Fabrication of Graphene/Cu Composite by Chemical Vapor Deposition and Effects of Graphene Layers on Resultant Electrical Conductivity

Graphene(Gr)has unique properties including high electrical conductivity;Thus,graphene/copper(Gr/Cu)composites have attracted increasing attention to replace traditional Cu for electrical applications. However,the problem of how to control graphene to form desired Gr/Cu composite is not well solved. This paper aims at exploring the best parameters for preparing graphene with different layers on Cu foil by chemical vapor deposition(CVD)method and studying the effects of different layers graphene on Gr/Cu composite’s electrical conductivity. Graphene grown on single-sided and double-sided copper was prepared for Gr/Cu and Gr/Cu/Gr composites. The resultant electrical conductivity of Gr/Cu composites increased with decreasing graphene layers and increasing graphene volume fraction. The Gr/Cu/Gr composite with monolayer graphene owns volume fraction of less than 0.002%,producing the best electrical conductivity up to59.8 ×10^(6)S/m,equivalent to 104.5% IACS and 105.3% pure Cu foil.

Exploring the synergy of the eyebrain connection:neuromodulation approaches for neurodegenerative disorders through transcorneal electrical stimulation

The connection and interaction between the eye and the brain are crucial to understanding brain disorders(Marchesi et al.,2021).Both the eye and the brain have a limited regenerative capacity as there are few progenitor cells,and nerve cells do not replicate.Hence,neurodegeneration implicates irreversible damage to the central nervous system,as observed in several neurodegenerative diseases(Marchesi et al.,2021).

Electrical Installation Safety Assessment of Buildings in Kumasi, Ghana

This study aims to evaluate the safety status of electrical installations in residential and commercial buildings within the Suame ECG strategic business unit, Ghana, focusing on compliance with international and Ghanaian wiring standards. The research assesses key factors influencing safety, including the certification of electricians, the quality of cable brands used, proper cable sizing, adherence to wiring color codes, the awareness and use of Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs), and the protection of earth electrodes. A descriptive research design was utilized, involving extensive field surveys and electrical installation audits. Data were collected using standardized tools and analyzed with SPSS software to evaluate the professional competencies of artisans and their adherence to safety standards. The findings indicate significant safety risks, with 69.7% of electricians lacking proper certification, leading to the widespread use of non-approved cable brands, improper cable sizing, and deviations from wiring color codes. Additionally, deficiencies were found in the awareness and use of RCCBs and the protection of earth electrodes. The study concludes with recommendations to enhance electrical safety, including mandatory certification for electricians, public awareness campaigns, regular inspections, and ongoing training and development programs. These measures are crucial for improving the overall safety and quality of electrical installations in the Suame area, Ghana.

Utilizing engineered extracellular vesicles as delivery vectors in the management of ischemic stroke:a special outlook on mitochondrial delivery

Ischemic stroke is a secondary cause of mortality worldwide,imposing considerable medical and economic burdens on society.Extracellular vesicles,serving as natural nanocarriers for drug delivery,exhibit excellent biocompatibility in vivo and have significant advantages in the management of ischemic stroke.However,the uncertain distribution and rapid clearance of extracellular vesicles impede their delivery efficiency.By utilizing membrane decoration or by encapsulating therapeutic cargo within extracellular vesicles,their delivery efficacy may be greatly improved.Furthermore,previous studies have indicated that microvesicles,a subset of large-sized extracellular vesicles,can transport mitochondria to neighboring cells,thereby aiding in the restoration of mitochondrial function post-ischemic stroke.Small extracellular vesicles have also demonstrated the capability to transfer mitochondrial components,such as proteins or deoxyribonucleic acid,or their sub-components,for extracellular vesicle-based ischemic stroke therapy.In this review,we undertake a comparative analysis of the isolation techniques employed for extracellular vesicles and present an overview of the current dominant extracellular vesicle modification methodologies.Given the complex facets of treating ischemic stroke,we also delineate various extracellular vesicle modification approaches which are suited to different facets of the treatment process.Moreover,given the burgeoning interest in mitochondrial delivery,we delved into the feasibility and existing research findings on the transportation of mitochondrial fractions or intact mitochondria through small extracellular vesicles and microvesicles to offer a fresh perspective on ischemic stroke therapy.

