Titanium oxide Films Prepared by Sputtering, Sol Gel and Dip Coating Methods for Photovoltaic Application

AbstractDye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) without using transparent conducting oxides (TCO) electrode can be produced at much lower cost with a flexible structure. A new type of DSCs using flexible stainless steel mesh sheets based electrode is reported in this research. The working electrode of DSCs is processed with conductive and flexible stainless mesh coated with metal oxides (TiO2) layer either by sputtering, sol gel or dip coating methods. Structures of the TCO-less DSCs sample is a stainless mesh for working electrode/dye sensitized TiO2 layer/liquid type electrolyte with polymer film/Pt doped Ti plate for counter electrode. The metal oxide coated stainless mesh sample showed higher photo-current conversion efficiency in general. The best cell performance in this experiment showed the efficiency of 3.11% (Voc = 0.58V, Jsc = 11.98mA/cm2, ff = 0.45)

Facile synthesis of metal-free organic dyes featuring a thienylethynyl spacer for dye sensitized solar cells

In this article, we report the facile synthesis of metal-free dyes 6 and 7, their solution-based optical and redox properties and their use as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Our studies indicate that the addition of the second thiophene unit in dye 7, decreases the oxidation and reduction potential and consequently the band gap of the molecule compared to 6. Furthermore, increasing the length of the conjugated spacer also affects on the properties of the DSSCs, with dye 7 providing a higher power conversion efficiency compared to 6 (η = 4.49 versus 3.23%)

Long-term clinical course of a patient with mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB

Mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III) is a rare genetic disorder caused by lysosomal storage of heparan sulfate. MPS IIIB results from a deficiency in the enzyme alpha-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAGLU). Affected patients begin showing behavioral changes, progressive profound mental retardation, and severe disability from the age of 2 to 6 years. We report a patient with MPS IIIB with a long-term follow-up duration. He showed normal development until 3 years. Subsequently, he presented behavioral changes, sleep disturbance, and progressive motor dysfunction. He had been hospitalized owing to recurrent pneumonia and epilepsy with severe cognitive dysfunction. The patient had compound heterozygous c.1444C>T (p.R482W) and c.1675G>T (p.D559Y) variants of NAGLU. Considering that individuals with MPS IIIB have less prominent facial features and skeletal changes, evaluation of long-term clinical course is important for diagnosis. Although no effective therapies for MPS IIIB have been developed yet, early and accurate diagnosis can provide important information for family planning in families at risk of the disorder

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Therapy for a Massive Polycystic Liver in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients

Polycystic liver is the most common extra-renal manifestation associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), comprising up to 80% of all features. Patients with polycystic liver often suffer from abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia, or dyspnea; however, there have been few ways to relieve their symptoms effectively and safely. Therefore, we tried transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), which has been used in treating hepatocellular carcinoma. We enrolled four patients with ADPKD in Seoul National University Hospital, suffering from enlarged polycystic liver. We embolized the hepatic arteries supplying the dominant hepatic segments replaced by cysts using polyvinyl alcohol particles and micro-coils. The patients were evaluated 12 months after embolization for the change in both liver and cyst volumes. Among four patients, one patient was lost in follow up and 3 patients were included in the analysis. Both liver (33%; 10%) and cyst volume (47.7%; 11.4%) substantially decreased in two patients. Common adverse events were fever, epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. We suggest that TAE is effective and safe in treating symptomatic polycystic liver in selected ADPKD patients

High performance dye sensitized solar cells by adding titanate co-adsorbant

The open circuit voltage and the short circuit current density of dye sensitized solar cells were increased by adding a titanate co-adsorbant as a blocking agent. This blocking agent effectively prevents back electron transfer. As a result, DSSCs with titanate co-adsorbant showed significantly increased energy conversion efficiency.close0

Highly interconnected ordered mesoporous carbon-carbon nanotube nanocomposites: Pt-free, highly efficient, and durable counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

We report the preparation of highly interconnected ordered mesoporous carbon-carbon nanotube nanocomposites which show Pt-like dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) efficiency and remarkable long-term durability as DSSC counter electrodes.close413

A Proposal of New Reference System for the Standard Axial, Sagittal, Coronal Planes of Brain Based on the Serially-Sectioned Images

Sectional anatomy of human brain is useful to examine the diseased brain as well as normal brain. However, intracerebral reference points for the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes of brain have not been standardized in anatomical sections or radiological images. We made 2,343 serially-sectioned images of a cadaver head with 0.1 mm intervals, 0.1 mm pixel size, and 48 bit color and obtained axial, sagittal, and coronal images based on the proposed reference system. This reference system consists of one principal reference point and two ancillary reference points. The two ancillary reference points are the anterior commissure and the posterior commissure. And the principal reference point is the midpoint of two ancillary reference points. It resides in the center of whole brain. From the principal reference point, Cartesian coordinate of x, y, z could be made to be the standard axial, sagittal, and coronal planes