Michal Kulak, Michal Lipian and Karol Zawadzki
This paper aims to discuss the results of the performance study of wind turbine blades equipped with winglets. An investigation focusses on small wind turbines (SWTs), where the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to discuss the results of the performance study of wind turbine blades equipped with winglets. An investigation focusses on small wind turbines (SWTs), where the winglets are recalled as one of the most promising concepts in terms of turbine efficiency increase.
Design/methodology/approach
To investigate a contribution of winglets to SWT aerodynamic efficiency, a wind tunnel experiment was performed at Lodz University of Technology. In parallel, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations campaign was conducted with the ANSYS CFX software to investigate appearing flow structures in greater detail.
Findings
The research indicates the potential behind the application of winglets in low Reynolds flow conditions, while the CFD study enables the identification of crucial regions influencing the flow structure in the most significant degree.
Research limitations/implications
As the global effect on a whole rotor is a result of a small-scale geometrical feature, it is important to localise unveiled phenomena and the mechanisms behind their generation.
Practical implications
Even the slightest efficiency improvement in a distributed generation installation can promote such a solution amongst energy prosumers and increase their independence from limited natural resources.
Originality/value
The winglet-equipped blades of SWTs provide an opportunity to increase the device performance with relatively low cost and ease of implementation.
Details
Keywords
Industrial progress is in large measure a function of the scientific understandings inherent in a given body of technology. It is, of course, true that technology can be developed…
Abstract
Industrial progress is in large measure a function of the scientific understandings inherent in a given body of technology. It is, of course, true that technology can be developed empirically and much of it has been. It is also true, however, that technology based on scientific understandings is in practically every instance more effective. If only empiricism is involved there inevitably comes a time when technological progress ceases. It is for this reason that scientific studies in the coatings industry must be continually encouraged.
Karol Malecha, Marek Dawgul and Dorota G Pijanowska
The purpose of this paper is to focus on development and electrical characterization of miniature ion-selective electrode (ISE) for application in micro total analysis system or…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on development and electrical characterization of miniature ion-selective electrode (ISE) for application in micro total analysis system or lab-on-chip devices. The presented ISE is made using low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC). It shows possibility of integration chemically sensitive layers with structures fabricated using modern microelectronic technology.
Design/methodology/approach
The presented ISEs were fabricated using LTCC microelectronic technology. The possibility of ISE fabrication on multilayer ceramic substrate made of two different LTCC material systems (CeramTec GC, Du Pont 951) with deposited thick-film silver pad is studied. Different configurations of LTCC/silver pad (surface, embedded) are taken into account. Electrical performance of all LTCC-based structures with integrated ISE was examined experimentally.
Findings
The preliminary measurements made for ammonium ions have shown good repeatability and linear response with slope of about 30-35 mV/dec. Moreover, no significant impact of the LTCC material system and silver pad configuration on fabricated ISEs’ electrical properties was noticed.
Research limitations/implications
The presented research is a preliminary work. The authors focused on ISE fabrication on LTCC substrates without any microfluidic structures. Therefore, further research work will be needed to evolve ion-selective membrane deposition inside microfluidic structures made in LTCC substrates.
Practical implications
Development of the LTCC-based ISE makes the fabrication of detection units for integrated microfluidic systems possible. These devices can find practical applications in analytical diagnosis and continuous monitoring of various biochemical parameters.
Originality/value
This paper shows design, fabrication and performance of the novel ISE fabrication using LTCC technology.