Ruxandra Vidu

Hybrid solar cells: basic principles and the role of ligands

For the last decade, researchers have attempted to construct photovoltaic (PV) devices using a mixture of inorganic nanoparticles and conjugated polymers. The goal is to construct layers that use the best properties of each material e.g., flexibility from the polymer and high charge mobility from the nanoparticles or blue absorbance from the polymer complementing red absorbance from the nanoparticles. This critical review discusses the main obstacles to efficient hybrid organic/inorganic PV device design in terms of contributions to the external and internal quantum efficiencies. We discuss in particular the role that ligands on the nanoparticles play for mutual solubility and electronic processes at the nanoscale. After a decade of work to control the separation distance between unlike domains and the connectivity between like domains at the nanoscale, hybrid PV device layers are gaining in efficiency, but the goal of using the best properties of two mixed materials is still elusive.

Nanostructures: a platform for brain repair and augmentation

Nanoscale structures have been at the core of research efforts dealing with integration of nanotechnology into novel electronic devices for the last decade. Because the size of nanomaterials is of the same order of magnitude as biomolecules, these materials are valuable tools for nanoscale manipulation in a broad range of neurobiological systems. For instance, the unique electrical and optical properties of nanowires, nanotubes, and nanocables with vertical orientation, assembled in nanoscale arrays, have been used in many device applications such as sensors that hold the potential to augment brain functions. However, the challenge in creating nanowires/nanotubes or nanocables array-based sensors lies in making individual electrical connections fitting both the features of the brain and of the nanostructures. This review discusses two of the most important applications of nanostructures in neuroscience. First, the current approaches to create nanowires and nanocable structures are reviewed to critically evaluate their potential for developing unique nanostructure based sensors to improve recording and device performance to reduce noise and the detrimental effect of the interface on the tissue. Second, the implementation of nanomaterials in neurobiological and medical applications will be considered from the brain augmentation perspective. Novel applications for diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases such as multiple sclerosis, meningitis, stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimers disease, schizophrenia, and autism will be considered. Because the blood brain barrier (BBB) has a defensive mechanism in preventing nanomaterials arrival to the brain, various strategies to help them to pass through the BBB will be discussed. Finally, the implementation of nanomaterials in neurobiological applications is addressed from the brain repair/augmentation perspective. These nanostructures at the interface between nanotechnology and neuroscience will play a pivotal role not only in addressing the multitude of brain disorders but also to repair or augment brain functions.

Template-based syntheses for shape controlled nanostructures

A variety of nanostructured materials are produced through template-based synthesis methods, including zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, and two-dimensional structures. These span different forms such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes, nanoflakes, and nanosheets. Many physical characteristics of these materials such as the shape and size can be finely controlled through template selection and as a result, their properties as well. Reviewed here are several examples of these nanomaterials, with emphasis specifically on the templates and synthesis routes used to produce the final nanostructures. In the first section, the templates have been discussed while in the second section, their corresponding synthesis methods have been briefly reviewed, and lastly in the third section, applications of the materials themselves are highlighted. Some examples of the templates frequently encountered are organic structure directing agents, surfactants, polymers, carbon frameworks, colloidal sol-gels, inorganic frameworks, and nanoporous membranes. Synthesis methods that adopt these templates include emulsion-based routes and template-filling approaches, such as self-assembly, electrodeposition, electroless deposition, vapor deposition, and other methods including layer-by-layer and lithography. Template-based synthesized nanomaterials are frequently encountered in select fields such as solar energy, thermoelectric materials, catalysis, biomedical applications, and magnetowetting of surfaces.

Phospholipid bilayers on a polyion-alkylthiol layer pair: microprobe imaging, electrochemical properties and peptide association

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of successive layers and peptide insertion in supported mobile phospholipid bilayers on polyion/alkylthiol layer pairs are reported. The morphology of each layer observed in a step-by-step adsorption process is correlated with electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry (CV)) and surface plasmon spectroscopy (SPR) results. The insulating properties of long-chain and short-chain alkylthiol layers are associated with a continuous layer and domain formation, respectively. The multilayer surface morphology is quantitatively characterized using roughness measurements for a large set of data involving root-mean-square roughness (RMS). Since the AFM observation with atomic and molecular resolution requires very flat and wide terraces to monitor the adsorption process, it is very important that initial surface morphology and roughness is known. Peptide association with the lipid membrane was studied by high resolution AFM in liquid, where pore formation was demonstrated for protegrin transmembrane insertion. The association of peptides with supported lipid bilayer of various compositions is discussed in terms of mobility and membrane permeability to charge transfer through the formation of pores.

