Stronger Coupling of Quantum Dots in Hole Transport Layer Through Intermediate Ligand Exchange to Enhance the Efficiency of PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells.

Nowadays, the extensively used lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dot (QD) hole transport layer (HTL) relies on layer-by-layer method to replace long chain oleic acid (OA) ligands with short 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) ligands for preparation. However, the inevitable significant volume shrinkage caused by this traditional method will result in undesired cracks and disordered QD arrangement in the film, along with adverse increased defect density and inhomogeneous energy landscape. To solve the problem, a novel method for EDT passivated PbS QD (PbS-EDT) HTL preparation using small-sized benzoic acid (BA) as intermediate ligands is proposed in this work.

Solar-pumped fiber laser using a solid-state luminescent solar collector.

We have developed a fully planar solar-pumped fiber laser using a solid-state luminescent solar collector (LSC). This laser does not use any focusing device, such as a lens or mirror; thus, it can lase without tracking the sun. Our developed device with an aperture of 30 cm emits 15 mW, corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 0.

Enhanced Hot-Phonon Bottleneck Effect on Slowing Hot Carrier Cooling in Metal Halide Perovskite Quantum Dots with Alloyed A-Site.

A deep understanding of the effect of the A-site cation cross-exchange on the hot-carrier relaxation dynamics in perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) has profound implications on the further development of disruptive photovoltaic technologies. In this study, the hot carrier cooling kinetics of pure FAPbI (FA , CH(NH ) ), MAPbI (MA , CH NH ), CsPbI (Cs , Cesium) and alloyed FA MA PbI , FA Cs PbI , and MA Cs PbI QDs are investigated using ultrafast transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. The lifetimes of the initial fast cooling stage (<1 ps) of all the organic cation-containing PQDs are shorter than those of the CsPbI QDs, as verified by the electron-phonon coupling strength extracted from the temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra.

Unraveling the Organic and Inorganic Passivation Mechanism of ZnO Nanowires for Construction of Efficient Bulk Heterojunction Quantum Dot Solar Cells.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire (NW) based lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs), i.e., bulk heterojunction QDSCs, have been widely investigated because of the excellent photoelectronic properties of PbS QDs and ZnO NWs.

Theoretical concentration limit and maximum annual optical efficiency of static/low-concentration CPV for horizontal integration to vehicle bodies.

This study proposes an extended theoretical formula to characterize the relationship between the geometrical concentration ratio C and arbitrary incidence-angle range to objectively understand the theoretical limit performance of vehicle-integrated concentrator photovoltaics (VICPVs), i.e., static and low-concentration CPVs installed on a horizontal surface.

Surface-Modified Graphene Oxide/Lead Sulfide Hybrid Film-Forming Ink for High-Efficiency Bulk Nano-Heterojunction Colloidal Quantum Dot Solar Cells.

Solution-processed colloidal quantum dot solar cells (CQDSCs) is a promising candidate for new generation solar cells. To obtain stable and high performance lead sulfide (PbS)-based CQDSCs, high carrier mobility and low non-radiative recombination center density in the PbS CQDs active layer are required. In order to effectively improve the carrier mobility in PbS CQDs layer of CQDSCs, butylamine (BTA)-modified graphene oxide (BTA@GO) is first utilized in PbS-PbX (X = I, Br) CQDs ink to deposit the active layer of CQDSCs through one-step spin-coating method.

Low-concentrated solar-pumped laser via transverse excitation fiber-laser geometry.

We demonstrate an extremely low-concentrated solar-pumped laser (SPL) using a fiber laser with transverse excitation geometry. A low concentration factor is highly desired in SPLs to eliminate the need for precise solar tracking and to considerably increase the practical applications of SPL technology. In this Letter, we have exploited the intrinsic low-loss property of silica fibers to compensate for the extremely low gain coefficient of the weakly pumped active medium.

Low-loss pigtail reflector for fiber lasers.

We demonstrate a low-loss pigtail reflector for a fiber laser comprising off-the-shelf components. A pigtail configuration has the advantage of easy alteration of the reflection properties, which is highly desired for basic studies and metrological applications. Our proposed reflector consists of a dielectric-coated bulk mirror and an Ferrule connector (FC)-type fiber receptacle, which are fixed with a machined holder such that the FC-type connector at the fiber end can be attached onto the mirror surface with an appropriate amount of pressure, which is essential for minimal reflection loss.

Calcium-promoted catalytic degradation of PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs under a mild wet process.

The authors achieved highly efficient degradation of polychlorinated aromatic compounds, including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and dioxin-like compounds such as coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (co-PCBs), which are known as persistent organic pollutants. Degradation was accomplished in 24 h through a simple stirring operation using safe and high workability metallic calcium, which acts as both a scavenger and a reducing agent, and Rh/C catalyst in an alcohol solution under mild conditions in a sealed tube at 25 degrees C without a temperature increase within 0.15 MPa of increasing internal pressure during the reaction.

Differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor and other spindle cell tumors in the gastrointestinal tract based on immunohistochemical analysis.

To confirm the usefulness of an immunohistochemical panel of antibodies for KIT (c-kit/CD117), CD34, desmin, smooth-muscle actin (SMA), h-caldesmon (HCD), S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and beta-catenin, 297 mesenchymal and peripheral nerve-sheath tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and intra-abdominal locations including 211 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), 12 leiomyomas, 18 leiomyosarcomas, 17 solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs), 14 schwannomas, and 25 desmoid-type fibromatoses (DTFs) were analyzed immunohistochemically. Consistent (100%) immunoreactivity for KIT, CD34, desmin and S-100, and nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin were detected in GISTs, SFTs, smooth-muscle tumors, schwannomas, and DTFs, respectively. Immunoreactivity for SMA, HCD, and NSE was observed in a wide range of these tumors.

Prediction of invasive activities in hepatocellular carcinomas with special reference to alpha-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the world's major malignancies, especially in Asian countries. To improve the prognosis of HCC, it is essential to predict its invasive behavior in both intra- and extra-hepatic modalities. For this purpose, we examined the predictive values of two tumor markers, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP).