銅修飾二硫化錫應用於光催化二氧化碳還原產生太陽能燃料
本文研究轉換二氧化碳成為替代能源，介紹運用太陽能源，以SnS2及光觸媒進行CO2還原反應，以產生碳氫和碳氫氧化合物。我們以溶劑熱法配置SnS2，過程中藉由加入不同重量百分比例的銅(0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 wt.%)探討銅的添加對於觸媒的影響：能隙縮短、底面為從六角形至四邊形晶體結構、吸收光範圍延伸至可見光之域。以活性測試探討其綜合性能，結果呈現1 wt.%銅修飾的SnS2光觸媒有最高CO2轉換效率，且產物單一為乙醛。未來希望藉由研究最佳銅修飾的比例，以改良二硫化錫光觸媒的吸光特性、減少電子電洞對復合，並進一步增加其量子轉換效率、增加產量。
An Innovative Design of Enhanced-Performance Solar Panel Using Heat Pipe and Thermoelectric Generator
Solar energy is a main source of energy that is expected to play a vital role in fulfilling the future global demand of electricity. Design of advanced photovoltaic (PV) system with high electric conversion efficiency is the key for collecting solar energy. A major obstacle hindering useful PV utilization is the deterioration of solar cell efficiency with temperature. The present results of experimentation have shown that there occurs a reduction of approximately 33% in the solar panel efficiency as the operating temperature increases from 45 °C to 68 °C at 1000 W/m2. Therefore, an innovative design of enhanced-performance solar panel using micro flat heat pipe (HP) and thermoelectric generator (TEG) is proposed and experimentally investigated in the presented project. To operate HP and TEG at highest possible efficiency, the condensation section of HP is innovatively cooled by utilize the condensed water inside the evaporator of air conditioner (which is usually between 5-7 °C). Two different types of silicon panel are used in the study: monocrystalline solar panel and polycrystalline solar panel. The results showed that a reduction in average solar panel temperature up to 25% is obtained. In addition, produced power was increased by as much as 50% when solar panel was cooled by the heat pipe. Finally, the feasibility study and cost analysis of the proposed hybrid system are discussed in details and presented.
BA-ADA based ROS-responsive nanoparticles for selective drug delivery in cancer cells
Current medical intervention in cancer therapeutic methods has shown risks and side effects with normal tissues. This includes incomplete cancer eradication. In reference to numerous studies and literature reviews, a stimuli-responsive drug delivery system is selected as an innovative, safe and more assured treatment due to its site-specific release ability. This allows specific intervention upon the given stimulus which response to the presenting disease symptoms. Hence, we designed a ROS(Reactive Oxygen Species)-responsive BA-ADA(4-Hydroxyphenylboronic acid pinacol ester and 1-Adamantanecarboxylic acid bonded molecule) nanoparticle delivery system. In our study, ROS-responsive nanoparticle was designed and prepared based on a synthetic molecule from BA and ADA. A therapeutic payload, Doxorubicin, can be loaded into the nanoparticles and it can be selectively released within cancerous tissues whereby ROS level is over-expressed. This will enhance both therapeutic efficiency and reduce side effects. The stability and ROS-responsiveness of the particle were proven in a series of evidence-based experiments. The results showed a significant difference in cell viability during the experiments with healthy and cancerous cell samples. Further research will be required to extend the experiment in vivo.
Findings of new oscillations in BR reaction
The Briggs Rauscher reaction, i. e., BR reaction, which is one of the oscillation reactions, produces iodide ion and iodine repeatedly. Continual color changes of the solution from colorless to deep blue, and vice versa, are observed during the reaction due to the so-called “iodine test” reaction. In this work, we studied the effects of the presence of the redox active indicators on the oscillation behavior of the BR reaction. To the reaction mixture of KIO3, H2SO4, H2O2, C3H4O4, MnSO4, and starch, which are used for the general BR reaction as added a redox active reagent (indicator). Then, the changes in color and voltage of the reaction solution were recorded by a photosensor of the LEGO MINDSTORMS and a voltmeter using Pt electrodes. Under general reaction conditions, the oscillation reaction continued for ca. 5 minutes, including 18 times of oscillations. When an indicator, such as BTB, was added instead of starch to the reaction solution, splits of the voltage wave were observed, which should be a kind of new oscillation. Moreover, we found that the addition of K3[Fe(CN)6], which exhibits high redox activity, in the reaction solution instead of starch made the life-time and the numbers of the oscillation in the reaction greater by 3 times (14 min.) in time and more than 4 times (81 times) in the frequency. It’s also a kind of new oscillation. These results suggested that the oxidation-reduction reactions by the addition of ferricyanate ion effectively promotes the redox process of iodine and iodide ion. The experiments we wrote above were conducted without starch. Thus, as a reference, we conducted the same experiments under the presence of starch and got interesting results. We also studied the effects of K4[Fe(CN)6], suggeting that not only redox reaction between ferricyanide and ferrocyanide ion, but also the redox reaction with BR solution should occur in these reactions.
