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Showing papers in "Materials Science Forum in 2013"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The HEMS beamline at PETRA III has a main energy of 120 keV, is tunable in the range 30-200 keV and optimized for sub-micrometer focusing with Compound Refractive Lenses.
Abstract: The HEMS beamline at PETRA III has a main energy of 120 keV, is tunable in the range 30-200 keV, and optimized for sub-micrometer focusing with Compound Refractive Lenses. Design, construction, and main funding was the responsibility of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, HZG. Approximately 70 % of the beamtime is dedicated to Materials Research, the rest reserved for “general physics” experiments covered by DESY, Hamburg. The beamline P07 in sector 5 consists of an undulator source optimized for high energies, a white beam optics hutch, an in-house test facility and three independent experimental hutches, plus additional set-up and storage space for long-term experiments. HEMS has partly been operational since summer 2010. First experiments are introduced coming from (a) fundamental research for the investigation of the relation between macroscopic and micro-structural properties of polycrystalline materials, grain-grain-interactions, recrystallisation processes, and the development of new & smart materials or processes; (b) applied research for manufacturing process optimization benefitting from the high flux in combination with ultra-fast detector systems allowing complex and highly dynamic in-situ studies of microstructural transformations, e.g. in-situ friction stir welding; (c) experiments targeting the industrial user community.

169 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the formation of annealing twins in a 304L austenitic stainless steel is examined in relation to the thermo-mechanical history using an in-situ annesaling device and EBSD.
Abstract: Understanding of the mechanisms of annealing twin formation is fundamental for grain boundary engineering. In this work, the formation of annealing twins in a 304L austenitic stainless steel is examined in relation to the thermo-mechanical history. The behaviour of annealing twins of various morphologies is analysed using an in-situ annealing device and EBSD. The results confirm that there is a synergistic effect of prior strain level on annealing twin density generated during recrystallization. The higher the prior strain level, the higher the velocity of grain boundary migration and the higher the annealing twin density in the recrystallized grains. This effect decreases as the recrystallization fraction increases. The existing mathematical models (Pande's model and Gleiter's model), which were established to predict annealing twin density in the grain growth regime, can not predict this phenomenon.

64 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the stability of nanofluid suspensions has been investigated in the context of industrial heat transfer fluid systems and their dispersion stability has not been well addressed in the literature.
Abstract: It has long been established that a suspension of nanosized solid particles in liquids provide useful advantages in industrial heat transfer fluid systems. Numerous investigations on nanofluids show a significant enhancement in thermal conductivity over the base fluid in which these nanoparticles are dispersed. However, the stability of the suspension is critical in the development and application of these new kind of heat transfer fluids. Rather, high discrepancy in the published data for the same nanoparticles on the physical and thermal characteristics of nanofluids is primarily due to different methods adopted by different researchers to obtain stable nanofluids. Sedimentation and agglomeration of nanoparticles in nanofluids and their dispersion stability has not been well addressed in the literature. Hence, there is a need to establish a standard method of preparation of these nanofluids so as to obtain a unified data which can eventually be utilized for the application of nanofluids. This chapter focuses on the stability of nanofluids prepared via two step process. Different parameters that affect the stability of nanofluids have been discussed. Different techniques that have been used for the evaluation of the stability characteristics of nanofluids have been elucidated.

53 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a developing CMOS manufacturing process using a 4H SiC substrate has been used to fabricate a range of simple logic and analogue circuits and is intended for power control and mixed signal sensor interface applications.
Abstract: Silicon Carbide devices are capable of operating as a semiconductor at high temperatures and this capability is being exploited today in discrete power components, bringing system advantages such as reduced cooling requirements [1]. Therefore there is an emerging need for control ICs mounted on the same modules and being capable of operating at the same temperatures. In addition, several application areas are pushing electronics to higher temperatures, particularly sensors and interface devices required for aero engines and in deep hydrocarbon and geothermal drilling. This paper discusses a developing CMOS manufacturing process using a 4H SiC substrate, which has been used to fabricate a range of simple logic and analogue circuits and is intended for power control and mixed signal sensor interface applications [2]. Test circuits have been found to operate at up to 400°C. The introduction of a floating capacitor structure to the process allows the use of switched capacitor techniques in mixed signal circuits operating over an extended temperature range.

