Green Field Research Articles

Ranch Life: The Knuckled Calf

Ranch Life: The Knuckled Calf

Piezoelectric Impedance-Based Structural Health Monitoring of Wind Turbine Structures: Current Status and Future Perspectives

As an innovative technology, the impedance-based technique has been extensively studied for the structural health monitoring (SHM) of various civil structures. The technique’s advantages include cost-effectiveness, ease of implementation on a complex structure, robustness to early-stage failures, and real-time damage assessment capabilities. Nonetheless, very few studies have taken those advantages for monitoring the health status and the structural condition of wind turbine structures. Thus, this paper is motivated to give the reader a general outlook of how the impedance-based SHM technology has been implemented to secure the safety and serviceability of the wind turbine structures. Firstly, possible structural failures in wind turbine systems are reviewed. Next, physical principles, hardware systems, damage quantification, and environmental compensation algorithms are outlined for the impedance-based technique. Afterwards, the current status of the application of this advanced technology for health monitoring and damage identification of wind turbine structural components such as blades, tower joints, tower segments, substructure, and the foundation are discussed. In the end, the future perspectives that can contribute to developing efficient SHM systems in the green energy field are proposed.

Comparison between standard and wide-field autofluorescence in detection of retinal displacement after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery

PurposeTo analyse the differences between 30° blue autofluorescence (BAF30), 55° blue autofluorescence (BAF55) and 200° green Ultra-Wide Field autofluorescence (UWF200) imaging to detect retinal displacement (RD) after vitrectomy surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). MethodsThis cross-sectional study considers forty-nine consecutive patients who underwent RRD surgery in the time period 4–8 months previous to image acquisition. The exclusion criteria contemplate previous retinal pathology, under 18-year-olds and non-assessable images in any of the 3 devices. These images were analysed by two masked graders that assessed either the presence or absence of retinal displacement. A third observer reviewed the images that presented discordance. ResultsA total of forty-nine patients were analysed. 7 eyes were excluded due to poor quality in either of the imaging modalities. The final analysis included 42 eyes of forty-two patients with a mean age of 60.3 ​± ​11.9 years. All patients underwent a 3 port 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy as the technique of choice. Any grade of RD was detectable in 45.2% of images. It was similar between BAF30 and UWF200 (42.9% of eyes). BAF55 showed RD to a lesser extent (38.1%). Agreement index between BAF30 and BAF55 was 0.901, 0.903 between BAF30 and UWF200 and 0.803 between BAF55 and UWF200. Kappa agreement index between graders was 0.775 for BAF30, 0.798 for BAF50 and 0.808 for UWF200 images. ConclusionsAll imaging modalities were able to detect RD after vitrectomy for RRD, with no inferiority of BAF30 and BAF55 over UWF200.

The View From the Tree.

The View From the Tree.

Recent advances on structural, thermal, vibrational, optical, phase transitions, and catalysis properties of alkylenediammonium halogenometallate materials (Metal: Bi, Sb, Halogen: Cl, Br, I)

Abstract This paper aims to review recent advances on synthesis, crystal structures, thermal, spectroscopic, phase transitions, optical, dielectric, and catalysis properties of hydrate and anhydrous alkylenediammonium halogenometallates materials (Metal: Bi, Sb, Halogen: Cl, Br, I). These hybrid materials present rich structural diversities based on octahedra forming infinite zero dimensional, 1-dimensional chains, 2-dimensional layers, discrete bioctahedra, and discrete tetramer units. The effect, contribution and importance of hydrogen bonding N–H … X (X: Cl, Br, I) are reviewed in terms of solid state relationship. Particularly, a comparative study is made on hydrate and anyhdrous aliphatic chlorobismuthates with alkylenediammonium +NH3(CH2) n NH3 + based on structural data and V/Z variation with (CH2) n chains (n = 2–8, 12), and variation of BiCl6 3− Raman frequencies modes versus (CH2) n chains (n = 3–8). Hydrate salts with (n = 3, 12) consist of isolated BiCl6 3− anions and two water molecules, against others ones with isolated anionic chains [BiCl5 2−] n or Bi2Cl10 4− dimers, formed by distorted octahedra BiCl6 3− sharing corners, vices or edges. The reviewed optical and electronic band gaps suggested interesting compounds with band gaps (1.85–2.4 eV), as suitable materials in optoelectronic properties, photoactive layer in solution-processed photovoltaics, and bio-imaging or photovoltaic applications. It was concluded that iodobismuthate salts have generally the lowest bands gap, compared to that of bromo and chlorobismuthate slats. Catalysis proprieties are reviewed n fast (RhB) degradation under dark conditions for (C4N2H7)4Bi2Cl10, (C5H9N2)BiI4, and {(H-BPA)4·[(BiI6)I13]·2I3} n , and in organic salts synthesis under solvent-free conditions. Herein NH3(CH2) n NH3BiCl5 (n = 5–7) salts were used as highly efficient catalysts, which is a novel tendency in chlorobismuthate researchs in the green chemistry field.

