A Comprehensive Investigation of Methanol Electrooxidation on Copper Anodes: Spectroelectrochemical Insights and Energy Conversion in Microfluidic Fuel Cells.

Here, we comprehensively investigated methanol electrooxidation on Cu-based catalysts, allowing us to build the first microfluidic fuel cell (µFC) equipped with a Cu anode and a metal-free cathode that converts energy from methanol. We applied a simple, fast, small-scale, and surfactant-free strategy for synthesizing Cu-based nanoparticles at room temperature in steady state (ST), under mechanical stirring (MS), or under ultrasonication (US). The morphology evaluation of the Cu-based samples reveals that they have the same nanoparticle (NP) needle-like form. The elemental mapping composition spectra revealed that pure Cu or Cu oxides were obtained for all synthesized materials. In addition to having more Cu2O on the surface, sample US had more Cu(OH)2 than the others, according to X-ray diffractograms and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sample US is less carbon-contaminated because of the local heating of the sonic bath, which also enhances the cleanliness of the Cu surface. The activity of the Cu NPs was investigated for methanol electrooxidation in an alkaline medium through electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements. The potentiodynamic and potentiostatic experiments showed higher current densities for the NPs synthesized in the US. In situ FTIR experiments revealed that the three synthesized NP materials eletcrooxidize methanol completely to carbonate through formate. Most importantly, all pathways were led without detectable CO, a poisoning molecule not found at high overpotentials. The reaction path using the US electrode experienced an additional round of formate formation and conversion into carbonate (or CO2 in the thin layer) after 1.0 V (vs. Ag/Ag/Cl), suggesting improved catalysis. The high activity of NPs synthesized in the US is attributed to effective dissociative adsorption of the fuel due to the site's availability and the presence of hydroxyl groups that may fasten the oxidation of adsorbates from the surface. After understanding the surface reaction, we built a mixed-media µFC fed by methanol in alkaline medium and sodium persulfate in acidic medium. The µFC was equipped with Cu NPs synthesized in ultrasonic-bath-modified carbon paper as the anode and metal-free carbon paper as the cathode. Since the onset potential for methanol electrooxidation was 0.45 V and the reduction reaction revealed 0.90 V, the theoretical OCV is 0.45 V, which provides a spontaneous coupled redox reaction to produce power. The µFC displayed 0.56 mA cm-2 of maximum current density and 26 µW cm-2 of peak power density at 100 µL min-1. This membraneless system optimizes each half-cell individually, making it possible to build fuel cells with noble metal-free anodes and metal-free cathodes.

Influence of Donor-Acceptor Interactions on MLCT Hole Reconfiguration in {Ru(bpy)} Chromophores.

In MLCT chromophores, internal conversion (IC) in the form of hole reconfiguration pathways (HR) is a major source of dissipation of the absorbed photon energy. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize their impact in energy conversion schemes by slowing them down. According to previous findings on {Ru(bpy)} chromophores, donor-acceptor interactions between the Ru ion and the ligand scaffold might allow to control HR/IC rates. Here, a series of [Ru(tpm)(bpy)(R-py)]2+ chromophores, where tpm is tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane, bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine and R-py is a 4-substituted pyridine, were prepared and fully characterized employing electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, steady-state absorption/emission spectroscopy and electronic structure computations based on DFT/TD-DFT. Their excited-state decay was monitored using nanosecond and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. HR/IC lifetimes as slow as 568 ps were obtained in DMSO at room temperature, twice as slow as in the reference species [Ru(tpm)(bpy)(NCS)]+.

Enhanced Power Generation Using a Dual-Surface-Modified Hematite Photoanode in a Direct Glyphosate Photo Fuel Cell.

Given the current and escalating global energy and environmental concerns, this work explores an innovative approach to mitigate a widely employed commercial herbicide using a direct glyphosate (Gly) photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC). The device generates power continuously by converting solar radiation, degrading and mineralizing commercial glyphosate-based fuel, and reducing sodium persulfate at the cathode. Pristine and modified hematite photoanodes were coupled to Pt/C nanoparticles dispersed in a carbon paper (CP) support (Pt/C/CP) dark cathode by using an H-type cell. The Gly/persulfate PFC shows a remarkable current and power generation enhancement after dual-surface modification of pristine hematite with segregated Hf and FeNiOx cocatalysts. The optimized photoanode elevates maximum current density (Jmax) from 0.35 to 0.71 mA cm-2 and maximum power generation (Pmax) from 0.04 to 0.065 mW cm-2, representing 102.85 and 62.50% increase in Jmax and Pmax, respectively, as compared to pristine hematite. The system demonstrated stability over a studied period of 4 h; remarkably, the photodegradation of Gly proved substantial, achieving ∼98% degradation and ∼6% mineralization. Our findings may significantly contribute to reducing Gly's environmental impact in agribusiness since it may convert the pollutant into energy at zero bias. The proposed device offers a sustainable solution to counteract Gly pollution while concurrently harnessing solar energy for power generation.

