IR Modulation Research Articles

Research Progress in Structure Evolution and Durability Modulation of Ir- and Ru-Based OER Catalysts under Acidic Conditions.

Green hydrogen energy, as one of the most promising energy carriers, plays a crucial role in addressing energy and environmental issues. Oxygen evolution reaction catalysts, as the key to water electrolysis hydrogen production technology, have been subject to durability constraints, preventing large-scale commercial development. Under the high current density and harsh acid-base electrolyte conditions of the water electrolysis reaction, the active metals in the catalysts are easily converted into high-valent soluble species to dissolve, leading to poor structural durability of the catalysts. There is an urgent need to overcome the durability challenges under acidic conditions and develop electrocatalysts with both high catalytic activity and high durability. In this review, the latest research results are analyzed in depth from both thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives. First, a comprehensive summary of the structural deactivation state process of noble metal oxide catalysts is presented. Second, the evolution of the structure of catalysts possessing high durability is discussed. Finally, four new strategies for the preparation of stable catalysts, "electron buffer (ECB) strategy", combination strength control, strain control, and surface coating, are summarized. The challenges and prospects are also elaborated for the future synthesis of more effective Ru/Ir-based catalysts and boost their future application.

Colored thermal camouflage and anti-counterfeiting with programmable In3SbTe2 platform

Abstract Camouflage is an important technology in various scenarios. Usually, this involves the visible compatibility of the background, which however is facile under infrared thermal radiation detection. The simultaneous visible and thermal camouflage are challenging because it requires full and decoupled manipulations of visible reflection and infrared emissivity using one single device, let alone to its adaptivity to complex environments. Here, we report a programmable, colored thermal camouflage at 3–5 μm and 8–14 μm based on mode coupling in phase-change In3SbTe2 materials. A series of industry-friendly colored multilayer thermal emitters are designed consisting of an anti-reflectance layer for structure coloration above a coupled nanocavity for IR modulation, which easily realizes the complete decoupled control of visible color and infrared emissivity. Our solution features independent structural visible colors in the full visible range and continuously programmable dual-band emissivity modulation with up to 90 % absolute tuning range. Our work facilitates near optimal camouflage and anti-counterfeiting solution for visible-infrared multi-band compatibility of complex environments under different temperatures and colored appearances.

Refining the mechanism of CO2 and H2 activation over gold-ceria catalysts by IR modulation excitation spectroscopy.

The activation and utilization of the greenhouse gas CO2 is of great interest for the energy transition as a fossil-free carbon source for mitigating climate change. CO2 hydrogenation via the reverse water-gas shift reaction (RWGSR) converts CO2 to CO, a crucial component of syngas, enabling further transformation by means of the Fischer-Tropsch process. In this study, we unravel the detailed mechanism of the RWGSR on low-loaded Au/CeO2 catalysts using IR modulation excitation spectroscopy (MES), by periodically modulating the concentration of the reactants, followed by phase-sensitive detection (PSD). Applying such a MES-PSD approach to Au/CeO2 catalysts during RWGSR gives direct spectroscopic evidence for the active role of gold hydride, bidentate carbonate and hydroxyl species in the reaction mechanism, while disproving the participation of other species such as formate. Our results highlight the potential of modulation excitation spectroscopy combined with phase-sensitive detection to provide new mechanistic insight into catalytic reactions not accessible by steady-state techniques, including a profound understanding of the sequence of reaction steps.

Efficiency of using different types of infrared imagers in active thermal nondestructive testing of delaminations in non-metals

Six types of infrared imagers characterized by different technical performance (arrays from 160×120 to 640×512 and temperature sensitivity from 25 до 110 mK) and cost were used in active thermal nondestructive testing of delaminations with size from от 5×5 to 45×45 mm located at the depth of 3,1 mm in a reference sample made of polymethylmetacrilat. The efficiency of TNDT was evaluated by 9 thermographers to demonstrate that reasonable inspection results can be achieved by using IR imagers and modules of an economic cost segment.

