Simple Low-cost Approach Research Articles

Insight on electrochemical charge storage behavior of naturally surface oxidized amorphous NiCuCoB nanosheets

Transition metal boron (TMB) nanostructures are found to be emerging materials in the field of energy conversion and storage. Despite several careful systematic researches on the TMBs and their electrochemical energy storage applications, still a comprehensive and insightful study on the charge storage mechanism, origin of the redox reaction sites on alloyed TMB surface, types of interactions of the electrolytes with respect to TMB's surface structure has not been realized. Herein, a series of TMBs nanosheets are prepared using Cu, Co, Ni and B through a simple low-cost reduction approach and explored systematically their charge storage behavior. Trimetallic NiCuCoB nanosheets over other TMBs demonstrated outstanding electrochemical energy storage performances with high-rate capability. A symmetric two-electrode coin cell device of NiCuCoB in 6.0 M KOH offers 358 F g−1 specific capacitance with 56 Wh kg−1 energy and 13,320 W kg−1 power density, with 50,000 cycling stability. Kinetically fluent faradaic redox reactions are favourably occurred by a surface-controlled mechanism with minor contribution from diffusion, which are facilitated by oxidized surface of NiCuCoB viz., metal-oxide and/or metal-oxy/hydroxide, a high surface area and high conductivity of the material, as evidenced by experiments.

Fabrication of ultrafine-grained Ti-15Zr-xCu alloys through martensite decompositions under thermomechanical coupling conditions

• Ultrafine-grained microstructure was successfully achieved in Ti-15Zr- x Cu system by hot rolling. • Cu alloying increased dynamic recrystallization nucleation rate and formed Ti 2 Cu along grain boundaries, which inhibited grain growth. • The comprehensive mechanical properties of the ultrafine grained Ti-15Zr-5Cu alloy are better than that of the Roxolid Ti-Zr alloy currently used for dental implants. Grain refinement is a well-recognized method to simultaneously increase the strength and ductility of metallic materials. Fabrication of ultrafine-grained metals in bulk using a simple low-cost approach is a long-term goal for material scientists. In this work, based on the chemical composition of a biomedical Ti-15Zr alloy, a series of novel Ti-15Zr- x Cu ( x = 0, 3, 5, 7 wt.%) alloys were designed and fabricated. The alloys were quenched in the single β phase region to obtain a martensitic microstructure and deformed in the temperature range of 710–750 °C to obtain an ultrafine-grained microstructure through martensite decomposition under thermomechanical coupling conditions. Experimental results showed that Cu alloying could increase the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) nucleation rate due to its role in both refining martensitic lath width and increasing dislocation density. Cu alloying could also suppress grain growth due to the precipitated Ti 2 Cu particles exerting pinning forces on the grain boundaries. The optimal Cu content in the Ti-15Zr- x Cu alloy was determined to be 5 wt.%. After being subjected to a compression leading to a 70% height reduction at 730 °C and 1 s –1 , the grain size of the Ti-15Zr-5Cu alloy was only 180 ± 70 nm. The tensile strength of the as-prepared alloy reached 975 ± 10 MPa, which was 45% higher than that of the conventional Ti-15Zr alloy (673 ± 16 MPa). This increase in strength was achieved without any reduction in ductility. The comprehensive mechanical properties of the ultrafine-grained Ti-15Zr-5Cu alloy are better than that of the Roxolid Ti–Zr alloy currently used for dental implants.

Simplified approach for quantitative inspections of concrete structures using digital image correlation

Periodic visual inspections are typically the primary means by which the existing condition of most infrastructure assets is assessed. The results of these inspections are inherently qualitative and subjective, and unfortunately, the recent catastrophic collapse of structures such as De La Concorde overpass in Canada have underscored the need for quantitative assessment tools to monitor crack growth and deformations over time. Conventional measurement methods present several limitations, including cost, need for a priori knowledge of critical crack locations and orientation, and exposure of sensors to harsh environmental conditions. Digital image correlation (DIC) is an optical full-field non-contact measurement technique that has been shown to be highly accurate for laboratory studies under controlled conditions and has also been successfully used for short term field tests of bridges and other structures. In this study, a simple low-cost approach is proposed to supplement periodic visual inspections with quantitative measurements using images from a handheld digital camera processed with a free DIC software. A method is introduced to correct measurement errors associated with the inevitable camera movements between photographs taken during different inspections. The approach was validated by tracking the shear crack kinematics of seven push-off specimens tested in the laboratory. After correcting for errors due to movement of the handheld camera, 98% of the 462 measurements made during the tests were within the selected tolerance limit of ± 0.1 mm compared with reference measurements made with a stationary camera equipped with a long focal length lens. These results represent a first step towards the use of the DIC technique for quantitative structural inspections for improved infrastructure management.