The Plat of Zion and Urban Development in Salt Lake City

The Plat of Zion and Urban Development in Salt Lake City

A Resilience Analysis of a Medical Mask Supply Chain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Simulation Modeling Approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe consequences such as long-term disruptions and ripple effects on regional and global supply chains. In this paper, firstly, we design simulation models using AnyLogistix to investigate and predict the pandemic’s short-term and long-term disruptions on a medical mask supply chain. Then, the Green Field Analysis experiments are used to locate the backup facilities and optimize their inventory levels. Finally, risk analysis experiments are carried out to verify the resilience of the redesigned mask supply chain. Our major research findings include the following. First, when the pandemic spreads to the downstream of the supply chain, the duration of the downstream facilities disruption plays a critical role in the supply chain operation and performance. Second, adding backup facilities and optimizing their inventory levels are effective in responding to the pandemic. Overall, this paper provides insights for predicting the impacts of the pandemic on the medical mask supply chain. The results of this study can be used to redesign a medical mask supply chain to be more resilient and flexible.

Strengthening resilience to flooding in Yangon using sustainable urban drainage systems

The paper assesses the potential for adopting sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) in Myanmar to mitigate flood risks related to urbanisation. Fieldwork in commercial and industrial developments and informal settlements was undertaken to identify flood problems, understand causes and assess the potential for SUDS in Yangon. Hydrological modelling was used to assess the benefits in terms of flood risk mitigation from a quantitative perspective and engagement with key stakeholders facilitated a consideration of the practical implications of SUDS adoption. The results demonstrate that on-site source control technologies can play a key role in mitigating flood risks for storm events with return frequencies of one in 10 years. Based on simulation results, the existing situation shows extensive flooding with 45% of the area flooding to a depth of 0.25 m, the SUDS scenario reduces this from 30 to 15% of the modelled catchment area. SUDS need to be adopted at scale for the benefits to be realised but the adoption of SUDS in existing developments is seen to be constrained due to practical and financial considerations. Therefore, green field sites offer the greatest potential for SUDS and a three-stage procedure based on flood risk and drainage impact assessments were developed to be incorporated in the existing planning applications process.

Improving the Genetics of Tuber Yield and Resistance to Mite to Avoid Mite Incident and to Increase the Productivity of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz).

Mite (Tetranychus urticae) that attacks the cassava plants during dry season can reduce the yield up to 53%, depending on plant age and duration of attacks. The objective of the trial was to evaluate the cassava promising clones for tuber root yield and mite resistance. The field trial was done in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, in 2018 with fifteen clones using a randomized complete block design, with three replications. The glass house experiment for mite evaluation was done in Malang in 2018. A total of fifteen clones were used in this glass house trial. Infestation of mite (imago) was done 1 month after plating with 15 mites/pot on the lower part of the fourth or fifth leaf. Results of the field experiment showed that there was a genetic variability in the clones tested. The fresh tuber yield in 10 months ranged 30.33–55.67 t/ha with mean 41.34 t/ha. The fresh tuber yield of clone OMM 0915-11 was the highest of 55.67 t/ha. The tuber result of clone UJ5d50-207-3 similar to OMM 0915-11 and significantly higher than check variety UJ5. Response of clones to mite attack were as follows: two clones were resistant, ten clones were moderately resistant, and the other clones were susceptible. Based on the green house trial, the response of clones to mite attack was as follows: one clone was highly resistant, two clones were resistant, ten clones were moderately resistant, and the other clones were susceptible. Clone OMM 0915-11 was resistant variety or high resistant variety based on the green house and field experiments, while clone UJ5d50-207-3 was moderately resistant based on both glass house and field experiments.

