Biochar: the Solution to the Next Green Revolution
1. Purpose of research \r To investigate the feasibility of using municipal cellulosic wastes as feedstock for production of biochar in pyrolysis, the effects of metal catalysts in pyrolysis, and the applicability of the produced biochar as a fertilizer\r 2. Procedures \r A. Investigation into the characteristics of (metal catalyzed) pyrolysis of various cellulosic wastes \r 1. The cellulosic waste (and catalyst) was weighed and put into a boiling tube. The tube was stopped with a plastic bung with holes. A plastic tube and a thermocouple were inserted through the holes. The other end of the plastic tube was submerged. \r 2. A Bunsen flame was used to pyrolyse cellulosic waste. Temperature and time of reaction were recorded. Gas produced was collected underwater. Biochar and bio-oil were obtained and weighed. \r B. Evaluation of adsorptive capabilities of different materials \r 1. Blue light absorbances of KH2PO4 solutions (mixed with vanadate-molybdate reagent to form yellow solutions) at different concentrations were found and an absorbance-concentration curve was established. \r 2. 5g of each material being evaluated was sandwiched between two pieces of filter paper before being put into a suction funnel. KH2PO4 solution was poured into the funnels. The setups were left overnight and filtrates were collected. \r 3. Collected filtrates were mixed with vanadate-molybdate reagent. Concentration of phosphates in each filtrate was found by the curve.\r 3. Data \r I. Highest percentage conversion from waste to biochar: 94.1% (paper towel, iron wool) \r II. Highest sequestration rate of carbon: 98.6% (paper towel, zinc) \r III. Lowest pyrolysis temperature: 162°C (paper towel, copper) \r IV. Best catalyst in terms of speed of biochar production: copper (+47.7%) \r V. Highest speeds of biochar production (w/ and w/o catalyst): 46.4g/hr (paper towel, copper) and 27.7g/hr (sawdust) \r VI. Adsorptions of KH2PO4: 14.4% (biochar from sawdust)/ 9.02% (sawdust)\r 4. Conclusions \r The pyrolysis of cellulosic waste to biochar was achievable at school laboratory conditions, with satisfactory results in carbon sequestration, production speed and percentage conversion. \r Under catalysis by various metals, the production of either biochar or pyrolytic gas and oil can be optimized, providing a low-cost way to derive fuel and sequestration-ready carbon, both crucial as answers to looming crises. The use of copper greatly speeds up pyrolysis and lowers the pyrolysis temperature, further increasing the economic potential of the process. \r Biochar is also an effective means to soil management, as shown in field and laboratory experiments. Its adsorption capability far exceeds that of untreated cellulosic waste, retaining nutrients to be taken by plants instead of leaching away. It was also shown to improve fruit yield and induce ripeness in tomato, making it obvious that biochar is also a viable fertilizer. \r All in all, metal-catalyzed biochar production from municipal cellulosic waste and the subsequent use of biochar as fertilizer have the benefits of: low feedstock cost, low energy cost, fast production, carbon sequestration, soil management and waste recycling. It is a remedy to some of the most persistent and serious global problems: food and energy crisis, water pollution, excessive greenhouse effect alongside waste treatment.
The Use of Simulated Annealing in Predicting Solar Flare Activity
A program based on the simulated annealing (SA) algorithm was developed to allow for a longer-term prediction of the occurrence of solar flares, thus reducing the risks they may pose to astronauts, satellites, and ultimately the planet Earth. Sunspot data such as the solar cycle, the appearance of sunspots, the sun's magnetic field, the occurrence of solar flares and other factors that concern the sun were considered in the development of the algorithm. The program, coded in C++, included providing for an initial random state that pertained to the sun's state at a specified time. A neighborhood function was designed based on how sunspots are formed and how they disappear, and the probability function was designed using previous solar cycles to show relationships between the number of sunspots and the time it takes for the sun to reach solar maxima. Finally, the cooling function was designed as a representation of the time. Recorded sunspot counts obtained from the US National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) during the solar cycle 22 from 1986 to 1996 was used as test data. The output was compared to the actual recorded solar events or the period. The program was found to be 66.7% accurate in predicting solar flares when compared on a smoothed trendline, while it exhibited a 50.5% accuracy when comparing day-to-day data. Since solar flare acitivty is predicted in terms of the trend of activity and intensity, improving daily data accuracy is superfluous. Smoothed trendline prediction accuracy may however be improved by altering the importance of each factor in predicting solar flare activity and by devising a different sunspot classification scheme for intensity and activity.
