An Analog Circuit for Accurate OCVD Measurements
An electronic circuit for making accurate open-circuit voltage decay measurements is presented. The circuit overcomes the main limitations that occur in the standard method when used for carrier lifetime characterization because it realizes the ldquoopen-circuit conditionsrdquo of the device under test with an impedance higher than 100 MOmega and reduces the noise that is inherent in the differential operation of the method.
Measurement of silicon and GaAs/Ge solar cells ac parameters
The device parameters (carrier lifetime, ideality factor), and physical parameters (built-in voltage, doping concentration) of silicon (Si) and gallium arsenide (GaAs/Ge) solar cells are measured at different temperatures using time domain technique. Carrier lifetime is calculated from open circuit voltage decay (OCVD). Built-in voltage and doping concentration are derived from the cell capacitance measured at different bias voltages. Ideality factor is derived from the I-V characteristics of solar cell. Carrier lifetime increases while built-in voltage decreases with increase in temperature. Ideality factor of the solar cell decreases with temperature.
Toluene degradation via a unique metabolic route in indigenous bacterial species
Tanneries are the primary source of toluene pollution in the environment and toluene due to its hazardous effects has been categorized as persistent organic pollutant. Present study was initiated to trace out metabolic fingerprints of three toluene-degrading bacteria isolated from tannery effluents of Southern Punjab. Using selective enrichment and serial dilution methods followed by biochemical, molecular and antibiotic resistance analysis, isolated bacteria were subjected to metabolomics analysis. GC–MS/LC–MS analysis of bacterial metabolites helped to identify toluene transformation products and underlying pathways. Three toluene-metabolizing bacteria identified as Bacillus paralicheniformis strain KJ-16 (IUBT4 and IUBT24) and Brevibacillus agri strain NBRC 15538 (IUBT19) were found tolerant to toluene and capable of degrading toluene. Toluene-degrading potential of these isolates was detected to be IUBT4 (10.35 ± 0.084 mg/h), IUBT19 (14.07 ± 3.14 mg/h) and IUBT24 (11.1 ± 0.282 mg/h). Results of GC–MS analysis revealed that biotransformation of toluene is accomplished not only through known metabolic routes such as toluene 3-monooxygenase (T3MO), toluene 2-monooxygenase (T2MO), toluene 4-monooxygenase (T4MO), toluene methyl monooxygenase (TOL), toluene dioxygenase (Tod), meta- and ortho-ring fission pathways. But additionally, confirmed existence of a unique metabolic pathway that involved conversion of toluene into intermediates such as cyclohexene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol. LC–MS analysis indicated the presence of fatty acid amides, stigmine, emmotin A and 2, 2-dinitropropanol in supernatants of bacterial cultures. As the isolated bacteria transformed toluene into relatively less toxic molecules and thus can be preferably exploited for the eco-friendly remediation of toluene.