The Impact of Sequential Fluorination of π‐Conjugated Polymers on Charge Generation in All‐Polymer Solar Cells

The performance of all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs) is often limited by the poor exciton dissociation process. Here, the design of a series of polymer donors ( P1 – P3 ) with different numbers of fluorine atoms on their backbone is presented and the influence of fluorination on charge generation in all‐PSCs is investigated. Sequential fluorination of the polymer backbones increases the dipole moment difference between the ground and excited states (Δµ_ge) from P1 (18.40 D) to P2 (25.11 D) and to P3 (28.47 D). The large Δµ_ge of P3 leads to efficient exciton dissociation with greatly suppressed charge recombination in P3 ‐based all‐PSCs. Additionally, the fluorination lowers the highest occupied molecular orbital energy level of P3 and P2 , leading to higher open‐circuit voltage (V_OC). The power conversion efficiency of the P3 ‐based all‐PSCs (6.42%) outperforms those of the P2 and P1 (5.00% and 2.65%)‐based devices. The reduced charge recombination and the enhanced polymer exciton lifetime in P3 ‐based all‐PSCs are confirmed by the measurements of light‐intensity dependent short‐circuit current density (J_SC) and V_OC, and time‐resolved photoluminescence. The results provide reciprocal understanding of the charge generation process associated with Δµ_ge in all‐PSCs and suggest an effective strategy for designing π‐conjugated polymers for high performance all‐PSCs.     

Effect of CNG flow rate on the performance and emissions of a Mullite-coated diesel engine under dual-fuel mode

On the diesel engines that are used to generate power in transportation and industries, many researchers have to deal with major problems of smoke emissions while extracting higher efficiency. There are many studies which reported the exhaust emission reduction strategies from diesel engines by applying new combustion methods that are capable of mitigating the formation of harmful emissions. One of the methods to reduce the exhaust emissions in diesel engines is to use the dual-fuel combustion mode. In this study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the effect of thermal barrier coating (TBC) on the dual-fuel engine and for this, experiments are carried out on a single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine under dual-fuel and low heat rejection mode with compressed natural gas (CNG) as gaseous fuel. Engine components that are exposed to the combustion are coated with Mullite (3Al₂O₃-2SiO₂) TBC. Diesel at 200 bar injector opening pressure was used as pilot fuel and CNG at different flow rates (5, 10 and 15 litres per minute) was inducted into the combustion chamber through inlet manifold as main fuel. Experimental results show that the coating of TBC on the engine components has a positive effect on the performance emissions of the dual-fuel test engine. Brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was found improved significantly at all flow rates of CNG with coated engine. Emissions on the other hand were also noticed to be on the lower side with the coated engine except NO_x. Smoke emissions were significantly reduced with coated CNG operation of the test engine at all flow rates.     

Analysis and design of a robust controller for a grid-connected photovoltaic power plant

ABSTRACT

Application of renewable energy systems has a drastic impact on the present power system. In particular, solar photovoltaic power generation is expanding exponentially. Hence, in this article analysis and design of a 1 Mega Watt (1?MW) solar power plant has been modelled. The obtained power is given as an input to the voltage source converter, which contently regulates the active and reactive power by controlling the pulse width modulation signals. In this article, robust control schemes were discussed to support the required active and reactive power. Further, a detailed analysis has been presented at various fault conditions and the results are explored.     

Charge controlled delay element enabled widely linear power efficient MPCG-MDLL in 1.2V, 65nm CMOS

In this work, a robust, low-power, widely linear multiphase clock generation and multiplying delay-locked loop (MPCG-MDLL) architecture is realized, using a new differential charge-mode delay element circuit topology. The heart of any MPCG-MDLL architecture is the delay element, and hence, the characteristics of the delay element influence the overall performance of the MPCG-MDLL, in terms of its specifications such as peak-to-peak jitter, lock range, delay range, control voltage range, and power consumption. The proposed eight-phase MPCG-MDLL along with the charge-mode delay element outperforms the conventional MPCG-MDLLs that deploy delay elements such as a current-starved inverter (CSI), wide-range CSI, triply controlled delay cell, digital-controlled delay element, and the like. The eight-phase MPCG-MDLL along with the new charge-mode delay element circuit topology is implemented in 1.2-V, 65-nm CMOS technology. The performance results show that the eight-stage delay line has a delay range from 640 to 960 ps over the rail-to-rail control voltage range. The implemented MPCG-DLL is robust over process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) corners and exhibits a lock range of 400 MHz and a peak-to-peak jitter of less than 60 fs for all the DLL output phases and peak-to-peak jitter of 0.54 and 1.24 ps for the synthesized 5-GHz clocks for an input reference clock frequency of 1.25 GHz. The MPCG-MDLL consumes 4.74 mW of power and occupies an area of 0.017 mm².     

