Spectral shape tunable band-rejection filter using a long-period fiber grating with divided coil heaters

We have developed a new type of tunable band rejection filter, which provides high spectral-shaping flexibility in a wide tuning range. The filter consists of a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) with divided coil heaters. Each of the divided coil heaters is controlled individually to adjust a temperature distribution along the LPFG and to modify the spectral shape of the LPFG filter. The tunable band rejection filter is demonstrated to function properly when applied as an erbium-doped fiber amplifier gain-flattening filter.     

Development of core mode blocker with H/sub 2/-loaded Ge-B codoped fibres

A novel fabrication method of the core mode blocker by exposing H/sub 2/-loaded Ge-B codoped fibres to local electric arc discharge for application to the LPFGs-based tunable all-fibre bandpass filter with 6.5 nm bandwidth and 40 nm tuning range is presented.     

A new characterization procedure for aqufous solutions with unknown composition

A new characterization procedure for aqueous solutions with unknown composition was proposed based on the binomial distribution of TOC (total organic carbon) fraction in terms of a characterizing variable, the Freundlich coefficient, k, so that the solution in question can be described by a finite number of pseudo.species identified with a certain k value. The validity and computational accuracy of this procedure has been demonstrated by characterizing three sets of experimental data chosen from different sources. Predictions based on this procedure yielded acceptable results that agreed closely with experimental data.     

Performance of the MAP/G/1 Queue Under the Dyadic Control of Workload and Server Idleness

This paper studies the steady-state queue length process of the MAP/G/1 queue under the dyadic control of the D-policy and multiple server vacations. We derive the probability generating function of the queue length and the mean queue length. We then present computational experiences and compare the MAP queue with the Poisson queue.

Effect of anode iridium oxide content on the electrochemical performance and resistance to cell reversal potential of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

An ideal polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is one that continuously generates electricity as long as hydrogen and oxygen (or air) are supplied to its anode and cathode, respectively. However, internal and/or external conditions could bring about the degradation of its electrodes, which are composed of nanoparticle catalysts. Particularly, when the hydrogen supply to the anode is disrupted, a reverse voltage is generated. This phenomenon, which seriously degrades the anode catalyst, is referred to as cell reversal. To prevent its occurrence, iridium oxide (IrO₂) particles were added to the anode in the membrane-electrode assembly of the PEMFC single-cells. After 100 cell reversal cycles, the single-cell voltage profiles of the anode with Pt/C only and the anodes with Pt/C and various IrO₂ contents were obtained. Additionally, the cell reversal-induced degradation phenomenon was also confirmed electrochemically and physically, and the use of anodes with various IrO₂ contents was also discussed.     

A continuous screening procedure using the performance and surrogate variables

A continuous screening procedure interchangeably using the performance and surrogate variables is proposed. At the start of the inspection, the performance variable is measured for all items. As soon as i consecutive items are found to be free of defects, the surrogate variable is measured instead of the performance variable. If an item is rejected, the inspection based on the performance variable is resumed. All non-conforming items found in the inspection are either reworked or replaced with conforming items. The average outgoing quality (AOQ) expression is derived, and methods of finding the inspection procedure with a specified average outgoing quality limit (AOQL) are presented.     

Recent Progress of Innovative Perovskite Hybrid Solar Cells

Recently, innovative perovskite hybrid solar cells have attracted great interest in solar cell research fields, such as dye-sensitized solar cells, organic photovoltaics, thin-film solar cells, and silicon solar cells, because their device efficiencies are gradually approaching those of crystalline Si solar cells, and they can be fabricated by cheap low-temperature solution processes. Here, we review the recent progress of innovative perovskite hybrid solar cells. The introduction includes the general concerns about solar cells and why we need innovative solar cells. The second part explains the structure and the material properties of hybrid perovskite materials. We focus on why the hybrid perovskite materials can exhibit excellent solar cell properties, such as high open-circuit voltage. The third part introduces recent progress in innovative perovskite hybrid solar cells, in terms of device architecture and deposition methods for dense perovskite thin films with full surface coverage. The device architecture is important in attaining high power conversion efficiency; the device operating mechanism is dependent on the device structure; and the pinhole-free dense perovskite thin films with full surface coverage are crucial for achieving high efficiency. Finally, we summarize the recent progress in perovskite hybrid solar cells, and the issues to be solved, in the summary and outlook section.     

Thermistor behavior of PEDOT:PSS thin film

The temperature-dependent resistance changing characteristics (thermistor behaviors) of a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin film are investigated in the 30–100 °C range using Greek-cross and bar patterns. The PEDOT:PSS film was spin-coated onto a Si wafer passivated with a SiO₂ layer, and a conventional dry etching technique was used to pattern the PEDOT:PSS film in conjunction with a nitride etch mask layer. Cr/Au was used for the electrode material. It was found that the characteristic temperature (T₀) and resistivity of the PEDOT:PSS film have an inversely proportional relationship with the number of coatings and the number of interfaces between multiply coated PEDOT:PSS layers. It was also found that as the number of coatings and the number of the interfaces increase, lower temperature-dependent resistance changes are observed. The temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) value of 60 nm thick PEDOT:PSS film was slightly larger than or comparable to that of a conventional metal (Au or Pt) thermistor. The possibility of utilizing the PEDOT:PSS thin film in thermistor applications is discussed.