Merging solution processing and printing for sustainable fabrication of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 photovoltaics

The targeted global decarbonization demands the urgent replacement of conventional fossil fuel with low carbon technologies. For instance, solar energy is abundant, inexhaustible, non-polluting, and low-priced; however, to produce energy on a large scale with reliable, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly methods remains a challenge. The outstanding optical properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin film photovoltaics and their intrinsic compatibility with industrial-scale production are paving the way towards this technology. However, most of the activity in the field relies on the use of non-environmentally friendly methodologies to achieve solution-processed flexible and lightweight photovoltaics with significant efficiencies. Importantly, there is a search for more sustainable alternatives that are compatible with roll-to-roll industry to improve the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of photovoltaics without compromising the photovoltaic performance. Herein, we review cost-efficient and sustainable fabrication methodologies that complement the current high- energy-demanding vacuum-based fabrication of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 photovoltaics. The existent non-vacuum deposition methods of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 photoabsorbers are presented and precursors and solvents used in ink formulations are discussed in terms of sustainability. The approaches resulting in most efficient photovoltaic cells are highlighted. Finally, all-solution-processed Cu(In,Ga)Se2 photovoltaics are reviewed, along with the non-vacuum deposition methods of the individual layers, contributing to an even higher throughput and low-cost production. This review highlights the relevance and potential of sustainable non-vacuum methodologies, as well as the need of further investigation in this field to ultimately give access to high-end CIGS PVs with low-cost fabrication.We thank the members of the Nanochemistry Research Group (http://nanochemgroup.org) at INL for insightful discussions and support. This study was conducted with financial support from the Portuguese funding institution FCT – Fundaç ̃ao para Ciˆencia e Tecnologia (PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014, PTDC/NAN-MAT/28745/2017, UID/FIS/04650/2020, UID/QUI/0686/2020, PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017 and SFRH/BD/121780/2016) and Basque Government Industry Department (ELKARTEK and HAZITEK)

The effectiveness of voriconazole in therapy of Candida glabratas biofilms oral infections and its influence on the matrix composition and gene expression

Candida glabrata is one of most prevalente yeast in fungal infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Its azole resistance results in a low therapeutic response, particularly when associated with biofilms. The main goal of this work was to study the effectiveness of voriconazole (Vcz) against C. glabrata biofilms oral pathologies, as esophageal or oropharyngeal candidiasis. Antifungal susceptibilities were determined in pre-formed 24-h-biofilms and ERG genes expression was determined by qRT-PCR. Protein quantification was performed using BCA Kit, carbohydrate was estimated according to the Dubois assay and b-1,3 glucans concentration were determined using Glucatell kit. Finally, ergosterol, Vcz, and fluconazole (Flu) concentrations within the bio-film matrices were determined by RP-HPLC. Results showed that C. glabrata biofilms were more susceptible to Vcz than to Flu and that ERG genes expression evidenced an overexpression of the three ERG genes in the presence of both azoles. The matrix content presented a remarked decrease in proteins and an increase in carbohydrates, namely b-1,3 glucans. Ergosterol was successfully detected and quantified in the biofilm matrices, with no differences in all the considered conditions. Vcz demonstrated better diffusion through the biofilms and better cell penetration capacities, than Flu, indicating that the structure of the drug molecule fully influences its dissemination through the biofilm matrices. This work showed that Vcz is notably more effective than Flu for the treatment of resistant C. glabrata oral biofilms, which demonstrates a clinical relevance in its future use for the treatment of oropharyngeal/esophageal candidiasis caused by this species.This work was supported by the Programa Operacional, Fatores de competitividade— COMPETE and by national funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia on the scope of the projects FCT [PTDC/SAU-MIC/119069/2010], [RECI/EBB-EBI/0179/2012], [PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013] and Célia F. Rodrigues’ [SFRH/ BD/93078/2013] PhD Grant. The authors thank the Project ‘‘BioHealth—Biotechnology and Bioengineering approaches to improve health quality’’, Ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER000027, co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2—O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER. The authors would like to acknowledge Pfizer, S.A. for the kindly donation of Voriconazole and Fluconazole.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Quantifying instabilities in Financial Markets

