Small Electrical Appliances Research Articles

A self-powered flexible tactile sensor utilizing chemical battery reactions to detect static and dynamic stimuli

Flexible and wearable tactile sensors have become increasingly important in various fields, including healthcare monitoring and human-computer interaction. However, traditional resistive or capacitive sensors require an external power supply to continuously consume energy, while piezoelectric and triboelectric sensors respond only to dynamic mechanical stimuli. The development of tactile sensors that do not require an external power source and are capable of monitoring dynamic/static mechanical stimuli could complement the shortcomings of existing sensing devices. In this paper, we propose a simple, convenient, and environmentally friendly paper-based sandwich solid Zn-MnO2 battery, which can be used as a self-powered flexible tactile sensor through simple structural design. As a battery, it exhibited an open circuit voltage of 1.29 V, the highest short circuit current density of 2.8 mA/cm2, and a capacity of 2.2 mAh/cm2 at a current density of 0.1 mA/cm2, which is sufficient to power small electrical appliances. As a self-powered pressure sensor, it exhibits an average sensitivity of 1.27 μA/kPa in the 0–25 kPa and 0.14 μA/kPa within the 25–500 kPa pressure range, a response time of 42 ms and a recovery time of 41 ms, a minimum pressure resolution of tens of Pascals, and long-period repeatability and stability. This work will significantly contribute to the further advancement of intelligent, self-powered tactile sensors for a wide range of applications in fields such as human healthcare and human-machine interfaces for detecting static and dynamic stimuli.

Dual response multi-function smart window: An integrated system of thermochromic hydrogel and thermoelectric power generation module for simultaneous temperature regulation and power generation

Thermochromic smart windows have the capability to intelligently adjust color and light transmission based on ambient temperature and light levels, attracting considerable attention due to their potential to enhance building energy efficiency and residential comfort. However, excessive sunlight exposure can lead to increased heat generation, potentially affecting the service life of the window. In this work, we present the development of an efficient intelligent solar thermal utilization window, incorporating heat collection, temperature regulation, and power generation functionalities. The smart window achieves light modulation by adjusting the glycerol content in the thermochromic hydrogel. In addition, the thermoelectric material is arranged in series and parallel to the smart window functioning as the power generation module. The developed smart window shows excellent sunlight modulation capability (91.2 % visible light transmittance and 99.2 % sunlight shielding rate). Meanwhile, the response temperature of the window can be adjusted from 34.5 °C to 29 °C. The thermoelectric hydrogel can generate continuous and stable current (∼75 µA) with a temperature difference of 40 ℃. The practical application proves that the generated power by the temperature difference can fully meet the switching needs of small electrical appliances. This transformation framework between photothermal-electricity conversion deserves attention in the design of future smart windows.

Professionalisation of home economists in Britain from the 1950s to the 1980s: mediating small domestic electrical appliances

ABSTRACT This article explores the role of home economists from the 1950s until the 1980s in relation to small domestic electrical appliances when home economists promoted these small electrical products and began to have a role in their development and evaluation. It is argued that education for home economists and their professional role developed during this period as they became mediators between producers and consumers. It captures the changing role of women in the electricity and appliance industry during the period up to the late 1980s, when the role of the home economist in these areas began to decline. Further and higher education syllabuses were developed and refined in response to the growth of employment opportunities, particularly for home economists in the electricity and appliance industry. This article therefore draws upon both a case study of the Polytechnic of North London home economics syllabuses and an oral history of Jenny Webb, a leading home economist in the electricity industry.

Ultra-high thermal conductivity FGN/PVA/MXene composite films with good electrical insulation

The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) -based composite films with the high thermal conductivity and excellent electrical insulation have attracted more and more attention due to their advantages such as light weight and easy processing. Herein, a series of three-component fluorographene nanosheets (FGN)/PVA/MXene(FPM) films were prepared by vacuum assisted filtration technology with the single layer FGN (1.5–2.5 μm) and PVA as main raw materials and a small amount of Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets (200–600 nm) as the third phase. The FPM films had ultra-high in-plane thermal conductivity of 122.5 W/(m·K) when the addition of Ti3C2Tx MXene was 0.8 wt% of the composite film. The reason is that the Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets replace the high thermal resistance PVA molecules and connect the adjacent FGN powders horizontally (via hydrogen bonding), thus greatly reducing phonon scattering at the gap. The FPM films achieve extremely high in-plane thermal conductivity while maintaining excellent insulation and can be used for heat dissipation of small electrical appliances (such as mobile phone CPU). Meanwhile, it provides a new idea for the preparation of composite films with the low cost and high thermal conductivity.