Multistep synthesis of VO2 (M) nanoparticles and their application to thermochromic hybrid films for IR modulation

AbstractVanadium dioxide (VO2) is widely known as one of the excellent thermochromic materials based on a reversible insulator‐to‐metal phase transition upon temperature change. In this study, VO2 (M) powder was initially synthesized through a hydrothermal method and a subsequent post‐annealing treatment. Additionally, a particle size of the VO2 (M) powder was reduced and uniformized by introducing a ball‐milling process. The resultant VO2 (M) nanoparticles (NPs) were dispersed in ethanol with the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The ethanolic dispersion was then coated on a transparent heater used as a substrate by spin‐coating to produce VO2 (M)/PVP composite films. We have attained an exact temperature control of the films by applying voltages to the heater for the assessment of their thermochromic performance such as the solar and the infrared modulation ability. For example, the film temperature could be raised from room temperature to 85.5°C within 180 s at a low voltage of 11 V, which was enough for inducing the phase transition of the VO2 (M) NPs showing the infrared modulation ability of 19.3%. The combination of the composite films and the heater was thus proved to be a promising way for realizing transparent thermochromic devices.

Novel laser texturing of W-doped VO2 thin film for the improvement of luminous transmittance in smart windows application

Vanadium dioxide is a promising material for application in smart windows, which undergoes a metal-to-insulator transition, MIT, at 68 °C accompanied by a structural phase transformation, SPT, from VO2(M1) to VO2(R). In this study, two VO2 thin films, one W6+-doped and another one undoped, have been prepared. Both were synthesized via polymer-assisted sol–gel route. The effect of doping on thermochromic parameters was evaluated, giving rise to a reduction of the phase transition temperature by 21 °C with an IR modulation capability of 20 % in the doped sample. Additionally, doping effect on the thermochromic parameters and nanomechanical properties has been analyzed by Spectrophotometry and Atomic Force Microscopy. With the aim of recovering the luminous transmittance that decreased because of doping, the sample has been subjected to an innovative laser texturing process. This laser treatment is able to increase the luminous transmittance by almost 40 % without negatively affecting the other thermochromic parameters. Results show that the combination of both strategies, doping and laser texturing, leads to the production of VO2 thin films with low critical temperature, high solar and IR modulation capacity and enhanced luminous transmittance, with values close to those required for their real application in smart windows.

Atomic bridging modulation of Ir–N, S co-doped MXene for accelerating hydrogen evolution

A novel catalyst consisting of Ir single atoms confined in porous N, S co-doped Ti3C2Tx is successfully constructed through a gelation-and-pyrolysis method, which shows remarkable catalytic activity towards the HER in acidic and basic electrolytes.

Substrate Temperature-Dependent Structural, Optical, and Electrical Properties of Thermochromic VO2(M) Nanostructured Films Grown by a One-Step Pulsed Laser Deposition Process on Smooth Quartz Substrates

Thermochromic M-phase vanadium dioxide VO2(M) films with different morphologies have been grown directly on smooth fused quartz substrates using low deposition rate pulsed laser deposition without posttreatment. When the substrate temperature was increased in the range 450°C–750°C, better (011) texturization of VO2(M) films was observed along with an enhancement of their crystallinity. Morphology evolved from small-grained and densely packed VO2(M) grains at 450°C to less packed micro/nanowires at 750°C. Mechanisms behind the crystallinity/morphology evolution were discussed and correlated with the effect of the temperature on the diffusion of the adatoms as well as on the V5+ valence states content in VO2(M) films. Resistivity measurements as a function of temperature revealed that the insulator-to-metal transition features of VO2(M) films (i.e., transition temperature (TIMT), resistivity variation (ΔR), hysteresis width (ΔH), and transition sharpness (ΔT)) are strongly dependent on the processing temperature. In terms of optical properties, it was found that the open (i.e., porous) structure of the films achieved at high temperature induced an improvement of their luminous transmittance. Simultaneously, the enhancement of the films crystallinity with the temperature resulted in better IR modulation ability. The present contribution provides a one-step process to control the morphology of VO2(M) films grown on smooth quartz substrates for applications as switches, memory devices, and smart windows.

