The Property Block: A Legend in the UK Housing Industry

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In recent times, there has been a lot of news of encroachment of green areas to build homes, a lack of affordable homes in the UK, etc. All of this points to a crisis in the UK Housing Industry.

However, there are a few who have revolutionized the industry. One of them, the Property Block, leads the way for others to ensure ecologically responsible architecture. It can be said without a doubt that their valiant efforts and path-breaking work has been quite successful in resolving the UK housing crisis.

HOW IS PROPERTY BLOCK LEADING THE WAY AND REVOLUTIONIZING THE UK HOUSING INDUSTRY?

For a long time, the home building industry was experiencing a slowdown. With fewer spaces available, the rates of blocks of flats went skyrocketing. Added to this was the problem of excessive cutting down of the ecological resources to build homes.

However, the Property Block decided to resolve this crisis by turning to technology. Using the latest technology, they find suitable spaces by way of satellite maps. They then embark on transforming these spaces into manufactured housing communities for many at affordable rates.

GREEN ARCHITECTURE AND AFFORDABLE MANUFACTURED HOUSING COMMUNITIES

The best part about Property Block is its commitment to green architecture. They do not believe in exploiting our already diminishing resources. Instead, they look for spaces, properties that possess at least some potential for development. After securing permission, they change the industry one affordable house at a time that too, without any damage to the greenery in the area.

FUTURE PROBLEMS AND HOW PROPERTY BLOCK PLANS TO TACKLE THEM

This predicament was worsened because of the pandemic. These tough times demanded fast adaptation by the home building industry, and Property Block decided to do exactly that. Their effective mapping of the need for affordable homes and fulfilling that need for countless people during these tough times is commendable.

With shortfalls in manufactured housing communities from housing councils and associations, they focus on those in dire need. Their target driven approach has helped numerous families at these crucial times.

UNIQUE WAY OF WORK DONE THROUGH A SCIENTIFIC LENS

Furthermore, their work process is unique and delivers what it promises. Unlike other property development companies in the home building industry, Property Block uses the latest satellite mapping technology. They do not wander from place to place in search of properties mindlessly. Given that there is little to no space free space available to build manufactured housing communities, this mindless drive around the UK only takes more time and resources.

Furthermore, they compensate for this lack of space to build manufactured housing communities by exploiting the ecology and building on the green land. The damage in the long term will be irreversible and will have ramifications for all.

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Source by Nigunim Stark

3D Laser Scanning Services Offer Technological and Cost Saving Benefits

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3D laser scanning services are often spoken about as being the new frontier in the surveying and engineering industry, particularly where detail, as-built and engineering surveys are necessary. Comprised of hardware and software elements, the technology of 3D laser scanning benefits both the surveyor and the client by providing both timely surveys and spatial data sets that can be reoriented for numerous purposes. But for companies and organizations that have never employed laser scanning and are currently considering what type of surveying will best accomplish their goals; it helps to elucidate the basic technology and applications associated with three-dimensional laser scanning.

Also referred to as “real scene copying technology”, laser scanning can be used as a scanning application in environments and spaces of varying complexity. When applied, laser scanning can collect the three-dimensional data of any object or scene, regardless of its size, complexity or relative irregularity. The data is recorded to a computer that then expresses the data three-dimensionally and cartographically in terms of line, space, body and surface. In addition, the data can be post-processed for purposes of mapping, inspection, emulation, VR, display and measurement, among others.

The ultimate value of 3D laser surveying technology is that it provides a means for quickly recording spatial data and then allows the data to be reoriented to serve a variety of purposes. In most cases, companies and organizations view the data through different orientations to examine the harmony of a proposed building or object with neighboring buildings, or to observe the design aspect of a building or object from a variety of design perspectives.

Although three-dimensional laser scanning is commonly spoken about in relation to the engineering and construction industries, its application far exceeds these areas and is beneficial to a wide variety of industries and endeavors, including archaeology, aviation, military concerns, medicine, natural conservation, film, scientific research and shipping. The primary value of 3d laser surveying to these and other pursuits is its ability to record the data of a “real scene”, which makes it ideal for analyzing objects and scenes that traditional methods of surveying would define as “irregular” in relation to the data expression limitations of older surveying methods.

