Integrating photovoltaic cells into decorative architectural glass using traditonal glasspainting techniques and fluorescent dyes

Photovoltaic cells can be integrated into decorative glass, providing a showcase for this renewable technology, whilst assisting in the creation of sustainable architecture through generation of electricity from the building surface. However, traditional, opaque, square, crystalline-silicon solar cells contrast strongly with their surroundings when incorporated into translucent, coloured glazing. Methods of blending photovoltaic cells into their surroundings were developed, using traditional glass painting techniques. A design was created in which opaque paint was applied to the areas of glass around underlying photovoltaic cells. Translucent, platinum paint was used on the glass behind the photovoltaic cells. This covered the grey cell backs whilst reflecting light and movement. The platinum paint was shown to cause a slight increase in power produced by photovoltaic cells placed above it. To add colour, very small amounts of Lumogen F dye (BASF) were incorporated into a silicone encapsulant (Dow Corning, Sylgard 184), which was then used hold photovoltaic cells in place between sheets of painted glass. Lumogen dyes selectively absorb and emit light, giving a good balance between colour addition and electricity production from underlying photovoltaic cells. When making sufficient quantities of dyed encapsulant for a 600 x 450 mm test piece, the brightness of the dye colours faded, and fluorescence decreased, although some colour was retained. Improvement of the method, including testing of alternative encapsulant materials, is required, to ensure that the dyes continue to fluoresce within the encapsulant. In contrast, the methods of adding opacity variation to glass, through use of glass painting, are straightforward to develop for use in a wide variety of photovoltaic installations. Improvement of these methods opens up a wide variety of architectural glass design opportunities with integrated photovoltaics, providing an example of one new medium to make eco-architecture more aesthetically pleasing, whilst generating electricity

Observational research on fundamental nursing care: Enough already!

This is the final version. Available from the publisher via the DOI in this record

Creative use of BIPV materials: barriers and solutions

Inventive use of photovoltaic (PV) materials in architecture can be developed through use of PV in artworks. This is particularly important in increasing the uptake of building-integrated building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), by developing novel methods of combining and installing PV materials. Current examples of PV artwork and design are examined, from small to large scale, to assess the current design limitations. The design of two PV artworks is discussed in detail, including an artwork that uses the principle of the luminescent solar concentrator (LSC), to show the way in which design hurdles are discovered and overcome. Challenges range from difficulties in obtaining small quantities of PV materials; the balance between efficiency and artistic effect; through to technical and siting issues that an artist must address when designing a functional PV structure. Methods of overcoming these barriers are explored, including the use of lumogen dyes in encapsulant materials

Basket Cases and Breadbaskets: Sacred Rice and Agricultural Development in Postcolonial Africa

Author's final manuscript.Based on ethnographic research among rural Diola in Guinea-Bissau, I provide a broad view of the history and interpenetration of rice in social, political, religious, and ecological domains, while chronicling the current difficulties of residents in this region who are no longer able to grown enough of it. These farmers’ experiences are unfolding at a time of revitalized attention to agricultural development in Africa, particularly under the auspices of the New Green Revolution for Africa. I examine the premises that constitute the resuscitated effort to address the plight of African farmers. I argue that the totalizing quality of rice in Diola and other rice-cultivating societies requires a development approach that takes into account dimensions of agrarian life not encapsulated by the high- modernist and anti-political orientation of the New Green Revolution for Africa

A silicone host for Lumogen dyes

Altering the encapsulant colour in photovoltaic (PV) modules is a straightforward way of achieving greater colour range whilst minimising additional cost in PV systems. Lumogen fluorescent, organic dyes offer a way of adding colour to the encapsulant with minimal change in efficiency. The silicone encapsulant material Sylgard 184 is tested as a host material for Lumogen dyes. A method of dissolving various Lumogen dyes in Sylgard is investigated, and limits of solubility are explored. Methods of preparing samples suitable for optical measurements are found. Optical density is measured for a range of dye concentrations. The results indicate that Lumogen dyes can be dissolved successfully within Sylgard 184, giving good optical properties for lower dye concentrations. Initial photoluminescent quantum yield measurements confirm that Lumogen dyes can function effectively within a Sylgard host. This is promising for use of this material combination in the creation of coloured, fluorescent PV encapsulant layers