Sistem Kendali Terpusat Penjadwalan Perangkat Air Conditioner Berbasis Internet of Things

Air Conditioner (AC) devices in Duta Wacana Christian University 2nd floor Agape computer laboratory are turned on in the morning and turned off in the evening manually by the computer laboratory officer every day after all the classes are over. Whereas there are sessions when laboratory rooms are not used, but the AC is still on. So, there is a waste of electricity. It wastes time and energy in vain. Therefore, the implementation of AC control and scheduling can be the solution. The implementation includes a program for PC that is used to control the AC and IR module that is attached to the computer laboratory’s AC. IR module consists of NodeMCU ESP8266 microcontroller and IR LED. All microcontrollers are connected to the internet over a WiFi network. The microcontroller substitutes conventional remote control. From the result, it can be concluded that the AC control and scheduling system is successfully implemented and worked well with good performance. After the system is implemented, computer laboratory officers no longer need to turn on and off the AC manually every day. Therefore, it can save energy and time. Besides that, waste of electrical energy can be minimized, because AC will turn off automatically when the laboratory room is not used.

Integrated IR Modulator with a Quantum Cascade Laser

This paper presents an infrared pulsed modulator into which quantum cascade lasers and a current driver are integrated. The main goal of this study was to determine the capabilities of a new modulator design based on the results of its electrical model simulation and laboratory experiments. A simulation model is a unique tool because it includes the electrical performance of the lasing structure, signal wiring, and driving unit. In the laboratory model, a lasing structure was mounted on the interfacing poles as close to the switching electronics as possible with direct wire bonding. The radiation pulses and laser biasing voltage were registered to analyze the influence of laser module impedance. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrated that the quantum cascade laser (QC laser) design strongly influenced the shape of light, driving current, and biasing voltage pulses. It is a complex phenomenon depending on the laser construction and many other factors, e.g., the amplitude and time parameters of the supplying current pulses. However, this work presents important data to develop or modify numerical models describing QC laser operation. The integrated modulator provided pulses with a 20–100 ns duration and a frequency of 1 MHz without any active cooling. The designed modulator ensured the construction of a sensor based on direct laser absorption spectroscopy, applying the QC laser with spectral characteristics matched to absorption lines of the detected substances. It can also be used in optical ranging and recognition systems.

Leveraging metal alloy-hybrid support interaction to enhance oxygen evolution kinetics and stability in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers

This study presents the unprecedented high OER performance of binary iridium (Ir) and ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles on TiO2-oxide-decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in acidic media. IrRu alloy electrocatalysts supported on TiO2-rGO (denoted as IrRu/TG) were prepared via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, followed by the polyol method. TiO2-rGO (TG) support is used not only to disperse IrRu nanoparticles effectively but also to induce the electronic modulation of Ir by downshifting its d-band center compared to unsupported catalysts. IrRu/TG exhibits optimal OER performances and high stability when the weight ratio of TiO2:rGO is 90:10 (i.e., T90G10). The successfully synthesized IrRu/T90G10 exhibits remarkable OER activity, requiring a low overpotential of 254 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2 compare with the unsupported IrRuOx (372 mV), IrRu/rGO (325 mV), and commercial Ir black (340 mV). Moreover, TiO2-rGO (TG) support inhibits the aggregation and oxidative dissolution of IrRu species, thereby enhancing the stability in acidic media. In proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) tests using membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), IrRu/T90G10 shows more than twice the mass activity of commercial IrO2.

