This paper investigates the performance of a triple-material double-gate negative capacitance MOSFET (TM-DG-NC-MOSFET) employing different ferroelectric (FE) materials. Moreover, the influence of the thickness of the FE layer on the device transfer behavior ($I_{D S}-V_{G S}$) is thoroughly examined. Comprehensive two-dimensional simulations are performed employing the Silvaco TCAD framework. The obtained simulation results indicate that the investigated device exhibits a significantly lower subthreshold swing, an enhanced switching ratio, and improved transconductance when compared with conventional MOSFET structures. Such improved electrical characteristics suggest that the investigated architecture is promising for next-generation integrated circuit technologies, particularly for low-power operation.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has been found to be a promising material for electronic and optoelectronic device applications due to its unique optical and electrical characteristics. However, the large-scale synthesis of MoS2 thin films is limited by challenges in achieving reproducible and uniform device fabrication. In the present study, we utilized a sputtering technique and post-treatment by ion beam irradiation for large-scale fabrication of uniform MoS2 thin films. The effects of the low-energy ion beam on the optical, structural, electrical transport, and morphological characteristics of the MoS2 thin films were studied by Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and electrical transport analysis. Tuning the electrical and optical characteristics of few- and monolayer MoS2 through regulation of defects provides an excellent approach for fabricating two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 thin films for electronic device applications. Thin film transistors (TFTs) have been widely studied for driving active-matrix displays given their promising electrical characteristics including significant on/off current ratio and mobility. In the present work, we report a back-gate MoS2 TFT fabricated by sputtering. TFTs based on MoS2 thin films were fabricated, and the current–voltage characteristics were studied at room temperature, which confirmed that the transport behavior differed between the pristine and ion-irradiated samples. Pristine MoS2-based TFTs displayed significant Schottky barrier effects, resulting in lower mobility than ion-irradiated samples. Our comprehensive study focuses on the fundamental transport characteristics via the metal–MoS2interface, which represents a substantial step towards achieving highly efficient electronic devices based on 2D semiconductors.

The work presented in this article investigates the effectiveness of presence of low work function live metal strip in improving the performance in terms of analog/RF and linearity parameters for Live-Strip-Dual-Material Gate-Oxide-Stack Double-Gate TFET (LWLS-DMGOSDG TFET) as compared to conventional DMGOSDG TFET under the influence of underlap of 5nm towards the source end. The analog/RF and linearity Figure of Merits (FoMs) such as transconductance $(g_{m})$, gate-to-source and gate-to-drain capacitances, gain-bandwidth product (GBP), cut-off frequency $(f_{T})$, second and third order transconductances, Input Intercept Point (IIP3), Voltage Intercept Point (VIP3) and intermodulation distortion (IMD3) have been considered during the device simulation. The simulation results approve the applicability of the proposed device for low power applications.

WO3 is considered to be significant for diverse applications such as gas sensing, photocatalysis, and photovoltaic devices because of its wide optical band gap. Ion beam treatment of various metal oxides produces defects that modify various properties including the morphological, structural, and optical properties of the metal oxides. When the energetic ions cross through the target materials, two kinds of energy losses occur, i.e., nuclear and electronic energy loss. In high-energy ion beam treatment of thin films, electronic energy loss is dominant over nuclear energy loss. In our current study, thin films of tungsten oxide were grown on a substrate of glass and silicon by the radio frequency (RF) sputtering method. The sputtered WO3 thin films were exposed to an ion beam of Ag ion with an energy of 120 MeV at various fluence levels of 1.0 × 1012 ions/cm2, 5 × 1012 ions/cm2, and 1.0 × 1013 ions/cm2. Optical study revealed changes in the energy band gap of ion-irradiated WO3 thin films. From Raman spectroscopy, the phase observed was monoclinic for pristine and irradiated samples. PL spectroscopy of the pristine and ion beam-implanted WO3 thin films showed emission spectra at a wavelength 437 nm with an excitation wavelength of 420 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed the presence of W and O atoms and showed changes in the electronic structure after Ag ion beam irradiation.

We investigated the spectrum of density fluctuations of a liquid crystal, CB7CB, in two different orientations by using high-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering. Our analysis, based on Bayesian principles, revealed that high-frequency collective excitations propagate through this mesoscale-ordered sample in a peculiar manner that lies somewhere between those observed in liquids and crystalline systems. Interestingly, when we probed longer length scales, a more pronounced solid-like response emerged. This was mainly characterized by anomalously sharp inelastic excitations and the onset of shear mode propagation. Comparison with previous x-ray diffraction results suggests a correlation between the observed behavior and the mesogen arrangement.

