Generalization of the thermal model of infrared radiation sensors

In many theories and applications, generalized models can give a good head start for further research where the implementation of new elements and/or boundary conditions could become quite complex. In this paper the development of a compact thermal model of an infrared sensor will be presented. This thermal model includes not only the thermal resistances and capacitances of the sensor structure itself but the radiative and convective thermal resistances to the ambience and between the sensor plate and the heat source (thermal transfer impedance) which is important when the heat source and the sensor are in close proximity. Limitations and the applicability of the proposed model are also discussed. We also aim to present how the proposed model can be used for other IR sensor structures as well.     

Heterometallic sulfide cluster [Ag6Sn6S20]10 −: Solvothermal syntheses and characterizations of silver thiostannates with lanthanide complex counter cations

Novel organic hybrid silver thiostannates [Hen]₄[Ln(en)₄]₂[Ag₆Sn₆S₂₀]·3en (Ln = Er, 1; Tm, 2; Yb, 3) were prepared by the reactions of Ln₂O₃, Ag, Sn and S in ethylenediamine (en) under solvothermal conditions. Six SnS₄ tetrahedra and six AgS₃ triangles are connected into the heterometallic sulfide cluster [Ag₆Sn₆S₂₀]^10 − via edge-sharing. In the [Ag₆Sn₆S₂₀]^10 − cluster, a hexanuclear Ag₆S₆ core is enclosed by two Sn₃S₁₀ fragments. The Ag₆S₆ core is the first As–S cluster stabilized by inorganic SnS₄ ligands. In 1–3, all Ln^3 + ions are in 8-fold coordination environments that involved four bidentate en ligands, forming bicapped trigonal prisms. Compounds 1–3 show well-defined absorption edges with band gaps in the range of 2.18–2.47 eV.     

Time series forecasting with a neuro-fuzzy modeling scheme

Time series forecasting concerns the prediction of future values based on the observations previously taken at equally spaced time points. Statistical methods have been extensively applied in the forecasting community for the past decades. Recently, machine learning techniques have drawn attention and useful forecasting systems based on these techniques have been developed. In this paper, we propose an approach based on neuro-fuzzy modeling for time series prediction. Given a predicting sequence, the local context of the sequence is located in the series of the observed data. Proper lags of relevant variables are selected and training patterns are extracted. Based on the extracted training patterns, a set of TSK fuzzy rules are constructed and the parameters involved in the rules are refined by a hybrid learning algorithm. The refined fuzzy rules are then used for prediction. Our approach has several advantages. It can produce adaptive forecasting models. It works for univariate and multivariate prediction. It also works for one-step as well as multi-step prediction. Several experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

A Privacy-Preserving Attribute-Based Reputation System in Online Social Networks

Online social networks (OSNs) have revolutionarily changed the way people connect with each other. One of the main factors that help achieve this success is reputation systems that enable OSN users to ...     

Hierarchical electromagnetic absorption in micro-waveguide stuffed with magnetic media for resin-based composites of graphene nanosheets and manganese oxides

Waveguide configurations of hierarchical system are proposed as new microstructures for composites in absorbing enhancement. Supercritical fluid (SCF) one-pot exfoliation of layered graphite and manganese oxide mixing materials is developed to obtain a hierarchical system, containing graphene nanosheets (GNS) and exfoliated manganese oxides (EMO) in different sizes. Composites with GNS–EMO embedded in epoxy resin matrix are produced for a design of dielectric and magnetic loss integrated absorber. Volume fraction of GNS–EMO in composites is given for an optimal quantity of resin epoxy in fixation and formation. The effect of mixing ratios between electric and magnetic components is provided for the design of dielectric and magnetic loss integrated absorbers. Frequency shifting phenomena are revealed in the component adjusting course. Excluding the offsetting sizes, reflection loss of composites is enhanced as thickness increases. Synergistic effect of electric and magnetic coordinated materials demonstrates the superiority of micro-waveguide structures in GNS–EMO composite absorber.     

Printing high performance reflective electrodes for organic solar cells

In this paper we solve a long term material problem of thin film organic electronics, namely the solution processing of an opaque electrode. Solution processing of opaque metallic top electrodes typically leads to severe shunting problems. We solve this issue by reversing the electrode sequence and print a highly conductive but opaque bottom electrode from metallic precursors. Devices based on these printed bottom electrodes are compared to reference stacks based on evaporated silver. The transparent top electrode is solution processed from silver nanowire inks, which results in highly transparent electrodes with excellent conductivity. The optical, mainly reflective properties of the opaque silver electrode are investigated in comparison to screen-printed silver pastes. The outstanding smoothness of the printed Ag electrode results in high reflectivity and poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) based solar cells with η > 2.5% and high fill factors performing on par with reference devices on evaporated silver electrode layers.     

