二等獎

In this work, techniques to explore the capabilities of multi-walled carbon nanotubes\r (MWNTs) in sorting nanoparticles (NPs) were presented. A droplet of a solution comprising of quantum dots (QDs) with various sizes was deposited on an aligned array of intertwined MWNTs. Photoluminescence (PL) and fluorescence microscopy (FM) revealed that MWNTs were effective nano-sieves that could effectively sort out QDs with a size difference of ~ 2.1 nm.\r Cadmium Selenide/Zinc Sulfide (CdSe/ZnS)core-shell QDs and Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) QDs were used to explore whether chemical properties of NPs affect the sieving capability of MWNTs. Further investigation on the effects of micro-patterning on the sieving ability of MWNTs was also carried out.PL and FM results suggested that micro-patterning could aid in separation of QDs and thus improve sieving capability of MWNTs. With the above findings, QDs emitting different colors as a result of size difference could efficiently be assembled onto the MWNTs en route to three-dimensional architectures with controlled assembly of NPs.\r Together with controlled laser power to remove desired amounts of QDs decorated MWNTs, a multi-colored display could be achieved. Further experiments were also carried out to determine the feasibility of introducing MWNTs as filters for NPs. Dilute solutions containing NPs such as gold colloid was run through these MWNTs filters by gravity. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images of the samples showed that MWNTs were successful in trapping the nanoparticles. Explorations into the length dependent effect of using MWNTs as filters, suggested that 300μm MWNTs are better nano-sieves compared to 50μm MWNTs.

Increasing concentrations of copper in discharged effluents pose hazards to aquatic food chains. This project aimed to develop a self-sustained copper remediation system based on electrical and microbiological principles. The production of electrons during yeast fermentation was investigated to catalyze the reduction reaction of dissolved copper ions. An electrical circuit was designed to harness electrons produced from either a pure or mixed culture of yeast, and were compared for voltage outputs. This system utilized a combination of carbon cloth and copper wire as the electrodes, and a magnesium sulfate based electrolyte. The better-performing cell was subjected to copper reduction analysis, in which various initial concentrations of copper were examined. Further data analysis was carried out on the voltage outputs achieved with both the mixed and pure cultures of yeast, in which an average base line was established and voltage flunctuations were compared to that of the base line. In this way, it was possible to determine the amount and severity of each voltage flunctuation — thus demonstrating whether mixed or pure cultures of yeast produced more stable outputs. Throughout the experiment, self-constructed equipment, including arduino microcontroller moderated incubators and drip-feed systems were implemented to maintain an optimum yeast growth rate. It was found that mixed yeast cultures produced smoother electrical potential outputs in response to feeding and stress intervals. The copper recovery experiment was therefore conducted using the mixed culture. Through a series of conductivity measurements indicative of copper concentrations, metal recovery was successfully demonstrated. Trend line analysis indicated similar flunctuations between voltage output and copper recovery rates, demonstrating how copper was recovered as a result of electrons harnessed from the yeast culture. These findings can be applied to the development of an energy efficient and cost-effective copper remediation system for contaminated water effluents.

本研究主要著重在以三極式電化學測試探討不同有機酸燃料甲酸、草酸、檸檬酸與不同觸媒Pt/C、PtRu/C、PtPd/C 在陽極電極的氧化反應之研究。從CV 圖可得知，分子量較低的甲酸有較低的氧化電位。以CV 與LSV 圖可知，以較高的氧化電流區分，是以PtRu/C 為三種觸媒中最適合當陽極電極的；若以穩定度區分，則以PtPd/C 為最佳。我們挑選PtRu/C 此觸媒進行燃料電池放電性能測試，得到的電流不高，原因在於配置的甲酸溶液為1M，甲酸在PtRu/C 電極反應太快，質傳推動力不足，使得燃料供應不足，造成電位迅速下降。This main target of this study is using three-electrode cells to choose which Formic Acid, Oxalic Acid or Citric Acid and Pt/C, PtRu/C or PtPd/C are better for fuel cell. From CV test, Formic acid which structure is simple has the lowest oxidation potential. Combine CV with LSV, if we focus on current, PtRu/C is the best catalyst for fuel cell. But if we focus on Stability, PtPd/C has the best of them. We choose PtRu/C to do the cell performance test. The current density isn’t enough high, this is because the concentration of formic acid is just 1M. Oxidation reaction of formic acid on PtRu/C is very fast. Mass transfer driving isn’t enough for this high reaction rate, so the potential drop is very fast.

