Panchromatic response composed of hybrid visible-light absorbing polymers and near-IR absorbing dyes for nanocrystalline TiO2-based solid-state solar cells

In pursuit of panchromatic sensitizers for mesoporous TiO₂-based solid-state solar cells, a near-IR absorbing zinc phthalocyanine dye (coded TT1) was firstly adsorbed over relatively thin (∼1 μm) TiO₂ mesoporous films and then a visible-light absorbing polymer [regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT] was incorporated into the mesopores as both a second sensitizer and a solid hole conductor. After optimizing some experimental parameters, these hybrid solid-state cells exhibited a clear panchromatic response, and an overall conversion efficiency of around 1% at full sun intensity.     

Life cycle assessment of fuels for district heating: A comparison of waste incineration,biomass- and natural gas combustion

The aim of this consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) is to compare district heating based on waste incineration with combustion of biomass or natural gas. The study comprises two options for energy recovery (combined heat and power (CHP) or heat only), two alternatives for external, marginal electricity generation (fossil lean or intense), and two alternatives for the alternative waste management (landfill disposal or material recovery). A secondary objective was to test a combination of dynamic energy system modelling and LCA by combining the concept of complex marginal electricity production in a static, environmental systems analysis. Furthermore, we wanted to increase the methodological knowledge about how waste can be environmentally compared to other fuels in district-heat production. The results indicate that combustion of biofuel in a CHP is environmentally favourable and robust with respect to the avoided type of electricity and waste management. Waste incineration is often (but not always) the preferable choice when incineration substitutes landfill disposal of waste. It is however, never the best choice (and often the worst) when incineration substitutes recycling. A natural gas fired CHP is an alternative of interest if marginal electricity has a high fossil content. However, if the marginal electricity is mainly based on non-fossil sources, natural gas is in general worse than biofuels.     

Breaking the cycle: Producer and consumer perspectives on the non-adoption of passive solar housing in the US

Creating the technologies to solve our energy and pollution problems is only one part of the solution. Getting the technologies adopted may be a larger hurdle. This study examines the adoption of a low- or no-cost technology, passive solar housing design, in the United States. Interviews with professionals involved in passive solar supply identified lack of demand as the most important factor, followed by availability, awareness, and economic incentives. Corresponding survey results from homebuyers in one region suggest that lack of demand represents not disinterest, but rather lack of availability when purchasing a home. Conventional homeowners are not familiar with passive solar design, but are predisposed to favor it, especially if it can be incorporated into traditional housing styles. In addition, to the extent that they can learn information to counter the perceptions that passive solar homes are too complicated or there is too little sun in their region, homebuyers would be more willing to purchase a passive solar home. Policy interventions to promote passive solar homes should focus on supply-side incentives as well as information for homebuyers.     

Etude cristallographique du systeme FeSSc2S3 preparations et structures de FeSc2S4 et Fe0.85Sc2.10S4

The crystal structures of FeSc₂S₄ and Fe_0.85Sc_2.10S₄ have been determined by three dimensional X-ray diffraction. The cubic cells, space group Fd3m, have lattice constants $\text{a}\text{= 10,501}\text{A}\text{?}$ for FeSc₂S₄ and $\text{a}\text{= 10,444}\text{A}\text{?}$ for Fe_0.85Sc_2.10S₄. Iron is divalent and scandium trivalent. FeSc₂S₄ is a direct spinel structure, Fe_0.85Sc_2.10S₄ is near a spinel structure. Only 0,5 iron atom is on every 8a position; 0,175 Fe and 1,05 Sc lie on octahedral 16d and 16c site.     

The in vivo incorporation of labeled linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid into rat liver lipids

The incorporation of 1-¹⁴C-linoleic acid, 1-¹⁴C-α-linolenic acid and 1-¹⁴C-arachidonic acid into rat liver lipids was measured and the per cent distribution of radioactivity into the different lipid fractions determined. Normal rats were injected into the portal vein with the labeled solutions during a one minute period. Livers were quickly frozen, pulverized, and the lipids extracted and fractioned by thin layer chromatography. No significant differences were observed in the amounts of labeled fatty acids incorporated per gram of rat liver. While 1-¹⁴C-linoleic acid and 1-¹⁴C-α-linolenic acid were found in appreciable amounts in the 1,2 diacylglycerol fraction, about one fifth as much 1-¹⁴C-arachidonic acid was esterified in this fraction. 1-¹⁴C-arachidonic acid was the leading acid esterified in the phospholipid fractions.     

High-temperature tribological properties of CrAlN, CrAlSiN and AlCrSiN coatings

Cr-Al-Si-N coatings with high and low Cr/Al ratios (CrAlSiN and AlCrSiN, respectively) were deposited on WC substrates by cathodic arc and compared with a reference Cr-Al-N coating. The silicon content was close to 3 at.%. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that CrAlN and CrAlSiN coatings exhibited the cubic Cr(Al)N structure, whereas in AlCrSiN a mixture of cubic Cr(Al)N and wurtzite-type AlN was identified. All three coatings showed excellent thermal stability and oxidation resistance up to 800 °C. The tribological properties were evaluated by ball-on-disk tribometer in the temperature range 25-600 °C. Two materials were used as counterparts: alumina and 440C steel. Sliding against 440C steel balls led to the extensive wear of the balls and transfer of the ball material to the surface of the coatings. The coatings were not damaged. When sliding against alumina balls, the coating wear was low up to testing temperature 300 °C. At 400 °C, CrAlSiN coating was partially worn through. CrAlN and AlCrSiN coatings were almost immediately worn out at 600 °C. The analysis of the wear debris identified high-temperature adhesive failure of the coatings.     

Synthesis, conformation and biological evaluation of the enantiomers of 3-fluoro-gamma-aminobutyric acid ((R)- and (S)-3F-GABA): an analogue of the neurotransmitter GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA (1) is one of the major inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitters of the central nervous system. This article describes the first synthesis of both the (R)- and (S)- enantiomers of 3-fluoro-GABA (2, 3F-GABA). DFT calculations were carried out in a continuum solvent model (PCM-B3LYP) to estimate the preferred conformations of 3F-GABA in aqueous solution. NMR coupling constants were calculated for each conformer and were then used to simulate the NMR spectra to evaluate the solution conformation of 3F-GABA. A preliminary evaluation of the 3F-GABA enantiomers shows that they act similarly as agonists of cloned GABA(A) receptors; however, they behave quite differently in a whole animal (Xenopus laevis tadpole model).     

A Possible Industrial Solution to Ferment Lignocellulosic Hydrolyzate to Ethanol: Continuous Cultivation with Flocculating Yeast

The cultivation of toxic lignocellulosic hydrolyzates has become a challenging research topic in recent decades. Although several cultivation methods have been proposed, numerous questions have arisen regarding their industrial applications. The current work deals with a solution to this problem which has a good potential application on an industrial scale. A toxic dilute-acid hydrolyzate was continuously cultivated using a high-cell-density flocculating yeast in a single and serial bioreactor which was equipped with a settler to recycle the cells back to the bioreactors. No prior detoxification was necessary to cultivate the hydrolyzates, as the flocks were able to detoxify it in situ. The experiments were successfully carried out at dilution rates up to 0.52 h⁻¹. The cell concentration inside the bioreactors was between 23 and 35 g-DW/L, while the concentration in the effluent of the settlers was 0.32 ± 0.05 g-DW/L. An ethanol yield of 0.42–0.46 g/g-consumed sugar was achieved, and the residual sugar concentration was less than 6% of the initial fermentable sugar (glucose, galactose and mannose) of 35.2 g/L.