Using firefly algorithm to optimally size a hybrid renewable energy system constrained by battery degradation and considering uncertainties of power sources and loads.

In this paper, the planning of a hybrid system of wind turbine units, photovoltaic panels, and battery storage is presented by taking into account the limitation of the storage degradation. The scheme minimizes the construction and maintenance cost of power sources and storage equipment. The constraints of the problem include the operating model of the mentioned elements, the limitation of the number of the mentioned elements, the limitation of the storage degradation, and the power balance in the hybrid system. This scheme is subject to uncertainties of the demand and output power generation of wind turbines and photovoltaics, which are modeled using a scenario-based stochastic optimization. The problem has a mixed-integer non-linear structure, and the paper adopts the firefly algorithm to solve the problem. The contributions of the paper include considering the degradation model of the battery, presenting a stochastic modelling for planning the islanded system, and taking into account the uncertainties of load and renewable power. Finally, based on the numerical results, a low planning cost is obtained for the hybrid system in the case of using renewable resources. Batteries are capable of providing flexibility for the hybrid system so that they can cover oscillations of renewable power with respect to the load. The firefly algorithm can find a reliable optimal solution. Stochastic modeling raises the planning cost of the islanded system in comparison to the deterministic model, but it yields a more reliable solution. The battery degradation model incurs no additional costs in system planning, although it offers a far more precise representation of the battery's behavior.

Europium-phenolic network coated BaGdF5 nanocomposites for tri-modal computed tomography/magnetic resonance/luminescence imaging.

Multifunctional nanocomposites based on BaGdF5 nanoparticles (NPs) and metal phenolic network (MPN) have been engineered as novel contrast agents for potential applications in X-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance and luminescence imaging. The BaGdF5@MPN nanocomposites were synthesized at room temperature by coating BaGdF5 NPs with europium-phenolic network, which was obtained by the coordination of europium (III) with tannic acid (TA). The in vitro cytotoxicity assays against HepG2 cells revealed that the BaGdF5@MPN nanocomposites presented better cytocompatibility and lower cytotoxity than pure BaGdF5 NPs. In addition, vivid red and green luminescence can be observed by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) from the BaGdF5@MPN nanocomposites laden HepG2 cells under the excitation of UV (390 nm) and visible light (440 nm), respectively. The longitudinal relaxivity value (r1) of the nanocomposites was 2.457 mM-1s-1. Moreover, the nanocomoposites exhibited X-ray computed tomography (CT) and T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging capacities, and the intensities of the enhanced signals of in vitro CT and MR images were proportional to the concentrations of the nanocomposites. These results indicated that the as-prepared BaGdF5@MPN nanocomposites are promising contrast agents for CT/MR/luminescence imaging.

Facile preparation of multifunctional uniform magnetic microspheres for T1-T2 dual modal magnetic resonance and optical imaging.

Molecular imaging is of significant importance for early detection and diagnosis of cancer. Herein, a novel core-shell magnetic microsphere for dual modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging was produced by one-pot emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization, which could provide high resolution rate of histologic structure information and realize high sensitive detection at the same time. The synthesized magnetic microspheres composed of cores containing oleic acid (OA) and sodium undecylenate (NaUA) modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles and styrene (St), Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), and polymerizable lanthanide complexes (Gd(AA)3Phen and Eu(AA)3Phen) polymerized on the surface for outer shells. Fluorescence spectra show characteristic emission peaks from Eu(3+) at 590nm and 615nm and vivid red fluorescence luminescence can be observed by 2-photon confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM). In vitro cytotoxicity tests based on the MTT assay demonstrate good cytocompatibility, the composites have longitudinal relaxivity value (r1) of 8.39mM(-1)s(-1) and also have transverse relaxivity value (r2) of 71.18mM(-1)s(-1) at clinical 3.0 T MR scanner. In vitro and in vivo MRI studies exhibit high signal enhancement on both T1- and T2-weighted MR images. These fascinating multifunctional properties suggest that the polymer microspheres have large clinical potential as multi-modal MRI/optical probes.

Smart polymeric particle encapsulated gadolinium oxide and europium: theranostic probes for magnetic resonance/optical imaging and antitumor drug delivery.

Smart polymeric particles possessing the advantages of paramagnetism, luminescence, and controlled drug delivery in a single entity are reported. Gadolinium oxide and europium-encapsulated temperature/pH-responsive polymeric particles (PLTPPs) synthesized by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization show good biocompatibility with C6 cells and anticancer drug (doxorubicin, DOX) loading capability. In vitro drug release assessment discloses release abatement under acidic conditions or at high temperature, and the DOX-loaded PLTPPs have obvious antitumor properties for C6 and H22 cells. Cellular uptake tests confirm that the materials can be taken up by C6 cells thereby facilitating optical imaging. The T1-weighted relaxivity value at 3 T is 6.13 mM-1 s-1 which is 39% higher than that of the clinical Magnevist®. In vivo MR and optical imaging reveal that the PLTPPs are effective dual probes. The results indicate that the PLTPPs have great potential in tumor diagnosis and treatment.