|   | 
Details
   web
Records
Author Boschker, H.T.S.; Cook, P.L.M.; Polerecky, L.; Eachambadi, R.T.; Lozano, H.; Hidalgo-Martinez, S.; Khalenkow, D.; Spampinato, V.; Claes, N.; Kundu, P.; Wang, D.; Bals, S.; Sand, K.K.; Cavezza, F.; Hauffman, T.; Bjerg, J.T.; Skirtach, A.G.; Kochan, K.; McKee, M.; Wood, B.; Bedolla, D.; Gianoncelli, A.; Geerlings, N.M.J.; Van Gerven, N.; Remaut, H.; Geelhoed, J.S.; Millan-Solsona, R.; Fumagalli, L.; Nielsen, L.P.; Franquet, A.; Manca, J.V.; Gomila, G.; Meysman, F.J.R.
Title Efficient long-range conduction in cable bacteria through nickel protein wires Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2021 Publication Nature Communications Abbreviated Journal Nat Commun
Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages 3996
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Filamentous cable bacteria display long-range electron transport, generating electrical currents over centimeter distances through a highly ordered network of fibers embedded in their cell envelope. The conductivity of these periplasmic wires is exceptionally high for a biological material, but their chemical structure and underlying electron transport mechanism remain unresolved. Here, we combine high-resolution microscopy, spectroscopy, and chemical imaging on individual cable bacterium filaments to demonstrate that the periplasmic wires consist of a conductive protein core surrounded by an insulating protein shell layer. The core proteins contain a sulfur-ligated nickel cofactor, and conductivity decreases when nickel is oxidized or selectively removed. The involvement of nickel as the active metal in biological conduction is remarkable, and suggests a hitherto unknown form of electron transport that enables efficient conduction in centimeter-long protein structures.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000669944900006 Publication Date 2021-06-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2041-1723 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 12.124 Times cited 23 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors thank Marlies Neiemeisland for assistance with Raman microscopy, Michiel Kienhuis for assistance with NanoSIMS analysis, Peter Hildebrandt and Diego Millo for helping with the interpretation of the Raman spectra, IONTOF for the Orbitrap Hybrid- SIMS analysis, and Rene Fabregas for helping with finite-element numerical modeling for SDM. H.T.S.B. and F.J.R.M. were financially supported by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (VICI grant 016.VICI.170.072). Research Foundation Flanders supported F.J.R.M., J.V.M., and R.T.E. through FWO grant G031416N, and F.J.R.M. and J.S.G. through FWO grant G038819N. N.M.J.G. is the recipient of a Ph.D. scholarship for teachers from NWO in the Netherlands (grant 023.005.049). The NanoSIMS facility at Utrecht University was financed through a large infrastructure grant by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO, grant no. 175.010.2009.011) and through a Research Infrastructure Fund by the Utrecht University Board. A.G.S. is supported by the Special Research Fund (BOF) of Ghent University (BOF14/IOP/003, BAS094-18, 01IO3618) and FWO (G043219). The ToF-SIMS was funded by FWO Hercules grant (ZW/13/07) to J.V.M. and A.F. H.L., R.M.S., and G.G. were funded by the European Union H2020 Framework Programme (MSCA-ITN-2016) under grant agreement n 721874.EU, the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación and EU FEDER under grant agreements TEC2016-79156-P and TEC2015-72751-EXP, the Generalitat de Catalunya through 2017-SGR1079 grant and CERCA Program. G.G. was recipient of an ICREA Academia Award, and H.L. of a FPI fellowship (BES-2015-074799) from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación/Fondo Social Europeo. L.F. received funding from the European Research Council (grant agreement No. 819417) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. Approved Most recent IF: 12.124
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:179813 Serial 6803
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Meysman, F.J.R.; Cornelissen, R.; Trashin, S.; Bonne, R.; Hidalgo-Martinez, S.; van der Veen, J.; Blom, C.J.; Karman, C.; Hou, J.-L.; Eachambadi, R.T.; Geelhoed, J.S.; De Wael, K.; Beaumont, H.J.E.; Cleuren, B.; Valcke, R.; van der Zant, H.S.J.; Boschker, H.T.S.; Manca, J.V.
