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1 – 10 of over 2000Wojciech Filipowski, Kazimierz Drabczyk, Edyta Wróbel, Piotr Sobik, Krzysztof Waczynski and Natalia Waczynska-Niemiec
The purpose of this paper is to develop a method of preparing spray-on dopant solutions that enable obtaining a p+ region forming a back-surface field (BSF) during the diffusion…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a method of preparing spray-on dopant solutions that enable obtaining a p+ region forming a back-surface field (BSF) during the diffusion doping process. The spray-on method used allows to decrease the costs of dopant solution application, which is particularly significant for new low-cost production processes.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents steps of production of high concentration boron dopant solutions enabling diffusion doping of crystalline p-type silicon surfaces. To check the fabricated dopant solutions for stability and suitability for spray-on application, their viscosity and density were measured in week-long intervals. The dopant solutions described in this paper were used in a series of diffusion doping processes to confirm their suitability for BSF production.
Findings
A method of preparing dopant solutions with parameters enabling depositing them on silicon wafers by the spray-on method has been established. Due to hygroscopic properties of the researched dopant solutions, a maximum surrounding atmosphere humidity has been established. The solutions should not be applied by the spray-on method, if this humidity value is exceeded. The conducted derivatographic examination enabled establishing optimal drying conditions.
Originality/value
The paper presents a new composition of a dopant solution which contains high concentration of boron and may be applied by the spray-on method. Derivatographic examination results, as well as equations describing the relation between dopant solution density and viscosity and storage time are also original for this research. The established dependencies between the sheet resistance of the fabricated BSF and the diffusion doping time are other new elements described in the paper.
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Taylor Davis, Tracy W. Nelson and Nathan B. Crane
dding dopants to a powder bed could be a cost-effective method for spatially varying the material properties in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) or for evaluating new materials and…
Abstract
Purpose
dding dopants to a powder bed could be a cost-effective method for spatially varying the material properties in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) or for evaluating new materials and processing relationships. However, these additions may impact the selection of processing parameters. Furthermore, these impacts may be different when depositing nanoparticles into the powder bed than when the same composition is incorporated into the powder particles as by ball milling of powders or mixing similarly sized powders. This study aims to measure the changes in the single bead characteristics with laser power, laser scan speed, laser spot size and quantity of zirconia nanoparticle dopant added to SS 316 L powder.
Design/methodology/approach
A zirconia slurry was inkjet-printed into a single layer of 316 SS powder and dried. Single bead experiments were conducted on the composite powder. The line type (continuous vs balling) and the melt pool geometry were compared at various levels of zirconia doping.
Findings
The balling regime expands dramatically with the zirconia dopant to both higher and lower energy density values indicating the presence of multiple physical mechanisms that influence the resulting melt track morphology. However, the energy density required for continuous tracks was not impacted as significantly by zirconia addition. These results suggest that the addition of dopants may alter the process parameter ranges suitable for the fabrication of high-quality parts.
Originality/value
This work provides new insight into the potential impact of material doping on the ranges of energy density values that form continuous lines in single bead tests. It also illustrates a potential method for spatially varying material composition for process development or even part optimization in powder bed fusion without producing a mixed powder that cannot be recycled.
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The purpose of this paper was the development of a model enabling precise determination of phosphorus concentration profile in the emitter layer of a silicon solar cell on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was the development of a model enabling precise determination of phosphorus concentration profile in the emitter layer of a silicon solar cell on the basis of diffusion doping process duration and temperature. Fick’s second law, which is fundamental for describing the diffusion process, was assumed as the basis for the model.
Design/methodology/approach
To establish a theoretical model of the process of phosphorus diffusion in silicon, real concentration profiles measured using the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) method were used. Samples with the phosphorus dopant source applied onto monocrystalline silicon surface were placed in the heat zone of the open quartz tube furnace, where the diffusion process took place in the temperature of 880°C-940°C. The measured real concentration profiles of these samples became template profiles for the model in development.
Findings
The model was developed based on phenomena described in the literature, such as the influence of the electric field of dopant ionized atoms and the influence of dopant atom concentration nearing the maximum concentration on the value of diffusion coefficient. It was proposed to divide the diffusion area into low and high dopant concentration region.
Originality/value
A model has been established which enabled obtaining a high level of consistency between the phosphorus concentration profile developed theoretically and the real profile measured using the SIMS method. A coefficient of diffusion of phosphorus in silicon dependent on dopant concentration was calculated. Additionally, a function describing the boundary between the low and high dopant concentration regions was determined.
