"March, 2009". / Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Faculty of Science, Dept. of Physics & Engineering, 2008. / Bibliography: p. 145-158. / Introduction -- Frequency selective surfaces -- Absorb/transmit frequency selective surface absorber -- Switchable frequency selective surface for wireless applications -- Energy-saving glass characterisation -- Frequency selective surface solution for energy-saving glass -- Conclusion. / This thesis presents three topics related to frequency selective surfaces (FSSs), namely bsorb/transmit FSSs, active FSSs and passive bandpass FSSs for energy-saving glass used in modern buildings. These three FSSs are unique in their design and functionalities. The absorb/transmit FSS is a novel dual-layer frequency selective surface for 5 GHz WLAN applications. This FSS can stop propagation of specific bands by absorbing as opposed to re ecting, while passing other useful signals. This is in contrast to the conventional Salisbury and Jaumann absorbers, which provide good absorption in the desired band while the out-of-band frequencies are attenuated. The second topic is a single-layer bandpass active FSS that can be switched between ON and OFF states to control the transmission in 2.45 GHz WLAN applications. Previously, researchers have focused on the bandstop and dual-layer versions of the active FSS. This is in contrast to the design presented in this thesis which is single-layer and provides extra advantage in a practical WLAN environment. Also the dc biasing techniques that were used for the active FSS design are easier to implement and provide good frequency stability for different angles of incidence and polarisations in both ON and OFF states. The last topic is on the use of a bandpass FSS in energy-saving glass panels used in building design. The manufacturers of these glass panels apply a very thin metal-oxide coating on one side of the glass panels to provide extra infrared (heat) attenuation. However, due to the presence of the coating, these energy-saving glass panels also attenuate communication signals such as GSM 900, GSM 1800/1900, UMTS and 3G mobile signals etc. This creates a major communication problem when buildings are constructed with windows of this glass. In this thesis, a solution to this problem is presented by designing and etching a cross-dipole bandpass FSS on the coated side of the glass to pass the useful signals while keeping infrared attenuation at an acceptable level. One of the advantages of this FSS design is that measured material values of the metal-oxide coating are used for simulations, which have not been done previously. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / 166 p. ill. (some col.)

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / In the context of the so-called smart materials, shape memory alloys (SMA) have been extensively investigated aiming at various applications in different types of engineering prob- lems as well as interdisciplinary problems. Specifically, SMAs have been used for the mitiga- tion of mechanical vibrations, owing to their characteristic pseudoelastic effect, which is re- sponsible for the occurrence of hysteresis. Another relevant feature of these materials is the coexistence of two crystallographic phases (martensite and austenite), which have dissimilar mechanical properties, whose relative fractions depend on temperature and stress. In the present dissertation, this latter feature is explored in association with a strategy of passive vibration control which is based on tunable dynamic vibration absorbers (TDVA). These de- vices, once connected to a vibrating structure, can have their inertia and/or stiffness and/or damping adjusted to match the excitation frequency. Specifically, such tuning is achieved by controlling the martensite/austenite fraction by applying convenient thermal loads. By means of numerical simulations, which include the integration of the equations of motion, it is put in evidence the possibility of tuning a TDVA applied to a single degree-of-freedom system, with- in a given frequency band using two configurations of the resilient element (SMA rod and helicoidal spring). The results enable to evaluate the levels of vibration mitigation achieved and confirm that the strategy investigated can provide improved performance in terms of vibration attenuation. / No contexto dos chamados materiais inteligentes, as ligas com memória de forma (Shape Memory Alloys SMA) vêm sendo intensivamente investigadas com vistas a aplicações em diversos tipos de sistemas de engenharia e em problemas interdisciplinares. Especificamente, as SMA têm sido utilizadas para a mitigação de vibrações mecânicas, graças ao chamado efeito pseudoelástico, responsável pela ocorrência de histerese. Outra característica relevante desses materiais é a coexistência de duas fases cristalográficas (martensita e austenita), com propriedades mecânicas distintas, cujas frações relativas dependem da temperatura e da tensão. No presente trabalho, esta última característica é explorada em associação com uma estratégia de controle passivo de vibrações, baseada nos chamados absorvedores dinâmicos de vibrações sintonizáveis (ADV), que são dispositivos conectados à estrutura vibratória, cuja rigidez e/ou inércia podem ser ajustados em