51 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the rate-limiting process of 4H-SiC solution growth using Si-Cr based melt, and have tried high-speed growth.
Abstract: In this study, we have investigated the rate-limiting process of 4H-SiC solution growth using Si-Cr based melt, and have tried high-speed growth. It is revealed that the rate-limiting process of SiC growth under our experimental condition is interface kinetics, which can be controlled by such factors as temperature and supersaturation of carbon. By enhancing the interface kinetics, SiC crystal has been grown at a high rate of 2 mm/h. The FWHM values of X-ray rocking curves and threading dislocation density of the grown crystals are almost the same as those of seed crystal. Possibility of high-speed and high-quality growth of 4H-SiC has been indicated.

44 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors have observed the as-grown SiC-epi wafer surface and two kinds of epitaxial surface defect, Trapezoid-shape and Bar-shape defects, were confirmed with confocal microscope.
Abstract: Time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) measurement of MOS capacitors on an n-type 4 ° off-axis 4H-SiC(0001) wafer free from step-bunching showed specific breakdown in the Weibull distribution plots. By observing the as-grown SiC-epi wafer surface, two kinds of epitaxial surface defect, Trapezoid-shape and Bar-shape defects, were confirmed with confocal microscope. Charge to breakdown (Qbd) of MOS capacitors including an upstream line of these defects is almost the same value as that of a Wear-out breakdown region. On the other hand, the gate oxide breakdown of MOS capacitors occurred at a downstream line. It has revealed that specific part of these defects causes degradation of oxide reliability. Cross-sectional TEM images of MOS structure show that gate oxide thickness of MOS capacitor is non-uniform on the downstream line. Moreover, AFM observation of as-grown and oxidized SiC-epitaxial surfaces indicated that surface roughness of downstream line becomes 3-4 times larger than the as-grown one by oxidation process.

42 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the potential for the phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated land by trees is reviewed and the research progress of this concept can be applied and improved.
Abstract: It is known that heavy metals are taken up and translocated by plants to different degrees. Phytoremediation, the use of plants to decontaminate soil by taking up heavy metals, shows considerable promise as a low-cost technique and has received much attention in recent years. However, its application is still very limited due to low biomass of hyperaccumulators, unavailability of the suitable plant species and long growing seasons required. Therefore, to maximize phytoextraction efficiency, it is important to select a fast-growing and high-biomass plant with high uptake of heavy metals, which is also compatible with mechanized cultivation techniques and local weather conditions. Trees in particular have a number of attributes (e.g. high biomass, economic value), which make them attractive plants for such a use. This paper reviews the potential for the phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated land by trees. In summary, we present the research progress of phytoremediation by trees and suggest ways in which this concept can be applied and improved.

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A conceptual as well as state-of-the-art review of titanium dioxide photocatalysis for water purification has been discussed in this article, where the authors have proposed a new water purifier based on advanced oxidation processes (AOPs).
Abstract: To overcome the water pollution problems, and to meet stringent environmental regulations, scientist and researchers have been focusing on the development of new water purification processes. One such group of new technologies is advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Among the AOPs, titanium dioxide photocatalysis has been widely studied on lab scale by the researchers for decontamination of drinking water. In the present chapter, a conceptual as well as state-of-art review of titanium dioxide photocatalysis for water purification has been discussed.

36 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a 1 cm2, 15 kV SiC p-GTO with an extremely low differential on-resistance (RON,diff) of 4.08 mΩ•cm2 at a high injection-current density (JAK) of 600 ~ 710 A/cm2 was reported.
