Thermodynamic cycle optimization for pyroelectric energy conversion in the thin film regime

Pyroelectric energy conversion is both simulated and realized on thin film lead zirconate titanate capacitors. The thermodynamics of the energy conversion cycle were explored, and the performance of the Brayton cycle was compared with the conventional Ericsson pyroelectric cycle. Cycle performance was examined using coefficients extracted from measured isothermal polarization hysteresis loops. It was found that the Brayton cycle is slightly more efficient than the Ericsson cycle over the range of temperatures tested and has significant efficiency improvements with increasing pyroelectric coefficients. The results from actual energy conversion cycles differed slightly from simulated performance, confirming the known challenges with synchronizing pyroelectric cycles with realistic thermal excitation. Finally, a one‐dimensional thermal transient model is used to explore the power conversion potential of thin film pyroelectrics. It is shown that the Brayton cycle has a significant performance advantage over the Ericsson cycle at higher operating frequencies. A power density of 8 mW/cm³ was obtained using the Brayton cycle for a thin film system at about 60 °C with an applied field of 5 V and stimulation frequency of 0.2 Hz. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Effect of Gradual Fluorination on the Properties of FnZnPc Thin Films and FnZnPc/C60 Bilayer Photovoltaic Cells

Motivated by the possibility of modifying energy levels of a molecule without substantially changing its band gap, the impact of gradual fluorination on the optical and structural properties of zinc phthalocyanine (F_nZnPc) thin films and the electronic characteristics of F_nZnPc/C₆₀ (n = 0, 4, 8, 16) bilayer cells is investigated. UV–vis measurements reveal similar Q‐ and B‐band absorption of F_nZnPc thin films with n = 0, 4, 8, whereas for F₁₆ZnPc a different absorption pattern is detected. A correlation between structure and electronic transport is deduced. For F₄ZnPc/C₆₀ cells, the enhanced long range order supports fill factors of 55% and an increase of the short circuit current density by 18%, compared to ZnPc/C₆₀. As a parameter being sensitive to the organic/organic interface energetics, the open circuit voltage is analyzed. An enhancement of this quantity by 27% and 50% is detected for F₄ZnPc‐ and F₈ZnPc‐based devices, respectively, and is attributed to an increase of the quasi‐Fermi level splitting at the donor/acceptor interface. In contrast, for F₁₆ZnPc/C₆₀ a decrease of the open circuit voltage is observed. Complementary photoelectron spectroscopy, external quantum efficiency, and photoluminescence measurements reveal a different working principle, which is ascribed to the particular energy level alignment at the interface of the photoactive materials.     

High-refractive quinolinone-based polymers for ophthalmic devices

Seven novel high refractive index (HRI) acrylic monomers, comprising the quinolinone structural motive, have been synthesized and characterized. Cross-linked homo- as well as copolymers were prepared by photochemical bulk polymerization. The homopolymers show refractive indices at 589 nm (n ₅₈₉) ranging from 1.60 up to 1.68, glass transition temperatures (T _g) from 52 to 76 °C, and Abbe numbers (ν _Abbe) of 19 to 25. Due to these parameters, the homopolymers are not suitable to be used directly for intraocular lens (IOL) manufacture, but the quinolinone monomers may be used as high refractive index components in copolymers. Potential mixtures were calculated theoretically and one example, a copolymer with PEA and PEGPEA, was prepared and characterized. The experimentally found values were T _g?=?24 °C, n ₅₈₉?=?1.593, and ν _Abbe?=?28.3. Interestingly, the quinolinone compound which does not have any spacer between the polymerizable group and the high refractive index group appears to be the most useful one. The lightfastness of the new material fulfills the demands for IOLs. Quinolinone derivatives are promising new comonomers for high refractive index copolymers.     

Modularisierung von Gaswäschern für die CO2‐Entfernung aus Biogas

Modularization has been identified as one of the research fields of the ?50 % idea”?. A development methodology for modules must consider both the economies of scale for investment costs and costs of operation and maintenance. In this paper, the impact of an absorber module, which is offered as discretized diameter scaling, on the total process is investigated at the example of the CO₂ separation from biogas. The simulation shows the effect of this approach to the stripper diameter and the energy demand of the process. The calculations form the basis for applying cost models.     

