Co‐optimization of SnS absorber and Zn(O,S) buffer materials for improved solar cells

Thin‐film solar cells consisting of earth‐abundant and non‐toxic materials were made from pulsed chemical vapor deposition (pulsed‐CVD) of SnS as the p‐type absorber layer and atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Zn(O,S) as the n‐type buffer layer. The effects of deposition temperature and annealing conditions of the SnS absorber layer were studied for solar cells with a structure of Mo/SnS/Zn(O,S)/ZnO/ITO. Solar cells were further optimized by varying the stoichiometry of Zn(O,S) and the annealing conditions of SnS. Post‐deposition annealing in pure hydrogen sulfide improved crystallinity and increased the carrier mobility by one order of magnitude, and a power conversion efficiency up to 2.9% was achieved. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of fuzzy inference system (FIS), FIS with artificial neural networks (FIS + ANN) and FIS with adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (FIS + ANFIS) for inventory control

Conventional inventory models mostly cope with a known demand and adequate supply, but are not realistic for many industries. In this research, the fuzzy inference system (FIS) model, FIS with artificial neural network (ANN) model and FIS with adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model in which both supply and demand are uncertain were applied for the inventory system. For FIS model, the generated fuzzy rules were applied to draw out the fuzzy order quantity continuously. The order quantity was adjusted according to the FIS model with the evaluation algorithm for the inventory model. The output of FIS model was also used as data for FIS + ANN and FIS + ANFIS models. The FIS + ANFIS model was studied with three membership functions; trapezoidal and triangular (Trap), Gaussian and bell shape. Inventory costs of the proposed models were compared with the stochastic economic order quantity (EOQ) models based on previous data of a case study factory. The results showed that the FIS + ANFIS_Gauss model gave the best performance of total inventory cost saving by more than 75 % compared to stochastic EOQ model.     

Hydrodynamics and mass transfer behavior in multiple draft tube airlift contactors

The draft tube configuration significantly affected the performance of an airlift contactor. The multiple draft tube configuration was demonstrated to give a better gas-liquid mass transfer when compared with a conventional one-draft-tube system. The airlift with a larger number of draft tubes allowed a higher level of bubble entrainment, which rendered a high downcomer gas holdup. This resulted in a higher overall gas holdup in the contactor. Liquid velocity was also enhanced by increasing the number of draft tubes. The ratio between downcomer and riser cross sectional areas, A _d /A _r , had a great effect on the system performance, where a larger A _d /A _r led to a lower downcomer liquid velocity and smaller quantity of gas bubbles being dragged into the downcomer. This resulted in low gas holdup, and consequently, low gas-liquid interfacial mass transfer area, which led to a reduction in the overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient. The presence of salinity in the system drastically reduced the bubble size and subsequently led to an enhancement of gas entrainment within the system. As a result, higher gas holdups and gas-liquid interfacial area were observed, and hence, a higher rate of gas-liquid mass transfer was obtained.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,and magnetic property of nanostructured ferrite spinel oxides (AFe2O4, A = Co,Ni and Zn)

Nanostructured ferrite spinels AFe₂O₄ (A = Co, Ni, Zn) were successfully synthesized via a co-precipitation method using oxalate salt as a precursor in an anionic surfactant system in combination with a simple calcination process. High crystallinity samples of nanoparticle spinels in a grain size range of 15–100 nm were obtained by varying the calcination temperature (300–700 °C) and time (1–5 h). Their pore sizes were controlled in a range of 3 nm up to a hundred nm by tailoring the calcination conditions. Raising the calcination temperature was found to decrease the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, and broaden the pore structure due to enhanced crystal growth and agglomeration of interparticles of spinels. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of ferrite spinels calcined at 300 °C showed mesoporous structures with narrow pore size distribution, and the maximum BET surface area of CoFe₂O₄, NiFe₂O₄ and ZnFe₂O₄ were found at 201 (Co), 315 (Ni), and 273 (Zn) m² g⁻¹, respectively. The magnetic hysteresis loops of the ferrite spinels at room temperature demonstrated ferromagnetism in CoFe₂O₄, superparamagnetism–ferromagnetism in NiFe₂O₄, and paramagnetism in ZnFe₂O₄. The highest saturation magnetization (M_s), remanent magnetization (M_r), and coercivity (H_c) were obtained from high crystallinity spinels calcined at 700 °C. Nanostructured AFe₂O₄ with high surface area and mesoporosity promises potentials as novel magnetic catalysts.     