Abstract: In this paper, we report our recently developed 1 cm2, 15 kV SiC p-GTO with an extremely low differential on-resistance (RON,diff) of 4.08 mΩ•cm2 at a high injection-current density (JAK) of 600 ~ 710 A/cm2. The 15 kV SiC p-GTO was built on a 120 μm, 2×1014/cm3 doped p-type SiC drift layer with a device active area of 0.521 cm2. Forward conduction of the 15 kV SiC p-GTO was characterized at 20°C and 200°C. Over this temperature range, the RON,diff at JAK of 600 ~ 710 A/cm2 decreased from 4.08 mΩ•cm2 at 20°C to 3.45 mΩ•cm2 at JAK of 600 ~ 680 A/cm2 at 200°C. The gate to cathode blocking voltage (VGK) was measured using a customized high-voltage test set-up. The leakage current at a VGK of 15 kV were measured 0.25 µA and 0.41 µA at 20°C and 200°C respectively.

34 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an n-type base layer with a retrograde doping profile and additional wet re-oxidation annealing (wet-ROA) was used in the gate oxidation process.
Abstract: We fabricated and characterized an ultrahigh voltage (>10kV) p-channel silicon carbide insulated gate bipolar transistor (SiC-IGBT) with high channel mobility. Higher field-effect channel mobility of 13.5 cm2/Vs was achieved by the combination of adopting an n-type base layer with a retrograde doping profile and additional wet re-oxidation annealing (wet-ROA) at 1100°C in the gate oxidation process. The on-state characteristics of the p-channel SiC-IGBT at 200°C showed the low differential specific on-resistance of 24 mΩcm2 at VG = -20 V. The forward blocking voltage of the p-channel SiC-IGBT at 25°C was 10.2 kV a the leakage current density of 1.0 μA/cm2.

33 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Nathalie Bozzolo1, Andrea Agnoli1, Nadia Souaï1, Marc Bernacki1, Roland E. Logé1 
TL;DR: In this paper, the second phase particles are involved in the phenomenon, since they obviously do not hinder the motion of some boundaries, but the key parameter is here the stored energy difference between adjacent grains.
Abstract: Under certain circumstances abnormal grain growth occurs in Nickel base superalloys during thermomechanical forming. Second phase particles are involved in the phenomenon, since they obviously do not hinder the motion of some boundaries, but the key parameter is here the stored energy difference between adjacent grains. It induces an additional driving force for grain boundary migration that may be large enough to overcome the Zener pinning pressure. In addition, the abnormal grains have a high density of twins, which is likely due to the increased growth rate.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the results of modeling heat distribution in the weld area and active shielding gas outflow from the traditional and double-jet welding torch nozzles were provided. And they showed that under certain conditions the electrode-metal drop and heat distribution were influenced by the active shield gas jet.
Abstract: Controlling the processes, which take place during consumable-electrode shield-gas welding, is one of the main problems of the welding industry. The paper shows that under the certain conditions the electrode-metal drop and heat distribution in the weld area are influenced by the active shielding gas jet. The paper provides the results of modeling heat distribution in the weld area and active shielding gas outflow from the traditional and double-jet welding torch nozzles.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the effect of oxidation to the defect forming by density functional theory (DFT) and found carbon defect structure that completely different from in the present report.
Abstract: Our message is oxidation process must be minimized as possible. Many carbon-related defect structures are reported in SiC/SiO2 interface. In this paper, we investigated the effect of oxidation to the defect forming by density functional theory (DFT). In the result, we found carbon defect structure that completely different from in the present report. This defect structure has carbon-carbon single bond with no dangling bond. To see the forming process, compressive strain from inserted oxygen atoms induce the rearrangement of structure and cause C-C defect structure. We can know that this structure is formed with energy gain about 3.8eV. And this C-C defect induces trap state under the conduction bottoms.

Journal ArticleDOI
Ibram Ganesh1
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the literature related to the direct uses of CO2 and its conversion into various value added chemicals including high energy density liquid fuels such as methanol.