Application of underbalanced tubing conveyed perforation in horizontal wells: A case study of perforation optimization in a giant oil field in Southwest Iran

Underbalanced perforation can substantially reduce formation damage and improve the efficiency of production operation. The field in question is a giant oil field in Southwest Iran, with over 350,000 bbl/day production rates. Reservoir X is the main reservoir of the field and includes 139 horizontal wells out of the total of 185 production wells drilled in the field. Despite its technical difficulties, under-balance perforation has been proven to result in high productivity ratios and has been shown to reduce workover costs if appropriately conducted. Therefore, this study investigated a customized underbalanced tubing conveyed perforation to enhance oil production. First, post-drilling formation damage was estimated using Perforating Completion Solution Kits. Next, high-density guns (types 73 and 127) with high melting explosives were selected based on the reservoir and well specifications. angles of 60◦ and 90◦ , shot densities of 16 and 20 shots per meter, perforation diameters of By conducting a sensitivity analysis using schlumberger perforating analyzer program, shot 8 and 10 mm, and helix hole distribution were selected as optimized perforation parameters and resulted in productivity ratios up to 1.18. The current study provides a case study of applying a combination of two previously proven technologies, tubing convoyed and underbalanced perforation, in Iran’s giant oilfield. The method used and the outcome could be used to analyze the efficiency of applying the technology in other green or mature fields. Cited as: Mohammadian, E., Dastgerdi, M. E., Manshad, A. K., Mohammadi, A. H., Liu, B., Iglauer, S., Keshavarz, A. Application of underbalanced tubing conveyed perforation in horizontal wells: A case study of perforation optimization in a giant oil field in Southwest Iran. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2022, 6(4): 296-305. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2022.04.04

The framing of green innovations—a comparative topic modeling study on the public frames of the electric vehicle in Germany and UK

In the innovation framing literature, scholars argue that green innovations are being challenged by legitimacy barriers associated with strong lock-in effects on the fossil-based economy. To break down barriers and create legitimacy, we stress the role of demarcation frames. Demarcation frames we argue are an important supplement to the established framing mechanisms that signal alignment and similarity with existing systems. Building on a machine-learning topic modeling approach, we investigate the development of the perception and meaning of the electric vehicle over a period of 27 years—i.e., its framing. By using public media data to undertake a systematic cross-country study in Germany and the UK, we show how and through which combinations of framing mechanisms the electric vehicle overcame the initial skepticism that was closely linked to the internal combustion vehicle. Hence, our research contributes to a better understanding of the framing processes around green innovations in the carbon-based economy. Firstly, we offer a novel analytical perspective focusing on the overarching public framing of green innovations. Secondly, we contribute to the literature by describing the theoretical implications and functionality of demarcation frames to overcome lock-ins. And thirdly, we discuss policy implications to support the dissemination of green innovations and propose future research avenues relevant for the green innovation and innovation framing field.

Aero-acoustics Investigation of a Bionic Airfoil Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Using LES-DCS Approach

The wind turbine noise has become an important issue in the current green energy field, therefore, it is necessary to use new and advantageous methods to study the problem. This research employed the LBM-DCS method to investigate the wake sound radiation characteristics for a bionic airfoil horizontal axis wind turbine, combining the large eddy simulation (LES) model and the wall-adapting local eddy-viscity (WALE) model. The obtained results show that the aeroacoustic model used here is reasonable and effective, which are consistent with the relevant experimental measurement result. The appearance and changing characteristics of the acoustic radiation ring have been discussed and analyzed to a certain extent. Based on the accumulation of this research, we will combine more experimental data to carry out a further systematic investigation on the acoustic radiation characteristics to the wind turbine.

