Solution‐processed Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 absorber yielding a 15.2% efficient solar cell

The remarkable potential for inexpensive upscale of solution processing technologies is expected to enable chalcogenide‐based photovoltaic systems to become more widely adopted to meet worldwide energy needs. Here, we report a thin‐film solar cell with solution‐processed Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)₂ (CIGS) absorber. The power conversion efficiency of 15.2% is the highest published value for a pure solution deposition technique for any photovoltaic absorber material and is on par with the best nonvacuum‐processed CIGS devices. We compare the performance of our cell with a world champion vacuum‐deposited CIGS cell and perform detailed characterization, such as biased quantum efficiency, temperature‐dependent electrical measurement, time‐resolved photoluminescence, and capacitance spectroscopy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of Fuzzy Genetic Algorithm to the Problem of Synthesizing Circular Microstrip Antenna Elements with Thick Substrates

Fuzzy genetic algorithm (FGA) is applied to the problem of synthesizing a probe-fed circular microstrip antenna element with thick substrate taking resonant frequency, gain, bandwidth and input impedance of the antenna element into consideration simultaneously. The results obtained by FGA are compared with the results obtained by classical genetic algorithm (CGA).     

Contribution of surface silanization process on mechanical characteristics of TPU-based composites involving feldspar and quartz minerals

In this study, quartz and feldspar powders were surface treated using a silane coupling agent to achieve a more compatible mineral surface with the polymer matrix. Details of surface characteristics of minerals were examined by energy-dissipative X-ray spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and infrared spectroscopy. Thermoplastic polyurethane-TPU was compounded with minerals using the melt-blending technique. Mechanical, thermo-mechanical, melt-flow, and morphological characterizations of TPU and relevant composites were performed by utilizing tensile and Shore hardness tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), melt flow index (MFI) measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Water repellency of TPU and composites were also evaluated experimentally. Effects of surface treatments were discussed by comparing the results of composites filled with pristine and modified minerals. Results revealed that enrichment of quartz and feldspar surfaces confer mechanical and thermo-mechanical performance of composites. Mineral inclusions caused no drastic changes to the MFI parameter of TPU. The silane layer on the mineral surface displayed a barrier effect to water uptake of composites. Homogeneous dispersion and improved interfacial adhesion of mineral particles to the TPU phase were confirmed with help of SEM observations. Quartz exhibited slightly higher performance thanks to its silica-rich composition. The findings of this research exhibited the considerable influence of the silane layer on the mineral surface on the mechanical performance of TPU-based composites.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the inhibition effects of some Schiff bases as corrosion inhibitors of aluminium in HCl

The inhibition efficiencies of two new synthesized Schiff bases have been investigated for aluminium in 0.5 M HCl solution using experimental and theoretical methods. Potentiodynamic polarization and EIS method were used to determine the inhibition efficiencies. From the experimental results it has been found that both compounds adsorb on the aluminium surface according to the Temkin adsorption isotherm. Quantum chemical calculations were further applied to reveal the adsorption structure and explain the experimental results. A good correlation between the quantum chemical parameters and the experimental inhibition efficiency has been found.     

Optimal deflection and stacking sequence prediction of curved composite structure using hybrid (FEM and soft computing) technique

Engineering with Computers - The bending deflections and the corresponding optimal fiber angle sequences of the subsequent layers have been predicted in this article using a hybrid technique. The...     

Thermodynamic analysis of a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell

In this study, energy and exergy analyses of a 1 kW Horizon H-1000 XP Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell has been investigated. A testing apparatus has been established to analyze the system efficiencies based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics. In this mechanism pure hydrogen has been directly used as a fuel in compressed gas formation. Purity of hydrogen was above 99.99%. The system performance was investigated through experimental studies on energy and parametric studies on exergy by changing the operating pressure and operation temperature. The results showed that the energy efficiency of PEM fuel cell is 45.58% for experimental study and 41.27% for parametric study at full load. Also, 2.25% and 4.2% performance improvements were obtained by changing the operating temperature ratio (T/T₀) from 1 to 1.2 and operating pressure ratio (P/P₀) from 1 to 2, respectively.     

Investigation of the elastic properties of poly (methyl methacrylate) reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets

The technique for synthesis of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) by atom transfer radical polymerization has been strengthened by using graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) to enhance the elastic properties of the polymer. In order to improve practical, economical and mechanical performance, the requirements for effective implementation of production control as a smart bulk polymer nanocomposite were determined for cost-effective bulk production. Three-dimensional inspection (using an ultrasound interrogation method for the whole volume under test) confirmed the synthesis of the nanocomposite to be free of agglomeration and bubbles. As a result of this elimination of defects, an enhancement in compressive strength of 42.7% was achieved and the Rockwell hardness was increased by 19.9% through the addition of GNPs at 2 wt% by mass. The deformation and mechanical failure properties have been characterized in the mechanical enhancement of the polymer nanocomposite. Elastic parameters determined using ultrasound testing identified that changes in the structural features following the addition of these GNPs were uniquely connected to the enhancements in these elastic parameters (such as Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, shear modulus, and microhardness) of the PMMA/GNPs nanocomposite.     

Effect of Welding Parameters on Tensile Properties and Fatigue Behavior of Friction Stir Welded 2014-T6 Aluminum Alloy

The present work describes the effect of welding parameters on the tensile properties and fatigue behaviour of 2014-T6 aluminum alloy joints produced by friction stir welding (FSW). Characterization of the samples has been carried out by means of microstructure, microhardness, tensile properties and fatigue behaviors. The hardness in the softened weld region decreases with decreasing the welding speed. Irrespective of the tool rotation speeds, the best tensile and fatigue properties were obtained in the joints with the welding speed of 80 mm/min. The joint welded with a rotating speed of 1520 rpm at 80 mm/min has given a highest tensile and fatigue properties. The fatigue behaviors of the joints are almost consistent with the tensile properties, especially elongations. Higher ductility in FSW joints made the material less sensitive to fatigue. The location of tensile fractures of the joints is dependent on the welding parameters. On the other hand, the fatigue fracture locations change depending on the welding parameters and stress range. In addition, a considerable correlation could not be established in between heat indexes and mechanical properties of FSW 2014-T6 joints under the investigated welding parameters.     

Multiscale sequentially-coupled arterial FSI technique

Multiscale versions of the Sequentially-Coupled Arterial Fluid–Structure Interaction (SCAFSI) technique are presented. The SCAFSI technique was introduced as an approximate FSI approach in arterial fluid mechanics. It is based on the assumption that the arterial deformation during a cardiac cycle is driven mostly by the blood pressure. First we compute a “reference” arterial deformation as a function of time, driven only by the blood pressure profile of the cardiac cycle. Then we compute a sequence of updates involving mesh motion, fluid dynamics calculations, and recomputing the arterial deformation. The SCAFSI technique was developed and tested in conjunction with the stabilized space–time FSI (SSTFSI) technique. Beyond providing a computationally more economical alternative to the fully coupled arterial FSI approach, the SCAFSI technique brings additional flexibility, such as being able to carry out the computations in a spatially or temporally multiscale fashion. In the test computations reported here for the spatially multiscale versions of the SCAFSI technique, we focus on a patient-specific middle cerebral artery segment with aneurysm, where the arterial geometry is based on computed tomography images. The arterial structure is modeled with the continuum element made of hyperelastic (Fung) material.