conformidade com a frequência de excitação, de modo que a vibração da estrutura seja altenuada. Especificamente, explora-se a possibilidade de confecção de ADVs sintonizáveis cuja rigidez pode ser ajustada por meio de variações controladas da fração relativa martensita/austenita induzidas por alterações da temperatura. Por meio de simulações numéricas, evidencia-se a possibilidade de sintonizar um ADV aplicado a um sistema vibratório de um grau de liberdade, dentro de uma dada faixa de valores de frequência, utilizando duas configurações do elemento resiliente (barra e mola helicoidal de SMA), e quantificam-se as reduções de amplitudes obtidas. Os resultados das simulações confirmam o aumento da eficiência na atenuação de vibrações proporcionado pela estratégia empregada. / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

O tema do conforto na automobilística é bastante extenso e possuidor de muitas interpretações. A ideia central deste trabalho é definir e direcionar alguns métricos para que, durante as fases de conceituação e desenvolvimento de um veículo, seja possível ter um direcional de definição de componentes e atributos veiculares de modo a facilitar o direcionamento dos atributos no programa veicular, e assim atingir suas necessidades. Como exemplo empregado, é empregado um veículo de plataforma tipo B em desenvolvimento por uma montadora, o qual teve as molas de suspensão definidas e rigidezes laterais de eixos com base em material técnico interno equivalente aos estudos apresentados neste trabalho. É adotada uma abordagem inicialmente empírica conforme os primeiros estudos de suspensões independentes realizados neste continente, depois o trabalho é complementado com exigências de normas especificas para vibrações (ISO2361, ISO5008, BS6055) de modo a caracterizar energia vibracional e a interpretação pelo ser humano. Porém como hoje em dia as suspensões automotivas são muito mais complexas, existem componentes específicos para as várias condições de solicitação, deste modo a análise é limitada a situações de ride (conforto) primário e handling (dirigibilidade) em situações de sublimite na faixa linear (cerca de 0,5 g). Como conclusão dos estudos, é possível ter em um veículo atributos de estabilidade sem necessariamente prejudicar o conforto, pois sendo definidos corretamente os componentes elásticos da dinâmica vertical para situações estacionárias e de ride primário, é definido seu equilíbrio estacionário e assim não é necessário comprometimento dos atributos de outros componentes para compensar alguma deficiência existente. / The range of assumptions for ride comfort is considered very wide in the automotive world and they can assume lots of possible interpretations. The central idea in this work is define and manage some metrics that, during the concept and development phases of a vehicular program, be possible to follow a better direction for the attributes development and so reach the program targets. As the example in this work, a B platform typical vehicle is used and it is under development in a carmaker, its suspension springs and axle roll stiffness were setup with technical information similar to the ones presented in this work. The initial approach is empiric as occurred with the first independent suspension system studies in this continent and in the sequence, the work is complemented with standards for vibrational issues (ISO2361, ISO5008, BS6055), after this, finally how the vibrational energy is defined and perceived by human beings. The automotive suspensions of current days are very complex and there are lots of specific components to do a specific work, so the analysis are limited to primary ride and sub limit handling (up to 0,5 g). As conclusion, its possible setup a car that is comfortable and stable in the same time, since the elastic components for the vertical dynamics and steady state conditions are correctly set, so its correct balance is reached and no other components attributes are compromised to compensate any deficiency.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:37:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Henrique Guimaraes Rosa.pdf: 986364 bytes, checksum: 89d6b316a537ef2cd3088d9200fd7183 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-06 / In this work we present a study about ultrashort pulse-train generation in Erbiumdoped fiber lasers, by the passive mode-locking technique, with the use of carbon nanotubes saturable absorbers. Carbon nanotubes were incorporated into laser cavities by two techniques: thermophoresis optically-driven deposition and thin films incorporating carbon nanotubes. The second technique has become more advantageous than the first one, because is possible to control carbon nanotubes concentration and thin films thicknesses. Additionally, we present a study about thin films incorporating carbon nanotubes optimization, in order to maximize generated output bandwidths in passively mode-locked Erbium-doped fiber lasers. We used 0.8 and 1.0 nm diameters carbon nanotubes, fabricated thin films with different transmission values (different αL product values), laser cavities with different features, such as total cavity length, total accumulated dispersion, repetition rate. In this context, best results were achieved with thin films