Effect of Synthesized 3-Hydroxyflavone Solutions on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

We investigated the influence of synthesized dye combination 3-hydroxyflavone with potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide as photosynthesizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). DSSCs are classified as hybrid inorganic/organic photovoltaic cells that have been reported to have lower production costs and efficiency as high as 12%. Annealed titanium dioxide pastes on fluorine doped tin oxide was used as the front layer of the completed devices and the performance of 3-hydroxyflavone with potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide was compared with the performance of dyes extracted from berries. UV-vis spectroscopy was used to characterize the absorbance of the respective absorber dyes. 3-Hydroxyflavone in potassium hydroxide demonstrated the best photoactive performance with the highest open circuit voltage of 468 mV. However, it is vital to know that further research needs to be done on 3-hydroxyflavone to evaluate and enhance the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Optimization of the absorber layer thicknesses and the surface defect densities of CdTe/Si tandem device

In this research, the performance variation of a newly modeled tandem device was investigated. A thin-film photovoltaic tandem device was created with a CdS/CdTe top cell configuration and a thick Si bottom cell configuration. The goal of this numerical simulation study was to enhance the performance of the tandem photovoltaic device. Therefore several modifications and optimizations were done to the device structure. An Mg-doped ZnO-based (MZO) layer was used as a High Resistance Transparent (HRT) layer with a very thin CdS layer. The thickness of the CdS was reduced to minimize its parasitic absorption property. The top and the bottom cell models were developed by using a special script introduced in SCAPS-1D solar cell capacitance simulator software. An artificial surface defect layer (SDL) was introduced between the window and the absorber of the top cell. The optimization procedure was carried out by altering the thicknesses of the top and the bottom absorbers and also varying the defect concentrations of the CdS/SDL interface and SDL/CdTe interface. The current matching condition of the tandem device and the device performance under the AM1.5G spectrum were also investigated. As the outcomes, we have identified the minimum possible defect density concentrations required for the window to absorber interfaces of the top cell to achieve the optimum performance. The experimental research work is suggested to further confirm the modeling results of the tandem device structure. KEYWORDS: Thin-film, Tandem, Surface Defect Layer, Defect Density, Bandgap, SCAPS-1

Georgia Academy of Science 2023 Annual Meeting Program

This is the program of the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science

A Review of Ball Lightning Models

Ball lightning is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the atmosphere. However due to its brevity and rarity, its occurrence is not well understood. Three models based on electromagnetic properties are discussed in this paper to explain the rare phenomenon of ball lightning. The first model incorporates the idea of electron bunching, electrons moving with different velocities. This creates a plasma bubble by recombining electrons with ionized gas to form plasma that is stabilized by a standing microwave. The second model explains the idea of streamers being tangled and linked in a magnetic field while stabilized by the conservation of helicity. The third model is a lab created skyrmion that when evaluated exhibits qualities similar to ball lightning

Taking SoTL Fellowship to the Next Level

SoTL is an opportunity for scholars to enhance, transform, and communicate methods of teaching and learning (Felten 2013). Fellowship programs either at institutional or inter-institutional level create opportunities to form a community of learners across disciplines or institutions. ISSoTL has established a fellowship program that serves to recognize leaders who have made exemplary contributions to SoTL. This session seeks to illuminate the question: How does one become an ISSoTL fellow in order to expand their reach across the globe. The presenter, an USG SoTL Fellow and an ISSoTL Fellow, will engage audience in discussions on being and becoming champions and advocates for SoTL

The Ultimate LEAP: Best Practices for Integrating HIPs into Coursework

High-impact practices (HIPs) have shown to increase students’ chances of getting career-oriented jobs upon graduation. This session will discuss best practices for integrating two HIPs, undergraduate research and community-based engaged learning into coursework. Intentional integration of undergraduate research has resulted in peer reviewed publications which one might consider as an ultimate outcome of these practices. This presentation will provide insight into the process of developing undergraduate courses based on LEAP that successfully integrates HIPs into curriculum at a liberal arts college. The challenges, possible remedies, and the student perspective on the educational benefits gained will be discussed

Integrating Information Literacy into Coursework

In the information age available electronic resources often demonstrate undesirable behaviors in students including the inability to identify information needs. As a remedy for this issue a faculty and a librarian collaborated to teach key information literacy skills to the students to prepare them to seek out current and reliable information on the respective upper level undergraduate courses. Pre and post tests on information literacy show significant improvements in students compared to similar upper level undergraduate course without a library partner. This presentation will provide insight into the process of integrating information literacy and library resources into undergraduate courses

Impact of Community-based Engaged Learning as a High Impact Practice

We studied the impact of community-based engage learning (C-bEL) as a high impact practice on employability. The C-bEL projects for upper level physics courses were designed to let students pursue their own signature work, applying the knowledge they gained from the respective courses. These projects provide students with numerous opportunities to engage with hands-on learning in order to develop the critical thinking skills that are crucial to evaluate, synthesize and construct their own insights. This presentation will provide insight into the process of developing undergraduate courses that successfully integrates C-bEL projects into curriculum at a liberal arts college

Institutional Pressures, Green Supply Chain Management Practices on Environmental and Economic Performance: A Two Theory View

The adoption of green practices within and outside organizational boundaries is imperative to ascertain environmental and economic performance goals. This article examined whether internal and external green supply chain management (GSCM) practices have the same or different kinds of regulatory, market, or competitive pressures. We employed institutional theory to identify different kinds of pressures, and resource dependence theory to explore the impact of internal and external GSCM practices on performance. An empirical study was conducted by collecting data through a structured questionnaire administered in Pakistan to the executives in the manufacturing industry. A total of 207 responses were used for data analysis by employing the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method. Normative pressures were found to be the most significant in both internal and external GSCM practices, while coercive and mimetic pressures positively affected internal and external GSCM practices, respectively. Internal GSCM practices proved to be more significant in improving environmental performance, and also had a substantial impact on external GSCM practices. In contrast, External GSCM practices had a significant positive effect on economic performance, while environmental performance also contributed to improving economic performance. The theoretical and managerial implications are discussed for academics, policymakers, and industry practitioners