Development and Evaluation of a Nanoparticle Generator for Human Inhalation Studies with Airborne Zinc Oxide

In the EU there is an increasing need for regulatory agencies to derive health based threshold limits based on human inhalation studies with airborne particles. A necessary prerequisite for such projects is the development of a suitable generator system to produce nanoparticle test aerosols for human whole-body inhalation studies. We decided to use a generator with flame-based heating of aqueous precursor solutions. Validation of the test system was done by generating zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with minimal contamination of trace gases, i.e., nitric oxides or carbon monoxide that could confound the effects seen in exposed subjects. ZnO was selected based on the uncertainties surrounding its health effects after exposure at the workplace. The generation process of the developed flame generator yields ZnO nanoparticles with monomodal size distribution and very good temporal stability. The maximum target exposure mass concentration of 2 mg/m³ ZnO, with a resulting median particle diameter of 57 nm, is attainable in our human exposure laboratory. The morphological examination shows typical agglomerates and aggregates formed by high temperature processes. Overall, the performed experiments confirm that a constant exposure can be provided for all subjects at all times.

Copyright 2014 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Non-fickian diffusion with reaction in glassy polymers with swelling induced by the penetrant—effects of consecutive and parallel reactions

A mathematical model is presented for non-Fickian diffusion of a penetrant A into a granular glassy polymer containing a reactive group B, resulting in the desired product P. Further, both a consecutive reaction between A and P (producing X) and a parallel reaction between A and C (producing Y) are incorporated, with C initially present in the particle. The swelling of the polymer, induced by the penetrant, is described by power-law kinetics for the velocity of the swelling front. Kinetics are considered to be first order in each of the two reactants. Concentration profiles in the particle and selectivity to desired product are calculated as function of the swelling behavior of the polymer grain. In case of a consecutive reaction the local concentration of P reaches a maximum value independent of the swelling rate. However, the position of the maximal concentration of P moves towards the center of the grain with a rate depending on the kinetics of swelling. For Case II diffusion this velocity equals the velocity of the advancing front between glassy and rubbery polymer. The selectivity of the desired reaction decreases with decreasing swelling rate. A low swelling rate also results in an inhomogeneous product distribution within the granule. A criterion is derived predicting under what conditions the consecutive reaction can be neglected and a pure product is obtained. The analysis further reveals that both a more homogeneous product and a higher selectivity toward a desired product can be obtained by realizing preswelling of the polymer with an inert swelling agent. For Case II diffusion the concentration profiles of the side product of the parallel reaction, Y, are flat in the rubbery part of the polymer. This is caused by the relatively low swelling rate allowing Y to redistribute in the swollen polymer. If additional C is continuously supplied from the gas phase, then the selectivity decreases continuously with increasing conversion of B.     

Ein Beitrag zur Biosynthese amylosereicher Erbsenstärken

Contribution to the Biosynthesis of High-amylose Pea Starches Biosynthesis of starch is a complex process but few details are still unknown. This paper describes an investigation upon pea starch biosynthesis. Peas as a source of starch offer two qualities, a pea starch with 40% amylose content (smooth pea starch) and a pea starch with more than 60% amylose content (wrinkled pea starch). Samples for analysis were taken during growth. According to the quantitative determination of starch and amylose the accuracy of amylose detection was tested. Furthermore a qualitative analysis was carried out by molecular weight estimation of the starch. Both kinds of peas showed a high amylose synthesis during the last few days of growth, whereas amylopectin synthesis was highly in earlier stages. Wrinkled peas have shown only little synthesis activity of amylopectin during maturity. Therefore the amylose content of these peas was higher, instead of equal amylose synthesis quotas of both smooth and wrinkled peas.     

Untersuchungen zur Amylosebestimmung in proteinreichen Stärkerohstoffen,insbesondere Erbsen

Investigations on the Amylose Determination in High Protein Starch Source Materials, Especially Peas. The proposed utilization of amylose rich starches requires different methods of amylose determination. In addition to laboratory methods also simple tests are important to that. Because the discussed legume starches are hardly investigated, first of all the suitability of the amperometric iodine titration had to be checked. Then a more easier work was described. In the case of routine analyses a modified test procedure was compared with the method of iodine titration.