Ultrathin PECVD epitaxial Si solar cells on glass via low‐temperature transfer process

Fabrication of high‐quality ultrathin monocrystalline silicon layers and their transfer to low‐cost substrates are key steps for flexible electronics and photovoltaics. In this work, we demonstrate a low‐temperature and low‐cost process for ultrathin silicon solar cells. By using standard plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), we grow high‐quality epitaxial silicon layers (epi‐PECVD) from SiH₄/H₂ gas mixtures at 175 °C. Using secondary ion mass spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy, we show that the porosity of the epi‐PECVD/crystalline silicon interface can be tuned by controlling the hydrogen accumulation there. Moreover, we demonstrate that 13–14% porosity is a threshold above which the interface becomes fragile and can easily be cleaved. Taking advantage of the H‐rich interface fragility, we demonstrate the transfer of large areas (∽10 cm²) ultrathin epi‐PECVD layers (0.5–5.5 µm) onto glass substrates by anodic bonding and moderate annealing (275–350 °C). The structural properties of transferred layers are assessed, and the first PECVD epitaxial silicon solar cells transferred on glass are characterized. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Who profits from the Canadian nanotechnology reward system? Implications for gender-responsible innovation

Scientometrics - Gender equality is one of the primary dimensions of responsible research and innovation. Based on bibliometric and survey data of nanotechnology researchers in Canada, this paper...     

Carbon nanotubes/polydimethylsiloxanes systems for thermal management of miniaturized electronic components

The thermal performances of nanocomposite layers formed by Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT) dispersed in 2 different kind of polydimethyl-siloxane (PDMSO) matrices has been investigated by measuring the thermal resistance under conditions similar to the ones used for thermal management in microelectronics. A series of nanocomposite samples with thickness in the range 25 microm(-1) cm have been tested. The nanocomposites were prepared varying the amounts of nanotubes embedded in the matrix (from 0.1 to 5%w). In some cases also microsized graphites were mixed to the nanotube's fillers. For 25 micron thick layers, the thermal resistance of the neat silicone specimen can be reduced of 54% with the addition of 2%w carbon nanotubes. The variation of thermal conductivity as a function of the SWCNT's loading is reported and discussed. Furthermore the dispersion's effects of the nanotubes in the layers and the effects on the realization of a net-like system have been investigated.     

Efficient and accurate simulation of the packaging forming process

To allow for large‐scale forming applications, such as converting paperboard into package containers, efficient and reliable numerical tools are needed. In finite element simulations of thin structures, elements including structural features are required to reduce the computational cost. Solid‐shell elements based on reduced integration with hourglass stabilization is an attractive choice. One advantage of this choice is the natural inclusion of the thickness, not present in standard degenerated shells, which is especially important for many problems involving contact. Furthermore, no restrictions are imposed on the constitutive models since the solid‐shell element does not require the plane stress condition to be enforced. In this work, a recently proposed efficient solid‐shell element is implemented together with a state‐of‐the‐art continuum model for paperboard. This approach is validated by comparing the obtained numerical results with experimental results for paperboard as well as with those found by using 3D continuum elements. To show the potential of this approach, a large‐scale forming simulation of paperboard is used as a proof of concept.     

Fracture toughness characterisation of a glass fibre‐reinforced plastic composite

By examining the state of the art, it can be realised that few research works have been done on the fracture behaviour of plastic composites reinforced with continuous glass fibres. Therefore, the present paper deals with the fracture toughness of a unidirectional glass fibre‐reinforced plastic (GFRP), such a parameter being analytically determined by means of the modified two‐parameter model (MTPM). The input data of the MTPM are obtained from an experimental campaign related to three‐point bending tests on single edge‐notched specimens characterised by different sizes. The novelty of this research work is that the MTPM, originally proposed for isotropic materials, is here employed to estimate the fracture toughness of GFRPs characterised by orthotropic mechanical properties.     

Galectins in Early Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Associated Pathologies

Galectins are a family of conserved soluble proteins defined by an affinity for β-galactoside structures present on various glycoconjugates. Over the past few decades, galectins have been recognized as important factors for successful implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated their involvement in trophoblast cell function and placental development. In addition, several lines of evidence suggest their important roles in feto-maternal immune tolerance regulation and angiogenesis. Changed or dysregulated galectin expression is also described in pregnancy-related disorders. Although the data regarding galectins’ clinical relevance are still at an early stage, evidence suggests that some galectin family members are promising candidates for better understanding pregnancy-related pathologies, as well as predicting biomarkers. In this review, we aim to summarize current knowledge of galectins in early pregnancy as well as in pregnancy-related pathologies.     

Novel 1,3,5-Triazinyl Aminobenzenesulfonamides Incorporating Aminoalcohol,Aminochalcone and Aminostilbene Structural Motifs as Potent Anti-VRE Agents,and Carbonic Anhydrases I,II, VII,IX, and XII Inhibitors

A series of 1,3,5-triazinyl aminobenzenesulfonamides substituted by aminoalcohol, aminostilbene, and aminochalcone structural motifs was synthesized as potential human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibitors. The compounds were evaluated on their inhibition of tumor-associated hCA IX and hCA XII, hCA VII isoenzyme present in the brain, and physiologically important hCA I and hCA II. While the test compounds had only a negligible effect on physiologically important isoenzymes, many of the studied compounds significantly affected the hCA IX isoenzyme. Several compounds showed activity against hCA XII; (E)-4-{2-[(4-[(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)amino]-6-[(4-styrylphenyl)amino]-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]ethyl}benzenesulfonamide (31) and (E)-4-{2-[(4-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)amino]-6-[(4-styrylphenyl)amino]-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]ethyl}benzenesulfonamide (32) were the most effective inhibitors with K_Is = 4.4 and 5.9 nM, respectively. In addition, the compounds were tested against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) isolates. (E)-4-[2-({4-[(4-cinnamoylphenyl)amino]-6-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)amino]-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl}amino)ethyl]benzenesulfonamide (21) (MIC = 26.33 µM) and derivative 32 (MIC range 13.80–55.20 µM) demonstrated the highest activity against all tested strains. The most active compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against the Human Colorectal Tumor Cell Line (HCT116 p53 +/+). Only 4,4’-[(6-chloro-1,3,5-triazin-2,4-diyl)bis(iminomethylene)]dibenzenesulfonamide (7) and compound 32 demonstrated an IC₅₀ of ca. 6.5 μM; otherwise, the other selected derivatives did not show toxicity at concentrations up to 50 µM. The molecular modeling and docking of active compounds into various hCA isoenzymes, including bacterial carbonic anhydrase, specifically α-CA present in VRE, was performed to try to outline a possible mechanism of selective anti-VRE activity.