Rutile TiO2 films as electron transport layer in inverted organic solar cell

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films were prepared by sol–gel spin coating method and deposited on ITO-coated glass substrates. The effects of different heat treatment annealing temperatures on the phase composition of TiO2 films and its effect on the optical band gap, morphological, structural as well as using these layers in P3HT:PCBM-based organic solar cell were examined. The results show the presence of rutile phases in the TiO2 films which were heat-treated for 2 h at different temperatures (200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 °C). The optical properties of the TiO2 films have altered by temperature with a slight decrease in the transmittance intensity in the visible region with increasing the temperature. The optical band gap values were found to be in the range of 3.28–3.59 eV for the forbidden direct electronic transition and 3.40–3.79 eV for the allowed direct transition. TiO2 layers were used as electron transport layer in inverted organic solar cells and resulted in a power conversion efficiency of 1.59% with short circuit current density of 6.64 mA cm−2 for TiO2 layer heat-treated at 600 °C

Effect of Elevated CO₂ on Biomolecules’ Accumulation in Caraway (<i>Carum carvi</i> L.) Plants at Different Developmental Stages

Caraway plants have been known as a rich source of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, monoterpenoid glucosides and alkaloids. In this regard, the application of elevated CO2 (eCO2) as a bio-enhancer for increasing plant growth and phytochemical content has been the focus of many studies; however, the interaction between eCO2 and plants at different developmental stages has not been extensively explored. Thus, the present study aimed at investigating the changes in growth, photosynthesis and phytochemicals of caraway plants at two developmental stages (sprouts and mature tissues) under control and increased CO2 conditions (ambient CO2 (a CO2, 400 ± 27 μmol CO2 mol−1 air) and eCO2, 620 ± 42 μmol CO2 mol−1 air ppm). Moreover, we evaluated the impact of eCO2-induced changes in plant metabolites on the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of caraway sprouts and mature plants. CO2 enrichment increased photosynthesis and biomass accumulation of both caraway stages. Regarding their phytochemical contents, caraway plants interacted differently with eCO2, depending on their developmental stages. High levels of CO2 enhanced the production of total nutrients, i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, fats and crude fibers, as well as organic and amino acids, in an equal pattern in both caraway sprouts and mature plants. Interestingly, the eCO2-induced effect on minerals, vitamins and phenolics was more pronounced in caraway sprouts than the mature tissues. Furthermore, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of caraway plants were enhanced under eCO2 treatment, particularly at the mature stage. Overall, eCO2 provoked changes in the phytochemical contents of caraway plants, particularly at the sprouting stage and, hence, improved their nutritive and health-promoting properties

Progetto del Team KNOW-HOWse, competizione internazionale Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018, Dubai

Team Sharjah is composed of the University of Sharjah (UOS), leader institution, and Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (SHUROOQ). UOS is an academic institution with a distinctive learning style and a global vision. It is a pioneer in academia, scientific research and arts in the UAE. The Architectural Engineering Department (AE) will coordinate the team thanks to its expertise in design and construction management. SHUROOQ will assist with technical issues and connecting with potential sponsors. The team comprises also a scientific third-party, Architettura&gt;Energia Research Centre (University of Ferrara, Italy) and two sponsors: Bee’ah and X-lam Dolomiti S.r.l. Key members and third parties will cooperate in synergy to meet the SDME goals. The extended team is currently involved in research, design consultancy, projects, and training services for public administrations, companies, and privates, in the fields of energy efficiency and environmental quality of buildings and urban spaces. These activities include: accredited energy assessment; membership of GBC and LEED Scientific Committee; energy consultancy for architecture and engineering companies; research and application of BiPV. Project Goal. Know-Howse is an educational program. The SDME prototype house will be a showcase for innovation and energy efficiency practices that will educate society to sobriety. Nowadays, UAE is responsible for one of the largest residential energy consumption in the world. Such unaware habit is the result of lacking education on resources consumption, but is also implicitly supported by the local policies on the (low) tariffs for electricity and water. The education program aims at increasing environmental awareness by rediscovering a new dimension of “living small but comfortably”. Yet, Know-Howse represents just one tile of a larger framework that involves society, economics, and urbanism. To this regard, the prototype house is conceived as a test-unit extracted form an innovative apartment building that combines occupants’ comfort with environmental goals such as reducing land-use and resource consumption

Progetto del Team KNOW-HOWse, competizione internazionale Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018, Dubai

Team Sharjah is composed of the University of Sharjah (UOS), leader institution, and Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (SHUROOQ). UOS is an academic institution with a distinctive learning style and a global vision. It is a pioneer in academia, scientific research and arts in the UAE. The Architectural Engineering Department (AE) will coordinate the team thanks to its expertise in design and construction management. SHUROOQ will assist with technical issues and connecting with potential sponsors. The team comprises also a scientific third-party, Architettura>Energia Research Centre (University of Ferrara, Italy) and two sponsors: Bee’ah and X-lam Dolomiti S.r.l. Key members and third parties will cooperate in synergy to meet the SDME goals. The extended team is currently involved in research, design consultancy, projects, and training services for public administrations, companies, and privates, in the fields of energy efficiency and environmental quality of buildings and urban spaces. These activities include: accredited energy assessment; membership of GBC and LEED Scientific Committee; energy consultancy for architecture and engineering companies; research and application of BiPV. Project Goal. Know-Howse is an educational program. The SDME prototype house will be a showcase for innovation and energy efficiency practices that will educate society to sobriety. Nowadays, UAE is responsible for one of the largest residential energy consumption in the world. Such unaware habit is the result of lacking education on resources consumption, but is also implicitly supported by the local policies on the (low) tariffs for electricity and water. The education program aims at increasing environmental awareness by rediscovering a new dimension of “living small but comfortably”. Yet, Know-Howse represents just one tile of a larger framework that involves society, economics, and urbanism. To this regard, the prototype house is conceived as a test-unit extracted form an innovative apartment building that combines occupants’ comfort with environmental goals such as reducing land-use and resource consumption

Micro-fabrication of ceramics : additive manufacturing and conventional technologies

Peer reviewedPublisher PD