Influence of physical seed treatment on seed quality improvement in black gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Pelleting is a physical pre-sowing seed management technique, in which seeds are enclosed with biopromotive substances to improve the field stand. To evaluate the efficacy of plant herbal powders for seed pelleting, studies were initiated with blackgram cv. ADT 3, in which seeds were pelleted with the leaf powders of noni (Morinda citrifolia) and basil (Ocimum sanctum) and fruit powder of gallnut (Terminalia chebula) @ 200 g kg-1 of seed using Carboxy methyl cellulose @ 200 ml per kilogram of seed as an adhesive. The results revealed that seeds pelleted with the leaf powders of either basil improved the seed germination by 6% and seedling vigour (23%), seedling length (9%) and seedling dry weight (5%). In raised bed nursery, the seeds pelleted with basil leaf powder @ 200 g kg-1 of seed recorded improved field emergence (7%) with higher chlorophyll index (30%) and nodule number (28%) highlighting the efficacy of the treatment. While, the seeds pelleted with gallnut fruit powder recorded lowest germination, vigour and field emergence which is significantly lesser than control. The delayed emergence, germination and vigour was due to the increase in hardiness of gallnut powder pelleted seed. Thus, the seeds treated with basil leaf powder @ 200 g kg-1 using carboxy methyl cellulose @ 200 ml per kilogram of seed as an adhesive, enhanced seed germination, vigour, seedling length and dry weight

Energy Crisis and Recent Technological Development in India

Now-a-days demand of the electricity is increasing. India has struggled to resolve its energy shortage problems for decades. As the country is now facing an exotic energy crisis, the drive to find effective long-term energy solutions is stronger now than ever before. Renewable energy resources such as wind and solar energy are abundant in India. It is environmental friendly and also low cost. Renewable energy is only the root causes of this demand. The present situation of the electricity production and its consumption in the country were discussed. The solar energy generation potential of India in different sectors to produce energy is viewed. Energy crisis of solar energy has been reporting in MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy). In our nation, we are using some types of solar scheme. Under that scheme solar park and solar rooftop are popularly in practice to produce solar energy. The importance of utilization of solar energy resources for the production of electric power. The production rate is high in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, but low in Meghalaya and Puducherry. These renewable energy resources can play an effective and also considerable role in contributing toward energy security of the country. Developments of solar technology in before and after independent were presented and the future developments were discussed. Some prediction is made on the basis of preliminary observations. The flow chart of an estimated forecast of demand and supply of electricity for the next ten years is also projected in this paper. Keywords: Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Power Production, total installation, Renewable energy sources (RES), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), solar technolog

Design of Microlens Focused V-groove Textured Silicon Solar Cell with Different Aspect Ratio Using ZEMAX®

Improving the utilization ratio of sunlight is a key factor for the development of solar cell.  In this work a V- groove model micromachined solar cell is designed and studies can be carried out for improving the efficiency of the microlenses focused solar cells with different aspect ratio.  The simulation result shows the maximum of 40% increase in photonic absorption is observed in the V-groove silicon solar cell with 2 µm pitch and 1.5 µm height texture is better for light trapping structure

Geometries, Electronic Structures and Electronic Absorption Spectra of Silicon Dichloride Substituted Phthalocyanine for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

The geometries, electronic structures, polarizabilities, and hyperpolarizabilities of Silicon dichloride substituted phthalocyanine dye sensitizer were studied based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) using the hybrid functional B3LYP. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrum was investigated by using a hybrid method which combines the single-excitation configuration interactions (CIS) with DFT, i.e. CIS-DFT(B3LYP). Features of the electronic absorption spectrum in the visible and near-UV regions were assigned based on CIS-DFT calculations. The absorption bands are assigned to n→π* transitions. Calculated results suggest that the three lowest energy excited states of Silicon dichloride substituted phthalocyanine are due to photoinduced electron transfer processes. The interfacial electron transfer between semiconductor TiO2 electrode and dye sensitizer is due to an electron injection process from excited dye to the semiconductor’s conduction band. The role of Silicon dichloride in phthalocyanine geometries, electronic structures and electronic absorption spectra were analysed and these results were concluded that Silicon dichloride substituted phthalocyanine used in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) give a good conversion efficiency

Molecular modeling of 3,4-pyridinedicarbonitrile dye sensitizer for solar cells using quantum chemical calculations

AbstractThe geometries, electronic structures, polarizabilities, and hyperpolarizabilities of organic dye sensitizer 3,4-pyridinedicarbonitrile was studied based on Hartree–Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) using the hybrid functional B3LYP. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrum was investigated by time dependent DFT (TD-DFT). Features of the electronic absorption spectrum in the visible and near-UV regions were assigned based on TD-DFT calculations. The absorption bands are assigned to π→π∗ transitions. Calculated results suggest that the three lowest energy excited states are due to photoinduced electron transfer processes. The interfacial electron transfer between semiconductor TiO2 electrode and 3,4-pyridinedicarbonitrile is due to electron injection process from excited dye to the semiconductor’s conduction band. The role of cyanine in 3,4-pyridinedicarbonitrile in geometries, electronic structures, and spectral properties were analyzed

Achieving Deep Cuts in the Carbon Intensity of U.S. Automobile Transportation by 2050: Complementary Roles for Electricity and Biofuels

Passenger cars in the United States (U.S.) rely primarily on petroleum-derived fuels and contribute the majority of U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Electricity and biofuels are two promising alternatives for reducing both the carbon intensity of automotive transportation and U.S. reliance on imported oil. However, as standalone solutions, the biofuels option is limited by land availability and the electricity option is limited by market adoption rates and technical challenges. This paper explores potential GHG emissions reductions attainable in the United States through 2050 with a county-level scenario analysis that combines ambitious plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) adoption rates with scale-up of cellulosic ethanol production. With PHEVs achieving a 58% share of the passenger car fleet by 2050, phasing out most corn ethanol and limiting cellulosic ethanol feedstocks to sustainably produced crop residues and dedicated crops, we project that the United States could supply the liquid fuels needed for the automobile fleet with an average blend of 80% ethanol (by volume) and 20% gasoline. If electricity for PHEV charging could be supplied by a combination of renewables and natural-gas combined-cycle power plants, the carbon intensity of automotive transport would be 79 g CO2e per vehicle-kilometer traveled, a 71% reduction relative to 2013