bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of monitor system for parallel-type superconducting level sensor for liquid hydrogen
Authors: Tanaka Naoki , Kajikawa Kazuhiro , Oguro Hidetoshi , Sugino Makoto , Nakanishi Tsutomu , Aoki Itsuo
Published: October 2019

We develop a monitor system to control a parallel-type superconducting (SC) level sensor and to indicate the level of liquid hydrogen in a container. The parallel-type level sensor is composed of an MgB2 wire and non-SC wire, which are vertically located in parallel and electrically connected in series. We assemble the monitor unit using a power supply, central processing unit (CPU), analog-to-digital (AD)/digital-to-analog (DA) converter, touch panel, voltage dividers and isolators. The terminal voltages of the MgB2 wire and non-SC wire with a constant current produced by the power supply are stored in the memory of CPU through the isolators, voltage dividers and AD converter. The liquid level is calculated in the CPU according to a pre-written program code. The obtained result is displayed on the touch panel and also output externally via the DA converter and isolator. Furthermore, the normal operation of the developed monitor system is validated using dummy voltages from an oscillator.
Fracture strength properties of (Gd,Y)BaCuO large single-grain bulk at liquid nitrogen temperature
Authors: Murakami A , Iwamoto I
Published: October 2019

In order to investigate the fracture strength properties of a (Gd,Y)BaCuO large single-grain bulk with 90 mm in diameter, bending tests were carried out at liquid nitrogen temperature 77 K for the specimens cut from the bulk sample. The large single-grain bulk was fabricated by RE compositional gradient technique to overcome the problem of undesirable nucleation apart from the seed crystal. One precursor that consisted of some regions with different Gd and Y contents was used for the fabrication. Bending tests for the plain and the V-notched specimens were carried out to evaluate the fracture strength and fracture toughness, respectively. The fracture strength values of the specimens that included the interface between two regions with different Gd and Y contents were not lower than those of the specimens that did not include the interface, which is similar to the bending test results at room temperature. The fracture strength values at 77 K were higher than those at room temperature.
Processing and Characterization of Charcoal Added Bulk MgB2 Superconductor
Authors: Longji Dadiel J , Muralidhar M , Arvapalli Sai Srikanth , Pavan Kumar Naik S , Murakami M
Published: October 2019

In this study, we focus on methods to further improve the flux pinning and critical current density (J
c) of disk shaped MgB2 bulk superconductors by a comparative study with locally obtained charcoal at optimized processing conditions. The doping of charcoal was varied at 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 wt%. Bulk MgB2 samples were produced by in-situ solid state reaction in Ar gas and ambient pressures at 775 °C, employing high purity of Mg metal and nano B powder mixed in a fixed ratio of Mg:B = 1:2 and optimal conditions. The phase has been investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The effects of the dopants on superconducting properties especially the field dependence of J
c have been determined by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and critical temperature (T
c). Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility showed sharp superconducting transitions (ΔT
c ∼ 1 K). J
c at self-field and 20 K was determined to be ~280 and 467 kA/cm2 for the 0 and 0.4 wt% charcoal added samples respectively. The structural and superconducting results were correlated with the addition of charcoal in the final product.
Plug-in Wire for 200-pixel Superconducting Tunnel Junction X-ray Detector Array for Helium-3 Cryostat
Authors: Shiki S , Fujii G , Ukibe M
Published: October 2019

A plug-in wire system is designed for a 200-pixel superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) X-ray detector array for a helium-3 cryostat. The STJ array and the room-temperature electronics are electrically connected by wire modules that have connectors at both ends. Two types of wire module are used to balance the electric conductance and thermal conductance under various temperature conditions. One type uses a copper-based miniature coaxial cable harness, and is utilized to electrically connect the room-temperature electronics to the 3 K stage. The other type uses woven wire looms of twisted-pairs of NbTi wire, and is used to electrically connect the 3 K stage to the helium-3 stage. With the installation of all wire modules, the temperature of the cold stage is less than 310 mK, and the holding time is more than 80 hours. The plug-in wire system is suitable for large-scale STJ X-ray detector arrays.
Effects and Design Considerations of Inserted Resonator to Improve Efficiency Including Rectifying Circuit for Superconducting Wireless Power Transfer System for Electric Vehicle
Authors: Chung Yoon Do , Lee Chang Young , Park Eun Young
Published: October 2019

