I-CYP binding sites) was determinedafter 24 hours of isoproterenol treatment and ex-pressed as the percentage of receptor number as-sessed in nonstimulated cells. Where necessary,MG132 (20 mM) or lactacystin (20 mM) mixed inserum-free media was added to cells 1 hour beforestimulation.16. P. van Kerkhof, R. Govers, C. M. Alves dos Santos, G. J.Strous,

https://cml.harvard.edu/assets/science294_1313.pdf

Logic Gates and Computation from Assembled Nanowire Building Blocks

http://cmliris.harvard.edu/assets/science291_851.pdf

Functional Nanoscale Electronic Devices Assembled Using Silicon Nanowire Building Blocks

In recent years, photovoltaic cell technology has grown extraordinarily as a sustainable source of energy, as a consequence of the increasing concern over the impact of fossil fuel-based energy on global warming and climate change. The different photovoltaic cells developed up to date can be classified into four main categories called generations (GEN), and the current market is mainly covered by the first two GEN. The 1GEN (mono or polycrystalline silicon cells and gallium arsenide) comprises well-known medium/low cost technologies that lead to moderate yields. The 2GEN (thin-film technologies) includes devices that have lower efficiency albeit are cheaper to manufacture. The 3GEN presents the use of novel materials, as well as a great variability of designs, and comprises expensive but very efficient cells. The 4GEN, also known as “inorganics-in-organics”, combines the low cost/flexibility of polymer thin films with the stability of novel inorganic nanostructures (i.e., metal nanoparticles and metal oxides) with organic-based nanomaterials (i.e., carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives), and are currently under investigation. The main goal of this review is to show the current state of art on photovoltaic cell technology in terms of the materials used for the manufacture, efficiency and production costs. A comprehensive comparative analysis of the four generations is performed, including the device architectures, their advantages and limitations. Special emphasis is placed on the 4GEN, where the diverse roles of the organic and nano-components are discussed. Finally, conclusions and future perspectives are summarized.

Materials for Photovoltaics: State of Art and Recent Developments

A comprehensive review on counter electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells: A special focus on Pt-TCO free counter electrodes

Boosting the efficiency of aqueous solar cells: A photoelectrochemical estimation on the effectiveness of TiCl4 treatment

The paper presents the possibility of using Al2O3 antireflection coatings deposited by atomic layer deposition ALD. The ALD method is based on alternate pulsing of the precursor gases and vapors onto the substrate surface and then chemisorption or surface reaction of the precursors. The reactor is purged with an inert gas between the precursor pulses. The Al2O3 thin film in structure of the finished solar cells can play the role of both antireflection and passivation layer which will simplify the process. For this research 50×50 mm monocrystalline silicon solar cells with one bus bar have been used. The metallic contacts were prepared by screen printing method and Al2O3 antireflection coating by ALD method. Results and their analysis allow to conclude that the Al2O3 antireflection coating deposited by ALD has a significant impact on the optoelectronic properties of the silicon solar cell. For about 80 nm of Al2O3 the best results were obtained in the wavelength range of 400 to 800 nm reducing the reflection to less than 1%. The difference in the solar cells efficiency between with and without antireflection coating was 5.28%. The LBIC scan measurements may indicate a positive influence of the thin film Al2O3 on the bulk passivation of the silicon.

https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/phys.2014.12.issue-9/s11534-014-0500-9/s11534-014-0500-9.xml

Silicon solar cells with Al2O3 antireflection coating

Graphene-based layers deposited onto flexible substrates: Used in dye-sensitized solar cells as counter electrodes

Magnesium alloys have been investigated as temporary biomaterials for orthopedic applications. Despite their high osseointegration and mechanical (bone-like) properties, Mg alloys quickly degrade in simulated physiological media. Surface coatings can be deposited onto Mg alloys to slow the corrosion rate of these biomaterials in chloride-rich environments. TiO2 films show high potential for improving the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys. This article presents the structural observations and corrosion behavior of TiO2 thin films deposited onto a MgCa2Zn1Gd3 alloy using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Surface morphologies were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman analysis of the deposited TiO2 films was also carried out. The corrosion behavior of the uncoated alloy and the alloy coated with TiO2 was measured in Ringer’s solution at 37 °C using electrochemical and immersion tests. The microscopic observations of the TiO2 thin films with a thickness of about 52.5 and 70 nm showed that the surface morphology was homogeneous without visible defects on the TiO2 surface. The electrochemical and immersion test results showed that the thin films decreased the corrosion rate of the studied Mg-based alloy, and the corrosion resistance was higher in the thicker TiO2 film.

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/11/1/70/pdf

Structure and Corrosion Behavior of TiO2 Thin Films Deposited by ALD on a Biomedical Magnesium Alloy

One of the important research directions in the field of photovoltaics is integration with construction. The integration of solar cell systems with a building can reduce installation costs and help optimize the used space. Among the few literature reports on photovoltaic roof tiles, solutions with silicon and thin film solar cells dominate. An interesting solution may be the application of dye-sensitized solar cells. In addition to their interesting properties, they also have aesthetic value. In the classic arrangement, they are constructed using glass with a transparent conductive layer (TCL). This article describes replacing a classic glass counter electrode with an electrode based on a ceramic tile and nickel foil. First, a continuous and homogeneous fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) thin film was developed so that the above-mentioned substrate could be applied. The atomization method was used for this purpose. Then, nanocolloidal platinum paste was deposited as a catalytic material using the screen printing method. The electrical parameters of the manufactured DSSCs with and without a counter electrode tile were characterized by measuring their current–voltage characteristics under standard AM 1.5 radiation. A dye-sensitized solar cell integrated with ceramic tiles and nickel foil was produced and displayed an efficiency of over 4%. This solution makes it possible to expand their construction applications. The advantage of this solution is full integration with construction, while simultaneously generating electricity. A dye-sensitized solar cell was built layer-by-layer on a ceramic tile and nickel foil.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell for Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Applications.

J. Weszka a,b, M.M. Szindler a,*, M. Chwastek-Ogierman b, M. Bruma c, P. Jarka a, B. Tomiczek a a Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Konarskiego 18a, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland b Department of Physics, Center of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. M. Curie-Sklodowska 34, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland c Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Aleea Gr. Ghica Voda 41A, Iasi, Romania * Corresponding author: E-mail address: magdalena.szindler@polsl.pl Received 15.11.2011; published in revised form 01.12.2011

Magdalena M. Szindler

Papers

Silicon solar cells with Al2O3 antireflection coating

Graphene-based layers deposited onto flexible substrates: Used in dye-sensitized solar cells as counter electrodes

Structure and Corrosion Behavior of TiO2 Thin Films Deposited by ALD on a Biomedical Magnesium Alloy

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell for Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Applications.

Surface morphology of thin films polyoxadiazoles