Improving Spinal Fusions: Redesigning the Pedicle Probe to Prevent Vertebral Breaches
Pedicle probes are medical devices used by surgeons during spinal fusions for patients with conditions such as scoliosis and spinal fractures. The probe creates pilot holes to guide the placement of pedicle screws in vertebrae. The screws are then connected with a metal rod to stabilize the spine. Twenty-nine percent of patients who undergo spinal fusions suffer from vertebral breaches – accidental damage to the spinal cord – which cause complications such as infection, motor defects, and in many cases paralysis. My goal was to make spinal fusions safer by redesigning the pedicle probe to provide surgeons with instantaneous feedback on the probe’s location, enabling them to more accurately place pedicle screws. The pedicle probe I developed takes advantage of the difference in density between the inner cancellous (spongy) bone and the outer cortical (compact) bone found in vertebrae. Cortical bone is avoided by monitoring the cannulation force – the force required to insert the probe. When the probe contacts denser cortical tissue, it warns the user by providing tactile and visual feedback through a vibration motor and an LED. This enables the surgeon to redirect the probe and advance down the optimum path, preventing a possible breach. It proved successful in preventing breaches on lamb vertebrae, which closely resemble human vertebrae. This novel device improves feedback to the surgeon and eliminates the need for costly and potentially harmful ionizing radiation exposure. Furthermore, it does not depend on, or require, any preoperative imaging. The cost of manufacturing the improved probe is less than $42 USD (NT$1297). Results of patent searches for 加拿大, the 美國, and Europe suggest that the redesigned probe is unique in predicting and preventing breaches in spinal fusions based on predetermined force threshold values. The probe is also unique in enabling personalized procedures in spinal fusions for those with complications, through calibrating a control (force) limit based on tissue samples prior to the procedure. Enhancing a surgeon’s ability to determine an appropriate path for pedicle screws through a sensor-enabled probe has the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of vertebral breaches during spinal fusion surgery.
Convert pixel image into paths saves in XYZ format to use in CNC machines using innovative algorithms.
CNC machines use vector graphics or vector image programs that take time and effort on hobbyists. Therefore, it is important to provide accurate techniques for converting ordinary images available on the Internet or can be designed with easy programs. In order to have precise drill paths read by CNC machines directly and produce a product that does not contain rattles at the edges. This depends on the accuracy of processing the extracted paths. The development of algorithms has been completed Transforms Pixel image into Paths with XYZ extension, which is used to drill material and cut it through CNC machines. And the algorithms are based on transfer images with low quality. And Its Advantage that it can create high Paths with as few points as possible. The program can convert the pixel image into paths, and then converted into g-code, and use it in CNC machines directly.
Improving Communication for the Visually Impaired Through an Innovative Arabic Writing System
Visual impairment is a major global health problem. In 2017, WHO estimated that there were 253 million people worldwide with this ailment. According to the journal of the American Medical association, the prevalence of visual impairment in the Saudi population is 9.3%. Learning Braille by families of students with visual impairments remains a major obstacle, which precipitates several communication issues. Moreover, difficulties for the students themselves lie in learning braille with languages that include diacritical marks; consequently, affecting their academic progress. My main objective of this project is to help improving life quality of these individuals, and the focus is to advance their social productivity and adaptation. This was accomplished through creating a new simpler Arabic writing system using geometrical shapes. As a part of this project, fifteen participants with visual impairments were interviewed and tried this new writing system; two of them are adults between 25 and 40 years old while the rest are students from 9 to 17 years old. Additionally, 100 participants with visual impairments completed a survey. The data showed that students learned this system in two hours in comparison with students that mastered braille in a few months. This shows that this system is easier to learn and subsequently saves time and effort. The most important value added to this project is that diacritical marks were combined with the alphabet, thereby considerably reducing book sizes compared to Braille-written books. This project presents a novel system that helps people with visual impairments to increase their confidence and independence.
The Study of the Relationship between Global Warming and Acid Rain
The purpose of this project are 1)To study the relationship between global warming and acid rain with chemical model and mathematics model from temperature changing and pH of carbonic acid. 2) To create a pH measurement tool of carbonic acid in gaseous state.3) To study the impact of human activities in Loei province that affect to the relationship between global warming and acid rain. The procedures are 1)Do an experiment for studying the relationship between temperature changing and pH of carbonic acid. 2) Proof the mathematics model by using the result of experiment, the chemical reaction equation of carbonic acid solution. 3)Create a pH measurement tool of Carbonic acid by using Arduino and sensor with new formula in the computer program. 4) Using a pH measurement tool of Carbonic acid for studying impact of human activities in Loei province including industrial area, agricultural area, tourism area and forest area. The result of the mathematical model of the relationship between temperature changing and pH of carbonic acid is in form of Cubic equation in Equilibrium state and STP state. (Standard condition for Temperature and Pressure) So, we found that in this state has pH of carbonic acid is about 5.644. When the temperature rises up the effect of rainfall has a lower pH of carbonic acid solution. We also proof the new formula that create a pH measurement tool of Carbonic acid in gaseous state. The impact of human activities in Loei province found that the areas most affected by acid rain are the industrial areas, agricultural areas, tourism areas and forest areas respectively. In conclusion, when the temperature rises, it will dissolve acid solutions in the water on the earth. The loss of [H+] made the pH increases and the greenhouse gases become more atmospheric. These gases are more likely to react with atmospheric vapor. When these vapor form a cloud and condensation falls as rain, the rainfall has a lower pH, that is, global warming can result in the phenomenon of acid rain is greater.