containing 1.0 nm diameter carbon nanotubes, with films transmission about 37% (αL product close to 1.0), in 9 m long laser cavity (0.8 m of highly- Erbium-doped fiber and 8.2 m of SMF) of total accumulated dispersion of 0.153 ps/nm. The largest bandwidth measured, with those characteristics cavity parameters, was 5,7 nm. / Neste trabalho, apresentamos um estudo sobre a geração de trem de pulsos ultracurtos em lasers à fibra dopada com Érbio, utilizando a técnica de acoplamento passivo de modos com o uso de nanotubos de carbono como absorvedores saturáveis. Os nanotubos de carbono foram incorporados à cavidade laser através de duas técnicas: deposição guiada por termoforese e na forma de filmes finos contendo nanotubos de carbono, tendo a segunda técnica se mostrado mais vantajosa, pois por ela podemos ter controle sobre a concentração de nanotubos de carbono no filme e espessura do filme. Adicionalmente, apresentamos um estudo sobre a otimização da produção de filmes finos contendo nanotubos de carbono para maximização da largura de banda gerada em lasers à fibra dopada com Érbio. Utilizamos nanotubos de carbono de diâmetros de 0,8 nm e 1,0 nm, fabricamos filmes finos com transmitâncias diferentes (distintos valores para o produto αL), cavidades laser com diferentes características, tais como comprimento da cavidade, dispersão total acumulada, taxa de repetição. Neste contexto, os melhores resultados foram obtidos com filmes finos contendo nanotubos de carbono com 1,0 nm de diâmetro, em filmes cuja transmissão foi de 37% (produto αL aproximadamente 1,0), numa cavidade laser de aproximadamente 9 m de comprimento (basicamente composta de 80 cm de fibra altamente dopada com Érbio e 8,2 m de SMF), dispersão total acumulada da cavidade de aprox. 0,153 ps/nm. A maior largura de banda obtida, com estes característicos parâmetros da cavidade, foi de 5,7 nm.

Solar thermal energy is emerging as an important source of renewable energy for meeting the ever-increasing energy requirements of the world. Solar selective coatings are known to enhance the efficiency of the photo thermal energy conversion. An ideal solar selective coating has zero reflectance in the solar spectrum region (i.e., 0.3-2.5 µm) and 100% reflectance in the infrared (IR) region (i.e. 2.5-50 µm). In this thesis, novel carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene based absorbers have been developed for photo thermal applications. Carbon nanotubes have good optical properties (i.e., α and ε close to 1), high aspect ratios (> 150), high surface area (470 m2/g) and high thermal conductivity (> 3000 W/mK), which enable rapid heat transfer from the CNTs to the substrates. Similarly, graphene also exhibits high transmittance (97%), low reflectance, high thermal conductivity (5000 W/mK) and high oxidation resistance behaviour. The major drawback of using CNTs for photothermal applications is that it exhibits poor spectral selectivity (i.e., α/ε = 1). In other words, it acts as a blackbody absorber. On the other hand, graphene exhibits poor intrinsic absorption behaviour (α - 2.3%) in a broad wavelength range (UV-Near IR). The main objective of the present study is to develop CNT and graphene based absorbers for photothermal conversion applications. The growth of CNT and graphene was carried out using chemical vapour deposition and sputtering techniques. An absorber-reflector tandem concept was used to develop the CNT based tandem absorber (Ti/Al2O3/Co/CNT). The transition from blackbody absorber to solar selective absorber was achieved by varying the CNT thicknesses and by using a suitable underlying absorber (Ti/Al2O3). A simple multilayer heat mirror concept was used to develop the graphene based multilayer absorber (SiO2/graphene/Cu/graphene). The transition from high transmitance to high absorptance was achieved by varying the Cu thickness. The refractive indices and the extinction coefficients of Ti/Al2O3, AlTiO and graphene samples were determined by the phase-modulated spectroscopic ellipsometric technique. Finally, the optical properties (i.e., absorptance and the emittance) of the CNT and graphene based absorbers were investigated. Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction about solar thermal energy, spectrally selective coating and photothermal conversion. The different types of absorbers used to achieve the spectral selectivity have also been discussed shortly. A brief description about the carbon-based materials/allotropes and their properties are outlined. The properties of carbon nanotubes and graphene which are the 1-D and 2-D allotropes of carbon, respectively are tabulated. A detailed literature survey was carried out in order to identify the potential candidates for the photothermal conversion applications. The objectives and the scope of the thesis are also discussed in this chapter. Chapter 2 discusses the deposition and characterization techniques used for the growth and the study of 1-D and 2-D carbon nanostructures. Atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and hot filament CVD techniques were used to grow CNT and graphene, respectively. The magnetron sputtering technique was used for the growth of ‘Ti’, ‘Al2O3’ and Co layers which were needed to grow the CNT based tandem absorber on stainless steel (SS) substrates. The