Mapping Shade Availability and Use in Zoo Environments: A Tool for Evaluating Thermal Comfort.

Simple SummaryThe thermal environment experienced by animals in zoos has implications for their comfort, and ultimately welfare. In this study, we describe a simple low-cost approach to documenting one key aspect of the environment, shade, and its use by animals. We share a successive approach that can be adopted based on an organization’s capacity: Ranging from simple mapping of shade availability in enclosures that can be built upon to incorporate more advanced tracking of space use by animals and detailed assessment of shade use. Using these methods, we discovered shade availability at a zoo in a northern continental climate varied greatly across enclosures, as well as by season and time of day. We present a case study on Sichuan takin to highlight the applied potential of this approach. Relying on insights from a combination of shade and behavioral data, a shade structure was installed and then evaluated for this species. As zoos seek to create enclosures that promote positive welfare, careful consideration should be paid to the thermal environment and choices available to animals. We share these accessible methods to encourage others to evaluate shade and its use by zoo animals.For many species in zoos, particularly megafauna vulnerable to heat stress, shade is a key environmental resource. However, shade availability has received comparatively less attention than other aspects of the zoo environment. In this study, we share a simple low-cost approach that we applied to document shade availability across 33 zoo enclosures. We then combined these assessments with behavioral observations of enclosure use and shade-seeking behavior during summer months in a case study focused on Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana) (n = 3), a large cold-adapted bovid. Behavioral observations were conducted before and after installation of a shade sail for the takin. Results indicated that shade availability varied widely across zoo enclosures, with the percent of shaded space ranging from 85 % to 22 % across enclosures during summer months. Shade was a dynamic resource and increased throughout the year and fluctuated across the day, with the least shade available midday. Takin showed general preferences for shaded areas near the walls of their enclosure but were observed using newly available shade from the shade sail after its installation. These accessible methods can be easily applied to assess shade within existing enclosures, evaluate enclosure modifications, and provide guidance for the design of new enclosures.

New simple low-cost surgical approach to complex jejuno-ileal atresia.

We report our experience of staged operations in the surgical treatment of complex jejuno-ileal atresia. Our study examined transgastric deflation of the proximal segment and feeding jejunostomy through the distal segment as a first stage followed by a definitive restoration of continuity secondarily at a tertiary centre over a period of three years. A cohort of 21 cases were studied. None suffered with intestinal perforation or volvulus. Tube plugging was seen in three patients who were relieved by flushing. Tube replacement was not required. One patient developed necrotising enterocolitis and died. Sepsis was seen in three. The age at the second operation was 56.2 ± 6.6 days. There was no complication after this second procedure. We therefore recommend this staged management for complex jejuno-ileal atresia, but suggest further studies.

A Facile Arc-Discharge Method to Deposit Metal Nanoparticles on Glass Substrate

This paper presents a simple low-cost approach to produce nanoparticles using arc-discharge method. Unlike existing deposition techniques, this is the first instance that nanoparticles are deposited on a charge neutral substrate by arc discharge method. In an atmospheric environment, copper (Cu) has been used as both anode and cathode in the process. The use of same material in both the electrode happens to be the first use case with arc discharge method. A simple airflow has been used to direct the evaporated nanomaterials towards the substrate. XRD, UV and FESEM were employed to confirm the presence of Cu nanoparticles and its properties. XRD pattern shows a crystal size of Cu nanoparticles as 7.4 nm.

Monitoring secondhand tobacco smoke remotely in real-time: A simple low-cost approach.