Although three-dimensional high definition surveying is a futuristic technology, it actually costs less to apply than would older methods of surveying, making it an effective cost saving measure for companies that have a defined surveying budget. The main cost benefit of laser scanning stems from the fact that it provides clients with a user interface whereby they can reorient spatial data without requiring the continued assistance of the surveyor. In older methods of surveying, the surveyor is typically retained long term in order to provide new survey drafts as a surveying project grows in complexity and specificity.

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Source by Jimmy Drago

DIY Wire Shelving: A Do It Yourself Space Saving Solution

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Closets can come in various sizes, but what they all have in common is that they’re never quite big enough. We always seem to fill them to the brim; move into a large new home, and in a few years you are at capacity in regards to space. In such cases a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) space saving solution is ideal.

When rearranging the existing items on your shelf is not enough, it may be time to build a new space saving solution. As with most DIY projects, materials should be low cost, easy to install, and effective in their end-purpose. Wire shelving is a great DIY space saving solution, ideal for compact areas. The material is popular because of its price point and multifunctionality.

No matter your shelving project scope and size, wire shelving can help you get it done. Extensive projects like 3-walled walk-in-closets to in home garage storage can easily be set up using this material. Smaller projects like petite pantries or wire racks for your kitchen items can be done in half the time.

No Tools Required

No tools are required when you set up wire shelving. What distinguished this DIY project from others on the market is the fact that no tools are required for assembly. Everything you need comes in the box. Setup is simple as the poles screw together, the levelers or casters screw in, and the shelves are held by tapered locks. You’d be hard-pressed to find an easier storage solution!

Benefits of Wire Shelving

Sturdy design lets you load up your storage space with items. The sparsity of the grooves provide easy item access, good ventilation, and quick reach to your favorite products. Even when the shelving unit is loaded to capacity, the wire shelving lets in a lot of light. This is ideal for tight areas and workspaces like kitchens in restaurants.

You can always customize your wire shelving unit with wire shelf liners, which are placed on the bottom of wire shelving racks, allowing items to not fall through. Dividers let you organize your items with greater segmentation and finer levels of detail.

It feels good to maximize your space and know your items are placed in an organized fashion. Wire shelving units are a cost-effective and easy to install DIY solution. These products help you create a more efficient and stress-free home, saving you from having to hunt through your stuff for your favorite things.

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Source by Alex F Pop

PVD: Sputtering Vs E-Beam Evaporation

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Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is – theoretically – a complicated topic. It is the process by which a number of layers of molecules from vapor is deposited onto a solid substrate in a vacuum chamber.

When manufacturing an item, PVD is used quite often. In particular, PVD is used in the manufacturing of aluminized PET film for balloons and snack bags, semiconductor devices, and coated cutting tools for use in metalworking. Outside of PVD tools used for fabrication, smaller tools have also been developed (they are used for scientific purposes). They serve the purpose of being an extreme thin film, like atomic layers, and are used mostly for smaller substrates. Prime examples are mini E-Beam Evaporators which can deposit monolayers of virtually all materials with the use of a high melting point of up to 3500 °C.

A lot of experts say that PVD coatings are harder and more corrosion resistant than coatings applied by the process of electroplating. Because PVD coatings have high impact strength, a high temperature threshold, excellent abrasion resistance and are so durable that protective topcoats are almost never necessary. Common coatings applied by PVD include zirconium nitride, titanium, aluminum nitride, titanium nitride, and chromium nitride.

Two very common types of PVD processes used are Sputtering and Electron Beam Evaporation. Below is a brief explanation of each.

The sputtering process involves simply ejecting material from a “target” onto a source that is a “substrate” – something like a silicon wafer — in a vacuum chamber. The target is bombarded by ionized gas which is often an inert gas, like argon. In the semiconductor industry, sputtering is used to deposit a very thin film on a number of materials in the processing of integrated circuits. Sputtering is key in anti-reflection coatings on glass for optical application.

Sputtering – which uses low substrate temperatures — is a great method to deposit metals for thin-film transistors. One of the most familiar products of sputtering are low-emissivity coatings on glass, which are used in making double-pane windows. An advantage of sputtering is that ever materials with high melting points are easily sputtered while evaporation of the same material in a resistance evaporator is difficult and causes problems.

Electron Beam Evaporation, or E-beam Evaporation, is the process in which a target material is bombarded with an electron beam given off by device with a tungsten filament in a high – intensity vacuum. The electron beam causes atoms from the source material to evaporate into the gaseous phase. The atoms then form into a solid, coating all that is inside the vacuum chamber with a thin layer of the material.