Abstract: This article reviews the literature related to the direct uses of CO2 and its conversion into various value added chemicals including high energy density liquid fuels such as methanol. The increase in the direct uses of CO2 and its conversion into potential chemical commodities is very important as it directly contributes to the mitigation of CO2 related global warming problem. The method being followed at present in several countries to reduce the CO2 associated global warming is capturing of CO2 at its major outlets using monoethanolamine based solution absorption technique followed by storing it in safe places such as, oceans, depleted coal seams, etc., (i.e., carbon dioxide capturing and storing in safe places, CCS process). This is called as CO2 sequestration. Although, the CCS process is the most understood and immediate option to mitigate the global warming problem, it is considerably expensive and has become a burden for those countries, which are practicing this process. The other alternative and most beneficial way of mitigating this global warming problem is to convert the captured CO2 into certain value added bulk chemicals instead of disposing it. Conversion of CO2 into methanol has been identified as one of such cost effective ways of mitigating global warming problem. Further, if H2 is produced from exclusively water using only solar energy instead of any fossil fuel based energy, and is used to convert CO2 into methanol there are three major benefits: i) it contributes greatly to the global warming mitigation problem, ii) it greatly saves fossil fuels as methanol production from CO2 could be an excellent sustainable and renewable energy resource, and iii) as on today, there is no better process than this to store energy in a more convenient and highly usable form of high energy density liquid fuel. Not only methanol, several other potential chemicals and value added chemical intermediates can be produced from CO2. In this article, i) synthesis of several commodity chemicals including poly and cyclic-carbonates, sodium carbonate and dimethyl carbonate, carbamates, urea, vicinal diamines, 2-arylsuccinic acids, dimethyl ether, methanol, various hydrocarbons, acetic acid, formaldehyde, formic acid, lower alkanes, etc., from CO2, ii) the several direct uses of CO2, and iii) the importance of producing methanol from CO2 using exclusively solar energy are presented, discussed and summarized by citing all the relevant and important references.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the use of geopolymers as matrix in composites with syntactical fibers has been studied and proposed in the literature, however, there are no researches about the use OFM as matrix for composites of natural fibers.
Abstract: The use of geopolymers as matrix in composites with syntactical fibers have been studied and proposed in the literature. Nonetheless, for the best know of the authors, there are no researches about the use of geopolymers as matrix in composites with natural fibers. The use of natural fibers is increasing in the automotive industries. One of the problems to expand the use of natural fibers in composite materials is the low fire resistance of the classical type of polymers. In this sense, geopolymeric matrices open up horizons for this type of application. This paper studies composites with geopolymeric matrices reinforced with two types of natural fibers: sisal (Agave Sisalana) and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF-Ananas Comosus). The mechanical properties of these new composites are investigated by mechanical tests. The results confirm the increasing in the mechanical performance whenever the fibers are under traction stress.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the doping profile of the embedded p-type epitaxial region between the trenches is evaluated by a scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM), which reveals that there exists a low concentration region along the trench side-wall, and two-dimensional device simulations are performed using pn-type test structures with the non-uniform SJ drift layer.
Abstract: We have tried to fabricate a super junction (SJ) structure in SiC semiconductors by the trench-filling technique. After the deep trench formation by dry etching, epitaxial layer is grown over the trench surface. Doping profile of the embedded p-type epitaxial region between the trenches is evaluated by a scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM). The SSRM result reveals that the doping profile is not uniform and there exists a low concentration region along the trench side-wall. Based on the SSRM result, two-dimensional device simulations are performed using pn-type test structures with the non-uniform SJ drift layer. The simulation result shows that blocking voltage of the test structure can be optimized and becomes comparable to that of the ideal one by adjusting the concentration design of the embedded layer to balance the total charge in SJ structure.

