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Now showing 1 - 10 of 26
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    Transparent Power-Generating Windows Based on Solar-Thermal-Electric Conversion
    (Weinheim : Wiley-VCH, 2021) Zhang, Qihao; Huang, Aibin; Ai, Xin; Liao, Jincheng; Song, Qingfeng; Reith, Heiko; Cao, Xun; Fang, Yueping; Schierning, Gabi; Nielsch, Kornelius; Bai, Shengqiang; Chen, Lidong
    Integrating transparent solar-harvesting systems into windows can provide renewable on-site energy supply without altering building aesthetics or imposing further design constraints. Transparent photovoltaics have shown great potential, but the increased transparency comes at the expense of reduced power-conversion efficiency. Here, a new technology that overcomes this limitation by combining solar-thermal-electric conversion with a material's wavelength-selective absorption is presented. A wavelength-selective film consisting of Cs0.33WO3 and resin facilitates high visible-light transmittance (up to 88%) and outstanding ultraviolet and infrared absorbance, thereby converting absorbed light into heat without sacrificing transparency. A prototype that couples the film with thermoelectric power generation produces an extraordinary output voltage of ≈4 V within an area of 0.01 m2 exposed to sunshine. Further optimization design and experimental verification demonstrate high conversion efficiency comparable to state-of-the-art transparent photovoltaics, enriching the library of on-site energy-saving and transparent power generation.
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    Current State-of-the-Art in the Interface/Surface Modification of Thermoelectric Materials
    (Weinheim : Wiley-VCH, 2021) He, Shiyang; Lehmann, Sebastian; Bahrami, Amin; Nielsch, Kornelius
    Thermoelectric (TE) materials are prominent candidates for energy converting applications due to their excellent performance and reliability. Extensive efforts for improving their efficiency in single-/multi-phase composites comprising nano/micro-scale second phases are being made. The artificial decoration of second phases into the thermoelectric matrix in multi-phase composites, which is distinguished from the second-phase precipitation occurring during the thermally equilibrated synthesis of TE materials, can effectively enhance their performance. Theoretically, the interfacial manipulation of phase boundaries can be extended to a wide range of materials. High interface densities decrease thermal conductivity when nano/micro-scale grain boundaries are obtained and certain electronic structure modifications may increase the power factor of TE materials. Based on the distribution of second phases on the interface boundaries, the strategies can be divided into discontinuous and continuous interfacial modifications. The discontinuous interfacial modifications section in this review discusses five parts chosen according to their dispersion forms, including metals, oxides, semiconductors, carbonic compounds, and MXenes. Alternatively, gas- and solution-phase process techniques are adopted for realizing continuous surface changes, like the core–shell structure. This review offers a detailed analysis of the current state-of-the-art in the field, while identifying possibilities and obstacles for improving the performance of TE materials.
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    Bio-inspired deposition of electrochemically exfoliated graphene layers for electrical resistance heating applications
    (Bristol : IOP Publishing, 2020-12-4) Utech, Toni; Pötschke, Petra; Simon, Frank; Janke, Andreas; Kettner, Hannes; Paiva, Maria; Zimmerer, Cordelia
    Electrochemically exfoliated graphene (eeG) layers possess a variety of potential applications, e.g. as susceptor material for contactless induction heating in dynamic electro-magnetic fields, and as flexible and transparent electrode or resistivity heating elements. Spray coating of eeG dispersions was investigated in detail as a simple and fast method to deposit both, thin conducting layers and ring structures on polycarbonate substrates. The spray coating process was examined by systematic variation of dispersion concentration and volume applied to heated substrates. Properties of the obtained layers were characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy, SEM and Confocal Scanning Microscopy. Electrical conductivity of eeG ring structures was measured using micro-four-point measurements. Modification of eeG with poly(dopamine) and post-thermal treatment yields in the reduction of the oxidized graphene proportion, an increase in electrical conductivity, and mechanical stabilization of the deposited thin layers. The chemical composition of modified eeG layer was analyzed via x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy pointing to the reductive behavior of poly(dopamine). Application oriented experiments demonstrate the direct electric current heating (Joule-Heating) effect of spray-coated eeG layers.
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    Operando diagnostic detection of interfacial oxygen ‘breathing’ of resistive random access memory by bulk-sensitive hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
    (London [u.a.] : Taylor & Francis, 2019) Niu, Gang; Calka, Pauline; Huang, Peng; Sharath, Sankaramangalam Ulhas; Petzold, Stefan; Gloskovskii, Andrei; Fröhlich, Karol; Zhao, Yudi; Kan, Jinfeng; Schubert, Markus Andreas; Bärwolf, Florian; Ren, Wei; Ye, Zuo-Guang; Perez, Eduardo; Wenger, Christian; Alff, Lambert; Schroeder, Thomas
    The HfO2-based resistive random access memory (RRAM) is one of the most promising candidates for non-volatile memory applications. The detection and examination of the dynamic behavior of oxygen ions/vacancies are crucial to deeply understand the microscopic physical nature of the resistive switching (RS) behavior. By using synchrotron radiation based, non-destructive and bulk-sensitive hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES), we demonstrate an operando diagnostic detection of the oxygen ‘breathing’ behavior at the oxide/metal interface, namely, oxygen migration between HfO2 and TiN during different RS periods. The results highlight the significance of oxide/metal interfaces in RRAM, even in filament-type devices. IMPACT STATEMENT: The oxygen ‘breathing’ behavior at the oxide/metal interface of filament-type resistive random access memory devices is operandoly detected using hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool. © 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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    Cryogenic-temperature-induced structural transformation of a metallic glass
    (London [u.a.] : Taylor & Francis, 2016-11-30) Bian, Xilei; Wang, Gang; Wang, Qing; Sun, Baoan; Hussain, Ishtiaq; Zhai, Qijie; Mattern, Norbert; Bednarčík, Jozef; Eckert, Jürgen
    The plasticity of metallic glasses depends largely on the atomic-scale structure. However, the details of the atomic-scale structure, which are responsible for their properties, remain to be clarified. In this study, in-situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction and strain-rate jump compression tests at different cryogenic temperatures were carried out. We show that the activation volume of flow units linearly depends on temperature in the non-serrated flow regime. A plausible atomic deformation mechanism is proposed, considering that the activated flow units mediating the plastic flow originate from the medium-range order and transit to the short-range order with decreasing temperature.
