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Investigation of properties limiting efficiency in Cu2ZnSnSe4-based solar cells

We have investigated different nonidealities in Cu2ZnSnSe4-CdS-ZnO solar cells with 9.7% conversion efficiency, in order to determine what is limiting the efficiency of these devices. Several nonidealities could be observed. A barrier of about 300 meV is present for electron flow at the absorber-buffer heterojunction leading to a strong crossover behavior between dark and illuminated current-voltage curves. In addition, a barrier of about 130 meV is present at the Mo-absorber contact, which could be reduced to 15 meV by inclusion of a TiN interlayer. Admittance spectroscopy results on the

Energy and Water
Circuit Theory and Applications
Software and Communications

Towards evolving sensor actor networks

Sensor Actor NETworks (SANET) represent a major component of ubiquitous service environments promising interesting solutions to a wide range of problems. Despite the obvious increase in the research activities proposing architectures and protocols for SANETs, we are still no where near the production of industrial-grade SANET software that can be relied upon for mission critical applications. The cost of programming, deploying and maintaining SANET environments is still highly prohibitive due to the lack of industrial tools capable of realizing adaptive SANET software in a cost effective way

Energy and Water
Circuit Theory and Applications
Software and Communications
Agriculture and Crops

Cole-Cole Bio-Impedance Parameters Extraction from a Single Time-Domain Measurement

We show that the four parameters of a single-dispersion Cole-Cole bio-impedance model can be extracted from an one time-domain measurement with a fixed frequency. In particular, a periodic triangle waveform current excitation signal is injected into the biological sample under study while measuring the voltage developed across this sample in a galvanostatic measurement setup. The voltage response due to this triangle-wave excitation is firstly analytically derived in closed form. After that the Flower Pollination optimization Algorithm (FPA) is applied to extract the unknown model parameters

Circuit Theory and Applications
Software and Communications
Agriculture and Crops

Cole bio-impedance model variations in daucus carota sativus under heating and freezing conditions

This paper reports on the variations in the parameters of the single dispersion Cole bio-impedance model of Daucus Carota Sativus (carrots) under heating and freezing conditions. Experiments are conducted on six samples with recorded live bio-impedance spectra versus temperature. The Cole model parameters are extracted from the measured data using the Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA) optimization technique and their variations are correlated with well-known bio-chemical and bio-mechanical variations. This represents a non-invasive method for characterizing and measuring the degree of change

Healthcare
Circuit Theory and Applications
Software and Communications
Agriculture and Crops

Experimental investigation of innovative active packaging biofilms using electrical impedance spectroscopy

This work explores a novel simple technique to investigate the shelf life of fruit using Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). EIS is a non-destructive analysis that focuses on studying the electrical impedance variations during ripening of fruit. The purpose of this study is the use of a biodegradable natural plastic packaging for extending fruit and vegetable shelf life. Polyethylene Terephthalate is currently used for food packaging such vegetables, fruit and meat. It is a tough and flexible plastic material with high impact strength, but it has the disadvantages of synthetic plastics
Circuit Theory and Applications
Agriculture and Crops

Extending the double-dispersion Cole–Cole, Cole–Davidson and Havriliak–Negami electrochemical impedance spectroscopy models

Double-dispersion impedance models are important for the accurate fitting of spectral impedance measurements in Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). While the Cole–Cole model is the most widely known, it is possible to define double-dispersion Cole–Davidson and Havriliak–Negami models as well. In this work, we show that more freedom can be exercised when these three models are combined together and that this combination can be done in various forms. Experimental results using a two-stage optimization algorithm applied on the suggested models are provided. © 2021, European Biophysical

Circuit Theory and Applications
Agriculture and Crops

Extraction of Phase Information from Magnitude-Only Bio-impedance Measurements Using a Modified Kramers–Kronig Transform

The need for portable and low-cost bio-impedance analyzers that can be deployed in field studies has significantly increased. Due to size and power constraints, reducing the hardware in these devices is crucial and most importantly is removing the need for direct phase measurement. In this paper a new magnitude-only technique based on modified Kramers–Kronig transforms is proposed and tested. Comparison with impedance measurements of fresh and aging tomato samples using a precise industry standard impedance analyzer is carried out and explained. Error and noise analysis of the proposed

Circuit Theory and Applications
Agriculture and Crops

Experimental comparison of integer/fractional-order electrical models of plant

In this paper, different integer and fractional-order models are studied from electrical point of view, these models are used to fit the measured impedance data for different types of fruits and vegetables. Experimental work is done on eight different models for six types of fruits to verify the best fitting model. Electric impedance is measured in the range of frequencies (200 mHz–200 Khz) using a non-destructive method, where the tissues are not damaged by electrode insertion. Moreover, two integer order models have been extended to the fractional order domain where data analysis and fitting

Circuit Theory and Applications
Agriculture and Crops

Extraction of bioimpedance phase information from its magnitude using a non-uniform Kramers–Kronig transform

A novel non-uniform Kramers–Kronig Transform algorithm for bioimpedance phase extraction is proposed and tested in this work. The algorithm error is studied and compared with a previously proposed phase extraction technique, also based on the Kramers–Kronig transform. Results using simulated datasets and experimental datasets confirm the excellent performance of the algorithm. © 2020, European Biophysical Societies' Association.

Circuit Theory and Applications
Agriculture and Crops

Banana ripening and corresponding variations in bio-impedance and glucose levels

This paper studies banana fruit ripping using the Cole-impedance model fitted over the measured bio-impedance data by monitoring the changes in the model parameters during the different ripping stages. A set of twenty bananas are tested for 84 hours, and impedance measurements are done every 12 hours using an SP150 electrochemical station. The changes in model parameters are related to the physical changes in the fruit as well as with the glucose concentration, which increases with time. © 2019 IEEE.

Circuit Theory and Applications
Agriculture and Crops