Multiply Charged Conjugated Polyelectrolytes as a Multifunctional Interlayer for Efficient and Scalable Perovskite Solar Cells

A series of anionic conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) is synthesized based on poly(fluorene-co-phenylene) by varying the side-chain ionic density from two to six per repeat units (MPS2-TMA, MPS4-TMA, and MPS6-TMA). The effect of MPS2, 4, 6-TMA as interlayers on top of a hole-extraction layer of poly(bis(4-phenyl)-2,4,6-trimethylphenylamine (PTAA) is investigated in inverted perovskite solar cells (PeSCs). Owing to the improved wettability of perovskites on hydrophobic PTAA with the CPEs, the PeSCs with CPE interlayers demonstrate a significantly enhanced device performance, with negligible device-to-device dependence relative to the reference PeSC without CPEs. By increasing the ionic density in the MPS-TMA interlayers, the wetting, interfacial defect passivation, and crystal growth of the perovskites are significantly improved without increasing the series resistance of the PeSCs. In particular, the open-circuit voltage increases from 1.06 V for the PeSC with MPS2-TMA to 1.11 V for the PeSC with MPS6-TMA. The trap densities of the PeSCs with MPS2,4,6-TMA are further analyzed using frequency-dependent capacitance measurements. Finally, a large-area (1 cm²) PeSC is successfully fabricated with MPS6-TMA, showing a power conversion efficiency of 18.38% with negligible hysteresis and a stable power output under light soaking for 60 s.     

An analysis of the electrical conductivity in BaSO4-added Ag2SO4 solid electrolyte system

The compositions (1 −x)Ag₂SO₄−(x)BaSO₄, wherex=0·01 to 0·6, were prepared by slow cooling of the melt. The extent of the solid solubility of Ba²⁺ in Ag₂SO₄ was determined by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The bulk conductivity of each sample was obtained using a detailed impedance analysis. The partial substitution of Ba²⁺ results in the enhancement of conductivity in compliance with the classical aliovalent doping theory. A simplistic model based on lattice distortion (expansion) due to partial substitution of Ag⁺ by the bigger Ba²⁺ has been considered to explain enhanced conductivity. Beyond solid-solubility limit (5·27 mole%) the BaSO₄-dispersed Ag₂SO₄ conductivity follows the usual trend seen in binary systems. An increase in conductivity in this case is discussed in the light of interfacial reactions and surface defect chemistry. The maximum conductivity in 20 mole% BaSO₄ dispersed Ag₂SO₄ is due to percolation threshold.     

A hybrid wafer-dicing process for GaAs MMIC production

A dicing process for GaAs MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) wafers using spin-on wax for wafer mounting and a hybrid process of wet chemical etching/mechanical sawing for chip dicing is described. This process minimizes ragged chip edges and reduces generation of microcracks in addition to the elimination of the plated gold burrs on the backside of the diced MMIC chips. This process gives a uniformity of -3 μm across a 2-in wafer following the completion of the whole backside process. This GaAs chip dicing technique is amenable to production because it exhibits both a very high chip yield (>90%) and nearly flawless edges     

Efficient compression and network adaptive video coding for distributed video surveillance

The availability of cheap network based video cameras and the prevalence of wireless networks has lead to a major thrust towards deployment of large scale Distributed Video Surveillance (DVS) systems. This has opened up an important area of research to deal with the issues involved in DVS system for efficient collection and transmission of large scale video streams from the cameras at the guarded sites, to the end users in possibly constrained network conditions. In this paper, we propose a framework based on content-based video classification and scalable compression scheme to provide a robust bandwidth efficient video transmission for DVS. The scheme builds on a Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) based Color-Set Partitioning for Hierarchical Trees (CSPIHT) coding to obtain a scalable bitstream. Wavelet domain segmentation and compression assists in development of a DVS architecture. The architecture includes a novel module for dynamic allocation of Network bandwidth based on the current available resources and constraints. Different frame constituents are optimally coded based on their relative significance, perceptual quality, and available estimate of network bandwidth. Experimental result over different video sequences and simulations for Network conditions demonstrate the efficient performance of the approach.     

Trace Analysis of Zn(II), Be(II), and Bi(III) by Enzyme-Catalyzed Chemiluminescence

A novel technique for the trace analysis of metal ions Zn(II), Be(II), and Bi(III) in bulk solutions is discussed. This technique involves the generation of a chemiluminescence signal from alkaline phosphatase catalyzed hydrolysis of a phosphate derivative of 1,2-dioxetane. Zn(II) can be determined by two methods, reactivation of the alkaline phosphatase apoenzyme and inhibition of the native enzyme. Be(II) and Bi(III) can be determined quantitatively by inhibition of the native enzyme. Subppb to ppm level detection of Zn(II), Be(II), and Bi(III) has been achieved. Initial studies with mixed metals are also reported. The technique described is rapid and sensitive and can be readily applied to the microassay of heavy metal ions.     

