University Of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Research Articles

The Long Road to Community Microgrids: Adapting to the Necessary Changes for Renewable Energy Implementation

Microgrids offer tremendous opportunities in isolated areas or developing countries that are unable to establish a traditional power infrastructure. However, microgrids face vast challenges in places where the dominant model is based on a centralized, hierarchical infrastructure with policies and institutions developed to support such infrastructure. Renewable energy researchers at the University of Puerto Rico?Mayaguez (UPRM) have traveled a long road advocating distributed energy resources (DERs) and community microgrids.

Nanotechnology-Based Detection of Explosives and Biological Agents Simulants

Nanotechnology based detection of threat agents, such as explosives and biological agents, has been a top research priority at the Center for Chemical Sensors Development at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (UPRM). Nanoparticles are of fundamental interest since they possess unique size-dependent properties are quite different from the bulk state. When a bulk metal is reduced in size, its properties begin to change dramatically because the constituent electrons begin to suffer the effects of quantum confinement. One of these important properties deals with the extraordinary enhancement of the intensities of Raman scattering events in chemical systems called surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Until very recently, only aromatic moieties containing strong chromophores or highly delocalized pi electrons would experience such an enhancement, when in close proximity to a silver or gold nanometallic assembly. In other cases, this SERS condition was not sufficient to satisfy the enhanced Raman scattering requirements because of Coulombic repulsions do not allow an intimate contact with the colloidal suspension of nanoparticles. Recent work in the research group includes optimization of particle size, agglomeration rate and ionic strength of the SERS active aqueous colloidal metallic suspensions. Results have led to extend existing benchmarks limits of detection of 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">-7</sup> M to 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">-8</sup> M (10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">-15</sup> g) in DNT and to 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">-12</sup> M (10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">-19</sup> g) in the case of TNT. Other works include preparation and testing of bimetallic nano-interalloys: Au/Ag and metallic-semiconductor SERS active colloidal substrates: Ag/TiO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> . Group members have prepared silver and gold nanorods and nanolayers in an effort to change the sensing platform: from aqueous media to solventless detection.

Education and Outreach Program on Materials at the University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

AbstractThe University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez and University of Wisconsin-Madison Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (UPRM-UW PREM) aims to create richer educational and research opportunities for Hispanic students in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and increase their representation in the Materials Science community. The educational and outreach (E&amp;O) components for the UPRM-UW PREM include interventions for high school students and teachers, and undergraduate and graduate students at UPRM. The present report focuses on activities conducted with high school and university students during the third year of the program (2006-07). Results of surveys with student participants indicate that their participation contributes positively to their learning and development in laboratory, research and professional skills, as well as increases student interest in pursuing graduate studies in MSE.

The power of undergraduate research

Over the years, the power engineering program at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (UPRM) has prepared engineers to deal successfully with industry challenges. An important strategy in a power engineering curriculum renovation has been to give a more prominent role to undergraduate research. A new Energy Systems Instrumentation Laboratory (ESIL) has been established at UPRM to support the integration of undergraduate research within the power curriculum. ESIL is both a physical space and a teaching philosophy. It occupies two laboratory spaces at the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department, and it is also an environment where students are active participants in the learning process. Undergraduate research projects at ESIL provide an opportunity for students to study in detail theoretical concepts presented in class, improve their understanding of engineering principles and applications, and explore the frontiers of knowledge in power engineering. The ESIL also fosters the integration of teaching and research and the development of new teaching methods for the improvement of undergraduate education. This is done by adapting the results from projects to courses in the form of demonstrations and laboratory practices. Research projects also provide measurable outcomes of student work that can be used to comply with new ABET accreditation criteria.

Solar Powered Module for Portable Computers

A laptop by its virtue is a mobile apparatus, therefore, a power outlet may not necessarily be available to charge its batteries. Typical laptops have a range of up to 2.5 hr. of battery life under normal operation and some have as little as 1.5 hr. For the computer user on the move, it is important to have enough power available for more extended periods of time. Today’s technology provides a large number of other mobile appliances, instruments, and tools that will also greatly benefit from extended power. Existing solar panels operate under direct sunlight conditions and are deployed only when the equipment is in use or stationary. The solar-powered module developed at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, has the advantage that it recharges the laptop in transit even when it is not in operation. By charging the battery when it is stored allows the battery to be recharged during a larger period of time thereby increasing the amount of energy stored. Different types of solar cells were tested under “real world” lighting situations in order to assess their potential for the intended application. The solar array was optimized for use under a larger range of illumination conditions such that it may operate when direct sunlight is not available. The ergonomic design is integrated into the laptop’s carrying case, but it may also be detached and/or repositioned if desired. The solar panel is based on the latest technology of triple junction spectrum-splitting amorphous silicon solar cells. The equipment allows the use of a laptop or other portable equipment in situations when power is not available, providing a needed service in remote locations to professionals in the field and provides a backup power source in the event of an emergency or lack of adequate infrastructure. This paper describes the design process in the selection of the solar cell technology used in the module.

A New Species of the Eleutherodactylus myersi (Anura: Leptodactylidae) Assembly from Ecuador

A New Species of the Eleutherodactylus myersi (Anura: Leptodactylidae) Assembly from Ecuador