important characterization techniques used to examine various properties of the 1-D and 2-D carbon nanostructures include: X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), phase modulated ellipsometry, UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer, Fourier-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), micro-Raman spectroscopy and solar spectrum reflectometer and emissometer. Chapter 3 describes the design and development of Ti/Al2O3 coating for the growth of CNT-based tandem absorber on SS substrates. The power densities of the aluminum and titanium targets and the oxygen flow rates were optimized to deposit the Ti/Al2O3 coatings. The optimized Ti/Al2O3 coating with a Co catalyst on top was used as an underlying substrate to grow the CNT-based tandem absorber at 800°C in Ar+H2 atmosphere (i.e., CNT/Co/Al2O3/Ti/SS). The formation of aluminum titanium oxide (AlTiO) was observed during the CNT growth process and this layer enhances the optical properties of the CNT based tandem absorber. The optical constants of Ti, Al2O3 and AlTiO coatings were measured using phase modulated spectroscopic ellipsometry in the wavelength range of 300-900 nm. The experimentally measured ellipsometric parameters have been fitted with the simulated spectra using the Tauc-Lorentz model for generating the dispersion of the optical constants of the Al2O3 and the AlTiO layers. The Ti and Al2O3 layer thicknesses play a major role in the design of the CNT based tandem absorber with good optical properties. Chapter 4 describes the synthesis and characterization of the CNT based tandem absorber (Ti/AlTiO/CoO/CNTs) deposited on SS substrates. CNTs at different thicknesses were grown on Ti/AlTiO/CoO coated SS substrates using atmospheric CVD at various growth durations. The transition from blackbody absorber to solar selective absorber was achieved by varying the thicknesses of the CNTs and by suitably designing the bottom tandem absorber. At thicknesses > 10 µm, the CNT forest acts as near-perfect blackbody absorber, whereas, at thicknesses ≤ 0.36 µm, the IR reflectance of the coating increases (i.e., ε = 0.20) with slight decrease in the absorptance (i.e., α = 0.95). A spectral selectivity (α/ε) of 4.75 has been achieved for the 0.36 µm-thick CNTs grown on SS/Ti/AlTiO/CoO tandem absorber. Chapter 5 discusses the growth of graphene on polycrystalline copper (Cu) foils (1 cm × 1 cm) using hot filament CVD. The roles of the process parameters such as gas flow rates (methane and hydrogen), growth temperatures (filament and substrate) and durations on the growth of graphene were studied. The process parameters were also optimized to grow monolayer, bilayer and multilayer graphene in a controlled manner and the growth mechanism was deduced from the experimental results. The presence of graphene on Cu foils was confirmed using XPS, micro-Raman spectroscopy, FESEM and TEM techniques. The FESEM data clearly confirmed that graphene starts nucleating as hexagonal islands which later evolves into dendritic lobe shaped islands with an increase in the supersaturation. The TEM data substantiated further the growth of monolayer, bilayer and multilayer graphene. The intensity of 2D and G peak ratio (i.e., I2D/IG = 2) confirmed the presence of the monolayer graphene and the absence of the ‘D’ peak in the Raman spectrum indicated the high purity of graphene grown on Cu foils. The results show that the polycrystalline morphology of the copper foil has negligible effect on the growth of monolayer graphene. In Chapter 6, the design and development of graphene/Cu/graphene multilayer absorber and the study of its optical properties are discussed. The multilayer graphene grown on Cu foils has been transferred on quartz and SiO2 substrates in order to fabricate the graphene/Cu/graphene multilayer absorber. The sputtering technique was used to deposit copper on top of graphene/quartz substrates. The uniformity of the transferred multilayer graphene films was confirmed using Raman mapping. A simple multilayer heat mirror concept was used to develop the graphene/Cu/graphene absorber on quartz substrates and the transition from high transmittance to high absorptance was achieved. In order to further enhance the absorption, the graphene/Cu/graphene multilayer coating was fabricated on SiO2 substrates. The thickness of the Cu layer plays a major role in creating destructive interference, which results in high absorptance and low emittance. A high specular absorptance of 0.91 and emittance of 0.22 was achieved for the SiO2 graphene/Cu/graphene multilayer absorber. The specular reflectance of the multilayer absorber coatings was measured using the universal reflectance accessory of the UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer. Chapter 7 summarizes the major findings of the present investigation and also suggests future aspects for experimentation and analysis. The results obtained from the present work clearly indicate that both CNT and graphene based absorbers can be used as potential candidates for photothermal applications. In particular, the CNT based tandem absorber can be used for high temperature solar thermal applications and the graphene based multilayer absorber finds applications in the area of photodetectors and optical broadband modulators.

