Absorptive carbon nanotube electrodes: consequences of optical interference loss in thin film solar cells.

A current bottleneck in the thin film photovoltaic field is the fabrication of low cost electrodes. We demonstrate ultrasonically spray coated multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) layers as opaque and absorptive metal-free electrodes deposited at low temperatures and free of post-deposition treatment. The electrodes show sheet resistance as low as 3.4 Ω □(-1), comparable to evaporated metallic contacts deposited in vacuum. Organic photovoltaic devices were optically simulated, showing comparable photocurrent generation between reflective metal and absorptive CNT electrodes for photoactive layer thickness larger than 600 nm when using archetypal poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) : (6,6)-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) cells. Fabricated devices clearly show that the absorptive CNT electrodes display comparable performance to solution processed and spray coated Ag nanoparticle devices. Additionally, other candidate absorber materials for thin film photovoltaics were simulated with absorptive contacts, elucidating device design in the absence of optical interference and reflection.This research has received partial funding from the Flemish Department of Economics, Science and Innovation. J. G. Tait acknowledges partial funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Canada. M. De Volder acknowledges partial funding from the ERC Starting grant 337739.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the Royal Society of Chemistry via http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5NR01119

Nonenzymatic gluconeogenesis-like formation of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate in ice

The evolutionary origins of metabolism, in particular the emergence of the sugar phosphates that constitute glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the RNA and DNA backbone, are largely unknown. In cells, a major source of glucose and the large sugar phosphates is gluconeogenesis. This ancient anabolic pathway (re-)builds carbon bonds as cleaved in glycolysis in an aldol condensation of the unstable catabolites glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate, forming the much more stable fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. We here report the discovery of a nonenzymatic counterpart to this reaction. The in-ice nonenzymatic aldol addition leads to the continuous accumulation of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate in a permanently frozen solution as followed over months. Moreover, the in-ice reaction is accelerated by simple amino acids, in particular glycine and lysine. Revealing that gluconeogenesis may be of nonenzymatic origin, our results shed light on how glucose anabolism could have emerged in early life forms. Furthermore, the amino acid acceleration of a key cellular anabolic reaction may indicate a link between prebiotic chemistry and the nature of the first metabolic enzymes.This work was supported by a University of Cambridge/Wellcome Trust Interdisciplinary fellowship (to C.B.M.). Further support was provided by the Francis Crick Institute, which receives its core funding from Cancer Research UK (Award FC001134), the UK Medical Research Council (Award FC001134), and the Wellcome Trust (Award FC001134)

Low-cost electrodes for stable perovskite solar cells

Cost-effective production of perovskite solar cells on an industrial scale requires the utilization of exclusively inexpensive materials. However, to date, highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells rely on expensive gold electrodes since other metal electrodes are known to cause degradation of the devices. Finding a low-cost electrode that can replace gold and ensure both efficiency and long-term stability is essential for the success of the perovskite-based solar cell technology. In this work, we systematically compare three types of electrode materials: multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), alternative metals (silver, aluminum, and copper), and transparent oxides [indium tin oxide (ITO)] in terms of efficiency, stability, and cost. We show that multi-walled carbon nanotubes are the only electrode that is both more cost-effective and stable than gold. Devices with multi-walled carbon nanotube electrodes present remarkable shelf-life stability, with no decrease in the efficiency even after 180 h of storage in 77% relative humidity (RH). Furthermore, we demonstrate the potential of devices with multi-walled carbon nanotube electrodes to achieve high efficiencies. These developments are an important step forward to mass produce perovskite photovoltaics in a commercially viable way.The authors would also like to gratefully acknowledge Solliance for the financial support, the Initiating and Networking funding of the Helmholtz Association (HYIG of U. Paetzold), and the European Research Council (FP7 ERC StG HIENA - 337739 of M. de Volder). This research has received (partial) funding from the Flemish Government–Department of Economics, Science and Innovation

A sensing mechanism for the detection of carbon nanotubes using selective photoluminescent probes based on ionic complexes with organic dyes

The multifunctional properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them a powerful platform for unprecedented innovations in a variety of practical applications. As a result of the surging growth of nanotechnology, nanotubes present a potential problem as an environmental pollutant, and as such, an efficient method for their rapid detection must be established. Here, we propose a novel type of ionic sensor complex for detecting CNTs – an organic dye that responds sensitively and selectively to CNTs with a photoluminescent signal. The complexes are formed through Coulomb attractions between dye molecules with uncompensated charges and CNTs covered with an ionic surfactant in water. We demonstrate that the photoluminescent excitation of the dye can be transferred to the nanotubes, resulting in selective and strong amplification (up to a factor of 6) of the light emission from the excitonic levels of CNTs in the near-infrared spectral range, as experimentally observed via excitation-emission photoluminescence (PL) mapping. The chirality of the nanotubes and the type of ionic surfactant used to disperse the nanotubes both strongly affect the amplification; thus, the complexation provides sensing selectivity towards specific CNTs. Additionally, neither similar uncharged dyes nor CNTs covered with neutral surfactant form such complexes. As model organic molecules, we use a family of polymethine dyes with an easily tailorable molecular structure and, consequently, tunable absorbance and PL characteristics. This provides us with a versatile tool for the controllable photonic and electronic engineering of an efficient probe for CNT detection

