Genetic algorithms (GAs) are used to optimize solutions to problems, particularly those that are analytically impossible to solve. As their name suggests, they are inspired by the biological concepts of genetics and evolution. Our work aims to study and model a silicon-based photovoltaic generator (PVG). Among the various models available is that of the diode. Modeling was used to approximate the PVG output (voltage, current) as a function of two inputs: temperature and irradiation. The parameters of our model were identified using a real coding algorithm, with the cumulative square error was used for selection. To test the effectiveness of our model, we carried out simulation tests on the power-voltage (P-V) and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of a wide range of irradiation and temperature variations. This study demonstrates the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approach (GAs) and validates the parameters obtained and used in the single-diode electrical model. The results indicate that the GA technique is a better conventional parameter extraction strategy in terms of convergence. It provides globally optimal solutions.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a significant cereal crop from the Gramineae family, serves as a vital source of protein, essential minerals, B-group vitamins, and dietary fiber. However, its productivity is often hindered by issues such as poor seed germination, which can adversely affect yield and crop quality. This study investigated the effects of different silicon concentrations and priming durations on wheat germination and seedling growth. Analysis of variance revealed that silicon treatment significantly influenced key parameters of germination and growth, including germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), vigor index (VI), radicle length (RL), plumule length (PL), and seedling dry weight (SDW). Priming with silicon at a concentration of 1 mM resulted in notable improvements, increasing GP, GI, VI, RL, and PL by 10.6%, 65.5%, 29.4%, 18.6%, and 28.6%, respectively, after 6 hours of priming. Certain germination traits demonstrated strong positive correlations, particularly GP and GI (r = 0.96) and VI and RL (r = 0.94), after 4 hours of priming. These improvements in seed germination and seedling development may result from enhanced water uptake, stimulated cell division, and increased hydrolytic enzyme activity, which facilitate the mobilization of seed reserves and accelerate the growth of embryonic tissues.

Silicon carbide (β-SiC) was synthesized through an improved sol–gel method, then Ni/SiC catalysts were prepared using a hydrothermal method. The catalysts were characterized using TEM, H2- TPR, CO2- TPD and N2- TPD, etc. The results showed that the synthesized β-SiC had a large specific surface area, promoting the dispersion of Ni species and thus exposing more active sites. The interaction between Ni species and β-SiC contributed significantly to catalytic performance. Furthermore, the strong alkalinity of catalyst could adjust the bond energy of the active metal and N (M–N), which were conducive to desorption of the recombinant N2 from the metal surface, promoting to ammonia decomposition. Among the Ni/SiC catalysts, 30Ni/SiC-700 synthesized with the Ni loading of 30 wt% and calcination temperature of 700 °C, exhibited the optimal ammonia conversion rate of 93.4% at 600 °C under the space speed of 30,000 mL∙gcat −1∙h−1, and demonstrated a long-term stability, suggesting a very promising catalyst in ammonia decomposition.

Silicon-based anode materials have attracted significant interest because of their advantages, including high theoretical specific capacity (~4,200 mAh/g), low working potential (0.4 V vs Li/Li+), and abundant sources. However, their significant initial capacity loss and large volume changes during cycling impede the application of silicon-based anodes in lithium-ion batteries. In this work, we propose a silicon oxide (SiOx) anode material for lithium-ion batteries produced with a magnesio-thermic reduction (MTR) process adopting Boryeong mud as a starting material. Boryeong mud contains various minerals such as clinochlore [(Mg,Fe)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8], anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8), illite [K0.7Al2(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2], and quartz (SiO2). The MTR process with Boryeong mud generates a mixture of amorphous silicon oxides (SiOx and SiO2), and magnesium aluminate which helps to alleviate the volume expansion of the electrode during charge/discharge. To observe the effects of these oxides, we conducted various analyses including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) galvanic cell testing. The amorphous SiO2 and MgAl2O4 suppressed the volume expansion of the silicon-based anode, and excellent cycle performance was achieved as a result.