Financial global crisis has devastating impacts to economies since early XX century and continues to impose increasing collateral damages for governments, enterprises, and society in general. Up to now, all efforts to obtain efficient methods to predict these events have been disappointing. However, the quest for a robust estimator of the degree of the market efficiency, or even, a crisis predictor, is still one of the most studied subjects in the field. We present here an original contribution that combines Information Theory with graph concepts, to study the return rate series of 32 global trade markets. Specifically, we propose a very simple quantifier that shows to be highly correlated with global financial instability periods, being also a good estimator of the market crisis risk and market resilience. We show that this estimator displays striking results when applied to countries that played central roles during the last major global market crisis. The simplicity and effectiveness of our quantifier allow us to anticipate its use in a wide range of disciplines.Fil: Gonçalves, Bruna Amin. Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais. Programa de Pós Graduação em Modelagem Matemática e Computacional; BrasilFil: Carpi, Laura. Universidad Politécnica de Catalunya; EspañaFil: Rosso, Osvaldo Aníbal. Universidade Federal de Alagoas; Brasil. Hospital Italiano. Departamento de Informática En Salud.; Argentina. Universidad de Los Andes.; ChileFil: Ravetti, Martín G.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Atman, A. P. F.. Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais. Programa de Pós Graduação em Modelagem Matemática e Computacional; Brasi

Over 6% Efficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cell Screen-Printed from Oxides on FTO

A new approach to fabricate copper, indium, gallium diselenide (CIGSe) solar cells on conductive fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) reached an efficiency of over 6% for a champion photovoltaic device. Commercial oxide nanoparticles are formulated into high-quality screen-printable ink based on ethyl cellulose solution in terpineol. The high homogeneity and good adhesion properties of the oxide ink play an important role in obtaining dense and highly crystalline photoabsorber layers. This finding reveals that solution-based screen-printing from readily available oxide precursors provides an interesting cost-effective alternative to current vacuum- and energy-demanding processes of the CIGSe solar cell fabrication.FCT PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014 (PrintPV), Grant Agreement No. 016663, FCT SFRH/BD/121780/2016. Nanochemistry Research Group at INL for valuable discussions. This work was supported by ERDF COMPETE 2020 and Portuguese FCT funds under the PrintPV project (PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014, Grant Agreement No. 016663). B.F.G. is grateful to the FCT for the SFRH/BD/121780/2016 gran

Towards all-non-vacuum-processed photovoltaic systems: a water-based screen-printed Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Photoabsorber with a 6.6% efficiency

During the last few decades, major advances have been made in photovoltaic systems based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 chalcopyrite. However, the most efficient photovoltaic cells are processed under high-energy-demanding vacuum conditions. To lower the costs and facilitate high-throughput production, printing/coating processes are proving to be effective solutions. This work combined printing, coating, and chemical bath deposition processes of photoabsorber, buffer, and transparent conductive layers for the development of solution-processed photovoltaic systems. Using a sustainable approach, all inks were formulated using water and ethanol as solvents. Screen printing of the photoabsorber on fluorine-doped tin-oxide-coated glass followed by selenization, chemical bath deposition of the cadmium sulfide buffer, and final sputtering of the intrinsic zinc oxide and aluminum-doped zinc oxide top conductive layers delivered a 6.6% maximum efficiency solar cell, a record for screen-printed Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells. On the other hand, the all-non-vacuum-processed device with spray-coated intrinsic zinc-oxide- and tin-doped indium oxide top conductive layers delivered a 2.2% efficiency. The given approaches represent relevant steps towards the fabrication of sustainable and efficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells.This study was conducted with financial support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014, PTDC/NAN-MAT/28745/2017, UID/FIS/04650/2020, UID/QUI/0686/2020, PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017, SFRH/BD/121780/2016 and SFRH/BD/143750/2019) and the Basque Government Industry Department (ELKARTEK and HAZITEK)

Processos de medicação, carga de trabalho e a segurança do paciente em unidades de internação

RESUMO Objetivo Levantar pontos críticos do processo de medicação, suas repercussões nas demandas de trabalho da equipe de enfermagem e riscos para a segurança dos pacientes. Método Estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, na perspectiva ecológico-restaurativa. Os dados foram coletados por meio de grupos focais e fotografias. Participaram enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem. Resultados Três categorias emergiram da análise temática: Desafios nos processos de prescrição e dispensação de medicamentos; Administração de medicamentos – organização no turno de trabalho; Uso de novas tecnologias para diminuir erros de medicamentos. Os resultados apontam que o processo de medicação assume um caráter de centralidade na organização do trabalho da equipe de enfermagem, sendo que estes profissionais configuram-se como a última barreira para detectar falhas de prescrição e dispensação de medicamentos. Conclusão Para a identificação de vulnerabilidades na etapa de administração de medicamentos, o uso de tecnologias, sem dúvida, agrega valor para o processo de cuidado seguro