Technical University of Berlin

About: Technical University of Berlin is a education organization based out in Berlin, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Laser & Catalysis. The organization has 27292 authors who have published 59342 publications receiving 1414623 citations. The organization is also known as: Technische Universität Berlin & TU Berlin.

Error Estimates for the Numerical Approximation of a Semilinear Elliptic Control Problem

Abstract: We study the numerical approximation of distributed nonlinear optimal control problems governed by semilinear elliptic partial differential equations with pointwise constraints on the control. Our main result are error estimates for optimal controls in the maximum norm. Characterization results are stated for optimal and discretized optimal control. Moreover, the uniform convergence of discretized controls to optimal controls is proven under natural assumptions.

Future Challenges in Heterogeneous Catalysis: Understanding Catalysts under Dynamic Reaction Conditions.

Abstract: In the future, (electro-)chemical catalysts will have to be more tolerant towards a varying supply of energy and raw materials. This is mainly due to the fluctuating nature of renewable energies. For example, power-to-chemical processes require a shift from steady-state operation towards operation under dynamic reaction conditions. This brings along a number of demands for the design of both catalysts and reactors, because it is well-known that the structure of catalysts is very dynamic. However, in-depth studies of catalysts and catalytic reactors under such transient conditions have only started recently. This requires studies and advances in the fields of 1) operando spectroscopy including time-resolved methods, 2) theory with predictive quality, 3) kinetic modelling, 4) design of catalysts by appropriate preparation concepts, and 5) novel/modular reactor designs. An intensive exchange between these scientific disciplines will enable a substantial gain of fundamental knowledge which is urgently required. This concept article highlights recent developments, challenges, and future directions for understanding catalysts under dynamic reaction conditions.

FA*IR: A Fair Top-k Ranking Algorithm

Abstract: In this work, we define and solve the Fair Top-k Ranking problem, in which we want to determine a subset of k candidates from a large pool of n » k candidates, maximizing utility (i.e., select the "best" candidates) subject to group fairness criteria. Our ranked group fairness definition extends group fairness using the standard notion of protected groups and is based on ensuring that the proportion of protected candidates in every prefix of the top-k ranking remains statistically above or indistinguishable from a given minimum. Utility is operationalized in two ways: (i) every candidate included in the top-k should be more qualified than every candidate not included; and (ii) for every pair of candidates in the top-k, the more qualified candidate should be ranked above. An efficient algorithm is presented for producing the Fair Top-k Ranking, and tested experimentally on existing datasets as well as new datasets released with this paper, showing that our approach yields small distortions with respect to rankings that maximize utility without considering fairness criteria. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first algorithm grounded in statistical tests that can mitigate biases in the representation of an under-represented group along a ranked list.

CO Formation/Selectivity for steam reforming of methanol with a commercial CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst

Abstract: A study of CO formation for steam reforming of methanol on a commercial CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst has been performed in the temperature range 230–300 °C and at atmospheric pressure. The reaction schemes considered in this work are the methanol–steam reforming (SR) reaction and the reverse water gas-shift (rWGS) reaction. Power rate laws for the SR and reverse WGS reactions were used in a refinement of rate equations to the experiment data. For the temperature range studied the reaction order of methanol was determined under differential conversion (less than 10%) and was found to be 0.2. The integral method (partial pressure of the reactants and products measured as a function of contact time) was then applied to determine the reaction rate constants, activation energies, and pre-exponential factors for both reactions. The experimental results of CO partial pressure as a function of contact time at different reaction temperatures show very clearly that CO was formed as a consecutive product. The implications of the reaction scheme, in particular with respect to the production of CO as a secondary product, are discussed in the framework of on-board production of H2 for fuel cell applications in automobiles. Potential chemical engineering solutions for minimizing CO production are outlined.

Noble metal-free hydrazine fuel cell catalysts: EPOC effect in competing chemical and electrochemical reaction pathways.

Abstract: We report the discovery of a highly active Ni−Co alloy electrocatalyst for the oxidation of hydrazine (N2H4) and provide evidence for competing electrochemical (faradaic) and chemical (nonfaradaic) reaction pathways. The electrochemical conversion of hydrazine on catalytic surfaces in fuel cells is of great scientific and technological interest, because it offers multiple redox states, complex reaction pathways, and significantly more favorable energy and power densities compared to hydrogen fuel. Structure−reactivity relations of a Ni60Co40 alloy electrocatalyst are presented with a 6-fold increase in catalytic N2H4 oxidation activity over today’s benchmark catalysts. We further study the mechanistic pathways of the catalytic N2H4 conversion as function of the applied electrode potential using differentially pumped electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS). At positive overpotentials, N2H4 is electrooxidized into nitrogen consuming hydroxide ions, which is the fuel cell-relevant faradaic reaction pathway....