Among various organic materials suitable for silicon-based inorganic-organic hybrid solar cells, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been extensively studied due to its high optical transmittance, high work function, and low bandgap characteristics. The electro-optical properties of PEDOT:PSS have a significant impact on the power conversion efficiency of silicon-organic hybrid solar cells. To enhance the photovoltaic properties of the silicon-organic hybrid solar cells, we developed a method to improve the properties of the PEDOT:PSS film using Ag nanowires (NW) instead of conventional solvent addition methods. The influence of the Ag NW on the electro-optical property of the PEDOT:PSS film and the photovoltaic performance of the silicon-organic hybrid solar cells were investigated. The addition of Ag NW further improved the sheet resistance of the PEDOT:PSS film, enhancing the performance of the silicon-organic hybrid solar cells. The present work using the low sheet resistance PEDOT:PSS layer paves the way to develop simple yet more efficient siliconorganic hybrid solar cells.

In this study, we report significant improvements in lithium-ion battery anodes cost and performance, by fabricating nano porous silicon (Si) particles from Si wafer sludge using the metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) process. To solve the problem of volume expansion of Si during alloying/de-alloying with lithium ions, a layer was formed through nitric acid treatment, and Ag particles were removed at the same time. This layer acts as a core-shell structure that suppresses Si volume expansion. Additionally, the specific surface area of Si increased by controlling the etching time, which corresponds to the volume expansion of Si, showing a synergistic effect with the core-shell. This development not only contributes to the development of high-capacity anode materials, but also highlights the possibility of reducing manufacturing costs by utilizing waste Si wafer sludge. In addition, this method enhances the capacity retention rate of lithium-ion batteries by up to 38 %, marking a significant step forward in performance improvements.

Disposable masks manufactured in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have caused environmental problems due to improper disposal methods such as landfilling or incineration. To mitigate environmental pollution, we suggest a new process for recycling these disposable masks for ultimate application as a conductive material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In our work, the masks were chemically processed via amine functionalization and sulfonation, followed by carbonization in a tube furnace in the Ar atmosphere. The residual weight percentages, as evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), of the chemically modified masks were 30.6% (600 °C, C-600), 24.5% (750 °C, C-750), and 24.1% (900 °C, C-900), respectively, thereby demonstrating the possibility of using our proposed method to recycle masks intended for disposal. The electrochemical performance of the fabricated carbonized materials was assessed by fabricating silicon/graphite (20:80) anodes incorporating these materials as additives for use in LIBs. Using a coin-type half-cell system, cells with the aforementioned carbonized materials exhibited initial capacities of 553 mAh/g, 607 mAh/g, and 571 mAh/g, respectively, which are comparable to those of commercial Super P (591 mAh/g). Cell cycled at the rate of 0.33 C with C-600, C-750, and C-900 as additives demonstrated capacity retention of 53.2%, 47.4%, and 51.1%, respectively, compared with that of Super P (48.3%). In addition, when cycled at rates from 0.2 to 5 C, the cells with anodes containing the respective additives exhibited rate capabilities similar to those of Super P. These results might be attributable to the unique surface properties and morphologies of the carbonized materials derived from the new recycling procedure, such as the size and number of heteroatoms on the surface.

The complexation of silicon with carbon materials is considered an effective method for using silicon as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. In the present study, carbon frameworks with a 3D porous structure were fabricated using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which have been drawing significant attention as a promising material in a wide range of applications. Subsequently, the fabricated carbon frameworks were subjected to CVD to obtain silicon-carbon complexes. These siliconcarbon complexes with a 3D porous structure exhibited excellent rate capability because they provided sufficient paths for Li-ion diffusion while facilitating contact with the electrolyte. In addition, unoccupied space within the silicon complex, combined with the stable structure of the carbon framework, allowed the volume expansion of silicon and the resultant stress to be more effectively accommodated, thereby reducing electrode expansion. The major findings of the present study demonstrate the applicability of MOF-based carbon frameworks as a material for silicon complex anodes.