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    Modulation Linearity Characterization of Si Ring Modulators
    (Washington, DC : OSA, 2021) Jo, Youngkwan; Mai, Christian; Lischke, Stefan; Zimmermann, Lars; Choi, Woo-Young
    Modulation linearity of Si ring modulators (RMs) is investigated through the numerical simulation based on the coupled-mode theory and experimental verification. Numerical values of the key parameters needed for the simulation are experimentally extracted. Simulation and measurement results agree well. With these, the influence of input optical wavelength and power on the Si RM linearity are characterized.
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    Liquid-Core Microstructured Polymer Optical Fiber as Fiber-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Probe for Glucose Sensing
    (Washington, DC : OSA, 2020) Azkune, Mikel; Frosch, Timea; Arrospide, Eneko; Aldabaldetreku, Gotzon; Bikandi, Iñaki; Zubia, Joseba; Popp, Jürgen; Frosch, Torsten
    This work reports the development and application of two liquid-core microstructured polymer optical fibers (LC-mPOF) with different microstructure sizes. They are used in a fiber-enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensing platform, with the aim of detecting glucose in aqueous solutions in the clinically relevant range for sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor therapy. The sensing platform is tested for low-concentration glucose solutions using each LC-mPOF. Results confirm that a significant enhancement of the Raman signal is achieved in comparison to conventional Raman spectroscopy. Additional measurements are carried out to obtain the valid measurement range, the resolution, and the limit of detection, showing that the LC-mPOF with 66-µm-diameter central hollow core has the highest potential for future clinical applications. Finally, preliminary tests successfully demonstrate glucose identification in urine. © 1983-2012 IEEE.
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    Generation of millijoule few-cycle pulses at 5 μm by indirect spectral shaping of the idler in an optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier
    (Washington, DC : Soc., 2018) Bock, Martin; Grafenstein, Lorenz von; Griebner, Uwe; Elsaesser, Thomas
    Spectral pulse shaping in a high-intensity midwave-infrared (MWIR) optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier (OPCPA) operating at 1 kHz repetition rate is reported. We successfully apply a MWIR spatial light modulator (SLM) for the generation of ultrashort idler pulses at 5 μm wavelength. Only bulk optics and active phase control of the 3.5 μm signal pulses via the SLM are employed for generating compressed idler pulses with a duration of 80 fs. The 80-fs pulse duration corresponds to less than five optical cycles at the central wavelength of 5.0 μm. The pulse energy amounts to 1.0 mJ, which translates into a peak power of 10 GW. The generated pulse parameters represent record values for high-intensity MWIR OPCPAs.
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    Synthesis of surfactant-free Cu–Pt dendritic heterostructures with highly electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation reaction
    (London [u.a.] : Taylor & Francis, 2016) Kang, Shendong; Gao, Guanhui; Xie, Xiaobin; Shibayama, Tamaki; Lei, Yanhua; Wang, Yan; Cai, Lintao
    A facile and free surfactant strategy is explored to synthesize Cu–Pt bimetallic nano-heterostructures with dendritic exterior. For comparison, the Cu–Pt coral-like nanoparticles are fabricated by using CTAC as a surfactant. The well-designed Cu–Pt dendritic spherical heterostructures exhibit superior enhanced electrocatalytic activity and stability toward methanol oxidation reaction in alkaline media, compared to the Cu–Pt coral-like nanoparticles and the commercial Pt/C, respectively. The advanced technique for fabricating Cu–Pt dendritic spherical heterostructures could pave a way to pursue low-cost Pt-based catalysts, maintaining highly promoted electrocatalytic performance and durability.
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    Is the energy density a reliable parameter for materials synthesis by selective laser melting?
    (London [u.a.] : Taylor & Francis, 2017-3-9) Prashanth, K.G.; Scudino, S.; Maity, T.; Das, J.; Eckert, J.
    The effective fabrication of materials using selective laser melting depends on the process parameters. Here, we analyse the suitability of the energy density to represent the energy transferred to the powder bed, which is effectively used to melt the particles and to produce the bulk specimens. By properly varying laser power and speed in order to process the powder at constant energy density, we show that the equation currently used to calculate the energy density gives only an approximate estimation and that hatch parameters and material properties should be considered to correctly evaluate the energy density.