MAX Phase (Nb4AlC3) For Electrocatalysis Applications.

In search for novel materials to replace noble metal-based electrocatalysts in electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices, special attention is given to a distinct class of materials, MAX phase that combines advantages of ceramic and metallic properties. Herein, Nb4AlC3 MAX phase is prepared by a solid-state mixing reaction and characterized morphologically and structurally by transmission and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, nitrogen-sorption, X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical performance of Nb4AlC3 in terms of capacitance as well as for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is evaluated in different electrolytes. The specific capacitance Cs of 66.4, 55.0, and 46.0 F g-1 at 5 mV s-1 is determined for acidic, neutral and alkaline medium, respectively. Continuous cycling reveals high capacitance retention in three electrolyte media; moreover, increase of capacitance is observed in acidic and neutral media. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed a low charge transfer resistance of 64.76 Ω cm2 that resulted in better performance for HER in acidic medium (Tafel slope of 60 mV dec-1). In alkaline media, the charge storage value in the double layer is 360 mF cm-2 (0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode) and the best ORR performance of the Nb4AlC3 is achieved in this medium (Tafel slope of 126 mV dec-1).

Unlocking the Potential of Nanoribbon-Based Sb2S3/Sb2Se3 van-der-Waals Heterostructure for Solar-Energy-Conversion and Optoelectronics Applications.

High-performance nanosized optoelectronic devices based on van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures have significant potential for use in a variety of applications. However, the investigation of nanoribbon-based vdW heterostructures are still mostly unexplored. In this study, based on first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that a Sb2S3/Sb2Se3 vdW heterostructure, which is formed by isostructural nanoribbons of stibnite (Sb2S3) and antimonselite (Sb2Se3), possesses a direct band gap with a typical type-II band alignment, which is suitable for optoelectronics and solar energy conversion. Optical absorption spectra show broad profiles in the visible and UV ranges for all of the studied configurations, indicating their suitability for photodevices. Additionally, in 1D nanoribbons, we see sharp peaks corresponding to strongly bound excitons in a fashion similar to that of other quasi-1D systems. The Sb2S3/Sb2Se3 heterostructure is predicted to exhibit a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 28.2%, positioning it competitively alongside other extensively studied two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures.

Construction and characterization of organic photovoltaic cells sensitized by Chrysanthemum based natural dye.

In this work, natural dyes from three different species of the same flower family (Chrysanthemum), which containing anthocyanin were extracted and properly prepared to be used as photosensitizers in DSSCs construction. The cells were fabricated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) for the photoanodes, whereas platinum electrodes were used for the photocathodes. To understand the behavior of light absorption in addition to the coloring components present in the dyes and the molecular functional groups present in the samples, the UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy were used respectively. The performance and efficiency of solar cells were evaluated to establish the photovoltaic criteria for each DSSC built. Through electrochemical characterizations, it was possible to notice that the highest photovoltaic conversion efficiency was obtained with the Chrysanthemum Violet (CV) cell, with efficiency (η) of 1.348%, compared to 1.229% and 0.485% for the Chrysanthemum Green (CG) and Chrysanthemum Blue (CB) cells, respectively. The CV cell also has the highest open circuit voltage (VOC) at 0.58 V. The results corroborate to present the organic solar cells as a viable option for the electric energy generation.

Aluminum oxides as alternative building blocks for efficientlayer-by-layerblocking layers in dye-sensitized solar cells.

