Comparative study of boron doped micro/nanocrystalline diamond (BDD/BDND) electrodes was performed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements (EIS). The morphological and structural characterizations of BDD/BDND films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The films were grown with different boron amounts added in the feed gas. The boron source for BDND was smaller in concentration than that for BDD sample. Nonetheless, differential capacitance (Mott-Schottky plots) and heterogeneous charge transfer constant results showed similar doping level for both electrodes. This behavior indicated the high efficiency to dope nanocrystalline diamond films.

Cast metal inlays have overall characteristics unavailable in any other restorative procedure, including low restoration wear, low wear of opposing teeth, lack of breakage, burnishability, malleability, and proven long term service. They replace missing teeth structures, without doing anything to reinforce the remaining structures. Stress concentrations can manifest themselves in various forms of failures. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of preparation design on stress distribution in molars with different class II preparations and restored with cast metal inlays.

3D models of premolars and molars were created: intact teeth, unrestored teeth with class II preparations with different tapers (between 0 and 10 degree); the same teeth restored with metalic inlays. The geometries of the intact teeth were obtained by 3D scanning using a manufactured device. With Rhinoceros modeling program the preparations and the appropriately inlays were designed. These were exported in Ansys finite element analysis software for structural simulations. Stresses were registred around the occlusal contact areas. For the studied cases, the stress values were not significant influenced by the taper of the preparation. In the teeth restored with cast metal inlays, the von Mises equivalent stress values were similar to those in the intact tooth.

From biomechanical point of view, it was demonstrated that class II cast metal inlays on posterior teeth restore the original strength of the teeth. Taking into account the other characteristics of these restorations, they remain the standard of care for long-term rehabilitations. A taper between 0 and 10 degree of the preparation is not decisive for the stress values.

Alloy 22 is considered as a candidate for engineered barriers of nuclear repositories. Chloride is the only species present in groundwater that is able to promote crevice corrosion, if severe conditions such as high temperatures and a tight crevice are present. Other species present in groundwater have been shown to be inhibitors or non-detrimental species. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of different species potentially found in groundwaters as possible inhibitors of crevice corrosion of Alloy 22. The crevice corrosion repassivation potential of Alloy 22 was determined in chloride plus inhibitor solutions at 90ºC. The species tested as inhibitors were nitrate, sulfate, carbonate, bicarbonate, chromate, molybdate and tungstate. Nitrate was the most efficient among tested inhibitors. The carbonate was the only species of the carbonate / bicarbonate / carbonic acid equilibrium able to inhibit the chloride-induced crevice corrosion of Alloy 22. Sulfate, chromate and molybdate were moderately good inhibitors.

It is well discussed about biological effect to high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal and known that the biofilm is considered to be the uncertain factor to estimate for migration of radioactive elements. The objective of this research is to estimate the microbial effect of Cs migration in groundwater interacted with rock surface. Specially, we focus on Cs behavior at the rock surface surrounded by biofilm. The most important factor is the Cs sorption and diffusion to the microbe and/or their biofilm. Generation of bio-colloid absorbed with Cs and retardation of Cs by their matrix diffusion in rock will be influenced by these phenomena. We introduce about scenario analysis for biofilm and a simple Cs diffusion test with and without sulfur reducing bacteria (SRB) which is well known as easy to produce biofilm on the rock surface in order to clarify the existence effect of the bacteria at the rock surface. The Cs diffusion experiment, using Desulfovivrio desullfuricans as SRB, indicated that microbial effect was less to through their biofilm in the experimental condition. We consider that Cs is easy to contact the rock surface even if surrounded biofilm and not effect to retardation by matrix diffusion scenario.

Metal-assisted chemical etching is a simple and low-cost silicon nanowire fabrication method which allows control of nanowire diameter, length, shape and orientation. In this work, we fabricated well-ordered silicon nanowire array by patterning gold thin film by nanosphere lithography and etching single crystalline silicon wafer by metal-assisted chemical etching technique. We investigated relation between etched solution concentration and nanowire morphology, wafer crystal orientation, etching rate. This well-ordered silicon nanowires arrays have the potential applications in many fields but especially next generation energy related applications from solar cells to lithium-ion batteries.