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Kazimierz Drabczyk, Edyta Wróbel, Grazyna Kulesza-Matlak, Wojciech Filipowski, Krzysztof Waczynski and Marek Lipinski
The purpose of this study is comparison of the diffusion processes performed using the commercial available dopant paste made by Filmtronics and the original prepared liquid…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is comparison of the diffusion processes performed using the commercial available dopant paste made by Filmtronics and the original prepared liquid dopant solution. To decrease prices of industrially produced silicon-based solar cells, the new low-cost production processes are necessary. The main components of most popular silicon solar cells are with diffused emitter layer, passivation, anti-reflective layers and metal electrodes. This type of cells is prepared usually using phosphorus oxychloride diffusion source and metal pastes for screen printing. The diffusion process in diffusion furnace with quartz tube is slow, complicated and requires expensive equipment. The alternative for this technology is very fast in-line processing using the belt furnaces as an equipment. This approach requires different dopant sources.
Design/methodology/approach
In this work, the diffusion processes were made for two different types of dopant sources. The first one was the commercial available dopant paste from Filmtronics and the second one was the original prepared liquid dopant solution. The investigation was focused on dopant sources fabrication and diffusion processes. The doping solution was made in two stages. In the first stage, a base solution (without dopants) was made: dropwise deionized (DI) water and ethyl alcohol were added to a solution consisting of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 99.8 per cent ethyl alcohol. Next, to the base solution, orthophosphoric acid dissolved in ethyl alcohol was added.
Findings
Diffused emitter layers with sheet resistance around 60 Ω/sq were produced on solar grade monocrystalline silicon wafers using two types of dopant sources.
Originality/value
In this work, the diffusion processes were made for two different types of dopant sources. The first one was the commercial available dopant paste from Filmtronics and the second one was the original prepared liquid dopant solution.
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Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the paper is to develop a method of synthesising polyaniline (PANI) with excellent electrical conductivity.
Design/methodology/approach
The preparation of PANI was carried out by vibration of emulsifier (SDBS), oxidant (APS) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution concentration. The changes of temperature and time of reaction had also been observed and researched.
Findings
Changing of reaction conditions was found to have a great influence on polyaniline's conductivity. The optimum condition for preparing polyaniline salt is as follows: the molar ratio of n(An)/n(SDBS)/n(APS) is 10/10/9, the concentration of HCl is 0.9 M, stirred constantly at 0°C for a period of 3 h. By using this emulsion polymerisation pathway the maximum of conductivity of polyaniline is 4.35 s/cm.
Practical implications
The method can be widely applicable to coatings, preparation of exfoliated clay composites and solution blending with other commodity polymers.
Originality/value
The method could be adapted for use on an industrial scale.
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Emilie Malcourant, Alain Vas and Thierry Zintz
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) through the theoretical framework of meta-organizations that focusses on organizations that are…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) through the theoretical framework of meta-organizations that focusses on organizations that are themselves made up of organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
The data are drawn from a unique case study based on interviews with WADA experts and documentary analysis.
Findings
The authors analyzed WADA through the organizational and strategic dimensions of meta-organizations, which are themselves each defined by two criteria: the mission and scope of the organization vs the hierarchical stratification and decision-making process. The findings suggest that the WADA can be examined through the lens of meta-organizational theory. The criterion of consensus in the decision-making process has already been put forward by scholars, but it needs to be nuanced in the study since it is not the only process used by WADA in its decision-making.
Research limitations/implications
The paper enhances the understanding of a specific international sports organization at the heart of current major sports issues and enriches the literature on meta-organizational theory, which is a relatively recent development. A next step is a longitudinal study, focussing on the decision-making process and the evolution of a meta-organization over time.
Originality/value
While the meta-organization has been considered recently in the management literature, this paper seeks to advance the discussion by linking it to the international sports field to gain more insight into its complexity.
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Aminu Muhammad, Sabah M. Mohammad, Zainuriah Hassan, Suvindraj Rajamanickam, Shireen Mohammed Abed and M.G.B. Ashiq
The purpose of this study is to dope silver (Ag) and fluorine (F) in zinc oxide (ZnO) for the enhancement of electrical and optical properties of ZnO, as previous studies reported…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to dope silver (Ag) and fluorine (F) in zinc oxide (ZnO) for the enhancement of electrical and optical properties of ZnO, as previous studies reported the improvement of these properties using individual doping of F and Ag. In this paper, F and Ag co-doped ZnO nanorods were synthesized using a modified hydrothermal method.
Design/methodology/approach
The hydrothermal method was modified and used for the synthesis of the doped ZnO nanostructures, where stainless autoclave and oven were replaced with the Duran laboratory bottle and water boiler system in the process. The ultraviolet metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector (PD) was fabricated using DC sputtering method.
Findings
Vertically aligned nanorods images were captured from field emission scanning electron microscopy. XPS analysis confirmed greater spin-orbital interaction in the F and Ag co-doped ZnO sample and revealed the presence of F, Ag, Zn and O in the samples, indicating a successful doping process. X-ray diffraction revealed a hexagonal wurtzite structure with enhanced crystal quality upon co-doping. The bandgap decreased from 3.19 to 3.14 eV upon co-doping because of reduced defects density in the sample. Finally, an ultra-violet PD was fabricated with enhanced sensitivity and response times upon co-doping.