Effect of chopping on the properties of bismuth oxide thin films

Nanocrystalline bismuth oxide thin films have been deposited by thermal oxidation, in air, of vacuum evaporated chopped bismuth thin films. The optical properties and adhesion have been studied. The oxidation temperature and duration were varied. As revealed by structural investigations, polycrystalline and multiphase bismuth oxide thin films were obtained. At all oxidation temperatures, monoclinic Bi₂O₃ is predominant. The films showed high transmittance in the visible range of spectrum. The direct band gap of the films obtained was between 2.78 eV and 3.04 eV. The refractive index observed is in the range 1.934 to 2.096. The adhesion of films was in the range 215 × 10² to 470 × 10² kgF/cm². The values are strongly influenced by the heat treatment characteristics. It was observed that chopping helps in improving the adhesion and increasing refractive index, packing density and band gap of bismuth oxide thin films. These bismuth oxide films can have potential use in optical waveguides.     

Utilization of strontium added NiAl(2)O(4) composites for the detection of methanol vapors

Strontium added NiAl(2)O(4) composites prepared by sol-gel technique was utilized for the detection of methanol vapors. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm at 77K was employed respectively to identify the structural phases, surface morphology, vibrational stretching frequencies and BET surface area of the composites. The composites were prepared with the molar ratios of Ni:Sr as (1.0:0.0, 0.8:0.2, 0.6:0.4, 0.4:0.6, 0.2:0.8, 0.0:1.0) keeping the aluminum molar ratio as constant for all the compositions and were labeled as NiSA1, NiSA2, NiSA3, NiSA4, NiSA5 and NiSA6, respectively. The samples sintered at 900 degrees C for 5 h were subjected to dc resistance measurements in the temperature range of 30-250 degrees C to study the methanol vapor detection characteristics. The results revealed that the sensitivity in detecting methanol vapor increased with increase in temperature up to 175 degrees C for the composites NiSA1 and NiSA6 while for the other composites up to 150 degrees C and thereafter decreased. The sensitivity increased with increase in methanol concentration from 100 to 5000 ppm at 150 degrees C. Among the different composites NiSA5 showed the best sensitivity to methanol detection at an operating temperature of 150 degrees C.     

Gum arabic as a phytochemical construct for the stabilization of gold nanoparticles: in vivo pharmacokinetics and X-ray-contrast-imaging studies

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have exceptional stability against oxidation and therefore will play a significant role in the advancement of clinically useful diagnostic and therapeutic nanomedicines. Despite the huge potential for a new generation of AuNP-based nanomedicinal products, nontoxic AuNP constructs and formulations that can be readily administered site-specifically through the intravenous mode, for diagnostic imaging by computed tomography (CT) or for therapy via various modalities, are still rare. Herein, we report results encompassing: 1) the synthesis and stabilization of AuNPs within the nontoxic phytochemical gum-arabic matrix (GA-AuNPs); 2) detailed in vitro analysis and in vivo pharmacokinetics studies of GA-AuNPs in pigs to gain insight into the organ-specific localization of this new generation of AuNP vector, and 3) X-ray CT contrast measurements of GA-AuNP vectors for potential utility in molecular imaging. Our results demonstrate that naturally occurring GA can be used as a nontoxic phytochemical construct in the production of readily administrable biocompatible AuNPs for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in nanomedicine.     

Development of In Situ As Cast Al–Mg2Si Particulate Composite: Microstructure Refinement and Modification Studies

In situ processed hypereutectic Al?CMg₂Si composites are reported as potential replacements for Al?CSi?CMg heat-treated alloys in specific automotive applications like brake discs, cylinder heads and piston heads. Experiments were conducted for preparing as cast hypereutectic Al?C15?%Mg₂Si alloy, with 8?% extra silicon. The alloy microstructure revealed a dendritic morphology of ??-Al, primary (P)-Mg₂Si particles and Fe rich inclusions embedded in the ternary eutectic matrix. Addition of conventional grain refiner Al?C5Ti?C1B (1?%wt) lead to refinement of P-Mg₂Si dendrites to faceted hopper-like polyhedral particles of ~30???m in size. Addition of combination of B-rich grain refiner Al?C1Ti?C2B and phosphorous, resulted in finer (~20???m), dense and fairly uniformly distributed P-Mg₂Si particles in the microstructure. Electron probe microanalysis revealed the presence of free boron on all P-Mg₂Si sites. Coupled compounds consisting of Ti, B and P were found to be associated with P-Mg₂Si which may be responsible for enhanced refinement and modification of P-Mg₂Si particles.