All inorganic layer-by-layer (LbL) thin films composed by TiO2nanoparticles and [Al(OH)4]-anions (TiO2/AlOx) as well as Al2O3and Nb2O5nanoparticles (Al2O3/Nb2O5) have been deposited to fluorine-doped tin-oxide coated glass (FTO) surfaces and applied as blocking layers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Structural and morphological characterization of the LbL films by different techniques reveal that inTiO2/AlOxassembly, aluminate anions undergo condensation reactions on the TiO2surface leading to the formation of highly homogeneous films with unique optical properties. After 25 depositions transmittance losses below 10% in relation to the bare FTO substrate are observed. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows thatTiO2/AlOxlayers impose an effective barrier for the charge recombination at FTO/electrolyte interface with an electron exchange time constant 50-fold higher than that for bare FTO. As a result, an improvement of 85% in the overall conversion efficiency of DSCs was observed with the employment of TiO2/AlOxblocking layers.Al2O3/Nb2O5LbL films can also work as blocking layers in DSCs but not as efficient, which is associated with the poor homogeneity of the film and its capacitive behavior. The production of cost-effective blocking layers with a low light scattering in the visible region is an important feature toward the application of DSC in other Building-integrated photovoltaic applications.

Photoelectric performance evaluation of DSSCs using the dye extracted from different color petals of Leucanthemum vulgare flowers as novel sensitizers.

In this work, the natural flower extracted dyes containing luteolin were prepared using three different specimens from daisy flowers family (Leucanthemum vulgare), namely yellow daisy, purple daisy and wine daisy, according to the color of its petals. Moreover, DSSCs were fabricated using nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) as an anode; for the photocathodes, two different specimens were used: i) graphite electrode and ii) platinum electrode. To recognize the light absorption behavior, the existence of anchoring groups and coloring components of the extracted dyes were determined using absorption spectroscopy. The surface roughness of the photoanodes and cathodes were examined using atomic force microscope (AFM). The photovoltaic performance and efficiency of assembled DSSCs were evaluated to realize the influence of TiO2 photoanodes on interaction of the Leucanthemum vulgare extracted dye molecules with graphite or platinum photocathodes. DSSCs fabricated with platinum cathode show higher conversion efficiency (η) of 0.6%, 0.4% and 0.8% for the yellow daisy, wine daisy and purple daisy, respectively. DSSCs sensitized with daisy wine dye showed highest open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 520 mV and efficiency of 0.79% and 0.88%, for the graphite and platinum cathodes, respectively. These results showed that the DSSCs, using daisy flowers extracts as efficient photosensitizers, are suitable for the fabrication of environmentally safe, inexpensive, clean and renewable energy.

Bismuth Vanadate Photoelectrodes with High Photovoltage as Photoanode and Photocathode in Photoelectrochemical Cells for Water Splitting.

Using dual-photoelectrode photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices based on earth-abundant metal oxides for unbiased water splitting is an attractive means of producing green H2 fuel, but is challenging, owing to low photovoltages generated by PEC cells. This problem can be solved by coupling n-type BiVO4 with n-type Bi4 V2 O11 to create a virtual p/n junction due to the formation of a hole-inversion layer at the semiconductor interface. Thus, photoelectrodes with high photovoltage outputs were synthesized. The photoelectrodes exhibited features of p- and n-type semiconductors when illuminated under an applied bias, suggesting their use as photoanode and photocathode in a dual-photoelectrode PEC cell. This concept was proved by connecting a 1 mol % W-doped BiVO4 /Bi4 V2 O11 photoanode with an undoped BiVO4 /Bi4 V2 O11 photocathode, which produced a high photovoltage of 1.54 V, sufficient to drive stand-alone water splitting with 0.95 % efficiency.

NbCl5 -Promoted Synthesis of Fluorescein Dye Derivatives: Spectroscopic and Spectrometric Characterization and Their Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Fluorescein has several applications owing to its properties, such as high molar absorptivity, high fluorescence quantum yield, high photostability, and wavelengths of absorption and emission in the visible region. The syntheses of fluorescein derivatives between phenol and anhydride derivatives by using NbCl5 as a Lewis acid is described. The products have high yields and short reaction times are observed. The study of the UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra of these derivatives and their application in dye-sensitized solar cells is also described.

