1.1 Background Thanks to the breakthroughs in microfabrication technologies, numerous concepts of microsystems including micro aerial vehicles, microbots, and nanosatellites have been proposed. Contrary to ordinary electronic devices, these microsystems perform mechanical work and require the extended operation. As their functions are getting complex and advanced, their energy consumption is al...

An experimental study is performed to investigate the fuel impingement on cylinder walls and piston top inside a directinjection spark-ignition engine with optical access to the cylinder. Three different fuels, namely, E85, E50 and gasoline are used in this work. E85 represents a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline by volume. Experiments are performed at different load condition...

Broomcorn seed (Sorghum vulgare) was used as raw material for bioethanol production. Optimum conditions were obtained from response surface method. Broomcorn seed flour (45 g/l) was treated by alkaline treatment and dual enzymatic hydrolysis (0.7 g/l of α- amylase and 0.42 g/l of amyloglucosidase). The hydrolyzed total sugar of 25.5 g/L was used in conventional bioethanol production (8.1 g/l) u...

To produce an anion-conductive and durable polymer electrolyte for alkaline fuel cell applications, a series of quaternized poly(2,6-dimethyl phenylene oxide)s containing long alkyl side chains pendant to the nitrogen-centered cation were synthesized using a Menshutkin reaction to form comb-shaped structures. The pendant alkyl chains were responsible for the development of highly conductive ion...

Rational design of selective CO2-to-fuels electrocatalysts requires direct knowledge of the electrode surface structure during turnover. Metallic Cu is the most versatile CO2-to-fuels catalyst, capable of generating a wide array of value-added products, including methane, ethylene, and ethanol. All of these products are postulated to form via a common surface-bound CO intermediate. Therefore, t...