Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Comparison And Contrast Between Nuclear And Solar Energy Engineering Essay

Comparison And Contrast Between Nuclear And Solar Energy Engineering Essay Human beings have been using fossil fuels for hundreds of years, satisfying the demand of industrialization. The behavior of using fossil fuels, on the other hand, causes huge pollution, such as soil, water and atmosphere contamination. In addition, fossil fuels, such as solid, liquid and gas, are all facing on the exhaustion. It is evidential that the situations need to be checked or repressed. However, the solutions should satisfy the urgent requirement of energy as well. Nuclear and solar energy are two clean, practicable solutions for human beings. Because they have been tested and been put to use since the mid twentieth century. On the surface, nuclear and solar energy seem absolutely different in other aspects except for low direct pollution and practicability. In fact, they share some significant similarities while they are totally different in other aspects. This essay will concentrate on comparing and contrasting nuclear and solar energy by discussing the similarities in gas emissions, high expend in increasing efficiency and electricity price, and the differences in safety and equipments. There are numerous similarities between nuclear and solar energy. The most significant one is that they are pollution-free and have no direct emission of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. Both nuclear and solar energy will give a carbon dioxide saving of 1330kg for 1kw electric power per year (Bosshard, 2006). Even though they lead to indirect emission of gases, the quantity of pollutant is small and unavoidable. However, at the price of low emission, the improvement of efficiency is expensive and difficult for both. In other words, they require high expenses in material and maintenance, especially when increasing the electricity production. Furthermore, according to Bosshard (2006) and Murray (2000), low efficiency is a traditional challenge for nuclear energy to conquer as it is in the solar energy field. Nuclear plant has efficiency about 7% in collecting radioactive energy to drive dynamotors. Merely 30-40% energy can be converted into electricity power by dynamotors. Likewise, neither silicon solar cell nor compound solar cell has an average efficiency which is over 16% (Edmonds, 2007). Even thought both nuclear and solar energy have plans for increase of efficiencyà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬fusion for nuclear energy and Thin Film Poly for solar energyà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬that will make a great improvement in efficiency, these techniques will not be conquer and put into application within a decade . Another common point that these two kinds of energy share together is the price of electricity. According to Thamm (2007), the price for solar energy is $0.35-$0.6 per kWh for solar cell and $0.085-$0.135 per kWh for solar thermal, while Fell (2006) claimed that the nuclear electricity price was from $0.3/kWh to $0.6/kWh; whereas, comparing to fossil fuels energy, which is merely 0.04 dollar per kilowatt-hour; hence, the expensive costs these two energies need will influence the competitive ability of worldwide market obviously. In spite of the similarities, safety is the main problem. It caused the differences of worldwide application in fund input and popularity between nuclear and solar energy. According to Duncan (2002), radioactive materials are regarded as the most basic sources for nuclear plant, which is extremely deadly pollutant. Therefore, as a solution, it will be stored in deeply in the earth with high-end and mature technology. Nuclear energy becomes one of the luxury goods for some wealthy countries. In contrast, solar energy application is much safer, such as solar cell, it can not only be built in solar station but also be applied in every aspect of daily life in both developed and developing countries. For instance, it supplies energy to homes or even playthings. Furthermore, the two famous nuclear accidents, The Three Mile Island in 1979 and The Chernobyl in 1986, are regarded as the another main evident reason for environmentalists to refuse nuclear power and for many counties to prefer p utting more fund into other clean energy like solar energy. There are three differences of the equipment applied to generate electricity for these two kinds of energy. The main difference involves the principle of operation of energy transformation. In this area, solar energy is more direct. Gonyeau (2003) stated that nuclear plant applied some special substance to absorb the radioactive energy from radioactive material in order to convert the energy into the heat of vapor, which would drive the thermoelectric generator to produce electricity. Moreover, heavy water, which is so difficult to produce that its value is higher than gold, is requite as Refrigerant. In contrast, Solar equipments prefer to generate electricity more directly by collecting photon energy and transforming it into potential energy in the cell or just gather the heat of light with water or parabolic dish collector (Corporation, 2008). As result, solar energy is more convenient than nuclear energy. Not only the ways of energy transformation are distinct, protection problem is also regarded as the area where difference exists. Nuclear plant needs frequent examination and to be well protected, because every little mistake will deal to the over heated of the reactor which is likely to cause the disaster that beyond retrieve. However, solar equipments are more easy to be controlled and do not requite as much care as nuclear plant does. The last point of difference is in energy gathering. It is obviously that nuclear plant can generate hundreds of times electricity than solar equipments (Edmonds, 2007). In addiction, difficulty in gathering energy is regarded as the disadvantage of solar energy, while the nuclear plant is good at this work. From what has been discussed above, it is easy to identify that solar energy is more promising than nuclear energy for its pollution-free production, safety, and convenience. Also, while nuclear energy, especially the fusion reaction that will be applied in future, is much danger and shouldering the pressure of nuclear proliferation, solar energy has wider and wider application in all aspects in society. Moreover, solar energy is one of the energies which are almost infinity for humankinds, because it can be found even outside the solar system; while nuclear energy is suffering the shortage of source. In brief, solar energy will develop well and become far more popular than now. In conclusion, by comparing and contrasting these two kinds of energy, it is clear that nuclear and solar energy share the common point of low greenhouse gas emissions and high cost of electricity. However, they still differ in many areas such as safety and principle of operation of devices. It is evidently that the application of nuclear and solar energy will grow in the future; while solar energy is more promising. Although there are several difficulties for both nuclear and solar energy to conquer, great progresses will be made. Consequently, they will serve Human beings and satisfy the increasing demand of consuming energy. ReferenceÃÆ' ¯Ã‚ ¼Ãƒâ€¦Ã‚ ¡ Corporation, P .W (2008). Solar Energy. available at: http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/energy/pdf/10-SolarEnergy.pdf (Accessed date 09/03/2010) Duncan, T (2000). Advanced Physics. 4th Edition, London: Murray Publishers Ltd. Edmonds, JA (2007). Nuclear Energy. available at: http://www.nuclear.gov/pdfFiles/History.pdf (Accessed date 08/03/2010) Bosshard, P (2006). An Assessment of Solar Energy Conversion Technologies and Research Opportunities. Available at: http://gcep.stanford.edu/pdfs/assessments/solar_assessment.pdf (Accessed date 07/03/2010) Gonyeau, J (2003). Nuclear Energy. available at: http://www.pnl.gov/gtsp/docs/getspnuclear.pdf (Accessed date 08/03/2010) Fell, H. J. (2006). Uranium Resources and Nuclear Energy. available at: http://www.lbst.de/publications/studies__e/2006/EWG-paper_1-06_Uranium-Resources-Nuclear-Energy_03DEC2006.pdf (Accessed date 09/03/2010) Murray, R. L (2000). Nuclear Energy available at: http://www.thevespiary.org/LYC/Chemistry/Nuclear%20chemistry/Nuclear%20Energy,%20An%20Introduction%20to%20the%20concept.pdf (Accessed date 11/03/2010 Thamm, A. L (2007). A Strategic Research Agenda for Photovoltaic Solar Energy Technology. available at: http://www.eupvplatform.org/fileadmin/Documents/PVPT_SRA_Complete_070604.pdf (Accessed date 07/03/2010)

