Efficiency Factor Research Articles

A dual-mode immunochromatographic sensor with photothermal and surface-enhanced Raman scattering for sensitive detection of aflatoxin B1

Multimodal lateral flow immunoassay has displayed the great potential to improve the flexibility and practicality of point-of-care testing. Herein, this study developed a dual-mode photothermal (PT) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) immunochromatographic sensor for sensitive detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The bifunctional waxberry-like core-satellite nanoparticles loaded with 5,5′-Dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) were prepared and coupled with antibody to form PT@SERS nanoprobes for qualitative and quantitative detection of AFB1. The photothermal conversion efficiency and SERS enhancement factor of the nanoprobes were 42.11 % and 1.59 × 107, respectively. Under the optimal conditions, the limit of detection of PT assay was 0.033 ng/mL with a linear range of 0.05–10 ng/mL (R2 = 0.997); the limit of detection of SERS assay was 0.0073 ng/mL with a linear range of 0.005–10 ng/mL (R2 = 0.998). The results of the specificity analysis indicated no cross-reactions with the other toxins. The recoveries of the spiked corn and peanut were from 85.39 % to 112.15 % (PT assay) and 80.04 % to 106.57 % (SERS assay), respectively. The assay demonstrated that the developed dual-mode sensor provided a promising option for achieving the rapid detection of AFB1.

Impact of Bacillus subtilis probiotic on growth, visceral and lymphatic organ weights, intestinal histo-morphology, and pathogenic bacteria of broilers

Abstract This work aimed to examine the impacts of dietary Bacillus subtilis (BS) supplementation on several parameters. Twelve groups of six hundred-day-old male Ross chicks were created for the study. Each treatment was allotted into five replicates, with ten birds each. Four distinct diet treatments were provided for 42 days: diet A served as the control, whereas diets B, C, and D had 125, 250, and 500 mg of BS per kg of feed. Every diet was fed in three stages: continuous (days 1-42) and starter only (days 1–21), finisher only (days 22–42), and both. The results showed that the D-3 and C-3 groups had significantly higher feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), livability, and European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF).juo09 The D-3 and C-3 groups also showed the largest relative weights of the liver, gizzard, pancreas, bursa, and spleen, as well as the enhanced weights of these organs. Groups D-3 and C-3 had high villus height, decreased crypt depth, and enhanced VH: CD in the ileum, jejunum, and duodenum. The high levels of BS (D-3 and C-3) eliminated Salmonella, C. perfringens, and E. coli from the ileum, caecum, and colon. From the results above, a conclusion could be drawn that dietary BS supplementation could be a safe substitute for AGPs in broiler diets.

Effect of advanced chelate technology-based trace minerals on growth performance, mineral digestibility, tibia properties, and antioxidant status in two broiler strains

This research aimed to assess the impact of diet supplementation of Advanced Chelate Technology-based Mineral (ACTMS), on the Ross and Arian broilers performance. 520 broilers, of two strains, were allocated to 8 treatments (4 for each strain), 5 replicates, (13 chicks/replicate) and reared for 42 days. The treatments include 0 (CONT), 250 (SBC250), 1000 (SBC1000), and 2000 (SBC2000) of ACTMS. Feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were recorded, and the European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) was also calculated. Serum antibody was measured in response to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) to evaluate humoral immune response. Blood sample and tibia were used to measure the bone composition of Ca and P. No significant difference was obtained in feed intake (P >0.05), however, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and EPEF showed significant differences (P˂0.05). The results showed that the interaction effect of Ross× SBC250 had the highest average daily feed intake during 25-42 and 0-42 days of age, but Ross×CONT group provided the lowest average daily feed intake (P˂0.05). Furthermore, the Ross×CONT group had the highest average daily gain during 0-10, 25-42, and 0-42 days of age (P<0.05). The Ross×CONT group also provided the best feed conversion ratio during 0-10 days of rearing period compared to other treatments (P<0.05). Various levels of ACTMS, significantly (P˂0.05) enhanced the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. No significant differences were obtained in blood parameter (P>0.05), though, SBC2000 exhibited the greatest numerical phosphorus content. There was no significant impact of strain effects on blood metabolites, however, the Ross strain exhibited higher values. The results indicated that the Arian× SBC250 group had the largest tibia diameter which had a significant difference from the Arian×CONT group (P<0.05). In conclusion, ACTMS inclusion in the ration (either replacement or on top) led to the significant improvement of FCR and ADWG (SBC250 as on top) and EPEF (SBC2000 replacement) in the Ross strain and some parameters in Arian strains (mostly numerically).