Originality/value
The low-cost, less energy-consuming Duran laboratory bottle and water boiler system were used as the substitute of expensive, more energy-consuming stainless autoclave and oven in a hydrothermal method for synthesis of F and Ag co-doped ZnO and subsequent fabrication of PD.
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Jean-Loup Chappelet and Nicolien van Luijk
The purpose of this chapter is to examine the functioning of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an organisation that is coordinated by national governments and private sporting…
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to examine the functioning of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an organisation that is coordinated by national governments and private sporting organisations to fight doping in sport. Drawing on official WADA documents and one of the authors’ first-hand knowledge of WADA’s workings, we begin by presenting the agency’s objectives, its joint Olympic Movement-public authorities governance structure, its stakeholders and its more important procedures. WADA is currently facing a number of challenges it must overcome if it is to ensure effective cooperation between governments and the sports movement and continue leading the fight against doping. We next briefly examine these challenges, which affect four main issues: athlete testing, compliancy by anti-doping stakeholders, governance structures and the agency funding. We conclude our analysis by suggesting possible ways of addressing these issues, drawn up in light of semi-directive interviews carried out in September 2016 with two senior representatives of WADA, two UNESCO representatives responsible for cooperation with WADA and two experts in national and international doping legislation. These data were complemented by discussions with stakeholders attending the three-day symposium held by WADA in Lausanne in March 2017. The conclusion stresses the need for WADA to restore public and government confidence in its work, 17 years after it was created.
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Jared Allison, John Pearce, Joseph Beaman and Carolyn Seepersad
Additive manufacturing (AM) of thermoplastic polymers for powder bed fusion processes typically requires each layer to be fused before the next can be deposited. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Additive manufacturing (AM) of thermoplastic polymers for powder bed fusion processes typically requires each layer to be fused before the next can be deposited. The purpose of this paper is to present a volumetric AM method in the form of deeply penetrating radio frequency (RF) radiation to improve the speed of the process and the mechanical properties of the polymer parts.
Design/methodology/approach
The focus of this study was to demonstrate the volumetric fusion of composite mixtures containing polyamide (nylon) 12 and graphite powders using RF radiation as the sole energy source to establish the feasibility of a volumetric AM process for thermoplastic polymers. Impedance spectroscopy was used to measure the dielectric properties of the mixtures as a function of increasing graphite content and identify the percolation limit. The mixtures were then tested in a parallel plate electrode chamber connected to an RF generator to measure the heating effectiveness of different graphite concentrations. During the experiments, the surface temperature of the doped mixtures was monitored.
Findings
Nylon 12 mixtures containing between 10% and 60% graphite by weight were created, and the loss tangent reached a maximum of 35%. Selective RF heating was shown through the formation of fused composite parts within the powder beds.
Originality/value
The feasibility of a novel volumetric AM process for thermoplastic polymers was demonstrated in this study, in which RF radiation was used to achieve fusion in graphite-doped nylon powders.
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Xiaochao Xian, Chenglong Nai, Lixin Li and Shuo Zhao
Immersion is one of the key steps during the preparation of silane-based hybrid films, which has important effects on the performance of films after curing. In this paper, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Immersion is one of the key steps during the preparation of silane-based hybrid films, which has important effects on the performance of films after curing. In this paper, the formation process of Zr-doped silane film (i.e. the adsorption of silane and deposition of zirconium compounds) on carbon steel immersed in Zr(NO3)4/silane mixed solutions was investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
The method of in situ monitoring the open circuit potential of a two-electrode system, consisting of carbon steel and saturated calomel electrode, was used. The effects of immersion conditions (i.e. the concentration of Zr(NO3)4 and pH of Zr(NO3)4/silane mixed solution) on the open circuit potential were investigated in detail. Furthermore, the surface coverage rate of different cured films (i.e. Zr cured film, silane cured film and Zr/silane composite cured film) after curing on carbon steel was calculated according to the results of polarization curves. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study the self-healing property of Zr-doped silane cured film.
Findings
The results indicate that in Zr(NO3)4/silane mixed solutions, most zirconium compounds deposit on the surface of carbon steel at the initial immersing stage, then the adsorption of silane on the residual surface of carbon steel dominates the following immersing stage. EIS results show that the Zr-doped cured film has improved self-healing property.
Originality/value
First, the method of in situ monitoring the open-circuit potential of two-electrode system was applied to investigate the deposition of Zr and the adsorption of silane on carbon steel immersed in Zr(NO3)4/silane mixed solutions. Second, the formation process of Zr-doped silane film was proposed.
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