Advantages of electrochemical wastewater treatment over conventional wastewater treatment include its smaller footprint, modularity, and ability to meet increasingly stringent government regulations. A power supply that can be packaged with an electrochemical stack could make electrochemical wastewater treatment more cost-effective and scalable. For this application, the series and series-parallel resonant converters are suitable power converter candidates. With an output current specification of 100A, the series-parallel resonant converter (SPRC) is superior due to its simpler output stage. The thesis presents the design of a 500W SPRC for a wastewater treatment cell stack. A rudimentary cell model is derived experimentally. The closed loop analysis, controller design and simulation results are presented. The output voltage and current are estimated using sensed quantities extracted from the high voltage, low current primary side. Low voltage experimental results verify the operation of the power stage and voltage estimation circuitry in open loop pulsed operation.

abstract: Microbial electrochemical cells (MXCs) offer an alternative to methane production in anaerobic water treatment and the recapture of energy in waste waters. MXCs use anode respiring bacteria (ARB) to oxidize organic compounds and generate electrical current. In both anaerobic digestion and MXCs, an anaerobic food web connects the metabolisms of different microorganisms, using hydrolysis, fermentation and either methanogenesis or anode respiration to break down organic compounds, convert them to acetate and hydrogen, and then convert those intermediates into either methane or current. In this dissertation, understanding and managing the interactions among fermenters, methanogens, and ARB were critical to making developments in MXCs. Deep sequencing technologies were used in order to identify key community members, understand their role in the community, and identify selective pressures that drove the structure of microbial communities. This work goes from developing ARB communities by finding and using the best partners to managing ARB communities with undesirable partners. First, the foundation of MXCs, namely the ARB they rely on, was expanded by identifying novel ARB, the genus Geoalkalibacter, and demonstrating the presence of ARB in 7 out of 13 different environmental samples. Second, a new microbial community which converted butyrate to electricity at ~70% Coulombic efficiency was assembled and demonstrated that mixed communities can be used to assemble efficient ARB communities. Third, varying the concentrations of sugars and ethanol fed to methanogenic communities showed how increasing ED concentration drove decreases in methane production and increases in both fatty acids and the propionate producing genera Bacteroides and Clostridium. Finally, methanogenic batch cultures, fed glucose and sucrose, and exposed to 0.15 – 6 g N-NH4+ L-1 showed that increased NH4+ inhibited methane production, drove fatty acid and lactate production, and enriched Lactobacillales (up to 40% abundance) above 4 g N-NH4+ L-1. Further, 4 g N-NH4+ L-1 improved Coulombic efficiencies in MXCs fed with glucose and sucrose, and showed that MXC communities, especially the biofilm, are more resilient to high NH4+ than comparable methanogenic communities. These developments offer new opportunities for MXC applications, guidance for efficient operation of MXCs, and insights into fermentative microbial communities. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biological Design 2015

abstract: Microbial electrochemical cells (MXCs) are promising platforms for bioenergy production from renewable resources. In these systems, specialized anode-respiring bacteria (ARB) deliver electrons from oxidation of organic substrates to the anode of an MXC. While much progress has been made in understanding the microbiology, physiology, and electrochemistry of well-studied model ARB such as Geobacter and Shewanella, tremendous potential exists for MXCs as microbiological platforms for exploring novel ARB. This dissertation introduces approaches for selective enrichment and characterization of phototrophic, halophilic, and alkaliphilic ARB. An enrichment scheme based on manipulation of poised anode potential, light, and nutrient availability led to current generation that responded negatively to light. Analysis of phototrophically enriched communities suggested essential roles for green sulfur bacteria and halophilic ARB in electricity generation. Reconstruction of light-responsive current generation could be successfully achieved using cocultures of anode-respiring Geobacter and phototrophic Chlorobium isolated from the MXC enrichments. Experiments lacking exogenously supplied organic electron donors indicated that Geobacter could produce a measurable current from stored photosynthate in the dark. Community analysis of phototrophic enrichments also identified members of the novel genus Geoalkalibacter as potential ARB. Electrochemical characterization of two haloalkaliphilic, non-phototrophic Geoalkalibacter spp. showed that these bacteria were in fact capable of producing high current densities (4-8 A/m2) and using higher organic substrates under saline or alkaline conditions. The success of these selective enrichment approaches and community analyses in identifying and understanding novel ARB capabilities invites further use of MXCs as robust platforms for fundamental microbiological investigations. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Microbiology 2013