Monday, January 20, 2020

How Biographical Traits of Individuals Affect Organizational Performanc

How Biographical Traits of Individuals Affect Organizational Performance To study the organization behavior, that is to study the people who form the organization. The success of an organization rests on the characteristics of its people. Successful managers can observe the employees’ behavior to understand their individual characteristics, which helps to improve the employees’ performance. Therefore, the performance of employees is directly related to their biographical characteristics and abilities. These factors affect employees’ interaction with others and reaction to various situations in the workplace. Then how these characteristics affect organizational performance? To learn about this, we should first know what biographical characteristics are. Biographical characteristics are personal characteristics—such as age, gender, and marital status—that are objective and easily obtained from personnel records. Let’s take a look at the first characteristic—age. The issue about age and performance is quite controversial. When we consider this aspect, the thought that aged-old workers have lower level of performance may easily and firstly come into mind. Is that true? In some work field, the answer is to some extend yes. People’s physical condition is inevitably degenerating when they are aging old. They do no have as much energy as the young have in everyday time. For example, does a tourist company manager would like to recruit a tourist guide wh... How Biographical Traits of Individuals Affect Organizational Performanc How Biographical Traits of Individuals Affect Organizational Performance To study the organization behavior, that is to study the people who form the organization. The success of an organization rests on the characteristics of its people. Successful managers can observe the employees’ behavior to understand their individual characteristics, which helps to improve the employees’ performance. Therefore, the performance of employees is directly related to their biographical characteristics and abilities. These factors affect employees’ interaction with others and reaction to various situations in the workplace. Then how these characteristics affect organizational performance? To learn about this, we should first know what biographical characteristics are. Biographical characteristics are personal characteristics—such as age, gender, and marital status—that are objective and easily obtained from personnel records. Let’s take a look at the first characteristic—age. The issue about age and performance is quite controversial. When we consider this aspect, the thought that aged-old workers have lower level of performance may easily and firstly come into mind. Is that true? In some work field, the answer is to some extend yes. People’s physical condition is inevitably degenerating when they are aging old. They do no have as much energy as the young have in everyday time. For example, does a tourist company manager would like to recruit a tourist guide wh...

