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ENEA PAES: A Web Platform for Supporting Italian Municipalities in Sustainable Energy Action Plan
Get PDFThe Covenant of Mayors promotes the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), aiming to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the European Union’s 2030 and 2050 targets. The Covenant signatories could take enormous advantage from a digital platform that allows SEAP drafting also to no technically skilled users, like majority of them are. The Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) has developed the PAES platform in order to provide digital support to public administrations (PA) adhering to the Covenant of Mayors. The platform exploits open data and it is fed by energetic data aggregated on a municipal level. The platform offers appropriate functionalities for baseline CO2 emissions inventory (BEI) filling out and a best practice (BP) simulation tool. The latter allows to contextualize each BP and to estimate its effects in terms of the main GHG emission. The BP showing the best estimation results can then be converted into concrete adaptation actions. So, this digital system facilitates local Italian municipalities in the strategic planning and monitoring of adaptation actions taken over time
The IFMIF-DONES remote handling control system: Experimental setup for OPC UA integration
Get PDFThe devices used to carry out Remote Handling (RH) manipulation tasks in radiation environments address requirements that are significantly different from common robotic and industrial systems due to the lack of repetitive operations and incompletely specified control actions. This imposes the need of control with human-in-the-loop operations. These RH systems are used on facilities such PRIDE, CERN, ESS, ITER or IFMIF-DONES, the reference used for this work. For the RH system is crucial to provide high availability, robustness against radiation, haptic devices for teleoperation and dexterous operation, and smooth coordination and integration with the centralized control room. To achieve this purpose is necessary to find the best approach towards a standard control framework capable of providing a standard set of functionalities, tools, interfaces, communications, and data formats to the different types of mechatronic devices that are usually considered for Remote Handling tasks. This previous phase of homogenization is not considered in most facilities, which leads towards a costly integration process during the commissioning phase of the facility. In this paper, an approach to the IFMIF-DONES RH Control framework with strong standard support based on protocols such as OPC UA has been described and validated through an experimental setup. This test bench includes a set of physical devices (PLC, conveyor belt and computers) and a set of OPC UA compatible software tools, configured and operable from any node of the University of Granada network. This proof-of-concept mockup provides flexibility to modify the dimension and complexity of the setup by using new virtual or physical devices connected to a unique backbone. Besides, it will be used to test different aspects such as control schemes, failure injection, network modeling, predictive maintenance studies, operator training on simulated/real scenarios, usability or ergonomics of the user interfaces before the deployment. In this contribution, the results are described and illustrated using a conveyor belt set-up, a small but representative reference used to validate the RH control concepts here proposed
Application of the RestArt System for Stone Statue Reassembly Validated by Shaking table Testing
No full textAn innovative mechatronic-based procedure for high-precision reassembly of stone fragments was applied to restore the ancient roman statue of Diana Cacciatrice (Diana the Huntress), whose fragments were stored at the repository of the Pio Capponi Museum in Terracina, Italy. The RestArt system comprises a high-accuracy 3D laser scanning of two fragments positioned on a special machine specifically designed for handling and accurately move large fragments. Then a software-simulated best-fitting of the two homologous fractured faces of each fragment provides the needed roto-translation matrix, which drives the machine control system to move one fragment to match the other one. Also, the RestArt machine integrates a numeric-controlled moving drilling device for high-precision boring of the fractured surfaces at the designated points for optimal coaxial rods insertion. This permits a very effective fixing of the fragments and allows multi-point fixing, which is practically impossible with conventional methods. The efficacy of the RestArt reassembly method was experimented through shaking table tests on 80-cm-height stone columns specimens. Some specimens were restored by the traditional method, taken as benchmark. All specimens were subjected to strong vibration tests reproducing extreme earthquakes and truck transport on pot-holed road. The RestArt system resulted less time-consuming and capable of providing a reassembly much more resistant to vibration excitation than the traditional method. After such good experimental results, the RestArt system was applied to reunite the head, the legs and the right arm to the main torso fragment of the Diana statue
