Sharif Digital Repository

Colloidal quantum dot solar cells have recently attracted significant attention due to their low-processing cost and surging photovoltaic performance. In this paper, a novel, reproducible, and simple solution-based process based on supercritical fluid toluene is presented for in situ growth and deposition PbS nanocrystals with oleic-acid passivation. A lead precursor containing sulfur was mixed with oleic acid in toluene and processed in a supercritical fluid condition at different temperatures of 140, 270 and 330 °C for 20 min. The quantum dots were deposited on a fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrate inside the supercritical reactor. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction,... 

This paper presents a recursive approach for solving kinematic and dynamic problems in snake-like robots using Kane's equations. An n-link model with n-nonholonomic constraints is used as the snake robot model in our analysis. The proposed algorithm which is used to derive kinematic and dynamic equations recursively, enhances the computational efficiency of our analysis. Using this method we can determine the number of additions and multiplications as a function of n. The proposed method is compared with the Lagrange and Newton-Euler's method in three different aspects: Number of operations, CPU time and error in the computational procedures. © 2006 Cambridge University Press  

This paper presents a recursive approach for solving kinematic and dynamic problem in snake-like robots using Kane's equations. An n-link model with n-nonholonomic constraints is used as the snake robot model in our analysis. The proposed algorithm which is used to derive kinematic and dynamic equations recursively enhances the computational efficiency of our analysis. Using this method we can determine the number of additions and multiplications as a function of n. The proposed method is compared with the Lagrange and Newton-Euler's method in three different aspects: Number of operations, CPU time and error in the computational procedures. Copyright © 2005 by ASME  

Recently, hybrid nanocomposites consisting of graphene/nanomaterial heterostructures have emerged as promising candidates for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices. In this work, we have employed a facile and in situ solution-based process to prepare zinc oxide/graphene quantum dots (ZnO/G QDs) in a hybrid structure. The prepared hybrid dots are composed of a ZnO core, with an average size of 5 nm, warped with graphene nanosheets. Spectroscopic studies show that the graphene shell quenches the photoluminescence intensity of the ZnO nanocrystals by about 72%, primarily due to charge transfer reactions and static quenching. A red shift in the absorption peak is also observed. Raman... 

In the current study, hydrogen fluoride (HF) adsorption onto the sodium fluoride pellets is modeled. For this purpose a two-dimensional, non-isothermal model was developed and the governing equations were solved numerically. The contributions of diffusion transport in axial and radial directions also were considered in mathematical formulations. The model results of effluent concentration and breakthrough curves of HF were compared with the experimental data obtained in a lab-scale adsorption unit, reported in our previous work [1]. The results indicate while the feed gas velocity decreases, the HF adsorption capacity on NaF is significantly enhanced and there is a delay in breakthrough... 

In uranium conversion industry, the fluorine is used as chemical raw material gas to produce UF4 and UF6 while its purity is very important. In this study, the adsorption process of hydrogen fluoride, as an impurity in the process of fluorine production, on sodium fluoride pellets is experimentally studied in a lab-scale fixed bed adsorbent. Also, the effects of some operating parameters including inlet concentration and inlet temperature of hydrogen fluoride are precisely investigated on the adsorption process. The data of adsorption are analyzed and correlated by Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. The adsorption capacity is found to be 1.908 and 0.750 g HF/g NaF by the Langmuir... 

User modeling plays an important role in delivering customized web services to the users and improving their engagement. However, most user models in the literature do not explicitly consider the temporal behavior of users. More recently, continuous-time user modeling has gained considerable attention and many user behavior models have been proposed based on temporal point processes. However, typical point process-based models often considered the impact of peer influence and content on the user participation and neglected other factors. Gamification elements are among those factors that are neglected, while they have a strong impact on user participation in online services. In this article,... 

Solidification cracking is one the most common types of cracking in the weld of the aluminum alloys. Although some numerical models have been developed for investigation of the solidification cracking, the effect of the grain misorientation on the solidification cracking susceptibility (SCS) of a weld has rarely been considered. This work studies the effect of the angle between the primary arms of the dendrites on the SCS. Hence, a solidification cracking model was developed given the grain misorientation in the convergence condition. The model was investigated for Al-Cu alloys. When the grain boundary energy was considered in the model, there was an increase in the SCS for misorientation... 

This paper presents solid-state ligand exchange of spin-coated colloidal lead sulfide quantum dot (PbS QD) films by methylammonium iodide (MAI) and integration of them in depleted heterojunction solar (DHS) devices having an antireflecting (AR) nanocone plastic structure. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements determine a shorter lifetime of the charge carries on a semiconductor (TiO2) electron transfer layer for the MAI-passivated QD films as compared with those with long-chain aliphatic or short thiol ligands. Consequently, the DHS device yields improved power conversion efficiency (>125%) relative to oleic-acid-passivated PbS QD films. Using anodized aluminum oxide templates, an... 

During the last decade, solution-processed colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) have attracted significant attention for low-cost fabrication of optoelectronic devices. In this study, lead sulfide (PbS) CQDs were synthesized via the hot injection method and the effect of doping elements with low electron affinity, including cadmium, calcium and zinc, on the passivation of trap states was investigated. A red-shift in the luminescence emission was observed by doping through passivation of lead dangling bonds. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements showed that the lifetime of charged carriers was significantly enhanced by cadmium doping (∼80%) which is quite noticeable compared with calcium- and... 

