A mixed-method optimisation and simulation framework for supporting logistical decisions during offshore wind farm installations

With a typical investment in excess of £100 million for each project, the installation phase of offshore wind farms (OWFs) is an area where substantial cost-reductions can be achieved; however, to-date there have been relatively few studies exploring this. In this paper, we develop a mixed-method framework which exploits the complementary strengths of two decision-support methods: discrete-event simulation and robust optimisation. The simulation component allows developers to estimate the impact of user-defined asset selections on the likely cost and duration of the full or partial completion of the installation process. The optimisation component provides developers with an installation schedule that is robust to changes in operation durations due to weather uncertainties. The combined framework provides a decision-support tool which enhances the individual capability of both models by feedback channels between the two, and provides a mechanism to address current OWF installation projects. The combined framework, verified and validated by external experts, was applied to an installation case study to illustrate the application of the combined approach. An installation schedule was identified which accounted for seasonal uncertainties and optimised the ordering of activities.     

Corrole and Porphyrin Amino Acid Conjugates: Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties

A series of conjugates of amino acids with porphyrins and corroles was synthesized. Their self‐assembling ability under defined conditions was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The morphology and photophysical properties of these molecules were studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in solid, liquid, and self‐assembled forms. We observed that both corrole and porphyrin conjugated with the l ‐phenylalanine–l ‐phenylalanine peptide to form spherical nanostructures with bathochromic shifts in the emission spectra, indicating the formation of aggregates. These aggregates are characterized by the impressive absorption of light over nearly the whole visible range. The broadening of all bands was particularly strong in the case of corroles. The fluorescence lifetimes of self‐assembled species were longer as compared to the solid‐state form.     

Indirect chemiluminescence-based detection of mefenamic acid in pharmaceutical formulations by flow injection analysis and effect of gold nanocatalysts

A highly sensitive flow injection-chemiluminescence detection (FI-CL) method based on periodate oxidation of two popular luminescent compounds for the determination of mefenamic acid (MFA) is presented. The method is an indirect CL detection method based on the CL emission generated during the oxidation of Pyrogallol (Pg) or Luminol (Lu) with the excess of periodate that remains after oxidation of MFA within the time period of 15 min. The MFA calibration curves obtained with either luminescent compounds were linear over a wide concentration range, depending on the system employed, offering detection limits in the range of low to ultra-low μg L⁻¹ levels. Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) were also assessed as means for enhancing the CL signal. Pg-periodate was not affected by the presence of gold nanocatalysts as opposed to Lu-periodate CL signal which exhibited a significant increase in the presence of citrate synthesized Au-NPs. The reproducibility of the method, expressed by the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.), was very satisfactory and always below 5% as evidenced by repeated measurements (n ≥ 10) of standard solutions at two concentration levels (2 and 20 μg L⁻¹).     

Highly regioselective ring opening of quinolinic[2,3]anhydrides under mild conditions

We report a study of the influence of Lewis acids upon the regioselectivity of ring opening of quinolinic[2,3]anhydrides to provide 2-(isopropoxycarbonyl)-nicotinic acids. In the presence of stoichiometric amounts of indium trifluoromethanesulfonate or lanthanum trifluoromethanesulfonate, the desired 2-position ester was generated with greater than 95:5 regioselectivity. This methodology was also applied to 6-methyl-[2,3]-quinoline to provide similar results.     

Concurrent recordings of bladder afferents from multiple nerves using a microfabricated PDMS microchannel electrode array

In this paper we present a compliant neural interface designed to record bladder afferent activity. We developed the implant's microfabrication process using multiple layers of silicone rubber and thin metal so that a gold microelectrode array is embedded within four parallel polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels (5 mm long, 100 μm wide, 100 μm deep). Electrode impedance at 1 kHz was optimized using a reactive ion etching (RIE) step, which increased the porosity of the electrode surface. The electrodes did not deteriorate after a 3 month immersion in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C. Due to the unique microscopic topography of the metal film on PDMS, the electrodes are extremely compliant and can withstand handling during implantation (twisting and bending) without electrical failure. The device was transplanted acutely to anaesthetized rats, and strands of the dorsal branch of roots L6 and S1 were surgically teased and inserted in three microchannels under saline immersion to allow for simultaneous in vivo recordings in an acute setting. We utilized a tripole electrode configuration to maintain background noise low and improve the signal to noise ratio. The device could distinguish two types of afferent nerve activity related to increasing bladder filling and contraction. To our knowledge, this is the first report of multichannel recordings of bladder afferent activity.     

Dendronized Fullerene–Porphyrin Conjugates in ortho,meta, and para Positions: A Charge‐Transfer Assay

The physicochemical characterization, that is, ground and excited state, of a new series of dendronized porphyrin/fullerene electron donor–acceptor conjugates in nonaqueous and aqueous environments is reported. In contrast to previous work, we detail the charge‐separation and charge‐recombination dynamics in zinc and copper metalloporphyrins as a function of first‐ and second‐generation dendrons as well as a function of ortho, meta, and para substitution. Both have an appreciable impact on the microenvironments of the redox‐active constituents, namely the porphyrins and the fullerenes. As a matter of fact, the resulting charge‐transfer dynamics were considerably impacted by the interplay between the associated forces that reach from dendron‐induced shielding to dipole–charge interactions.     

The evaluation of a pyroelectric detector with and without a sprayed multi-walled carbon nanotube coating

The radiometric properties of a pyroelectric detector based on a LiTaO₃ crystal were studied when the detector had a sprayed multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) coating and when the coating was removed. The spatial uniformity of response of the bare detector improved as the modulation frequency increased in the 4-70 Hz range whereas the spatial uniformity of response of the coated detector deteriorated as the modulation frequency increased over the same range. The uncoated detector was observed to have a “super-linear” response whereas the linearity of response of the coated detector was shown to be “sub-linear”. The origin and implications of this behaviour are discussed.     

Mapping protein-specific micro-environments in live cells by fluorescence lifetime imaging of a hybrid genetic-chemical molecular rotor tag

The micro-viscosity and molecular crowding experienced by specific proteins can regulate their dynamics and function within live cells. Taking advantage of the emerging TMP-tag technology, we present the design, synthesis and application of a hybrid genetic-chemical molecular rotor probe whose fluorescence lifetime can report protein-specific micro-environments in live cells.     

Easily characterized systems of C60 grafted on SiO2

Fullerenes grafted on silica with cleavable anchors give materials that can be easily characterized after thermal/chemical treatment or use as catalysts. Transesterification of an ester linkage leads to detachment of the fullerene moiety from the silica and permits study with standard spectroscopic methods. In particular, UV-vis spectroscopy was proved to be a valuable tool permitting structure analysis and quantitative determination at the same time.