Equtatetor-新一代智慧型數學處理器
此研究的目的是要設計出一套完整編輯顯現數學式、加以計算，並求出解的一套方法與成品。而這項工作的執行者，在此稱之Equatetor 。一般的數學式子，若要計算的話，普通的計算機是不足夠的。原因是它們沒有辦法表現出數學式的「原貌」，例如分號、指數、函數、根號等數學符號混在一起時的情況。於是，我便擬定了一個研究，希望設計出一套更方便且實用的方法。換句話說，我要設計出一個功能強大的工程計算機程式。其中，自然牽扯到數學式子的顯現方式（以MathML 實現），以及計算機科學的演算法及資料結構。我主要的目的有四：(1) 顯示數學式(2) 方便編輯數學式(3) 計算數學式(4) 處理可以以不同形式輸出解答的計算（如輸出分數、根號、函數解等）。研究結果中，成功地運用XML 中的MathML 與二分逼近分數等演算法及若干資料結構，達到了以下實用的幾點：(1) 結構化的數學式編輯(2) 完整地顯示數學式(3) 正確運算並輸出運算式的答案(4) 提供一般數學形式之解（非小數之解）;The object of this study is to design a method and processor which is able to edit, display a mathematical expression representing a number, calculate and output the answer. The executor of this task is called Equatetor. Normal calculators are not adequate for this kind of task. The main reason is that they can’t reveal the original expression, such as fractions, radicals, exponents or mathematic functions. Therefore, a simple and convenient method is needed. To perform the possible way of handling those tasks, a computer program has been written. Several techniques were used, such as MathML, computing algorithms, data structures, and so on. Following are main purposes: (1) Displaying mathematical expressions. (2) Editing mathematical expressions simply. (3) Calculating mathematical expressions. (4) Outputting the answers(in different expressions). And the achievements:(1) Structured methods of editing of mathematical expressions. (2) Displaying mathematical expressions completely. (3) Calculating mathematical expressions precisely. (4) Offering answers in different expressions.
Quantitative Analysis of Organism Growth Using Fractal Dimension Statistics
Cultures of bacteria were analyzed using fractal geometry and statistics to provide a method for predicting organism growth, paving the way for a better design of treatment drugs. Images of three cultures of isolated Bacillus subtilis were taken at time intervals of two to three hours for eight days. The images were processed using the IDOLON program and quantitatively described using three statistical formulas: fractal dimension D, Renyi dimension and Hausdorff-Besicovitch dimension. The three variables were integrated to compute the maximum of the distribution and were used as coordinates for a 3-dimensional graph f. A 2-dimensional graph g containing the maximum of a distribution under time analysis was also constructed. Topological properties of the graphs, including slope, direction and area were used to determine the interrelationship of the three fractal values. The two graphs, described as φ - : X -? P1 where X is the smooth algebraic assimilation of the four variables under time analysis, was extended using Java. A computer-aided prediction model of the graphs f and g were made which combined the topology of f and g at infinity. The computed fractal values showed the existence of a fractal pattern in the growth of Bacillus subtilis with fractal dimension ranging from 0.900 to 4.000, indicating a linear iteration. This was supported by the values of the Renyi dimension, which showed a horizontal growth pattern of the bacterial cultures, establishing the growth of the bacteria to be inclined to go towards the North East direction. There was consistency in the computed fractal values, maximum of distribution and topographical computations of all three cultures which also indicated the existence of a pattern of growth which could be extended to tinfinity, thereby allowing prediction of the direction and rate of growth of the bacterial colonies. The fractal patterns in the growth of bacteria, in this case Bacillus subtilis, yielded the direction and rate of growth of the bacteria as shown by the analysis of the fractal patterns and statistical values, showing that the growth of harmful organisms can therefore be predicted, making it possible to improve on the design of drugs for the control of perilous cells. By preventing the growth of insidious cells, the potential effects of virulent organisms may be avoided, and treatment may be made more possible.
線鋁之情-以陽極氧化鋁模板製作氧化亞銅奈米線
我們使用陽極氧化鋁(AAO)模板來製備銅及其氧化物的奈米線。以硫酸銅和乳酸配製電鍍液，利用氫氧化鈉水溶液(NaOH)將其pH 值調整到12，供以不同電壓，可電鍍出銅及氧化亞銅奈米線。在較高電壓下可製備出銅奈米線，而在較低電壓下可製成氧化亞銅奈米線，若使用中間電壓則能製得銅及氧化亞銅的混合態。利用x 光繞射分析儀(XRD)來分析其結晶構造、使用場發射掃描式電子顯微鏡(SEM)以得知其表面形貌。電鍍出的奈米線直徑約60 nm。奈米線的長度可藉由調整電鍍時間或電壓來控制。在製作IC 內部導線方面，銅奈米線深具開發潛能；在提升太陽能電池的轉換效率、製作可見光光觸媒方面，氧化亞銅奈米線極具前瞻性。We electrodeposited copper and cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanowires with anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. Both Cu and Cu2O nanowires could be prepared with an alkaline cupric lactate solution, which was adjusted to pH 12 using a 6 M NaOH, when supplied with different electrolytic voltages. Cu nanowires could be prepared when a higher voltage was supplied, and Cu2O nanowires could be prepared with a lower voltage. A mixture of Cu and Cu2O nanowires could be prepared with a supply of a voltage in between. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is used to determine the phase composition, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is employed to characterize the morphology of the nanowires. The length of nanowires can be controlled by adjusting the time spent on electrodeposition and the voltage supplied. The resultant diameter of the nanowires was about 60 nm. Cu nanowires are promising materials for making the conductive wires in IC, and Cu2O nanowires hold great promise for improving the conversion efficiency of solar cells and manufacturing visible-light photocatalyst.