INTRODUCTIONSecondhand smoke (SHS) in the home is a serious cause of ill-health, especially for children. SHS indoors can be indirectly measured using particulate matter monitors, and interventions have been developed using feedback from these monitors to encourage smoke-free homes. These interventions often use data that are several days out of date, as the data must be downloaded manually from monitors. It would be advantageous to access this information remotely in real-time to provide faster feedback to intervention participants.METHODSUsing off-the-shelf computer components and the Dylos DC1700 air quality monitor, a portable internet-connected monitor was developed that can send data to a server remotely. Four of these monitors were tested in homes in Israel to test the reliability of the connection. Data were downloaded from the monitor’s onboard memory and compared to the data sent to the server.RESULTSEight homes were monitored for 4 to 6 days, with a combined total count of 44 days. Less than 1% of data was lost, with no outage lasting longer than 1 hour 45 minutes. There was no significant difference in the mean concentrations measured in homes between mobile-transmitted data and data downloaded directly.CONCLUSIONSThis system appears to be a reliable way to monitor remotely home air quality for use in intervention studies, and could potentially have applications in other related research. Laboratories that own Dylos DC1700s may wish to consider converting them to such a system to obtain a cost-effective way of overcoming limitations in the Dylos design.

Limited volume heating method: a simple low cost approach to synthesize additive free long nanowires

A new type of limited volume heating system (LVH) is designed for the enhancement of the efficiency of conventional hydrothermal method to obtain additive free long nanowires (NWs). In LVH system, the period of chemical reaction is enhanced due to the supply of fresh chemicals by the convection of precursors between different temperature zones. In this work, the performance of the LVH system is investigated by synthesizing an array of long zinc oxide (ZnO) NWs as a case study. Morphological characterizations revealed the formation of long NWs of different dimension with growth temperatures, precursor concentrations and growth durations. The length of the NWs is greatly influenced by the variation in growth time and temperature, whereas their diameter was controlled by changing precursor concentration. The growth of NWs is along (002) direction as revealed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies. In this technique, the length of the NWs is increased upto five times in comparison to those grown by conventional global heating (CGH) method and thereby proving an enhanced performance of LVH system without any additives. Further, photoresponse behavior of the LVH grown long ZnO NWs is evaluated for ultraviolet detection, where photoresponse of 1.7 s and recovery time of 0.8 s is observed.

Evaluating RGB Imaging and Multispectral Active and Hyperspectral Passive Sensing for Assessing Early Plant Vigor in Winter Wheat.

Plant vigor is an important trait of field crops at early growth stages, influencing weed suppression, nutrient and water use efficiency and plant growth. High-throughput techniques for its evaluation are required and are promising for nutrient management in early growth stages and for detecting promising breeding material in plant phenotyping. However, spectral sensing for assessing early plant vigor in crops is limited by the strong soil background reflection. Digital imaging may provide a low-cost, easy-to-use alternative. Therefore, image segmentation for retrieving canopy cover was applied in a trial with three cultivars of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under two nitrogen regimes and in three sowing densities during four early plant growth stages (Zadok’s stages 14–32) in 2017. Imaging-based canopy cover was tested in correlation analysis for estimating dry weight, nitrogen uptake and nitrogen content. An active Greenseeker sensor and various established and newly developed vegetation indices and spectral unmixing from a passive hyperspectral spectrometer were used as alternative approaches and additionally tested for retrieving canopy cover. Before tillering (until Zadok’s stage 20), correlation coefficients for dry weight and nitrogen uptake with canopy cover strongly exceeded all other methods and remained on higher levels (R² > 0.60***) than from the Greenseeker measurements until tillering. From early tillering on, red edge based indices such as the NDRE and a newly extracted normalized difference index (736 nm; ~794 nm) were identified as best spectral methods for both traits whereas the Greenseeker and spectral unmixing correlated best with canopy cover. RGB-segmentation could be used as simple low-cost approach for very early growth stages until early tillering whereas the application of multispectral sensors should consider red edge bands for subsequent stages.

Fabrication of Si and Ge nanoarrays through graphoepitaxial directed hardmask block copolymer self-assembly

Films of self assembled diblock copolymers (BCPs) have attracted significant attention for generating semiconductor nanoarrays of sizes below 100 nm through a simple low cost approach for device fabrication. A challenging abstract is controlling microdomain orientation and ordering dictated by complex interplay of surface energies, polymer–solvent interactions and domain spacing. In context, microphase separated poly (styrene-b-ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) thin films is illustrated to fabricate nanopatterns on silicon and germanium materials trenches. The trenched templates was produced by simple electron beam lithography using hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) resist. The orientation of PEO, minority cylinder forming block, was controlled by controlling trench width and varying solvent annealing parameters viz. temperature, time etc. A noticeable difference in microdomain orientation was observed for Si and Ge trenches processed under same conditions. The Ge trenches promoted horizontal orientations compared to Si due to difference in surface properties without any prior surface treatments. This methodology allows to create Ge nanopatterns for device fabrication since native oxides on Ge often induce patterning challenges. Subsequently, a selective metal inclusion method was used to form hardmask nanoarrays to pattern transfer into those substrates through dry etching. The hardmask allows to create good fidelity, low line edge roughness (LER) materials nanopatterns.