Influence of Water Concentration on the Water/Vapor/ Oil Separation Process in a Vacuum Oil Filter: Modelling and Simulation

The vacuum oil filter (VOF) is widely applied in the oil-water emulsion demulsification separation due to the phase separation by using vacuum evaporation; however, the micro-dynamic characteristics of oil, water and vapor three phases and the influencing factors of separation efficiency are rarely studied. Therefore, the fluid flow and phase separation characteristics of water-in-oil emulsions were numerically analysed by ANSYS software. The demulsification conditions of water/oil emulsion were simulated by using the two-fluid model and the water evaporation model, and the turbulence effect was considered by using the Reynolds stress model. The results show that the established model could provide a convenient way to study the effects of the different water concentrations in oil; the turbulence intensity in VOF increases with the increase of water concentration in oil; The separation efficiency has been influenced by the inlet water concentration reaching values between 20.65-22.62% in the center axis, while 33.18-42.24% in the plate column; the vapor concentration ranged from 0 - 23.64% in the center axis, while 0 - 41.02% in the plate column. The relative volume fraction of water concentration decay tending with the water concentration increases, and the water concentration has a great influence on the separation efficiency.

Eco-friendly corrosion inhibition and scale control in seawater using Foeniculum vulgare and Pimpinella anisum extracts with chemical compounds

This study investigated the corrosion inhibition and scale control properties of both natural extracts and chemical inhibitors for C25 galvanized steel sheets with an 85-μm thick zinc coating steel exposed to seawater. The inhibitors, including Foeniculum vulgare (AF-Sha), Pimpinella anisum (AF-Sim), M640, and Veo, underwent rigorous evaluation through techniques such as Tafel extrapolation, potentiodynamic polarization analysis, concentration factor scale, seawater analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and conductivity-temperature analysis. Notably, AF-Sha and AF-Sim exhibited outstanding corrosion prevention capabilities, achieving inhibitory efficiencies of 87% and 85%, respectively. Comparative analyses with chemical inhibitors, M640 and Veo, demonstrated promising performance, positioning natural inhibitors as environmentally friendly alternatives. Corrosion rates, inhibition efficiency, and concentration factor scale results provided insights into the inhibitory effectiveness of each compound, with Veo showing superior performance. The study also explored the antiscalant behavior of inhibitors, revealing their ability to prevent corrosion and scale formation. XRD analysis indicated the impact of inhibitors on the crystal structure of scales, while IR spectra provided insights into vibration properties. Conductivity and temperature analyses illustrated the inhibitors' role in reducing ion exchange and gypsum concentration in seawater. These findings suggest that the inhibitors offered robust protection for ferrous metal surfaces and hold significant potential for practical applications. Additionally, our weight loss investigation extends this understanding, demonstrating the practical applicability of corrosion inhibitors like AF-Sha and AF-Sim in real-world scenarios. The presented results contribute significantly to the understanding of galvanized steel corrosion behavior in seawater, offering valuable insights for corrosion engineering applications.

Measurement and Influencing Factors of Total Factor Water Resources Utilization Efficiency in the Yellow River Basin

This paper focuses on the total factor water resources utilization efficiency (WRUE) as the research object, employing the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) model based on the transcendental logarithmic production function to measure the WRUE of nine provinces in the Yellow River Basin of China from 2012 to 2021, obtains WRUE values for each province. And then, we perform a regression analysis of influencing factors using the Tobit model. The results indicate that: (1) The average value of WRUE of nine provinces in the Yellow River Basin is 0.541, which deviates greatly from the fully effective frontier of SFA, with an overall downward trend during the study period. (2) There is a significant polarization of WRUE among the provinces. Inner Mongolia exhibits the highest WRUE at 0.978, close to the SFA efficient frontier, while Ningxia has the lowest WRUE at only 0.314; the remaining provinces display efficiency values between 0.4 and 0.6. (3) Among the influencing factors affecting the WRUE, the value added of the primary industry, per capita disposable income, and the number of reservoirs have a significant positive impact on the WRUE. In contrast, the value added of the secondary industry, local financial environmental protection expenditures, comprehensive water supply production capacity, and per capita daily water consumption negatively affect the WRUE.