Unveiling the synthesis,characteristics,electrical conductivity,photocatalytic activity,and electrochemical activity of eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles

The Nigella Sativa seeds were utilized for the environment-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles(ZnO NPs),as evident by the observation of a white precipitate.Numerous analytical techniques,such as XRD,FTIR,UV–vis,SEM,and EDX,were utilized to describe the specimen's structural,optical,and electrical properties.XRD analysis was used to confirm that the ZnO NPs were crystalline.An absorbance peak at 401 nm was observed in the UV–vis,indicating that the ZnO NPs have a 2.91 eV bandgap.Functional groups are present in ZnO NPs,as seen by the FTIR graph.The nanoparticles'spherical form and average size of 37.9 nm were confirmed by the SEM image.EDX analysis confirmed the composition of the nanoparticles,with zinc accounting for 73.17%and oxygen for 26.83%.ZnO NPs demonstrated excellent electrical conductivity because of their higher surface-to-volume ratio.Additionally,the synthesis of ZnO NPs exhibited effective degradation of methylene blue dye.These results point to potential applications in several domains,including electronics,biomedical devices,industry,and agriculture,and they call for immediate follow-up research.

Data-Driven Healthcare:The Role of Computational Methods in Medical Innovation

The purpose of this review is to explore the intersection of computational engineering and biomedical science,highlighting the transformative potential this convergence holds for innovation in healthcare and medical research.The review covers key topics such as computational modelling,bioinformatics,machine learning in medical diagnostics,and the integration of wearable technology for real-time health monitoring.Major findings indicate that computational models have significantly enhanced the understanding of complex biological systems,while machine learning algorithms have improved the accuracy of disease prediction and diagnosis.The synergy between bioinformatics and computational techniques has led to breakthroughs in personalized medicine,enabling more precise treatment strategies.Additionally,the integration of wearable devices with advanced computational methods has opened new avenues for continuous health monitoring and early disease detection.The review emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to further advance this field.Future research should focus on developing more robust and scalable computational models,enhancing data integration techniques,and addressing ethical considerations related to data privacy and security.By fostering innovation at the intersection of these disciplines,the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and outcomes becomes increasingly attainable.

Characteristic evaluation of Al_2O_3/CNTs hybrid materials for micro-electrical discharge machining

The characteristic evaluation of aluminum oxide （A1203）/carbon nanotubes （CNTs） hybrid composites for micro-electrical discharge machining （EDM） was described. Alumina matrix composites reinforced with CNTs were fabricated by a catalytic chemical vapor deposition method. A1203 composites with different CNT concentrations were synthesized. The electrical characteristic of A1203/CNTs composites was examined. These composites were machined by the EDM process according to the various EDM parameters, and the characteristics of machining were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscope （FESEM）. The electrical conductivity has a increasing tendency as the CNTs content is increased and has a critical point at 5% A1203 （volume fraction）. In the machining accuracy, many tangles of CNT in A1203/CNTs composites cause violent spark. Thus, it causes the poor dimensional accuracy and circularity. The results show that conductivity of the materials and homogeneous distribution of CNTs in the matrix are important factors for micro-EDM of A1203/CNTs hybrid composites.

Analysis of Nonlinear Electrical Circuits Using Bernstein Polynomials

In electrical circuit analysis, it is often necessary to find the set of all direct current （d.c.） operating points （either voltages or currents） of nonlinear circuits. In general, these nonlinear equations are often represented as polynomial systems. In this paper, we address the problem of finding the solutions of nonlinear electrical circuits, which are modeled as systems of n polynomial equations contained in an n-dimensional box. Branch and Bound algorithms based on interval methods can give guaranteed enclosures for the solution. However, because of repeated evaluations of the function values, these methods tend to become slower. Branch and Bound algorithm based on Bernstein coefficients can be used to solve the systems of polynomial equations. This avoids the repeated evaluation of function values, but maintains more or less the same number of iterations as that of interval branch and bound methods. We propose an algorithm for obtaining the solution of polynomial systems, which includes a pruning step using Bernstein Krawczyk operator and a Bernstein Coefficient Contraction algorithm to obtain Bernstein coefficients of the new domain. We solved three circuit analysis problems using our proposed algorithm. We compared the performance of our proposed algorithm with INTLAB based solver and found that our proposed algorithm is more efficient and fast.