Effects of Silicon Carbide Proportion and Artificial Aging Parameters on Microstructure and Hardness of Al-Cu/SiCp Composites

The purpose of these researches was to determine the effect of silicon carbide particles (SiCp) proportion and the effect of some process parameters (temperatures and times of aging) on characteristics of Al-Cu/SiCp composites obtained by P/M route. The age-hardened composites and un-reinforced alloys solution treated at 515 ± 5°C, maintaining time 360 minutes, quenched in water and artificial aging at 150-190o C during respectively 240-720 minutes/ furnace cooled, were tested from hardness and microstructural point of view. The effect of SiCp proportion in matrix during cold compaction was observed on densification curves of all experimental powders mixtures Al-4Cu/ (5, 10, 15 and 20) wt.%SiC. The composites were analyzed using optical and electron microscopy (including ESEM-Enviromental Scanning Electron Microscopy), in terms of shape and size of grains, pores, ceramic particles, second phases and precipitates.

Densification Mechanism, Elastic-Plastic Deformations and Stress-Strain Relations of Compacted Metal-Ceramic Powder Mixtures (Review)

Abstract The basic purpose of compaction is to obtain a green compact with sufficient strength to withstand further handling operations. The strength of green compact is influenced by the characteristics of the powders (apparent density, particle size and shape, internal pores etc.), the processing parameters (applied force, pressing type, and temperature) and testing conditions (strain rate etc.) Successful powder cold compaction is determined by the densification and structural transformations of powders (metallic powders, ceramic powders and metal-ceramic powder mixtures) during the compaction stages. In this paper, for understanding the factors that determine a required strength of compacted metal-ceramic powder mixtures, we present the densification mechanisms of different mixtures according to densification theories of compaction, the elastic-plastic deformations of mixture powders, the stressstrain relations and the relaxation behavior of compacted metal-ceramic composite parts and the particularities of each of them.

Compaction Behaviour Modelling of Metal-Ceramic Powder Mixtures. A Review

Abstract Powder mixtures compaction behavior can be quantitatively expressed by densification equations that describe the relationship between densities - applied pressure during the compaction stages, using correction factors. The modelling of one phase (metal/ceramic) powders or two-phase metal-ceramic powder composites was studied by many researchers, using the most commonly compression equations (Balshin, Heckel, Cooper and Eaton, Kawakita and Lüdde) or relative new ones (Panelli - Ambrózio Filho, Castagnet-Falcão- Leal Neto, Ge Rong-de, Parilák and Dudrová, Gerdemann and Jablonski. Also, for a better understanding of the consolidation process by compressing powder blends and for better prediction of compaction behavior, its necessary the modeling and simulation of the powder pressing process by computer numerical simulation. In this paper are presented the effect of ceramic particles additions in metallic matrix on the compressibility of composites made by P/M route, taking into account (a) the some of above mentioned powder compression equations and also (b) the compaction behavior modeling through finite element method (FEM) and discrete element modeling (DEM) or combined finite/ discrete element (FE/DE) method.

Synthesis and characterization of dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles

Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with a large molar weight dextran for environmental applications are reported. The first experiments involved the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles which were coated with dextran at different concentrations. The synthesis was performed by a co-precipitation technique, while the coating of iron oxide nanoparticles was carried out in solution. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. The results demonstrated a successful coating of iron oxide nanoparticles with large molar weight dextran, of which agglomeration tendency depended on the amount of dextran in the coating solution. SEM and TEM observations have shown that the iron oxide nanoparticles are of about 7 nm in size.

Porous Metallic Biomaterials Processing (Review) Part 1: Compaction, Sintering Behavior, Properties and Medical Applications

Abstract Over the last few decades, researchers has been focused on the study of processing using different methods of new biocompatible and/or biodegradable materials such as permanent or temporary medical implants in reconstructive surgery. The advantages of obtaining biomedical implants by Powder Metallurgy (P/M) techniques are (i) obtaining the near-net-shaped with complex forms, (ii) making materials with controlled porosity or (iii) making mechanically resistant sintered metallic materials used as reinforcing elements for ceramic/polymeric biocompatible materials. In this first part of the 2-part review, the most used and newest metallic biomaterials obtained by P/M methods are presented, along with their compaction and sintering behavior and the properties of the porous biomaterials studied in correlation with the biomedical domain of application.

Effect of Nanoparticles Shape on the Efficiency of Hybrid Solar Cells

In recent years, the solar cell research interest has been focused on hybrid solar cells that use the advantage of mixed active layer such as semiconductor nanoparticles and polymeric organic materials. The goal of the solar research groups is to increase the efficiency of solar cells, their lifetime and cost of fabrication. For example, the solar cells based on silicon has long lifetime, good efficiency, but high fabrication costs. Solar market shows a great interest in hybrid solar cells due to their increased yield, extended lifetime compared to organic cells, and ease in fabrication with great potential in reducing the manufacturing costs. In this paper, the effect of various nanostructures on the performance of hybrid solar cells was studied. A relationship between the nanoparticle shapes and solar cell efficiency was developed, which showed that the aspect ratio of nanoparticles was an important factor in designing solar cells with improved efficiency.