Behaviors of photovoltaic cells illuminated by a laser of different operation modes.

The ultimate capability of light-electricity conversion of a laser with different operation modes in a typical photovoltaic (PV) cell was investigated for the technologic concept of laser power transmission (LPT). The quasi-linear correlation between the maximum allowable laser power density and the pulsed laser power percentage (PPP) of the combined dual lasers was found experimentally on a tri-junction GaAs PV cell. At the same time, the patterns of thermomechanical damage in the PV cells were characterized.

Long-term exposure to copper induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in mouse hearts.

Copper is a trace element necessary for the normal functioning of organisms, but excessive copper contents may be toxic to the heart. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of excessive copper accumulation in mitochondrial damage and cell apoptosis inhibition. In vivo, the heart copper concentration and cardiac troponin I (c-TnI) and N-terminal forebrain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) levels increased in the copper-laden model group compared to those of the control group.

Microstructure Dependence of Effective Thermal Conductivity of EB-PVD TBCs.

Microstructure dependence of effective thermal conductivity of the coating was investigated to optimize the thermal insulation of columnar structure electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD coating), considering constraints by mechanical stress. First, a three-dimensional finite element model of multiple columnar structure was established to involve thermal contact resistance across the interfaces between the adjacent columnar structures. Then, the mathematical formula of each structural parameter was derived to demonstrate the numerical outcome and predict the effective thermal conductivity.