Journal ArticleDOI
Abstract: Texture evolution during static primary recrystallization of an austenitic Fe-28Mn-0.28C TWIP steel was analyzed. The cold-rolled material, which showed a Brass-type texture at medium (30% and 50%), and additionally a γ-fiber at high (80%) deformation degrees, was subjected to isothermal annealing at 700°C. The influence of rolling degree/starting texture on the development of particular texture components was studied. After recrystallization a weakened, retained rolling texture was observed for the examined reduction levels. In addition to the deformation components, Brass and Goss, further α-fiber components were formed mainly by annealing twinning leading to the development of this fiber.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Wollastonite, CaSiO3 material was prepared from rice husk ash, as the source for SiO2 and limestone, source for CaO using sol-gel method as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Wollastonite, CaSiO3 material was prepared from rice husk ash, as the source for SiO2 and limestone, source for CaO using sol-gel method. Rice husk ash and CaO powder was mixed together in 100ml distilled water with the rice husk ash/CaO ratios of 45:55 and 40:60. The mixed solution was place in the autoclave and heated at 135°C for 4 hours and calcined at 950°C for 1 and 2 hours. From the XRD results,ratio of 45:55 exhibited that b-wollastonite is the major phase and the minor phase is only contributed by cristoballite and by calcining the mixture for 2hrs would yield better crystallinity. Both of the rice husk ash:CaO ratios produced wollastonite materials in cylinder structures. Wollastonite with nano size grain was obtained for an hour calcination and 2 hrs of calcination would increase the grain size over 100 nm for ratio, 45:55 and 40:60.Therefore in order to get the nano size of wollastonite material, period of calcination process has to be controlled.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The most successful dyes are based on ruthenium bipyridyl compounds, which are characterized by a large absorption coefficient in the visible part of the solar spectrum, good adsorption properties, excellent stability, and efficient electron injection.
Abstract: The molecular dye is an essential component of the Dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC), and improvements in efficiency over the last 15 years have been achieved by tailoring the optoelectronic properties of the dye. The most successful dyes are based on ruthenium bipyridyl compounds, which are characterized by a large absorption coefficient in the visible part of the solar spectrum, good adsorption properties, excellent stability, and efficient electron injection. However, ruthenium-based compounds are relatively expensive, and organic dyes with similar characteristics and even higher absorption coefficients have recently been reported; solar cells with efficiencies of up to 9% have been reported. Organic dyes with a higher absorption coefficient could translate into thinner nanostructured metal oxide films, which would be advantageous for charge transport both in the metal oxide and in the permeating phase, allowing for the use of higher viscosity materials such as ionic liquids, solid electrolytes or hole conductors. Organic dyes used in the DSSC often bear a resemblance to dyes found in plants, fruits, and other natural products, and several dye-sensitized solar cells with natural dyes have been reported. This paper gives an over-view of the recent works in DSSC using the natural dyes as chromophores.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the structural and textural properties of photocatalysts were investigated using X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy to study the porosity, surface area and equivalent surface free energy of different Mg-Mn ferrites.
Abstract: MgxMn1-xFe2O4 (x = 00, 02, 04, 05, 06 08 and 10) spinel ferrite system was synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation route Subsequent characterization of synthesized Mg-Mn ferrites was carried out by X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy to study the structural and textural properties of photocatalysts Porosity, surface area and equivalent surface free energy of different Mg-Mn ferrite photocatalysts were calculated The photocatalytic activity of synthesized photocatalysts was evaluated by degradation of nitrobenzene in aqueous medium under ultraviolet light irradiation The results demonstrated that the percentage degradation of nitrobenzene was decreased with increase in Mg concentration (x) from x = 00 05 and further increase in concentration from x = 06 10 results increase in percentage degradation of NB This dissimilarity in the percentage degradation of NB may be due to the change in grain morphology, optical energy band gap, role played by d-electrons and porosity as a function of Mg-substitution for Mn2+ in the system The percentage degradation was further confirmed by chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a Ti-25Ni-25Cu (at.%) alloy was obtained by the melt spinning technique as amorphous-crystalline ribbons with a thickness of approximately 40 μm.
