Analysis of the Response Characteristics of Toluene Gas Sensors with a ZnO Nanorod Structure by a Heat Treatment Process.

The sensing characteristics of toluene gas are monitored by fabricating ZnO nanorod structures. ZnO nanostructured sensor materials are produced on a Zn film via an ultrasonic process in a 0.01 M aqueous solution of C6H12N4 and Zn(NO3)2∙6H2O. The response of the sensors subjected to heat treatment in oxygen and nitrogen atmospheres is improved by 20% and 10%, respectively. The improvement is considered to be correlated with the increase in grain size. The relationship between the heat treatment and sensing characteristics is evaluated.

No evidence for global decrease in CO2 concentration during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Numerous studies have reported that CO2 emissions have decreased because of global lockdown during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, previous estimates of the global CO2 concentration before and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic are limited because they are based on energy consumption statistics or local specific in-situ observations. The aim of the study was to explore objective evidence for various previous studies that have claimed the global CO2 concentration decreased during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are two ways to measure the global CO2 concentration: from the top-down using satellites and the bottom-up using ground stations. We implemented the time-series analysis by comparing the before and after the inflection point (first wave of COVID-19) with the long-term CO2 concentration data obtained from World Meteorological Organization Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO GAW) and Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT). Measurements from the GOSAT and GAW global monitoring stations show that the CO2 concentrations in Europe, China, and the USA have continuously risen in March and April 2020 compared with the same months in 2019. These data confirm that the global lockdown during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic did not change the vertical CO2 profile at the global level from the ground surface to the upper layer of the atmosphere. The results of this study provide an important foundation for the international community to explore policy directions to mitigate climate change in the upcoming post-COVID-19 period.

Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization for Multi-Sensor Data Fusion.

A hybrid particle swarm optimization (PSO), able to overcome the large-scale nonlinearity or heavily correlation in the data fusion model of multiple sensing information, is proposed in this paper. In recent smart convergence technology, multiple similar and/or dissimilar sensors are widely used to support precisely sensing information from different perspectives, and these are integrated with data fusion algorithms to get synergistic effects. However, the construction of the data fusion model is not trivial because of difficulties to meet under the restricted conditions of a multi-sensor system such as its limited options for deploying sensors and nonlinear characteristics, or correlation errors of multiple sensors. This paper presents a hybrid PSO to facilitate the construction of robust data fusion model based on neural network while ensuring the balance between exploration and exploitation. The performance of the proposed model was evaluated by benchmarks composed of representative datasets. The well-optimized data fusion model is expected to provide an enhancement in the synergistic accuracy.

Deep retrofitting toward net zero energy building in the Mediterranean region: A case study of Albania.

Like many other Mediterranean countries, Albania faces unique challenges and opportunities to achieve an efficient and fully decarbonized household sector by applying real energy efficiency measures and numbers toward nearly zero-energy buildings. The study findings showed that nZEB in 2030 can be achieved by combining active and passive energy efficiency measures. Behind the study's state-of-the-art stands a multivariable regression analysis of both electricity consumption and electricity generation executed for three validated consecutive years, 2021, 2022, and 2023, including demand side (electricity bills) and supply side generation provided from a nearby existing onsite PV with an installed capacity of 5.5 kWp. A good mathematical correlation is carried out using Durbin - Watson criteria on statistics using RETScreen software to correlate electricity consumption and generation as a function of weather parameters for the tested household and selected region. The goals to meet the nZEB concept require the insulation of the existing exterior wall and window replacements in compliance with the Energy Performance Methodology on Building and installing rooftop Solar Water Heating (SWH) panels of 3.73 m2 as expostulated in scenario 7. The simulation results show that integrating a rooftop PV system with an installed capacity of 5.5 kWp would provide enough electricity to convert residential buildings into Positive Energy Buildings in 2050 based on the selected dwelling and location (Mediterranean region). At the national level, the proposed model would reduce the national annual electricity import level by 1.64 %, saving annually around €31,021,162 and reducing at least 0.068 MtCO2 per year. Subsidizing passive energy efficiency measures at a rate of 3 % per year coupled with onsite renewable energy sources schemes and other incentivization pathways from the government and other interested parties at a rate of 80 % in the roadmap towards nZEB and PEB is mandatory.