In situ image processing method to investigate performance and stability of dye solar cells

A simple and non-destructive method is introduced using image processing to investigate changes in the performance of the dye solar cells (DSCs). The main principle is based on the fact that the most important DSC components (dye, electrolyte, catalyst) have a specific color which often changes as result of degradation. Here the imaging technique is demonstrated in the case of exposing DSCs on very harsh conditions (85 °C temperature and UV + Visible light). The aging of the cells was recorded with a color sensitive camera in a well regulated setup and the photographs were processed using image analysis techniques. A key factor in making the imaging method quantitative and suitable for aging studies is color calibration which is explained in detail. The image analysis of different cell configurations revealed that the bleaching reactions of the electrolyte were related to reactions between TiO₂ and the electrolyte. The dye layer on the TiO₂ was shown slow down the degradation. Furthermore the comparison of image analysis and current–voltage curves indicated that the performance degradation of the cells was only partly due to loss of tri-iodide. The loss of photocurrent and photovoltage was apparently largely due to the harmful effect of the by-products of the bleaching and/or the degradation of the dye. In addition, a small recovery effect due to the generation of tri-iodide under reverse bias condition was seen in both image analysis and electrical measurements.     

Effect of oxidation catalysts on diesel soot particles

The effect of a conventional oxidation catalyst and a novel particle oxidation catalyst (POC) on diesel particles is studied using identical methodology. Regulated particulate matter emission measurement is followed by analyzing soluble organic fraction. In addition, size distributions are measured using a partial flow sampling system with a thermodenuder as an option. A parallel ELPI-SMPS method is used to study the particle effective density and, further, the mass. Tests are conducted using a heavy duty diesel engine with a very low sulfur fuel. A decrease in particle mass was observed when using a catalyst. When using a conventional catalyst the decrease was attributed to the decrease of soluble organic fraction, while using POC the nonsoluble fraction was also found to decrease, by 8-38%. This observation is confirmed by particle number measurement, and POC was found to decrease the dry particle number concentration measured downstream of a thermodenuder by 13-28%. Further particle structure analysis indicated lower density values when using conventional catalyst or POC. The physical size of the particles was not changed noticeably over either catalyst--implying the soluble organic fraction was condensed onto the soot, filling the voids in the porous structure of soot agglomerates, when no catalyst is used.     

In situ production and analysis of Weissella confusa dextran in wheat sourdough

Several lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genera Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Weissella have been introduced to wheat sourdough baking for in situ production of exopolysaccharides. This is considered a novel method for improving the shelf-life, volume and nutritional value of bread without additives. However, in situ production of exopolysaccharides during sourdough fermentation is challenged by simultaneous acidification due to metabolic activities of the bacteria, which may significantly diminish the positive technological impact of exopolysaccharides. In this study, the growth, activity and in situ production of dextran by Weissella confusa VTT E-90392 in wheat sourdoughs were investigated. Furthermore, the influence of dextran-enriched sourdoughs, at the addition level of 43%, on the subsequent bread quality was established. W. confusa efficiently produced dextran from the added sucrose in wheat sourdough without strong acid production. A new specific enzyme-assisted method for in situ analysis of dextran in sourdoughs was developed. With this method, we could for the first time proof significant (11–16 g/kg DW) production of polymeric dextran in sourdoughs. Concomitant formation of shorter isomaltooligosaccharides by W. confusa was also detected. The produced dextran significantly increased the viscosity of the sourdoughs. Application of dextran-enriched sourdoughs in bread baking provided mildly acidic wheat bread with improved volume (up to 10%) and crumb softness (25–40%) during 6 days of storage. Hence, W. confusa is a promising new strain for efficient in situ production of dextrans and isomaltooligosaccharides in sourdoughs without strong acidification.     

