Nonlinear optical response of D-π-A chromophores based on benzoxazin: quantum modification of π‑spacer

In this research article, four chromophores based on benzoxazine as the electron donor and tricyanovinyl dihydrofuran (TCF) as the electron acceptor have been designed to investigate the nonlinear optical (NLO) response. The geometric and electronic structures, absorption spectra, NBO analysis, and nonlinear optical response have been calculated by employing density functional theory (DFT) at PBEPBE/6-31G (d,p). The new design of chromophores has been proposed by the structural modification of π-spacers/conjugated systems. The DFT and TD−DFT computations at CAM−B3LYP/6−31G (d,p) have been performed to shed light on the influences of structural modification on the NLO properties. The absorption wavelength in different organic solvents, polarizability (α), and hyperpolarizability (β) are all determined. A strong NLO response indicates that this family of organic compounds with a D-π-A structure exhibits large first hyperpolarizability βtot values, these values are much greater than ones of urea. This theoretical model may be used to design other chromophores for usage in electro-optics.

Theoretical design of D-π-A system new dyes candidate for DSSC application

Currently, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are one of the energy technologies that has piqued the interest of researchers, due to their distinct characteristics such as excellent air stability, ease of synthesis and photovoltaic properties interesting. This work aims to study the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic of six organic dyes based on phenothiazine (PTZ). The effects of bridging core modifications of recently synthesized PSB-4(R) molecule on structural, photovoltaic, electronic, and optical properties of D1-D6 are studied. Using the method Density Functional Theory (DFT) level of the B3LYP (Becke three-parameter Lee-Yang-Parr) exchange correlation functional with 6-31G (d, p) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT). According to the obtained results, optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic of the dyes, we can suggest that these designed molecules are better sensitizers as a candidate for the production of dye solar cells (DSSCs). This theoretical study paves the way for chemists to synthesize more efficient sensitizers for applications in dye solar cells.

The optoelectronic properties of π-conjugated organic molecules based on terphenyl and pyrrole for BHJ solar cells: DFT / TD-DFT theoretical study

In the present paper, four π-conjugated materials, based on terphenyl and pyrrole, with A–D–A structure have been theoretically studied to propose new organic compounds to be used in the organic solar cell field. Moreover, the geometrical and optoelectronic properties of the designed molecules M1, M2, M3 and M4 have been computed after optimization in their fundamental states, using the quantum chemical method DFT / B3LYP/ 6−311G (d, p). Different parameters including HOMO and LUMO energy levels, bandgap energy, frontier molecular orbital (FMO), chemical reactivity indices, the density of states (DOS), Voc, electrostatic potential (ESP), and thermodynamic parameters at several temperatures in the range of 0-500 K have been determined. The absorption properties including the transition energy, the wavelengths (λmax), the excitation vertical energy, and the corresponding oscillator strengths of these molecules have been studied using the quantum chemical method TD−DFT / CAM–B3LYP / 6–311G (d, p). The obtained results of our studied compounds show that M3 (with 2H, 2'H-1, 1'-biisoindole moiety) as a donor group has special optoelectronic, absorption, and good photovoltaic characteristics. Thus, they can be utilized as an electron-donating in organic solar cells BHJ type.

