We report the observation of electric field induced random lasing in a dye doped liquid crystal system. This was achieved by using a liquid crystal host with negative dielectric anisotropy doped with laser dye PM 597 in a 75 μm cell with a homeotropic alignment layer. In the absence of an applied field, only amplified spontaneous emission was observed since the liquid crystal orientation was uniform. However, application of a field resulted in a field-induced planar-like configuration with local nonuniformity in liquid crystal orientation. This led to random lasing in the energized state (voltage greater than a transition threshold). The onset of lasing occurs by application of either a spatially homogenous or a spatially inhomogeneous electric field across the liquid crystal. The characteristics of the emission spectra as a function of different (i) dye concentration and (ii) applied voltage were investigated using nanosecond pulsed laser excitation at 532 nm. The effects of using an inhomogeneous field were compared to the use of a homogenous field and reported. It is shown that the spatial configuration can be used to alter the emission spectra of the system. The work is used to suggest a new configuration, referred to here as “reverse mode,” for liquid crystal-based random lasers. This new configuration may provide additional avenues for their use in commercial devices.

The design and development of renewable energy resources‐based poly‐generation microgrids have recently increased to supply multiple demands such as cool, heat, and power as well as mitigate pollutants improving efficiency. This paper aims to develop a combined cooling, heating, and power production network integrating photovoltaic panels (PVs), wind and gas turbines, a battery, an ice bank tank, a heater, an electrical chiller, a thermal energy storage medium. In this tri‐generation facility, natural gas is utilized for district heating and fueling the gas turbine power generation cycle. The local power distribution system in combination with the output powers of PVs, wind and gas turbines is used to directly supply the electrical appliances, ice maker process, and chiller as well as charge the battery storage unit. Moreover, the air/water‐cooled chiller procures the cooling flux for a benchmark microgrid. Its heating energy requirement is also provided by the gas‐fired heater, the flue gases of the gas turbine, and the thermal storage medium. A mixed integer linear programming problem is coded using a generalized algebraic modeling system (GAMS) to minimize daily operating costs and emissions. Simulations are examined and analyzed over a 24‐h study horizon on a sample summer day. Time‐of‐use energy rates and RTPs are considered two strategic demand response schemes to investigate the cost‐effectiveness capability of the gas‐power nexus model. The proposed approach is coded using a GAMS to confirm its effectiveness and cost‐environ benefits in four cases with and without heat/cool/electrical storage units considering time‐of‐use energy rates and real‐time prices.