The wireless power transfer (WPT) technology based on strongly resonance coupled method realizes large power charging without any wires through the air. Recently, the WPT systems have started to be applied to the wireless charging for electrical vehicles (EVs) because of their advantages compared with the wired counterparts, such as convenient, safety and fearless transmission of power. However, it has obstacles to commercialize such as delivery distance and efficiency. To solve the problems, we proposed the technical fusion using HTS antenna in the WPT system, it is called as, superconducting wireless power transfer for electric vehicle (SUWPT4EV) system. Since the superconducting wire has merits a larger current density and higher Q value than normal conducting wire, the HTS antenna enables to deliver a mass amount of electric energy in spite of a small scale antenna. Thus, SUWPT4EV system has been expected as a reasonable option to improve the transfer efficiency of large electric power. Authors already demonstrated the efficienct effects for inserted resonator using simply copper tube wires, which structure is helix type of multi layers. In this study, as a practical approach, authors evaluated the SUWPT4EV system with inserted copper type resonator, which structure is a rectangular shape of single layer to reduce installation volume. Based on the evaluation results, authors deduced the practically alternative structure for the inserted resonator to reduce the installation space as well as to improve transmission power, compared with non-resonator SUWPT4EV system under radio frequency (RF) power of 370 kHz below 500 W.
Power enhancement of the high-Tc superconducting terahertz emitter with a modified device structure
Authors: Minami H , Ono Y , Murayama K , Tanabe Y , Nakamura K , Kusunose S , Kashiwagi T , Tsujimoto M , Kadowaki K
Published: October 2019

Continuous and monochromatic terahertz electromagnetic waves can be generated with sizable power (∼30 μW) by the mesa-shaped device made of the high-T
c superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ, by synchronizing the phase of the Josephson currents between multi-stacked intrinsic Josephson junctions. From the previous experimental results on the line width, spatial distribution of the emission, etc., we think that the relatively weaker power may originate from the partial failure of the phase synchronization of the Josephson currents in the mesa device. This may be improved by modifying the device structure to enhance the Josephson current density inside the mesa. In the present study, an array of four rectangle-shaped mesas with the dimensions of 80±5 μm×350 μm×3.2 μm was fabricated on a thin Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ single crystal, where several slots were made around the mesas by photolithography and chemical etching techniques in order to weaken electrical connection between mesa and superconductor base. The best result of the emission power for the array so far obtained is ~80 μW at 0.42 THz, which is about 2.7 times bigger than the previous champion data in our group.
Estimation of electricity storage capacity of compact SMESs composed of stacks of Si-wafers loaded with superconducting thin film coils in spiral trenches formed by MEMS process
Authors: Ichiki Y , Ichiki A , Hioki T , Sasaki M , Noh J-H , Takai O , Honma H , Motohiro T
Published: October 2019

A method to estimate the electricity storage capacity of our compact superconducting magnetic energy storage system composed of stacks of Si-wafers loaded with superconducting thin film coils in spiral trenches formed by MEMS process was developed and tested for initial 6 designs of wafer coils. The results show energy storage density as low as around 6 Wh/ℓ. This is not caused by the limitation of the hoop stress but by the limitation of the maximum magnetic flux density. Further calculations for optimum wafer coil designs will be continued in which the effect of the maximum magnetic flux energy and the effect of the maximum hoop stress on the limit of the amount of the electrical energy storage come into a good balance.
Early Detection of Normal Transitions in a High Temperature Superconducting Transformer Wound with a Plurality of HTS Tapes Using the Active Power Method
Authors: Nanato N , Aoyama H
Published: October 2019

The authors have been developing an AC power source with a high temperature superconducting (HTS) transformer which is small in size and can supply large AC current. The HTS transformer needs a detection system of normal transitions for high reliability. The authors have reported the active power method as the detection system. However, the conventional method could not detect early the normal transition in a secondary coil of the transformer which was wound with a bundle of some HTS tapes since resistive voltage in the normal area is too small due to current sharing among the HTS tapes. In this paper, the authors propose a method to detect the normal transitions in the bundle conductor by improving the active power method. The early and correct detection can be achieved by measuring each active power of each HTS tape. In order to measure the active power, current leads are attached independently to all the HTS tapes. The current leads enable to measure the resistive voltage in each HTS tape, and each active power can be measured. The proposed method works well when even one of secondary tapes transits to the normal conducting state. Experimental results show the usefulness of the proposed method.
Numerical simulation of the fast processes in HTS tapes under the pulsed current load
Authors: Anischenko I V , Pokrovskii S V , Rudnev I A , Osipov M A , Abin D A
Published: October 2019

This paper presents a numerical layered 2G HTS tape model with the transport current flowing through it. The simulation is performed by using FEM H-formulation method implemented in the Comsol Multyphysics software. The model provides two cooling modes: cryocooler and liquid nitrogen. LN2 cooling mode provides for a complex hysteresis character of the liquid nitrogen boiling curve and the boiling regimes changing possibility between the stationary and the bubble boiling. The delay of the voltage rising with a transport current above the critical value pulse input is shown in the liquid nitrogen cooling case. The possibility of parameters calculating for current redistribution from the HTS to the stabilizing copper layer is shown, and the stabilizing coating thickness effect on the thermal transition critical current value is studied A comparison with experimental results is carried out.
Observation of a non-uniform current distribution in stacked high temperature superconducting tapes
Authors: Meulenbroeks T A J , Terazaki Y , Matsunaga S , Yanagi N
Published: October 2019