This thesis reports the light emission in ion gel gated, thin film organic semiconductor transistors and investigates the light emission mechanism behind these devices. We report that ion gel gated organic polymer semiconductor transistors emit light when the drain source voltage is swept slightly beyond the energy gap of the polymer divided by the elementary charge (Vds > Eg/e). In particular, the light emission in poly(9,9'-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole)(F8BT) polymer semiconductor, with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazoliumbis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide/ poly(styrene-block-ethylene oxide-block-styrene) (EMIM TFSI/ SOS) ion gel as dielectric material is reported. The current-voltage characteristics corresponding to the light emission, where the systematic increase of the drain current, correlated with light emission is reported. In low voltage regime, (Vds < Eg/e), well saturated transistor characteristics are observed. By charge modulation spectroscopy (CMS) study we show that there is a prominent electrochemical doping occurring with gate voltages. Further, owing to the movement of ions with voltages,irrespective of the location of electrodes, we show that the ion gel, bilayer planar devices emit light in Vds > Eg/e regime (without any gate voltages), at room temperature. Based on thelocation of the recombination zone in the proximity of electron injecting electrode and CMS results showing prominent di ffusion of negative ions into the polymer layer, we conclude that the light emitting mechanism is akin to light emitting electrochemical cells (LECs). Even in the the transistor regime, where Vds << Eg/e, with the signatures of increasing drain current for fixed Vg and Vds values, we show that the transistor can not be of purely electrostatic operation alone. We study the fluorescence quenching of an operating bilayer device under a constant bias over a period of time and compare the results with the electroluminescence of the device and show that the formation of the p-n junction within the polymer layer due to the penetrated ions from the gel dielectric into the polymer semiconductor layer on the application of the voltage is the cause behind the light emission. We show that diffusivity of the cation (EMIM) is very low compared to the anion (TFSI). This is consistent with the fact that the recombination zone is near theelectron injecting electrode in these devices. We have developed a theoretical model for the ions movement within the semiconductor polymer matrix governed by both diffusion and drift independently, for the bilayer, polymer ion gel planar, light emitting electrochemical cells. We have further developed a 2- dimensional numerical modelbased on the theoretical model and have compared the results of the numerical model with theresults of a fluorescence probing of the bilayer device with time, at constant potential across the bilayer LEC and report that the drift coefficient of 1x10⁻¹³ cm²/V.s and a diffusion coefficient of 1 x 10⁻¹⁵cm²/V.s for TFSI ions in F8BT matrix.

Lead-acid battery is one of the most widely used electrochemical cells. These batteries have been associated with supplying energy to start the car. Currently used for propulsion and the overall operation of hybrid electric vehicles. When operating lead-acid batteries are made inside cell the thermal happens. The thermal going generate heat caused by chemical reactions during charging and discharging of the electrochemical system, the heat generated by ohmic and polarization losses and heat mediated contact with the environment. In this diploma thesis shows the principle of lead-acid battery and thermal processes that take places in the accumulator during its operation.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第19703号 / 工博第4158号 / 新制||工||1641(附属図書館) / 32739 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科航空宇宙工学専攻 / (主査)教授 吉田 英生, 准教授 岩井 裕, 教授 鈴木 基史, 教授 江口 浩一 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