Herein, a new dopant-free organic material, PV2000, as a stable hole transporting layer (HTL) for the fabrication of stable and efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is introduced. For this purpose, planar PSCs using a triple-A cation perovskite composition are fabricated and the commonly used 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis[N,N-di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) HTL is replaced by dopant-free PV2000 polymer. The characterization results disclose that the PV2000 has a great thermal stability, good hole mobility, and suitable band alignment that matches well with the valence band of triple-A cation perovskite. After proper optimization of PV2000 film thickness, a planar PSC... 

An efficient gradient-based method to solve the volume constrained topology optimization problems is presented. Each iterate of this algorithm is obtained by the projection of a Barzilai-Borwein step onto the feasible set con- sisting of box and one linear constraints (volume constraint). To ensure the global convergence, an adaptive nonmonotone line search is performed along the direction that is given by the current and projection point. The adaptive cyclic reuse of the Barzilai-Borwein step is applied as the initial stepsize. The minimum memory requirement, the guaranteed convergence property, and al- most only one function and gradient evaluations per iteration make this new method very... 

In this paper a new approach to dynamic optimization of a rough terrain rover is introduced. Since rover wheels traction has a significant role in rover mobility, optimization is based on the minimization of traction at rover wheel-ground interfaces. The method of optimization chosen is Genetic Algorithm (GA) which is a directed random search technique along with the usual optimization based on directional derivatives. GA is a suitable and efficient method of optimization for nonlinear problems. The procedure is applied on a specific rough terrain rover called CEDRA-I Shrimp Rover. The present work resulted in design and manufacturing of the optimized rover called CEDRA-II Shrimp Rover. ©... 

In this paper a new approach to dynamics optimization of rough terrain rovers is introduced. Since rover wheels traction has a significant role in rover mobility, optimization is based on the minimization of traction at rover wheel-ground interfaces. The method of optimization chosen is Genetic Algorithm (GA) which is a directed random search technique along with the usual optimization based on directional derivatives. GA is a suitable and efficient method of optimization for nonlinear problems. The procedure is applied on a specific rough terrain rover called CEDRA-I Shrimp Rover. Dynamical equations are obtained using Kane's method. Finally, the results are verified by modeling of the... 

Recently, hybrid graphene–quantum dot systems have attracted increasing attention for the next-generation optoelectronic devices such as ultrafast photo-detectors and solar energy harvesting. In this paper, a novel, one-step, reproducible, and solution-processed method is introduced to prepare hybrid graphene–PbS colloids by employing supercritical ethanol. In the hybrid nanocomposite, PbS quantum dots (~3 nm) are decorated on the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets (~1 nm thickness and less than 1 micron lengths). By employing X-ray photoelectron and Raman and infrared spectroscopy techniques, it is shown that the rGO nanosheets are bonded to PbS nanocrystals through carboxylic bonds.... 

Hybrid nanostructures combining semiconductor quantum dots and graphene are attracting increasing attention because of their optoelectronic properties promising for photovoltaic applications. We present a hot-injection synthesis of a colloidal nanostructure which we define as quasi core/shell PbS/graphene quantum dots due to the incomplete passivation of PbS surfaces with an ultrathin layer of graphene. Simulation by density functional theory of a prototypical model of a nonstoichiometric Pb-rich core (400 atoms) coated by graphene (20 atoms for each graphene sheet) indicates the possibility of surface passivation of (111) planes of PbS with graphene resulting in a decrease in trap states... 

A 3 DOF platform was constructed in the Georgia Institute of Technology to perform new control strategies in an experimental framework. Also in this simulator, there isn't any sensor used by a real satellite for attitude determination. The setup was structured on data transmitting and synchronization of distributed elements for ADCS tests. In such a plan, not only can different elements of the test bed be used individually, but also they can support an integrated hardware in the loop test. Accordingly, reusing the hardware sources causes a cost reduction of development. Furthermore the geometric interferences of different parts are minimized in this plan. So, the test bed can be developed... 

A magnetic nanoparticle@starch-g-poly(vinyl sulfate) nanocomposite (MNP@St-g-PVS) as a new magnetic nano-adsorbent has been prepared based on graft copolymerization of vinyl acetate onto starch in the presence of magnetic nanoparticles, where the acetate groups were converted to hydroxyl groups followed by the sulfation of the hydroxyl groups using chlorosulfonic acid. Characterization of this magnetic nanocomposite was carried out by FTIR, TGA, XRD, VSM, SEM, TEM and elemental analysis. The resulting nanocomposite was used as an adsorbent for the removal of typical cationic dyes, methylene blue (MB) and malachite green (MG), from aqueous solutions. All experimental parameters that can... 

In this work, a novel photoactive cellulose-based hydrogel was prepared by simultaneous AgCl formation and entrapment inside Al (III) and Fe (III) cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose beads. Physio-chemical and optical properties of the synthesized composites were well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, elemental mapping, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic activity of hydrogels was evaluated by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), as a model environmental pollutant. A comparative study showed that... 

E-learning environments are being used more efficiently by the rapid growth in internet and multimedia technologies. Adaptive learning is a kind of learning environment which provides individual learning. It can customize the learning style according to the individual's personality and characteristics. Although there are a lot of e-learning systems having adaptive learning feature, they do not satisfy all adaptive learning aspects. This paper proposes a new method which tries to help learners find educational contents adapted to their personalities in an efficient manner. Our proposed method has four essential parts: 1) It finds out learner's features by Bayesian networks. 2) Then It tries...