Hybrid nanocomposites of aluminium (NHAMMCs) made from AA5052 are fabricated via stir casting route by reinforcing 12 wt% Si3N4 and 0.5 wt% of graphene for usage in aeronautical and automotive applications due to the lower density and higher strength to weight proportion. The wear characteristics of the NHAMMCs are evaluated for different axial load, rotational speed, sliding distance and sliding time based on Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Orowan strengthening mechanism is identified from optical image which improves the strength of the composite. Outcomes show that with higher axial load and rotational speed, there is substantial increase in wear loss whereas with increased sliding distance and sliding time there is no considerable increase in wear loss due to the lubricating nature of the reinforced graphene particles since it has higher surface area to volume ratio. Besides, artificial intelligence approach of neuro-fuzzy (ANFIS) model is developed to predict the output responses and the results are compared with the regression model predictions. Prediction from ANFIS outplays the regression model prediction.

Silicon (Si) has the potential to improve plant growth and stress tolerance. The study aimed to explore Si-involving plant responses and molecular characterization of different Si-responsive genes in alfalfa. In this study, the exogenous supplementation of Si enhanced plant growth, and biomass yield. Si-acquisition in alfalfa root and shoot was higher in Si-supplemented compared to silicon deficient (-Si) plants, implying Si-acquisition has beneficial on alfalfa plants. As a consequence, the quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was significantly increased in silicon-sufficient (+Si) plants. The quantitative gene expression analysis exhibited a significant upregulation of the Lsi1, Lsi2, Lsi3, NIP5;1, and NIP6;1 genes in alfalfa roots, while BOR1, BOR4, NIP2, and NIP3 showed no significant variation in their expression. The MEME results further noticed the association of four motifs related to the major intrinsic protein (MIP). The interaction analysis revealed that NIP5;1 and Lsi1 showed a shared gene network with NIP2, BOR1, and BOR4, and Lsi2, Lsi3 and NIP3-1, respectively. These results suggest that members of the major intrinsic proteins (MIPs) family especially Lsi1, Lsi2, Lsi3, NIP5;1, and NIP6;1 genes helped to pass water and other neutral solutes through the cell membrane and those played significant roles in Si uptake and transport in plants. Together, these insights might be useful for alfalfa breeding and genome editing approaches for alfalfa improvement.

PURPOSES : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a titanium dioxide (TiO2) asphalt surface treatment agent for reducing NOx on the roadside at laboratory and full scales. METHODS : To verify the NOx reduction performance of TiO2 and silicon-based resin-applied surface treatment agents at the lab scale, a bed flow photo reactor test (ISO standard) and a mixed tank photo reactor test designed to apply real-scale construction materials were conducted. Subsequently, the full-scale NOx reduction performance was verified using a full-scale demonstration facility, and the field construction capability of the TiO2 asphalt surface treatment agent was verified through actual road site application. RESULTS : The bed flow photoreactor and mixed tank photoreactor methods showed the same trend in the NOx removal performance. Evaluation of the NOx removal performance of the TiO2 surface treatment agent revealed that the NO removal rate was approximately 13% at the laboratory scale and 15% at full scale. CONCLUSIONS : Through this study, it was determined that the asphalt surface treatment agent applied with TiO2 will have a sufficient NOx reduction effect in an actual road site. In the future, it will be necessary to analyze the continuity of the effect according to traffic volume through continuous monitoring in the field.

To develop a high capacity lithium secondary battery, a new approach to anode material synthesis is required, capable of producing an anode that exceeds the energy density limit of a carbon-based anode. This research synthesized carbon nano silicon composites as an anode material for a secondary battery using the RF thermal plasma method, which is an ecofriendly dry synthesis method. Prior to material synthesis, a silicon raw material was mixed at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt% based on the carbon raw material in a powder form, and the temperature change inside the reaction field depending on the applied plasma power was calculated. Information about the materials in the synthesized carbon nano silicon composites were confirmed through XRD analysis, showing carbon (86.7~52.6 %), silicon (7.2~36.2 %), and silicon carbide (6.1~11.2 %). Through FE-SEM analysis, it was confirmed that the silicon bonded to carbon was distributed at sizes of 100 nm or less. The bonding shape of the silicon nano particles bonded to carbon was observed through TEM analysis. The initial electrochemical charging/ discharging test for the 40 wt% silicon mixture showed excellent electrical characteristics of 1,517 mAh/g (91.9 %) and an irreversible capacity of 133 mAh/g (8.1 %).