Chromium (VI) is a well-known pollutant that is present in industrially polluted soil and water, and has been reported to be mutagenic and carcinogenic. In the present study, we investigated the effective use of Leptolyngbya boryana (cyanobacterium) as an eco-friendly option to overcome Cr (VI) toxicity in tannery effluents. The main objective of this study was to identify the Cr reductase (ChrR) gene and its variability in the context of Cr (VI) stress. Industrial polluted soil samples were collected and processed according to standard protocols for ChrR variation and 16S rDNA gene analysis. Genomic DNA was isolated from the collected samples and the ChrR and 16S rDNA genes were amplified by PCR. Amplified 16S rDNA was sequenced and aligned with known sequences. In the present study, a strong correlation was established between the nucleotide sequences of the ChrR and 16S rDNA genes. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined for Cr (VI), and pure strains of L. boryana were identified and isolated from soil samples. Cr (VI)-stressed conditions and their genetic variability were confirmed by sequencing. In conclusion, the L. boryana strain has been identified an eco-friendly option for overcoming Cr (VI) toxicity in tannery effluents.

In this work, we study the effect of high gamma doses (600 kGy, 1000 kGy and 1250 kGy) on morphological, structural and optical characteristics of sputtered WO3 thin films. The modifications in these characteristics were analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction, Atomic Force Microscope, UV-Visible spectroscopy, Photoluminescence spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. AFM shows the variation in grain size from 61 nm to 91.2 nm after gamma irradiation from unirradiated to gamma-exposed WO3 thin films. XRD and Raman spectroscopy show the monoclinic structure before and after irradiation of WO3 thin films. The optical study illustrates the variation in the optical band gap from 2.80 eV to 2.08 eV after gamma exposure of WO3 thin films. In PL spectra, two emission peaks at a wavelength of 410 nm and 480 nm were observed.

Soil salinity and limited freshwater availability are the challenges for intensification of the cropping system in semi-arid regions with monsoonal climate. Augmenting freshwater with saline groundwater could be an alternative strategy for increasing cropping intensity. This experiment was conducted to test the impact of deficit saline water irrigation (DSI) with mulching and tillage on root zone salinity and performance of rainfed bioenergy sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)] followed by saline water irrigated wheat. Three tillage treatments viz. zero-reduced (RT), conventional-conventional (CT), and zero-zero (ZT) were practiced in the main plot and irrigated wheat [comprising of saline water (ECiw 8.0 dS m(-1))] with 60%, 80% and 100% of water requirement (WR) - rainfed sorghum and mulch (no mulch and 5.0 Mg rice straw ha(-1)) in subplots. Deficit saline irrigation, RT, and mulching reduced the salinity by 1.5 times in the second rotation. Ca2+ and Mg2+ and K+ content in soil solution were increased under RT and ZT, respectively compared to CT. The rice straw mulching increased the CO32-, HCO3- and K+ concentration (P < 0.005). Irrigation with 100WR saline water increased Ca2+ and Na+ content in soil solution compared to DSI. The DSI at 60WR with mulch in reduced tillage produced greater biomass. The saline irrigation increased the lower heating value of the sorghum biomass compared to pond water irrigation. The energy output of the RT and ZT was 16.8% higher than CT. Mulching also caused a 7.9% increase in energy output. RT with 60WR and mulch produced higher energy. Energy input associated with production systems involving different tillage and mulching practices was determined at 12.0 - 28.3 GJ ha(-1). The bulk of the energy input was through crop residue (50.2-54.2%) followed by mineral fertilizers (28.0-30.2%) and seeds (8.4-9.1%). Mulching reduced the energy efficiency ratio. RT produced a similar amount of holo-cellulose while the greater value of lignin compared to CT. Different soil variables explained similar to 35% variability in biomass quality. This study concludes that integration of reduced tillage, deficit irrigation, and mulching is effective in the intensification of the cropping system and bioenergy sorghum can be a candidate crop in rotation with saline water irrigated wheat in a semi-arid region. These results also showed the potential of crop diversification in the rainfed region for increased feedstock biomass production and efficient use of saline water.