The search for building-integrated PV materials with good aesthetic potential: a survey

Building-integrated photovoltaics (PV) is currently dominated by blue and black rectilinear forms. Greater variety of colour and form could lead to much better uptake of PV in the built environment, also increasing the potential for PV to be used as an artistic material. Listing the available PV technologies by colour gives a clearer picture of the current situation. An assessment of photostability, efficiency and price, for each material, indicates the materials that have the potential to fill the gaps in the colour spectrum. Use of combinations of materials that can be fabricated in different ways from the current, standardised, PV modules will further increase the possibilities for use in building integration, Extending the lifetimes of organic PV, dye-sensitised PV or luminescent solar concentrators will increase the possibilities for development of new PV products

Improving the aesthetics of photovoltaics in decorative architectural glass

Increasing colour variety in photovoltaics can improve the uptake of this renewable technology, which is vital to the creation of sustainable architecture. However, the introduction of colour into photovoltaics often involves increased cost and decreased efficiency. A method was found to add colour to photovoltaics, using luminescent materials: fluorescent organic dyes (BASF Lumogen). These selectively absorb and emit light, giving a good balance between colour addition and electricity production from underlying photovoltaic cells. Very small amounts of Lumogen dye were added to a silicone encapsulant (Dow Corning Sylgard 184), which was then used hold photovoltaic cells in place between sheets of painted glass. When making sufficient quantities of dyed encapsulant for a 600 x 450 mm testpiece, the dye colours faded, with low levels of fluorescence, although some colour was retained. Improvement of the method, including testing of alternative encapsulant materials, is required, to ensure that the dyes continue to fluoresce within the encapsulant. Although the Lumogen dyes are quite stable when compared to other dye molecules, in general organic dyes are not yet sufficiently durable to make this technology viable for installations that are to last for more than 20 years: the guaranteed lifetime of standard photovoltaic modules. Dye replenishment, or replacement of materials, will be required; or a product with a shorter ‘useful’ lifetime identified. This method opens up a wide variety of architectural glass design opportunities that incorporate photovoltaics, providing an example of one new medium to make eco-architecture more aesthetically pleasing, whilst generating electricity

Optimising the acceptability and feasibility of novel complex interventions: an iterative, person-based approach to developing the UK Morita therapy outpatient protocol

This is the final version of the article. Available from BioMed Central via the DOI in this record.BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to showcase best practice in intervention development by illustrating a systematic, iterative, person-based approach to optimising intervention acceptability and feasibility, as applied to the cross-cultural adaptation of Morita therapy for depression and anxiety. METHODS: We developed the UK Morita therapy outpatient protocol over four stages integrating literature synthesis and qualitative research. Firstly, we conducted in-depth interviews combining qualitative and cognitive interviewing techniques, utilising vignettes of Morita therapy being delivered and analysed using Framework analysis to investigate potential patients and therapists' perceptions of Morita therapy. Secondly, we developed qualitative themes into recommendations for optimising Morita therapy and synthesised Morita therapy literature in line with these to develop a draft protocol. Thirdly, we conducted repeat interviews with therapists to investigate their views of the protocol. Finally, we responded to these qualitative themes through protocol modification and tailoring our therapist training programme. RESULTS: As a consequence of literature describing Morita therapy and participants' perceptions of the approach, we developed both a therapy protocol and therapist training programme which were fit for purpose in proceeding to a UK-based Morita therapy feasibility study. As per our key qualitative findings and resulting recommendations, we structured our protocol according to the four-phased model of Morita therapy, included detailed guidance and warning points, and supported therapists in managing patients' expectations of the approach. CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic approach towards optimising intervention acceptability and feasibility prioritises the perspectives of those who will deliver and receive the intervention. Thus, we both showcase best practice in intervention development and demonstrate the application of this process to the careful cross-cultural adaptation of an intervention in which balancing both optimisation of and adherence to the approach are key. This presentation of a generalisable process in a transparent and replicable manner will be of interest to those both developing and evaluating complex interventions in the future.The first author (HVRS) has a PhD fellowship award from the University of Exeter Medical School; DAR and JF are also funded by the University of Exeter Medical School, and DAR, as a National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigator, receives additional support from the UK National Institute for Health Research South West Peninsula Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care