Sourdough and cereal fermentation in a nutritional perspective

Use of sourdough is of expanding interest for improvement of flavour, structure and stability of baked goods. Cereal fermentations also show significant potential in improvement and design of the nutritional quality and health effects of foods and ingredients. In addition to improving the sensory quality of whole grain, fibre-rich or gluten-free products, sourdough can also actively retard starch digestibility leading to low glycemic responses, modulate levels and bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds, and improve mineral bioavailability. Cereal fermentation may produce non-digestible polysaccharides, or modify accessibility of the grain fibre complex to gut microbiota. It has also been suggested that degradation of gluten may render bread better suitable for celiac persons.The changes in cereal matrix potentially leading to improved nutritional quality are numerous. They include acid production, suggested to retard starch digestibility, and to adjust pH to a range which favours the action of certain endogenous enzymes, thus changing the bioavailability pattern of minerals and phytochemicals. This is especially beneficial in products rich in bran to deliver minerals and potentially protective compounds in the blood circulation. The action of enzymes during fermentation also causes hydrolysis and solubilisation of grain macromolecules, such as proteins and cell wall polysaccharides. This changes product texture, which may affect nutrient and non-nutrient absorption. New bioactive compounds, such as prebiotic oligosaccharides or other metabolites, may also be formed in cereal fermentations.     

The Application of Connectionist Structures to Learning Impedance Control in Robotic Contact Tasks

The goal of this paper is to consider the synthesis of learning impedance control using recurrent connectionist structures for on-line learning of robot dynamic uncertainties in the case of robot contact tasks. The connectionist structures are integrated in non-learning impedance control laws that are intended to improve the transient dynamic response immediately after the contact. The recurrent neural network as a part of hybrid learning control algorithms uses fast learning rules and available sensor information in order to improve the robotic performance progressively for a minimum possible number of learning epochs. Some simulation results of deburring process with the MANUTEC r3 robot are presented here in order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control learning algorithms.     

Examining pre‐service teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge as evolving knowledge domains: A longitudinal approach

The aim of this study is to outline the development and changes in pre‐service teachers' technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) assessments during the first 3 years in teacher education. Specifically, research was conducted at three measurement points over a 3‐year teacher education period. The target group consisted of pre‐service teachers (N = 148) from three Finnish universities. Results indicate a growth in confidence related to all TPACK areas during the research period. The strongest gains were in pedagogical content knowledge. In addition, the gains were larger in other areas related to pedagogical knowledge than areas related to technology or content knowledge. In areas without pedagogical knowledge, the changes were more moderate. In the discussion section, recommendations are provided on the potential of longitudinal use of the TPACK model to study and improve the development of pre‐service teachers' TPACK.     

The effects of process parameters for joining of AISI 1010-Cu alloys by friction welded

In this study, the effects of process parameters for joining of AISI 1010 low carbon steel and copper alloys by friction welded were investigated. Low carbon steel and commercial copper each of 12 mm diameter was used to fabricate the joints. The friction welding tests were carried out using a direct-drive type friction welding machine which was designed and manufactured for this purpose by us. After friction welding, in order to determine the microstructural changes that occurred, the interface regions of the welded specimens were examined by means of OM, SEM, EDS and X-Ray analysis. Microhardness and tensile tests were conducted to determine the mechanical properties of the welded specimens. The experimental results indicated that AISI 1010 low carbon steel could be joined to copper using the friction welding technique and for achieving a welding with a sufficient strength, the friction time has to be held as short as possible, while the rotational speed, friction and forging pressure has to be as high as possible. Tensile strength values also confirmed this result and at the interface did not occurred intermetallic phases. The maximum tensile strength of 294,67 MPa could be obtained for the joints welded under the welding conditions of rotation speed of 2300 rpm, friction pressure of 40 MPa, forging pressure of 80 MPa, friction time of 6 s and forging time of 3 s.     

Effect of engine load on diesel soot particles

This study concentrates on characterization of nonvolatile fraction of diesel particles. These particles have an impact on earth's radiation balance as well as on health effects of vehicle emissions. In addition to composition and size distribution of particles, an important factor affecting their health effects and properties and lifetimes in the atmosphere is their morphology. The effect of engine parameters on soot particle size distributions and also on particle morphology has been studied. It was found that the shape of the size distribution and also the structure of diesel particles depend on engine load. The number distributions were found to obey log-normal assumption. The width of the distribution increased with increasing engine load. The geometric standard deviations of measured distributions varied from 1.7 to 2.1. Simultaneously, the fractal dimension of particles decreased with increasing engine load. The values for mass fractal dimensions based on sealing of particle mass and mobility size were between 2.6 and 2.8. Both electron microscopy and measurements of aerodynamic size versus mobility size suggest that the morphology of particles in different size regimes vary, with the large particles being less compact than the small ones.