For sustainability assessment of algal biodiesel production, life cycle analysis (LCA) offers a quantitative measure. In this chapter, various literature available on LCA studies of algae biodiesel production are evaluated, depicting that some comprehensive studies compiling various techniques. LCA outputs are dependent on various inputs such as the algae species, bioreactor type, and biochemical reaction conditions. Nevertheless, the paucity in the systematic framework for LCA in the biofuel production process also affected the LCA outputs. In addition, the system boundaries, temporal units, choice of allocation, land utilization, and biogenic carbon source have to be redefined; along with the other unconsidered variables (till now) such as infrastructure construction, systematic maintenance, transportation, waste management, and process intensification, and the overall cost involved should also be included in the LCA method. This chapter covers an inclusive and critical overview of the LCA and techno-economic and policy analyses for the complete algal biodiesel procedure that can assist in future-related studies.

This article investigates the applicability of dual-material gate-oxide-stack double-gate tunnel field effect transistor (DMGOSDG-TFET) as a biosensing element with the ability to assess the health parameters and disease onset. For this, employment of gate work-function engineering along with the gate-oxide-stack approach and asymmetrical doping at ${p}^{+}$ source and ${n}^{+}$ drain region are introduced for the first time to implement DMGOSDG-TFET-based biosensor. Also, a nanogap cavity is created by etching a portion of gate dielectric material toward the source end for the accomplishment of biomolecules conjugation in the proposed device. The main focus of this article is to estimate the underlying device sensitivity in the presence of different charged as well as neutral biomolecules. To explore such effects, different dielectric constants and negative charge densities of the biomolecules are considered independently in the nanogap cavity. Next, the sensing performance of the presented device is analyzed in terms of switching-ratio ( ${I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}/{I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}$ ), transconductance-to-current ratio ( ${g}_{m}/{I}_{ds}$ ), and average subthreshold-swing. A deep investigation of device performance is also performed with different fillings of the nanogap cavity and step-profiles arising out from the steric hindrance. The device sensitivity is analyzed for different cavity lengths and cavity thicknesses for the best outcomes. In addition, a comparative sensitivity analysis of DMGOSDG-TFET with single-material gate-oxide-stack double-gate tunnel field effect transistor (SMGOSDG-TFET) and metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)-based biosensor is also presented in this work. The device implementation and all the simulations are carried out using technology computer-aided design (TCAD) tool. All of the sensitivity-assessments disclose that DMGOSDG-TFET can be a good candidate for biosensing applications.

Tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) based biosensors are becoming prominent as a good electronic device for label-free biomolecules detection. This paper presents a review of different structures of the TFET based biosensors. The basic idea behind the concept of label-free detection of biomolecules is the conversion of biological events to the electrical signals. These biological events include the biomolecules, which can be detected by two approaches, namely gating effect and dielectric modulation. Biomolecules are categorized as charged and neutral biomolecules. For the detection of these charged/neutral biomolecules various biosensor structures based on TFET have been adopted. Therefore, this paper provides a brief summary on different TFET based biosensors for label-free detection of biomolecules. This paper also shows that TFETs are found as the promising candidate for biosensor application.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle utilizes secondary source of electrical energy for recharging the battery during vehicle operation. Regenerative power which is obtained from the conversion of kinetic energy of motion into electrical energy and returns to battery is one of the important sources of improving fuel efficiency. Battery is the major source in an Electric Vehicle (EV), where mileage of EV depends on it and also the power obtained from battery gets consumed by the various loads in EV other than motor. Such energy consumption also becomes barrier for the main rotary part to consume its energy from battery units. To enhance the battery performance, in this paper the battery is energized by the regenerative power and to eliminate the power consumed by other loads from battery super capacitor is used to provide energy for mini loads other than motor. Super capacitors are the high energy capacitors which can store an incomparably greater amount of energy than conventional capacitors and it has the potential to improve the Hybrid Electric Vehicle energy storage system.

