A hybrid list-based task scheduling scheme for heterogeneous computing

The Journal of Supercomputing - Efficient task scheduling is required to attain high performance in both homogeneous and heterogeneous computing systems. An application can be considered as a task...     

Properties of binderless particleboard from oil palm trunk with addition of polyhydroxyalkanoates

This study evaluated the properties of binderless particleboard made from oil palm trunk with addition of polyhydroxyalkanoates in the form of freeze dried and pure samples. Modulus of rupture, internal bonding strength, thickness swelling and water absorption of the boards were evaluated based on Japanese Industrial Standards. Modulus of rupture and internal bonding strength increased as the amount of polyhydroxyalkanoates were increased. Thickness swelling and water absorption decreased with increasing percentage of polyhydroxyalkanoates. The surface roughness, gas chromatography, thermogravimetric analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were also investigated. Based on the findings in this work, it appears that the addition of polyhydroxyalkanoates enhanced overall properties of such binderless panels.     

Investigation of VOPcPhO as an acceptor material for bulk heterojunction solar cells

In this study, we have successfully demonstrated a new system of donor–acceptor blend for bulk heterojunction solar cells of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) by using vanadyl 2,9,16,23-tetraphenoxy-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (VOPcPhO) as acceptor material. A broad absorption over the whole visible range (450–750 nm) is achieved. Utilizing this blend system in solar cell fabrication, ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:VOPcPhO/Al solar cells have been fabricated and characterized in open air. A maximum power conversation efficiency up to 1.09% has been recorded. To confirm the charge transport, the electron and hole mobility of VoPcPhO has been measured. The results show that the VoPcPhO has bipolar transport and can act as an electron as well as hole transporting material. The electron mobility is comparable with hole mobility.     

An intelligent method for sizing optimization in grid-connected photovoltaic system

This paper presents an intelligent sizing technique for sizing grid-connected photovoltaic (GCPV) system using evolutionary programming (EP). EP was used to select the optimal set of photovoltaic (PV) module and inverter for the system such that the technical or economic performance of the system could be optimized. The decision variables for the optimization process are the PV module and inverter which had been encoded as specific integers in the respective database. On the other hand, the objective function of the optimization task was set to be either to optimize the technical performance or the economic performance of the system. Before implementing the intelligent-based sizing algorithm, a conventional sizing model had been presented which later led to the development of an iterative-based sizing algorithm, known as ISA. As the ISA tested all available combinations of PV modules and inverters to be considered for the system, the overall sizing process became time consuming and tedious. Therefore, the proposed EP-based sizing algorithm, known as EPSA, was developed to accelerate the sizing process. During the development of EPSA, different EP models had been tested with a non-linear scaling factor being introduced to improve the performance of these models. Results showed that the EPSA had outperformed ISA in terms of producing lower computation time. Besides that, the incorporation of non-linear scaling factor had also improved the performance of all EP models under investigation. In addition, EPSA had also shown the best optimization performance when compared with other intelligent-based sizing algorithms using different types of Computational Intelligence.     

A design framework of a smartphone user interface for elderly users

Universal Access in the Information Society - Most smartphones currently in the market have complicated user interfaces (UIs) that elderly users find difficult to use. Such difficulties often lead...     

On the Performance of Various 5G Signals Sensing Based on Hybrid Filter

International Journal of Wireless Information Networks - The 5G wireless communication system is promised to exploit many kinds of waveform for satisfying various requirements to transmit huge size...     

Magnetic Field-Assisted Laser Ablation of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Water for Anti-Bacterial Applications

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - Titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2) were produced by pulsed Nd:YAG laser ablation in water under the effect of an external magnetic...     

Copper molybdate nanoparticles for electrochemical water splitting application

Two different phases of copper molybdate nanoparticles such as Cu₃Mo₂O₉ and Cu₆Mo₅O₁₈ were synthesized through schematic hydrothermal treatment. The obtained product morphology was explored by using surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SDS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The structural, optical, vibrational and morphological properties were confirmed employing standard characterization techniques. Rectangular nanoflakes of the obtained product were confirmed by employing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern confirms obtained product crystalline nature. The better morphology controlled sample gives higher 227 mA/g current density at 10 mV/s and small 184 V overpotential. Long duration stability over 16 h was exhibited by Cu₆Mo₅O₁₈ electrode. Hence, Cu₆Mo₅O₁₈ electrode shows better electrochemical activity with stunning low overpotential. It would be suggested that PVP surfactant is quite optimum to produce efficient Cu₆Mo₅O₁₈ catalysts for electrochemical water splitting applications.     

Performance improvement of supercritical carbon dioxide power cycles through its integration with bottoming heat recovery cycles and advanced heat exchanger design: A review

In this article, the performance improvement of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂) Brayton cycles through heat recovery and advanced heat exchanger (HX) design is reviewed. The configuration of sCO₂ cycles and the bottleneck of the design of an efficient sCO₂ cycle is first evaluated. It was found that heat rejected in the precooler is a large waste that could potentially enhance the overall sCO₂ system performance. Then integration of the absorption cycle, organic Rankine cycle, and thermal desalination plant to the sCO₂ cycle to recover the waste thermal energy is reviewed and discussed. Results showed that these bottoming heat recovery cycles could substantially improve the overall sCO₂ system efficiency. The combined system of sCO₂/absorption chiller, sCO₂/ORC increases the cycle efficiency to about 78% and 79%, respectively. Also, a combined system of sCO₂/desalination produces about 200 000 m³/day with a cost of less than $1.0/m³. Based on the review, the evaluation criteria are proposed for decision-makers. Another bottleneck of the design of the sCO₂ system is the HXs (recuperators) used in the sCO₂ cycle which are relatively large and negatively affect the cycle compactness and performance. Therefore, various types of recuperators proposed and designed for sCO₂ cycles are reviewed and evaluated. This review highlights the need for further research to enhance heat recovery, reduce the cost of bottoming cycles, and improve the design of HXs.