Extent of Awareness of Distance Learners of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

The present research was framed to assess the awareness level of distance learners of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Three certificate courses were selected based on maximum number of enrollment, viz, Gardening & landscaping, Mushroom production & Solid waste management and vermicomposting. Ex-post facto research design was employed. A total of 150 respondents were selected from the three courses by equal allocation method proportionate random sampling. A well-structured questionnaire was prepared and the information was collected by sending questionnaires through post. The 108 individuals who responded were taken as the sample for the study. The results of the research pointed out that nearly three- fourths of the respondents possessed medium level of awareness on selected technologies

Parthenium hysterophorous flower template assisted SnO2 nanostructure as photoanode for dye sensitized solar cell

The synthesis process of tin oxide (SnO2) nanostructures and the performance of alizarin-based SnO2 dye-sensitized solar cells have been investigated in the current work. For the first time, tin oxide nanostructures with various pH values are synthesized using the template taken from parthenium hysterophorous flower which acts as the photoanodes. SnO2 film coated with alizarin dye, a platinum counter electrode, and an iodine electrolyte are used to fabricate DSSC. The structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of the SnO2 nanostructures are investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL), attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectra, and UV–visible spectroscopy techniques. Current density-voltage (J-V) parameters are measured using electrochemical workstation with solar illumination