High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) improve upon low temperature superconductors in many ways and the ability to cope with a non-uniform current distribution might be one of those improvements. To put this to the test, an experimental setup is designed to force a non-uniform current upon a stack of 5 HTS tapes, using a worst case current feeding method. The experiment can help determine the potential of this conductor design and is part of the ongoing effort to develop a non-transposed stacked HTS conductor for the nuclear fusion reactor FFHR. The results clearly show that the conductor sample is able to stably conduct a current equal to its critical current, although at an elevated electric field of roughly 5 mV/m. This means non-transposed stacked tape conductors remain stable, even if a worst case nonuniform current is constantly forced upon them. A hypothesis to explain this abnormally high electric field is formulated on the basis of the results, however additional research is needed to verify it. It states that the electric field is necessary for the tapes to share current and would mean that in a properly engineered application, these losses due to the electric field, would only occur during start-up. Overall it is clear that this experiment proves the excellent stability of non-transposed stacked HTS tapes and their ability to conduct a non-uniform current.
Low voltage and large current DC superconducting power cable designs for 10 km to 100km transmission line using experimental data of Ishikari project
Authors: Yamaguchi Satarou , Yamada Takeo , Iitsuka Takashi , Sato Akio , Sawamura Toru , Sytnikov Victor
Published: October 2019

Main merit of the DC superconducting power transmission line is low loss even in low voltage power transmission. It should be realized when the transmission length is long. Therefore, we discuss and analyse an aspect of thermo-hydrodynamic performance of Ishikari project, and show one design of 100 km transmission line. At the same time, we also discuss the cable design and the rated voltage of the cable is lower than 50 kV for 500MW transmission. This is one of the most important advantages to make the DC power grid because we can omit an ultra-high voltage substation, the primary and the secondary substations and we can connect the power stations to the distribution stations directly. Finally, we may be able to reduce the construction and operation costs of the power grid.
A Feasibility Study of Smart High-Temperature Superconducting Cable to Improve Stability of KEPCO System
Authors: Seo Sangsoo , Lee Seung Ryul , Cho Jeonwook
Published: October 2019

The Korean power system is a very tightly coupled island system. The installed capacity is about 100 GW and the load demand is gradually increasing. Especially in metropolitan areas where the load is concentrated, the system fault current often exceeds the breaker capacity due to the strong connection. The system operator limits the fault current by bus split operations considering the breaker capacity but this reduces system stability. Therefore, various efforts have been made using a fault current limiter to overcome these problems. A smart superconducting (SC) cable is a type of SC power transmission cable. It has not only standard structure of the existing SC power cable but also a fault current limiter. The cable has a SC characteristic in a normal state, while when a fault occurs, it can limit a fault current through generating impedance that adjusts electrical and thermal properties of SC cable and material and cross-sectional area of SC cable. In this paper, a technique is proposed to reduce system fault current while improving the system stability using a smart high-temperature SC cable. In addition, the appropriate cable capacity and locations are selected to improve the reliability of the Korean power systems using the smart SC cables. The proposed locations and capacities will be applied to the smart SC cable development project that started in May last year
An effective design for induced current reducing of a single-phase multi-layer HTS coaxial cable with former
Authors: Kang S Y , Lee S J , Le D V , Park M
Published: October 2019

High temperature superconducting (HTS) cables require a former layer to bypass fault currents and support superconducting tape. The former layer of the HTS cable does not conduct current in steady-state operation due to the resistance difference with the conducting layer. However, in practice, an induced current flows through the former layer due to the mutual interaction with the conducting layer. Therefore, the current distribution in the cable should be uniform and the induced current in the former layer must be minimized. This paper deals with an effective design of a single-phase multi-layer HTS coaxial (SMHTSC) cable with former layer. The optimal combination of the pitch length and the winding direction in the conducting layer and the shield layer was selected for uniform current distribution of the SMHTSC cable and minimization of induced current in the former layer. The current distribution of the SMHTSC cable was analyzed based on the numerical calculation results obtained using the impedance matching method. The results and discussions of the current distribution on the SMHTSC cable with and without former layer were compared and presented.
Heat load to the cryogenic system in the 1000 m class superconducting DC power transmission system
Authors: Watanabe Hirofumi , Ivanov Yury V , Chikumoto Noriko , Yamaguchi Satarou , Ishiyama Kotaro , Oishi Zenji , Watanabe Michihiko , Masuda Takato
Published: October 2019

Long-term circulation and load cycle tests of the cooling of the 1000 m class superconducting DC power transmission system in Ishikari, Japan were performed to measure the heat load delivered to and the power consumption of the cryogenic system. The average heat load and power consumption during these tests was about 2.5 and 120 kW, respectively. To increase the efficiency of superconducting power transmission systems, the selection and composition of constituent devices of the cooling system should be optimized.
Development of Single-phase Bi2223 High Temperature Superconducting Transformer with Protection System for High Frequency and Large Current Source
Authors: Nanato N , Adachi T , Yamanishi T
Published: October 2019