Title A highly conductive fibre network enables centimetre-scale electron transport in multicellular cable bacteria Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2019 Publication Nature communications Abbreviated Journal Nat Commun
Volume 10 Issue 10 Pages 4120
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract Biological electron transport is classically thought to occur over nanometre distances, yet recent studies suggest that electrical currents can run along centimetre-long cable bacteria. The phenomenon remains elusive, however, as currents have not been directly measured, nor have the conductive structures been identified. Here we demonstrate that cable bacteria conduct electrons over centimetre distances via highly conductive fibres embedded in the cell envelope. Direct electrode measurements reveal nanoampere currents in intact filaments up to 10.1 mm long (>2000 adjacent cells). A network of parallel periplasmic fibres displays a high conductivity (up to 79 S cm(-1)), explaining currents measured through intact filaments. Conductance rapidly declines upon exposure to air, but remains stable under vacuum, demonstrating that charge transfer is electronic rather than ionic. Our finding of a biological structure that efficiently guides electrical currents over long distances greatly expands the paradigm of biological charge transport and could enable new bio-electronic applications.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000485216900006 Publication Date 2019-09-11
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2041-1723 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 12.124 Times cited 10 Open Access
Notes ; This research was financially supported by the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP/2007-2013) through ERC Grant 306933 (F.J.R.M.), the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO project grant G031416N), and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (VICI grant 016.VICI.170.072 to F.J.R.M.). H.J.E.B., C.J.B. and H.S.J.Z. were supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO/OCW), as part of the Frontiers of Nanoscience program. R.B. is supported by an 'aspirant' grant from Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). We thank Laurine Burdorf (UAntwerpen) for help with Thiothrix cultivation, Marlies Nijemeisland (Faculty of Aerospace, TU Delft) for assistance with Raman microscopy, and Jan D'Haen (UHasselt) and Renaat Dasseville (UGent) for help with EM imaging. ; Approved Most recent IF: 12.124
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:162795 Serial 5451
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Conings, B.; Bretschneider, S.A.; Babayigit, A.; Gauquelin, N.; Cardinaletti, I.; Manca, J.V.; Verbeeck, J.; Snaith, H.J.; Boyen, H.-G.
Title Structure-property relations of methylamine vapor treated hybrid perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 films and solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2017 Publication ACS applied materials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal Acs Appl Mater Inter
Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 8092-8099
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract The power conversion efficiency of halide perovskite solar cells is heavily dependent on the perovskite layer being sufficiently smooth and pinhole-free. It has been shown that these features can be obtained even when starting out from rough and discontinuous perovskite film, by briefly exposing it to methylamine (MA) vapor. The exact underlying physical mechanisms of this phenomenon are, however, still unclear. By investigating smooth, MA treated films, based on very rough and discontinuous reference films of methylammonium triiode (MAPbI3), considering their morphology, crystalline features, local conductive properties, and charge carrier lifetime, we unravel the relation between their characteristic physical qualities and their performance in corresponding solar cells. We discover that the extensive improvement in photovoltaic performance upon MA treatment is a consequence of the induced morphological enhancement of the perovskite layer, together with improved electron injection into TiO2, which in fact compensates for an otherwise compromised bulk electronic quality, simultaneously caused by the MA treatment.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000396186000025 Publication Date 2017-02-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1944-8244 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 7.504 Times cited 43 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was financially supported by BOF (Hasselt University) and the Research Fund Flanders (FWO). B.C. is a postdoctoral research fellow of the FWO. A.B. is financially supported by FWO and Imec. J.V. and N.G. acknowledge funding from GOA project “Solarpaint” of the University of Antwerp and FWO project G.0044.13N “Charge ordering”. The Qu-Ant-EM microscope used for this study was partly funded by the Hercules fund from the Flemish Government. The authors thank Tim Vangerven for Urbach energy determination, and Johnny Baccus and Jan Mertens for technical support. Approved Most recent IF: 7.504
Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:140849 Serial 4422
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author D'Olieslaeger, L.; Pfannmöller, M.; Fron, E.; Cardinaletti, I.; Van der Auweraer, M.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Bals, S.; Maes, W.; Vanderzande, D.; Manca, J.; Ethirajan, A.