Enhancement of Quantum Efficiency of A Dye-Sensitized Electrochemical Cell by using Triturated Zinc Oxide Mixed with Two Organic Dyes, Azure C and Rose bengal

For efficiently utilising solar energy, when suitable nanoparticles are being engineered, triturated zinc oxide an eco-friendly, easily available, low-cost material has been used as an agent for solar energy conversion. Two organic dyes Azure C and Rose bengal having absorption bands in two different spectral regions at 545 nm and 610 nm respectively, were chosen in order to overcome the band absorption limits of each dye and utilise the broad spectrum of solar radiation. The material was mixed with these two dyes in a specially devised electrochemical cell and photovoltage with significant efficiency was generated. The energy conversion efficiency of the cell using three different potencies 6C, 30C and 200C of triturated zinc oxide with the same concentration of two dyes (0.5x10-5 M) in all cases are 0.39%, 0.43% and 0.35% respectively. The efficiency is only 0.15% for the mixed dye under similar conditions. (AU)

Enhancement of quantum efficiency of a dye-sensitized electrochemical cell by using triturated zinc oxide mixed with two organic dyes, azure C and rose bengal

For efficiently utilising solar energy, when suitable nanoparticles are being engineered, triturated zinc oxide an eco-friendly, easily available, low-cost material has been used as an agent for solar energy conversion. Two organic dyes Azure C and Rose bengal having absorption bands in two different spectral regions at 545 nm and 610 nm respectively, were chosen in order to overcome the band absorption limits of each dye and utilise the broad spectrum of solar radiation. The material was mixed with these two dyes in a specially devised electrochemical cell and photovoltage with significant efficiency was generated. The energy conversion efficiency of the cell using three different potencies 6C, 30C and 200C of triturated zinc oxide with the same concentration of two dyes (0.5x10-5 M) in all cases are 0.39%, 0.43% and 0.35% respectively. The efficiency is only 0.15% for the mixed dye under similar conditions.

Green Energy Generation Using FLC Based WECS With Lithium Ion Polymer Batteries

ABSTRACT Green Energy Generation Using Wind energy conversion system is achieved using Lithium Ion Polymer Batteries and Fuzzy logic controller. Presented scheme also provides the constant output power for the stand alone loads like Island, Hills Stations, Ships and Remote locations etc. A fuzzy-logic controller based Wind energy conversion system with permanent magnet synchronous machine is simulated using MATLAB Simulink. The controller provides the constant output voltage in Buck Boost Converter with the wind fluctuations. The SPWM based inverter can be used to produce the constant output voltage with constant frequency. Also a thin and light weight Lithium Ion Polymer Batteries provides the energy back to the Wind energy conversion system , when the wind speed decreases below the base wind velocity. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the validity of the proposed fuzzy-logic-based controller and comply with the theoretical results. The performance of the system is compared using various controllers.

Effect of dietary energy concentration on performance parameters and egg quality of white leghorn laying hens

An experiment was carried out with 1200 23-week-old white Dekalb commercial laying hens to investigate production responses, egg quality, and energy utilization of laying hens fed different dietary energy levels at the beginning of lay. Birds were housed and divided in five groups of 240 birds according to dietary apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn): 2700 kcal/kg; 2775 kcal/kg; 2850 kcal/kg; 2925 kcal/kg; and 3000 kcal/kg, with six replicates of 40 birds each. Birds were fed the experimental diets based on corn and soybean meal for 17 weeks. Diets were iso-nutritive, except for energy level. Increasing AMEn levels had a negative effect on egg production and egg mass (p0.05). AMEn levels did not influence body weight, egg weight, or livability (p>0.05). Increasing AMEn levels increased (p0.05) feed intake and AMEn conversion ratio and feed conversion ratio. AMEn intake remained constant, independently of dietary AMEn level (p>0.05). There were no differences in albumen height, yolk total solids content, or egg component percentages (p>0.05). Egg specific weight improved with increasing AMEn levels (p0.05). Therefore, the energy level of 2700 kcal/kg of feed may be fed to young laying hens.(AU)

Effect of dietary energy concentration on performance parameters and egg quality of white leghorn laying hens

An experiment was carried out with 1200 23-week-old white Dekalb commercial laying hens to investigate production responses, egg quality, and energy utilization of laying hens fed different dietary energy levels at the beginning of lay. Birds were housed and divided in five groups of 240 birds according to dietary apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn): 2700 kcal/kg; 2775 kcal/kg; 2850 kcal/kg; 2925 kcal/kg; and 3000 kcal/kg, with six replicates of 40 birds each. Birds were fed the experimental diets based on corn and soybean meal for 17 weeks. Diets were iso-nutritive, except for energy level. Increasing AMEn levels had a negative effect on egg production and egg mass (p0.05). AMEn levels did not influence body weight, egg weight, or livability (p>0.05). Increasing AMEn levels increased (p0.05) feed intake and AMEn conversion ratio and feed conversion ratio. AMEn intake remained constant, independently of dietary AMEn level (p>0.05). There were no differences in albumen height, yolk total solids content, or egg component percentages (p>0.05). Egg specific weight improved with increasing AMEn levels (p0.05). Therefore, the energy level of 2700 kcal/kg of feed may be fed to young laying hens.