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Internal policies and procedures Essay

Technology is a significant facet of district operations. Technology affects performance through enabling the citizens to access as well as analyze information, resolve problems, work in partnership with others, and successfully communicate their thoughts and information. People make use of technology as an instrument to support in administrative duties. Technology in information systems is needed to provide appropriate information to efficiently manage the district’s assets and make knowledgeable decisions. Only copyrighted materials are put through restrictions within a Policy Statement. Materials that are not copyrighted may be copied unreservedly and without limit. Copyrighted software and patented hardware may be copied devoid of copyright owner’s consent only in proportion to the Copyright Act that permits making an archival back-up duplicate. However, most software is licensed to a user and the terms of a license agreement may provide the user consent to create copies of the software beyond the archival copy allowed by the Copyright Act. Software license agreements and patented hardware are unique and consequently, the rights of the user to copy licensed software further than that endorsed under the Copyright Act may simply be verified by means of reading the user’s license agreement (Wesier, 77). Any reproduction or copying of copyrighted software on a system or constituent computing equipment must be in line with the Copyright Act and the related software license conformity. Educational institutions may not utilize unauthorized copies of software on system or component institution-owned networks or computers housed in a system or component institution facilities. In view of the fact that software companies are worried by the soaring rate of plagiarism and piracy of their programs, studies for probable violations can be anticipated. While software corporations may not possibly find it lucrative to file suit against an individual for violation, it definitely would not be reserved from filing suit against Universities. Additionally, companies may need to convey suits against people to put off future impending pirates. Software companies could also proscribe University’s use of their software packages. Consequently, University employees who make use of these software materials have a responsibility to avert use of copyrighted materials and to utilize the software barely in accordance with licensing agreements. EVALUATION OF CURRENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF ALACHUA COUNTY The Alachua County has cost-efficiently purchased new technology, maintains a reliable technology infrastructure given obtainable resources, have instituted policies and moral standards for using technology, and has good controls to guarantee appropriate access and make use of the district’s information systems. In 2001, the district’s technology departments were pooled into one inclusive department – Administrative and Instructional Technology Department. The amalgamation took place when the directors comprehended that both departments had overlying duties as well as consolidation into one department would augment overall effectiveness. To utilize the remaining best practice principles and guarantee the performance, competence, and efficacy of its softwares and hardwares, the district have to regularly modernize and monitor its technology arrangement, make the training processes official related to technology, regulate budget allowances within obtainable funding, utilize the work order structure to develop the delivery of support, develop the use of technology to progress communications, and institute procedures for analyzing technology services and purchases. Along with the district’s District Technology Plan (2001-2006), the Alachua County currently make use of computers for instruction in general areas: schools curriculum support, technology literacy, as well as communication. All districts have computer committees that provide direction for the function of technology within the instructional procedure and the acquisition of hardware/software. Every district selects and purchases its computer software in accordance with its needs. The constituency sets common direction and provides supervision to guarantee the quality and compatibility of instructional materials. The Technology and Information Services Department supervises technology in Alachua County schools, counting central processing unit and support of services, finance, human resources, and facilities functions. In that structure, the department addresses all issues related to both instructional and technology administrative, as well as the local area networks at each school and district. The staffs support other areas of technology at schools and districts, and assists in using technology. However, the county’s technology plan does not provide sufficient direction for instructional and administrative technology decision-making. Planning is the means to a well-delivered and well-implemented information system. Efficient planning helps guarantee that district information system meets the instructional needs of the people and the administrative needs of decision makers, including schools, hospitals and other organizations and agencies. An effectual planning procedure identifies the technology necessities of users, develops strategies to obtain needed technology in a lucrative manner, and identifies accessible funds required for acquisitions. To ensure that all critical needs are identified, the planning process should comprise an extensive range of stakeholder participation. The decisions made throughout the planning process must be in writing and the resulting plan has to guide technology-related policymaking as well as acquisitions.