The biggest advantage of E-Beam Evaporation is it permits direct transfer of energy to a source during heating and is very efficient in depositing pure evaporated material to a substrate. Furthermore, deposition rate in this process can be as low as 1 mm per 60 seconds to as high as few micrometers per 60 seconds – these are very solid statistics. Compared to other methods and processes, the material utilization efficiency is remarkably high. Because of the high deposition rate, the industry chooses this process for thermal barrier coatings aerospace machines, hard coatings for cutting tools, and electronic and optical films for semiconductors.

When it comes to choosing between Sputtering and E-Beam Evaporation, it depends what industry PVD is being utilized in. Each have very specific roles, and are important for the future of PVD.

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Source by Vincent M George

Rainbow Vacuum & Thermax AF2 Water Filtrated Cleaning Systems Comparison

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Purchasing a water filtrated cleaning system is a very important decision to make as the better units tend to be over $1000. The top water filtrated cleaning systems are Thermax, Rainbow, Ocean Blue and Hyla. Households that have individuals with poor respiratory systems or allergies will truly appreciate anyone of these systems. The power of cleaning ones home with a vacuum that can truly trap all household germs, dust, bacteria and other elements is amazing. These units all have great warranties and come with many bells and whistles. The 2 most popular units are the Thermax AF2 and Rainbow Vacuum. The following are some key differences between the 2 when considering which brand is best for you.

  • Thermax Invented 1992 vs. Rainbow in 1936
  • The Rainbow cleaner was designed after a residential vacuum. Thermax designed the AF2 after their commercial grade steam cleaners with the same quality demanded by commercial companies
  • Thermax has a 19 foot retractable cord and Rainbow has a manual cord
  • The Thermax motor sits beside Water, separated low profile. The Rainbow sits on top of water which may cause corrosion and rust to evaporation.
  • Thermax is 1.6 HP vs. Rainbows 1.2 HP. Thermax has 35% more cleaning power.
  • The Filtration tube forces dirt into water trapping 98% of the dirt with Thermax. Rainbow passes dirt across water trapping 75%. The Secondary filter is responsible for only 2% on the Thermax and is re-washable. The Rainbow secondary filter is responsible for 25% of dust that escapes the water creating the motor to possibly get dirtier easier.
  • Thermax has on 10 foot UL approved electrified hose that is safe for wet and dry pick-up. Rainbow has 2 hoses each 6 foot that need to be switched in older models for wet vs. dry pick-up.
  • Thermax has a commercial style steam cleaner that pick up over 90% of water when steam cleaning and dries in les than an hour. Rainbow Vacuum picks up 50% of the water and takes 8 hours to dry. The Rainbow also only uses cold water which may leave oily residue behind from the shampoo if using to do carpets.
  • Thermax has a 10 Year Warrranty. Rainbow has an 8 Year motor and 4 year parts. The warranty is also voided on Rainbow if you separate the tank from the motor to clean which should be done frequently.

In conclusion these are both very strong options for cleaning your home thoroughly and healthier. The Thermax AF2 does have some unique advantages over the Rainbow and thus is recommended. Either way cleaning your home with water filtrated cleaning system is truly fantastic and great way to clean your residential home.

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Source by Michael Kawula

Why Spray on Foam Insulation is the Best Safeguarding Option for Your Home

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The traditional insulators are usually glass slabs, polystyrene sheets, or minerals. However, these are less potent in comparison to spray foam insulators. The traditional methods are less costly, but less effective as well.

Can this be installed without a professional?

Spray on foam insulation essentially needs a professional. While installing it, harmful fumes released can easily cause damage to a building’s structure. Incorrect installation can further harm an establishment as well. Expanding foam is capable of exerting pressure on a building’s inner structure.

There have been cases of wrong installation where a building has collapsed due to incorrect installation on ceilings. So, employing a professional is of utmost importance here.

Why opt for foam insulation at home?

Spray foams are of two types – closed and open. These are suitable for different home needs and budgets. Usually people don’t insulate their lofts since they tend to keep their things there. Moreover, traditional methods require a thickness of 270mm for loft insulations.

However, foam insulation requires just 100mm of spray thickness to serve this purpose. According to researches done by the National Insulation Association in the UK, spray foam is way better as an insulator than mineral wood. It provides the same effect with less amount.

Often spray foams settle in hard forms to reinforce the roofs that have cavities or nail fatigue. Only a discussion with a professional can help one decide whether a building needs treatment for solid walls or cavity walls.