A hybrid surface tension seal for pneumatic and hydraulic microactuators

Recent research revealed that microactuators driven by pressurized fluids are able to generate high power and force densities at microscale. One of the main technological barriers in the development of these actuators is the fabrication low friction seals. This paper presents a novel scalable seal technology, which resists the actuation pressure relying on a combination of a clearance seal and a surface tension seal. This approach allows to seal pressures of more than 800 kPa without leakage. The seal is tested on an actuator with a bore of 0.8 mm2 and a length of 13 mm, which was able to generate forces up to 0.32 N. © 2008 Springer-Verlag

Controlled Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube Microspheres from Emulsion Templates: Exploring the Dynamics of Solvent Loss and Nanoparticle Assembly

The use of emulsions as templates for nanomaterial assembly is a versatile method to create controlled microstructures. However, production rates are often low, particularly where the droplet phase solvent must be removed to achieve consolidation. Here, we study the emulsion templated fabrication of microparticles from multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). As an exemplar primary nanoparticle for microparticle assembly, CNTs present particular challenges due to their strong inter-particle interactions and limited dispersion in solvents. Nevertheless, small batches of CNT microparticles have demonstrated promising performances in energy storage, environmental remediation, and sensing due to their controlled structures. Improving CNT microparticle production through emulsion processing is therefore interesting to promote these real-world applications. In this work, we show that the slow rate of CNT microparticle formation from water-in-oil emulsions is due to spontaneous emulsification. We then test methanol-in-oil emulsions, which rapidly form fragile CNT capsules. Using mixtures of methanol and water, a faster rate of solvent loss can be balanced alongside nanoparticle assembly; CNT microparticle formation was up to twice as fast using 40% methanol compared to aqueous dispersions. In addition to facilitating faster CNT microparticle production, these findings offer more broadly applicable insights into the mechanisms of solvent transport in emulsions

Integrated high pressure microhydraulic actuation and control for surgical instruments

To reduce the surgical trauma to the patient, minimally invasive surgery is gaining considerable importance since the eighties. More recently, robot assisted minimally invasive surgery was introduced to enhance the surgeon's performance in these procedures. This resulted in an intensive research on the design, fabrication and control of surgical robots over the last decades. A new development in the field of surgical tool manipulators is presented in this article: a flexible manipulator with distributed degrees of freedom powered by microhydraulic actuators. The tool consists of successive flexible segments, each with two bending degrees of freedom. To actuate these compliant segments, dedicated fluidic actuators are incorporated, together with compact hydraulic valves which control the actuator motion. Especially the development of microvalves for this application was challenging, and are the main focus of this paper. The valves distribute the hydraulic power from one common high pressure supply to a series of artificial muscle actuators. Tests show that the angular stroke of the each segment of this medical instrument is 90°. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

Light-Actuated Anisotropic Microactuators from CNT/Hydrogel Nanocomposites

Over the past decades, functional hydrogels that respond to a variety of mechanical and chemical stimuli with a volume change of more than 100% have been developed. Despite this impressive behavior, practical applications of conventional hydrogels are limited by the need to transform their isotropic swelling/contraction into useful deformations, as well as their slow response times. Here, these challenges are addressed by combining poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), a widely used temperature-responsive polymer, with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). To ensure strong PNIPAM-CNT cohesion, the hydrogel is synthesized directly on the CNT surfaces using in-situ redox polymerization. The anisotropy of vertically-aligned CNT forests is used to transform the isotropic (de)swelling of PNIPAM into anisotropic motion. This material combination is particularly attractive because the high optical absorption and heat conductivity of carbon nanotubes converts light irradiation into PNIPAM actuation. A wide variety of CNT-skeleton microstructures are tested to reveal a range of actuation behaviors. We demonstrate fast reversible movement, active switching from low to high light absorption states, lattice shape changes, and good cycling stability.ER

Effect of Anode Slippage on Cathode Cutoff Potential and Degradation Mechanisms in Ni-Rich Li-Ion Batteries

Li-ion batteries based on Ni-rich layered cathodes are the state-of-the-art technology for electric vehicles; however, batteries using these advanced materials suffer from rapid performance fading. In this work, we report a critical turning point during the aging of graphite/LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) full cells, after which the degradation is significantly accelerated. This turning point was identified using differential voltage analysis (DVA) applied to standard two-electrode data, which shows that graphite becomes progressively less lithiated, as confirmed by operando long-duration X-ray diffraction, and therefore has a higher electrochemical potential at the end of charge. This increase leads to a proportional increase in the cathode potential, and an accelerated impedance increase is observed from this point. This mechanism is expected to be universal for the vast majority of Li-ion battery chemistries, particularly for Ni-rich cathodes, whose degradation is extremely sensitive to the upper cutoff voltage, and our work provides fundamental guidelines for developing effective countermeasures

Carbon nanotubes: Present and future commercial applications

Worldwide commercial interest in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reflected in a production capacity that presently exceeds several thousand tons per year. Currently, bulk CNT powders are incorporated in diverse commercial products ranging from rechargeable batteries, automotive parts, and sporting goods to boat hulls and water filters. Advances in CNT synthesis, purification, and chemical modification are enabling integration of CNTs in thin-film electronics and large-area coatings. Although not yet providing compelling mechanical strength or electrical or thermal conductivities for many applications, CNT yarns and sheets already have promising performance for applications including supercapacitors, actuators, and lightweight electromagnetic shields