Organic Field Effect Transistors Based on Graphene and Hexagonal Boron Nitride Heterostructures

Enhancing the device performance of single crystal organic field effect transistors (OFETs) requires both optimized engineering of efficient injection of the carriers through the contact and improvement of the dielectric interface for reduction of traps and scattering centers. Since the accumulation and flow of charge carriers in operating organic FETs takes place in the first few layers of the semiconductor next to the dielectric, the mobility can be easily degraded by surface roughness, charge traps, and foreign molecules at the interface. Here, a novel structure for high‐performance rubrene OFETs is demonstrated that uses graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) as the contacting electrodes and gate dielectric layer, respectively. These hetero‐stacked OFETs are fabricated by lithography‐free dry‐transfer method that allows the transfer of graphene and hBN on top of an organic single crystal, forming atomically sharp interfaces and efficient charge carrier‐injection electrodes without damage or contamination. The resulting heterostructured OFETs exhibit both high mobility and low operating gate voltage, opening up new strategy to make high‐performance OFETs and great potential for flexible electronics.     

Enhanced photoconductivity and trapping rate through control of bulk state in organic triphenylamine-based photorefractive materials

In organic optical semiconductors, it is rather challenging to achieve precise control of photoconductivity and charge trapping, which determines the device performance. This paper reports on enhanced photorefractive response rate through control of the photoconductivity and trapping rate in organic triphenylamine-based photorefractive materials by means of bulk state tuning. The bulk state in organic triphenylamine-based photorefractive composites was controlled through a rapid cooling process from various melting temperatures during sample fabrication. The photoconductivity and trapping rate were determined from photocurrent measurements. Fabrication at lower melting temperatures enhanced the trapping rate for deep traps, whereas it reduced the trapping rate for shallow traps. As a result, a faster photorefractive response was obtained.     

Characteristics of meltwater and/or rainfall regime in a snowy region and its effect on sediment-related disasters

Meltwater and/or rainfall (MR) were monitored using lysimeters in a mountainous region in the north-central part of Japan, where a seasonal snowpack forms, to collect basic data sets for understanding the MR regime and sediment-related disasters. Statistical analyses of the data over 11 years showed that high hourly MR intensities were mainly observed as rain during the non-snow cover period, but the annual maximum daily MR often occurred during the snow cover period. The longer the time unit, the greater the shift in maximum MR values from the non-snow to snow cover periods. For a time unit of 70 h, almost all maximum values were recorded during snow melting periods. The timing, intensity and duration of MR regulate the characteristics of sediment-related disasters such as debris flows, slope failures and landslides. In the case of deep-seated landslides, if there are no accurate observations of MR during the snow cover period, the degree of risk may be underestimated. Furthermore, when designing groundwater discharge works to prevent deep-seated landslides, the timing, intensity and duration of MR must be accurately evaluated to effectively discharge groundwater during the snow melting period.     

Febuxostat improves endothelial function in hemodialysis patients with hyperuricemia: A randomized controlled study

Endothelial dysfunction is often found in both hyperuricemia and hemodialysis patients. Recent studies have shown that treating hyperuricemia with allopurinol improves endothelial dysfunction. This study is performed to assess the effect of febuxostat on endothelial dysfunction in hemodialysis patients with hyperuricemia. We randomly assigned 53 hemodialysis patients with hyperuricemia to a febuxostat (10 mg daily) group and a control group and measured flow‐mediated dilation, serum uric acid (UA) levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, malondialdehyde‐modified low‐density lipoprotein (MDA‐LDL), and highly sensitive C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) at baseline and at the end of a 4‐week study period. Flow‐mediated dilation increased from 5.3% ± 2.4% to 8.9% ± 3.6% in the febuxostat group but did not change significantly in the control group. Treatment with febuxostat resulted in a significant decrease in serum UA level and a significant decrease in MDA‐LDL compared with baseline, but no significant difference was observed in hsCRP level or blood pressure. No significant differences were observed in the control group. Febuxostat improved endothelial dysfunction and reduced serum UA levels and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients with hyperuricemia.     

Liquid‐Crystalline Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Ordered Assemblies of a Mesogen‐Containing Carbonate and a Lithium Salt

Thermotropic liquid‐crystalline (LC) electrolytes for lithium‐ion batteries are developed for the first time. A rod‐like LC molecule having a cyclic carbonate moiety is used to form self‐assembled two‐dimensional ion‐conductive pathways with lithium salts. Electrochemical and thermal stability, and efficient ionic conduction is achieved for the liquid crystal. The mixture of the carbonate derivative and lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide is successfully applied as an electrolyte in lithium‐ion batteries. Reversible charge–discharge for both positive and negative electrodes is observed for the lithium‐ion batteries composed of the LC electrolyte.     

Record 12.34% stabilized conversion efficiency in a large area thin‐film silicon tandem (MICROMORPH™) module

Mass‐adoption of thin‐film silicon (TF‐Si) photovoltaic modules as a renewable energy source can be viable if the cost of electricity production from the module is competitive with conventional energy solutions. Increased module performance (electrical power generated) is an approach to reduce this cost. Progress towards higher conversion efficiencies for ‘champion’ large area modules paves the way for mass‐production module performance to follow. At TEL Solar AG, Trübbach, Switzerland, significant progress in the absolute stabilized module conversion efficiency has been achieved through optimized solar cell design that integrates high‐quality amorphous and microcrystalline TF‐Si‐deposited materials with efficient light management and transparent conductive oxide layers in a tandem MICROMORPH™ module. This letter reports a world record large area (1.43 m²) stabilized module conversion efficiency of 12.34% certified by the European Solar Test Installation; an increase of more than 1.4% absolute compared with the previous record for a TF‐Si triple junction large area module. This breakthrough result generates more than 13.2% stabilized efficiency from each equivalent 1 cm² of the active area of the full module. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies on the Properties of Fractionated Gelatins

Gel permeation chromatography (CPC) and temperature solubility were used to isolate different molecular weight fractions of several photographic gelatins. The dependence of the amino acid composition of impurities and metal ion contents on molecular xveight was investigated. The lower molecular weight fraction had an unusual amino acid composition. The difference in amino acid composition was observed according to the raw material species, the methods of manufacture and those of fractionation. This lower molecular weight fraction contained more tyrosine, histidine, methionine, hydroxylysine and hydrophobic amino acids than the original gelatin, while it contained less lysine, alanine and acidic amino acids than the original gelatin. It was considered that the low molecular weight fraction contained a certain amount of telopeptide, peptide from the a2 (1) chain and non- collagenous proteins. High contents of iron and calcium ions as impurities were observed in higher and lower molecular weight fractions.     

Production technology for amorphous silicon-based flexible solar cells

We have developed a-Si-based solar cells with plastic film substrate and achieved a stabilized efficiency of 9% in a 40 cm×80 cm cell. The structure and fabrication process of flexible solar cells are presented. Then we discuss the merits and demerits of our process from the viewpoint of mass production, and clarify that the SCAF cell has a good adaptability to mass production.