A Study on the Legal Cooperation between Korea and Vietnam in the Green Growth Field of Low Carborn

본 연구에서는 베트남의 2050 탄소중립 기본방향 중 순환경제 확대 및 산업의 지속가능성 제고와 관련하여 현재 진행중인 베트남의 2025 베트남 폐기물처리에 관한 국가 전략 및 비전 2050정책시행 중 폐기물의 관리 및 자원재활용 관련된 베트남의 주요 법령과 정책 등을 검토하고 우리나라와의 법제 협력방안을 도출하였다. 국제사회는 기후변화 문제를 해결하기 위해 저탄소 녹색성장이라는 공통된 목표를 실천하기 교토의정서 채택에 이어, 파리협정을 2015년 채택하였다. 파리협정을 통해 기후변화 대응 정책의 장기적 비전 관점에서 각 당사국에서 장기 저탄소 발전전략(LEDS, Long-term Low greenhouse gas Emission Develope Strategy)을 2020년까지 수립하도록 권고하고 있다. 우리나라도 국제사회의 기후변화 노력에 동참하기 위해 장기 저탄소 발전전략을 수립하기로 결정하였으며, 이를 실천하기 위해 학계, 산업계, 시민사회 등 다양한 분야의 전문가가 참여하는 ‘2050 저탄소 사회 비전 포럼’을 구성하고 다양한 2050년 국가 온실가스 감축 목표와 비전을 검토하고 실천중이다. 이러한 상황속에서 최근 우리나라의 주요 무역국가인 베트남 역시도 2050까지 저탄소녹색성장 계획을 발표하면서 녹색성장분야의 법제도 개선을 밝히고 있으나. 이에 대한 구체적인 실천방향에 있어서 어려움을 겪고 있으며 현재 우리나라의 주요 국가기관 및 민간기업 등과 교류협력하면서 우리나라의 환경법 분야의 법제도를 받아들이고 있다. 그중에서도 우리나라가 현재 실천 중인 탄소중립 기본방향 중 순환경제 확대를 위한 산업의 지속가능성 제고와 관련하여 폐기물 부문의 탄소중립을 위해서는 자원의 채취, 제품의 생산 및 유통, 소비, 폐기물 재활용과 처리 등 전 과정에서 자원의 효율성을 극대하여 자원 투입의 수요를 줄이고 자원 선순환 체계를 구축하여 폐기물 발생을 근본적으로 줄이는 것이 필요하다. 또한, 발생한 폐기물은 최대한 유용한 물질로 전환하거나 에너지로 재사용하고, 재활용되지 못한 폐기물은 온실가스 배출이 적은 친환경적 방법으로 처리가 필요하다. 이와 함께 폐기물 부분에서 가장 문제가 되는 플라스틱과 종이 및 고형폐기물을 줄이고, 탈플라스틱 사회 전환 대책의 별도 마련이 요구되는 상황으로 나타났다. 현재 베트남은 폐기물 관리 및 자원재활용과 관련하여, 현재 다양한 법령과 정책이 시행중인 상황에서, 저탄소 녹색성장의 실천을 위해 2000년 초반부터 폐기물 관리 및 자원재활용 관련 법령과 정책을 적극적으로 실천하였다. 베트남의 경우 주요 국가의 폐기물을 수입하는 국가에서 이러한 폐기물의 관리 및 자원재활용을 통해 온실가스의 배출을 줄이고 이를 저탄소 기술과 접목시키려는 다양한 노력이 진행중이다. 이러한 상황에서 폐기물 관련 행정조직 강화, 2050 비전 수립, 고형폐기물 발생 감축과 재활용 정책, 외국인 투자 촉진에 있어서 우리나라와 베트남의 법제협력이 필요한 것으로 나타났다.