Preparation of astilbin amorphous nanosuspension and its in vitro evaluation

Astilbil nanosuspension (AT-NS) was prepared by an antisolvent precipitation method. The formula and process of AT-NS were optimized by the single factor experiment. AT-NS was prepared under the optimal conditions, and its morphology and crystallinity were characterized. In vitro release of AT-NS was also determined. The particle size of AT-NS stabilized by PVP K30 was (149±3) nm, and the polydispersity index (PDI) and stability index (SI) were 0.137±0.014 and 0.940±0.012, respectively. The results of SEM showed that AT-NS was spherical. Both XRD and DSC showed that AT was amorphous in nanosuspension. In the in vitro release test, AT-NS showed a significantly increased dissolution. This simple low-cost approach could prepare AT-NS successfully. AT-NS could significantly improve the dissolution of AT and provide the reference to break the limitation on the clinical application of AT.

Preparation of nanosuspension of quercetin with a miniaturized milling method

The nanosuspension of quercetin (QT-NS) was prepared by a miniaturized milling method, and the process was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface method. Then the accumulative release rate of QT-NS in vitro was determined. The results showed that the optimal process parameters were as follows: ZrO2 4.5 mL, milling speed 690 r•min⁻¹ and milling time 1.5 h; the particle size of QT-NS was (169±5) nm, polydispersity index of 0.204±0.006 and stability index of 0.827±0.014, respectively. There was a little deviation between the theoretically predicted value and the measured value, indicating that this model had a good prediction effect. The accumulative release rate in vitro of QT-NS in 120 min was significantly higher than that of the raw drug and physical mixture. This simple low-cost miniaturization approach could prepare QT-NS successfully, and could provide reference for the formulation of the nanosuspension.

A simple template-free immersion process to fabricate ZnO nanowire films on nanocrystalline zinc substrate at room temperature

A novel approach for synthesizing ZnO nanowire film is reported. The film is produced by immersing a nanocrystalline zinc electrodeposit in a NaCl solution at room temperature without template required. The ZnO nanowire film has an average wire diameter of 40nm, which shows strong light absorption capability and high optoelectronic activity under UV illumination. This is a simple low-cost approach with the promise for large-scale production of ZnO nanowire films.

A Simple Low-Cost Approach of Fabricating Nanostructured Polydimethylsiloxane Layer for Application in Solar Cell Encapsulation

A Simple Low-Cost Approach of Fabricating Nanostructured Polydimethylsiloxane Layer for Application in Solar Cell Encapsulation

Nanostructure Lanthanum Doped Zinc Oxide Optical Materials

Transition-metal-doped ZnO is considered a promising candidate for applications in spintronics. Thin films of ZnO at different Lanthanum (La) doping concentration varied from 1 to 4 wt% have been synthesized via a new facile sol gel route using the spin coating approach. X-ray diffraction patterns of the films showed that the pure ZnO and La-doped ZnO films exhibited hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with a preferred orientation along (002) direction. The crystallite size, lattice constants, lattice strain, defect density and crystallinity of the films depending on La wt%. Surface morphology of the films obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission scanning microscopy (TEM) revealed that films grew as nano-spherical shaped with diameters varying between 18 to 20 nm dependent on La wt%. The optical transmittances of all films are highly transparent in the visible wavelength region with an average transmittance of about 91%. The optical energy gap increased from 3.30 to 3.33 eV with an increase in the concentration of La-doping. The optical constants such as refractive index, extension coefficient, real and imaginary dielectric constant of La doped ZnO films were also estimated. The dc electrical conductivity of the films increases with the increasing in La wt%. These new simple low-cost approach should promise us a future large-scale growth of metal oxides nanostructures for potential applications in optoelectronics

Low-cost electrochemical treatment of indium tin oxide anodes for high-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes

We demonstrate a simple low-cost approach as an alternative to conventional O2 plasma treatment to modify the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) anodes for use in organic light-emitting diodes. ITO is functionalized with F− ions by electrochemical treatment in dilute hydrofluoric acid. An electrode with a work function of 5.2 eV is achieved following fluorination. Using this electrode, a maximum external quantum efficiency of 26.0% (91 cd/A, 102 lm/W) is obtained, which is 12% higher than that of a device using the O2 plasma-treated ITO. Fluorination also increases the transparency in the near-infrared region.

