Nanostructured titanium dioxide thin film for dye-sensitized Solar cell applications

Nanostructured Titanium Dioxide (TiC^) thin film for Dye-Sensitized Solid State Solar Cell (DSSSC) application has been synthesized using sol-gel method and deposited onto silicon and glass substrates using spin coating technique. The optimized annealing temperature and sol-gel concentration were obtained a| 500°C and 0.2M, respectively. Basically, there were four properties studied; surface morphology, structural, electrical and optical properties. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) / Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out to observe the changes in surface morphology whenever there are changes on the parameters. X-Ray Diffractions (XRD) characterization of the samples was taken to examine the TiC>2 crystalline phases and the intensity of nanocrystalline particles in the thin film. I-V measurement using two-point probe equipment was used to observe the electrical properties which include the measuring of the sheet resistance, the resistivity and the conductivity of the TiC>2 thin film. The optical properties were observed using UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer. The thin film transmittance and the band gap energy were also observed using this spectrophotometer. At the end of this research, uniform and homogeneous TiC>2 thin film has successfully prepared. By controlling the sol-gel concentration, a transparent TiC>2 thin film has been developed which has high transmittance property of above 80%. The TiC>2 thin films which were annealed at a temperature of 500°C and prepared at 0.2M of sol-gel precursor concentration gave the optimum results. By adding TiC>2 nanopowder, the surface area and porosity of TiC>2 thin film is improved, thus good candidate to use in DSSSC application

Composite foundations on Malaysian soft clay soil: applications of innovative techniques

An innovative technique of electro osmosis coupled with vertical surcharge loading to accelerate the consolidation and stiffen Kaolin (China Clay Grade E) was investigated in this study. The geotechnical properties of this China Clay Kaolin Grade E and the design of electro osmotic consolidation chamber are discussed together with an explanation of the procedural concept of the electro osmotic consolidation chamber (i.e., the preparation of the apparatus and the clay sample, assembling of the electro osmotic consolidation chamber; and the experimental work). The plastic limit, liquid limit and plasticity index were 35%, 53% and 18% respectively. Therefore, China Clay Kaolin Grade E is classified as MH soil, and it is predominantly a silt with high plasticity. The specific gravity of the soil is 2.65. To ensure the kaolin is saturated, all samples were prepared in a similar manner with deaired water to produce a slurry at 150% of the liquid limit (initial moisture content of 79.5%). The electro osmotic consolidation chamber was cylindrical and consisted of the body, the base and the top cap. The body and the base of the chamber were constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tube with a wall thickness of 10.9 mm, 345 mm high and 251 mm inner diameter. The electro osmotic consolidation chamber was assembled together with a 45 mm thick flange and collar. The top cap of this chamber was based on that of a Rowe cell of similar diameter. Twenty one tests were performed in this study with an applied voltage and one test was a control test. The test samples in the twenty one tests were all consolidated to three different phases. In Phases 1 and 2, the samples were consolidated at 15 kPa while in the Phase 3, 50 kPa was used. The electro osmotic process was only performed during Phase 2. The time of treatment, numbers of electrodes, the arrangement of electrodes, and the applied voltages were investigated in these tests. Results from these tests indicated that the China Clay Kaolin Grade E in a 79.5% slurry form responded well to electro osmotic treatment and that electro osmotic process increased the overall stiffness of the soil as indicated by the reduced relative settlement in Phase 3 with a pressure of 50kPa. The water content around the anodes was less than that at the cathode creating zones of higher average constrained stiffness. The tests demonstrated that the longer the time of treatment, the greater the numbers of anodes, the shorter distance between the electrodes and the higher the applied voltages associated with electro osmosis increased the average stiffness of the soil mass confirming the concept of an electro osmotic pile. Keywords: electro osmotic merged vertical loading and electro osmotic, consolidation, electro osmotic consolidation chamber, stiffening