Background: Particulate matter (PM) is the major component of air pollution, which includes emissions from both anthropogenic and natural sources. PM, with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 +/- 10 mu m can remain in the air for a long time and be deposited in the lungs through inhalation and hence, is a major threat to human health. Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine the protective effect of Chyawanprash (CP) on PM-induced pulmonary disease through estimation of cytokines and immunoglobulins. Materials and methods: CP, standard drug, and vehicle (Group G1 to Group G7) were administered orally at the dose volume of 10 ml/kg, for 28 consecutive days ( Prophylactic treatment; i.e., Day 1 to Day 28) and next 10 days (i.e., Day 29 to Day 38) of co-treatment with inducing agent PM2.5 intratracheally. Animals of group G6 (Inhalation + control) and G7 (Inhalation + CP) were exposed group-wise to PM2.5 aerosol (2 mg/5 ml, 15 min) via inhalation in histamine chamber on Days 29, 31, 33, 35, and 37. On Day 38, animals were anesthetised and blood and broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. Animals were sacrificed and lungs were collected for histology. Results: Prophylactic benefit of CP against pulmonary pathology was evidenced by the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (BALF: TNF a, IFN-g, IL-7, IL-6 and lung: TNFa, Histamine and IL-6), chemokines (Lung: MMP-9), inflammatory cell infiltration (cell counts in BALF), and histopatholoy in experimental mice model. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CP has potential benefit in protecting from harmful effects caused by air pollutants such as PM2.5. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Institute of Transdisciplinary Health Sciences and Technology and World Ayurveda Foundation.

Flexible chemical sensors and biosensors are of interest in different industry sectors and have advantages for being shape-friendly, lightweight, with potential of low cost. The performance factors such as fast response and label free detection makes field effect transistors an attractive platform for such sensors. While there is a large body of literature on ion sensitive field effect transistors using rigid substrates, limited studies are reported on flexible substrates. Electrolytic gated field effect transistors, a class of ion sensitive field effect transistors, have a further advantage as no gate dielectrics are needed (with the electrolytic solution itself acting as the gate dielectric) and need lower operating voltages; there are no reports yet of electrolytic gated field effect transistor with amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide as the semiconductor as well as a sensing layer on flexible substrates and this is the subject of the present work, where fully flexible electrolytic gated field effect transistors are demonstrated on flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates for pH sensing and for detection of prostate specific antigen. Bottom contact electrolytic gated field effect transistors structures with indium tin oxide as the source and drain were fabricated on flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates with amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide as the semiconductor deposited over indium tin oxide at room temperature. Materials and electrical characterizations (in a low operating voltage range of -1-1.5 V) were conducted. A pH sensitivity of 20 2 mV pH(-1)was demonstrated. Stability studies and bending tests were also conducted. Label-free bio-sensing for prostate specific antigen was demonstrated in the concentration range 1 pg ml(-1)-10 ng ml(-1)in phosphate buffer saline. This learning can be utilized to fabricate wearable sensors for healthcare monitoring at low cost.

The evaporation of antigen-laden sessile droplets on antibody-immobilized PDMS substrates could be used in place of microwells for detection purposes owing to the lesser requirements of analytes and a reduced reaction time. To develop such techniques, the effects of different parameters on the reaction efficiency and on the resulting deposition patterns of antigens on the surface after evaporation need to be well understood. While the resultant deposition patterns from the evaporation of droplets of biological fluids on surfaces are being studied for various biomedical applications, systems where the analyte of interest in the droplet binds to the surface have not been investigated until now. While the effect of temperature on the internal convection within sessile droplets has been studied, the effect of the analyte (antigen in this work) concentration and the analyte-surface (antigen-antibody in this work) binding on the internal convection has not been studied until now. Therefore, to gain insight, the evaporation dynamics of sessile droplets with different concentrations of antigens along with polystyrene microspheres (used as tracers) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) on antibody-immobilized PDMS substrates were experimentally studied using microparticle image velocimetry (PIV). It was found that Marangoni flow due to concentration gradients and surface reactions was responsible for the observed velocity field. The antibody-antigen reaction (as compared to the control case of no surface reaction) and higher concentrations of prostate specific antigen (PSA) resulted in increased strength of Marangoni convection. To obtain further insight into the different deposition patterns obtained, the contributions of different particle-particle and particle-substrate forces were determined, and it was observed that the Marangoni forces along with surface tension and DLVO forces create a uniform deposition of the particles present within the droplet. This learning could be used to design biosensors.

