Sliver Solar Cells

Sliver solar cells are thin, mono-crystalline silicon solar cells, fabricated using micro-machining techniques combined with standard solar cell fabrication technology. Sliver solar modules can be efficient, low cost, bifacial, transparent, flexible, shadow-tolerant, and lightweight. Sliver modules require only 5 to 10% of the pure silicon and less than 5% of the wafer starts per MWp of factory output when compared with conventional photovoltaic modules. At ANU, we have produced 20% efficient Sliver solar cells using a robust, optimised cell fabrication process described in this paper. We have devised a rapid, reliable and simple method for extracting Sliver cells from a Sliver wafer, and methods for assembling modularised Sliver cell sub-modules. The method for forming these Sliver sub-modules, along with a low-cost method for rapidly forming reliable electrical interconnections, are presented. Using the sub-module approach, we describe low-cost methods for assembling and encapsulating Sliver cells into a range of module designs

Characterization of Putative Magnesium Transport systems in yeast

Magnesium (Mg2+) is essential for all life, and is utilized for many important biological processes. Despite the fundamental importance of Mg2+ homeostasis to life, relatively little is known about Mg2+ homeostasis in eukaryotes. The goal of this work was to identify proteins required for the active transport of Mg2+, which are essential to prevent the overaccumulation of cytosolic Mg2+, but have not been identified from any organism. In yeast, a vacuolar Mg2+/H+ exchange activity has been described but the molecular identify of this protein is unknown. To try and identify this activity, a candidate gene approach was used. Four yeast genes of unknown function (PER1, YNL321w, YDL206w, and YJR106w) were screened for effects on Mg2+ homeostasis. The per1 mutation reduced Mg2+ content, but overexpression of PER1 had no effect. Subsequently, Per1 was identified as component in the pathway of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor synthesis. Of the three remaining candidate proteins, only one (Ynl321w) produced a significant increase in intracellular Mg2+ content when overexpressed. However, the ynl321w deletion mutation did not alter Mg2+ accumulation, Mg2+ tolerance, or tolerance to a range of other potentially toxic cations. Combining the ynl321w mutation with mutations in the other two CaCA proteins had no effect on Mg tolerance, indicating that these proteins do not have a redundant function in homeostasis. However, the ynl321w mutant did show sensitivity to high Ca2+ (700 mM). As a result of this, ynl321w mutant were screened for other Ca2+ related phenotypes and synergistic interactions. I observed that when combined with ynl321w, vcx1 and pmc1 mutations displayed synthetic Ca2+ sensitivity phenotypes. Measurement of cellular Ca2+ content with AAS showed that the ynl321w mutation was associated with an increase in Ca2+ content. Thus, these findings suggest a role for Ynl321w in Ca2+ secretion from the cell. Localization studies using fluorescence microscopy and sucrose gradient fractionation showed that Ynl321wp is localized to the ER membrane. Ecx1 is the first described example of a CaCA protein participating in Ca2+ homeostasis within the secretory pathway

Some influences upon revisions of judgment.

Abstract Influences upon judgment revision are issues of both theoretical and applied interest. Many studies in the extant literature have been categorized as Judge Advisor Systems (JAS) research, and algorithmic decompositions of estimation problems. JAS researchers acknowledge the differentiated social roles of advisor(s) and decision-makers; and seek to isolate the influence of advice from advisor(s), upon the deliberations of decision-makers or judges. JAS research commonly operationalizes advice in solely numeric terms, which undermines the JAS paradigm’s claims of ecological validity. Algorithmic decompositions of estimation problems provides judges with knowledge of the process of advice generation, and differs from advice provided by advisors in JAS studies, as advice is self-generated by users of algorithmic decompositions. The current work sets out why both the JAS paradigm, and algorithmic decompositions are limited (particularly in terms of single judge-advisor information exchange episodes), as means to aid beneficial judgment revision. Six studies are reported that frame, and operationalize research questions that extend understanding of potentially beneficial judgment revision. ‘Conformity to advice’ emerges as an important explanatory factor in judgment revision. Chapter 4 examines participants’ preferences for solely numeric or reasons-based advice, and explores process measures of depth of information search. Participants report an overwhelming preference for reasons-based advice. Chapter 5 investigates the cognitive weighting strategies participants utilize when considering reasons-based or solely numeric advice. Here, participants are insensitive to the type of advice, and discount advice to the same extent - irrespective of type. Chapter 6 investigates the influence of algorithmic decomposition upon beneficial judgment revision. Here, participants were provided with a step-by-step process for solving seemingly intractable estimation problems, or given advice constituted as a testimonial assertion. Results highlight conformity to advice, and the limitations of experimenter generated algorithmic decompositions of estimation problems of unknown effectiveness. Chapter 7 and 8 sought to develop the idea that algorithmic decompositions should influence judgment revision (both for extremely large, and small numerical quantities). Results show that algorithmic decompositions did not facilitate beneficial judgment revision. Instead conformity to advice, irrespective of the quality of advice, was observed only for estimates of large numerical quantities. Chapter 9 was framed as a final attempt to establish if people are able to successfully distinguish between objectively beneficial, and spurious advice. Results indicate that people are unsuccessful in doing so, and find such a task cognitively demanding. Methodological limitations of both the current state of the JAS paradigm, and research involving algorithmic decompositions of estimation problems are identified, in addition to the limitations of the work presented here. Ultimately, methodological suggestions are formulated that may improve understanding of advice giving and taking, in the context of JAS research

A Study of the Structure of Light Tin Isotopes via Single-Neutron Knockout Reactions

The region around 100 Sn [100Sn] is important because of the close proximity to the N=Z=50 magic numbers, the rp process, and the proton drip-line. Alpha decay measurements show a reversal in the spin-parity assignments of the ground and first excited states in 101 Sn [101Sn] compared to 105 Te [105Te]. However, the lightest odd- mass tin isotope with a firm spin-parity assignment is 109 Sn [109Sn]. The d 5/2 [d5/2] and g 7/2 [g7/2] single-particle states above N=50 are near degenerate, evidenced by the excitation energy of the first excited state in 101 Sn at only 172 keV. The correct ordering of these single-particle states and the degree of neutron configuration mixing has been the subject of debate. Spectroscopic studies have been performed close to 100 Sn [100Sn], utilizing the S800 and CAESAR at the NSCL. These studies make use of a single neutron knockout reaction on beams of 108 Sn [108Sn] and 106 Sn [106Sn]. The momentum distributions of the resulting residues reflect the l-value [l-value] of the removed neutron. Additionally, γ-rays [gamma-rays] were measured in coincidence with the momentum distributions allowing for the separation of the knockout channel where the residue is left in an excited state from the channel to the ground state. The odd-mass residue can then be characterized in terms of a hole in the d- or g- orbital with reference to the even-mass nucleus. The relative population of final states in the odd-mass residue are indicative of the mixing in the ground state of 108,106 Sn [108,106Sn]. Comparing the momentum distributions with reaction calculations shows that both 105 Sn [105Sn]and 107 Sn [107Sn] have a J π [J pi] = 5/2 + ground state and a J π [J pi]= 7/2 + first excited state at 200 keV and 151 keV respectively. The exclusive cross sections for one-neutron knockout from 106 Sn [106Sn] and 108 Sn [108Sn] show that the ground state are dominated by the d 5/2 [d5/2] single-particle state