Effect of dietary energy concentration on performance parameters and egg quality of white leghorn laying hens

An experiment was carried out with 1200 23-week-old white Dekalb commercial laying hens to investigate production responses, egg quality, and energy utilization of laying hens fed different dietary energy levels at the beginning of lay. Birds were housed and divided in five groups of 240 birds according to dietary apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn): 2700 kcal/kg; 2775 kcal/kg; 2850 kcal/kg; 2925 kcal/kg; and 3000 kcal/kg, with six replicates of 40 birds each. Birds were fed the experimental diets based on corn and soybean meal for 17 weeks. Diets were iso-nutritive, except for energy level. Increasing AMEn levels had a negative effect on egg production and egg mass (p0.05). AMEn levels did not influence body weight, egg weight, or livability (p>0.05). Increasing AMEn levels increased (p0.05) feed intake and AMEn conversion ratio and feed conversion ratio. AMEn intake remained constant, independently of dietary AMEn level (p>0.05). There were no differences in albumen height, yolk total solids content, or egg component percentages (p>0.05). Egg specific weight improved with increasing AMEn levels (p0.05). Therefore, the energy level of 2700 kcal/kg of feed may be fed to young laying hens.

Conversão e balanço energético de sistemas de sucessão e de rotação de culturas

Energy conversion and balance of seven crop rotation systems for wheat were assessed from 1987 to 1995, in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. The following systems were evaluated: system I (wheat/soybean); system II (wheat/soybean, from 1987 to 1989, and wheat/soybean and common vetch/corn or sorghum, from 1990 to 1995); system III (wheat/soybean, black oats or white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum); system IV (wheat/soybean, white oats/soybean, flax/soybean, and common vetch/corn, from 1987 to 1989, and wheat/soybean, sunflower or black oats/soybean, white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum, from 1990 to 1995); system V (wheat/soybean, wheat/soybean, black oats or white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum); system VI (wheat/soybean, wheat/soybean, white oats/soybean, flax/soybean, and common vetch/corn, from 1987 to 1989, and wheat/soybean, wheat/soybean, sunflower or black oats/soybean, white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum, from 1990 to 1995); and VII (winter fallow/soybean, from 1990 to 1995). On the average from1987 to 1989, no significant differences among rotation systems were observed for energy conversion and energy balance rates. From 1990 to 1995, system II (8.58) showed greater energy conversion index than system I (5.61), and the remaining systems did not differ significantly among themselves. From 1990 to 1995, systems II (20,938Mcal/ha), III (19,239Mcal/ha), IV (18,618Mcal/ha), V (19.646Mcal/ha), and VI (18,702Mcal/ha) showed greater energy balance, as compared to system VII (10.279kg/Mcal).

Do ponto de vista calórico, existem poucos trabalhos no Brasil estimando a conversão e o balanço energético. Neste estudo, avaliaram-se a conversão e o balanço energético de sete sistemas de rotação de culturas durante nove anos (1987 a 1995), em Passo Fundo, RS. Os sistemas foram constituídos por: sistema I (trigo/soja); sistema II (trigo/soja, de 1987 a 1989, e trigo/soja e ervilhaca/ milho ou sorgo, de 1990 a 1995); sistema III (trigo/soja, aveia preta ou aveia branca/soja e ervilhaca/milho ou sorgo); sistema IV (trigo/soja, aveia branca/soja, linho/soja e ervilhaca/milho, de 1987 a 1989, e trigo/soja, girassol ou aveia preta/soja, aveia branca/soja e ervilhaca/milho ou sorgo, de 1990 a 1995); sistema V (trigo/soja, trigo/soja, aveia preta ou aveia branca/soja e ervilhaca/milho ou sorgo); sistema VI (trigo/ soja, trigo/soja, aveia branca/soja, linho/soja e ervilhaca/milho, de 1987 a 1989, e trigo/soja, trigo/soja, girassol ou aveia preta/soja, aveia branca/soja e ervilhaca/milho ou sorgo, de 1990 a 1995); e VII (pousio de inverno/soja, de 1990 a 1995). No período agrícola de 1987 a 1989, não houve diferenças significativas entre os sistemas de rotação de culturas, em relação à conversão energética e ao balanço energético. Na média do período de 1990 a 1995, o sistema II (8,58) apresentou índice de conversão energética maior do que o do sistema I (5,61), e os demais sistemas não diferiram significativamente entre si. No mesmo período, o balanço energético para os sistemas II (20.938Mcal/ha), III (19.239Mcal/ha), IV (18.618Mcal/ha), V (19.646kg/Mcal) e VI (18.702Mcal/ha) foi superior ao do sistema VII (10.279Mcal/ha). A rotação de culturas foi mais eficiente, sem aumentar o consumo de energia não renovável.