Integrating exceptional visible modulation, near-infrared shielding and energy storage in an all-solid-electrochromic bilayer device

A generic strategy of incorporating diverse functions in electrochromic dynamic windows is presented by sensibly choosing the individual layers of a bilayered active electrode. Here, all-solid electrochromic devices (ECD) with a remarkably high visible modulation (60–80%) and superior near-infrared (NIR) shielding performance (>90% full scale) were fabricated by simple solution-processing. The concept is demonstrated by selecting materials with identical chemical composition, i.e., porous amorphous-WO3 (a-WO3) coated on top of polycrystalline WO3·H2O nanosheets. These ECDs show four distinct voltage-selective modes in the ± 2.8 V range for enhanced privacy and energy saving. The IR modulation efficiency (IRME) of the devices stands at a record ~85%, with an outstanding solar modulation efficiency (SME) of ~63%. The initial energy storage estimations for the ECDs revealed superior volumetric stored charge density of ~400 Ccm−3@ 10 mVs−1, which is excellent for secondary energy sourcing. The fabricated EC glasses (with 50% usage) could directly save ~165 kWhm-2 yr-1 worth of energy by equating the energy-saving and generation. With reflected radiation reduction, the total saving may surpass the total energy generation from standard Si-Solar cells (~18% efficiency) of equal areal coverage.

Design of Microsleep Alerting System of Pilot to Reduce Air Accidents

The pilot’s micro sleep often caused by fatigue and/or drowsiness receives increasing attention for the last few years, especially after it became evident that pilot’s micro sleep also one of the major factor causing serious aircraft accidents.
 The system comprises EOG, EEG and IR module. EEG measures the electrical activity of the brain called brain wave pattern through intrusive electrodes. EOG tapes the electrical potential of eyeball movements and the IR module senses the eye blink frequency. Then all these signals are applied to a robust signal processing unit and microcontroller. When an indicating feature corresponds to the micro sleep events are detected, the warning system is activated. This envisioned micro sleep alerting system would continuously monitor the alertness of the pilot and provides immediate warning signal, when micro sleep detected with high certainty.

Arduino Based Security and Safety Utilities

This paper reports two low cost, low weight, and efficient security and safe utilities using Arduino. The first one is a Fingerprint door lock system. The Arduino-based Door Access System is designed to address the problems with existing systems in terms of their upgrades and maintenance. A Fingerprint scanner is an input and the output, on the other hand, is a magnetic Solenoid lock. As when an authorized person puts his/her finger on the fingerprint sensor the door will only open for that authorized person whose fingerprint is matched with the stored fingerprint. The second system is a radical system for monitoring fish plates with help of relays and real-time signaling by detecting plate removal. The proposed system records the trains on an equivalent track using the IR module. IR module interfaced with an ARDUINO board reads the geographical coordinates of the train’s position in order that the trains are often halted by applying emergency brakes and sending signals to both the train brake and control rooms.

Modulation of IR as a therapeutic target to prevent NASH using NRF from Diceratella elliptica (DC.) jonsell. Strong Nrf2 and leptin inducer as well as NF-kB inhibitor

BackgroundInsulin resistance (IR) and lipotoxicity were evidenced as the major nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) initiators. However, absence of the effective treatment against NASH progression raised our aim to discover a new promising insulin modulator and NSH preventer. PurposeOur study aimed to extract and prepare a nitriles rich fraction (NRF) from Diceratella elliptica (DC.) Jonsell, investigate its insulin-sensitizing & anti-NASH potentialities and address its molecular targets in IR-NASH pathogenesis. Study designNRF was prepared using natural autolysis method and compounds were identified. Then, seventy male Wistar rats were feed high fat diet (HFD) or normal pellets for 35 days. In day 14th, HFD rats were injected by Streptozotocin (STZ) once and treatment was started in day 21st with either NRF (30, 60 and 120 mg/kg; orally) or pioglitazone (PioG) (10 mg/kg; i.p) beside HFD. While, NRF-alone rats were treated with NRF (120 mg/kg; orally) beside the normal pellets. Body weight, glucose homeostasis, hepatopathological examinations were performed. MethodsGas liquid chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GLC/MS) was used for compounds’ identification while spectrophotometer was used for total glucosinolates (GLS) quantification. Also, the biochemical and molecular investigations concerned with liver lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation and insulin signaling pathway were investigated and confirmed with the computational prediction of the major compounds’ targets. ResultsButenyl and benzyl GLS were the major along with other volatile compounds. NRF had significantly increased the insulin sensitivity and improved NASH-hisptopathology showing hepatoprotective effect. While, the fraction's anti-NASH potentiality was evidenced in the normalized hepatic steatosis markers, inflammation and oxidative stress key transcriptional factors resulting in induction of insulin receptor substrates (IRSs) phosphorylation and its downstream effectors. ConclusionNRF has reversed IR, stimulated leptin secretion and prevented NASH initiation showing promising anti-NASH and anti-fibrotic effects.

