Implementing a practical, bachelor’s-level design-based learning course to improve chemistry students’ scientific dissemination skills

\u3cp\u3eThis work presents an outline for a full-quartile design-based learning laboratory-based course suitable for final year Bachelor's students. The course has been run for 5 years in the department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. The course attempts to provide a complete laboratory experience for its students, including an authentic research project, experience in writing a research paper with realistic limitations of both space and time, and giving of a presentation appropriate for a scientific conference, finally culminating with a written exam, where the questions are based on the written reports and oral presentations of the other students, making the students also course teachers . This article will discuss both the successful aspects of the course and point out the areas that still need improvement and provides enough information as to allow the transfer of the methodology to other educational curricula.\u3c/p\u3

Renewable energy : better luminescent solar panels in prospect

Devices known as luminescent solar concentrators could find use as renewable-energy generators, but have so far been plagued by a major light-reabsorption effect. A new study offers a promising route to tackling this proble

Progress in luminescent solar concentrator research: solar energy for the built environment

This paper presents a concise review of recent research on the luminescent solar concentrator (LSC). The topics covered will include studies of novel luminophores and attempts to limit the losses in the devices, both surface and internal. These efforts include application of organic and inorganic-based selective mirrors which allow sunlight in but reflect emitted light, luminophores alignment to manipulate the emitted light path, and patterning of the dye layer. Finally, the paper will offer some possible ‘glimpses to the future’, and offer some additional research paths that could result in a device that could make solar energy a ubiquitous part of the built environment as sound barriers, bus stop roofs, awnings or siding tiles. Considering the reported efficiencies of the LSC are comparable to those reported for organic PVs, which are also being considered for use in the built environment, the results of the research on the LSC to date warrants more widespread attention

Reduction of escape cone losses in luminescent solar concentrators with cholesteric mirrors

The Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC) consists of a transparent polymer plate containing luminescent particles. Solar cells are connected to one or more sides of the polymer plate. Part of the light emitted by the luminescent particles\u3cbr/\u3eis guided towards the solar cells by total internal reflection. About 25% of the dye emission is typically emitted within the optical escape cone of the matrix material and is lost due to emission from the top. We study the application of selectively-reflective cholesteric layers to reduce these losses. We have implemented these mirrors in the ray-tracing model for the LSC. The simulations show that an optimum in performance can be obtained by selecting an appropriate centre wavelength of the cholesteric mirror.\u3cbr/\u3eExternal Quantum Efficiency measurements were performed on LSC devices with a mc-Si, GaAs or InGaP cell and a dichroic mirror. This mirror shows a similar behavior as the cholesteric mirror. The results show that for a 5x5 cm2 LSC\u3cbr/\u3ethe mirror does improve the EQE in the absorption range of the dye

Toxicity (n = 379).

1<p>3D-CRT  =  Three dimensional conformal radiotherapy.</p>2<p>IMRTseq  =  Sequential intensity modulated radiotherapy.</p>3<p>IMRT+SIB  =  Intensity modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost.</p>4<p>RT  =  radiotherapy.</p

Dual-responsive “smart” window and visually attractive coating based on a diarylethene photochromic dye

Controlling the intensity and manipulating the spectral composition of sunlight are critical for many devices including “smart” windows, greenhouses, and photomicroreactors, but these are also important in more decorative applications. Here, we use a diarylethene dye incorporated in a liquid crystal host to create a dual-responsive “smart” window regulated both by an electrical trigger and by specific wavelengths of light. By incorporating the same diarylethene dye in a polymerizable host and using inkjet printing, coatings can be made with complete freedom in the applied pattern design, although the electrical response is lost. The color change of the diarylethene dye can be controlled in simulated sunlight by concurrent light exposure from an LED source, allowing a manual override for outdoor use. Photoluminescence of the closed isomer of the diarylethene from the light guide edges could be used for lighting or electricity generation in a luminescent solar concentrator architecture

Measured efficiency of a luminescent solar concentrator PV module called Leaf Roof

\u3cp\u3eA functional prototype of a luminescent solar concentrator photovoltaic (LSC PV) module, called Leaf Roof, aims at demonstrating the design features of LSC PV technologies such as coloring, transparency, and flexibility in physical shape. In this paper, the prototype is presented and the first measurements of its performance are shown. The geometrical gain of this new type of PV module is 3.6. For two types of Leaf Roof modules, I- V curves have been measured resulting in efficiencies of 5.8% for a red-colored PV module, and 5.5% for a green-colored PV module under similar conditions. These results demonstrate colorful, robust solar energy collectors which can be produced in a wide variety of shapes are viable, attractive devices for use in building integrated systems. Additionally, thanks to the use of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as a cell encapsulant, the Leaf Roof modules are less susceptible to energy losses at elevated temperatures due to high irradiance and high ambient temperature conditions.\u3c/p\u3

Infrared regulating smart window based on organic materials

Windows are vital elements in the built environment that have a large impact on the energy consumption in indoor spaces, affecting heating and cooling and artificial lighting requirements. Moreover, they play an important role in sustaining human health and well-being. In this review, we discuss the next generation of smart windows based on organic materials which can change their properties by reflecting or transmitting excess solar energy (infrared radiation) in such a way that comfortable indoor temperatures can be maintained throughout the year. Moreover, we place emphasis on windows that maintain transparency in the visible region so that additional energy is not required to retain natural illumination. We discuss a number of ways to fabricate windows which remain as permanent infrared control elements throughout the year as well as windows which can alter transmission properties in presence of external stimuli like electric fields, temperature and incident light intensity. We also show the potential impact of these windows on energy saving in different climate conditions

Visual performance of red luminescent solar concentrating windows in an office environment

The luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) could provide a colorful and adaptable complement to standard silicon solar panels, allowing easier deployment solar energy systems in the urban environment. In order to successfully implement this technological innovation into the built environment, it should also complement the surrounding architecture and be visually acceptable to the user. One prominent feature of the LSC is its bright, fluorescent coloration. Since the devices can be transparent, this opens the possibility of employing the LSC as a power-generating window. Current research on LSCs focused on the energy efficiency and on the theoretical impact on users. So far, the impact of such a colored window on the inhabitants (or users) in spaces using these windows has been largely unexplored. In this work, we study the impact of a red LSC on the visual comfort and impression of volunteer participants. We made the interesting observation that a window covered 25% by an LSC is judged favorably when compared to a normal, clear glass window. Such a window could become a local source of electrical power from sunlight while simultaneously improving the well-being of the room inhabitants