We report on the use of in-situ small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique to study the phase behavior of hydrogen confined in narrow pores of ultramicroporous carbon (UMC) with a very large surface area (2630 m2/g) and pore volume (1.3 cm3/g). The effect of pore size and pressure on hydrogen adsorbed on UMC at room temperature and pressures up to ∼200 bar were investigated. In a previous experiment, we have measured the density of adsorbed H2 gas in the nanopores and mesopores of polyfurfuryl alcohol-derived activated carbon (PFAC) by SANS technique. Here, a comparative SANS study between the UMC and PFAC was conducted in order to further investigate the densification of H2 as a function of pore size and pressure. Initial results suggest that the density of confined H2 in both UMC and PFAC is considerably higher than that of the bulk hydrogen gas. The density is systematically higher in the narrow pores and decreases with increasing pore size. These results clearly demonstrate the advantage of adsorptive storage over compressed gas storage and emphasize the greater efficiency of micropores over mesopores in the adsorption process, which can be used to guide the development of new carbon adsorbents tailored for maximum H2 storage capacities at near-ambient temperatures.

ZnO was electrochemically grown on ITO coated polyethylene (PET) substrate. By sandwiching the electrolyte (sodium para-toluene sulfonate) with so grown ZnO/ITO/PET substrate with another ITO/Plastic substrate, a transparent ZnO based flexible PV cells was fabricated. The efficiency of 0.3% was obtained when shined under UV light. It was concluded that there will be a significant trade-off between with its performance although the optical transparency is very attractive.

Cerium in various chemical forms was introduced into NaAlH4 to study the hydrogen sorption properties of the resulted material. Although all the Ce precursors tested in this work resulted in a reversible hydrogen storage material, an immediate enhancement in the desorption kinetics could be achieved by a heating treatment, resulting in the in situ formation of cerium aluminide (CeAl4) in the material. While the use of CeAl4 instead of CeCl3 can increase the hydrogen capacity by bypassing the formation of the ineffective NaCl, the highest capacity of 4.9 wt% was obtained from NaAlH4 doped directly with commercial metallic cerium, which may provide a much simplified process for a possible up-scaling preparation of this hydrogen storage material.

Deposition conditions that provided low absorption related to both band tail and deep localized states have been found for both materials Ge:H and Si1YGeY:H. Phosphorous incorporation on Si0.01Ge0.99:H films and boron incorporation on Ge:H films were deposited by low frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (LF PECVD). The phosphorous incorporation in solidphase was observed to preferential with the increase of the doping in the gas phase to 2.5 %, and 2.5% to 4% was observed preferential Si0.01Ge0.99 film, boron incorporation in solid phase increase linearly with the increase of the doping gas phase. The content of solid phase was characterized by Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) profiling. Hydrogen concentration in the films was determined from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and SIMS measurements. Optical measurements provided optical gap, localized states, and band tail. A significant reduction of both band tail and deep localized states were observed at boron incorporation in solid phase = 0.004% on Ge:H films and the same were observed at phosphorous incorporation in solid phase = 0.29% on Si0.01Ge0.99:H films.