Friday, January 3, 2020

U.s. National Security Strategy Essay - 1562 Words

â€Å"Climate change is an urgent and growing threat to our national security, contributing to increased natural disasters, refugee flows, and conflicts over basic resources like food and water.† These words from the U.S. National Security Strategy show the United States is moving forward on addressing the challenges posed by climate change. The Department of Defense published the 2014 Climate Change Adaption roadmap establishing three overarching goals and four lines of effort to guide geographic combatant commands, military agencies, and departments in their efforts to identify and meet the challenges of climate change. Of all the challenges, one needs more emphasis today since it could have far reaching impacts on U.S. National Security Interests: the ever-growing scarcity of water resources. Water, essential to human life as much as the air we breathe, is becoming a more valuable resource as areas once with abundant water are now running low and nations must make choices on how to provide and share this resource not only with their citizens but with their neighboring countries as well. Asia, with 65 percent of the world’s population but with only 47 percent of the global average of fresh water per person must work with its neighbors to develop sustainable and share sustainable water resources. The Middle East’s ongoing water crisis could lead to government instability, civil war, and failed states. Over Sixty percent of the regions surface water flows fromShow MoreRelatedU.s. National Security Strategy1398 Words   |  6 Pagespresidency, President Obama determined that increasing our strategic focus on the Asia-Pacific Region and rebalance our national power and resources toward this region. This shift from the war footing in Iraq and Afghanistan to an increased peace and stability in East Asia was determined to be in the best national interests of the United States in the 2015 National Security Strategy. This strategic shift would have two major focus areas. First, the United States would focus on peace and stabilityRead MoreU.s. National Security Strategy1382 Words   |  6 Pagesmost complex and stubborn national security strategy issues that the United States has had to deal with. Once a key U.S. ally in the region, Iran is now a chief protagonist. To complicate matters, recently, the U.S. has found itself simultaneously an adversary and a quasi-ally of Iran. An example of this duality would be: on one hand, Iran has provided support to terrorist organizations, like Al-Qaeda, that have attacked the U.S. and its allies. On the other hand, the U.S. has found itself on theRead MoreU.s. National Security Strategy1472 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Strong and sustained American leadership is essential to a rules-based intern ational order that promotes global security and prosperity as well as the dignity and human rights of all peoples.† This statement from the most recent U.S. National Security Strategy indicates that the White House administration acknowledges the current international order is shaped constitutionally, or is â€Å"rule-based.† Globalization has made states and individuals increasingly interdependent and interconnected. GlobalizationRead MoreU.s. National Security Strategies And Policies1231 Words   |  5 PagesFor this progress assignment I would like to describe homeland security as it is defined in the various U.S. national security strategies and policies. In addition I would like to speak to the difference between Homeland Security and Homeland Defense to include mission areas, task, operational responsibilities, and coordinating efforts. Homeland Security The establishment of the Department of Homeland security is, undoubtedly, a result of the lessons learned and identification of the need to protectRead MoreU.s. National Security Strategy 20142155 Words   |  9 PagesMONGOLIA using the operational variables of PMESII-PT and its role in the U.S. strategy in the Pacific Command (PACOM). With the the majority of attention being given to a more aggressive China or perhaps violent extremist organizations (VEO’s) in Southeast Asia, it is easy to forget about Mongolia. Although, those threats in Southeast Asia and the growing tensions with China cannot be ignored, it would be foolish of the U.S. to ignore the country of Mongolia. In fact, further developing relationsRead MoreC200 Exam Essay1399 Words   |  6 Pagesto the United States’ national interest. The vital national interest at risk in President Obama’s address is the security and safety of the American people as well as the â€Å"security of our allies and the common security of the world.† By involving the military and increasing the troop strength, President Obama can achieve the objectives of his strategy. His objectives are to keep the Taliban from becoming powerful, prevent them from government rule, improve Afghanistan security forces and governmentRead MoreNational Security Strategy for a New Era1471 Words   |  6 Pagesunidentified is a comprehensive strategy for United States national security. What are the priorities for American national security today, and how can they effectively be met? What are the overarching goals of the United States going and how can they be achieved? Answers to these questions are too often divided along partisan lines, making it difficult to construct a strategy that most policy-makers can support. Yet like a rudder on a ship, the U.S. needs a central strategy that has bipartisan supportRead MoreNational And International Security Threats896 Words   |  4 PagesNational and internation al security threats are typically perceived as conflict between nations or populations of people and are addressed with military strategies. However, as security is defined as †¦ (Define security) not all threats emanate from nations in conflict. The environment, for example, can threaten the safety of people, and therefore becomes and national security issue. Brown (1977) states â€Å"†¦threats to security may now arise less from the relationship of nation to nation and moreRead MoreThe Importance Of Security In War1058 Words   |  5 PagesThe Jaish al-Mahdi understood and exploited U.S. public opinion. This incident demonstrated that adversaries can achieve success by conducting influence operations. China identifies cyberspace as a key domain to project power and dominance. Chinese military strategists believe that information operations are directly linked to success or defeat in war and priority should be given to launching preemptive attacks. In 2005, China infiltrated numerous secure government systems and successfully retrievedRead MoreThe United States Faces Security Challenges1323 Words   |  6 PagesThe United States faces several national security challenges. For one, it has seemingly lost its leadership role in space activities. Other countries, such as China, are ramping up investments in space, while â€Å"NASA’s budget is at a historic low as a share of the overall federal budget.† Return on investments in space technology has benefitted the civilian space program and the military alike. U.S. military operations and intelligence collection rely on space systems and â€Å"access to these capabilities