Is it water-resistant?

Some of the foam insulators are breathable yet waterproof. These are exceptionally useful for all rain-prone areas in the UK. In addition, they can also serve a greater purpose for areas that experience floods as well.

What are the costs involved?

Insulation companies first check the building, its walls, floors, ceilings etc and then provide their service. Some of the insulation companies provide heavy discounts on their first order.

In the UK, some of these organisations even check the eligibility of a customer on ECO Scheme. Often government benefits are there for houses which need insulation.

The cost entirely depends as per the thickness of the foam installed and the surface area that needs sheathing. The NIA has standardised the per square meter price which ranges from 20 to 50 pounds.

Thin layers cost less while thicken insulation costs more. Closed cell insulation is costlier than open cell.

The service charge varies depending on the following:

  • Difficulty in installation.
  • Roof type; its present condition and damages.
  • Repair work if needed, etc.

What are the types of foam spray insulation?

  • Closed cell foam spray: It settles into rigid form. It helps in providing support to the building’s inner structure. This is most useful for structures that need repair and reinforcements. This hardened form of foam slows down heat movement with its gas pockets. But, it obstructs moisture, so, it is vital to have the room perfectly ventilated to prevent condensation build up.
  • Open cell foam spray: This foam is compressible with hand and is not as dense. It is not suitable for structural support. But it is effective for sound insulation. It essentially blocks airflow and moisture passes through easily avoiding chances of condensation.

How to choose the professionals for installation?

According to the recommendations by National Insulation Association UK, foam spray insulation must be done by a professional. All experts are trained and assessed by the British Board of Agreement. The British Board of Agreement certifies each company and their experts on the basis of their competence.

So, before availing their services it is essential to check their competence and certification.

Is surveying vital?

Every professional team must execute a survey of the building before starting the installation. U-value evaluation and risk calculation are indispensable in these cases. The professionals also hold expertise with software that helps in this process.

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Source by Zac Fogg

Mistakes To Avoid When Using The Treadmill For The First Time

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It can be quite exciting to have your first treadmill right in your home. You can walk or run at the right speed anytime of the day or night. You won’t have to worry about the weather or speeding vehicles as well. You get a great workout anytime you want to without heading to the gym or going out for a walk or run.

Although working out on a treadmill is usually considered safe, especially if its speed is set for walking, if it’s your first time to use this workout machine, you still need to know how to use it properly. This entails being aware of the usual treadmill workout mistakes that can cause you to get hurt or injured and damage your equipment.

Below are the top mistakes you should avoid when working out on a treadmill for the first time:

Not dressing properly for a workout. When running on a treadmill and you have long hair, make sure you tie it back. If you fall from the equipment, aside from getting hurt from the fall, you’ll be in more pain if your tresses get caught in a moving part. To protect your feet and to simply be better protected when working out on the treadmill, wear walking or running shoes with non-slip soles and never use walk or run on the machine barefoot or just wearing socks.

Forgetting to set up and use the machine’s safety features. Most motorized and hybrid treadmill feature an emergency off switch or button or a safety key attached to a cord which automatically shuts the treadmill off if you fall off or hop off quickly. If it has a safety key or clip, always attach this to your clothing when you start your workout. If your equipment also has other safety features, like codes users must punch in, use or set them according to the machine manual’s instruction.

Increasing the speed or incline of the machine too dramatically. Workout experts say that there are some treadmills that will allow you to hit breakneck speeds in a hurry. When the acceleration is too fast, it could throw you off-balance and even throw you off the treadmill. As such, only increase the machine’s speed and incline gradually, one increment at a time and avoid doing any of the two before your body gets adapted to the increases.

Getting on and off the machine incorrectly. Lastly, getting on and off the treadmill improperly can cause you to get hurt. The correct way to get on this machine is to straddle the belt with one foot on the safety rail on either side. Get on the equipment when the belt is moving slowly. Also, when getting on, hold onto the hand rails until the treadmill reaches its final speed and let go when you feel steady. To get off safely from the machine, if it’s inclined, set the belt back to flat first. Then walk for a few minutes at a lower speed to cool down and help prevent dizziness when you step off. Hold on the handrails when getting off until the treadmill comes to a complete stop.

