Mean‐risk optimization of electricity portfolios

We present a mathematical model with stochastic input data for mean‐risk optimization of electricity portfolios containing several physical components and energy derivative products. The model is designed for the optimization horizon of one year in hourly discretization. The aim consists in maximizing the mean book value of the portfolio at the end of the optimization horizon and, at the same time, in minimizing the risk of the portfolio decisions. The risk is measured by the conditional value‐at‐risk and by some multiperiod extension of CVaR, respectively.We present numerical results for a large‐scale realistic problem adapted to a municipal power utility and study the effects of varying weighting of risk. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Allylic C-H activations using Cu(II) 2-quinoxalinol salen and tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Using a Cu(II) 2-quinoxalinol salen complex as the catalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant, allylic activations of olefin substrates can be converted to the corresponding enones or 1,4-enediones. Excellent yields can be achieved (up to 99%) within a very short reaction time and with great tolerance for additional functional groups. Possible mechanistic pathways have been characterized using Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and theoretical calculations.     

Propargylic CH activation using a Cu(II) 2-quinoxalinol salen catalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide

The oxidation of alkynes to α,β-acetylenic carbonyls was achieved using only 1?mol% of a Cu(II) 2-quinoxalinol salen catalyst with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. These reactions proceed under mild conditions (70?°C) with excellent selectivity, producing yields up to 78%, and were used on a variety of alkyne substrates to produce the desired corresponding α,β-acetylenic ketones. In addition, these reactions can be run under aqueous conditions using a sulfonated version of the 2-quinoxalinol salen with good yields, reducing the need for volatile organic solvents.     

Digital holographic imaging of aerosol particles in flight

This work describes the design and application of an apparatus to image aerosol particles using digital holography in a flow-through, contact-free manner. Particles in an aerosol stream are illuminated by a triggered, pulsed laser and the pattern produced by the interference of this light with that scattered by the particles is recorded by a digital camera. The recorded pattern constitutes a digital hologram from which an image of the particles is computationally reconstructed using a fast Fourier transform. This imaging is validated using a cluster of ragweed pollen particles. Examples involving mineral-dust aerosols demonstrate the technique's in situ imaging capability for complex-shaped particles over a size range of roughly 15-500 μm micrometers. The focusing-like character of the reconstruction process is demonstrated using a NaCl aerosol particle and is compared to a similar particle imaged with a conventional microscope.     

Charge‐induced electromagnetic resonances in nanoparticles

Electromagnetic theories have reproduced the scattering properties of differently shaped particles and successfully been used to characterize numerous systems. However, certain anomalous features remain unexplained that include enhanced extinction when particles are much smaller than the wavelength. Here we explain these features exploiting recent research in electromagnetic scattering theories that suggests incorporating the effect of particle charge results in new physical outcomes that deviate appreciably from what is predicted by electromagnetic interaction from uncharged systems. For electrically charged particles, the resonant excitation of surface modes is governed by excess charges deposited on the particle surface. Charge effects become large when particles are small compared to the incident wavelength, and we show that the electrostatic approximation is not valid for modelling the electromagnetic interaction from such particles. Charge‐induced resonances appear in such systems that can reproduce previously unexplained phenomena, for instance, amplified microwave attenuation observed in sandstorms.

     

Synthesis and Characterization of Copper(II), Zinc(II), and Potassium Complexes of a Highly Fluorinated Bis(pyrazolyl)borate Ligand

Highly fluorinated, dihydridobis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolyl)borate ligand, [H(2)B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(2)](-) has been synthesized and characterized as its potassium salt. The copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes, [H(2)B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(2)](2)Cu and [H(2)B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(2)](2)Zn, have been prepared by metathesis of [H(2)B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(2)]K with Cu(OTf)(2) and Zn(OTf)(2), respectively. All the new metal adducts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction. The potassium salt is polymeric and shows several K.F interactions. The Cu center of [H(2)B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(2)](2)Cu adopts a square planar geometry, whereas the Zn atom in [H(2)B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(2)](2)Zn displays a tetrahedral coordination. Bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligands in the Zn adduct show a significantly distorted boat conformation. The nature and extent of this distortion is similar to that observed for the methylated analog, [H(2)B(3,5-(CH(3))(2)Pz)(2)](2)Zn. This ligand allows a comparison of electronic effects of bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligands with similar steric properties. Crystallographic data for [H(2)B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(2)]K: triclinic, space group P&onemacr;, with a = 8.385(1) ?, b = 10.097(2) ?, c = 10.317(1) ?, alpha = 104.193(9) degrees, beta = 104.366(6) degrees, gamma = 91.733(9) degrees, V = 816.5(3) ?(3), and Z = 2. [H(2)B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(2)](2)Cu is monoclinic, space group C2/c with a = 25.632(3) ?, b = 9.197(1) ?, c = 17.342(2) ?, beta = 129.292(5) degrees, V = 3164.0(6) ?(3), and Z = 4. [H(2)B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(2)](2)Zn is triclinic, space group P&onemacr;, with a = 9.104(1) ?, b = 9.278(1) ?, c = 18.700(2) ?, alpha = 83.560(6) degrees, beta = 88.200(10) degrees, gamma = 78.637(9) degrees, V = 1538.8(3) ?(3), and Z = 2. [H(2)B(3,5-(CH(3))(2)Pz)(2)](2)Zn is monoclinic, space group C2/c with a = 8.445(1) ?, b = 14.514(2) ?, c = 19.983(3) ?, beta = 90.831(8) degrees, V = 2449.1(6) ?(3), and Z = 4.     

Analytic description of enhanced backscattering and negative polarization from a cloud of dipoles

We develop a second-order model of the light scattered by a cloud of randomly positioned dipoles and consider the interference of reciprocal rays that lead to enhanced backscatter and negative polarization. For large pathlength separations, we derive analytic expressions for the individual polarization intensities.     

Discrete-dipole analysis of backscatter features of agglomerated debris particles comparable in size with wavelength

We study the backscattered light of agglomerated debris particles using the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) in order to isolate specific physical components that contribute to negative polarization and the brightness opposition surge. We examine a few specific particle systems that display a prominent brightness surge and significant negative polarization over a range of near backscatter angles. In all cases, removal of the far-field interaction components results in the disappearance of the brightness surge and negative polarization branch; whereas, these phenomena remained if the near-field or radial components of the interaction fields are removed. This suggests that the mechanisms for these phenomena are embedded within the far-field interaction component.