Using two-dimensional graphene lenses to increase the effectiveness of solar panels

We aim to enhance the efficiency of solar panels by covering them with graphene lenses that collect and concentrate light rays onto the panels. The simulation was performed using the Monte Carlo method and provided precise results regarding the improvement of solar panel performance. The simulation showed a substantial increase in the intensity of electrical current at critical densities of the graphene lenses used, suggesting the need for further research to enhance the utilization of renewable energy sources, even in regions with limited sun exposure and varying weather conditions

Excimer laser processing of inkjet-printed and sputter-deposited transparent conducting SnO2:Sb for flexible electronics

The feasibility of low-temperature fabrication of transparent electrode elements from thin films of antimony-doped tin oxide (SnO2:Sb, ATO) has been investigated via inkjet printing, rf magnetron sputtering and post-deposition excimer laser processing. Laser processing of thin films on both glass and plastic substrates was performed using a Lambda Physik 305i excimer laser, with fluences in the range 20–100 mJ cm− 2 reducing sheet resistance from as-deposited values by up to 3 orders of magnitude. This is consistent with TEM analysis of the films that shows a densification of the upper 200 nm of laser-processed regions

Assessing Drought Tolerance of Newly Developed Tissue-Cultured Canola Genotypes under Varying Irrigation Regimes

This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Tolerance under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses[Abstract] Drought is a major abiotic stress that greatly affects canola growth, production, and quality. Moreover, water scarcity is projected to be more severe and frequent as a result of climate change, in particular in arid environments. Thereupon, developing drought-tolerant and high-yielding canola genotypes has become more critical to sustaining its production and ensuring global food security with the continuing population growth. In the present study, ten canola genotypes comprising six developed tissue-cultured canola genotypes, two exotic genotypes, and two commercial cultivars were evaluated under four irrigation regimes. The applied irrigation regimes were well-watered (100% crop evapotranspiration, ETc), mild drought (80% ETc), moderate drought (60% ETc), and severe drought (40% ETc) conditions. Drought-stress treatments (80, 60, and 40% ETc) gradually reduced the chlorophyll content, relative water content, flowering time, days to maturity, plant height, number of pods, number of branches, seed yield, and oil percentage, and increased proline, phenolic, anthocyanin, and glycine betaine contents. The evaluated genotypes exhibited varied responses to drought-stress conditions. The developed tissue-cultured genotypes T2, T3, and T1, as well as exotic genotype Torpe, possessed the highest performance in all evaluated parameters and surpassed the other tested genotypes under water-deficit conditions. Overall, our findings elicited the superiority of certain newly developed tissue-cultured genotypes and exotic ones compared with commercial cultivars, which could be exploited in canola breeding under water-deficit conditions.This research was funded by the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSPD-2023R730), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaKing Saud University (Riad, Arabia Saudí); RSPD-2023R73

Root Trait Diversity in Field Grown Durum Wheat and Comparison with Seedlings

Roots are important for crop adaptation, particularly in dryland environments. We evaluated root development of 37 durum wheat genotypes (modern cultivars and landraces) in the field at the adult plant stage, through a shovelomics approach. Large genotypic variability was found for root traits. Differences between the landraces and modern cultivars were the main driver of this variation, with landraces showing higher plant vigor for roots and shoots. Nonetheless, genotypic variation within groups was also observed, related to different models of root growth, largely independent of total root length. These two models represented root growth were oriented either to occupy more soil volume, or to occupy less soil volume with increased density. The field results were then compared with root data previously collected in seedlings using a filter paper-based method, to assess whether early root anticipated adult root features. Field plants showed a narrower root angle than seedlings. In particular, landraces presented a narrower root angle than cultivars, but only at seedling stage. Potentially useful correlations were found between the two growth stages for root length and number

Elaboration de couches minces de YIG par pulvérisation cathodique RF pour des applications dans les domaines optique et hyperfréquence

L'objectif de ce travail est le développement de couches minces de YIG sur différents substrats en vue de leur utilisation pour la réalisation d'isolateurs intégrés magnéto-optiques et hyperfréquences. En effet, les dispositifs non réciproques actuellement commercialisés sont discrets, une version intégrée de ces dispositifs est très attendue dans les réseaux de télécommunications optiques et hyperfréquences. Pour cela, dans une première étape nous avons exploré l'élaboration par pulvérisation cathodique radiofréquence des couches minces YIG magnétiques et magnéto-optiques de qualité. Puis, dans une seconde étape, après avoir obtenu le bon matériau, nous avons utilisé les films YIG pour la réalisation de démonstrateur d'isolateurs intégrés dans les domaines optiques et hyperfréquencesIn this work, YIG thin films are elaborated by RF magnetron sputtering on different substrates to use like magneto-optical and microwave isolators. Nowedays, the nonreciprocal components use bulk materials which are not compatible with the technology of semiconductors. Thus, the achievement of thin films can be a major step in the miniaturization of such electronic devices. This study investigates the optimal conditions for obtaining a good YIG material, which is elaborated by RF magnetron sputtering technique. The, the YIG thin films are used for the realization of isolator demonstrator in magneto-optical and microwave domainsST ETIENNE-BU Sciences (422182103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Feasibility of a multiband metaline coplanar isolator

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