Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of soluble fulleropyrrolidine derivatives for organic solar cells

Organic solar cells made from bi-layer thin-film heterojunctions having poly((2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylene)vinylene) (MEH-PPV) as an electron donor and fulleropyrrolidine derivatives as an electron acceptor were investigated. We synthesized soluble fulleropyrrolidine derivatives substituted different chain lengths for the organic solar cell. Due to the high solubility and sufficiently long chain length of fulleropyrrolidine derivatives, though those are monomers, a thin film (about 80–90 nm) could be fabricated individually by the spin-coating method. The fill factor of the bi-layer device was achieved to be 0.46, which is higher than that of the single-layer device by a polymer/fulleropyrrolidine derivative blend film of 0.37, due to the decrease of the recombination.     

First-principles calculations of phase equilibria and transformation dynamics of Fe-based alloys

Theoretical procedures of first-principles calculations of phase stability and phase equilibria are summarized. The present scheme is shown to be able to reproduce the transition temperatures with surprisingly high accuracy for Fe−Pd and Fe−Pt systems. The main emphasis of the present report is placed on the extension of the first-principles calculation to transition dynamics calculations. This is performed by combining the cluster variation method with the phase-field method via a coarse graining operation. The time evolution process of antiphase boundaries associated with L1₀ ordering for Fe−Pd system is demonstrated. This paper was presented at the International Symposium on User Aspects of Phase Diagrams, Materials Solutions Conference and Exposition, Columbus, Ohio, 18–20 October, 2004.     

A cellular automata model considering diversity associated with HIV infection

The diversity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vivo has been reported. In this article, we propose a cellular automata (CA) model describing the interactions between the immune system and HIV, and examine the effect of the diversity of these interactions. The novel aspects of our CA model are that it not only considers four states (HIV, virgin, dead, infect) but also the diversity exhibited by both HIV and T cells. We simulated maximum diversities for these states by simulating CA on a computer. The model revealed that increased diversity had the effect of increasing the HIV population and simulation steps. In addition, we observed that the CA model accurately reflects the occurrence of infection, incubation period, and the development of AIDS. The CA model demonstrated that the diversity of the virus is the major factor affecting the success rate of the escape of HIV from the immune response. This work was presented in part at the 10th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, February 4–6, 2005     

Synthetic approach to alloy thermodynamics and kinetics by cluster variation method and path probability method

The cluster variation method of equilibrium thermodynamics is employed to calculate the Ll₀-disorder phase diagram. The stability analysis based on the second-order derivative of the free energy functional with respect to the deviation of correlation functions from their equilibrium values yields the 100 instability locus in the phase diagram. The time evolution of cluster probabilities at the phase transition is investigated on the basis of the path probability method of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. Thereby the synthetic study of thermodynamics and kinetics based on the cluster variation method and the path probability method is attempted. It is shown that the fluctuation is necessary to drive the ordering reaction above the instability temperature, whereas the spinodal-like ordering transition takes place below the instability temperature. The extension of the present study of a spin system to an alloy system is briefly discussed and a critical problem to be settled is pointed out.     

Development of a standing style transfer system "ABLE" for disabled lower limbs

We have developed a standing style transfer system, or "ABLE," for a person with disabled legs. It allows travel in a standing posture even on uneven ground, a standing up motion from a chair, and allows the stairs. ABLE consists of three modules: a pair of telescopic crutches, a powered lower extremity orthosis, and a pair of mobile platforms. We present here the conceptual design of ABLE and the motion of each module. Cooperative operations using the three modules are discussed through simulations. The standing up motion from a chair and ascending the stairs, however, have problems with adaptability to the environment and safety, because it executes the movement that has till now relied on telescopic crutches. To solve these problems, we propose a new motion technique and compare it with the previous one. In this paper, some experimental results are also presented.     

Experiment and numerical simulation of double-layered RC plates under impact loadings

This paper is to investigate and to propose a method to improve the impact resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) plates against projectile impact, and the damage of double-layered RC plates is examined experimentally and simulated analytically. In tests, a projectile launching apparatus, which is a 40 mm smooth-bore airgun, was used. Based on experimental results, numerical simulations with the DYNA-3D code, which takes account of the dynamic constitutive law of concrete, were done to find the applicability of the present computer code to the analysis of double-layered RC plates under high-speed impact loadings. In this study, the impact resistance of concrete plate is defined as the degree of local damage. In both experiments and numerical simulations, the effect of double-layering on the impact resistance is discussed.     

High-Speed TDM–WDM Techniques for Long-Haul Submarine Optical Amplifier Systems

Optical amplifier techniques have led to the installation of large-capacity submarine systems and further capacity increases seem likely. This paper reviews the FSA submarine system, which flexibly operates at both 2.5 and 10 Gb/s and offers maximum transmission capacity of 60 Gb/s for commercial use. The system configuration as well as its characteristics and upgradability will be introduced, including measurement results on time-division-multiplexing/wavelength-division-multiplexing (TDM–WDM) transmission at bit rates of 10 and 20 Gb/s using non-return-to-zero or soliton pulses. To further increase transmission capacity, TDM–WDM techniques that permit more than 10 Gb/s signal transmission in each data channel should be developed. Thus, pulse formats, which include non-return-to-zero, return-to-zero, or soliton pulses, and dispersion allocation in transmission fibers are significant issues. We introduce and discuss our recent results from high-speed (10 to 40 Gb/s) TDM–WDM signal transmission experiments with regard to the above aspects.     

Development of a laser wavefront sensor for measurement of discharges in air

A laser wavefront sensor of the Shack‐Hartmann type capable of simultaneous measurement at two wavelengths was constructed. The sensor uses a single optical path, and is suited for applications such as high‐voltage discharges in air, in which large insulation distances are necessary. The sensor was used to detect optical path differences due to an impulse discharge in air across a needle–plane electrode gap of gap length 17 mm. Optical path differences were measured at laser wavelengths of 532 and 1064 nm at 1.6 µs after insulation breakdown across the gap. From the difference in optical path differences at the two wavelengths, a line‐integrated electron density distribution in the direction perpendicular to the gap was obtained near the high‐voltage electrode. The distribution had a peak value of 1.4 × 10²⁰m^?2 and a full width at half maximum of 4.4 mm. Because of the coverage of a large observation area including the entire gap, the spatial resolution was 1.4 mm, which was inadequate to obtain the precise form of the electron density distribution. However, the results show the possibility of applying laser wavefront sensing to electron density measurement. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 146(4): 10–17, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10247