Fabrication of Co-Fe-Mn composites with a mixed-dimensional structure for applications in high-performance supercapacitors

Reasonably regulating the dimensionality and interface of an electrode material can effectively improve its surface chemical reactivity, charge transfer rate, and ion transport performance, which is crucial to solving several problems with supercapacitors, including low energy density and poor cycle stability. The multidimensional hybrid morphology of Co-Fe carbonate hydroxide (CH) coupled with Co-Mn layered double hydroxide (LDH) is generated directly on the nickel foam substrate by a two-stage process. The prepared multidimensional hybrid materials with pore morphology with the synergistic effect of 1D nanorods, 2D nanosheets, and 3D “porous coral” not only ensure sufficient contact between the electrolyte and electrode material but also enhance the charge transfer and ion diffusion of the electrolyte. The strong coupling effect of Co, Fe, and Mn metals between the heterojunction surface can produce various ionic valence states and high conductivities, resulting in increased redox activity, which thus improves the electrochemical performance. The results of the electrochemical performance test show that when the current density is 10 mA cm−2, the high area-specific capacitance of 7.33 F cm−2 is two times (3.85 F cm−2) that of a Co-Fe CH electrode and five times that of a Co CH electrode. The quasi-solid state asymmetric supercapacitor with a Co-Fe-Mn positive electrode and an active carbon negative electrode displays an energy density of 0.723 mWh cm−2 at a power density of 8.53 mW cm−2. After 5500 cycles, the apparatus exhibits 101.72 % of the initial capacitance, which can effectively drive small electrical appliances. The results indicate that the supercapacitor exhibits excellent cycle stability and application potential in energy storage.

Liquid-metal-microdroplets-incorporated ultrasoft dielectric gel toward stretchable and healable waste-energy-harvesting devices

In this work, an ultrasoft, healable, and portable device is designed, which is capable of harnessing lost energy from AC-powered gadgets. This soft device consisting of an ultrasoft dielectric silicone gel as a matrix and liquid metal alloy (EGaIn, eutectic gallium indium) microdroplet fillers can reduce the dielectric loss of the targeted system through the polarization of the liquid metal droplets, which allows the transfer of electricity to an attached electrode electrostatically. Although this concept has been previously introduced; the device developed in this work is remarkably capable of harnessing energy after multiple catastrophic failures owing to its healability enabled by the strong cohesive property of the gel matrix. In addition, the polymeric gel is initially too soft and moist for utilization; however, it becomes easier to handle after adding liquid metal fillers that increase its modulus of elasticity owing to the oxide layer of the liquid metal, resulting in creating portable and adhesive soft devices. The practical utility of this harnessed energy is ultimately demonstrated by powering small electrical appliances. Therefore, our research sheds light on the potential of liquid metal composites in harnessing free energy from dielectric loss of electronically powered gadgets, which can prove to be a powerful energy-harvesting system in the future.

Estimation Based on Adaptive Progressively Censored under Competing Risks Model with Engineering Applications

This paper has investigated the estimation problem for the competing risks model where the data are adaptive progressively type-II censored and follow the Rayleigh distribution. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods are used to estimate the unknown parameters. To generate the interval estimates of the model parameters, approximate confidence intervals and two bootstrap confidence intervals are also considered based on the classical setup. Bayes estimates are obtained using independent gamma priors based on various loss functions including squared error, LINEX, general entropy, weighted SE, and precautionary loss functions. Moreover, Bayes credible intervals and the highest posterior density intervals of the model parameters are obtained. A numerical investigation has been carried out to assess the performance of the classical and Bayes estimates as well as the associated confidence and credible intervals. Finally, one simulated and two real data sets, one for breaking strengths of wire connections and the other for times to failure of small electrical appliances, have been analyzed for illustrative purposes. The results showed that the Bayes estimates using the LINEX loss function provide more reasonable estimates than the classical and Bayes estimates using squared error, general entropy, and precautionary loss functions.

An Efficient Far-Field Wireless Power Transfer via Field Intensity Shaping Techniques

Radiative (or far-field) energy replenishment for devices such as smartphones, laptops, robots, and small electric appliances paves the way to autonomous and continuous devices functioning, thus bypassing the need of operation interruptions, human maintenance activities, and replenishment by wired transformers. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of using a properly engineered antenna array able to deliver radiative power to devices in need of energy replenishment during their normal and unsupervised activity, whose locations are unknown. Both the case of single and multiple devices needing energy replenishment are addressed. A quantitative proof-of-concept study is carried out to validate the proposed approach. A 3D scenario is simulated to study the case of devices in need of energy replenishment within a standard office environment. Different antenna array configurations are investigated and the corresponding performances benchmarked against a standard installation of recharging antennas. Results confirm the outstanding capability of the proposed approach in terms of confinement and maximization of power transfer. Finally, in this framework, we also propose an efficient communication protocol that is able to manage multiple recharge demand given different operational rules.

