US – Page 223 – TechConnect Briefs

Johnson Space Center’s Solar and Wind-based Renewable Energy System

Vasquez A., Ewert M., Rowlands J., Post K., NASA Johnson Space Center, US

This paper will present performance data and comparisons from a 32 kW solar and wind based renewable enery system installed at the NASA Johnson Space Center. The system provides a web-based performance and weather data [...]

Parallel Integrated Solar Cell Circuits for Split Solar Spectrum Light Source

Li Y., Shi F., Texas A&M University, US

Among the various solar energy application technologies, the photovoltaic technology is, in particular, the most desirable technology for large-scale applications due to the fact that the solar energy in optical form is directly transformed into [...]

Hydroelectric Technologies and Geographical Prospects in Louisiana

Langlois R., Leevongwat I., Rastgoufard P., University of New Orleans, US

As the world grows we struggle to meet our energy demands while trying to limit the greenhouse gas emissions. We must be responsible in exploring the most rational options for meeting the energy needs. Hydroelectric [...]

Design and Analysis of a Small-Scale Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine

Abraha J.P., Mowry G., Erickson R., University of St. Thomas, US

A novel, vertical-axis wind turbine has been designed and analyzed for use in crowded urban and rooftop environments. The features of the turbine include a contoured blade which maximizes the rotational velocity while minimizing drag. [...]

Diamond-Hardfaced TiC/Ti Composite for Submersible Pump Bearings in Geothermal Systems

Voronov O.A., Kear B.H., Diamond Materials Inc., US

Renewable energy sources include electrical generators driven by steam from geothermal sources. Typically, the bearings of submersible pumps used in geothermal systems are hardfaced with WC/Co and WC/CoCr composites. To enhance bearing performance, we have [...]

Geothermal Power from Dry Wells

Michaelides E.E., Davis A., University of Texas at San Antonio, US

A numerical simulation for the determination of geothermal power production from abandoned oil wells by injecting and retrieving a secondary fluid was performed. The analysis takes into consideration local geothermal gradients and typical well depths [...]

Fiber Resin Composite Bearings in Wave Energy Converter

Kim M.R., Ankeny A.E., GGB Bearing Technology, US

The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter is an electric power generation system that uses a revolutionary power conversion unit to convert ocean wave energy to electricity. It harnesses the undulating motion of ocean waves by translating [...]

An SOA Aware MOSFET Model for Highly Integrated, Analog Mixed-Signal Design Environments

Hall J., Luo Z., Xiao Y., Young A., Connerney D., Fairchild Semiconductor, US

Circuit simulations involving power devices often require additional checks comparing with generic low power applications. The burden lies with the individual designers to ensure that the power transistors are operating well within the Safe Operating [...]

SPICE BSIM3 Model Parameters Extraction and Optimization for Low Temperature Application

Abebe H., Tyree V., Cockerham N.S., USC/ISI MOSIS, US

The SPICE BSIM3v3.1 model parameters extraction and optimization strategy that we present here is applicable for a half micron technology and circuits operating at temperature ranging from -191 to 125 0C. The room temperature extraction [...]

Compact Model of Low – Frequency Noise in Nanoscale Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors

Miller D.A., Jacob M.E., Forbes L., Oregon State University, US

At nanoscale device dimensions low frequency noise is dominated by one or more oxide traps capturing and emitting charge and generating large swings in the drain current or what is known as Random Telegraph Signal [...]