Contribution of Geosciences to Cultural Heritage Conservation Assessment: The Case Study of the Loggiato dei Cappuccini in Comacchio (Italy)
Get PDFGeoscience disciplines play a pivotal role in the assessment of the conservation state of Cultural Heritage to orient the subsequent restoration interventions. In this report, we exemplify the potential of petrographic and thermographic analyses for the evaluation of the conservation state of a unique symbol of the architectural heritage in the challenging lagoon environment of Comacchio city (Ferrara Province, northeastern Italy). This study focuses on the Loggiato dei Cappuccini, starting from the historical analysis of the maintenance and restorations that this simple and pleasant monument has undergone over time. The degradation morphologies and the related triggering causes, characterized by macroscopic observations, were contextualized based on the recent restoration interventions. The current state of conservation has been evaluated quali-quantitatively, combining optical petrographic analyses of the main construction materials with thermographic analyses of the structures. The results of this study highlight the detrimental effects of previous restoration interventions on the long-term conservation state of the monument, emphasizing the need for a general environmental evaluation preliminarily to any conservative action. In particular, geoscience can contribute to a knowledge-based choice of materials that minimize the risk for alveolization and detachments
FBG-Based Mattress for Heart Rate Monitoring in Different Breathing Conditions
Get PDFIn recent years, extensive investigations have been geared toward finding unobtrusive solutions for monitoring cardiorespiratory activity as an alternative to traditional clinical methods. Among others, the ones based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors reveal remarkable promise for monitoring respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR). The present study investigates the performance of a mattress based on a 13-FBG array for HR continuous estimation. First, a metrological characterization was performed to assess system characteristics under frequencies simulating typical HR values [i.e., 60, 90, and 120 beats per minute (bpm)]. Then, the proposed device was tested on eight healthy volunteers (both males and females) in the presence of different breathing stages (i.e., quiet breathing and tachypnea) while mimicking common sleeping postures (i.e., supine, left side, and prone). The assessment of HR measurements under different breathing regimes and postures has rarely been addressed in FBG-based technologies. The achieved results suggest that the proposed mattress has promising capability in reliably estimating HR values. These results together with the ones obtained in terms of RR monitoring in a recent study reveal the high potential for monitoring cardiorespiratory activity
Multi-group analysis of Minor Actinides transmutation in a Fusion Hybrid Reactor
Get PDFNew nuclear technologies are currently being study to face High Level Waste treatment and disposal issues. Generally, GEN-IV fission Fast Reactors (FR) are considered the waste-burners of the future. In fact, a fast flux turns out to be the best choice for actinides irradiation in critical reactors because of favorable cross section conditions. Differently, Fusion Fission Hybrid Reactors (FFHR) are futuristic devices based on the combination of fusion and fission systems and could represent an alternative to FRs. In such systems, the choice spectrum of the neutron flux that irradiates HLW may be non-obvious due to some operational constraints which have to be considered. To design and optimize these systems as waste-burners, one should fully understand the transmutation dynamics occurring into the fission region. A multi-energy-group analysis by FISPACT-II code has been set to analyze the conversion processes in scenarios characterized by different neutron energy spectra and fluences. The results of this study show that, despite fast fluxes are characterized by better behaviors in terms of radiotoxicity treatment, the difficulties of reaching high reaction yields may require solutions involving moderators or broadened neutron fluxes to increase the reactions probabilities and, consequently, actinides mass conversion yield
Design of a Prototypical Mock-Up for the Experimental Investigation of WCLL First-Wall Performances
Get PDFA large research effort is currently ongoing within the framework of the EUROfusion consortium for the study and design of a water-cooled lithium–lead (WCLL) breeding blanket (BB). This concept will be tested in ITER through the installation of a test blanket module (TBM) and it is one of the two candidates adopted as driver BBs in DEMO. In this framework, at the ENEA research centre of Brasimone, the realization of the experimental platform, W-HYDRA, is envisaged. The platform is dedicated to the support of the development of WCLL BB and ITER TBM and the investigation of the DEMO balance of plants. One of the most important experimental infrastructures is the water-loop facility, the aim of which is to provide water at a high pressure and temperature (PWR conditions), with a sufficient mass-flow rate and power for the experimental testing of BB and TBM components. The facility will be equipped with a vacuum chamber and an electron beam gun for the reproduction of high surface heat flux on plasma-facing components. In the present work, the design of a prototypical mock-up (MU) of the WCLL BB first wall is described. The MU is used to investigate the thermal, hydraulic and structural behavior of the current first-wall design under relevant heat loads at the expected operational conditions. The delineation of the main experimental test’s features and the instrumentation needed is assessed in the paper. A preliminary CFD calculation on the prototypical MU and the computational results are also presented