Security imaging systems working with crystalline silicon CCD or CMOS detectors are not able to distinguish colorimetrically between a large number of dangerous chemical substances, for example whitish powders [1]. In order to offer an alternative to expensive and destructive chemical methods of analysis, we developed optimized hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) multicolor photodiodes with different spectral response characteristics for a reliable, fast, cheap and non-destructive identification of potentially dangerous substances. Experimental optical, C-V and I-V studies were performed to explore the effect of combining linear graded a‑SiC:H-/a‑SiGe:H layers with low-reflective ZnO:Al back-contacts. Typically, a-Si:H with profiled energy gaps can be found in tandem solar cells to optimize the collection of incoming photons [2,3]. We determined the absorption coefficients of a group of a-SiC:H and a-SiGe:H graded and non-graded layers to calculate the penetration depth of photons at different energies into the device structure. Knowing the indices of absorption, refraction and extinction, it is possible to engineer diodes in such a way that accumulations of charge carriers are generated precisely at varying device depths. Common chromium back reflectors avoid a sharp falling edge of the sensitivity towards longer wavelengths and lead to interference fringes in the spectral response [4]. By combining linear graded absorption zones and ZnO:Al back contacts, we designed an optimized device with a highly precise adjustment of the spectral sensitivity reaching from 420 nm to 560 nm and reduced interference fringes at a very low reverse bias voltage of maximum -2.5 V. Similar three terminal devices allow a shift from 440 nm to 630 nm, however, at a much higher reverse bias of -11 V at 560 nm [4]. Present research efforts concentrate on the development of fast and high dynamic front illumination device structures which ensure a continuous narrow-band shift of the spectral photosensitivity and an optimum adaption to a predetermined light source-/sample measurement configuration.

A process has been developed at AWE for the immobilisation of halide containing wastes arising from the reprocessing of plutonium. Initially, the wastes are calcined with a calcium phosphate to form a number of target host phases, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and apatite for the immobilisation of actinides, and apatite and spodiosite for halide.

These mineral phases are then mixed with a glass binder, cold pressed and sintered to form a monolithic waste form. Two glass binders GTI/168, a sodium alumino phosphate glass and GTI/206, a sodium calcium phosphate glass were compared to optimise the halide retention in the waste-form. Analysis from powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that neither glass stabilises spodiosite. However, GTI/206 glass retains 10 wt.% more apatite and results in a much smaller proportion of the non-chloride bearing whitlockite phase than GTI/168.

In all compositions where GTI/168 glass was used as a sintering aid, the sodium deficient and calcium enriched glass was present as an amorphous matrix phase.

The insertion of nanostructured materials (such as quantum wells, wires, and dots) into the intrinsic region of p-i-n solar cells introduces an intermediate band within the bandgap of the host material. It has been shown that the sub-bandgap conversion provided by the nanostructured materials, enhances the short circuit current as well as the overall efficiency of InAs quantum dots (QD) imbedded in GaAs superlattice (SL) solar cells [1]. As a contender for space applications, it is necessary to subject these solar cell structures to temperatures encountered in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO), probing for any material degradation. Herein, we focus on temperature dependent characterization using high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) of InAs QD enhanced GaAs solar cell structures with varying growth parameters. The structures characterized can be classified into three groups: (1) GaP strain compensation coverage, (2) GaAs barrier coverage, and (3) InAs coverage for QD formation. HRXRD rocking curves of each structure focusing around the GaAs peak are analyzed at a range of temperatures up to 200˚C. Although no noticeable shifts in the SL peaks are detected, interfacial diffusion decreased the resolution of fringes produced by reflections at the SL interfaces in test structures with varying InAs QD coverage. Unbalanced strain in the same structures shows a distortion in the GaAs peaks.

Yearly, there are over six million cataract surgeries worldwide that involve intraocular lenses (IOLs) [1]. However, preventing post-operative biofouling of these lenses remains a challenge. One major complication is post-operative bacterial infection [2]. Surface modification of IOLs may provide a solution. This study proposes the use of the anti-adhesive protein lubricin (LUB), a glycoprotein found in the synovial fluid, as a means to make polymer surfaces less prone to bacterial adhesion and proliferation, thus reducing the opportunity for post-operative infection [3]. This study used extended bacteria growth trials in the presence of lubricin, vitronectin, and mucin to investigate how lubricin and protein sub-regions of lubricin reduce bacterial functions. This study showed for the first time that polymer surface coatings of lubricin and vitronectin significantly reduce Staphylococcus aureus growth over the course of 15 hours, while mucin was only able to delay the start of the Staphylococcus aureus exponential growth phase and retard proliferation. In solution, both lubricin and mucin significantly reduce bacterial proliferation. Thus, the results of this study demonstrated that lubricin and its sub-regions mucin and vitronectin should be studied for a wide range of antibacterial applications.