Density Based Traffic Control System with Smart Sensing Of Emergency Vehicles

Present Traffic Light Controller (TLC) relies upon micro-controller and microchip. These TLC have restrictions as they are depend on pre-portrayed gear, which is filling in with respect to the program that doesn't have the versatility of adjustment on continuous reason. Owing to fixed time spans, orange and red signal’s holding up time is more and vehicle uses more fuel. To make traffic light leadership progressively beneficial, we abuse the advancement of new procedure called as “Density based traffic control system with smart sensing of emergency vehicles”. It is constructed mainly by using Magnetic Sensors for real world environment and by using IR modules for Model. The main objective of our project is to clear traffic efficiently by effective usage of the green signal time. In this system the density of the vehicle in a particular lane is obtained by the number of magnetic sensors kept in the road side which produces output signal with respect to the density of the traffic. Thus produced output signal is further processed by ARM microcontroller and according to the density obtained by the magnetic sensors the countdown time of the green signal is varied by the microcontroller and hence the usage of green signal even after all the vehicle pass by are prevented. In addition to this system our system also senses the emergency vehicle like ambulance that approaches the signal by detecting the RF signal transmitted by the Ambulance or other emergency vehicle with the help of RF receivers that kept at the road side and halts all the vehicles by putting red signal for all the four sides of road and puts special ‘green jeep signal’ for the emergency vehicle to pass by hence our system provide way for emergency vehicle. It can also prioritize the emergency vehicle with the help of RF transmitter and receiver. As the signalling board receives the RF signal, it turns the Corresponding lane ON, thus clearing the route for the emergency vehicle. DSS also analyses the pollution levels by placing a check over the vehicle emissions at the junctions. When the priorities of any two lanes clash, pollution levels are taken into account to provide the signals for them in turns. The gas sensors are fitted onto the signalling boards which help in calculating the pollutant levels.

Face Recognition System for Attendance Marking

The executives of the participation can be a diligent work on the instructors/representatives in the event that it is finished by hand. To take care of this issue, keen and auto participation the executives framework is being utilized. This paper shows a model of a mechanized participation framework to lighten the manual exertion of chronicle information taking out the odds of fraudulency which spotlight on face acknowledgment with credentials recognize the approved understudies/workers and includes as they enter and go out from the class-room. Savvy Attendance System Maintains and keeps the true record of each enrolled understudy and workers. In addition, this savvy framework keeps the information of each understudy/representatives enrolled for a specific course/work in the participation log and gives vital data as indicated by the need. By perceiving the substance of the individual and checked by face acknowledgment calculation all the while in our task, the constraints in the current manual participation framework are for the most part dispensed with. Another additional element to the venture is that we are sparing vitality by actualizing a framework utilizing IR modules where the room's hardware possibly turn on when there are individuals inside.