Tailored PEDOT:PSS hole transport layer for higher performance in perovskite solar cells: Enhancement of electrical and optical properties with improved morphology

Precise control over the charge carrier dynamics throughout the device can result in outstanding performance of perovskite solar cells(PSCs).Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)(PEDOT:PSS)is the most actively studied hole transport material in p-i-n structured PSCs.However,charge transport in the PEDOT:PSS is limited and inefficient because of its low conductivity with the presence of the weak ionic conductor PSS.In addition,morphology of the underlying PEDOT:PSS layer in PSCs plays a crucial role in determining the optoelectronic quality of the active perovskite absorber layer.This work is focused on realization of a non-wetting conductive surface of hole transport layer suitable for the growth of larger perovskite crystalline domains.This is accomplished by employing a facile solventengineered(ethylene glycol and methanol)approach resulting in removal of the predominant PSS in PEDOT:PSS.The consequence of acquiring larger perovskite crystalline domains was observed in the charge carrier dynamics studies,with the achievement of higher charge carrier lifetime,lower charge transport time and lower transfer impedance in the solvent-engineered PEDOT:PSS-based PSCs.Use of this solventengineered treatment for the fabrication of MAPbI3 PSCs greatly increased the device stability witnessing a power conversion efficiency of 18.18%,which corresponds to^37%improvement compared to the untreated PEDOT:PSS based devices.

Parallel Dispatch:A New Paradigm of Electrical Power System Dispatch

Modern power systems are evolving into sociotechnical systems with massive complexity, whose real-time operation and dispatch go beyond human capability. Thus,the need for developing and applying new intelligent power system dispatch tools are of great practical significance. In this paper, we introduce the overall business model of power system dispatch, the top level design approach of an intelligent dispatch system, and the parallel intelligent technology with its dispatch applications. We expect that a new dispatch paradigm,namely the parallel dispatch, can be established by incorporating various intelligent technologies, especially the parallel intelligent technology, to enable secure operation of complex power grids,extend system operators' capabilities, suggest optimal dispatch strategies, and to provide decision-making recommendations according to power system operational goals.

Comparative study on discharge conditions in micro-hole electrical discharge machining of tungsten carbide (WC-Co) material

WC-Co is used widely in die and mold industries due to its unique combination of hardness, strength and wear-resistance. For machining difficult-to-cut materials, such as tungsten carbide, micro-electrical discharge machining(EDM) is one of the most effective methods for making holes because the hardness is not a dominant parameter in EDM. This paper describes the characteristics of the discharge conditions for micro-hole EDM of tungsten carbide with a WC grain size of 0.5 μm and Co content of 12%. The EDM process was conducted by varying the condenser and resistance values. A R-C discharge EDM device using arc erosion for micro-hole machining was suggested. Furthermore, the characteristics of the developed micro-EDM were analyzed in terms of the electro-optical observation using an oscilloscope and field emission scanning electron microscope.

Joining of Individual Silver Nanowires via Electrical Current

A procedure for joining polyol-synthesized silver nanowires in air using current-induced Joule heat welding is reported. Using a common probe station and photolithographically patterned gold electrodes, the welding process is completed using a common semiconductor analyzer. A unique two-step procedure eliminates the dielectric barrier at the point of contact without damaging the nanowires away from the junction. This procedure is designed for metal–metal contacts where a strong dielectric intermediate layer might exist, which can occur with metals prone to oxidation or corrosion in air, or as a result of the electrode deposition process. Ohmic connections are also established in cases where there is an initial gap between two nanowires.

