Archives of Advanced Engineering Science

Fabrication of N-Type Nanocrystalline Silicon Thin-Film by Magnetron Sputtering and Antimony Induced Crystallization

Omid Shekoofa, Jian Wang, Dejie Li — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0800

The fabrication of n-type nanocrystalline silicon thin films using magnetron sputtering and crystallization by adding antimony and thermal treatment is presented in this article. Firstly, a short overview about thin film deposition methods, along with the advantages and disadvantages of the magnetron sputtering, is provided. Then, the technique of adding metals for recrystallization of amorphous silicon is described, and the necessity of using antimony for obtaining n-type nanocrystalline silicon along with its characteristics is discussed. Next, the process of thin film deposition using magnetron sputtering and the production of n-type nanocrystalline silicon on a quartz substrate, by antimony induced crystallization, is explained. Subsequently, the characterization process and necessary measurements to confirm the crystallization of the nanocrystalline silicon layer and determine its crystalline properties are presented. For ease of electrical characterization, a simple n/p junction Schottky solar cell is fabricated using the produced nanocrystalline silicon layer on a p-type monocrystalline silicon wafer. In addition to nanocrystalline properties, the optical and electrical characteristics of this cell are also investigated. The measurements show that with the proposed method, a fine grains nanocrystalline silicon layer with an average grain size of 20 nm was formed in the <111> direction. J-V characteristic measurement shows the creation of a solar cell with conversion efficiency of 1.39%, open circuit voltage of 265mV and current density of 16.32mA/cm². These results confirm that antimony can be used in the process of crystallizing amorphous thin film silicon obtained from magnetron sputtering and converting it into n-type nanocrystalline silicon.

Received: 6 May 2023 | Revised: 6 June 2023 | Accepted: 15 June 2023

Conflicts of Interest

Omid Shekoofa is the Editorial Board Member for Archives of Advanced Engineering Science, and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Machine Learning Insights into Hypersonics Research Evolution: A 21st Century Perspective

Ashkan Ebadi, Alain Auger, Yvan Gauthier — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0800

In recent years, the field of hypersonics has witnessed substantial growth in research and development activities, driven by its diverse range of applications spanning both military and commercial sectors. Governments and private companies in several countries have made substantial investments in hypersonic technologies to gain a competitive edge, secure or enhance strategic capabilities, and bolster deterrence measures. In this rapidly evolving landscape, the ability to swiftly and accurately identify emerging technologies becomes paramount. Leveraging the advancements in information technology and computer science, which enable the analysis of vast datasets and the extraction of concealed trends and patterns, this study aims to provide valuable insights to decision-makers in the hypersonics domain. Our focus is on scientific publications related to hypersonics, encompassing the years 2000 to 2020. We employ state-of-the-art natural language processing and machine learning techniques to comprehensively characterize the research landscape. The urgency of this endeavor lies in the necessity for organizations to remain at the forefront of hypersonic research. By algorithmically identifying and tracking 12 key latent research themes and examining their temporal evolution, we offer a structured and objective analysis of the field. Our methodology eliminates subjectivity from the assessment, facilitating consistent comparisons both across topics and across different time intervals. In addition, through our extensive publication similarity analysis, we uncover nuanced patterns that shed light on the cyclical nature of research trends over the two decades under investigation. This comprehensive examination of the hypersonics research landscape not only underscores its critical significance but also provides a robust foundation for informed decision-making. As such, our study serves as a valuable resource for stakeholders seeking to navigate the dynamics of the rapidly advancing field of hypersonics effectively.

Received: 2 August 2023 | Revised: 25 September 2023 | Accepted: 12 October 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data are retrievable by running the search query mentioned in the manuscript on the data source, i.e., Scopus. In addition, the raw data can be made available upon request. Please contact the corresponding author.