Locus Of Control and Job Satisfaction: A Comparative Study Between Male and Female Employees in It Sector Bangalore

The level of job satisfaction is one of the key pushing factors for improving employee productivity and efficiency in every organization. On the other hand job stress is pulling factor of job satisfaction, productivity and efficiency in the long run. Therefore, two are two extreme variables result into two opposite outcomes However, levels of job stress and job satisfaction varies as per the personalities of employees such as internal and external personalities and gender wise. The present study emphasized on the understanding the relationship between job stress, job satisfaction and work locus of control and variation between genders and type of locus of control among the 150 selected IT professionals in Bangalore. The outcome of the study evidence that, internal locus of control leads to higher job satisfaction of the employees in IT sector irrespective of gender variation and external locus of control causes lower job satisfaction. There is existence of negative correlation between job stress and external locus of control on job satisfaction. Besides, the study found insignificant variation in workplace stress, job satisfaction, and work locus of control. The study also observed high job satisfaction of the employees in IT sector with regarding to promotion, supervision, nature of work and support from colleagues and dissatisfaction regarding remuneration and operating conditions.

The Efficacy of Staff members'Work Performance at Northern Finance College Luang PrabangProvince

The purpose of this research were 1) to study the performance efficiency of the Northern Finance College, 2) to study the motivation of staff members' work the Northern Finance College, 3) Analyze the relationship between motivation factors in work performance and work performance efficiency of employees of Northern Finance College, Luang Prabang Province, and 4) to study the factors affecting the working efficiency of the Northern Finance College. The sample group was 47 people from the Northern Finance College. The questionnaire was used as a tool for collecting the data. The data collected was analyzed by using the frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. This was used to test the hypothesis for each pair in order to see which pair was different with Multiple Regression Analysis.The results of the research found that the work efficiency of the employees of the Northern Finance College in Luang Prabang province is generally very good, such as the quantity of work, the quality of work and the time. The motivation to perform the workas a whole has many levels of motivation, in which the most motivation is the success in work, followed by the creative and challenging nature of the work and the least motivation is the advancement in the career. The relationship between the motivation factor in work performance and the performance of employees of the Northern Finance University in Luang Prabang Province is related in the same direction which is the motivation for success in high work, motivation from receiving respect, motivation from career advancement, from the work environment and from work responsibility.The motivation factor for work performance is the success factor in work and the responsibility factor in work has an effect on the work efficiency of the staff of Northern Finance College in Luang Prabang province.

Amino functionalized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 coated cellulose aerogel for enhanced air purification

Human activities generate large quantities of air pollutants, and particulate matter (PM) in the air poses a serious threat to public health. Nanofiber filters with surface-loaded metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for the capture of PM. Herein, this work creatively fabricated an air filter by anchoring amino-functionalized ZIF-8 on the surface of cellulose aerogel (NZCA) by in situ growth approach. The excellent compatibility between ZIF and cellulose was demonstrated by XRD, FT-IR, SEM and XPS characterization techniques. The functionalized ligand introduces –NH2, and the polar –NH2 group enhances the electrostatic interaction between ZIF-8-NH2 and PM, resulting in NZCA with superior PM filtration performance (filtration efficiency and quality factor: PM2.5: 92%, 0.054; PM10: 96%, 0.068) compared to ZCA without sacrificing the pressure drop. Furthermore, ZIF-8-NH2 modified cellulose filters were easy to regenerate and exhibited excellent reusability. This work paves the way for the rational design of ligand-modified MOF/cellulose filters for the efficient removal of PM from air, which has important implications for solving environmental problems and energy crises.

Effect of pH neutral on the separation of nickel and cobalt from laterite leaching solution using cyanex 272

Abstract Nickel and cobalt are the most common elements in the earth’s crust that naturally occur in laterite ores. Nickel and cobalt from laterite ores are recovered as products such as mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) and mixed sulphide precipitate (MSP). This research focuses on how the nickel laterite leach solution can be processed directly for solvent extraction without going through the precipitation stage. The nitric acid leach solution obtained from the laterite ore is used to extract nickel and cobalt. A cyanex 272 extractant and kerosene mixture will be used as an organic solvent for direct extraction. The raw material used was Indonesian laterite ore from Halmahera Island, which contained Ni (1.72%), Co (0.155%), Fe (26.17%), and other minor elements. The effect of pH in a neutral condition was investigated on the extraction efficiency, distribution coefficient, and separation factor. Nitric acid (1M) was applied as the leaching reagent. The variables include pH variations (6.8; 7.0; 7.2; 7.4; 7.6), 20% cyanex 272, and O/A ratio (1:1/v:v) at 20 minutes with a stirring speed of 500 rpm. Optimum results were obtained at pH 7.4 variation with an extraction efficiency of 69.26% for cobalt and 0% for Ni, respectively. At these optimum conditions, the highest distribution coefficient value is the element cobalt at pH 7.4, and the result is 2.253 with a separation factor (∞). The optimum condition focuses on removing cobalt from the organic phase, not nickel.