We report on a direct measurement of electrical potential and field profiles across the n-i-p junction of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) solar cells, using the nanometer-resolution potential imaging technique of scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM). It was observed that the electric field is nonuniform across the i layer. It is much higher in the p/i region than in the middle and the n/i region, illustrating that the i layer is actually slightly n-type. A measurement on a nc-Si:H cell with a higher oxygen impurity concentration shows that the nonuniformity of the electric field is much more pronounced than in samples having a lower O impurity, indicating that O is an electron donor in nc-Si:H materials. This nonuniform distribution of electric field implies a mixture of diffusion and drift of carrier transport in the nc-Si:H solar cells. The composition and structure of these nc-Si:H cells were further investigated by using secondary-ion mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The effects of impurity and structural properties on the electrical potential distribution and solar cell performance are discussed.

Two LaBS glasses containing 9.5 wt.% (#1) and 5.0 wt.% PuO2 (#2) were prepared by melting in Pt ampoules at 1500 C and examined by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The bulk of sample #1, both as-prepared and stored for 3 yrs, was amorphous with homogeneous PuO2 distribution. Sample #2, especially after storage for 2-3 yrs, was partly devitrified primarily in the near-surface area. As followed from X-ray elemental maps, the vitreous phase was enriched with Al and Si whereas larger elongated and smaller dendrite crystals strongly enriched with rare earths (La, Nd, Gd) and Si and minor amounts of Hf may be attributed to britholite. A minor concentration of Pu was also observed in this phase. Moreover, relatively minor amounts of white regular crystals with high PuO2 and lower HfO2 contents were observed in the samples and are probably associated with PuO2 and a PuO2-HfO2 cubic solid solution phase. Nevertheless, even in devitrified areas of the samples, the majority of the Pu remained in the vitreous phase where it was homogeneously distributed.

This paper reports on the fabrication and characterization of thin-film nanocomposites comprised of tangled carbon nanotubes in a polymer matrix. The concentration of nanotubes in the polymer was significantly increased using detonation nanodiamonds. Nanodiamonds reduce the surface forces between the polymer and the nanotubes and mitigate the agglomeration problem of nanotubes in polymer. This resulted in thinner and more uniform networks that are efficient absorbers of infrared energy over a broad spectrum, ranging from the visible to the mid-wavelength infrared. An infrared absorbance of 97% was achieved for a 1.6 μm thick nanocomposite film across the spectral range of 714 nm to 5 μm. The films are mechanically and thermally stable up to 300 °C, and can be integrated with microbolometers to enhance their responsivity.

In last years, the carbon nanotubes have been studied as an advanced metal catalyst support for proton exchange membrane fuel cell. This study focuses on the sonochemical treatment of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a platinum supporting material for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) by mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid and mixture of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the surface of sonochemically treated MWCNT and nanostructured electrocatalyst Pt/MWCNT. According to the experimental results of this work, the surface of MWCNT can be more successfully functionalized with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups after sonochemical treatment by mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. The particle size of prepared Pt -electrocatalyst on MWCNT was determined 3.4 nm by XRD.

The effects of source field plates on AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor reliability under off-state stress conditions were investigated using step-stress cycling. The source field plate enhanced the drain breakdown voltage from 55V to 155V and the critical voltage for off-state gate stress from 40V to 65V, relative to devices without the field plate. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the degradation of the gate contacts. The presence of cracking that appeared on both source and drain side of the gate edges was attributed to the inverse piezoelectric effect. In addition, a thin oxide layer was observed between the Ni gate contact and the AlGaN layer, and both Ni and oxygen had diffused into the AlGaN layer. The critical degradation voltage of AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors during off-state electrical stress was determined as a function of Ni/Au gate dimensions (0.1-0.17μm). Devices with different gate length and gate-drain distances were found to exhibit the onset of degradation at different source-drain biases but similar electric field strengths, showing that the degradation mechanism is primarily field-driven. The temperature dependence of sub-threshold drain current versus gate voltage at a constant drain bias voltage were used to determine the trap densities in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) before and after the off-state stress. Two different trap densities were obtained for the measurements conducted at 300-493K and 493-573K, respectively.