.

Improvement of 2,4-dichlorophenol degradation and analysis of functional bacteria in anaerobic microbial system enhanced with electric assistance

The microbial reduction of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) is typically slow due to lack of electron donors. Thus, an electro-assisted microbial system (EAMS) was established. At 12 h the total dechlorination efficiencies of 2,4-DCP were 98.5 ± 1.5% in the EAMS, 23.3 ± 2.6% in electro-catalytic system at the cathode potential of −0.41 V (vs SHE), and 43.8 ± 3.4% in microbial system. In the EAMS 2,4-DCP dechlorination was a two-electron transfer process that was controlled by surface-adsorption according to the cyclic voltammetry curves. In the EAMS the current change was closely related to the degradation of 2,4-DCP and its intermediates, and the dominant bacteria in cathode biofilm were different from those in anode biofilm. The lower oxidation-reduction potential and the synergistic reaction of microbial species in the mixed liquor, the cathode biofilm and the anode biofilm promoted anaerobic degradation of pollutants in the EAMS.

The concept of cycling infrastructure on the Gdansk - Hel route for vehicles with electric assistance

The existing cycling infrastructure on the Gdansk - Hel route is not ideal. Pomeranian Voivodship is still striving to improve its status by creating the Cycling Tourism Development Concept, which includes forecasts of changes for the coming years. This document includes plans for the development of bicycle routes, improved pavement on existing European and national routes, and the creation of biker-friendly places. However, all voivodship authorities' plans focus on facilities for cyclists moving on traditional vehicles. This article, based on available literature and market offers, presents a project of infrastructure necessary to navigate the Gdansk - Hel route with two-track vehicles equipped with an electric support system.

Electric assistance hot incremental sheet forming: an integral heating design

The electric assistance incremental forming technology is usually adopted to form hard-to-form sheet metals. Recently, the local heating method by current is used to fabricate specimens with these materials due to low costs and simple setups. However, the heating method has four natural defects: inhomogeneous temperature distribution, arc burns for the sheet and the tool, unsuited for multistage forming, and complex lubrication processes. In this work, a novel heating design, directly making current flow from the one side of the sheet into the other side of the sheet, was proposed to form specimens with TC4 Ti alloy. Meanwhile, different current values were adopted in numerical simulation and experiments, which demonstrated that a current value of 500 (A) should be selected to fabricate the specimen with TC4 Ti alloy. In addition to this, some forming results, such as temperature variations, roughness, and tool damage, obtained respectively by local and integral electric heating incremental forming processes were analyzed further.

Effect of the use of electric assistance on the propulsion of the manual wheelchair Smartdrive on the biomechanical parameters of the propulsion in ecological situation

Several studies have quantified the benefit of using Pushrim-Activated Power-Assisted Wheelchairs (PAPAW) to facilitate the daily travel of manual wheelchairs users (MW). Recently, new technological solutions have been proposed. They do not aim to replace the rear wheels MW, but to add a fifth motorized wheel. SmartDrive system is assisted propulsion is activated when the user performs a first push. This study aims to evaluate the effect of using the SmartDrive on the biomechanical parameters of MW propulsion cycle while traveling on asphalt road. Twenty-two spinal cord injury were recruited and all subjects used their personal MW added the Smartdrive system. The push rim kinetic, during the propulsion, data were collected by an instrumented wheel was used to collect kinetic data. All subjects underwent two 6-minute outdoor displacement sessions (goings and comings, 150 m mixed smooth asphalt, consisting of a flat and 3% slope): with and without SmartDrive. The analyzed variables were: distance and speed over the total duration of the test. Concerning the kinetic parameters, the following parameters were quantified over the first 150 meters: power, number of cycle, total force, and tangential force. The main results show significant changes for all the parameters analyzed. Using the SmartDrive increases the distance traveled during the 6-minute test. Indeed with SmartDrive the subjects travel 538 ± 104 m and without SD 470 ± 124 m. In addition, there is a decrease in the biomechanical parameters during the displacement of the MW with SmartDrive: Tangential force, total force, as well as the external mechanical power. This work aims to evaluate the usefulness of PAPAW in a situation similar to an urban displacement. Our results suggest that the autonomy movement is increased with SmardDrive system since the subjects performed a greater distance in the same time while reducing the effort.

Design and Control of an All-in-the-Wheel Assisted Kick Scooter

Traffic congestion, energy efficiency, and environmental issues are fueling the interest in light electric vehicles. In particular, electric human-powered hybrid vehicles are compelling because of their low cost, ease of use, lightweight, and extremely small footprint. This paper presents an electrically assisted kick scooter. Most electric scooters are throttle-controlled; this makes them electric vehicles, and as such, they may require driving licenses. The proposed design solves this limitation by introducing the electrically assisted kick scooter concept. The proposed design does not have any human–machine interface device. It controls the electric assistance in a transparent way. The user operates the vehicle as a passive scooter, while the control system smoothly delivers the assistance. The proposed solution is based on several functional modules: a kick detection algorithm, a closed-loop control of the vehicle velocity, a brake detection algorithm, and an online parameter estimator that makes sure that the vehicle behaves consistently no matter the road surface. The details of the control system are discussed in the paper, and an extensive experimental validation based on metabolic and electric measurements shows that the electric assistance cuts in half the effort necessary to operate the vehicle with an average battery consumption of 4 Wh/km.

Impact of continuous and intermittent supply of electric assistance on high-strength 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degradation in electro-microbial system

The high-strength 2,4-DCP, which exists in two states: dissolved and colloidal, was studied by a continuously electro-microbial system (CEMS) and an intermittently electro-microbial system (IEMS). The hydrolysis rate of colloidal 2,4-DCP in the IEMS without electric assistance was much higher than that in the CEMS. However, the degradation rate of the dissolved 2,4-DCP and the dissolved intermediates (2-chlorophenol and 4-chlorophenol) in the IEMS without electric assistance were much lower than that in the CEMS. By adjusting the intermittent operation mode, the degradation time of 2,4-DCP was shortened greatly. Microbial characteristics in the CEMS and the IEMS were different. The correlation analysis for the main factors affecting the hydrolysis was performed by SPSS, and it was found that the correlation coefficient (rp) was −0.912 for extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content, 0.823 for zeta potential and 0.632 for relative hydrophobicity, respectively.

Effects of e-bikes on bicycle use and mode share

In Norway, as in many countries, a political goal is to increase bicycle use, and the e-bike is promising in this respect. However, concerns have been raised about mode-share effects. It has been argued that if the e-bike’s only function is in cycling becoming cycling with electric assistance, there would be no benefit to either the environment or public health. Little is yet known about the use of the e-bike, or of its potential in reducing motorized travel. In the current study, 66 randomly selected participants were given an e-bike to use for a limited period of time and the results compared with those of a control group (N=160). E-bike cycling trips increased from 0.9 to 1.4 per day, distance from 4.8km to 10.3km and, as a share of all transport, from 28% to 48%, whereas with the control group there was no increase in cycling. The effect of the e-bike increased with time, indicating a learning effect among users, and was greater for female than for male cyclists. There were no differences with age. Overall, the results suggest that the e-bike is indeed practical for everyday travel.