الصفحة 1
الصفحة 1
Modeling Solar Radiation at the Earth’s Surface : Recent Advances
Solar radiation data is important for a wide range of applications, e.g. in engineering, agriculture, health sector, and in many fields of the natural sciences. A few examples showing the diversity of applications may include: architecture and building design e.g. air conditioning and cooling systems; solar heating system design and use; solar power generation; weather and climate prediction models; evaporation and irrigation; calculation of water requirements for crops; monitoring plant growth and disease control; skin cancer research.
Dilute III-V Nitride Semiconductors and Material Systems : Physics and Technology
A major current challenge for semiconductor devices is to develop materials for the next generation of optical communication systems and solar power conversion applications. Recently, extensive research has revealed that an introduction of only a few percentages of nitrogen into III-V semiconductor lattice leads to a dramatic reduction of the band gap. This discovery has opened the possibility of using these material systems for applications ranging from lasers to solar cells. Physics and Technology of Dilute III-V Nitride Semiconductors & Novel Dilute Nitride Material Systems reviews the current status of research and development in dilute III-V nitrides, with 24 chapters from prominent research groups covering recent progress in growth techniques, experimental characterization of band structure, defects carrier transport, transport properties, dynamic behavior of N atoms, device applications, modeling of device design, novel optoelectronic integrated circuits, and novel nitrogen containing III-V materials.
Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems : Benefits and Risks
With shortages of fossil energy, especially oil and natural gas, and heavy biomass energy use occurring in both developed and developing countries, a major focus has developed worldwide on renewable energy systems. Renewable energy systems include wind power, biomass, photovoltaics, hydropower, solar thermal, thermal ponds, and biogas. Currently, a heavy focus is on biofuels made from crops, such as corn, sugarcane, and soybeans, for use as renewable energy sources. Wood and crop residues also are being used as fuel. Though it may seem beneficial to use renewable plant materials for biofuel, the use of crop residues and other biomass for biofuels raises many concerns about major environmental problems, including food shortages and serious destruction of vital soil resources.