Amalgamation of Marginal Gains (AMG) as a potential system to deliver high quality fundamental nursing care: a qualitative analysis of interviews from high performance AMG sports and healthcare practitioners

This is the final version of the article. Available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordAims and objectives To investigate the components of the Amalgamation of Marginal Gains (AMG) performance system to identify a set of principles that can be built into an innovative fundamental nursing care protocol. Background Nursing is urged to refocus on its fundamental care activities, but little evidence exists to guide practising nurses. Fundamental care is a combination of many small behaviours aimed at meeting a person's care needs. AMG is a successful system of performance management that focusses on small (or marginal) gains, and might provide a new delivery framework for fundamental nursing care. Design Qualitative interview study. Methods We undertook in depth interviews with healthcare and sports professionals experienced in AMG. We analysed data using open coding in a Framework Analysis, then interrogating the data using Normalisation Process Theory (NPT). We triangulated findings with AMG literature to develop an intervention logic model. Results We interviewed 20 AMG practitioners. AMG processes were: focusing on many details to optimise performance, identification of marginal gains using different sources, understanding current versus optimum performance, monitoring at micro and macro level, and strong leadership. Elements of normalisation were; whole team belief in AMG to improve performance, a collective desire for excellence using evidence based actions, whole team engagement to identify choose and implement changes, and individual and group responsibility for monitoring performance. Conclusions We have elicited the processes described by AMG innovators in healthcare and sport and have mapped the normalisation potential and work required to embed such a system into nursing practice.This is an independent research study funded by a UK National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Programme Development Grant (RP-DG-1214-10001) and a NIHR Senior Investigator award to DAR. DAR and VG are also supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula

Morita therapy for depression and anxiety (Morita Trial): study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Published onlineJournal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tThis is the final version of the article. Available from BioMed Central via the DOI in this record.BACKGROUND: Morita Therapy, a psychological therapy for common mental health problems, is in sharp contrast to established western psychotherapeutic approaches in teaching that undesired symptoms are natural features of human emotion rather than something to control or eliminate. The approach is widely practiced in Japan, but untested and little known in the UK. A clinical trial of Morita Therapy is required to establish the effectiveness of Morita Therapy for a UK population. However, a number of methodological, procedural and clinical uncertainties associated with such a trial first require addressing. METHODS/DESIGN: The Morita Trial is a mixed methods study addressing the uncertainties associated with an evaluation of Morita Therapy compared with treatment as usual for depression and anxiety. We will undertake a pilot randomised controlled trial with embedded qualitative study. Sixty participants with major depressive disorder, with or without anxiety disorders, will be recruited predominantly from General Practice record searches and randomised to receive Morita Therapy plus treatment as usual or treatment as usual alone. Morita Therapy will be delivered by accredited psychological therapists. We will collect quantitative data on depressive symptoms, general anxiety, attitudes and quality of life at baseline and four month follow-up to inform future sample size calculations; and rates of recruitment, retention and treatment adherence to assess feasibility. We will undertake qualitative interviews in parallel with the trial, to explore people's views of Morita Therapy. We will conduct separate and integrated analyses on the quantitative and qualitative data. DISCUSSION: The outcomes of this study will prepare the ground for the design and conduct of a fully-powered evaluation of Morita Therapy plus treatment as usual versus treatment as usual alone, or inform a conclusion that such a trial is not feasible and/or appropriate. We will obtain a more comprehensive understanding of these issues than would be possible from either a quantitative or qualitative approach alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN17544090 registered on 23 July 2015.The first author (HVRS) has a PhD fellowship award from the University of Exeter Medical School; DAR and JF are also funded by the University of Exeter Medical School and DAR, as a National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigator, receives additional support from the UK National Institute for Health Research South West Peninsula Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care. The AccEPT Clinic is funded by the National Health Service Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group and hosted by the University of Exeter’s Mood Disorders Centre. The Morita Trial is sponsored by the University of Exeter (contact details available on request). The sponsor and funding sources have had no role in the design of this study and will not have any role during its execution, analyses, interpretation of the data, or decision to submit results