INFLUENCE OF FUEL FLOW RATE VARIATION ON MOLTEN SALT REACTOR PERFORMANCE

Molten Salt Reactors are Gen-IV reactors that use liquid fuel. Fluid fuel allows continuous removal of fission gases as well as batch fuel reprocessing. With these control mechanisms the system can be sustained within the desired operating temperature range and required power output. These methods rely on the presence of a chemical processing plant on-site that adds complexity. This also creates a risk of processing plant unavailability due to faults, emergency downtime or maintenance. The work considers variation of fuel salt flow rate in Molten Salt Reactors as a means of controlling reactor operation without using reprocessing. The analysis is performed using the Molten Salt Fast Reactor as an example. An extended version of the SERPENT Monte-Carlo transport code coupled with OpenFOAM generic platform were used for capturing delayed neutron drift, decay heat, gaseous fission product removal, calculating fuel salt velocity vectors and the fuel temperature distribution. The two models were coupled via a script that accounted for reactivity insertion between time steps and the changes caused in the fission power. Results confirm that, while operating at constant power, the difference between fuel inlet and outlet temperatures increase as the flow rate decreases. Burnup analysis has shown that while the average fuel temperature continues to reduce with time, the difference between inlet and outlet temperatures can be controlled by varying the flow rate while maintaining constant power. Finally, the variation in the fuel flow rate has been shown to extend the reactor operating time with no insertion of additional fissile inventory.

Programmable bio-nanochip-based cytologic testing of oral potentially malignant disorders in Fanconi anemia

Fanconi anemia (FA) is caused by mutations of DNA repair genes. The risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) among FA patients is 800-folds higher than in the general population. Early detection of OSCC, preferably at it precursor stage, is critical in FA patients to improve their survival. In an ongoing clinical trial, we are evaluating the effectiveness of the programmable bio-nanochip (p-BNC)-based oral cytology test in diagnosing oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) in non-FA patients. We used this test to compare cytomorphometric and molecular biomarkers in OSCC cell lines derived from FA and non-FA patients to brush biopsy samples of a FA patient with OPMD and normal mucosa of healthy volunteers. Our data showed that expression patterns of molecular biomarkers were not notably different between sporadic and FA-OSCC cell lines. The p-BNC assay revealed significant differences in cytometric parameters and biomarker MCM2 expression between cytobrush samples of the FA patient and cytobrush samples of normal oral mucosa obtained from healthy volunteers. Microscopic examination of the FA patient's OPMD confirmed the presence of dysplasia. Our pilot data suggests that the p-BNC brush biopsy test recognized dysplastic oral epithelial cells in a brush biopsy sample of a FA patient.

Characterisation of the TRIUMF neutron facility using a Monte Carlo simulation code

Here, the characterisation of the high-energy neutron field at TRIUMF (The Tri Universities Meson Facility, Vancouver, British Columbia) with Monte Carlo simulation software is described. The package used is MCNPX version 2.6.0, with the neutron fluence rate determined at three locations within the TRIUMF Thermal Neutron Facility (TNF), including the exit of the neutron channel where users of the facility can test devices that may be susceptible to the effects of this form of radiation. The facility is often used to roughly emulate the field likely to be encountered at high altitudes due to radiation of galactic origin and thus the simulated information is compared with the energy spectrum calculated to be due to neutron radiation of cosmic origin at typical aircraft altitudes. The calculated values were also compared with neutron flux measurements that were estimated using the activation of various foils by the staff of the facility, showing agreement within an order of magnitude.

Antagonism of leukotriene responses in human airways by BAY x7195

Contractions induced by leukotriene and anti-IgE (sheep antiserum to human IgE) were antagonized by pretreatment of human airways with the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist BAY x7195 ((4S)-[4-carboxyphenylthio]-7-[4-(4-phenoxybutoxy)-phenyl]-h ept-5-(z)- enoic acid). However, this receptor antagonist did not inhibit either leukotriene D4- or leukotriene C4-induced contractions in human pulmonary veins. The pA2 value for BAY x7195 in human airways against leukotriene D4 was 7.83 +/- 0.16 with a slope of 1.07 +/- 0.15 (means +/- S.E.M; n = 11). The IC50 value for BAY x7195 in human airways contracted with anti-IgE was 0.31 +/- 0.08 microM (n = 11). These results were comparable to those obtained with ICI 204,219 (4-(5-cyclopentyl-oxycarbonylamino-1-methylindol-3-ylmeth yl)-3-methoxy-N-otolyl - sulfonylbenzamide). These data demonstrate that BAY x7195 is a potent selective leukotriene receptor antagonist which may block allergic reactions in the lung.