The authors have been developing a large AC current source with a single-phase Bi2223 superconducting transformer. The authors aim to develop the source of supplying current with the maximum frequency of 1 kHz and the maximum amplitude of 1 kA. However, the conventional transformer has some leakage inductance resulting in large voltage drop, and therefore it was unable to transport the current with high frequency and large amplitude. In this paper, the authors propose a configuration of the transformer with less leakage inductance than inductance of the conventional one. Improved current source has output current with the maximum frequency of 1 kHz and the maximum amplitude of 900 A. In addition, a protection system for normal transition in the transformer is proposed. The authors have proposed the active power method to detect the normal transition. For high frequency and large current, however, the normal transition may be incorrectly detected by using the method due to large AC loss. The authors show a new method to avoid the incorrect detection by an empirical formula based on measurement results of the AC loss. From the experimental results of the normal transition, the authors show that the proposed method is more correct to detect the normal transition than the conventional method.
Numerical analysis on the influence of armature winding configuration on AC loss of 10 MW fully superconducting generators of electric aircrafts
Authors: Komiya M , Aikawa T , Yoshida K , Miura S , Iwakuma M , Yoshida T , Sasayama T , Tomioka A , Konno M , Izumi T
Published: October 2019

10 MW fully superconducting generators, comprising REBCO superconducting tapes with various armature winding configurations, were designed. The influences of these configurations, such as a distributed-winding and a concentrated-winding configuration, on AC loss, output power density, and output voltage waveform were evaluated. As a result, the short-pitch distributed-winding model exhibited the best properties among all the models. In particular, the AC loss of the armature winding was approximately half that of the concentrated winding. Furthermore, the distortion factor was lower than 10%.
Motor structure and mechanical output density of IPM motor using bulk superconductors as magnetic field
Authors: Akada Wataru , Terao Yutaka , Ohsaki Hiroyuki
Published: October 2019

Recently, means of transportation with electrical motors such as electric vehicles and ships are rapidly increasing. Various attempts have been made to reduce the size of the motors to increase the freedom of transport equipment system layouts and the energy efficiency of their transportation. Interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSMs) can realize higher torque than surface permanent magnet synchronous motors (SPMSMs) by using reluctance torque caused by magnetic saliency in addition to magnet torque. In comparison with SPMSMs, IPMSMs can have wide operation ranges by applying control methods such as maximum output control and field weakening control. Therefore, IPMSMs are expected to be used for a variety of application such as electric vehicles, ships and heavy equipment. By replacing permanent magnets with bulk superconductors in the rotors of IPMSMs, the magnet torque increases due to the stronger magnetic field of magnetized bulk superconductors. This leads to an increase in total torque density of the motors and contributes to motor size reduction. In this research, we propose an IPMSM with bulk superconductors with the goal of increasing the mechanical output density. In the proposed IPMSM, cooling space is left inside the rotor to cool the bulk superconductors to their superconducting state. Here, analysis based on finite element method was carried out to verify the utility of the proposed motor. First, the design of the motor with bulk superconductors and cooling space is discussed. It is shown that the total torque can be increased by adjusting the position of the bulk superconductor and modifying the structure of the flux barrier. The maximum total torque shown here was 22500 Nm. Then, the mechanical output density of the proposed IPMSM is compared with a conventional IPMSM. It is shown that the mechanical output density of the proposed IPMSM is 38% higher than the conventional IPMSM. Finally, the magnetic shielding effect, which might be a problem when using bulk superconductors, is discussed. By using electromagnetic analysis, it is shown that the external magnetic flux is weakened by the cooling space to several percent of the magnets’ surface and the effect of the shielding current is trivial.
Design of an HTS module coil for a 750 kW-class superconducting wind power generator
Authors: Tuvdensuren O , Go B S , Sung H J , Park M
Published: October 2019

Recently, high temperature superconducting (HTS) generators are being studied with the advantages of high efficiency, light weight and small volume compared with the conventional generators. However, the HTS generator requires a large vacuum vessel and has problems such as difficulties in maintenance of the HTS coil. These problems can be overcome through the modularization of the HTS field coil. This paper designs an HTS module coil for a 750 kW-class superconducting wind power generator. The HTS module coil was designed based on the electromagnetic analysis results obtained using a 3D finite element method. For detail structure of the module coil, the heat load analysis and the mechanical stress analysis were performed. As a result, the total heat load was minimized the temperature of the HTS coil could be kept below 30 K. The von Mises stress of the supports was less than the allowable stress of the glass-fiber reinforced plastic material. The design results of the HTS module coil can be effectively utilized to develop large scale the superconducting wind power generators.
Remediation of Groundwater Contaminated by Heavy Metals Using Magnetic Separation Technique
Authors: Amosse A J , Akiyama Y
Published: October 2019