Nanopowder production by gas-embedded electrical explosion of wire

A small electrical explosion of wire （EEW） setup for nanopowder production is constructed. It consists of a low inductance capacitor bank of 2 μF–4 μF typically charged to 8 kV–30 kV, a triggered gas switch, and a production chamber housing the exploding wire load and ambient gas. With the EEW device, nanosize powders of titanium oxides, titanium nitrides, copper oxides, and zinc oxides are successfully synthesized. The average particle size of synthesized powders under different experimental conditions is in a range of 20nm–80nm. The pressure of ambient gas or wire vapor can strongly affect the average particle size. The lower the pressure, the smaller the particle size is. For wire material with relatively high resistivity, such as titanium, whose deposited energy Wd is often less than sublimation energy W s due to the flashover breakdown along the wire prematurely ending the Joule heating process, the synthesized particle size of titanium oxides or titanium nitrides increases with overheat coefficient k （k = W d /Ws ） increasing.

Enabling electrically tunable radio frequency components with advanced microfabrication and thin film techniques

Multi-function,multiband,cost-effective,miniaturized reconfigurable radio frequency(RF)components are highly demanded in modern and future wireless communication systems.This paper discusses the needs and implementation of multiband reconfigurable RF components with microfabrication techniques and advanced materials.RF applications of fabrication methods such as surface and bulk micromachining techniques are reviewed,especially on the development of RF microelectromechanical systems(MEMS)and other tunable components.Works on the application of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials are investigated,which enables RF components with continuous tunability,reduced size,and enhanced performance.Methods and strategies with nano-patterning to improve high frequency characteristics of ferromagnetic thin film(e.g.,ferromagnetic resonance frequency and losses)and their applications on the development of fully electrically tunable RF components are fully demonstrated.

Electrical properties and reliability of HfO2 gate-dielectric MOS capacitors with trichloroethylene surface pretreatment

Trichloroethylene （TCE） pretreatment of Si surface prior to HfO2 deposition is employed to fabricate HfO2 gatedielectric MOS capacitors. Influence of this processing procedure on interlayer growth, HfO2/Si interface properties, gate-oxide leakage and device reliability is investigated. Among the surface pretreatments in NH3, NO, N2O and TCE ambients, the TCE pretreatment gives the least interlayer growths the lowest interface-state density, the smallest gate leakage and the highest reliability. All these improvements should be ascribed to the passivation effects of Cl2 and HC1 on the structural defects in the interlayer and at the interface, and also their gettering effects on the ion contamination in the gate dielectric.

Research at Tsinghua University on electrical explosions of wires

Electrical explosion of a wire(EEW)has been investigated for more than ten years at Tsinghua University,and the main results are reviewed in this paper.Based onEEWin vacuum,an X-pinch was used as an x-ray source for phase-contrast imaging of small insects such as mosquitoes and ants in which it was possible to observe clearly their detailed internal structures,which can never be seen with conventional x-ray radiography.Electrical explosion of a wire array(EEWA)in vacuum is the initial stage in the formation of a wire-array Z-pinch.The evolution ofEEWAwas observed with x-ray backlighting using two X-pinches as x-ray sources.It was found that each wire in an EEWA exhibits a core–corona structure instead of forming a fully vaporized metallic vapor.This structure is detrimental to the plasma implosion of a Z-pinch.By inserting an insulator as a flashover switch into the cathode,formation of a core–corona structure was suppressed and core-freeEEWAwas realized.EEWin gases was used for nanopowder production.Three parameters(vaporization rate,gas pressure,and energy deposited in the exploding plasma)were found to influence the nanoparticle size.EEWin water was used for shock-wave generation.The shock wave generated by melting could be recorded with a piezoelectric gauge only in underheat EEW.ForEEW with a given stored energy but different energy-storage capacitor banks,the small capacitor bank produced a rapidly rising current that deposited more energy into the wire and generated a stronger shock wave.