Structure of the olfactory receptor organs,their GABAergic neural pathways,and modulation of mating behavior,in the giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii

In the giant male prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, the olfactory system is thought to be the main pathway for modulating sexual behavior through pheromone perception. In this report, we first used gross anatomical, histological, and SEM methods to describe the structures of the olfactory receptors (sensilla setae), their neural pathways, and possible role in modulating mating behavior. On the surfaces of antennule and antenna filaments there are four types of sensory receptors, viz single spike‐like setae, single flagellum‐like setae, multiple flagella‐like setae, and aesthetascs (ASs). The ASs, which had previously been proposed to be odor receptor setae, are found only on the short filament of lateral antennule (slAn). Each AS on the slAn connects with olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), whose axons form an outer central antennule nerve (ocAnNv), which then connects with the olfactory neutrophil (ON) of the brain. Thus, the slAn is the major olfactory organ that conveys sensory inputs from each AS to the ON within the deutocerebrum. GABA immunoreactivity was present in ASs, neurons of ORNs, inner central antennular, lateral tegumentary nerve, ocAnNv and the ON, inferring that GABA is the likely neurotransmitter in modulating olfaction. Disruption of the slAn by ablation or covering with Vaseline, resulted in significant reduction of mating behavior, indicating that this organ is crucial for sex pheromone perception. Identification of the active pheromones and further bioassays are now being performed. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:572–587, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Development of a new low-temperature methanol synthesis process

A new reaction route of methanol synthesis at low temperature from CO₂-containing syngas with Cu/ZnO catalyst and the aid of alcohols has been developed in a batch and a flow-type semi-batch reactors. The use of alcohols as catalytic solvents realized methanol synthesis at 443 K with formate as an intermediate. The activity of methanol synthesis depends on types and structures of alcohols. Among all alcohols, 2-alcohol exhibited the highest activity. With the aid of 2-butanol, the one-pass 47.0% conversion and 98.9% selectivity were achieved at a mild condition, 443 K and 50 bar. The new reaction route of methanol synthesis is a practical method for near future technology.     

Nitrogen compounds removal in a packed bed external loop airlift bioreactor

A packed bed external loop airlift bioreactor (PBELAB) was proposed as an alternative treatment system for wastewater containing ammonia and nitrate compounds. The 60L PBELAB consisted of aeration and non-aeration zones, both of which were packed with plastic bioballs to enhance the surface area for the attachment of bacteria. The system was able to achieve complete removal of all nitrogen compounds with simultaneous nitrification and denitrification, i.e., ammonia was decomposed in the aeration zone and nitrate was biodegraded in the non-aeration zone. At normal operation, the nitrification rate obtained from the system was in the range of 0.14-0.87 gNH₃-N/m²d and the denitrification rate was 0.04 gNO₃-N/m²d. The factors found to have great influence on the system included dissolved oxygen concentration and biofilm thickness. In addition, PBELAB was proven to perform well under nitrate shock load condition.     

Neuronal classification and distribution in the central nervous system of the female mud crab,Scylla olivacea

The mud crab, Scylla olivacea, is one of the most economically valuable marine species in Southeast Asian countries. However, commercial cultivation is disadvantaged by reduced reproductive capacity in captivity. Therefore, an understanding of the general and detailed anatomy of central nervous system (CNS) is required before investigating the distribution and functions of neurotransmitters, neurohormones, and other biomolecules, involved with reproduction. We found that the anatomical structure of the brain is similar to other crabs. However, the ventral nerve cord (VNC) is unlike other caridian and dendrobrachiate decapods, as the subesophageal (SEG), thoracic and abdominal ganglia are fused, due to the reduction of abdominal segments and the tail. Neurons in clusters within the CNS varied in sizes, and we found that there were five distinct size classes (i.e., very small globuli, small, medium, large, and giant). Clusters in the brain and SEG contained mainly very small globuli and small‐sized neurons, whereas, the VNC contained small‐, medium‐, large‐, and giant‐sized neurons. We postulate that the different sized neurons are involved in different functions. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:189–200, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.