Automation and Safety Measurements At Railroad Intersection using Iot

The target of this undertaking is to robotize railroad passages without individuals and to check rail course scenes. At present level railroad sections are worked physically by a guardian. The watchman gets the data about the area of train from a close to station. This human mediation can be stayed away from through automating the structure. In a bit of the time the train is late a possible result of some reason the areas stay shut for whole game plan and causing thick traffic close to the entries. This undertaking is made with RF transmitter and recipient, RFID Reader, Arduino, Raspberry pie, nodemcu, blynk application, camera, ring, LCD show up, IR Module, Servo Motors and play back module. In our proposed model the RF transmitter and RFID Reader are embarked to plan. Totally when the train arrives the RFID Reader takes a gander at the tag, by then the RF Transmitter transmits the data about the section of train through radio wire and the RF Receiver set at the railroad intersection point gets the data about the zone of train and offers data to the Arduino. Arduino will control the servo engines to open and close the railroad portals. The LCD show additionally put at the blending to caution the pilgrims by displaying parcel of train from railroad crossing. The voice module other than set to caution the voyagers. On the off chance that the voyagers trying to cross the entry even after the voice sign about the landing of train then they will thusly get the fine with the assistance of camera and Raspberry pie. The touch plates on the track what's more gives data about the locale of people on the track

Density Based Traffic Control System with Smart Sensing Of Emergency Vehicles

Present Traffic Light Controller (TLC) relies upon micro-controller and microchip. These TLC have restrictions as they are depend on pre-portrayed gear, which is filling in with respect to the program that doesn't have the versatility of adjustment on continuous reason. Owing to fixed time spans, orange and red signal’s holding up time is more and vehicle uses more fuel. To make traffic light leadership progressively beneficial, we abuse the advancement of new procedure called as “Density based traffic control system with smart sensing of emergency vehicles”. It is constructed mainly by using Magnetic Sensors for real world environment and by using IR modules for Model. The main objective of our project is to clear traffic efficiently by effective usage of the green signal time. In this system the density of the vehicle in a particular lane is obtained by the number of magnetic sensors kept in the road side which produces output signal with respect to the density of the traffic. Thus produced output signal is further processed by ARM microcontroller and according to the density obtained by the magnetic sensors the countdown time of the green signal is varied by the microcontroller and hence the usage of green signal even after all the vehicle pass by are prevented. In addition to this system our system also senses the emergency vehicle like ambulance that approaches the signal by detecting the RF signal transmitted by the Ambulance or other emergency vehicle with the help of RF receivers that kept at the road side and halts all the vehicles by putting red signal for all the four sides of road and puts special ‘green jeep signal’ for the emergency vehicle to pass by hence our system provide way for emergency vehicle. It can also prioritize the emergency vehicle with the help of RF transmitter and receiver. As the signalling board receives the RF signal, it turns the Corresponding lane ON, thus clearing the route for the emergency vehicle. DSS also analyses the pollution levels by placing a check over the vehicle emissions at the junctions. When the priorities of any two lanes clash, pollution levels are taken into account to provide the signals for them in turns. The gas sensors are fitted onto the signalling boards which help in calculating the pollutant levels.

STREET LIGHT GLOWS ON DETECTING THE VEHICLE MOVEMENT USING ARDUINO UNO

vehicle to reduce the wastage of energy. The proposed work is accomplished by using Arduino UNO and sensors that will control the electricity based on night and object's detection. Meanwhile, a counter is set that will count the number of objects passed through the road. The beauty of the proposed work is that the wastage of unused electricity can be reduced. The aim of this project is to design a street light control system using Arduino UNO, which automatically turns on or off the street lights by detecting the movement of vehicles. The working of the project is explained here. When there is not any vehicle in front of the IR sensor module, the receiver can’t get any infrared signal So the circuit remain in open loop condition and the lights are in off condition. When there is any vehicle in front of the IR sensor module, the receiver get the infrared signal. So the circuit is in close loop condition and the lights are in on condition with respect to the IR module. If the car blocks the first IR sensor, the first three LEDs are turned ON by the micro-controller. As the car moves forward and blocks the second IR sensor, the corresponding next three LEDs will be turned ON and the first LED of the previous set is turned OFF. The process continues this way for all the IR Sensors and LEDs.