Charged PVDF multilayer nanofiber filter in filtering simulated airborne novel coronavirus (COVID-19) using ambient nano-aerosols.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19), average size 100 nm, can be aerosolized by cough, sneeze, speech and breath of infected persons. The airborne carrier for the COVID-19 can be tiny droplets and particulates from infected person, fine suspended mists (humidity) in air, or ambient aerosols in air. To-date, unfortunately there are no test standards for nano-aerosols (≤100 nm).

Electrostatic charged nanofiber filter for filtering airborne novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and nano-aerosols.

The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic on March 12, 2020. Within four months since outbreak in December 2019, over 2.6 million people have been infected across 210 countries around the globe with over 180,000 deaths.

Enhanced nano-aerosol loading performance of multilayer PVDF nanofiber electret filters.

Aerosol loading behavior of PVDF nanofiber electret filters using neutrally charged nano- and submicron aerosols was investigated experimentally for the first time. The loading behavior include variations of filtration efficiency and pressure drop and distribution of deposited aerosols in the filters all having the same fiber basis weight (3.060 gsm).

Introduction of Graphene Nanofibers into the Perovskite Layer of Perovskite Solar Cells.

Although the application of graphene-derived nanomaterials in the electron transport layer (ETL), hole transport layer (HTL), or top electrode of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been thoroughly studied, the effects of inserting such materials into the perovskite layer of PSCs is not well understood. In this study, pristine graphene nanofibers were introduced into the perovskite layer of PSCs for the first time. The quality of the electrospun graphene nanofibers was optimized by controlled centrifugation of graphene sheets in the precursor suspension.

Skin layer in cyclic loading-cleaning of a nanofiber filter in filtering nano-aerosols.

Nano-aerosols from viruses to virgin pollutant particulates from combustion, 100 nm or smaller, are harmful to our health as they penetrate readily into our body causing various diseases. Nanofiber filter can capture effectively these nano-aerosols. However, over time the pressure drop increases dramatically and cleaning of the filter by backpulse/backblow is essential for filter reuse.

Experimental investigation of backpulse and backblow cleaning of nanofiber filter loaded with nano-aerosols.

Nanofibrous filter have been proven effective to remove nano-aerosols with size less than 100 nm. Cleaning is required after long-term use; however, very little has been published on the subject. An experimental investigation has been launched to determine backpulse, backblow and combined backpulse-backblow on cleaning of a loaded nanofiber filter.

Numerical Investigation of Cell Encapsulation for Multiplexing Diagnostic Assays Using Novel Centrifugal Microfluidic Emulsification and Separation Platform.

In the present paper, we report a novel centrifugal microfluidic platform for emulsification and separation. Our design enables encapsulation and incubation of multiple types of cells by droplets, which can be generated at controlled high rotation speed modifying the transition between dripping-to-jetting regimes. The droplets can be separated from continuous phase using facile bifurcated junction design.

Lead Iodide Thin Film Crystallization Control for High-Performance and Stable Solution-Processed Perovskite Solar Cells.

PbI2 thin film crystallization control is a prerequisite of high-quality perovskite thin film for sequentially solution-processed perovskite solar cells. An efficient and simple method has been developed by adding HCl to improve perovskite thin film quality, and an efficiency of 15.2% is obtained.

Thermal assisted oxygen annealing for high efficiency planar CH₃NH₃PbI₃ perovskite solar cells.

We report investigations on the influences of post-deposition treatments on the performance of solution-processed methylammonium lead triiodide (CH₃NH₃PbI₃)-based planar solar cells. The prepared films were stored in pure N₂ at room temperature or annealed in pure O₂ at room temperature, 45°C, 65°C and 85°C for 12 hours prior to the deposition of the metal electrodes. It is found that annealing in O₂ leads to substantial increase in the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of the devices.

Improvement in light harvesting in a dye sensitized solar cell based on cascade charge transfer.

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer the potential of being low-cost, high-efficiency photovoltaic devices. However, the power conversion efficiency is limited as they cannot utilize all photons of the visible solar spectrum. A novel design of a core-shell photoanode is presented herein where a thin shell of infrared dye is deposited over the core of a sensitized TiO2 nanofiber.

Electrospun TiO2 nanorods with carbon nanotubes for efficient electron collection in dye-sensitized solar cells.

A high power conversion efficiency of 10.24% can be obtained in a dye-sensitized solar cell by incorporating multiwall carbon nanotubes inside a TiO2 nanorod photoanode. The multiwall carbon nanotubes in the nanorod can effectively collect and transport photogenerated electrons reducing the recombination as well as improving efficiency of the device.

Cell culture using centrifugal microfluidic platform with demonstration on Pichia pastoris.

This paper discusses the vortical flow, mixing and cell culture of Pichia pastoris using a centrifugal microfluidic (CM) chamber. The resultant "spiral toroidal vortex" in the chamber is made up of a primary vortex induced from inertial acceleration/deceleration of the chamber superposed by a secondary toroidal vortex due to Coriolis acceleration acting on the primary vortex. A validated numerical fluid-flow model with minimized numerical diffusion effect has been developed to investigate the flow and consequently mixing of two-color liquids through cyclic constant acceleration-and-deceleration in the same rotation direction until homogeneous mixing of the two liquids in the CM chamber has been established.