Abstract: Recently we reported on the development of a composite material exhibiting reversible shape memory effect. A Ti–25Ni–25Cu (at.%) alloy was obtained by the melt spinning technique as amorphous–crystalline ribbons with a thickness of approximately 40 μm. The thickness of the amorphous and crystalline layers (dа and dc, respectively) was varied by electrochemical polishing. It has been ascertained that with varying the relationship dc/dа the martensite transformation and shape-recovery temperatures do not actually change, while the minimum radius of the ribbon bending decreases from 8.0 mm to 2.4 mm with increasing the relationship dc/dа from 0.33 to 1.40. The maximum reversible strain comprises 0.4% at dc/dа = 0.82. On the basis of experimental data obtained the phenomenological description, providing an explanation for nature of the phenomena taking place in the rapidly quenched amorphous-crystalline ribbon composite, has been proposed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) of sizes 5 to 10 nm were synthesized by the co-precipitation method and they were coated with silica nanoparticles using sonication method.
Abstract: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) of sizes 5 to10 nm were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. They are coated with silica nanoparticles using sonication method. The SPION was produced under the optimum pH of 10, peptized in acidic medium and redispersed in water. The silica nanoparticles were produced through the Stobermethod. Sonochemical coating of silica nanoparticle on the SPION was successfulat a pH value lower than 5. Otherwise, at higher pH value (but lower than point zero charge (PZC)), the SPION were found to be unstable. Fast hydrolysis of triethoxyvinylsilane(TEVS) shows that silica forms its own particles without coating onto the surfaces of the SPION. Under optimized experimental condition, sonochemical method of coating silica nanoparticles onto the SPION can be considered as an alternative for effective and prompt method that rely mainly on pH of the suspension.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a low cost Ni-Fe-based wrought superalloy for 700 advance ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants was developed, and the stability of microstructure and mechanical properties of this alloy during long-term thermal exposure was investigated by SEM,TEM and tensile tests.
Abstract: A low cost Ni-Fe-based wrought superalloy for 700 advance ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants was developed. The stability of microstructure and mechanical properties of this alloy during long-term thermal exposure was investigated by SEM,TEM and tensile tests. The experimental results showed that the major precipitates in the alloy were spherical γ, MC and discrete M23C6 distributing along grain boundary after the long-term exposure at 700 and 750 and no harmful phases, such as σ phase and η phase, were found. However, after exposure at 800 up to 3000 h, small amount of lath-like η phase precipitated at grain boundary by consuming the surrounding γ. The η phase exhibited a fixed orientation relationship with the γ matrix. During thermal exposure γ coarsened with increasing the exposure time and exposure temperature. In addition, all major phases and their stability temperature ranges were calculated by JMatPro and these results were confirmed by the experimental results. The 700 tensile tests revealed that the alloy after exposure at 700 and 750 for 3000 h exhibited excellent ductility and strength. Therefore, the GH984G alloy possessed excellent stability of microstructure and mechanical properties between 700 and 750 up to 3000 h, and it is a promising material for 700 advance ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors characterized MOS devices fabricated on 4H-SiC (0-33-8) face and showed that the field effect channel mobility obtained from lateral MOSFET was 80 cm2/Vs, in spite of a high p-well concentration of 5x1017 cm-3.
Abstract: In this paper, we characterized MOS devices fabricated on 4H-SiC (0-33-8) face. The interface state density of SiO2/4H-SiC(0-33-8) was significantly low compared to that of SiO2/4H-SiC(0001). The field-effect channel mobility obtained from lateral MOSFET (LMOSFET) was 80 cm2/Vs, in spite of a high p-well concentration of 5x1017 cm-3 (implantation). The double implanted MOSFET (DMOSFET) fabricated on 4H-SiC(0-33-8) showed a specific on-resistance of 4.0 mΩcm2 with a blocking voltage of 890 V.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the volume fraction, size, morphology and distribution of retained austenite need to be controlled in order to achieve the required mechanical properties, control of the processing parameters affecting the microstructure development is essential.