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Source by Erica L Green

Exploration of the Theoretical and Empirical Relationships Between Entropy and Diffusion

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Abstract:

Knowledge and control of chemical engineering systems requires obtaining values for process variables and functions that range in difficulty of computation and measurement. The present report aimed to demonstrate the connections between entropy and diffusion and to highlight the avenues to convert data from one into the other. The correlation between the two concepts was explored at the microscopic and single-particle level. The scope of exploration was restricted to the particle level in order to identify commonalities that underlie higher-level phenomena. A probabilistic model for molecular diffusion was developed and presented to illustrate the close coupling between entropic information and diffusion. The relationship between diffusivity and configurational/excess entropy was expounded by analyzing the Adam-Gibbs and Rosenfeld relations. A modified analog of the Adam-Gibbs relation was then found to accurately predict experimental data on diffusion and translational entropy of single water molecules. The quantitative relations declared in this report enable the chemical engineer to obtain information on the abstract entropy potential by mapping from more concrete dynamical properties such as the diffusion coefficient. This correspondence fosters greater insight into the workings of chemical engineering systems granting the engineer increased opportunity for control in the process.

Introduction:

Systems, whether observed or simulated, consist of the complex interplay between several degrees of freedom, both of time and space. The analysis of chemical engineering systems, in particular, frequently requires knowledge of both thermodynamic potentials and dynamic state variables. The set of thermodynamic potentials that appear in the analysis of these systems include enthalpy, entropy and free energy as members. Each of these potentials is a function of system variables such as pressure, temperature and composition. This dependence on the system’s parameters allows the thermodynamic potentials, along with their first and second derivatives, to constrain the stability and equilibrium of chemical systems. The constraining ability of these potentials derives from the first and second law of thermodynamics, entropy maximization principles and arguments from mathematical analysis.

Occupation of states of equilibrium and stability is only one aspect of a system; it is also critical to understand how systems evolve towards or away from these states. Dynamic processes, such as transport phenomena, mediate this time evolution. Transport phenomena encompass the movement of conserved quantities: heat, mass and momentum. The movement of mass, heat and momentum represent the pathways systems trace out in state space. Therefore, the full description, understanding and control over chemical engineering systems necessitate knowledge of the active dynamic and thermodynamic processes, and their correlations, of the system.

This report will concentrate on the relationship between entropy and diffusion. Diffusion signifies a process that systems undergo in response to some non-uniformity or asymmetry in the system. Entropy generation can be understood as a consequence of diffusional phenomena. It is the apparent interconnection between the two concepts that this report intends to highlight and characterize. This report aims to define relations between entropy and diffusion so that it is possible to translate qualitative and quantitative information between the two.

Theory and Procedure:

Entropy (S) is recognized as a measure of the size of configuration space where configuration space is the space of all possible microscopic configurations a system can occupy with a certain probability. This is stated with Gibbs entropy formula,

S=-k_b ∑ p_i lnâ ¡(p_i ), k_b ≡ Boltzmann constant, p_i ≡ probability of microstate.

If the probability of each microstate is equal then,

S=k_b lnΩ, where Ω ≡ number of microscopic configurations consistent with equilibrium state. These expressions for thermodynamic entropy closely resemble the expression for information theoretic entropy and indicate that entropy can be viewed as a measure of the degree of uncertainty about a system caused by information not being communicated by macrostate variables, like pressure and temperature, alone. Microscopic configurations are determined by the vibrational, rotational and translational degrees of freedom of the molecular constituents of a system. As such, any process that increases the number of microscopic configurations available to a system will also increase the extent of the system’s configuration space, consequently, elevating its entropy.

Diffusion is defined as a process whereby a species moves from a region of high chemical potential to a region of low chemical potential; without loss of generality, the driving force for particle movement is frequently a concentration difference. This is captured with Fick’s First Law of Diffusion, J = -D∇c with ∇ =(d/dx,d/dy,d/dz), where J ≡ diffusive flux, c ≡ concentration, D ≡ diffusion coefficient. Fick’s Second Law asserts the time dependence of a concentration profile,

∂c/∂t=∇∙D∇c. From the above equations, diffusion can be conceptualized as a response function, whose value is determined by a forcing function (gradient in concentration), which seeks to reduce the forcing function to zero. The translational motion of the particles will continue until a state of uniform particle distribution is achieved. Equivalently, diffusion is the process by which a system transitions from a non-equilibrium configuration towards one that more closely resembles an equilibrium state, that being, a state where the chemical potentials of all species are equivalent.