ISO 8685 compliant contractual ship-loading export facility: bauxite sampling plant process design and equipment selection for chemical sampling

The paper discusses the process design and mass balance for the minimum and maximum design case to illustrate the ISO 8685 compliance of a 2-year-running barge loading payment station sampling plant. The plant samples -100 mm, export quality, bauxite material from a barge-loading conveyor delivering 10 kton/h at 5.4 m/s. The green field operation does not know the Coefficient of Variation or the Size Range Factor as required inputs to calculate the Number of Primary Increments and Minimum Gross Sample Mass required. Therefore, informed assumptions were made given performance data of a neighboring sampling system that is in operation for over a decade. Without the available variation and size factor data the ISO-compliant scheme design could not commence. Where this data is not available for green field projects, it poses a risk that plant designs may not be compliant where variabilities could exceed assumptions on the input parameters. The system is designed for various barge carrying capacities with lot size in mass. Operational quality assurance however requires samples more frequently and therefore sublot periods are 4 hourly time based. ISO 8685 compliance is achieved with sample increments taken at maximum throughputs and barge sizes to determine the time-based interval. At reduced throughputs, the fixed time interval regime results in the minimum ISO requirements to be exceeded and tied in well with client overall quality incentives. Primary sample increments from a tailored cross belt sampler are crushed automatically in the sampling plant to 25 mm and then to 6mm using two stages of double roll crushers. The sample is then subdivided through secondary and tertiary sampling to produce a composite 4-hourly chemical sample. The 4-hourly sublot samples are collected in an ergonomic 4-way carousel with each composite sample representing 1-hour barge loading production— allowing the client quality assurance insights into their blending facility performance.

Cross belt sampler: mechanical design of the World’s largest hammer sampler for bauxite export contractual requirements

Automated, mechanical cross belt (hammer) samplers remain popular because they are easy to retrofit into brown fields applications or green fields projects when cross stream samplers are not always designed into the plant layout from initiation. Cross belt samplers require less headroom and are easy to retrofit onto existing conveyors. Despite disputes about possible delimitation and extraction errors resulting from hammer samplers, they are not excluded for use from ISO sampling standards (13909 - Coal and Coke and 8685 - Bauxite) but are excluded from others (3082 - Iron ore). Possible errors can be mitigated by applying “know-how” into the bespoke design of a hammer sampler for installation on a specific conveyor belt system. This paper discusses the design details of a primary stage hammer sampler for a Bauxite ship-loading sampling plant. The design requirements of 10 000 metric ton per hour ship loading rate, 100mm particle top size, 1800mm wide conveyor travelling at 5.4m/s, results in a hammer sampler that takes up to a 260kg increment with each cut. The application requires more torque and at faster responses than that delivered by 10 Bugatti Chiron’s combined and is (to my knowledge) the largest of its kind requiring a unique high-torque-at-low-rotational-speed drive system where conventional geared motors could not achieve the necessary output performance. Even though the sampler is the primary stage to a complete operational sampling plant, the emphasis is on the power requirement calculations, the mechanical design, components, materials and features of this unit that makes it not only mechanically operational but also intended at high sampling precision levels prescribed by the Theory of Sampling (TOS). Despite a small statistical bias detected for the sampling system (not the hammer sampler only), the sampling plant performed within the maximum tolerable bias specified for the commercial trade application and is fit for purpose.

Sandwich-Structured Hybrid of NiCo Nanoparticles-Embedded Carbon Nanotubes Grafted on C3N4 Nanosheets for Efficient Photodehydrogenative Coupling Reactions.

Exploring cheap and efficient hybrid catalysts offers exciting opportunities for enhancing the performance of photocatalysts in the green organic synthesis field. Herein, a facile and effective approach is designed for the synthesis of a sandwich-structured hybrid in which NiCo bimetallic nanoparticles are embedded in the tip of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) grafted on both sides of a nitrogen deficient C3N4 (Nv-C3N4) nanosheet for photodehydrogenative coupling reactions. Such a brand-new type of sandwich-structured hybrid comprises Nv-C3N4 nanosheets and surrounding N-CNTs embedded with NiCo nanoparticles at their tips. Remarkably, the resultant hybrid exhibits integrated functionalities, abundant active sites, enhanced visible light absorption, and excellent interfacial charge transfer ability. As a result, the optimized NiCo@N-CNTs@Nv-C3N4 photocatalyst shows significantly improved photodehydrogenative coupling performance of amines to imines compared to the control single-metal-based catalysts (Ni@N-CNTs@Nv-C3N4 and Co@N-CNTs@Nv-C3N4). The mechanistic investigation through experimental and computational study demonstrates that, compared with single-metal-based hybrids, the NiCo bimetallic hybrid exhibits stronger amine adsorption and weaker photogenerated hydrogen atom adsorption, thus promoting the dehydrogenative activation of primary amines and fast generation of imines. This work presents a promising insight for designing and preparing efficient photocatalysts to trigger organic synthesis in high yields.