Dispositivos baseados em eletrônica orgânica já estão presentes há vários anos no mercado com displays de OLEDs com alta definição de cores e contraste. Atualmente, essas telas são fabricadas com o uso de pequenas moléculas orgânicas depositadas por técnicas de evaporação a vácuo. A possibilidade de deposição dos materiais poliméricos em solução traz vantagens de fabricação com relação a custos e a velocidade de processamento, além de maiores escalas dimensionais. No entanto, diversos entraves técnicos ainda precisam ser superados para garantir desempenho e estabilidade de dispositivos eletrônicos e optoeletrônicos orgânicos. Neste sentido, este trabalho apresenta um equipamento de deposição roll-to-roll de proporções laboratoriais, com o intuito de servir de ponte entre o desenvolvimento acadêmico e as técnicas de produção industriais. Uma primeira versão do equipamento, já apresentado no trabalho de mestrado, foi agora modificado e atualizado com novas funcionalidades. Ele tornou-se mais completo e de operacionalidade mais eficiente, e foi utilizado para a deposição de várias camadas de dispositivos, incluindo a fabricação de eletrodos semitransparentes e da camada ativa de dispositivos luminescentes. Para solucionar as limitações do óxido de estanho e índio (principal condutor semitransparente atualmente) sobre substratos flexíveis, foi validado um eletrodo alternativo, através da síntese e aplicação de nanofios de prata e do polímero condutor PEDOT:PSS por diferentes técnicas de deposição. Também foi investigada a camada ativa de células eletroquímicas emissoras de luz (LEC), depositadas pela técnica slot-die, variando-se o polímero luminescente, de emissão azul, e o solvente utilizado. Por fim, foram fabricados dispositivos luminescentes do tipo LEC com diferentes arquiteturas e sobre diferentes substratos. O dispositivo final apresentado foi fabricado com eletrodos otimizados, depositados por spray com nanofios de prata e PEDOT:PSS, sendo os dois eletrodos semitransparentes. Com isso, obteve emissão em ambas as polaridades e em ambas as direções. / Devices based on organic electronics have been present for some years on the market with OLED displays with high color definition and contrast. Currently, these screens are manufactured using organic small molecules deposited by vacuum evaporation techniques. The possibility of deposition of polymeric materials in solution brings manufacturing advantages in terms of costs and processing speed, as well as larger dimensional scales. However, several technical barriers still need to be overcome to ensure performance and stability of organic electronic and optoelectronics devices. In this sense, this work presents roll-to-roll deposition equipment of laboratory proportions, in order to serve as a bridge between academic development and industrial production techniques. A first version of the equipment, already presented in the master\'s work, has now been modified and updated with new functionalities. It has become more complete and more operationally efficient, and has been used for the deposition of several layers of devices, including the manufacture of semitransparent electrodes and the active layer of luminescent devices. To solve the limitations of indium tin oxide (the main semitransparent conductor today) on flexible substrates, an alternative electrode was validated through the synthesis and application of silver nanowires and the PEDOT:PSS conductive polymer by different deposition techniques. It was also investigated the active layer of light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEC), deposited by the slot-die technique, varying the blue-emitting luminescent polymer and the solvent used. Finally, luminescent LEC devices were manufactured with different architectures and on different substrates. The final device presented was manufactured with optimized electrodes, deposited by spray with silver nanowires and PEDOT:PSS, the two electrodes being semi-transparent. With this, it obtained emission in both polarities and in both directions.