Although elementary, the theoretical information presented above identifies a unifying link between the two concepts, phase space expansion. Entropy is the control variable for this expansion whereas diffusion is the process. This connection will be exhibited by first presenting and relating probability based descriptions of particle diffusion and entropy. By evaluating the relationship between the diffusion coefficient and entropy terms, a further extension of the linkage between the two will be arrived at. Lastly, a focus on single water molecules will further illustrate and support the connectivity between diffusion and entropy.

Results and Discussion:

The molecular motions executed by particles were revealed to be reducible to a probabilistic model incorporating statistical mechanical arguments in Albert Einstein’s 1905 Investigation on the Theory of Brownian Movement (14-18). The assumption that each particle underwent motion, restricted to the single x co-ordinate, independently of neighboring particles was advanced; this was achieved by selecting time intervals of motion (τ) and space (Δx) to not be too small. A particle density function f(x,t) which express the number of particles per unit volume was posited. This probability density function was formed by the spatial increments particles traveled over the time interval. This function was then expanded in a Taylor series yielding,

f(x+∆x,t)=f(x,t)+∆ ∂f(x,t)/∂x+∆^2/2! (∂^2 f(x,t))/(∂x^2 )+∙∙∙ad inf.

f(x,t+τ)dx=dx∫_(∆=m)^(∆=∞)f(x+∆)Ï•(Δ)dΔ


This expansion can be integrated, since only small values of Δ contribute to the function.

f+∂f/∂t∙τ=f∫_(-∞)^∞(Ï•(∆)d∆+∂x/∂f ∫_(-∞)^∞(∆ϕ(∆))d∆+(∂^2 y)/(∂x^2 ) ∫_(-∞)^∞(∆^2/2) Ï•(∆)d∆ ∙∙∙

The first integral on the right-hand side is unity by the measure of a probability space whereas the second and other even terms vanish due to space symmetry Ï•(x)=Ï•(-x). What remains after this simplification is

∂f/∂t = (∂^2 f)/(∂x^2 ) ∫_(-∞)^∞(∆^2/2τ) Ï•(∆)d∆∫_(-∞)^∞(Ï•(∆))d∆

whereby setting the term after the second derivative to D results in ∂f/∂t = D (∂^2 f)/(∂x^2 ) which is Fick’s Second Law. Solving the above integral equation generates the particle density function,

f(x,t) = n/√4πD* e^(-x^2/4Dt)/√t

This is a normal distribution that has the unique property of possessing the maximum entropy of any other continuous distribution for a specified mean and variance, equal to 0 and √2Dt, respectively, for the particle distribution above. Einstein later found that the mean displacement (diffusion) of particles λx which depends on temperature, pressure, Avogadro’s number N and the Boltzmann constant k_b to be,

λ_x = √t∙√((RT∫_(-∞)^∞(Ï•(∆))d∆)/(3πkPN)

It is fascinating that measurable physical properties such as the diffusion coefficient appear in a mathematical model that ensures maximization of entropy.

Equation-based relationships between diffusion and entropy have been investigated for many years. One such relation is,

D(T) = D(T=T_0)e^(C/(TS_c )),

where S_c the configuration entropy of the system defined as,

S_c (T) = S(T)-S_vib(T)

and S_vib is the vibrational entropy of the system and D(T_0) is the diffusion coefficient at some higher temperature T_0. This is known as the Adam-Gibbs relation and explicates the strong dependence diffusion has on entropy. The Rosenfeld relation between the diffusion coefficient and entropy provides another interesting connection,

D = a∙e^(((bS_ex)/k_b ))

S_ex
is excess entropy found by subtracting the entropy of an ideal gas at the same conditions from the system’s total entropy, a and b act as fitting parameters and k_b is the Boltzmann’s constant. These above expressions broadcast a pronounced and well-founded connection between diffusion and entropy to the extent that knowing one enables the determination of the other.