Improvement of the electrical resistivity of epoxy resin at elevated temperature by adding a positive temperature coefficient BaTiO3-based compound

The DC electrical resistivity-temperature characteristic is an important property for insulating materials to operate at a high stress level.In order to improve the DC electrical resistivity at elevated temperature in a targeted way,a positive temperature coefficient(PTC)material(Ba Ti O3-based compound(BT60))was selected as the filler in this paper,whose electrical resistivity has a PTC effect when the temperature exceeds its Curie temperature.The BT60 was treated with hydrogen peroxide and(3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane.Epoxy composites with different loadings of BT60 fillers(0 wt%,0.5 wt%,and 2 wt%of epoxy)were prepared,denoted as EP-0,EP-0.5,and EP-2.It was shown that BT60 was able to maintain the DC breakdown strength when its loading was less than 2 wt%of epoxy.As the temperature exceeds 60°C,BT60 will compensate for the negative temperature coefficient effect of epoxy resin to some extent.The electrical resistivity of EP-2 was improved by 55%compared with that of neat epoxy at 90°C.It was found that the potential barrier at the grain boundary of BT60 and the deep traps in the interface between BT60 and the epoxy resin hinder the migration of carriers and thus increase the electrical resistivity of epoxy composite.

A Methodology for Identification of Weather Sensitive Component of Electrical Load Using Empirical Mode Decomposition Technique

The expansion planning and operation of all three sectors, generation, transmission and distribution, of power system essentially require load forecasting. Weather conditions have significant impacts on forecasted load, especially short-term and mid-term. A momentous portion of the electrical energy is consumed, especially in cold or hot countries, to mitigate the impact of weather on the daily life of human society. Usually, weather dependent component of load is identified by fitting appropriate non-linear curve to the scatter plot of weather-load model. This technique some times shows lower correlation with weather variables. This paper proposes a new methodology to identify the weather sensitive component of electrical load using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) technique. The proposed methodology is applied to the daily peak load of Dhaka zone of Bangladesh Power System (BPS) of the year 2012. A detailed numerical process to evaluate the weather sensitive portion of the load is also presented. The proposed methodology is validated through statistical error evaluation process. Finally the salient features of the results are discussed.

Towards Implementation of Smart Grid: An Updated Review on Electrical Energy Storage Systems

A smart grid will require, to greater or lesser degrees, advanced tools for planning and operation, broadly accepted communications platforms, smart sensors and controls, and real-time pricing. The smart grid has been described as something of an ecosystem with constantly communication, proactive, and virtually self-aware. The use of smart grid has a lot of economical and environmental advantages;however it has a downside of instability and unpredictability introduced by distributed generation (DG) from renewable energy into the public electric systems. Variable energies such as solar and wind power have a lack of stability and to avoid short-term fluctuations in power supplied to the grid, a local storage subsystem could be used to provide higher quality and stability in the fed energy. Energy storage systems (ESSs) would be a facilitator of smart grid deployment and a “small amount” of storage would have a “great impact” on the future power grid. The smart grid, with its various superior communications and control features, would make it possible to integrate the potential application of widely dispersed battery storage systems as well other ESSs. This work deals with a detailed updated review on available ESSs applications in future smart power grids. It also highlights latest projects carried out on different ESSs throughout all around the world.

Laser‑Induced and MOF‑Derived Metal Oxide/Carbon Composite for Synergistically Improved Ethanol Sensing at Room temperature

Advancements in sensor technology have significantly enhanced atmospheric monitoring.Notably,metal oxide and carbon(MO_(x)/C)hybrids have gained attention for their exceptional sensitivity and room-temperature sensing performance.However,previous methods of synthesizing MO_(x)/C composites suffer from problems,including inhomogeneity,aggregation,and challenges in micropatterning.Herein,we introduce a refined method that employs a metal–organic framework(MOF)as a precursor combined with direct laser writing.The inherent structure of MOFs ensures a uniform distribution of metal ions and organic linkers,yielding homogeneous MO_(x)/C structures.The laser processing facilitates precise micropatterning(<2μm,comparable to typical photolithography)of the MO_(x)/C crystals.The optimized MOF-derived MO_(x)/C sensor rapidly detected ethanol gas even at room temperature(105 and 18 s for response and recovery,respectively),with a broad range of sensing performance from 170 to 3,400 ppm and a high response value of up to 3,500%.Additionally,this sensor exhibited enhanced stability and thermal resilience compared to previous MOF-based counterparts.This research opens up promising avenues for practical applications in MOF-derived sensing devices.