由於在銀河系中的多數恆星是以雙星系統存在，因此雙星的形成機制在恆星演化理論中扮演極重要的角色。但目前其形成的機制未有定論，而爭論的焦點主要為兩個假說：一個假說為當分子雲在裂解為雲核時，同一雲核會形成兩顆恆星互繞；另一假說為不同雲核會分別塌縮為不同的恆星。這份研究中，我們以金斯最小質量與半徑為理論依據，找尋上萬筆的觀測數據，並對其資料來源做觀測限制上的確認，進而分析雙星間距的分布，且以雙星的星團與光譜型為分類作圖。分析後的結果中，我們發現前主序雙星間距分布圖出現了一個小於金斯最小半徑的峰值，得出了分裂說必定存在，然無法排除捕獲說的存在；並且發現不同星團、光譜型對間距的關係有顯著的差別。

本研究以增進日光燈管使用效率為目標，設計出一套整合型的系統以減少不必要的浪費。我們將感知用的硬體設備與自行開發的軟體程式作結合，使系統能夠在感知到日光燈管的各種狀態後，做出相對應的處置。其狀況包含:1.無電時系統會警告，以避免誤判的情形；2.有電時燈管正常運作；3.有電時燈管閃爍或不亮，此時系統會切斷日光燈管的電力，並記錄資訊。以上述系統為基礎，我們搭配紅外線模組來達到有人在才開燈，無人時自動斷電；亦加入偵測環境用的光敏電阻來達到光線暗時才開燈，光線亮時會自動斷電。依據測試，閃爍的燈管會比正常燈管多消耗30%的耗電量，壞掉不亮的燈管亦會消耗正常燈管70%的耗電量，對能源越來越少的今天，我們的系統提供了另一種節能的機制。

本研究主要探討水滴在高溫鋸齒面上之爬坡現象。實驗中發現在高達四百度的鋸齒面上能形成懸浮水滴，且水滴可持續一段時間而不會立即蒸發，在水平之鋸齒面沿特定方向移動，特別的是，水滴甚至沿著傾斜之鋸齒面向上運動。首先，水滴因受熱在周圍形成一層蒸氣層，阻隔熱的傳遞，使其不會立即蒸發。實驗中改變鋸齒齒廓之兩斜邊的比例，可以驅動水滴往長斜邊所面對的方向運動。進一步實驗顯示，水滴內部的流動趨勢分別為：水滴前端呈順時針方向流動，而水滴後端則呈逆時針方向流動。此外，爬坡中的水滴，其後半部具有較高之蒸發速率，經由設計一個類比的實驗，我們發現，在高溫金屬平面上，透過其平面上的一個凹槽，可以控制水滴前後部位蒸發速率的差異性，也造成水滴向上爬坡的結果。由實驗結果證明，蒸氣壓力與氣體運動對水滴造成的摩擦力為驅動水滴爬坡的力量來源。

鑒於氨氮會消耗水中溶氧，造成水質惡化、危害水域生態，且政府將逐步管制廢水的氨氮含量，處理氨氮的技術日益重要。去除氨氮的方法有物理、化學及生物法，但物理、化學法成本高且有二次汙染的風險，因此本實驗希望找到能有效分解廢水中氨氮之菌種。採取可口可樂工廠的七池汙水，以高氨氮培養基篩出七種細菌(RW、ST、ET、BA、BS、SR、CA)，並挑選出三種氨氮分解效率最佳的細菌(RW、ST、ET)。進一步發現其能有效降低廢水中氨氮，並減少氨氮廢水對水中動植物的危害。因此，我們認為RW、ST、ET能有效處理廢水中的氨氮並減緩氨氮對於環境的危害。