Saha and Mukherjee in their article “Connecting diffusion and entropy of bulk water at the single particle level,” implemented molecular dynamic simulations to establish a linkage between thermodynamic and dynamic properties of individual water molecules (825-832). Translational (S_trans) and rotational (S_rot) entropies were calculated at varying temperatures along with calculations of self-diffusion coefficient (D) thereby permitting the construction of a generalization of the Adam-Gibbs relation above to relate configurational entropy with translation relaxation (self-diffusion) time. S_trans was evaluated from the entropy of a solid-state quantum harmonic oscillator as shown below,

S_trans^QH = k_b ∑_(i=1)^3((â„ ω_i)⁄(k_b T))/e^((â„ ω_i)⁄(k_b T)) – lnâ ¡(1-e^((â„ ω_i)⁄(k_b T)))

where T indicates temperature, k_b is the Boltzmann constant and â„ =h/2π, h being the Planck constant. A method known as permutation reduction which considers water molecules to be indistinguishable and to reside in an effective localized configuration space was utilized to obtain a covariance matrix of translational fluctuations of each permuted molecule along the x, y and z co-ordinates. This produced a 3×3 matrix, whereupon diagonalization of the matrix produced 3 eigenvalues and three frequencies (ωi), which were input to the expression above. Diffusion was evaluated with the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) equation,

D^(-1) (T) = D_0^(-1) e^[1/(K_VFT (T/T_VFT -1))]

with KVFT denoting the kinetic fragility marker and TVFT signifying the temperature at which the diffusion coefficient diverges. The idea of thermodynamic fragility, which appears in the above analysis, quantifies the rate at which dynamical properties such as inverse diffusivity grow with temperature. Also, according to IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, self-diffusion is the diffusion coefficient (D_i*) of species i when the chemical potential gradient is zero (a is the activity coefficient and c is the concentration).

D_i* = D_i (∂lnc_i)/(∂lna_i )

Saha and Mukherjee fitted the variant of the Adam-Gibbs equation D=ae^((bS_trans⁄k_b)) to their data.

The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R), which is the covariance of two variables divided by the product of their standard deviations, attained a value of 0.98. This value indicates a directed and strong statistical association between translational entropy and translational diffusivity. Such a good fit implies that an underlying physical relation between entropy and diffusion does exist and that one can convert knowledge of dynamics, information that demands fewer computational resources, to an understanding of thermodynamics, information that is computationally more costly. As communicated by the authors, this connection was verified for a specific system and generalization of its findings to other systems should occur only upon application of the same methods to other systems. Nonetheless, if additional analysis can provably satisfy empirical and theoretical constraints, the methods detailed above can provide insight to more complicated environments.

Conclusion:

Controllability, a notion open to several definitions, can be thought of as the capacity to move a system between different regions of its configuration space through the application of a certain number of admissible manipulations. The ultimate objective of chemical engineering analysis is the ability to determine the output of some system through the rational and systematic control of input variables. This controllability allows optimization of processes such as separations. However, without the ability to monitor a systems response to perturbations, it becomes challenging to know in what direction or to what degree a change should be conducted. Thus, controllability implies observability of process variables; or state differently, all relevant process variables can be measured to some extent.

This report concentrated specifically on the interconnection between diffusion and entropy. Both of these entities are important in the design, characterization and control of engineering systems. A barrier to achieve full control arises from the difficulty of attaining and measuring abstract quantities such as entropy. A method to overcome this challenge is to identify a one-to-one correspondence between the intractable variable and one that is more compliant and more easily measured. Diffusion and the related diffusion coefficient represent the property that complies with computational and empirical methods and enables completion of the mapping. The equations and relations presented above are structurally diverse and apply to different conditions but show that from knowledge of a system’s dynamics (diffusivity) one obtains knowledge of the system’s thermodynamics.

References:

Engel, Thomas and Philip Reid. Physical Chemistry. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2006.

Seader, J.D, Ernest J. Henley and D. Keith Roper. Separation Process Principles: Chemical and Biochemical Operation 3rd Edition. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011

Einstein, Albert. “Investigation on The Theory of Brownian Movement.” ed. R. Furth. Trans. A. D. Cowper. Dover Publications, 1926 and 1956.

Seki, Kazuhiko and Biman Bagchi. “Relationship between Entropy and Diffusion: A statistical mechanical derivation of Rosenfeld expression for a rugged energy landscape.” J. Chem. Phys. 143(19), 2015. doi: 10.1063/1.4935969

Rosenfeld, Yaakov. “Relation between the transport coefficients and the internal entropy of simple systems,” Phys. Rev. A 15, 2545, 1977

Rosenfeld, Yaakov. “A quasi-universal scaling law for atomic transport in simple fluids.” J. Phys.: Condensed Matter 11, 5415, 1999.