En este trabajo se analizará el control de la respuesta sísmica de una edificación asimétrica de 5 pisos mediante la incorporación de Amortiguadores de Masa Sintonizada (AMS) evaluando distintas distribuciones de porcentaje de masa del dispositivo para obtener una óptima ubicación en la última planta con el objeto de reducir los efectos torsionales producto de las irregularidades de planta. Para el desarrollo se designaron diversas variables para caracterizar el comportamiento de cada modelo. Estudios anteriores optaban por considerar independientemente cada variable y globalizaban la respuesta de estas a el resto de las variables. A raíz de esto, se decide analizar paralelamente y comparar en cada modelo estructural hasta obtener una óptima distribución. / A viable option to reduce seismic vibrations in structures is the use of passive control devices, within which are the Tuned Mass Dampers (AMS). In an asymmetric construction a greater flexional and torsional vibration is produced, this phenomenon leads to an increase in the forces present in the sections and an eventual collapse of the structure. In this way, the implementation of the Tuned Mass Damper in an asymmetric building, allows to dissipate the energy product of horizontal movements such as the earthquake, besides attenuating the torsional effects due to the asymmetry. In this research thesis the control of the seismic response of an asymmetric 5-story building, structured on the basis of porticos and reinforced concrete walls, will be analyzed, by incorporating Tuned Mass Dampers evaluating different distributions to obtain the optimal location and distribution in the last floor in order to control the torsional effects product of plant irregularities. / Tesis

Um Flugzeugtriebwerke und stationäre Gasturbinen schadstoffärmer und leiser zu gestalten, werden effizientere Dämpfer zur Unterdrückung des in der Brennkammer entstehenden Schalls benötigt. Hierfür sollen durchströmte, perforierte Wandauskleidungen eingesetzt werden, die sogenannten Bias-Flow-Liner (BFL). Die Erhöhung der Dämpfungseffizienz von BFL erfordert jedoch ein tiefer gehendes Verständnis der aeroakustischen Dämpfungsmechanismen. Die Analyse der Mechanismen bedarf einer experimentellen Untersuchung des Vektorfeldes der Fluidgeschwindigkeit, die sowohl die Strömungsgeschwindigkeit als auch die Schallschnelle enthält. Zur gleichzeitigen Erfassung beider Größen wird eine berührungslose sowie örtlich und zeitlich hoch aufgelöste Messung der Geschwindigkeit von im Mittel 10 m/s bis 100 m/s bei einer Unsicherheit von maximal 10 mm/s für die Schallschnelleamplitude und einem Dynamikumfang von 1000 bis 10 000 benötigt. Für diese Messung sind optische Verfahren vielversprechend, genügten aber bisher nicht diesen Anforderungen. Deshalb wurden im ersten Schritt neuartige optische Geschwindigkeitsmessverfahren erstmals bezüglich der Eignung für aeroakustische Untersuchungen am BFL, speziell hinsichtlich der Unsicherheit und des Dynamikumfangs, charakterisiert: der Laser-Doppler-Geschwindigkeitsprofilsensor (LDV-PS), die akustische Particle Image Velocimetry (A-PIV) und die Doppler-Global-Velozimetrie mit Frequenzmodulation (FM-DGV). Aus dem Messunsicherheitsbudget geht für alle Verfahren die turbulente Strömungsfluktuation als