Optimization of BiVO4 photoelectrodes made by electrodeposition for sun-driven water oxidation

In this work, the synthesis of cheap BiVO₄ photoanodes for the photoelectrochemical water splitting reaction was optimized via the scalable thin film electrodeposition method. Factors affecting the photoelectrochemical activity, such as the electrodeposition time, the ratio of the Bi-KI to benzoquinone-EtOH in the deposition bath, and the calcination temperature, have been investigated by using the Central Composite Design of Experiments. Pristine monoclinic scheelite BiVO₄ photoanodes having a photocurrent density of 0.45 ± 0.05 mA/cm² at 1.23 V vs RHE have been obtained. It was shown that a high photocurrent density is generally dictated by the following physico-chemical properties: a higher crystallite size, optimal thickness and a porous morphology, which give rise to a low charge transfer resistance, low onset potential and a high donor density. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the depth profile XPS analysis performed in BiVO₄ photoanodes made by electrodeposition technique, from which it was concluded that the surface V species exist as V⁴⁺ while the bulk V species are V⁵⁺. The V⁴⁺ induces a higher amount of surface oxygen vacancies, which was found to be beneficial for the photoactivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly (linoleic acid)-g-poly(methyl methacrylate) graft copolymer with applying in Au/PLiMMA/n-Si diode

Poly (linoleic acid)-g-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PLiMMA) graft copolymer was synthesized and characterized. PLiMMA graft copolymer was synthesized from polymeric linoleic acid peroxide (PLina) possessing peroxide groups in the main chain by free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Later, PLiMMA was characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. Furthermore, Au/PLiMMA/n-Si diode was fabricated for the purpose of investigating PLiMMA׳s conformity in diodes. The main electrical characteristics of this diode were investigated using experimental current–voltage (I–V) measurements in dark and at room temperature. Obtained results, such as sufficiently high rectifying ratio of 4.5×10⁴, indicate that PLiMMA is a promising organic material for electronic device applications.     

A novel water-based epoxy coating using self-doped polyaniline–clay synthesized under supercritical CO2 condition for the protection of carbon steel against corrosion

The synthesis of a polyaniline–clay nanocomposite (PAniC NC) was achieved using the in situ polymerization of aniline in a Cloisite^® 30B nanoclay suspension in a supercritical CO₂ (Sc-CO₂) medium. The interfacial co-polymerization of aniline (ANI) and m-aminobenzenesulfonic acid (SAN) in the presence of Cloisite^® 30B was performed in Sc-CO₂/water to produce the SPANI-clay NC. The NC was then mixed with a water-based hardener. This water-based composite is developed with the goal of reducing environmental and health risks. The use of this Sc-CO₂ technique produced a composite material that resulted in the enhanced protection of carbon steel against corrosion when compared to a similar composite synthesized under atmospheric conditions. The materials obtained were characterized using UV/visible spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The anti-corrosion performance and the adhesion properties of these coatings were evaluated using standardized tests. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also used to determine the electrochemical properties of these anti-corrosion coatings. Better exfoliation and dispersion of the clay was achieved using the Sc-CO₂ medium resulting in superior performances in corrosion and electrochemical tests because of the higher level of intercalation.     

Electrochemical synthesis and electrochromic application of a novel polymer based on carbazole

The compound containing carbazole and thiophene, named as B1 was synthesized with 4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl) phenol and 3,4-dibromo thiophene. Additionally, the electrochemical polymer of B1 was synthesized and coated onto an ITO-glass surface via electrochemical oxidative polymerization. The electrochemical synthesis of the polymer was performed both in 0.05 M LiClO₄ supporting electrolyte in AN/BF₃EtE (1:1, v/v) and an AN/LiClO₄ solvent/electrolyte solution. The compounds were characterized by FT-IR and NMR techniques. The spectroelectrochemical and electrochromic properties of this polymer were also investigated for two electrolyte solution systems. The switching ability of this polymer was measured as the percent transmittance (%T) at its point of maximum contrast. According to the electrochromic measurements, the synthesized polymer had a blue color when it was oxidized, and also when it was reduced, it had a transparent color. Additionally, redox stability measurements indicates that the polymer had a high stability and it could be used to produce new polymeric electrochromic devices and also, it was a good candidate for electrochromic devices (ECDs) applications.