National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

About: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology is a government organization based out in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Thin film. The organization has 22114 authors who have published 65856 publications receiving 1669827 citations. The organization is also known as: Sangyō Gijutsu Sōgō Kenkyū-sho.

Thiophene-Functionalized Coumarin Dye for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Electron Lifetime Improved by Coadsorption of Deoxycholic Acid

Abstract: This paper reports a new coumarin dye, 2-cyano-3-(5-{2-[5-(1,1,6,6-tetramethyl-10-oxo-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1H,4H,10H-11-oxa-3a-aza-benzo[de]anthracen -9-yl)-thiophen-2-yl]-vinyl}-thiophen-2-yl)-acrylic acid (NKX-2700), and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Under illumination of simulated AM1.5G solar light (100 mW cm-2) with an aperture black mask, 5.0% of power conversion efficiency [short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) = 12.0 mA cm-2, open-circuit photovoltage (Voc) = 0.59 V, and fill factor (FF) = 0.71] was obtained for NKX-2700 based DSSC, which was significantly improved to 8.2% (Jsc = 15.9 mA cm-2, Voc = 0.69 V, FF = 0.75) upon addition of 120 mM deoxycholic acid (DCA) to the dye solution for TiO2 sensitization. Coadsorption of DCA decreased dye coverage by ∼50% but significantly improved the Jsc by 33%. The breakup of π-stacked aggregates might improve electron injection yield and thus Jsc. Electrochemical impedance data indicate that the electron lifetime was improved by coa...

Semiconductor spintronics

Abstract: We review recent progress made in the field of semiconductor spintronics, a branch of semiconductor electronics where both charge and spin degrees of freedom play an important role in realizing unique functionalities. We first describe the new spin-dependent phenomena found in semiconductors including carrier-induced ferromagnetism in III-V compounds, followed by an account of our current understanding of such spin-dependent phenomena. Then we summarize the challenges the semiconductor spintronics has to meet in order for it to be a success as "electronics".

Semiconductor quantum dots and metal nanoparticles: syntheses, optical properties, and biological applications

Abstract: We review the syntheses, optical properties, and biological applications of cadmium selenide (CdSe) and cadmium selenide-zinc sulfide (CdSe-ZnS) quantum dots (QDs) and gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs). Specifically, we selected the syntheses of QDs and Au and Ag NPs in aqueous and organic phases, size- and shape-dependent photoluminescence (PL) of QDs and plasmon of metal NPs, and their bioimaging applications. The PL properties of QDs are discussed with reference to their band gap structure and various electronic transitions, relations of PL and photoactivated PL with surface defects, and blinking of single QDs. Optical properties of Ag and Au NPs are discussed with reference to their size- and shape-dependent surface plasmon bands, electron dynamics and relaxation, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The bioimaging applications are discussed with reference to in vitro and in vivo imaging of live cells, and in vivo imaging of cancers, tumor vasculature, and lymph nodes. Other aspects of the review are in vivo deep tissue imaging, multiphoton excitation, NIR fluorescence and SERS imaging, and toxic effects of NPs and their clearance from the body.

CH/π hydrogen bonds in organic and organometallic chemistry

Abstract: This treatise is an update to a preceding highlight (CH/π hydrogen bonds in crystals) published in this journal 5 years ago (M. Nishio, CrystEngComm, 2004, 6, 130–156). After the introductory part (sections 1 and 2), we survey recent results (mostly since 2004) relevant to the CH/π hydrogen bond: crystal conformation, packing and host/guest chemistry (section 3). Section 4 summarizes the results obtained by crystallographic database (CSD and PDB) analyses. In section 5, several topics in related fields (selectivity in organic reactions, surface chemistry, structural biology, drug design and high-level ab initio calculations of protein/substrate complexes and natural organic compounds) are introduced, and in the final part we comment on the prospects of this emerging field of chemistry.