Touching the Void: Exploring Virtual Objects through a Vibrotactile Glove

This paper describes a simple low-cost approach to adding an element of haptic interaction within a virtual environment. Using off-the-shelf hardware and software we describe a simple setup that can be used to explore physically virtual objects in space. This setup comprises of a prototype glove with a number of vibrating actuators to provide the haptic feedback, a Kinect camera for the tracking of the user's hand and a virtual reality development environment. As proof of concept and to test the efficiency of the system as well as its potential applications, we developed a simple application where we created 4 different shapes within a virtual environment in order to try to explore them and guess their shape through touch alone.

Bimodally integrated anode functional layer for lower temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Here we demonstrated a simple low-cost approach to dramatically increase the power density of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) using an improved anode functional layer (AFL) structure. By infiltrating a very small amount (∼2 wt%) of Ni and Gd0.1Ce0.9O1.95(GDC) precursor solution into a submicron-sized, colloidally deposited AFL, a high power density cost-effective bimodally integrated AFL (BI-AFL) was produced. Microstructural analysis of this BI-AFL revealed that the superimposed ultra-fine features surrounding a submicron Ni–GDC particulate structure remained even after high temperature sintering. Applying this BI-AFL on an anode-supported SOFC yielded a maximum power density (MPD) of ∼1.2 W cm−2 at 600 °C, a ∼3× increase compared to SOFC without an AFL. Electrochemical impedance results showed a striking decrease in both ohmic and non-ohmic electrode area specific resistances (ASR) compared to SOFCs with either no AFL or a conventional AFL. The effect of the BI-AFL structure on improving SOFC performance was even greater at lower temperature. These results indicate that a network structure with bimodal particle size distribution in the AFL dramatically increased triple phase boundary (TPB) length and enhanced the interfacial contact between anode and electrolyte.

Large low-field magnetoresistance in Fe3O4/molecule nanoparticles at room temperature

Acetic acid molecule-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles, 450–650 nm in size, have been synthesized using a chemical solvothermal reduction method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements confirm one monolayer acetic acid molecules chemically bond to the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR) of more than −10% at room temperature and −23% at 140 K is achieved with saturation field of less than 2 kOe. In comparison, the resistivity of cold-pressed bare Fe3O4 nanoparticles is six orders of magnitudes smaller than that of Fe3O4/molecule nanoparticles, and the LFMR ratio is one order of magnitude smaller. Our results indicate that the large LFMR in Fe3O4/molecule nanoparticles is associated with spin-polarized electrons tunnelling through molecules instead of direct nanoparticle contacts. These results suggest that magnetic oxide-molecule hybrid materials are an alternative type of materials to develop spin-based devices by a simple low-cost approach.

Label-free optical biosensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance of twin-linked gold nanoparticles electrodeposited on ITO glass

A simple low-cost electrochemical approach has been used to directly deposit twin-linked gold nanoparticles (TGNPs) onto transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) coated film glass. The as-prepared TGNPs have a transverse localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band at 540 nm and a longitudinal LSPR band at about 710 nm. The longitudinal LSPR band of TGNPs exhibits higher refractive index sensitivity (245 nm/RIU) than its transverse LSPR band. The resulting “clean” surface of the TGNPs is easy applied to the further modification. The subsequent bioconjugation of TGNP films with goat anti-mouse-immunoglobulin G (anti-m-IgG) is successfully employed for the detection of mouse-immunoglobulin G (m-IgG) in a model based on the specific binding affinity between the antigen and antibody. The spectrophotometric sensor shows concentration-dependent binding for m-IgG. This study reveals a simple and sensitive method to fabricate a label-free optical biosensor based on longitudinal LSPR band of TGNPs on ITO substrate.