Semi-quantitative methodology to assess health and safety risks arising from exposure to electromagnetic fields up to 300 GHz in workplaces according to Italian regulations
No full textThis article is focused on a semi-quantitative methodology to assess and manage the health and safety risks arising from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) up to 300 GHz in workplaces as well as to identify the priorities of intervention, based on the requirements of European Directive 2013/35/EU and Italian regulations. The study includes a synthetic overview of the effects arising from EMF exposure and the related regulatory framework on protection. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis is carried out on the risk assessment process as well as on the technical and organizational measures for risk mitigation and their adaptation to the specific requirements of workers at particular risk, based on technical standards and best practice guides issued by international and national (Italian) standardization bodies
Inflammation, Mitochondria and Natural Compounds Together in the Circle of Trust
Get PDFHuman diseases are characterized by the perpetuation of an inflammatory condition in which the levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are quite high. Excessive ROS production leads to DNA damage, protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation, conditions that lead to a worsening of inflammatory disorders. In particular, compromised mitochondria sustain a stressful condition in the cell, such that mitochondrial dysfunctions become pathogenic, causing human disorders related to inflammatory reactions. Indeed, the triggered inflammation loses its beneficial properties and turns harmful if dysregulation and dysfunctions are not addressed. Thus, reducing oxidative stress with ROS scavenger compounds has proven to be a successful approach to reducing inflammation. Among these, natural compounds, in particular, polyphenols, alkaloids and coenzyme Q10, thanks to their antioxidant properties, are capable of inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and the expression of target genes, including those involved in inflammation. Even more, clinical trials, and in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of phytosomes, which are capable of increasing the bioavailability and effectiveness of natural compounds, and have long been considered an effective non-pharmacological therapy. Therefore, in this review, we wanted to highlight the relationship between inflammation, altered mitochondrial oxidative activity in pathological conditions, and the beneficial effects of phytosomes. To this end, a PubMed literature search was conducted with a focus on various in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials from 2014 to 2022
Effect of residual impurities on the behavior and laser-induced damage of oxide coatings exposed to deep space radiation
No full textAtomic layer deposition (ALD) is an emerging coating deposition technique filled with potential that is expected to deposit coatings with high laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT). As lasers play an important role in space exploration which are gradually moving to higher orbits and longer lifetimes, a higher demand for space laser coatings has been raising. At the current state of the art, the reliability of ALD-deposited laser coatings for space applications is unclear. This work presents investigations on the stability of three ALD-deposited oxide coatings under space proton and UV radiation at values typical for space environment. Changes in the coatings containing low and high amounts of impurities under space radiation were analyzed through optical parse and composition analysis respectively. Both SiO2 and Al2O3 coatings with few impurities generated color centers after irradiation, which resulted in increased absorption loss and reduced transmittance and optical band gap, and increased probability of damage under laser irradiation. However, the changes in the ZrO2 coating were surprising, when the ZrO2 coating with a large amount of impurities was exposed to radiation, the impurity atoms bound to Zr were displaced first, and the released Zr combined with the oxygen vacancies in the coating, which reduced the number of defects, reduced the absorption loss of the coating, and led to a higher transmittance and an increased optical band-gap. This work provided a novel insight on the impact of the impurities on the stability of the ALD-manufactured oxide coatings against laser-induced damage in effect with space proton and UV radiation. Additionally, we show that high initial LIDT in ALD-prepared oxides may be compromised by the space radiation, while fine tuning of the impurities may result a mitigation approach leading to enhanced laser coatings for space applications