Heavy metals pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems nowadays. Studies on the environmental pollution indicate that water pollution by heavy metals ions has reached unprecedented levels over the past decade in many countries, with highlights to African countries. Removal of these toxic metals from contaminated water can improve human being life quality and prevent from their adverse effects. This study aims to text the ability of magnetic activated carbon (MAC) and MAC coated with wastes of colloidal silica (MACSi) for adsorption of copper, manganese and zinc ions from water and its separation from water using magnetic separation technique. The adsorption results of MAC and MACSi showed that MACSi was more effective to adsorb the ions than MAC. FT-IR spectrum and XRD pattern of MACSi indicated that silica coating onto MAC surface is in amorphous form.
Design and Trial Production of Magnetic Filter for Medical Protein Screening System using High Gradient Magnetic Separation
Authors: Mori M. , Kubota M. , Abe T. , Kim S.B. , Ueda H.
Published: October 2019

Biomedicine is indispensable for the treatment of various diseases such as cancer and diabetes mellitus. In particular, antibodies utilized by the immune system are believed to represent the future of medical supplies as they offer an effective treatment for diseases with minor side effects. The development of antibody drugs requires a large-scale, sequential, fast separation, and refinement process for the medical proteins. Thus, in the previous study, we proposed a medical protein screening system that is based on high-gradient magnetic separation using a superconducting magnet. In the proposed system, the protein is specifically attached to the magnetic beads and captured by the magnetic force around a magnetic filter generated by a high magnetic field. In this paper, the behaviour of the magnetic beads was investigated using particle trace simulation coupled with electromagnetic and fluid analyses for three types of commercially available magnetic filters. Simulations were performed using the filter stack intervals and number of filters as design parameters. Finally, we designed the suitable filter for capturing the magnetic beads.
Development of a contact-less cryogenic rotation mechanism employed for a polarization modulator unit in cosmic microwave background polarization experiments
Authors: Sakurai Yuki , Matsumura Tomotake , Katayama Nobuhiko , Iida Teruhito , Komatsu Kunimoto , Sugai Hajime , Ohsaki Hiroyuki , Terao Yutaka , Hirota Yukimasa , Enokida Hisashi
Published: October 2019

We present the design and the performance of a contact-less cryogenic rotation mechanism used in cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments. A precise measurement of the CMB polarization is possible to verify the cosmic inflation theory that describes the very beginning (10−38 seconds) of the early universe. The polarization modulator, that rotates a half wave plate continuously at the aperture of the telescope, is one of the key instruments in the experiments. In order to reduce noise and systematic uncertainties, the polarization modulator is required a stable rotation with minimal heat dissipation in a cryogenic environment less than 20 K. Thus, we adopted the rotation mechanism that combines completely contact-less bearing and motor, a superconducting magnetic bearing, and a hollow bore synchronous motor. The heat dissipation and the load torque due to the friction can be minimized by avoiding physical contacts. We constructed the prototype of the rotation mechanism and carried out mechanical and thermal performance tests. A continuous rotation test in cryogenic temperature is performed, and it is confirmed that the rotation stability is less than 1% with the rotation frequency between 0.5 Hz and 3.0 Hz. We also conducted a thermal performance test, and obtained the heat dissipation at the rotor of 9.0 mW. We discussed the reduction of heat dissipation using a developed magnetic circuit with improved magnetic field uniformity.
Observed changes in Brewer–Dobson circulation for 1980–2018
Authors: Fu Qiang , Solomon Susan , Pahlavan Hamid A , Lin Pu
Published: October 2019

Previous work has examined the Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) changes for 1980–2009 based on satellite Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU/AMSU) lower-stratospheric temperature (T

LS
) observations and ERA-Interim reanalysis data. Here we examine the BDC changes for the longer period now available (1980–2018), which also allows analysis of both the ozone depletion (1980–1999) and ozone healing (2000–2018) periods. We provide observational evidence that the annual mean BDC accelerated for 1980–1999 but decelerated for 2000–2018, with the changes largely driven by the Southern Hemisphere (SH), which might be partly contributed by the effects of ozone depletion and healing. We also show that the annual mean BDC has accelerated in the last 40 years (at the 90% confidence level) with a relative strengthening of ∼1.7% per decade. This overall acceleration was driven by both Northern Hemisphere (40%) and SH (60%) cells. Significant SH radiative warming is also identified in September for 2000–2018 after excluding the year 2002 when a very rare SH stratospheric sudden warming occurred, supporting the view that healing of the Antarctic ozone layer has now begun to occur during the month of September.
On the potential impact of a half-degree warming on cold and warm temperature extremes in mid-latitude North America
Authors: Barcikowska Monika J , Muñoz Ángel G , Weaver Scott J , Russo Simone , Wehner Michael
Published: October 2019