dominierender Beitrag zur Unsicherheit für die gemessene Schnelleamplitude hervor, wobei die Unsicherheit durch eine Erhöhung der Messdauer gesenkt werden kann. Für eine Messdauer von 80 s beträgt die mittels FM-DGV erzielte Unsicherheit bei einer mittleren Strömungsgeschwindigkeit von 100 m/s beispielsweise 10 mm/s, woraus ein Dynamikumfang von 10 000 resultiert. Demnach erfüllen die neuartigen Verfahren die Voraussetzungen für die Anwendung am BFL, was im zweiten Schritt experimentell demonstriert wurde. Hierbei wurde zwecks Untersuchung kleiner Strukturen der LDV-PS mit einer feinen Ortsauflösung von minimal 10 µm genutzt. Ferner wurde die großflächige Erfassung mittels A-PIV zur Untersuchung der Wechselwirkung zwischen den Perforationslöchern eingesetzt und eine spektrale Untersuchung der mittels FM-DGV gemessenen Geschwindigkeit bei einer hohen Messrate von 100 kHz durchgeführt. Im Ergebnis wurden folgende Erkenntnisse zum Dämpfungsverhalten gewonnen: Am BFL tritt eine Interaktion von Strömung und Schall auf, die zu einer Oszillation der Geschwindigkeit mit hoher Amplitude bei der Schallanregungsfrequenz führt. Aus der erstmals durchgeführten Zerlegung der volumetrisch gemessenen Geschwindigkeit in Strömungsgeschwindigkeit und Schallschnelle resultiert, dass die akustisch induzierte oszillierende Geschwindigkeit vorwiegend dem Strömungsfeld zuzuordnen ist. Folglich wurde ein Energietransfer vom Schallfeld ins Strömungsfeld am BFL nachgewiesen, der wegen des sich typischerweise anschließenden Zerfalls von Strömungswirbeln und der finalen Umwandlung in Wärmeenergie zur Dämpfung beiträgt. Zudem wurde mittels spektraler Analyse der Geschwindigkeit ein breitbandiger Energiezuwachs bei tonaler Schallanregung festgestellt, welcher mit der Dämpfungseffizienz korreliert ist. Somit wird die These der primär von der akustisch induzierten Wirbelbildung herrührenden Dämpfung gestützt. Diese mit den neuartigen optischen Messverfahren gewonnenen Erkenntnisse tragen perspektivisch zur Optimierung von BFL hinsichtlich einer hohen Dämpfungseffizienz bei.

Outlined herein is the Modular Vehicle [MODV] concept as a cost effective, utilitarian, and highly functional vehicle concept for the changing demands placed on a MAGTF [Marine Air-Ground Task Force] or SP-MAGTF [Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force] in the 21st century. A large focus is put on the importance of modularity and cost effectiveness of having a 24 hour configurable vehicle to a specific mission and area of operation. Off-road vehicle progression through history is presented and successful design features are noted in order to develop underlying goals for the modular vehicle. The thesis emphasizes recent technology advancements that can shift the foundations of vehicle design including wheel hub motors, high capacity batteries, solid oxide fuel cells, autonomy, structural health monitoring, energy harvesting shock absorbers, non-pneumatic tires, and drive-by-wire options. Predictions on the outlook for the technology progressions is discussed to give insight into the viability of basing a vehicle concept on these technologies. Finally, physical design bounds are presented to provide a foundation for the future design of such a vehicle. / Master of Science

No description available.