Internationalization of emerging economies: Empirical investigation of cross-border mergers & acquisitions and greenfield investment by Chinese firms

This study incorporates the eclectic paradigm and institutional theory to examine the key determinants of Chinese firms’ cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and greenfield (GF) investment in advanced economies (AEs) and developing economies (DEs) during the period 2003–2016. It uses a negative binomial regression model. In terms of M&As, our findings are consistent with the growing theoretical literature on emerging market multinational enterprises (EM MNEs). However, Chinese firms’ GF investments in AEs and DEs show results that are inconsistent with predictions, which means that research on GF investment requires more scrutiny and in-depth analysis. Although both economic and institutional factors affect Chinese firms’ location strategies, institutions tend to play a more dynamic role in shaping the location decisions for Chinese GF investments, implying that institutional context has a greater moderating effect on the link between investment motives and GF activity. In a nutshell, one should be cautious in generalizing Chinese cross-border M&A deals to GF investments or other entry modes.

A Systematic Survey on Energy-Efficient Techniques in Sustainable Cloud Computing

Global warming is one of the most compelling environmental threats today, as the rise in energy consumption and CO2 emission caused a dreadful impact on our environment. The data centers, computing devices, network equipment, etc., consume vast amounts of energy that the thermal power plants mainly generate. Primarily fossil fuels like coal and oils are used for energy generation in these power plants that induce various environmental problems such as global warming ozone layer depletion, which can even become the cause of premature deaths of living beings. The recent research trend has shifted towards optimizing energy consumption and green fields since the world recognized the importance of these concepts. This paper aims to conduct a complete systematic mapping analysis on the impact of high energy consumption in cloud data centers and its effect on the environment. To answer the research questions identified in this paper, one hundred nineteen primary studies published until February 2022 were considered and further categorized. Some new developments in green cloud computing and the taxonomy of various energy efficiency techniques used in data centers have also been discussed. It includes techniques like VM Virtualization and Consolidation, Power-aware, Bio-inspired methods, Thermal-management techniques, and an effort to evaluate the cloud data center’s role in reducing energy consumption and CO2 footprints. Most of the researchers proposed software level techniques as with these techniques, massive infrastructures are not required as compared with hardware techniques, and it is less prone to failure and faults. Also, we disclose some dominant problems and provide suggestions for future enhancements in green computing.

On the Impact of Enterprise Green Innovation Investment on Stock Return Taking the Steel Industry as an Example

This paper selects the data publicly disclosed by 16 listed companies in the steel industry in China's stock market from 2015 to 2021, adds the green innovation investment factor to the traditional Fama-French three factor model, and constructs a Fama-French four factor model to conduct empirical test and regression analysis on the listed steel enterprises. Through the analysis results of the explanatory power of the four factor model to the company's stock return, this paper studies the impact of the company's green innovation investment on the company's stock return, and finds that there is an obvious positive correlation between the listed company's green innovation investment and the stock return. The research results will guide the inflow of capital into the green field, help traditional enterprises to increase investment in green innovation, transform to green industry, and promote the realization of the "double carbon" goal and industrial transformation and upgrading.

A moment to savour

Nestled in a countryside location on the fringes of Beckenham in southeast London, UK, sits the Bethlem Royal Hospital. The world's oldest psychiatric hospital at nearly 800 years old, it moved to this location in 1930. The hospital provides specialist mental health care for people from across the UK, both residential and outpatient. You'd be forgiven for forgetting this is part of London—its 200 acres of green fields are dotted with trees and lovingly manicured flower beds. The building housing the Bethlem Gallery and Bethlem Museum of the Mind form the heart of the site.