In this study, surface roughness and interfacial defect characteristics were analyzed after forming a high-k oxide film on the surface of a prime wafer and a test wafer, to study the possibility of improving the quality of the test wafer. As a result of checking the roughness, the deviation in the test after raising the oxide film was 0.1 nm, which was twice as large as that of the Prime. As a result of current-voltage analysis, Prime after PMA was 1.07 × 10 A/cm2 and Test was 5.61 × 10 A/cm2, which was about 5 times lower than Prime. As a result of analyzing the defects inside the oxide film using the capacitancevoltage characteristic, before PMA Prime showed a higher electrical defect of 0.85 × 1012 cm2 in slow state density and 0.41 × 1013 cm2 in fixed oxide charge. However, after PMA, it was confirmed that Prime had a lower defect of 4.79 × 1011 cm2 in slow state density and 1.33 × 1012 cm2 in fixed oxide charge. The above results confirm the difference in surface roughness and defects between the Test and Prime wafer.

본 논문에서는 지오폴리머의 상변화를 관찰하기 위하여 나노인덴테이션 데이터를 가우시안 믹스쳐 모델로 분석하는 방법을 제시 하였다. 지오폴리머는 일반 시멘트 대비 CO2 발생량을 줄일 수 있어 시멘트 대체 재료로써 많은 연구가 이루어지고 있다. 기존 연구들 로부터 최적의 실리콘/알루미늄 비율을 찾았으나 1.8 초과에서 압축강도 저하의 원인은 아직 불분명하다. 본 연구에서는 실리콘/알루 미늄 비율이 재료에 미치는 영향을 조사하고자 나노인덴테이션 실험을 수행하였다. 실험 결과를 가우시안 믹스쳐 모델로 상분석하였 고, 실리콘/알루미늄 비율이 증가할수록 재료가 균질거동을 하는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다. 본 연구결과는 강도저하를 규명하는데 직접 적인 근거로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

본 연구에서는 1500℃ 이상의 극한 열 환경에서 사용되는 소재인 SiC (silicon carbide) 섬유를 복합방적사로 제조 한 후에 원단을 제직하고 제직된 원단의 역학적 특성을 KES-FB system으로 측정하고 측정된 역학적 특성 값으로부 터 착용성능을 분석하여 방화복으로의 활용 가능성을 알아보았다. 그 결과 직물의 역학적 특성에서는 인장선형성 (LT)과 인장레질리언스(RT), 전단강성(G)을 나타내는 값이 원사의 제조형태에 따라서 그 특성 값의 차이를 보였으 며, 직물의 두께와 평량, 밀도 값이 전단히스테리시스(2HG)와 압축레질리언스(RC) 값에 영향을 준다는 것을 알 수있었다. 의복착용 성능에서는 착용 시 부피감을 나타내는 두께에 대한 압축에너지의 비(WC/T) 값에서 SiC 복합방적 사로 제조된 직물의 값이 가장 우수한 값을 타나내었으며, 방염성능에서는 SiC 복합방적사로 제조된 직물이 탄화길 이와 잔염시간에서 KFI 성능기준을 만족하여 방화복으로서의 활용이 가능함을 확인할 수 있었다.

Here, we report the development of a new and low-cost core-shell structure for lithium-ion battery anodes using silicon waste sludge and the Ti-ion complex. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the raw waste silicon sludge powder to be pure silicon without other metal impurities and the particle size distribution is measured to be from 200 nm to 3 μm by dynamic light scattering (DLS). As a result of pulverization by a planetary mill, the size of the single crystal according to the Scherrer formula is calculated to be 12.1 nm, but the average particle size of the agglomerate is measured to be 123.6 nm. A Si/TiO2 core-shell structure is formed using simple Ti complex ions, and the ratio of TiO2 peaks increased with an increase in the amount of Ti ions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations revealed that TiO2 coating on Si nanoparticles results in a Si-TiO2 core-shell structure. This result is expected to improve the stability and cycle of lithium-ion batteries as anodes.