Effect of dietary medicinal plants on physiological responses of broiler chickens challenged with Campylobacter jejuni.

Phytogenic additives would be helpful to alleviate the adverse effect of Campylobacter jejuni on the performance and physiological responses of broiler chickens. This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of Echinacea purpurea (EP) and Thymbra spicata (TS) on the performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemistry, intestinal morphology, intestinal microbiota and immune responses of broilers challenged with C. jejuni from 0 to 42 days of age. A total of 240 male broiler chickens were divided into 6 groups and fed various diets: a control diet; the control diet supplemented with EP at 0.25% (EP25) or 0.50% (EP50); the control diet supplemented with TS at 0.25% (TS25) and 0.50% (TS50); or the control diet containing erythromycin at 55ppm. Chicks were orally challenged with C. jejuni on Days 21 and 23 of age. EP and TS25 diets enhanced European production efficiency factor, feed conversion ratio and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter. TS25 increased duodenal villous height (VH) and surface area on Day 42 of age. EP25 diet increased ileal VH compared to control and erythromycin diets. Diets containing certain EP25 and TS increased the Bifidobacterium population and decreased C. jejuni population on Day 39 of age. EP50 and TS50 diets increased antibody titration against Newcastle disease virus. In conclusion, EP and TS dietary supplementation improved performance, microflora, intestinal morphology and immune responses in C. jejuni-challenged broilers.

Energy conservation strategies on academic buildings using interpretive structural modeling to develop energy sustainability

Effective energy conservation strategies are required to be implemented in academic buildings as they consume significant energy while considering the convenience and function of the buildings. However, the influencing factors are interrelated and complex, requiring an appropriate approach to unravel the complexity. Therefore, this study aims to identify, analyse, and map the interaction relationship between factors affecting energy conservation in academic buildings. This study used Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) procedure starting from developing the Structural Self Interaction Matrix (SSIM), converting SSIM into a Reachability Matrix, revising the matrix, and categorizing the factors by using MICMAC analysis. This study involved 9 factors, including architectural design, illumination technology, education and awareness, energy monitoring and management, renewable energy use, efficient HVAC system, energy-saving equipment, institutional policies, and campus community participation. The study found that renewable energy use at level 3 was the factor that was not influenced by and did not interact with any other factors. Meanwhile, the illumination technology was a factor that interacted with the efficient HVAC System factor which was at level 1 where these two factors were influenced by other seven factors. This study aligns with current developments in energy conservation, including an increased focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency in academic buildings, supported by global and national policies aimed at achieving sustainability goals. It provides a comprehensive understanding on developing sustainable energy conservation strategies in academic buildings.

Управління персоналом підприємства в умовах цифрової економіки: чинники ефективності та особливості забезпечення

The article studies enterprise personnel management, efficiency factors, and features of its provision in the digital economy. The relevance of issues related to enterprise personnel management in the digital economy is determined by several key factors that reflect modern trends and challenges in the business world. First, with the development of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data (Big Data), cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), business structures are forced to adapt to new conditions. Digital transformation permeates all aspects of enterprise activity, including personnel management. This creates a need for new approaches and opens exciting opportunities for organizing work and improving efficiency and productivity by introducing digital tools. Although both Ukrainian and foreign scientists have devoted their work to studying issues in personnel management, various aspects, including the existing problems of personnel management in the digital economy, require further research, considering modern business conditions. The digital economy has been proven to impact traditional sectors such as industry, services, trade, and public administration. It helps to accelerate innovation, increase labor productivity, and stimulate economic growth, but it also poses new challenges to society, particularly about data security, privacy, and regulation. It is emphasized that the organizational and economic support of the company’s personnel management in the digital economy requires a comprehensive approach that combines technological innovations, changes in the organizational structure, and new models of economic management. Integrating these elements is essential to ensure the enterprise’s competitiveness in the market. The main components of providing personnel management for the enterprise in the digital economy are substantiated (organizational changes, economic support, digital tools of personnel management, motivation and development of personnel, risk management). Keywords: enterprise, personnel management, digital economy, digital technologies, digital skills, efficiency, software.