Electricity Generation from the Foot Beats of Dancers at Club Centres in Awka, Anambra State

The study designed and developed a system of generating electricity through the beats of human feet using piezoelectric materials. The system made use of mechanical deformation occasioned by the foot beats of dancers when stepped on a platform in which piezoelectric materials were installed at dance club centres to cause piezo films to generate electrical density that was stored in a rechargeable lead acid battery for future use. The study shows that human pressure due to human weight when applied in the system could be converted to electrical energy for later use. The study shows that it would require 1802 foot beats for a 50kg dancer to increase a unit voltage in a battery; foot beats for a 60 kg dancer; and 1194 foot beats for an 80kg dancer respectively. The system is suitable where there are high volumes of human traffic such as markets, worship centres, shopping malls, bus stations, and parks. It can also be used in powering small electrical appliances and electronic gadgets such as cell phones, radio stereo, television, fan, and street lights. Based on this, research into this kind of electricity generation should be expanded in large scale and sponsored by the government or corporate organisations. The system should be incorporated in the design and construction of building including new material development as a means of achieving sustainable construction and minimisation of conventional energy consumption in building use.

Effectiveness of deposit-refund systems for household waste in the Netherlands: Applying a partial equilibrium model

Deposit-refund schemes (DRS) are basically a combination of two instruments: a tax on the purchase of a certain product, and a subsidy on the separate collection of the same product in its after-use stage. They can be efficient policy instruments to encourage reuse and recycling. However, empirical studies on impact of DRS systems on recycling rates are hardly done. In this paper, we applied the Fullerton-Wu model, a partial equilibrium model, to simulate the impact of introducing mandatory DRS for small electric appliances and batteries in the Netherlands. For small electric appliances, a deposit-refund rate of €5 to €15 per appliance would lead to an increase in the recycling rate (recycled appliances as a percentage of total amount of appliances disposed of) from 60.7% to 64.7% and 76.4% respectively. For batteries, a DRS would increase the recycling rate from 86.9% to between 87.2 and 89.2% depending on the deposit tax level ranging from €5 to €20 per kg and the price elasticities assumed (low and high). Obviously, the performance of DRS in terms of additional recycling is stronger in cases where current recycling rates are relatively low. Moreover, the pre-existence of an infrastructure for separate collection would make small white goods an interesting candidate for this instrument.

Efficient Energy Management: Is Variable Frequency Drives the Solution

Over the last few years the cost of power electricity has increased significantly. Researchers and manufacturers of electrical goods have been trying to find ways to minimize the use of power electricity while maintaining the efficiency of electrical equipments. To provide efficient energy management for today's market, manufacturers are now turning to a technology known as variable frequency drives (VFDs). VFDs are being used for various equipments ranging from small electrical appliances to the largest of mine mill drives and compressors. Household air conditioning compressors, for example, are not short of running on VFD technology. This concept paper will discuss the alternative use of this energy.

The Design and Research of a New Kind Small Size Resonator Used in Magnetic Coupling Resonance Wireless Energy Transmission System

Magnetic coupling resonance wireless energy transmission is a new technology, which provides fast, convenient and safe energy supply for small size household electrical appliances, body implanted devices and so on. In this technology, it is necessary to design small size resonators for the above devices for energy transfer. Here, a new kind small size resonator, which is 1.35 cm3 in volume, is designed. This design is based on the coupled-mode theory (CMT), which is applied to explain the magnetic coupling resonance system's transmission rule. Extensive simulations have been conduced to validate the design. The Ansoft software is used in the simulation of the resonator's resonance frequency. The relationships between resonator parameters and resonance frequency are obtained. It is found that the simulations are consistent well with experimental results and the resonator can meet the requirements of small size electrical appliances.

Design and Performance of 20 Watts Portable Solar Generator

A new portable solar generator has been developed to generate electricity. It has the potential to replace petrol generator, widely used by peddlers at night markets (pasar malam). Conventional generators are heavy, oily, have high maintenance and use fossil fuel to generate electricity. The solar generator can generate 20 Watts of electricity. This amount of power can supply up to 96 hours of electricity for the purpose of lighting and running small electrical appliances. The power output is (alternating current) AC current using 150 Watts inverter with 200 Watts surge, suitable for all commercial single phase electric appliances. Solar charge controller is used to maximize the charging rate and to protect the battery. The system has low maintenance whereby the batteries need to be changed every three to four years, depending on the usage. The main concepts of portable solar generator are to reduce installation cost and to introduce a compact design of an optimal energy sizing system. The materials used to develop the solar generator can be easily obtained from local markets, thus reducing the cost of developing the system and making it suitable for commercialization.