The purpose of this research was to challenge misconceptions about what attracts teenaged boys to girls. It has been observed that some teenaged girls hold stereotypes about boys and believe boys are only attracted to superficial qualities like beautiful hair. The aim is to investigate differences between what girls believe boys find attractive about them and what boys actually find attractive about girls. Hypothesis: There is a significant difference between what teenaged boys find attractive in girls and what teenaged girls think boys find attractive. Procedure Background reading was done to discover which characteristics are commonly used to measure attractiveness among teenagers. A survey questionnaire was used for gathering data. To gather information for the construction of the questionnaire, 4 focus groups were interviewed. The groups were asked to determine indicators of attraction and repulsion. Two separate questionnaires were designed (one for boys and one for girls), based on focus group information, with similar questions which could be used to compare results. Questions were related to personality and looks. The research was representative as 399 teenagers participated in the final survey. Results were collated in Excel tables. Percentages were calculated by using a scientific calculator and Excel. A bivariate analysis was created to examine the main question: ranking qualities that attract boys to girls. A comparison was made between boys’ and girls’ opinions from different age categories. Mean averages were calculated for this question. Other questions were analysed using mode averages translated into percentage of each gender. Graphs were designed using the values calculated. Observations/Data/Results 72% of boys prefer a girl with average looks and an awesome personality but only 37% of girls believed that to be true. The average boys from 12-14, 15-17 and 18-20 year old categories agree that confidence, humour, a nice body, politeness and intelligence are the five most attractive qualities in a girl they would consider dating. The order of these five change across the age groups but are constantly the top five, however confidence and humour always trump a “nice body”. The average 12-14 and 15-17 year old girl overrates a nice body and underrates politeness and intelligence but confidence and humour feature in their top five. The average 18-20 year old girl agrees with the boys priorities. When defining what makes a girl beautiful, 68% of boys highlight personality traits and 59% of boys mentioned physical features. When noting what repulses boys about pretty girls, more than 50% of both sexes agree that smelling bad was most off putting. 52% of boys mentioned taking drugs as unattractive yet only 23% of girls recognized this as repulsive. Conclusions The data supports the hypothesis. Confidence and humour are more important to the average boy than a nice body across all age groups. The younger the girl, the less she understands what attracts boys. 63% of teenaged girls believe that looks are more important to boys than personality. This is clearly not true. 72% of boys value a great personality more highly than good looks.

The purpose of the Actuator is to create a practical device that passively exercises\r the lower legs to help prevent blood clots, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), in\r wheelchair-bound individuals of any age. The secondary purpose of the device is to\r improve range of motion of the lower legs and speed the recovery of their leg action. It is hoped that this invention will help to prevent DVT, and allow some people to even use their legs again, through passive or active muscular motion. The invention was produced using a number of prototypes and design sketches. Although the current model is quite functional, as it keeps the users legs in motion, it is still in the prototypic design stage.\r The Actuator is a simple to use, easy to retrofit device. It is also portable and will be\r able to attach onto the front of any wheelchair. It harnesses the motion of the wheelchair to drive the users legs in a circular motion.\r The invention was tested in a closed and controlled environment: the duration of the\r Actuator’s use was constant, a doctor was present to take blood pressure and heart rate, and the rotation speed of the user’s legs was controlled by keeping the wheelchair speed constant. The data was collected by monitoring heart rate and skin surface temperature of healthy individuals, and blood pressure and heart rate of a wheelchair bound individual.\r As seen with both experiments (wheelchair bound, and healthy individuals) heart rate\r increased. In addition, the wheelchair bound individual’s heart rate also noticeably\r increased, with an evident increase in blood pressure as well. However, skin surface\r temperature is sensitive to surroundings and often provides little indication of deep vein blood flow, thus the skin surface temperature measurements were too inaccurate for any conclusions to be formulated.\r The inventor’s grandmother had developed DVT’s in 2005, and passed away because of them. Had she been given an Actuator it may have prevented such a tragedy. Her death was the driving force behind the project’s development. Over the time period that this project has been in process, the true potential of this invention has been realized.\r I truly believe that it will revolutionize the way that we treat people in wheelchairs, and the way people in wheelchairs can treat themselves.

從直徑數公分的小漩渦，到直徑可達10公尺的巨型海漩；由F1~F5級的龍捲風到輕重度颱風，大自然中有各種渦流。不久之前還有雙眼颱風（杜鵑颱風）經過台灣，颱風出現雙眼時其行進路徑常有不尋常的擺動，行進方向忽而偏北，忽而偏南，擺動的頻率比一般颱風來得頻繁，又其結構紮實，對流旺盛，常造成莫大的災害。研究這個主題主要的目的是嘗試探討此雙渦流運動的起因、其運動方式和可能的控制方法。