Effect of the Cryogenic Treatment on Polyamide and Optimization of Its Parameters for the Enhancement of Wear Performance

Polyamide (PA) is generally used in automotive applications in which the extensive mechanistic situations lead the material to wear. To deal with this situation, attempts are made to treat this material cryogenically using liquid nitrogen. The material is treated at different temperatures (?80, ?140 and ?185?°C) for stipulated time period (4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24?h) in the cryostat. Cryo-treated samples are then allowed to attain the ambient temperature and tested for studying the effect of cryogenic treatment. Selected material is also studied simultaneously for thermal ageing. The mechanical, thermal and structural properties of ??un-treated?? and ??cryo-treated?? PA are studied in a comparative manner. Mechanical properties like wear performance and tensile properties are evaluated. The morphological changes due to cryo-treatment are investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the change in % crystallinity, which is found to be the most important parameter responsible for enhancement of wear performance. In a similar way, thermal changes are also studied by using differential scanning calorimeter. Experimental data is evaluated for the polymer with improved structural, mechanical and thermal properties in order to get optimized parameters for the cryo-treatment.     

Catalytic dehydrogenation of cyclohexane over Ag-M/ACC catalysts for hydrogen supply

Dehydrogenation of cyclohexane to benzene has been carried out over Ag supported on activated carbon cloth (Ag/ACC) catalysts using a spray- pulse reactor. Hydrogen evolution was studied for hydrogen storage and supply system applications. The maximum rate of hydrogen evolution rate using monometallic Ag/ACC catalysts was 6.9 mmol/g_met/min for Ag loading of 10 wt%. An enhanced hydrogen evolution was observed by adding a small amount of noble metal (1 wt% Pt, Pd, Rh) to the Ag based catalysts. A synergistic effect was observed in the case of the Pt promoted catalysts on the hydrogen production were twice as compared to 10 wt% Ag catalyst only.     

Use of the radiofrequency-intermodulation distortion technique to investigate intrinsic nonlinearity at the electrode-electrolyte interface

We report on investigations of nonlinear radiofrequency responses of electrolytes with Na(+) and Cl(-) ions placed within gold electrodes of a capacitor. The sample was part of a frequency-adjustable inductance-capacitance-resistance (LCR) parallel resonant circuit, and measurements were carried out using the two frequencies intermodulation distortion technique. We employed double layer model to analyze the observed nonlinearities and their dependence on ionic concentration. Electrode-electrolyte interface polarization was found to be a predominant cause of this intrinsic nonlinearity and to be dependent on electrolytic ion concentration. We also measured and calculated coefficients of resistive and capacitive components of the observed nonlinearity.     

Designing a support for borohydride through grafting onto crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone

Crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPy) was grafted with polyvinylpyridine by irradiating the polymer beads in air from a Co⁶⁰ γ-radiation source and then heating with 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) in water. The percentage of grafting was studied as a function of various reaction parameters and was determined from the increase in weight of PVPy and from the estimation of pyridine rings introduced into the polymer. PVPy-g-poly(4-VP) was treated with sodium in ethanol, which is known to reduce pyridine into piperidine together with small amounts of 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine. On methylation with dimethyl sulfate and alkali, these are further converted into N,N-dimethylpiperidinium groups. The dimethylpiperidinium graft was used to support borohydride ions and the graft copolymer was shown to cleanly reduce several carbonyl compounds to the corresponding alcohols. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Spatial ions distribution of the bonding interface in YAG/Nd:LuAG composite laser ceramic

Composite YAG/Nd:LuAG transparent ceramics were fabricated by a thermal bonding process. The spatial distribution of ions around the original bonding interface of the YAG/Nd:LuAG composite laser ceramic was investigated. Around the original bonding interface, Lu³⁺ and Y³⁺ ions were replaced with each other in dodecahedral symmetry sites. Results from X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) quantitative chemical analyses positively show that the distance of Y³⁺ ions diffused in the LuAG part is about 35 μm, while Lu³⁺ ions’ diffused distance in the YAG part is about 5 μm. This corresponds to the diffusion coefficient of Y³⁺ ions and Lu³⁺ ions (D_Y=2.43 ×10^?10 cm²/s and D_Lu=0.56×10^?10 cm²/s at 1750°C). The formation of Y_xLu_(3?x)Al₅O₁₂ polycrystal in the bonding section explains the complete combination of LuAG and YAG without a bonding interface. Moreover, no diffusion phenomenon of Nd³⁺ ions was detected near the original bonding interface.