This study focuses on potential impacts of climate change on the early spring (March–April) temperature and its extremes in the mid-latitudes of North America, discriminated between the 1.5 °C and 2 °C levels of global warming, as projected by a suit of numerical experiments. The results suggest relatively mild seasonal average warming (0.25 °C–1.5 °C), but also an intensification of both warm and cold temperature extremes. The derived changes feature much stronger warming over the West of the United States and weak to no warming to the East, which is congruent with the ventilating effect of the intensified northerly wind over central Canada and the East of the United States. The intensified northerly component of the mid-latitude jet is likely a contributing factor to the derived increased seasonal variability of March–April temperatures over parts of Manitoba and Ontario in Canada, and the Midwest of the United States. The projected changes in temperature extremes agree to some extent with the previous studies: warm extremes intensify especially over southern mid-latitudes, while cold extremes are weakening over the north mid- to high-latitudes. However, high-resolution simulations with the Community Atmospheric Model 5 (CAM5) indicate much sharper spatial gradients, which translate into higher magnitudes and also more complex patterns of changes. Particularly, cold extremes feature not only reductions north of ∼45°N latitudes, but also a very strong intensification of cold extremes (by −4 °C for 20 year return values) in the band 25°–45°N, centered in the Midwest of the United States. While general warming and intensification of the warm extremes may accelerate the arrival of early spring, the intensifying cold extremes may increase the risk of early spring frost damage, and hence may yield a profound impact on the regional agriculture of North America. Combined with reliable information on expected temperature variability at interannual-to-decadal timescales, the background longer-term projections can help inform decision makers in the food security sector.
Guidance on emissions metrics for nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement
Authors: Denison Steve , Forster Piers M , Smith Christopher J
Published: October 2019

Many nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement follow the established practice of specifying emissions levels in tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) is the emissions metric used most often to aggregate contributions from different greenhouse gases (GHGs). However, the climate impact of pathways expressed in this way is known to be ambiguous. For this reason, alternatives have been proposed but the ambiguity has not been quantified in the context of the Paris Agreement. Here we assess the variation in temperature using pathways consistent with the ambition of limiting temperature increases to well below 2 °C. These are taken from the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C (SR15). The CO2 emission levels are adjusted so that the pathways all have the same total CO2 equivalent emissions for a given emissions metric but have different proportions of short-lived and long-lived pollutants. We show that this difference affects projections by up to 0.17 °C when GWP100 is used. Options of reducing this ambiguity include using a different emissions metric or adding supplementary information in NDCs about the emissions levels of individual GHGs. We suggest the latter on the grounds of simplicity and because it does not require agreement on the use of a different emissions metric.
Identifying user needs for weather and climate services to enhance resilience to climate shocks in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Nkiaka Elias , Taylor Andrea , Dougill Andrew J , Antwi-Agyei Philip , Fournier Nicolas , Bosire Emily Nyaboke , Konte Oumar , Lawal Kamoru Abiodun , Mutai Bethwel , Mwangi Emma , Ticehurst Helen , Toure Awa , Warnaars Tanya
Published: October 2019

The vulnerability of social-ecological systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to climate variability and change means that there is an urgent need to better integrate weather and climate information into societal decision-making processes. Long-term climate adaptation in these regions has received increasing attention, with recent initiatives aiming to increase resilience to climate change at timescales of years to decades. Less focus has been given to weather and short-term climate information. However, users are principally interested in shorter timescales (hours to seasons) where actions can immediately reduce the impacts of severe weather events. Focusing on the priority sectors of agriculture and food security, water and disaster management, this paper uses a systematic literature review approach to analyse 61 empirical case studies drawn from academic literature and projects across SSA. We identify the main users of climate services and outline current practices and reported benefits. Barriers that impede the delivery and uptake of climate services are identified and potential strategies for overcoming them outlined based on the reporting of successful practices. Our findings show that greater capacity building of personnel working for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and Agricultural Extension staff and reinforcing and sustaining collaboration between different stakeholders (climate scientists, hydrologists, extension workers, farmers and other user groups), are essential factors for improving the uptake and utility of weather and climate services to enhance resilience to climate shocks in SSA.
Impacts of oil palm plantation on the livelihood of the local communities and the conservation area
Authors: Soedomo Sudarsono
Published: October 2019

Oil palm plantations have created so many controversies, particularly their impacts on the environment and the livelihood of the local communities. The controversies are usually raised by non-governmental organizations working on environmental and social-related issues. This paper focuses on the socio-economic impacts of plantation development. To observe what is going on, case studies were conducted in two villages strongly influenced by the development of oil palm plantation. The research finds out that those controversies are generally exaggerated. In general, economically the local communities benefit from the development of oil palm plantations. It does not mean that the negative socio-economic impacts are absent, but those impacts are manageable and have been addressed seriously, particularly when the plantation involves a member of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The real issue is not yes or no towards oil palm plantation, but rather how to develop oil palm plantation justly.
Linkages of smallholders’ attitudes with the implementation of principles and criteria RSPO certification independent smallholder forum MRM Jambi Province, Sumatera Indonesia
Authors: Rosyani  , Saad Asmadi , Edison
Published: October 2019