Design and simulation of an enhanced optical demultiplexer using photonic crystal resonators

The purpose of this paper is to examine the design, simulation, and optimization of a demultiplexer optical system using photonic crystal resonators. Utilizing the distinct properties of photonic crystals, the proposed device achieves high-quality resonances, efficient wavelength separation, and minimal crosstalk. These characteristics are crucial for enhancing the performance of dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems, which require precise and efficient channel separation to manage increasing data traffic. Extensive simulations conducted with the RSoft CAD tool explore the impact of varying resonator parameters such as refractive index, geometric dimensions, and material composition on the device's performance. The results indicate substantial improvements in transmission efficiency and quality factor, with average values of 98.675% and 3131.125, respectively. Furthermore, the ability to fine-tune these parameters allows for the customization of the demultiplexer to specific wavelength ranges, making it highly adaptable for various telecommunications applications. This research aims to propel the development of compact, high-performance photonic devices that meet the growing demands of modern communication networks, ultimately contributing to more efficient and reliable optical communication systems.

An analytical solution to optimal heat pump integration

Heat pump integration has a large potential for reducing carbon emissions and operating costs of industrial processes. The Break-even COP method determines the maximum economically- or environmentally feasible heat pump temperature and the level of process heat electrification under specified economic conditions. However, this method fails to capture the optimal heat pump temperature and the possible emissions- and costs reduction in sensible heat processes. The present work introduces an analytical equation based on the Lorenz efficiency approach to determine the optimal heat pump sink temperature, maximizing the operating costs savings or the emission savings. Furthermore, it advances the break-even method to account for heat pumps with a temperature glide by applying a Lorenz efficiency approach. The method is applied to a spray-drier case study, showing a reduction on operation costs of 7.8 % and emissions by 11.9 % by a partial process electrification of 32 %. A parameter study is conducted, underscoring the importance of accurate predictions of the Lorenz efficiency factor and the electricity-to-fuel price and emissions ratios in heat pump integration studies.

Simulation and Optimization of Hole Transport Layer Performance of Lead‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells

AbstractThis article employs a combined approach using SCAPS and MS software to screen the cell structure combinations of various cell materials such as MASnI3, FASnI3, TiO2, C60, spiro‐OMeTAD, PTAA, CuI, CuSCN, Cu2O, and NiO. The structure of lead‐free perovskite solar cells (PSCs): FTO/TiO2/MASnI3/Cu2O/Au is identified as having the best cell performance. Based on Molecular Dynamics theory, in combination with physical experimental preparation and characterization results, it is found that Cu2O thin films treated with annealing at 388 °C, as the hole transport layer material, can significantly enhance the performance of PSCs. This optimization led to power conversion efficiency (PCE) and fill factor (FF) performance indicators reaching 29.2% and 87.32%, achieving excellent cell performance.

High-Throughput Transcriptomic Analysis of Circadian Rhythm of Chlorophyll Metabolism under Different Photoperiods in Tea Plants.

Tea plants are a perennial crop with significant economic value. Chlorophyll, a key factor in tea leaf color and photosynthetic efficiency, is affected by the photoperiod and usually exhibits diurnal and seasonal variations. In this study, high-throughput transcriptomic analysis was used to study the chlorophyll metabolism, under different photoperiods, of tea plants. We conducted a time-series sampling under a skeleton photoperiod (6L6D) and continuous light conditions (24 L), measuring the chlorophyll and carotenoid content at a photoperiod interval of 3 h (24 h). Transcriptome sequencing was performed at six time points across two light cycles, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify and annotate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in chlorophyll metabolism. The results revealed distinct expression patterns of key genes in the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway. The expression levels of CHLE (magnesium-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester cyclase gene), CHLP (geranylgeranyl reductase gene), CLH (chlorophyllase gene), and POR (cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase gene), encoding enzymes in chlorophyll synthesis, were increased under continuous light conditions (24 L). At 6L6D, the expression levels of CHLP1.1, POR1.1, and POR1.2 showed an oscillating trend. The expression levels of CHLP1.2 and CLH1.1 showed the same trend, they both decreased under light treatment and increased under dark treatment. Our findings provide potential insights into the molecular basis of how photoperiods regulate chlorophyll metabolism in tea plants.