Sharma, Ruchi, S. N. Chakraborty and C. Chakravarty. “Entropy, diffusivity, and structural order in liquids with waterlike anomalies.” J. Chem. Phys. 125, 2006. Doi: 10.1063/1.2390710

Saha, Debasis and Arnab Mukherjee. “Connecting diffusion and entropy of bulk water at the single particle level.” J. Chem. Sci. 129(7), 2017. Pg 825-832. Doi: 10.1007/s23039-017-1317-z

Hogg, Robert V. and Elliot A. Tanis. Probability and Statistical Inference 6th Edition. Prentice-Hall Inc., 2001

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Source by Corban Zachary Allenbrand

Energy Saving Ideas For Your Home – What Are The Most Practical?

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There are a number of ways to make your home more energy-efficient. These methods are practical and cost-effective. The bottom line is that they will save you money with heating, cooling and supplying electricity to your lights and appliances.

Solar Panels For Your Home

One solution is add solar panels to your home. These can used to supply electricity and also can be used to help creating hot water in your potable water supply.

Solar panels absorb sunlight using photovoltaic cells. These photovoltaic cells create direct current, which is type of electricity that flows in one direction. However the appliances used in your home use alternating current, which is a type of electricity the runs in two different directions through the wiring of your home in phase system. Your solar panel system will therefore need an inverter to convert the DC electrical energy into usable AC electrical energy.

Most home owners install these panels on their roofs. However this is not say you cannot setup a row of these panels in your backyard where the most hours of sunlight hit the ground.

Building solar panel with proven plans would be a practical solution helping to reduce energy costs and make your home more energy-efficient. However this will be technical task and proper guidance will be necessary for most individuals.

Roof Top Solar Panels

Home are being constructed with roof tiles that have solar panels built-in them. These roof tiles look like a normal roof but solar panel are built into them and will help subsidize your energy bill.

Windows as Solar Panels

Recently the solar power industry have found methods to use windows to provide energy for a building. These solar-powered windows can be used to replace the existing windows in a building and make the structure more energy-efficient. These windows contain tiny solar cells that convert sunlight into energy. This energy is converted into electrical energy and can used directly. Excess electrical energy is stored in a battery to used later.. Apparently one of these windows can supply enough energy to charge a cell phone twice a day.

Other Energy Conservation Methods

Using energy-efficient light bulbs is one way to make you household more energy-efficient. There are a number of energy-efficient light bulbs available to the consumer. These include the halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps and light emitting diodes (LEDs). These are very popular and can be purchased in various hardware and grocery stores.

Energy inefficient incandescent light bulbs are being phased out but are still available at lower cost per unit. However they have a shorter life span when compared to these more efficient sources of light. You do the math.

Best Regards

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Source by Paul Luciw

Save Your Money With Effective Air Conditioning Service Tips

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In a 2011 study, The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) found that about 89% of homeowners experience heating, air conditioning and ventilation problems annually.

In another study of over 3,460 homes, the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) found that 60% of HVAC problems are caused by ineffective air conditioning services. In addition, the U.S EPA reports that these systems constitute around 46% of your home’s energy consumption.

Leveraging Effective HVAC Services

While these studies had different objectives, it was a proven cause and effect that regular costly breakdowns in your HVAC system are caused by poor servicing. What’s more, these ineffective services lead to higher energy consumption.

Air Conditioning Money Saving Tips

In these economic times, every opportunity to save a buck is a valuable. It is imperative to find ways to save money when servicing your system through expert services. Here are some ideas:

1. Shop for an Air Conditioning System Wisely

The air conditioning industry is saturated with brands and models of units to choose from. If you choose a very large unit, it will short cycle easily.

On the other hand, a very small one will be prone to too much wear and tear to meet your heating and cooling requirement. Service experts will audit all your property’s needs, recommend and install a unit which is energy efficient to save money, time & efficiency.

2. Leveraging Professional HVAC Services

Before hiring any professional contractor to work on your system, make sure they are licensed and certified. Moreover, they must be insured to protect you against any liability. More importantly, ensure your contractor belongs to professional bodies such as North American Technician Excellence (NATE), Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA), among others.

You also need to verify their training, experience and reputation in the industry. Such a contractor will offer efficient servicing for your air conditioner and this will reduce your repair and maintenance costs in the long run.

3. Regular Servicing

To appreciate how you can save money on your HVAC system, you need to understand that your AC system is multipurpose. It not only cools, but also dehumidifies, heats and ventilates your home through air circulation. All these tasks are exhaustive hence this system is susceptible to wear and tear which makes it sustainable

What’s more, clogging of filters reduces efficiency and this is where regular servicing by a professional comes in handy.

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Source by Curtis Moore