Dispositivos baseados em eletrônica orgânica já estão presentes há vários anos no mercado com displays de OLEDs com alta definição de cores e contraste. Atualmente, essas telas são fabricadas com o uso de pequenas moléculas orgânicas depositadas por técnicas de evaporação a vácuo. A possibilidade de deposição dos materiais poliméricos em solução traz vantagens de fabricação com relação a custos e a velocidade de processamento, além de maiores escalas dimensionais. No entanto, diversos entraves técnicos ainda precisam ser superados para garantir desempenho e estabilidade de dispositivos eletrônicos e optoeletrônicos orgânicos. Neste sentido, este trabalho apresenta um equipamento de deposição roll-to-roll de proporções laboratoriais, com o intuito de servir de ponte entre o desenvolvimento acadêmico e as técnicas de produção industriais. Uma primeira versão do equipamento, já apresentado no trabalho de mestrado, foi agora modificado e atualizado com novas funcionalidades. Ele tornou-se mais completo e de operacionalidade mais eficiente, e foi utilizado para a deposição de várias camadas de dispositivos, incluindo a fabricação de eletrodos semitransparentes e da camada ativa de dispositivos luminescentes. Para solucionar as limitações do óxido de estanho e índio (principal condutor semitransparente atualmente) sobre substratos flexíveis, foi validado um eletrodo alternativo, através da síntese e aplicação de nanofios de prata e do polímero condutor PEDOT:PSS por diferentes técnicas de deposição. Também foi investigada a camada ativa de células eletroquímicas emissoras de luz (LEC), depositadas pela técnica slot-die, variando-se o polímero luminescente, de emissão azul, e o solvente utilizado. Por fim, foram fabricados dispositivos luminescentes do tipo LEC com diferentes arquiteturas e sobre diferentes substratos. O dispositivo final apresentado foi fabricado com eletrodos otimizados, depositados por spray com nanofios de prata e PEDOT:PSS, sendo os dois eletrodos semitransparentes. Com isso, obteve emissão em ambas as polaridades e em ambas as direções. / Devices based on organic electronics have been present for some years on the market with OLED displays with high color definition and contrast. Currently, these screens are manufactured using organic small molecules deposited by vacuum evaporation techniques. The possibility of deposition of polymeric materials in solution brings manufacturing advantages in terms of costs and processing speed, as well as larger dimensional scales. However, several technical barriers still need to be overcome to ensure performance and stability of organic electronic and optoelectronics devices. In this sense, this work presents roll-to-roll deposition equipment of laboratory proportions, in order to serve as a bridge between academic development and industrial production techniques. A first version of the equipment, already presented in the master\'s work, has now been modified and updated with new functionalities. It has become more complete and more operationally efficient, and has been used for the deposition of several layers of devices, including the manufacture of semitransparent electrodes and the active layer of luminescent devices. To solve the limitations of indium tin oxide (the main semitransparent conductor today) on flexible substrates, an alternative electrode was validated through the synthesis and application of silver nanowires and the PEDOT:PSS conductive polymer by different deposition techniques. It was also investigated the active layer of light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEC), deposited by the slot-die technique, varying the blue-emitting luminescent polymer and the solvent used. Finally, luminescent LEC devices were manufactured with different architectures and on different substrates. The final device presented was manufactured with optimized electrodes, deposited by spray with silver nanowires and PEDOT:PSS, the two electrodes being semi-transparent. With this, it obtained emission in both polarities and in both directions.

In this research, we investigated a novel rigid-rod polymer sPBI for mono-layer polymer light emitting diode (PLED) fabrication and luminescence emission. sPBI could be a luminescent polymer with a low threshold voltage of 4.5 V and green light electroluminescence emission (530 nm). Its SO3H pendant attached to the p-phenyl ring improved electronic delocalization along the backbone resulted in a red shift of the absorption spectrum. By attaching propanesulfonated pendants to the heterocyclic moiety of intractable fully conjugated sPBI, water-soluble rigid-rod polyelectrolyte sPBI-PS(Li+) was synthesized to promote its processibility in water or common organic solvent. This water-soluble rigid-rod polyelectrolyte sPBI-PS(Li+) was fabricated for polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells (PLECs) with LiCF3SO3 (LiTf) or LiN(CF3SO2)2 (LiTfSI) dopants for investigating the influence of propanesulfonated pendants as well as dopants on the opto-electronic emission and the room-temperature DC conductivity. The effect of lithium salts (LiTf or LiTfSI) on photoluminescence color of doped sPBI-PS(Li+) films was negligible. sPBI-PS(Li+) PLECs doped with 0.41 and 1.01 wt. % of LiTfSI showed higher green light electroluminescence emission (514 nm) with a lower threshold voltage of 3.0 V and -4.6 V, respectively. Emission brightness of the sPBI-PS(Li+) PLEC did not raise upon increasing the ionic conductivity of the luminescent layer.