Development of Solar Based Battery Charging System for Electric Cars

The main aim of this project is to develop a battery charging system for electric cars using solar energy from the sun. The increasing demand and decreasing availability of natural energy sources, has triggered the alarm for the need of these type of energy to be conserved. In the transportation sector, problems caused by the internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV) are becoming a highlighted issue. Gas emissions from this type of vehicles are harmful to the environment and contribute to the global warming. This project focuses on the development of electric vehicles battery charging system. Electric vehicles are not absolutely gas emission free and still consume derivatives of petroleum and natural gas indirectly by using electricity from the grid to charge its battery

Improvement on Wear Resistance of 316 Austenitic Stainless Steel by High Temperature Nitriding Technique

The purpose of this project is to study on wear resistance of 316L Austenitic Stainless steel and makes an improvement on it by applying high temperature nitriding technique. Wear resistance of current stainless steel in market indeed is not sufficient to sustain this kind of heavy loads. Thus, wear resistance of stainless steel needs to be improved in order to overcome this problem. The process of high-temperature nitriding is investigated as a method of intensifying diffusion saturation with nitrogen for some high-alloy steels of the Ferritic and austenitic types

Study on the Effects of the Wake of an Aircraft on a Following Aircraft

A research on studying the effect of the wake generated by an aircraft on a following aircraft is performed. Measurements of different positions and situations, including take-off, are to be carried out. The effect of lacking lift force due to the wake is to be studied. All the testing, observations and evaluations of the research will be done using the new PETRONAS University of Technology (UTP) wind tunnel

Study Of IGBT Drive For Three Phase Load

This dissertation discusses the project, "Study of IGBT drive three for three phase load". This project deals with the IGBT theory, the three phase inverter and the gate driver characteristics. The objective of this project is to study and simulate the IGBT drive for the three phase load. This report also describe the hardware description that were used in this project that is the SEMIKRON SKiUP 39ACT4V 1 Three-phase Bridge Rectifier and the SEMIKRON SKHI 23/12 (R) Driver. The methodology chapter explained the procedures of handling the project, starting from the problem statement until the procedure identification. It also lists out the tools and equipments needed to execute this project

Development Of Test Rig For The Study Of The Internal Blade Cooling

Improved turbine blade internal cooling system by fully utilized the usage of the compressed air from compressor section can provide the dramatic improvement to the long life and strength of the blade, and hence increase up the gas turbine efficiency and performance. Lots of continuous study and research are being done by the energy company and manufacturers in order to get prove of the internal blade cooling system. Power turbine blade is facing extreme environment of high pressure and temperature which can damage and reduce its strength

The Effect of Resin Viscosity in Vacuum Infusion Process

Vacuum resin infusion process is a technique in advanced composite manufacturing. The technique uses vacuum pressure to draw the matrix into the reinforcements; results in better compaction of resin thus improving the quality of composite. This technique is widely used in manufacturing of boat hulls because of its low cost and high efficiency. In order to obtain a good quality of composite, it is essential to recognize the factors that may affect the quality of infusion process. One of the factors needed to be studied is the viscosity of the resin itself. This project is aimed at studying the effect of resin viscosity to the resin infusion process in terms of filling time and mechanical properties of the composites

Bioremediation of oil from domestic wastewater using mixed culture : effects of inoculum concentration and agitation speed

The volume of oil in domestic wastewater is increasing each year due to the urbanization and industrial development all around the world. It is concerned that the increasing of oil in the wastewater could cause severe impact to the environment and to human health. Bioremediation of oil from domestic wastewater using mixed culture is being studied to overcome this problem. Microorganisms from local palm oil plant are utilised for this study. The ability of the microorganisms to degrade the oil is observed by investigating effect of concentration of the inoculum (g/ml) and the agitation speed (rpm) on oil removal. The optimum condition for these microorganisms to degrade oil is aimed for the highest volume of oil degraded. From the result obtained it is show that agitation with the speed of 150 rpm give the best condition for oil removal while the addition of 4g/110ml of inoculum concentration over wastewater and oil volume give the optimum oil removal. Higher concentration of inoculum cause high oil removal but at highly concentrated inoculum could cause reverse effect. Therefore high agitation also contributes to higher oil removal