Oil palm plantation industry in Indonesia is growing rapidly. Extensive development took place during 1999-2016. The total plantation area reached 11,118,795 hectares by 2016. Some 5,754,718 hectares was managed by private companies, 4,656,648 hectares by smallholders and 707,429 hectares by state-owned enterprises. Issues of oil palm plantation that are not environmentally friendly are continuously exposed. Therefore, Forum Petani Swadaya-MRM independent smallholder RSPO has obtained certification, meaning that this research is important to be carried out. Respondents in the study were 82 people. Data were analyzed using non-Parametric Chi-Square statistical tests. Smallholders’ attitudes and knowledge are cognitively 47.6%, affective 57.3% and conatively 63.4%. Achievement of RSPO principles and criteria; 1). Commitment to transparency is 69%, 2). Compliance with applicable laws and regulations 84%, 3). Commitment to long-term economic and financial viability 64%, 4). Use of appropriate best practices by plantations and factories 47%, 5). Environmental responsibility and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity 41%, 6). Responsible consideration of employees, and of individuals and communities affected by growers and mills 64%, 7). Responsible development of new plantings 71%, and 8). Commitment to continuous improvement in key areas of activities 82%. The relationship between attitude and implementation of principles and criteria for RSPO certification. From the results of parametric statistical tests using Chi-Square, 3.42 thit> ttable 1.68, the meaning of refusal H0 thank H1 means that there is a significant relationship between attitudes and implementation of RSPO certification principles and criteria, there is a tendency for a positive attitude, the implementation of the RSPO principles and certification is high. The assessment between the attitude and application of the principle and criteria shows the sustainability status for the forum certifications.
Biodiversity loss and gain based on indigenous people’s perception. (Case study: Tajok Kayong and Nanga Tayap Villages, West Kalimantan Province)
Authors: Imantoko Farras , Sunkar Arzyana , Santosa Yanto
Published: October 2019

Loss and gain on biodiversity of plant species that have been resulted from the establishment of oil palm plantations have often been accused as the reasons for the changing pattern in community means of living. Such a shift has also been highlighted as related to the destruction of the indigenous people livelihoods. Indigenous people were often dependent on the local plants for survival, yet land use change to oil palm plantation has caused changes in plants composition. This research was conducted to identify the indigenous people’s perceptions related to gain and loss of plant species diversity due to the establishment of oil palm plantation. The study was carried out in the indigenous Dayak Villages of Tajok Kayong and Nanga Tayap, West Kalimantan Province of Indonesia in March 2018. Data were collected using field observation and interviews. The overall perceptions of Dayak and Malay communities (the two indigenous groups of West Kalimantan) on the plants conditions related to oil palm development, showed similar results, except related to plant diversity, in which 75.00% of the Malays perceived a decreased in plant diversity, while on the contrary, 75.68% of Dayaks perceived it as an increase, in terms of flowering plants and other functional plants. The results indicated that the establishment of oil palm plantation has resulted in the gain of 27% plant species and loss of 73% plant species with functional values (medicine and food). However, the lost species could be substituted with other plants and could also be replaced by chemical medicine from public health service and purchased from the local market. Both indigenous people of Dayak and Malay were not affected by the species loss since before the plantation’s establishment, their living patterns had already transformed into semi-modern and modern living styles where the people have lower dependences on their surrounding plants.
The impact of ISPO certification on economic, social and environmental aspect in the palm oil plantation
Authors: Rodhiah  , Ifdal  , Syarfi Ira Wahyuni , Hasnah
Published: October 2019

The Indonesian Government requires all Palm Oil Plantation Companies to have an Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certificate. Indonesia issued a policy known as ISPO so that Indonesia management of palm oil plantations pay attention to aspects of economy, social, and environment. ISPO certification obligations are financially burdensome for businessmen because large certification costs certainly affect the company’s production costs, sales and revenues of palm oil companies. The research objective was to describe the process to get ISPO certification for Palm Oil Plantation Companies, to determine the impact of the application of ISPO certification on the economic, social, and environmental aspects of palm oil companies. Data analysis was carried out by comparing the impact ISPO implementation to PT. Perkebunan Nusantara VI Ophir at the time before (2013, 2014, 2015) and after (2016, 2017) ISPO certification. The results showed that stages of procedures for recognizing PT. Nusantara Plantation Ophir VI’s ISPO certification is in accordance with the mechanism as stipulated in Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 11/Minister of Agriculture Regulation/OT.140/3/2015. The impact of the application of ISPO certification on PT. Perkebunan Nusantara VI Ophir has an effect on increasing production costs, production levels, selling prices, sales, and income. The results of the calculation of the revenue to cost ratio, obtained by the R/C value is greater than one, which means that the application of ISPO is financially efficient over the costs incurred. The impact of ISPO implementation aside from the financial aspects received by the company after obtaining ISPO certification affects the aspects of operational, social community relations, the company’s concern for the environment, as well as trading CPO and Kernel. ISPO certification received by PT. Perkebunan Nusantara VI Ophir affect operational aspects, relationships with the social community, the company’s concern for the environment, as well as trading CPO and Kernel.
Soil physicochemical properties in oil palm plantations impacted to peatland fire
Authors: Handayani Etik Puji , Maswar
Published: October 2019