レアメタルリサイクルを目的とした小型家電の回収方法に関する考察 名古屋市・津島市の事例を基に

レアメタルリサイクルを目的とした小型家電の回収方法に関する考察 名古屋市・津島市の事例を基に

Visualization of Two-Phase Flow in DMFC Anode Channel

The DMFC is one of the most promising candidates for the next-generation power source of small electric appliances because the use of liquid methanol fuel makes the cell easy to handle and also it does not require any auxiliary units such as a reformer and a humidifier. Some issues still remain to be solved, however, one of which is that CO2 bubbles generated by the chemical reactions in the anode cover the electrode surface, obstructing the reactions and causing fuel cell performance to deteriorate. In this study, two-phase flow with CO2 bubbles was visualized in the anode channel and upstream and downstream pressures were also measured with high-accuracy pressure sensors in order to investigate the bubble dynamics mechanism in the anode channel. The results show that a certain phase shift occurred between the periods of the cell output voltage fluctuation and the pressure fluctuation in the high current density region.

NACCO Industries Inc.

AbstractIndustrial Machinery and Equipment (MIC: SIC: 3537 NAIC: 333924)NACCO Industries is a holding company with three principal businesses. Co.'s NACCO Materials Handling Group designs, engineers, manufactures, sells, services and leases a line of lift trucks and replacement parts marketed worldwide under the Hyster® and Yale® brand names. Co.'s NACCO Housewares Group consists of Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., a designer, marketer and distributor of small electric household appliances, as well as commercial products for restaurants, bars and hotels; and The Kitchen Collection, Inc., a retailer of kitchenware and gourmet foods. Co.'s North American Coal Corporation subsidiary mines and markets lignite coal primarily as fuel for power generation.

“Surprise Gift” Purchases: Customer Insights from the Small Electrical Appliances Market

Surprise gifts offer more business opportunities than gifts suggested by recipients, because a larger part of the selection and purchase processes can be molded, and such gifts are especially valued by recipients. Yet the extant gift-giving literature explicitly takes into account neither the giver's intention to surprise nor the consequences for the gift selection and purchase processes. The present study investigates surprise gifts from the giver's point of view and disentangles the selection and purchase processes of surprise gifts and gifts that are not meant as surprises. The hypotheses emerge as a consequence of the enhanced pleasure and experiential motivation underlying surprise gifts, as well as their greater inherent perceived risk. According to panel data, design and money-back guarantees are more important for the purchase of surprise gifts (compared with non-surprise gifts), whereas good deals appear less important, and brand name does not seem to matter any more than it does for gifts not intended as a surprise. Also, surprise gifts more often are bought on the spot than non-surprise gifts, without extended information search (similar to impulse purchases), by women alone, and for someone within the household. Finally, the giver usually has a poorer idea of what he or she wants to buy before entering the shop and visits fewer stores to purchase surprise gifts. However, the last three results apply only to appliances which often serve as gifts. These insights lead to significant managerial implications for retailers and manufacturers.

NACCO Industries Inc.

AbstractIndustrial Machinery and Equipment (MIC: SIC: 3537 NAIC: 333924)NACCO Industries is a holding company with three principal businesses. Co.'s NACCO Materials Handling Group designs, engineers, manufactures, sells, services and leases a line of lift trucks and replacement parts marketed worldwide under the Hyster® and Yale® brand names. Co.'s NACCO Housewares Group consists of Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., a designer, marketer and distributor of small electric household appliances, as well as commercial products for restaurants, bars and hotels; and The Kitchen Collection, Inc., a retailer of kitchenware and gourmet foods. Co.'s North American Coal Corporation subsidiary mines and markets lignite coal primarily as fuel for power generation.

Developing a Tentative Model of Disposal Decisions

Concern over problems of resource depletion, environmental damage, and the ever­ increasing costs of disposing of solid wastes has led to a search for new approaches to managing these wastes. One way of reducing the rate at which the wastes are first generated might be to extend the lifetimes of durable products. To assist policy­ makers in understanding how the lifetimes are determined, an exploratory study has examined factors influencing consumers' decisions to dispose of certain small electrical appliances. Selected findings of a household survey are presented here, focusing on 1) the frequency distribution of disposal choices and the reasons given for disposal, and 2) variables associated with particular disposal options. A tentative model of the process leading from consumer purchase to consumer disposal is proposed.

NACCO Industries Inc.

AbstractIndustrial Machinery and Equipment (MIC: 11.5 SIC: 3537 NAIC: 333924)NACCO Industries is a holding company with three principal businesses. Co.'s NACCO Materials Handling Group designs, engineers, manufactures, sells, services and leases a line of lift trucks and replacement parts marketed worldwide under the Hyster™ and Yale™ brand names. Co.'s NACCO Housewares Group consists of Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., a designer, marketer and distributor of small electric household appliances, as well as commercial products for restaurants, bars and hotels; and The Kitchen Collection, Inc., a retailer of kitchenware and gourmet foods. Co.'s North American Coal Corporation subsidiary mines and markets lignite coal primarily as fuel for power generation.