Power generation from wind and solar sources is growing in importance, but requires back up from fossil fuel plants, greatly compromising fossil fuel plant economics. This includes the economics of most proposed IGCC–Hypogen type plant schemes which are intended to produce hydrogen and electricity, as well as capturing CO2. IGCC–Hypogen plants, however, that are able to change the ratio of hydrogen to electricity will be able to operate at maximum capacity all of the time, switching from power generation to hydrogen production as the demand for these two forms of energy changes. Because of the need to provide power to the IGCC–Hypogen ancillaries, some hydrogen from the plant will have to be utilised to supply some of this power. A preliminary economic study examines how the plant could produce electricity and hydrogen at competitive prices.

Objective High-order multifetal pregnancies carry a significant risk of obstetric complications and poor pregnancy outcome. Selective reduction has traditionally been performed using transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound-guided intracardiac injection of potassium chloride. We have previously shown that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can create a coagulative tissue necrosis in the sheep fetus. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of non-invasive selective fetal reduction using HIFU in a rabbit model.Methods A protocol for HIFU-induced tissue coagulation was developed in the rabbit model. The fetal heart was targeted with ultrasound-guided tissue ablation by a HIFU beam. Five time-mated does between 20-29 days' gestation underwent transabdominal fetal cardiac ablation in a total of 11 fetuses. The HIFU system consisted of a 7-MHz high-power transducer, operated at 2000 W/cm(2). The fetal heart rate was observed using real-time ultrasound with Doppler flow velocimetry. All lesions were assessed macroscopically and by histological analysis.Results Severe bradycardia leading to asystole was observed in all targeted fetuses with ultrasound examination. Dissection of fetuses demonstrated a necrotic intrathoracic lesion similar in size to the HIFU focus (approximately 1 x 9 mm), None of the surrounding fetuses was found to have bradycardia during the procedure or a macroscopic lesion on dissection.Conclusion In this pilot study HIFU seems promising to ablate even highly vascularized tissue in the fetus. Copyright (c) 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The HYPOGEN (HYdrogen POwer GENeration) project refers to a large-scale test facility for the co-production of hydrogen and electricity. HYPOGEN will be a clean fossil fuel design in which the CO2 will be captured and stored. Although this facility will be used to demonstrate the technology, it is emphasised that the design should be able to vary the ratio of hydrogen to electricity for commercial plants to be economic. The HYPOGEN concept will engender much interest from industry and the public, as an integral aspect in the development of a hydrogen-based energy economy in Europe. The mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national

Objective: We have shown that High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) can effectively control bleeding from injuries to solid organs such as liver, spleen, and lung. Achievement of hemostasis was augmented when a homogenate of tissue and blood was formed. The objective of this study was to investigate quantitatively the effect of homogenate production on HIFU application time for hemostasis. Possible mechanisms involved in homogenate production were also studied.Methods: Ten anesthetized rabbits had laparotomy and liver exposure. Liver incisions, 15-25 mm long and 3-4 mm deep, were made followed immediately by HIFU application. Two electrical powers of 80 and 100 W corresponding to focal acoustic intensities of 2264 and 2829 W/cm(2) respectively were used. Tissue and homogenate temperatures were measured. Smear and histological tissue sample analysis using light microscopy were performed.Results: In treatments with homogenate formation, hemostasis was achieved in 76 +/- 1.3 s (Mean +/- Standard Error Mean: SEM) at 80 W. In treatments without homogenate formation (at 80 W), hemostasis was achieved in 106 +/- 0.87 s. At 100 W, hemostasis was achieved in 46 +/- 0.3 s. The time required for homogenate formation, at 80 and 100 W were 60 +/- 2.5 and 23 +/- 0.3 s, respectively. The homogenate temperature was 83 degreesC (SEM 0.6 degreesC), and the non-homogenate tissue temperature at the treatment site was 60 degreesC (SEM 0.4 degreesC). The smear and histological analysis showed significant blood components and cellular debris in the homogenate with some intact cells.Conclusion: The HIFU-induced homogenate of blood and tissue resulted in a statistically significant shorter HIFU application time for hemostasis. The incisions with homogenate had higher temperatures as compared to incisions without homogenate. Further studies of the correlation between homogenate formation and temperature must be done. as well as studies on the long-term effects of homogenate in achieving hemostasis. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Objective: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been shown to provide an intra-operative method for arresting active bleeding in liver, spleen, and lung. The efficacy of HIFU has been observed to increase significantly when a homogenate of blood and tissue is formed at the treatment site. Here, we report on the investigation of the HIFU parameters (power and duration) for optimal formation of the homogenate in the liver and the mechanisms involved in its formation. Methods: Ten rabbits were anesthetized, their livers exposed surgically, and incisions (1.5 cm long, 4 mm deep, and 1 cm apart) were made. HIFU was applied within 10 seconds using a solid titanium conical applicator, operating at 5.47 MHz in CW mode. Two HIFU electrical power settings of 100 and 80 Watts were empirically determined and used for achieving hemostasis, with and without the formation of the homogenate, respectively. Thermal measurements of the treatment site were also performed. A total of 58 incisions at 100 W and 74 incisions at 80 W were treated. Tissue samples were obtained for histological examination. Results: The mean HIFU application time required to achieve hemostasis was significantly shorter when homogenate was formed (46 s) compared to when no homogenate was formed (106 s) (p<0.05). The mean temperature at the treatment site was lower for non-homogenate (60 deg. C) vs. homogenate (82 deg. C) treatment (p<0.05). Histological analysis of the treatment sites with homogenate formation showed a mixture of disrupted erythrocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. The mixture was mainly composed of blood with a few recognizable epithelial cells and a large concentration of fibrin. At the treatment sites with no homogenate formation, coagulative necrosis was observed with a minimal amount of fibrin and other blood products. Conclusions: The formation of homogenate appears to enhance acoustic hemostasis, resulting in short HIFU application times. The mechanism responsible for homogenate formation appears to involve both thermal (boiling) and mechanical effects (cavitation) of HIFU. Further investigations of optimal intra-operative HIFU parameters should improve the safety of the HIFU application.