Development of gallium gradients in three‐stage Cu(In,Ga)Se2 co‐evaporation processes

We use secondary‐ion mass spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the development over time of compositional gradients in Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ thin films grown in three‐stage co‐evaporation processes and suggest a comprehensive model for the formation of the well‐known ‘notch’ structure. The model takes into account the need for compensating Cu diffusion by movement of group‐III ions in order to remain on the quasi‐binary tie line and indicates that the mobilities of In and Ga ions differ. Cu diffuses towards the back in the second stage and towards the front in the third, and this is the driving force for the movement of In and Ga. The [Ga]/[In + Ga] ratio then increases in the direction of the respective Cu movement because In has a higher mobility at process conditions than has Ga. Interdiffusion of In and Ga can be considerable in the (In,Ga)₂Se₃ film of the first stage, but seems largely to cease in Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ and shows no signs of being boosted by the presence of a Cu₂Se layer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Straight-forward control of the degree of micro-cavity effects in organic light-emitting diodes based on a thin striped metal layer

We investigated the control of micro-cavity (MC) effects in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with the introduction of a striped thin metal layer between the indium tin oxide (ITO) layer and the hole transporting layer (HTL). With an enhanced MC effect obtained through the inserted metal layer, the forward emission of the OLED became stronger and the angular distribution became more forward-directed, leading to a current efficiency (CE) that was nearly 1.45 times higher than that of the reference device without the inserted metal layer. The net CE of the OLEDs with a striped metal layer was found to be determined by the area-weighted average of the CE’s of full-cavity-enhanced OLEDs and non-cavity OLEDs. It was also observed that the trade-off between resonance enhancement in efficiency and angle-dependent color stability, often found problematic in MC-based OLEDs, could be mitigated in a straight-forward manner by changing the relative portion of the metal-covered area.     

Infrared study of the MoO3 doping efficiency in 4,4′-bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1′-biphenyl (CBP)

Electrochemical doping produces clear changes in the vibrational spectra of organic semiconductors as we show here for the system molybdenum oxide (MoO₃) doped into the charge transport material 4,4′-bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1′-biphenyl (CBP). Based on density-functional theory (DFT) calculations of vibrational spectra, the new spectral features can be attributed to the CBP cation that forms as a result of electron transfer from CBP to MoO₃. The intensity of the new vibrational lines is a direct measure for the probability of charge transfer. MoO₃ agglomerating within the CBP matrix limits the active interface area between the two species. The appearance of a broad electronic transition in the infrared range indicates a new electronic structure at the interface compared to the individual components. The intensity of this electronic excitation serves as a measure for the interface area indicating a linear increase with MoO₃ concentration. Deposition onto cooled substrates results in smaller agglomerates, and thus yields a higher efficiency.     

Oxidation Behavior of MAX Phase Ti2Al(1−x)SnxC Solid Solution

MAX phase Ti₂Al_(1?x)Sn_xC solid solution with x = 0, 0.32, 0.57, 0.82, and 1 was synthesized by pressureless sintering of uniaxially pressed Ti, Al, Sn, and TiC powder mixtures. Annealing in air atmosphere at 200°C–1000°C triggered a sequence of oxidation reactions which reveal a distinct influence of solid solution composition on the oxidation process. With decreasing Al/Sn ratio, the characteristic temperature of accelerated oxidation reaction of A‐element was reduced from 900°C (x = 0) to 460°C (x = 1). SnO₂ was formed at temperatures significantly lower than TiO₂ (rutile) and Al₂O₃. Substitution of A‐element in MAX phase solid solution by low‐melting elements such as Sn may offer potential for reducing oxidation‐induced crack healing temperatures.     