CONVERSÃO E BALANÇO ENERGÉTICO DE SISTEMAS DE SUCESSÃO E DE ROTAÇÃO DE CULTURAS

Energy conversion and balance of seven crop rotation systems for wheat were assessed from 1987 to 1995, in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. The following systems were evaluated: system I (wheat/soybean); system II (wheat/soybean, from 1987 to 1989, and wheat/soybean and common vetch/corn or sorghum, from 1990 to 1995); system III (wheat/soybean, black oats or white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum); system IV (wheat/soybean, white oats/soybean, flax/soybean, and common vetch/corn, from 1987 to 1989, and wheat/soybean, sunflower or black oats/soybean, white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum, from 1990 to 1995); system V (wheat/soybean, wheat/soybean, black oats or white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum); system VI (wheat/soybean, wheat/soybean, white oats/soybean, flax/soybean, and common vetch/corn, from 1987 to 1989, and wheat/soybean, wheat/soybean, sunflower or black oats/soybean, white oats/soybean, and common vetch/corn or sorghum, from 1990 to 1995); and VII (winter fallow/soybean, from 1990 to 1995). On the average from1987 to 1989, no significant differences among rotation systems were observed for energy conversion and energy balance rates. From 1990 to 1995, system II (8.58) showed greater energy conversion index than system I (5.61), and the remaining systems did not differ significantly among themselves. From 1990 to 1995, systems II (20,938Mcal/ha), III (19,239Mcal/ha), IV (18,618Mcal/ha), V (19.646Mcal/ha), and VI (18,702Mcal/ha) showed greater energy balance, as compared to system VII (10.279kg/Mcal).

Do ponto de vista calórico, existem poucos trabalhos no Brasil estimando a conversão e o balanço energético. Neste estudo, avaliaram-se a conversão e o balanço energético de sete sistemas de rotação de culturas durante nove anos (1987 a 1995), em Passo Fundo, RS. Os sistemas foram constituídos por: sistema I (trigo/soja); sistema II (trigo/soja, de 1987 a 1989, e trigo/soja e ervilhaca/ milho ou sorgo, de 1990 a 1995); sistema III (trigo/soja, aveia preta ou aveia branca/soja e ervilhaca/milho ou sorgo); sistema IV (trigo/soja, aveia branca/soja, linho/soja e ervilhaca/milho, de 1987 a 1989, e trigo/soja, girassol ou aveia preta/soja, aveia branca/soja e ervilhaca/milho ou sorgo, de 1990 a 1995); sistema V (trigo/soja, trigo/soja, aveia preta ou aveia branca/soja e ervilhaca/milho ou sorgo); sistema VI (trigo/ soja, trigo/soja, aveia branca/soja, linho/soja e ervilhaca/milho, de 1987 a 1989, e trigo/soja, trigo/soja, girassol ou aveia preta/soja, aveia branca/soja e ervilhaca/milho ou sorgo, de 1990 a 1995); e VII (pousio de inverno/soja, de 1990 a 1995). No período agrícola de 1987 a 1989, não houve diferenças significativas entre os sistemas de rotação de culturas, em relação à conversão energética e ao balanço energético. Na média do período de 1990 a 1995, o sistema II (8,58) apresentou índice de conversão energética maior do que o do sistema I (5,61), e os demais sistemas não diferiram significativamente entre si. No mesmo período, o balanço energético para os sistemas II (20.938Mcal/ha), III (19.239Mcal/ha), IV (18.618Mcal/ha), V (19.646kg/Mcal) e VI (18.702Mcal/ha) foi superior ao do sistema VII (10.279Mcal/ha). A rotação de culturas foi mais eficiente, sem aumentar o consumo de energia não renovável.