Currently, Indonesia has 1.7 million hectares of oil palm plantations on peatland (12% of the total area of 13.5 million ha Indonesia’s peatland). As a consequence, fires on peatland become trending topics. Field observation research that aims to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of peat in oil palm plantations has been carried out on several peat locations in West Aceh District: Suakraya village, Johan Pahlawan district (15 years old), Cot Gajah Mati Village, Arongan Lambalek district (1 year old), and Suakpuntong village, Nagan Raya district (10 years old). Substantial changes in the physicochemical properties of soils from oil palm plantations were observed, then evaluated the impact these characteristics to fires on peatland. The analysis soil showed that peatlands around in West Aceh District have physical characteristic: bulk density (BD) from 0, 12 - 0.16 g cm-3; groundwater level of 6 cm (rainy seasons) and 86 cm (dry seasons); moisture or water content in the surface layer (0-20 cm) during the dry season was 505 - 985% The thickness of peat was 457 cm on deep peat in Suakraya, 157 cm on shallow peat in Suakraya, 243 cm in Cot Gajah Mati, 136 cm in Suakpuntong. The chemical characteristic of peat soil has pH H2O 2.9 – 3.9, pH KCl 2.23 - 3.07. The level of maturity of peat in the surface layer in all observation locations is the same, namely hemic. Water content per unit dry weight depends on peatland maturity level (fibric: 540 - 1187%, hemic: 268 - 480% and sapric: 106 - 242%). Ash content per unit dry weight varied from 1.8 – 5.9%, and C-organic content 53.4 – 57.6%. Peat total acidity is 4.2 – 6.4 me g-1, COOH content 0.02 - 0.16 me g-1 and phenolic-OH content 4.2 – 6.2 me g-1. The important result of this study showed that the causes of peatland fires are not caused by the characteristics of peat (occur naturally), but there are triggers of human activities.
Impact of oil palm plantation on herpetofauna species diversity at PT Waimusi Agroindah South Sumatera
Authors: Rejeki Sani Sari Sri , Santosa Yanto
Published: October 2019

Oil palm plantation playing an important role in Indonesia’s economic development, whereas generates the largest foreign exchange and boosts communities’ economic sector, also absorbs the workforce. However, there are some accusation to oil palm plantation that it caused biodiversity decreased in the minimum of 60%. The study was done to identify the impact of oil palm plantations on herpetofauna diversity, community similarity and percentage loss or gain of community. The observation was done using Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method in the 6 land cover types which classified into 2 land areas. Rubber plantation and shrubs were considered as the land cover before the oil palm plantation establishment. While, young, intermediate, old oil palm plantation and high conservation value forest were considered as the land covers after the plantation establishment. The study was conducted in May 2017 in the South Sumatera Province. The data analysis showed that old palm plantation had a higher species number (19 species) compared to rubber plantation (11 species) and shrubs land cover (3 species). However, rubber plantation and old oil palm plantation had the highest species composition similarity (IS = 0.62). While the lowest happened in both shrubs-old oil palm plantation and shrubs-conservation area (IS = 0.19). The transformation land cover into oil palm plantations led to the gain of herpetofauna species as many as 8 species for rubber plantation and 17 species for shrub, while on the other hand only cause loss of 1 species from shrub and no one species loss for rubber plantation.
Impact of oil palm plantation on the butterfly diversity: a Case study in KGP & CNG, Ketapang, West Kalimantan
Authors: Mutmainnah A R , Santosa Y
Published: October 2019

Oil palm plantation in Indonesia is rapidly growing, encouraging the expansion of oil palm plantation area. The expansion estimated may decrease the biodiversity including the butterfly diversity. The research aimed to see the impact of oil palm plantation on the butterfly diversity that occurs in KGP and CNG oil palm plantation. The research was conducted in July 2018 by strip transect method. Impact of the establishment oil palm plantation on butterfly diversity was determined by comparing the current butterflies found on oil palm plantations area with the butterflies found on the baseline (shrub area). The result showed an increase in butterfly diversity and species richness index in KGP and CNG oil palm plantation. Total number of species and richness index in both oil palm plantations area were higher than the baseline area. The establishment of oil palm plantation in KGP oil palm plantation result gaining 22 species and losing 2 species, while in CNG oil palm plantation result is gaining 31 species and losing 5 species.