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To enhance the interests of all stakeholders in the multi-microgrid integrated energy system and to promote photovoltaic consumption, this paper proposes a master–slave game operation optimization strategy for a multi-microgrid system considering photovoltaic consumption and integrated demand response. Initially, an energy interaction model was established to delineate the relationships between each microgrid and the distribution network, as well as the interactions among the microgrids. Additionally, an integrated demand response model for end-users was developed. This framework leads to the formulation of a one-leader multi-follower interaction equilibrium model, wherein the multi-microgrid system acts as the leader and the users of the multi-microgrid serve as followers. It is proven that a unique equilibrium solution for the Stackelberg game exists. The upper level iteratively optimizes variables such as energy-selling prices, equipment output, and energy interactions among microgrids, subsequently announcing the energy-selling prices to the lower level. The lower level is responsible for optimizing energy load and returning the actual load demand to the upper level. Finally, the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed strategy are demonstrated through the case analysis. Thus, the profitability of the multi-microgrid system is enhanced, along with the overall benefits for each microgrid user, and the amount of photovoltaic curtailment is significantly reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-assembly driven by phase separation coupled to Coulombic interactions is fundamental to a wide range of applications, examples of which include soft matter lithography via di-block copolymers, membrane design using polyelectrolytes, and renewable energy applications based on complex nano- materials, such as ionic liquids. The most common mean field framework for these problems is the nonlocal Cahn-Hilliard, such as the Ohta{Kawasaki model. Unlike the common investigations of spatially extended patterns, the focus here is on the emergence of spatially localized states in both the classical and the extended Ohta-Kawasaki model. The latter also accounts for (i) asymmetries in long-range Coulomb interactions that are manifested by differences in the dielectric response, and (ii) asymmetric short-range interactions that correspond to differences in the chemical potential between two materials or phases. It is shown that in one space dimension there is a multiplicity of coexisting localized solutions, which organize in the homoclinic snaking structure. These, however, appear in a vertical structure as in dissipative systems, and not slanted as in conserved models with uniquely defined chemical potential (Lagrange multiplier), e.g., the conserved Swift-Hohenberg model. Differences between the cases and mechanism of localized solution selection are discussed. In addition, an analysis of two-dimensional extension is performed and distinct secondary instability mechanisms (related to extended and localized modes) of localized stripes are discussed with respect to model parameters and domain size. Finally, implications to localized hexagonal patterns are also made. The insights provide an effecient mechanistic framework to design and control localized self- assembly that might be a plausible strategy for low cost of nanoelectronic applications, i.e., a rather simple nanoscale fabrication of isolated morphologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our wish to know more about the paths taken by electrical currents in electroacupuncture (EA) with special reference to the heart, particularly in patients with an implanted pacemaker, prompted us to undertake this study. Using ourselves as subjects, we have developed a safe oscillographic method to detect, visualise and record the EA currents that avoids the use of equipment requiring mains electricity. After two trials with unsatisfactory equipment, we found that the newly developed model 3425 PicoScope™ (Pico Technology Ltd), with a four channel differential amplifier input connected to a laptop PC operating in battery mode, satisfied our criteria. With this recording system, we carried out two sets of experiments in which EA was provided by a Cefar acus4™ stimulator. The results confirm that the placement of a pair of acupuncture needles for EA can be used to predict the paths taken by the stimulating currents, and thus their areas of likely influence. When the needles are placed in closely adjacent acupuncture points in a limb, there is little or no detectable spread of the currents along the limb or into the chest. By contrast, when the needles are placed far apart, the electrical currents spread widely. Thus, when each of a pair of needles is placed in a point on opposite arms, the electrical currents recorded in the area of the pectoral muscles is of an order that might trigger an abnormal cardiac rhythm in a susceptible heart or activate a cardiac pacemaker incorporating an intracardiac defibrillator (lCD). Our results confirm the guidelines for EA safe practice recommended by the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS) to avoid adverse events, ie EA should not be applied such that the current is likely to traverse the heart. We can now be confident that electric fields generated by pairs of needles below the knee or elbow do not create detectable currents in the chest. It is likely that similar results would be obtained with the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) but this remains to be established by additional experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate prediction of electrical contact resistance in anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA) assemblies requires realistic models that include multiple particles between mating conductive tracks. In this paper, theoretical and finite element analyses are used to determine the electrical contact resistance in multiparticle ACA assemblies considering the effect of non-identical contact areas, elastic recovery, electrical interaction between the particles, and electrical interaction between the particles and the edges of the conductive tracks (edge effect). Parameters such as the number of particles, spatial distribution of the particles, and magnitude of the initial bonding force are evaluated. It is found that the spatial distribution of the particles plays a very important role in the rate at which the resistance decreases when either the number of particles or the magnitude of the initial bonding force is increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]