Efficient power factor correction in single phase AC–DC boost converter for retrofitted electric bicycle battery charging: A finite element analysis approach

This research paper describes modifying a conventional bicycle into an electric bike by retrofitting it with a single-phase boost power factor correction (PFC) rectifier for low power battery chargers. The proposed work was designed and developed in a single stage, as opposed to the traditional two-stage chargers used to charge E-bicycle, to provide the desired outcomes of enhanced efficiency, good power quality, and dependability due to the charger's lower cost. Additionally, the proposed converter uses a single switch, which reduces not necessary body diode conduction and circulating current and enhances the PFC device's thermal management. Additionally, this research makes use of the diode bridge rectifier (DBR) arrangement, which offers low current stress and is suitable for electric bicycles. The converter operates at a low cost with reduced magnetics (DCM) by operating the charger in discontinuous conduction mode at such low voltage levels. It also accomplishes intrinsic power factor at the ac mains by employing a simple control method to maintain the battery in high power density constant current (CC) and constant voltage (CV) states. A thorough state space investigation is carried out in combination with modeling and testing to ensure that the electric bicycle charger operates effectively. Consequently, low power chargers are a good fit for the proposed single stage front-end converter, and a 250 W hardware prototype is used to verify the findings.

Evaluation of techno-economic design andimplementation of solar-wind hybrid microgridsystem for a small community

Pakistan is faces significant challenges in meeting its energy demand and consumption needs for consumers. This country's energy production from primary sources such as petroleum and natural gasses is incompetent in fuel-use and hence unable to meet feasibility cost. With an increasing population, Pakistan's energy consumption per capita has been steadily rising. This behaviour is leading to critical energy issues, especially in remote rural areas. This trend in rising energy costs and demand factors are similar to those in the energy markets in the South and South-East Asia. The primary energy sources in Asia continent, including fossil fuels, are insufficient supply to meet this growing demand in production and thus resulting in frequent electricity blackouts. Consequently, renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power have substantially started to produce energy and to provide a huge portion of Pakistan's daily energy needs apart in conventional energy currently. However, these sources are not yet as reliable, conventional energy bases have a challenge for sustainable energy production. As a result, renewable energy factors nonetheless initial started have effectively stabilized energy consumption, particularly for green electricity with net-zero carbon emissions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of integrating a microgrid hybrid system with combined (solar PV/wind power) renewable energy as well as conventional fossil fuel generators. This evaluation focuses on predicting energy production and its costs using Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software, and to enhance the electricity standards at NUST (National University for Sciences and Technology), Pakistan. The proposed methodology of microgrid hybrid system, when evaluated using HOMER software, shows a significant improvement in energy stability and cost efficiency. Moreover, this proposed system can reduce reliance on fossil fuels by a substantial percentage, enhances the predictability of energy production, and optimizes its energy consumption. These can achieve better performance metrics in terms of reliability, cost, and environmental impact; feasible solution for Pakistan and the developing countries. This proposed methodology offers a novel approach by integrating renewable energy sources with conventional generators to create a balanced and efficiency factor by microgrid system. This hybrid system goals as an investigation is to optimize this energy production, reduce carbon emissions, and provide a more stable and cost-effective energy supply.

250 μm Thick Detectors for Neutron Detection: Design, Electrical Characteristics, and Detector Performances

Solid State Detectors (SSD) are crucial for fast neutron detection and spectroscopy in tokamaks due to their solid structure, neutron-gamma discrimination, and magnetic field resistance. They provide high energy resolutions without external conversion stages, enabling compact array installations in the harsh environment of a tokamak. Research comparing diamond and 4H-SiC detectors highlights thickness as a key efficiency factor. A 250 μm SiC epilayer with low doping, grown using a high-growth-rate process, exhibits sharp interfaces and minimal defects, essential for neutron detectors. The study evaluates detector designs, and performance using a 4H-SiC substrate. Various detector designs, such as Schottky diodes and p/n diodes, are assessed via I-V and C-V measurements, addressing high depletion voltage challenges. Preliminary neutron irradiation tests validate detector functionality, energy resolution and confirming detector reliability.