Characterization of GaAs layers grown on polycrystalline GaAs by LPE and current controlled LPE

It is the purpose of this paper to investigate the suitability and effectiveness of growth of thin GaAs layers on polycrystalline GaAs substrates by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) and current controlled LPE (CCLPE). During each growth run LPE and CCLPE were used to grow thin GaAs layers on two large-grain polycrystalline GaAs substrates cut from the same wafer and simultaneously placed in the same growth system. The grain boundary was exposed by cleaving the samples perpendicular to the grain boundary. Notnarski contrast, SEM, C-V and Hall measurements were performed in order to determine the surface morphology, discontinuity of epilayer at the grain boundary, epilayer thickness unform-ity, resistivity (in directions parallel and perpendicular to the grain boundary), and dopant concentration. The CCLPE system was carefully designed so that growth would take place only by electrotransport in the absence of convection or Peltier cooling. The results indicate that CCLPE yields layers with improved surface morphology and thickness uniformity as compared to those grown by LPE. In some samples the epilayer was discontinuous at certain grain boundaries. Results are presented on CCLPE growth rate dependence upon grain orientation, current density, and continuity of the epilayer at the grain boundary.     

Call control with k rejections

Given a set of connection requests (calls) in a communication network, the call control problem is to accept a subset of the requests and route them along paths in the network such that no edge capacity is violated, with the goal of rejecting as few requests as possible. We investigate the complexity of parameterized versions of this problem, where the number of rejected requests is taken as the parameter. For the variant with pre-determined paths, the problem is fixed-parameter tractable in arbitrary graphs if the link capacities are bounded by a constant, but W[2]-hard if the link capacities are arbitrary. If the paths are not pre-determined, no FPT algorithm can exist even in series-parallel graphs unless . Our main results are new FPT algorithms for call control in tree networks with arbitrary edge capacities and in trees of rings with unit edge capacities in the case that the paths are not pre-determined.     

Structural, photoluminescent and electrical properties of CdTe films with different compositions fabricated by CMBD

CdTe films with different compositions (Cd-rich, Te-rich and stoichiometric) were fabricated by a novel and low cost chemical molecular beam deposition method (CMBD) in atmospheric pressure hydrogen flow. Cd and Te granules were used as precursors. The films were deposited on ceramic (SiO₂:Al₂O₃) substrates at 580 °C and 600 °C. The growth rate was varied in the range of 9-30 Å/s. The composition (Cd/Te) of the samples was changed by controlling the molecular beam intensity (MBI) ratio. Three samples fabricated at MBI ratios Cd/Te = 0.5, 1.0 and 1.16 were investigated by XRD, AFM, EDX, SEM, photoluminescence (PL) and Hall methods.     

A review of self-assembled monolayers as potential terahertz frequency tunnel diodes

In this review, we describe the principles of the tunnel junction, self-assembled monolayer （SAM） application techniques, experimental testbed fabrication, and characterization of the films and devices. In addition, techniques for directed application, removal, and functionalization of the monolayers are discussed. Bottom-up fabrication techniques have seen increased attention because of their versatility and ease of use. These films see mechanical uses as surface modifiers and micro-scale lubricants. Advances in nanowatt electronics and ultra-low power sensors have opened up an energy harvesting niche for solutions which would have proven ineffective just some years ago. The focus of this study is the two- terminal junction which has potential applications in THz rectification for energy harvesting, medical imaging, and defense sensing. The quantum theory of operation behind these devices is touched on briefly---describing tunneling through the organic monolayers. Commentary on trends in research and potential future work are presented as well.     

High performance graphene-poly (o-anisidine) nanocomposite for supercapacitor applications

Our previous exciting results on graphene (G)-conducting polymer (polyaniline (PANI) and polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT)) supercapacitors have prompted the investigation of G-substituted conducting polymer nanocomposites used as electrode materials in supercapacitors. The solubility of ortho-substituted PANI derivatives in a few common solvents has allowed the fabrication of stretchable films by the casting technique. The G-poly (o-anisidine) (G-POA) nanocomposites were synthesized with different weight ratios of G to o-anisidine by chemical methods, and characterized by various techniques, such as, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and cyclic voltammetry. The electrical conductivity and specific capacitance obtained for the G-POA nanocomposites were found to be dependent on the weight ratios of G to o-anisidine. The specific capacitance and the charging–discharging behavior of the POA and G-POA supercapacitors were investigated in a 2 M H₂SO₄, 0.2 M LiClO₄ and 1 M 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF₆) ionic liquid. The specific capacitance of 380 F g⁻¹ was calculated for the 1:1 weight ratio of G to o-anisidine based G-POA supercapacitor in 2 M H₂SO₄. The presence of the electron-donating group (–OCH₃) in the o-anisidine allows the electrons through the lone pair of nitrogen atoms to enhance the electronic charge transport inside the G-POA supercapacitor electrodes. However, the G-POA-based supercapacitors showed a 27% decrease in the specific capacitance in H₂SO₄ and 16% decrease in the ionic liquid (BMIM-PF₆) after 1000 cycles of charging and discharging. The higher stability and rate capability of the G-POA based supercapacitor in an ionic liquid (BMIM-PF₆) as compared to an aqueous electrolytic supercapacitor opens the door for the fabrication of stable supercapacitors for practical applications.     

