Developing GIS tools for planning, mitigation and preparedness for large scale emergencies and disasters

Emergency and disaster management involves four stages: Mitigation (Planning), Preparedness, Response and Relief. Concerned authorities at different levels (central, state, district, etc.) play different roles and have different responsibilities in each phase of emergency and disaster management. GIS-based tools have been shown to be useful in the response and recovery phases of an emergency. In this paper, we propose how GIS-based simulation tools can be used in the Mitigation and Preparedness phases of emergencies and disasters.

Techno-economic review of Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems: Case Studies of Industrial, Residential and Off-grid Rooftops in Bangalore, Karnataka

The objective of this study is to assess the financial feasibility of setting up Rooftop Photovoltaic (RTPV) systems in Bengaluru which is in the state of Karnataka, India.The objective of this study is to assess the financial feasibility of setting up Rooftop Photovoltaic (RTPV) systems in Bengaluru which is in the state of Karnataka, India.The objective of this study is to assess the financial feasibility of setting up Rooftop Photovoltaic (RTPV) systems in Bengaluru which is in the state of Karnataka, IndiaThe Renewable Energy Policy of the state mandates the installation of 250 MW of RT

Classical molecular dynamics and quantum abs-initio studies on lithium-intercalation in interconnected hollow spherical nano-spheres of amorphous Silicon

A high concentration of lithium, corresponding to charge capacity of ∼4200 mAh/g, can be intercalated in silicon. Unfortunately, due to high intercalation strain leading to fracture and consequent poor cyclability, silicon cannot be used as anode in lithium ion batteries. But recently interconnected hollow nano-spheres of amorphous silicon have been found to exhibit high cyclability. The absence of fracture upon lithiation and the high cyclability has been attributed to reduction in intercalation stress due to hollow spherical geometry of the silicon nano-particles.

Effect of cation substitution on the electrochemical potential of LiCoBO3: An ab initio study

A first principle based study of the electrochemical properties of LiCoBO3 has been carried out. The theoretical energy density of LiMBO3 (M = Mn, Fe, Co) is comparable with the corresponding olivine phosphate. Low volume change during cycling gives it structural stability during full charging and discharging, hence making it a promising battery material. A 12.5% cation substitution with Mg, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn was chosen to evaluate the electrochemical properties of the compounds.

India's Quest for Energy Security

There are no easy answers to India's quest for energy security with environmental sustainability. The electric power sector appears to be more  manageable, given India's thrust in nuclear power. The coming decades might see large additions in nuclear power generation capacity without
significantly increasing the CO2 emissions. The Indo-US nuclear agreement provides an opportunity to import LWRs and gives India time to commercialize the FBR and thorium-based reactors. At the same time, it will help to reduce India's dependence on coal to some extent.

Rechargeable Sodium-Ion Battery: High-Capacity Ammonium Vanadate Cathode with Enhanced Stability at High Rate

A sodium-ion battery (NIB) cathode performance based on ammonium vanadate is demonstrated here as high capacity, long cycle life and good rate capability. The simple preparation process and morphology study enable us to explore this electrode as suitable NIB cathode. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculation is envisioned for the NH4V4O10 cathode and three possible sodium arrangements in the structure are depicted for the first time. Relevant NIB-related properties have been derived like average voltage, lattice constants and atomic coordinates etc.

BANDGAP ENGINEERING OF FUNCTIONALIZED POLYETHYLENE OXIDE (PEO) ELECTROLYTE

Electrolytes enable conduction of ions in a battery across the electrodes. One of the most important properties of an electrolyte material is its electrochemical window, which determines overall safety of the battery. Electrochemical window (also known as HOMO LUMO gap or bandgap) is calculated in the present work for polyethylene oxide (PEO) with different chemistries using a combination of Hartree-Fock and density functional theory (DFT) techniques. The aim is to study how the bandgap can be varied with different functional groups added to the polymer.