Abstract: Advances in the development of new high strength steels have resulted in microstructures containing significant volume fractions of retained austenite. The transformation of retained austenite to martensite upon straining contributes towards improving the ductility. However, in order to gain from the above beneficial effect, the volume fraction, size, morphology and distribution of the retained austenite need to be controlled. In this regard, it is well known that carbon concentration in the retained austenite is responsible for its chemical stability, whereas its size and morphology determines its mechanical stability. Thus, to achieve the required mechanical properties, control of the processing parameters affecting the microstructure development is essential.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, fibres and complex three-dimensional scaffolds of a covalently linked graphene-polycaprolactone composite were successfully extruded and printed using a melt extrusion printing system.
Abstract: In this work fibres and complex three-dimensional scaffolds of a covalently linked graphene-polycaprolactone composite were successfully extruded and printed using a melt extrusion printing system. Fibres with varying diameters and morphologies, as well as complex scaffolds were fabricated using an additive fabrication approach and were characterized. It was found that the addition of graphene improves the mechanical properties of the fibres by over 50% and in vitro cytotoxicity tests showed good biocompatibility indicating a promising material for tissue engineering applications.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the forming behavior of in-situ Al-TiC composites was investigated by comparing microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast, forged and rolled specimens.
Abstract: The forming behaviour of in-situ Al-TiC composites was investigated by comparing microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast, forged and rolled specimens. The microstructures of forged and rolled specimens reveal uniform distribution of the TiC particles, which are responsible for the enhancement of the tensile strength of the composite. The formed samples were found to be crack free. This feature is very likely to be due to good interface bonding of uniformly dispersed sub-micron size TiC particles with the Al matrix.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was used as a sensitizer to fabricate dye-sensitive solar cells (DSC), which were arranged in a sandwich structure consisting of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) as a transparent conducting oxide (TCO), titanium dioxide (TiO2) layer, beta-carotene dye, iodide/tri-iodide redox electrolyte, and carbon layer as a counter electrode.
Abstract: Beta-carotene dye which is extracted from daucus carota material was used as sensitizer to fabricate dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). DSSCs were arranged in a sandwich structure consisting of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) as a transparent conducting oxide (TCO), titanium dioxide (TiO2) layer, beta-carotene dye, iodide/tri-iodide redox electrolyte, and carbon layer as a counter electrode. Beta-carotene dye has an absorbance in wavelength zones from 415 to 508 nm. Meanwhile, it has the largest photoconductivity of 28.3×10-4 and 8.2×10-4 (Ω.m)-1 in dark and bright conditions, respectively. Moreover, the photoelectrochemical performance of the DSSC based on beta-carotene dye showed that the maximum voltage of 23.9×10-2 V and the maximum current of 3.3×10-5 A. However, the photo-to-electric conversion efficiency of this DSSC was very low i.e. 12.5×10-4 %.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the manufacturing parameters that affect the die attach: atmosphere, drying time, heating ramp rate, sintering temperature and duration, and found that Sintering under air gives better results, but causes the substrates to oxidize.
Abstract: Pressureless silver sintering is an interesting die-attach technique that could overcome the reliability limitations of the power electronic devices caused by their packaging. In this paper, we study the manufacturing parameters that affect the die attach: atmosphere, drying time, heating ramp rate, sintering temperature and duration. It is found that sintering under air gives better results, but causes the substrates to oxidize. Sintering under nitrogen keeps the surfaces oxide-free, at the cost of a weaker attach.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used step-flow growth and spiral growth to reduce threading screw dislocation without polytype transformation from 4H-SiC seed crystal to achieve high quality SiC crystal growth.
Abstract: Reduction of threading screw dislocation without polytype transformation from 4H-SiC was performed by the combination of step-flow growth and spiral growth. On a vicinal 4H-SiC seed crystal, threading screw dislocations are converted to Frank-type stacking faults by step-flow during solution growth. As the growth proceeds, the defects are excluded to the crystal. Thus utilizing the conversion, high quality SiC crystal growth without threading screw dislocations is expected to achieve. However, at the same time, polytype transformation is caused by the occurrence of 2D nucleation. By using the special shape of seed crystal, we successfully grew high quality 4H-SiC crystal without threading screw dislocation and polytype transformation.