Reduction of Friction Using Microabrasive Air Jet Machining.

In this paper, we introduce a microabrasive air jet (micro-AAJ) machining system and describe machining results obtained while using it. Our research activities have focused on the development of micro-AAJ machining methods for friction reduction without requiring a mask. Through this study, we want to show that such processing is possible without a mask when using the AAJ method. In this paper, a micro-AAJ machining system is introduced, and the processing results are described. By comparing the friction coefficient of texturing under various conditions, the relative relationship between the surface shape and the friction coefficient can be identified. We investigated the effect of the relationship between rotating velocity, traverse speed, density of the patterned area and injection pressure on friction. The friction is decreased with a low traverse speed and high-density patterned area under high-speed driving conditions, as verified by experiments using a friction test system.

Improving the efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell with a reflex condenser system.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are inexpensive to manufacture and easy to process in comparison with silicone solar cells, but they are difficult to commercialize due to their low efficiency. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to improve the efficiency of a DSSC via an aluminum film reflective plate, reusing discarded light after it was absorbed. We found that the factor having the most dominant influence on DSSC efficiency was the amount of radiation reacting with the dye. For a reflective plate with [symbol: see text] = 30° and h = 15 mm, DSSC efficiency was increased about three times.

Improving the efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell with a reflex condenser system.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are inexpensive to manufacture and easy to process in comparison with silicone solar cells, but they are difficult to commercialize due to their low efficiency. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to improve the efficiency of a DSSC via an aluminum film reflective plate, reusing discarded light after it was absorbed. We found that the factor having the most dominant influence on DSSC efficiency was the amount of radiation reacting with the dye. For a reflective plate with θ = 30° and h = 15 mm, DSSC efficiency was increased about three times.

Evaluation of characteristics for dye-sensitized solar cell with reflector applied.

Dye-sensitized solar cells have slightly lower photoelectric efficiency than silicon solar cells. Researchers have investigated various ways to address this problem. This study improved the efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell by re-driving it with a reflector, reusing discarded light after it was absorbed. The reflector increased efficiency by about 50%, by increasing the size of the pattern shape and increasing the distance of the reflector.

Development of a high-efficiency laminated dye-sensitized solar cell with a condenser lens.

Dye-sensitized solar cells have slightly lower photoelectric efficiency than silicon solar cells. Researchers have investigated various ways to address this problem. In this paper, we found that the optimized separation between the condenser lens and the cells was 8 mm. The cell efficiency increased from 2.5% to 8.3% compared to two isolated cells without a lens. If the efficiency of the basic cell can be increased sufficiently, it should be possible to commercialize the product.