Thermal energy storage technologies and systems for concentrating solar power plants

This paper presents a review of thermal energy storage system design methodologies and the factors to be considered at different hierarchical levels for concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. Thermal energy storage forms a key component of a power plant for improvement of its dispatchability. Though there have been many reviews of storage media, there are not many that focus on storage system design along with its integration into the power plant. This paper discusses the thermal energy storage system designs presented in the literature along with thermal and exergy efficiency analyses of various thermal energy storage systems integrated into the power plant. Economic aspects of these systems and the relevant publications in literature are also summarized in this effort.     

A review of thermodynamic cycles and working fluids for the conversion of low-grade heat

This paper presents a review of the organic Rankine cycle and supercritical Rankine cycle for the conversion of low-grade heat into electrical power, as well as selection criteria of potential working fluids, screening of 35 working fluids for the two cycles and analyses of the influence of fluid properties on cycle performance. The thermodynamic and physical properties, stability, environmental impacts, safety and compatibility, and availability and cost are among the important considerations when selecting a working fluid. The paper discusses the types of working fluids, influence of latent heat, density and specific heat, and the effectiveness of superheating. A discussion of the 35 screened working fluids is also presented.     

Magnetic field distribution in a ferromagnetic conductor

The magnetic field distribution in a cylindrical ferromagnetic conductor is determined for the case of a direct current flowing along the axis of the cylinder and a constant external magnetic field applied in a direction transverse to the current flow. The Gauss-Seidel iteration method is employed to obtain the vector potentials for different values of current and external field with the aid of a digital computer. The magnetic fields are then calculated from the resultant vector potentials. Calculations are carried out for currentI = 1.5A, radius of the cylindera = 2mm, and external magnetic fieldB_{0} = 0to 0.6 Wb/m².     

Volumetric hydrogen sorption measurements – Uncertainty error analysis and the importance of thermal equilibration time

The design of a volumetric measurement apparatus is studied by means of an uncertainty analysis to provide guidelines for optimum hydrogen sorption measurements. The reservoir volume should be as small as possible (i.e., 10 cc) to minimize the uncertainty. In addition, the sample mass loading has a profound effect on the uncertainty and the optimum loading is a function of the sample's intrinsic storage capacity. In general, the higher the sample mass loading the lower the uncertainty, regardless of any other parameter. In cases where the material to be tested is not available in gram quantities, the use of high accuracy pressure and temperature transducers significantly mitigates the uncertainty in the sample's hydrogen uptake. Above all, the thermal equilibration time is an important parameter for high accuracy measurements and needs to be taken into consideration at the start of the measurements. Based on a computational analysis, a 5 min wait time is required for achieving thermal equilibrium when the instrument enclosure temperature is different than the ambient temperature.     

Spillover enhancement for hydrogen storage by Pt doped hypercrosslinked polystyrene

High surface area physisorption materials are of interest for room temperature (RT) hydrogen storage enhancement by spillover. In this study, six different commercially available hypercrosslinked polystyrenes were screened considering the specific surface area, average pore size, pore volume, and adsorption enthalpy. MN270 was selected mainly due to its high surface area and narrow pores for investigation of the spillover enhancement at RT. Two different platinum (Pt) doped MN270 samples were prepared by wet impregnation (MN270-6wt%Pt) and bridge building technique (MN270-Bridged) with an average Pt particle size of 3.9 and 9.9 nm, respectively, as obtained from X-ray diffraction analysis. Pt doping altered the surface property of MN270, and reduced the nitrogen and hydrogen uptake at 77 K and 1 atm due to pore blocking. The RT hydrogen uptake at 100 atm demonstrated a 10% enhancement (0.36 wt. %) for MN270-Bridged compared to pristine MN270, but did not show any enhancement for MN270-6wt%Pt under the same conditions. The hydrogen uptake of MN270-Bridged has little value for practical applications yet showed the effectiveness of the bridge building technique.