Inexhaustible solar energy, which provides a clean, economic and green energy, seems to be an alternative solution, for current and future energy demands. Harvesting solar energy presents a challenge in using eco-friendly, earth abundant and inexpensive materials. Although present CdTe and Cu (In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) technologies, provide light-to-electricity comparable to silicon technology, toxicity of Cd and scarcity of In limits the widespread utilization. Future tera-watt level module capacity would then be feasible by the low-cost technologies. The chalcogenide thin film technology would therefore provide the exceptional utilization in the large-area module monolithic integrations benefitting from the low material consumption owing to the direct band gap. The current thesis presents the results obtained from the quest of other thin film materials and their utilization to an unconventional Cd-free buffer layer. The films suitability for the future applications was assessed through photovoltaics device studies in a comparative manner. Chapter-1 deals with the motivation for the solar energy and the importance of thin film photovoltaics. Alternative materials which are abundantly available would help to reach the future tera watt level production, where the conventional silicon technology alone cannot satisfy the global energy demand. The utilization of non-conventional thin film based solar cells and their working principles were elucidated. The histories of the copper based alternative materials were introduced. Chapter-2 deals with the versatile thin film growth technique that has been designed fabricated and installed further which can handle the growth of the absorber and the top TCO layers with insitu sulphurisation. The methodology of the absorber deposition was discussed in detail. The experimental details for the co-sputtering of CuInAl alloy were presented. A novel selenization method, assisted by the combination of inert gases was developed for the annealing of CuInAl alloyed precursor films. Chapter-3 deals with the presentation of the results obtained on buffer and window layers. Chemical Bath deposition technique was employed for the growth and optimization of the conventional CdS and non-toxic buffer ZnS buffer layers. A) Cadmium sulphide thin films suitable for the utilization of high efficiency solar cells were optimized. Optimization of the buffer involved the effects of cadmium precursors, ammonia concentration and buffer capsule effect. A green route was presented so as to consume the precursors to the maximum extent possible. B) The alternative non-toxic buffer Zinc Sulphide (ZnS) thin films were successfully grown using the above optimized conditions. Moreover the window layer was also optimized for better device partner. Zinc Oxide was used as a n-type partner for the p-type CIS films. The ZnO films were grown by the RF-sputtering from the single cathode exhibited good crystallinity with Zincite structure (hexagonal ZnS, a= 3.249A0 and c= 5.205A0). All the grown films showed high resistivity. Al: ZnO thin films were optimized in two methods 1) by dc co-sputtering from the elemental cathodes, Zinc and Aluminum, 2) dc-sputtering from the single 2% Al-doped ZnO cathode. Low resistivity Al:ZnO thin films were deposited in both the cases. Effect of Aluminum doping into ZnO crystal lattice upon the optical and electrical properties were discussed. Chapter-4 deals with the synthesis of various absorber materials, characterizations and some properties. Briefly the A) Optimization of the CuIn1-xAlxSe2 phase with better adhesion and better crystallinity. Aluminum doping into the crystal lattice of CuInSe2 aided the wide band gap tuning of CIAS thin films. Morphological investigations were carried out for the different set of thin films before and after selenization. Effects of copper and Aluminum concentrations on the lattice parameter of the selenized thin films were addressed. The present chapter deals with the A) electrical properties of CIAS films and its heterojunction partners. Resistivity measurements and effects of Cu/In ratio and the effect of Al doping were described in detail. The CIAS/ZnO heterostructure, CIAS/Al:ZnO heterostructure junction properties as a function of different sun illuminations were discussed. B) The alternative earth abundant, eco-friendly, non-toxic elements Cu2ZnSnS4, absorber thin films synthesis and characterizations. Photo conductive photo measurements showed CZTS a potential candidate for near infra-red photodectection. C) Cu2CoSnS4 (CCTS) nanostructures and quantum dots were synthesized via simple chemical routes. CCTS quantum dots were tuned to exhibit the red edge effect and cold white phosphors. D) Cu3BiS3 nano rods were synthesized and characterized structurally and optically. The transport properties of Cu3BiS3 nanorods were tailored for showing the metallic to semiconducting transitions. Chapter-5 Discusses the A) Efforts made in understanding the CIAS based solar cells through interfaces such as CIAS/ZnO, Mo/CIAS, CIAS/CdS/i-ZnO/Al:ZnO and improving the open circuit voltage VOC upon a rotating substrate, involving the inline and in situ processes, for fabricating the cell/ module were discussed. The device statistics for various set of cells were analyzed. B) Solar cells of CTS absorber with the non-toxic buffer ZnS were fabricated and device properties were analyzed. C) CCTS quantum dots embedded in the polymer matrix were utilized for making the inverted hybrid solar devices in combination of ITO/AZnO bilayered contact replacing the acidic PEDOT: PSS. D) The solar cells made of CCTS hollow spheres by spin coating the absorber in the configuration SLG/Mo/CCTS/CdS/ iZno-AZnO/Ni-Al-Al showed a lower efficiency of 0.02%. Chapter-6 concludes with the summary of present investigations and the scope for future work.