Enabling high-efficiency InAs/GaAs Quantum Dot Solar Cells by Epitaxial Lift-Off and Light Management

We report thin-film InAs/GaAs QD solar cells fabricated by epitaxial lift-off of 3-inch wafers containing QD epi-structures with high in-plane QD density. External quantum efficiency measurements demonstrate enhanced QD harvesting in the thin-film configuration. Numerical simulations show that remarkably high increase of the QD photocurrent may be achieved by replacing the planar rear mirror with micro-structured photonic gratings. Measurements of diffraction efficiency of grating prototypes realized on GaAs wafers by nanoimprint lithography are presented

Integrating adverse effect analysis into environmental risk assessment for exotic generalist arthropod biological control agents: a three-tiered framework

Environmental risk assessments (ERAs) are required before utilizing exotic arthropods for biological control (BC). Present ERAs focus on exposure analysis (host/prey range) and have resulted in approval of many specialist exotic biological control agents (BCA). In comparison to specialists, generalist arthropod BCAs (GABCAs) have been considered inherently risky and less used in classical biological control. To safely consider exotic GABCAs, an ERA must include methods for the analysis of potential effects. A panel of 47 experts from 14 countries discussed, in six online forums over 12 months, scientific criteria for an ERA for exotic GABCAs. Using four case studies, a three-tiered ERA comprising Scoping, Screening and Definitive Assessments was developed. The ERA is primarily based on expert consultation, with decision processes in each tier that lead to the approval of the petition or the subsequent tier. In the Scoping Assessment, likelihood of establishment (for augmentative BC), and potential effect(s) are qualitatively assessed. If risks are identified, the Screening Assessment is conducted, in which 19 categories of effects (adverse and beneficial) are quantified. If a risk exceeds the proposed risk threshold in any of these categories, the analysis moves to the Definitive Assessment to identify potential non-target species in the respective category(ies). When at least one potential non-target species is at significant risk, long-term and indirect ecosystem risks must be quantified with actual data or the petition for release can be dismissed or withdrawn. The proposed ERA should contribute to the development of safe pathways for the use of low risk GABCAs

La difesa biologica dei castagneti: stabilità dell'ipovirulenza e prime indagini sugli antagonisti del Mal dell'inchiostro

This paper presents an experimental and theoretical study on the impact of doping and recombination mechanisms on quantum dot solar cells based on the InAs/GaAs system. Numerical simulations are built on a hybrid approach that includes the quantum features of the charge transfer processes between the nanostructured material and the bulk host material in a classical transport model of the macroscopic continuum. This allows gaining a detailed understanding of the several physical mechanisms affecting the photovoltaic conversion efficiency and provides a quantitatively accurate picture of real devices at a reasonable computational cost. Experimental results demonstrate that QD doping provides a remarkable increase of the solar cell open-circuit voltage, which is explained by the numerical simulations as the result of reduced recombination loss through quantum dots and defects

Publisher Correction to: Integrating adverse effect analysis into environmental risk assessment for exotic generalist arthropod biological control agents: a three-tiered framework (BioControl, (2021), 66, 1, (113-139), 10.1007/s10526-020-10053-8)

Due to typesetting errors, Table 5 was not displayed correctly in the initial online publication. The original online article has been corrected. © 2020, International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC). Correction to https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-020-10053-

Publisher Correction to: Integrating adverse effect analysis into environmental risk assessment for exotic generalist arthropod biological control agents: a three-tiered framework (BioControl, (2021), 66, 1, (113-139), 10.1007/s10526-020-10053-8)

Due to typesetting errors, Table 5 was not displayed correctly in the initial online publication. The original online article has been corrected. © 2020, International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC). Correction to https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-020-10053-