1,721,357 research outputs found
Vocabulary acquisition software: user preferences and tutorial guidance
Full text linkWhat should be the role of AI in computer supported vocabulary acquisition? This paper presents a software system to aid the teaching and learning of vocabulary in the light of this question. It discusses the need to strike a balance between, on the one hand, providing tutorial guidance based on the knowledge and expertise of experienced language teachers, and on the other hand, providing facilities that a learner or teacher can use to control the acquisition process. The software system incorporates a tutoring module, and it has a user interface which is based on computer simulations of flash cards. The tutoring module is able to help either a teacher or learner specify various aspects of the selection, presentation and sequencing of lexical items. The flash card design is extended to allow the user a range of functions that can control the sequence of items and the amount of information that is presented
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Quantum Dots‐Based Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution from Water Splitting
No full textSolar-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen evolution is a promising and sustainable approach to convert solar energy into a fuel that can be stored. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are increasingly used in PEC devices due to their broad composition/size/shape tunable absorption spectrum (from ultraviolet to near-infrared, with significant overlap with the solar spectrum). Despite significant efforts and recent progress, several major challenges remain unresolved in this fast-developing field. Here, the latest progress in tailoring the materials, structure, and performance of QDs-based PEC H2 generation, including photoanodes, photocathodes, and tandem PEC systems, is summarized. In particular, recent strategies developed for PEC H2 generation are critically analyzed. Specific features of QDs (e.g., size/shape/composition-tunable absorption band edge arising from quantum confinement, ease of fabrication through chemical approaches, and multiple exciton generation), charge generation, and charge transfer of photoelectrodes and their implications on the performance of PEC devices are discussed. Future challenges and opportunities working, toward high-efficiency and stable QDs-based PEC applications are discussed in the conclusion
Core/Shell Quantum Dots Solar Cells
No full textSemiconductor nanocrystals, the so-called quantum dots (QDs), exhibit versatile optical and electrical properties. However, QDs possess high density of surface defects/traps due to the high surface-to-volume ratio, which act as nonradiative carrier recombination centers within the QDs, thereby deteriorating the overall solar cell performance. The surface passivation of QDs through the growth of an outer shell of different materials/compositions called “core/shell QDs” has proven to be an effective approach to reduce the surface defects and confinement potential, which can enable the broadening of the absorption spectrum, accelerate the carrier transfer, and reduce exciton recombination loss. Here, the recent research developments in the tailoring of the structure of core/shell QDs to tune exciton dynamics so as to improve solar cell performance are summarized. The role of band alignment of core and shell materials, core size, shell thickness/compositions, and interface engineering of core/thick shell called “giant” QDs on electron–hole spatial separation, carrier transport, and confinement potential, before and after grafting on the carrier scavengers (semiconductor/electrolyte), is described. Then, the solar cell performance based on core/shell QDs is introduced. Finally, an outlook for the rational design of core/shell QDs is provided, which can further promote the development of high-efficiency and stable QD sensitized solar cells
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Heavy‐Metal‐Free Colloidal Quantum Dots: Progress and Opportunities in Solar Technologies
Full text linkColloidal quantum dots (QDs) hold great promise as building blocks in solar technologies owing to their remarkable photostability and adjustable properties through the rationale involving size, atomic composition of core and shell, shapes, and surface states. However, most high-performing QDs in solar conversion contain hazardous metal elements, including Cd and Pb, posing significant environmental risks. Here, a comprehensive review of heavy-metal-free colloidal QDs for solar technologies, including photovoltaic (PV) devices, solar-to-chemical fuel conversion, and luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), is presented. Emerging synthetic strategies to optimize the optical properties by tuning the energy band structure and manipulating charge dynamics within the QDs and at the QDs/charge acceptors interfaces, are analyzed. A comparative analysis of different synthetic methods is provided, structure-property relationships in these materials are discussed, and they are correlated with the performance of solar devices. This work is concluded with an outlook on challenges and opportunities for future work, including machine learning-based design, sustainable synthesis, and new surface/interface engineering
Role of Carbon Nanotubes to Enhance the Long-Term Stability of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
No full textImproving the long-term stability of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is a critical challenge which affects both their technical viability and future large-scale commercialization. Here, we investigate the role of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in improving the long-term stability of DSSCs by comparing the performance of two series of devices made of (i) bare nanocrystalline TiO2 and (ii) MWCNTs-TiO2 composite anode, which are exposed to continuous simulated sunlight, indoor and ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. The DSSCs based on the composite anode showed approximately 3 times longer stability compared with the standard device. To understand the degradation mechanisms that underpin these changes in device performance, both devices were characterized using various techniques. The results indicate that the MWCNTs can act as a conductive support, reinforcing the TiO2 nanoparticles’ matrix and offering a directional path to the photoinjected electrons, which enhances electron lifetime and reduces the carrier recombination rate. UV stability measurements demonstrated that MWCNTs can partially absorb and act as a blocking agent for UV light, thereby preventing degradation. The Raman spectra showed that dye desorption was decreased by the addition of MWCNTs. Our results provide a fundamental understanding of photoanode degradation mechanisms under illumination and offer a simple, low-cost, and large-area scalable approach to fabricate solar-energy-conversion devices with long-term stability
Bidirectional Superionic Conduction in Surface-Engineered 2D Hexagonal Boron Nitrides
No full textWe designed functionalized hexagonal boron nitride (FhBN) nanoflakes with high proton conductivity in both in- and through-plane directions as next generation polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) for energy storage and conversion systems. The synthesis and functionalization of hBN nanoflakes with sulfonic acid (SA) groups are obtained by one-step and in situ liquid-phase exfoliation with excellent dispersibility and stability over a period of three months. The physico/chemical properties of FhBN nanoflakes were investigated by different spectroscopic and microscopic characterization, confirming chemical interactions between hBN lattice and SA groups. High concentrations (65 and 75 wt %) of FhBN nanoflakes composed with Nafion solution formed stable FhBN-Nafion nanocomposite PEMs, offering extra proton conduction sites, doubling ion-exchange capacity, and reducing the swelling ratio compared to those of Nafion. Our results demonstrate that both the in-plane and through-plane proton conductivities of FhBN-Nafion PEMs significantly improve under various conditions comparative to that of Nafion. The maximum values of both in- and through-plane conductivities for FhBN75%-Nafion PEM at 80% of humidity and 80 °C are 0.41 and 0.1 S·cm–1, respectively, which are 7 and 14 times higher than those of Nafion. The bidirectional superionic transport in highly concentrated FhBN PEMs is responsible for outstanding properties, useful for electrochemical energy devices
- …