Energieausweis nach DIN V 18599 und mittels Gebäudesimulation – ein Projektbericht

Energy performance assessment based on DIN V 18599 vs. building simulation – a project report. The new German Energy Conservation Ordinance (EnEV 2007), which came into force on 1^st October 2007, stipulates a new approach to energy performance assessment for non‐domestic buildings. In the past the calculations based on DIN 4701‐10 for office buildings and heated halls, for example, were relatively simple. DIN V 18599, in contrast, now specifies a rather time‐consuming procedure. In parallel, since the 1970s the approach to energy performance assessment increasingly developed from “passive” calculations to an “active” and key component of the design and formation process for a project, and this is indeed how it should be if the aim is to create an energy‐optimised building design. Based on a specific project the suitability for practical application and the benefit for the client of the calculation procedure according to DIN V 18599 were compared with a thermal building simulation. The resulting implementation issues are discussed in this paper. The Energy Conservation Ordinance 2007 no doubt represents a further milestone with far‐reaching consequences for the planning process and for building design and raises new issues that will have to be addressed in future.     

Modulation of physicochemical properties of lipid droplets using β-lactoglobulin and/or lactoferrin interfacial coatings

There is considerable interest in the development of food-grade delivery systems to encapsulate, protect and release bioactive lipids. In this study, emulsion-based delivery systems were prepared consisting of lipid droplets covered by β-lactoglobulin (BLG) and/or lactoferrin (LF) coatings. BLG and LF are globular proteins with relatively low (pI ∼ 5) and high (pI ∼ 8) isoelectric points, respectively. Mixed systems were prepared by adding LF to BLG-stabilized corn oil-in-water emulsions (BLG/LF-coated droplets) or by adding BLG to LF-stabilized corn oil-in-water emulsions (LF/BLG-coated droplets) at pH 7, where there is an electrostatic attraction between the proteins. The influence of pH (3–7), ionic strength (0–60 mM CaCl₂ or 0–200 mM NaCl, pH 7), and thermal treatment (21–90 °C, pH 7, 20 min) on the physical stability of the resulting emulsions was examined. Emulsions with good stability to pH, salt, and thermal processing could be created using mixed interfacial coatings. In addition, we found that the lipids in these emulsions could still be digested using an in vitro digestion model to simulate small intestine conditions. This work may lead to the formation of emulsion-based delivery systems with improved physicochemical and functional performance.     

Boosted Pro-Inflammatory Activity in Human PBMCs by Lipopolysaccharide and SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Is Regulated by α-1 Antitrypsin

For the treatment of severe COVID-19, supplementation with human plasma-purified α-1 antitrypsin (AAT) to patients is currently considered. AAT inhibits host proteases that facilitate viral entry and possesses broad anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Researchers have demonstrated that an interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) enhances pro-inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. Hence, we wanted to understand the potential anti-inflammatory activities of plasma-derived and recombinant AAT (recAAT) in a model of human total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) exposed to a combination of CHO expressed trimeric spike protein and LPS, ex vivo. We confirmed that cytokine production was enhanced in PBMCs within six hours when low levels of LPS were combined with purified spike proteins (“spike”). In the presence of 0.5 mg/mL recAAT, however, LPS/spike-induced TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression and protein release were significantly inhibited (by about 46–50%) relative to LPS/spike alone. Although without statistical significance, recAAT also reduced production of IL-6 and IL-8. Notably, under the same experimental conditions, the plasma-derived AAT preparation Respreeza (used in native and oxidized forms) did not show significant effects. Our findings imply that an early pro-inflammatory activation of human PBMCs is better controlled by the recombinant version of AAT than the human plasma-derived AAT used here. Considering the increasing clinical interest in AAT therapy as useful to ameliorate the hyper-inflammation seen during COVID-19 infection, different AAT preparations require careful evaluation.     

Experimental and numerical identification of process parameters of grind-hardening and resulting part distortions

Using the heat input into the workpiece during grinding to simultaneously realize surface hardening is the innovative approach of the grind-hardening process. Due to the complex physical phenomena within this process, the layout requires extensive experimental analysis to handle the surface hardening and the process-related part distortions. This paper presents a method supporting the layout by means of the finite element analysis (FEA). Besides the hardening depth distributions and the resulting distortions, the research results comprise the numerical identification of the range of the grind-hardening process regarding the analyzed parameter sets. Therewith, the FEA provides the possibility to meet the characteristics of the grind-hardening and to support the layout of the process efficiently.