Function Follows Form: Correlation between the Growth and Local Emission of Perovskite Structures and the Performance of Solar Cells

Understanding the relationship between the growth and local emission of hybrid perovskite structures and the performance of the devices based on them demands attention. This study investigates the local structural and emission features of CH₃NH₃PbI₃, CH₃NH₃PbBr₃, and CH(NH₂)₂PbBr₃ perovskite films deposited under different yet optimized conditions using X‐ray scattering and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, respectively. X‐ray scattering shows that a CH₃NH₃PbI₃ film involving spin coating of CH₃NH₃I instead of dipping is composed of perovskite structures exhibiting a preferred orientation with [202] direction perpendicular to the surface plane. The device based on the CH₃NH₃PbI₃ film composed of oriented crystals yields a relatively higher photovoltage. In the case of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃, while the crystallinity decreases when the HBr solution is used in a single‐step method, the photovoltage enhancement from 1.1 to 1.46 V seems largely stemming from the morphological improvements, i.e., a better connection between the crystallites due to a higher nucleation density. Furthermore, a high photovoltage of 1.47 V obtained from CH(NH₂)₂PbBr₃ devices could be attributed to the formation of perovskite films displaying uniform cathodoluminescence emission. The comparative analysis of the local structural, morphological, and emission characteristics of the different perovskite films supports the higher photovoltage yielded by the relatively better performing devices.     

Magnetic Field‐Induced Phase Transformation in NiMnCoIn Magnetic Shape‐Memory Alloys—A New Actuation Mechanism with Large Work Output

Magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs) have recently been developed into a new class of functional materials that are capable of magnetic‐field‐induced actuation, mechanical sensing, magnetic refrigeration, and energy harvesting. In the present work, the magnetic &!hyphen;field‐induced martensitic phase transformation (FIPT) in Ni₄₅Mn_36.5Co₅In_13.5 MSMA single crystals is characterized as a new actuation mechanism with potential to result in ultra‐high actuation work outputs. The effects of the applied magnetic field on the transformation temperatures, magnetization, and superelastic response are investigated. The magnetic work output of NiMnCoIn alloys is determined to be more than 1 MJ m^?3 per Tesla, which is one order of magnitude higher than that of the most well‐known MSMAs, i.e., NiMnGa alloys. In addition, the work output of NiMnCoIn alloys is orientation independent, potentially surpassing the need for single crystals, and not limited by a saturation magnetic field, as opposed to NiMnGa MSMAs. Experimental and theoretical transformation strains and magnetostress levels are determined as a function of crystal orientation. It is found that [111]‐oriented crystals can demonstrate a magnetostress level of 140 MPa T^?1 with 1.2% axial strain under compression. These field‐induced stress and strain levels are significantly higher than those from existing piezoelectric and magnetostrictive actuators. A thermodynamical framework is introduced to comprehend the magnetic energy contributions during FIPT. The present work reveals that the magnetic FIPT mechanism is promising for magnetic actuation applications and provides new opportunities for applications requiring high actuation work‐outputs with relatively large actuation frequencies. One potential issue is the requirement for relatively high critical magnetic fields and field intervals (1.5–3 T) for the onset of FIPT and for reversible FIPT, respectively.     

Injection-locked passively Q-switched lasers

The time-dependent behavior of an injection locked single-mode passivelyQ-switched laser may be described by three coupled first-order rate equations relating the laser gain, the absorber loss, and the optical power density. Injection locking results in a substantial increase in the mean output power and the output pulse energy and higher pulsation rate than when freely running. Stability analysis allows the determination of the maximum injected power that allows pulsations.     

On the Electromagnetic Interference Fringes Method in Geophysical Prospecting Applications

The method of electromagnetic interference fringes for the prospecting of conductive subsurfaces inside the earth is reviewed. The fields radiated by an electrically small horizontal loop situated on the earth's surface are derived and expressed in terms of different interfering wave components. The variable distance interference fringes (VDIF) method and the variable frequency interference (VFIF) method of prospecting are considered, and an interpretation procedure using the data obtained from both methods is suggested.     

A modelling study for moisture diffusivities and moisture transfer coefficients in drying of solid objects

This article presents an effective analytical model for determining the moisture diffusivities and moisture transfer coefficients for solid objects (namely, infinite slab, infinite cylinder, sphere; and also for irregularly shaped objects, by using a shape factor) subject to drying applications in a medium. The unsteady-state moisture diffusion analysis is used on the basis of two important criteria: 0·1 <Bi < 100 and Bi > 100. The drying coefficients and lag factors were employed. The analytical models are then verified using available experimental data taken from the literature. The results show that the method presented here can be used to determine the moisture diffusion coefficients and moisture transfer coefficients for such solid objects in a simple and accurate manner for a variety of drying applications.     

Evaluation of Capacity and Spectral Efficiency of the Emerging Digital Mobile Systems

Digital cellular systems will have profound implications for the integration of mobile computing and communications allowing true networking on the move. The European-developed GSM system is rapidly becoming the de-facto world standard for mobile communications. Other emerging standards include IS-54 in North America and PDC in Japan, in addition to the CDMA standard (IS-95) in the USA. The aim of this article is to compare the four emerging standards, with particular emphasis on their user capacity and spectrum utilization efficiency.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Starch-Glycidyl Methacrylate-Acrylic Acid Cation Exchange Composites

The synthesis of starch/glycidyl methacrylate/acrylic acid cation exchange composites was achieved by bulk polymerizing of acrylic acid (AA)/glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) mixtures in presence of starch using sodium peroxydisulphate/sodium sulphite initiating redox system. The effect of the concentration of each of sodium peroxydisulphate sodium sulphite, AA and GMA as well as polymerization temperature on the formation of the composites was investigated. Five kinds of composites of different carboxyl contents were prepared and characterized by investigating their potentiometric titrations, durabilities to use, as well as water swellabilities and solubilities.     

Preparation of 2-Aroyl-3-methyl-1H-1,4-benzothiazines. ESR Study of 2-benzoyl-1,3-dimethyl-1H-1,4-benzothiazine

2-Aroyl-3-methyl-1 H-1,4-benzothiazine ylids ( 2a – k ) were prepared by alkylation of the corresponding 4H-benzothiazines 1 . The ylids 2 are labile at room temperature; proper analytical and ¹H-n.m.r. data were obtained for their picrates. E.s.r. studies of u. v. irradiated polycrystalline form of ( 2 ; R¹ = Me, R² = H) gave evidence for a long-lived benzothiazinyl radical with the odd electron residing on nitrogen 6 .