The modern type-3 wind energy conversion system consists of wind turbine, doubly fed induction generator and advanced AC/DC/AC power converters connected to the grid. To study the dynamic issues of the wind energy conversion system the dynamic model is necessary. To perform the stability analysis of the grid connected with the use of back to back converter, the various power converter topologies used in grid integration of are to be known. This paper presents the detailed study on sinusoidal pulse width modulation and space vector modulation techniques, its basic operation, circuit design, configurations and overview of control structure of the back to back converter applicable for wind power conversion systems.

Objective: The use of herbal remedies has assumed a global dimension. A shift of preferences toward herbal ingredients in the oral care segment is gaining momentum. The current study is aimed at assessing the efficacy and safety of two herbal active toothpastes Dabur Red Toothpaste (DRT) and Dabur Babool Toothpaste (DBT) in dental caries, toothache, plaque, and oral hygiene in comparison to a chemical active-based marketed dental cream (MDC). Materials and Methods: The study was an open-label, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, monocentric, efficacy, and safety study. One hundred and twenty healthy male and female subjects between 12 and 65 years who satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized equally (1:1:1) into three groups. Each subject was assigned to use one of the three randomized study products, which was to be used twice daily for 24 weeks. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of changes in parameters such as caries, plaque, gum bleeding, halitosis, dental stains, oral hygiene, toothache, and salivary pH; and the subject’s self-assessment of bad breath, toothache, plaque/ yellowish or sticky deposit on the teeth, and the mouth feel of toothpastes. Safety was assessed on the basis of monitoring of adverse events from baseline study completion. Results: Reduction in gum bleeding, halitosis (bad breath), microbial growth, and improvement in oral hygiene were seen in all the tested toothpastes. A significant reduction in tooth pain, stain intensity, and stain area was also observed. No deterioration in the condition of caries was observed in any of the groups. The products also helped maintain the salivary pH. None of the reported AE that was assessed was found to be related to the study treatments, except swelling (gums) and boils (tongue), one each in the DRT and MDC groups, which were resolved on their own without any sequelae. Conclusion: All the tested toothpastes were effective and safe in dental conditions such as dental caries, toothache, and oral hygiene and they were assessed to be well tolerated and safe.

A series of bis(4-alkoxyphenyl) viologen bis(triflimide) salts with alkoxy chains of different lengths were synthesized by the metathesis reaction of respective bis(4-alkoxyphenyl) viologen dichloride salts, which were in turn prepared from the reaction of Zincke salt with the corresponding 4-n-alkoxyanilines, with lithium triflimide in methanol. Their chemical structures were characterized by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and elemental analysis. Their thermotropic liquid-crystalline (LC) properties were examined by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and variable temperature X-ray diffraction. Salts with short length alkoxy chains had crystal-to-liquid transitions. Salts of intermediate length alkoxy chains showed both crystal-to-smectic A (SmA) transitions, Tms, and SmA-to-isotropic transitions, Tis. Those with longer length of alkoxy chains had relatively low Tms at which they formed the SmA phases that persisted up to the decomposition at high temperatures. As expected, all of them had excellent thermal stabilities in the temperature range of 330–370 °C. Their light-emitting properties in methanol were also included.

Groundwater play a vital role in stabilizing Indian agriculture, but its indiscriminate uses is resulting in fast depletion and degradation of this key natural resource. Sustainable groundwater resource management is, therefore, a priority issue before the country. Enhancing artificial groundwater recharge by adopting suitable technological interventions can be an option. Two cavity-type recharge structures with radial-1 filter were designed-1 and installed with village ponds at Kutba and Nirmana villages, and their impact on groundwater was assessed. Recharge rates varied from 382 m3 .day-1 to 906 m3 .day-1 during three test cycles, each of 8 days duration. As estimated, 27,304 m3 surplus water was recharged through the recharge well at Kutba site during December 2017 to March 2018. Similarly, 0.2 m water table rise was recorded beneath and around the structure at Nirmana during monsoon 2018. Results of field investigations revealed that cavity-type recharge structure in combination with a pond and radial filter can be a good option for recharging surplus canal and rainwater for augmentation of water resources in groundwater depleting areas.

Dual-frequency liquid crystal materials are used in fast response electrooptic modulators in different devices for digital information displaying and processing. In an NLC mixture 2f-3333 (ROLIC, Switzerland) there are components with lateral dipole moment. Their molecular relaxation is investigated by a method of dielectric spectroscopy. Values of relaxation time and its activation energy, molecular friction coefficient, rotational diffusion are obtained. They are compared with data obtained by other methods like LC viscosimetry.