Eindhoven University of Technology

About: Eindhoven University of Technology is a education organization based out in Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Computer science. The organization has 22309 authors who have published 52936 publications receiving 1584164 citations. The organization is also known as: Technische Hogeschool Eindhoven & TU/e.

Olivine as tar removal catalyst for biomass gasifiers: Catalyst characterization

Abstract: In the present paper olivine is considered as a prospective in-bed tar removal catalyst for fluidized bed biomass gasifiers. The catalytic activity of olivine is investigated via steam reforming reaction of naphthalene as a model biomass tar compound. It is observed that the calcination of olivine improves the performance of the catalyst. Calcination of olivine is done with air at 900 °C for different treatment times. With increasing calcination time, tar conversion increases; more than 80% naphthalene conversion is observed with 10 h of calcination time for olivine, which is found to be an optimum as further increase in time up to 20 h does not improve the naphthalene conversion. The primary focus of this paper is to characterize the olivine catalysts under investigation (specific composition (Mg1.78, Fe0.13) SiO4) with different calcination times. Techniques such as BET-surface area analysis, XPS, Mossbauer spectroscopy, TPR, SEM/EDX analysis are used to understand the basic phenomena of calcination of olivine. Olivine is observed to be non porous. SEM/EDX show iron rich areas at the surface of olivine after calcination. Severe segregation of iron is observed at the surface due to calcination, which is found to be non-uniform. Mossbauer spectroscopy reveals the appearance of iron(III) phase in the olivine after calcination. Besides the catalytic activity towards tar reduction, olivine is also observed to be highly attrition resistant to be used as an in-bed additive for fluid bed and moving bed biomass gasifiers.

Introduction to the special issue on the theory and practice of embodied interaction in HCI and interaction design

Abstract: Theories of embodiment focus on how practical engagement and the structure of the body shape perception, experience, and cognition. They typically reject a view of human cognition as grounded in abstract information processing. The concept of embodied interaction is increasingly used in the design, analysis, and evaluation of interactions with and around technology. However, many questions remain as to exactly what embodied interaction means and whether it can be considered a coherent program of research. The aim of this special issue is to critically explore different perspectives on embodied interaction in HCI and interaction design research and practice and to focus on what theoretical traction they can provide.

Controlling a Class of Nonlinear Systems on Rectangles

Abstract: In this paper, we focus on a particular class of nonlinear affine control systems of the form xdot=f(x)+Bu, where the drift f is a multi-affine vector field (i.e., affine in each state component), the control distribution B is constant, and the control u is constrained to a convex set. For such a system, we first derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a multiaffine feedback control law keeping the system in a rectangular invariant. We then derive sufficient conditions for driving all initial states in a rectangle through a desired facet in finite time. If the control constraints are polyhedral, we show that all these conditions translate to checking the feasibility of systems of linear inequalities to be satisfied by the control at the vertices of the state rectangle. This work is motivated by the need to construct discrete abstractions for continuous and hybrid systems, in which analysis and control tasks specified in terms of reachability of sets of states can be reduced to searches on finite graphs. We show the application of our results to the problem of controlling the angular velocity of an aircraft with gas jet actuators

Salinity Gradients for Sustainable Energy: Primer, Progress, and Prospects

Abstract: Combining two solutions of different composition releases the Gibbs free energy of mixing. By using engineered processes to control the mixing, chemical energy stored in salinity gradients can be harnessed for useful work. In this critical review, we present an overview of the current progress in salinity gradient power generation, discuss the prospects and challenges of the foremost technologies - pressure retarded osmosis (PRO), reverse electrodialysis (RED), and capacitive mixing (CapMix) and provide perspectives on the outlook of salinity gradient power generation. Momentous strides have been made in technical development of salinity gradient technologies and field demonstrations with natural and anthropogenic salinity gradients (for example, seawater-river water and desalination brine-wastewater, respectively), but fouling persists to be a pivotal operational challenge that can significantly ebb away cost-competitiveness. Natural hypersaline sources (e.g., hypersaline lakes and salt domes) can achieve greater concentration difference and, thus, offer opportunities to overcome some of the limitations inherent to seawater-river water. Technological advances needed to fully exploit the larger salinity gradients are identified. While seawater desalination brine is a seemingly attractive high salinity anthropogenic stream that is otherwise wasted, actual feasibility hinges on the appropriate pairing with a suitable low salinity stream. Engineered solutions are foulant-free and can be thermally regenerative for application in low-temperature heat utilization. Alternatively, PRO, RED, and CapMix can be coupled with their analog separation process (reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, and capacitive deionization, respectively) in salinity gradient flow batteries for energy storage in chemical potential of the engineered solutions. Rigorous techno-economic assessments can more clearly identify the prospects of low-grade heat conversion and large-scale energy storage. While research attention is squarely focused on efficiency and power improvements, efforts to mitigate fouling and lower membrane and electrode cost will be equally important to reduce levelized cost of salinity gradient energy production and, thus, boost PRO, RED, and CapMix power generation to be competitive with other renewable technologies. Cognizance of the recent key developments and technical progress on the different technological fronts can help steer the strategic advancement of salinity gradient as a sustainable energy source.