Microcontroller-Based Thermoelectrically Stabilized Laser Diode System

Muddasir Naeem, Saqlain Tariq Sahi, Tayyab Imran, Muhammad Abuzer — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0800

This work aims to describe the development of a prototype laser diode system along with its driver circuit and a stable microcontroller-based thermo-electric cooling system. The laser diode driver circuit was designed and simulated by using NI Multisim. The driver circuit was built using two LM317 ICs to control the voltage across the laser diode and current through the laser diode. The laser diode output power varies by varying the current across the laser diode through the driver circuit. The temperature of the laser diode rises with time, affecting the output power of the laser diode during a long period of operation. A microcontroller-based cooling system was designed and fabricated using thermoelectric coolers. The microcontroller controls the cooling system ON/OFF period to maintain the laser diode at a particular temperature by removing the excess heat produced during the lasing action. The laser diode with a microcontroller-based cooling system shows that the laser diode output power remains stable during a long period of operation.

Received: 28 April 2023 | Revised: 19 May 2023 | Accepted: 7 June 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

The data supporting this study’s findings are available within the article [and its supplementary material].

Synthesis of Parameter Recognition Algorithm and State Evaluation for Separating Target

Nguyen Tat Tuan, Vu Hoa Tien, Doan Van Minh — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0800

This paper presents the results of the building of a parameter recognition algorithm and state evaluation for separate targets, to improve the effectiveness of target tracking for interceptor missiles. The assessment maneuver of the separating target is of great significance for the interceptor missile to recognize the maneuverability of the target in the group. The decision to abandon (or not abandon) the original target and destroy (or not destroy) the new separating target that appeared because of its danger.

Received: 7 July 2023 | Revised: 19 September 2023 | Accepted: 7 November 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Control of the BLDC Motor Using Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for Tuning PID Parameters

Yam Krishna Poudel, Pratap Bhandari — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0800

A key component of industrial applications is the DC motor. Hence, due to their superior features and performance, Brushless DC (BLDC) motors are more suitable for fractional kilowatt motor’s applications. Albeit, for the purpose of controlling the speed of Brushless DC motor easily, it is quite difficult for obtaining the best controlling performance through the use of the conventional approaches of tuning. In order to search the Proportional – Integral - Derivative (PID) tuning parameters optimally for the different controllers taken into consideration, the use of modern bio-inspired metaheuristic technique called Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm is employed. This paper particularly discusses and presents on the tunning parameters of . The performance of traditional controller and novel approach is compared, analyzed and presented. Brushless DC motor is buildup in MATLAB and the usage, importance, efficiency and strength of the proposed approach is validated against traditional tunning methods. The obtained result shows better performance of the proposed system with the aid of the proposed controllers for different speed trajectories of the drive when compared with that of the classical Proportional – Integral - Derivative (PID) controllers. Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) seems to be the one of the most effective tuning techniques of Proportional – Integral - Derivative (PID) controllers. This research has significant impact on modern control applications.

Received: 9 June 2023 | Revised: 20 September 2023 | Accepted: 10 October 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Nutritional Composition and Antinutritional Factor Analysis of Kpokpogari and Starch: A Comparative Study Using Commercial Wheat

Okadigwe John Chukwujekwu — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0800

This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of the nutritional composition and antinutritional factors in kpokpogari, starch, and a commercial wheat product. The study employed proximate analysis to determine the macronutrient composition, mineral analysis to assess the presence of essential minerals, and vitamin analysis to evaluate the vitamin content. Additionally, antinutritional factors such as phytates, tannins, and oxalates were analyzed to identify any potential limitations or health concerns associated with these foods. The findings revealed that kpokpogari and starch were primarily carbohydrate-rich foods, while the commercial wheat product had a higher protein content. When compared to the typical diet of the elderly, the control has much higher levels of vital minerals. The salt content in the control group was the lowest (0.11 mg/100 g). Foods (kpokpogari and starch) typically consumed by the elderly had lower vitamin content than the control. Kpokpogari and starch had the highest levels of all the antinutritional components measured, ranging from 1.15 mg/100 g glycoside to 0.02 mg/100 g phytate. The study provides valuable insights into the nutritional composition of traditional Nigerian foods and their potential health implications. Future research can further explore their nutritional value and promote healthier dietary choices.

Received: 1 June 2023 | Revised: 1 July 2023 | Accepted: 9 July 2023

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.