Title Tuning of PCDTBT : PC71BM blend nanoparticles for eco-friendly processing of polymer solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2017 Publication Solar energy materials and solar cells Abbreviated Journal Sol Energ Mat Sol C
Volume 159 Issue 159 Pages 179-188
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract We report the controlled preparation of water processable nanoparticles (NPs) employing the push-pull polymer PCDTBT and the fullerene acceptor PC71BM in order to enable solar cell processing using eco-friendly solvent (i.e. water). The presented method provides the possibility to separate the formation of the active layer blend and the deposition of the active layer into two different processes. For the first time, the benefits of aqueous processability for the high-potential class of push-pull polymers, generally requiring high boiling solvents, are made accessible. With our method we demonstrate excellent control over the blend stoichiometry and efficient mixing. Furthermore, we provide visualization of the nano morphology of the different NPs to obtain structural information down to similar to 2 nm resolution using advanced analytical electron microscopy. The imaging directly reveals very small compositional demixing in the PCDTBT:PC71BM blend NPs, in the size range of about <5 nm, indicating fine mixing at the molecular level. The suitability of the proposed methodology and materials towards the aspects of eco-friendly processing of organic solar cells is demonstrated through a processing of lab scale NPs solar cell prototypes reaching a power conversion efficiency of 1.9%. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor
Language Wos 000388053600021 Publication Date 2016-09-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0927-0248 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.784 Times cited 32 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes ; This work was supported by BOF funding of Hasselt University, the Interreg project Organext, and the IAP 7/05 project FS2 (Functional Supramolecular Systems), granted by the Science Policy Office of the Belgian Federal Government (BELSPO). A.E. is a post-doctoral fellow of the Flanders Research Foundation (FWO). M.P. gratefully acknowledges the SIM NanoForce program for financial support. S.B. further acknowledges financial support from the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant #335078-COLOURATOMS). The authors are thankful for technical support by J. Smits, T. Vangerven, and J. Baccus. ; ecas_sara Approved Most recent IF: 4.784
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:139157UA @ admin @ c:irua:139157 Serial 4450
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Conings, B.; Drijkoningen, J.; Gauquelin, N.; Babayigit, A.; D'Haen, J.; D'Olieslaeger, L.; Ethirajan, A.; Verbeeck, J.; Manca, J.; Mosconi, E.; Angelis, F.D.; Boyen, H.G.;
Title Intrinsic thermal instability of methylammonium lead trihalide perovskite Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2015 Publication Laser physics review Abbreviated Journal Adv Energy Mater
Volume 5 Issue 5 Pages 1500477
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Organolead halide perovskites currently are the new front-runners as light absorbers in hybrid solar cells, as they combine efficiencies passing already 20% with deposition temperatures below 100 °C and cheap solution-based fabrication routes. Long-term stability remains a major obstacle for application on an industrial scale. Here, it is demonstrated that significant decomposition effects already occur during annealing of a methylammonium lead triiode perovskite at 85 °C even in inert atmosphere thus violating international standards. The observed behavior supports the view of currently used perovskite materials as soft matter systems with low formation energies, thus representing a major bottleneck for their application, especially in countries with high average temperatures. This result can trigger a broader search for new perovskite families with improved thermal stability.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication S.l. Editor
Language Wos 000359374900005 Publication Date 2015-06-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1614-6832; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 16.721 Times cited 1691 Open Access
Notes FWO G004413N; GOA Solarpaint Approved Most recent IF: 16.721; 2015 IF: 16.146
Call Number c:irua:127298UA @ admin @ c:irua:127298 Serial 1719
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Buffière, M.; Zaghi, A.E.; Lenaers, N.; Batuk, M.; Khelifi, S.; Drijkoningen, J.; Hamon, J.; Stesmans, A.; Kepa, J.; Afanas’ev, V.V.; Hadermann, J.; D’Haen, J.; Manca, J.; Vleugels, J.; Meuris, M.; Poortmans, J.;
Title Effect of binder content in Cu-In-Se precursor ink on the physical and electrical properties of printed CuInSe2 solar cells Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2014 Publication The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C
Volume 118 Issue 47 Pages 27201-27209
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Printed chalcopyrite thin films have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their potential in the high-throughput production of photovoltaic devices. To improve the homogeneity of printed CuInSe2 (CISe) layers, chemical additives such as binder can be added to the precursor ink. In this contribution, we investigate the influence of the dicyandiamide (DCDA) content, used as a binder in the precursor ink, on the physical and electrical properties of printed CISe solar cells. It is shown that the use of the binder leads to a dense absorber, composed of large CISe grains close to the surface, while the bulk of the layer consists of CISe crystallites embedded in a CuxS particle based matrix, resulting from the limited sintering of the precursor in this region. The expected additional carbon contamination of the CISe layer due to the addition of the binder appears to be limited, and the optical properties of the CISe layer are similar to the reference sample without additive. The electrical characterization of the corresponding CISe/CdS solar cells shows a degradation of the efficiency of the devices, due to a modification in the predominant recombination mechanisms and a limitation of the space charge region width when using the binder; both effects could be explained by the inhomogeneity of the bulk of the CISe absorber and high defect density at the CISe/CuxS-based matrix interface.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Washington, D.C. Editor
Language Wos 000345722400003 Publication Date 2014-11-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-7447;1932-7455; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.536 Times cited 4 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.536; 2014 IF: 4.772
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:121332 Serial 801
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Damm, H.; Adriaensens, P.; De Dobbelaere, C.; Capon, B.; Elen, K.; Drijkoningen, J.; Conings, B.; Manca, J.V.; D’Haen, J.; Detavernier, C.; Magusin, P.C.M.M.; Hadermann, J.; Hardy, A.; Van Bael, M.K.;
Title Factors Influencing the Conductivity of Aqueous Sol(ution)-Gel-Processed Al-Doped ZnO Films Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2014 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal Chem Mater
Volume 26 Issue 20 Pages 5839-5851
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000343950300004 Publication Date 2014-10-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0897-4756;1520-5002; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 9.466 Times cited 24 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 9.466; 2014 IF: 8.354
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:121211 Serial 1170
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Lizin, S.; Van Passel, S.; De Schepper, E.; Maes, W.; Lutsen, L.; Manca, J.; Vanderzande, D.
Title Life cycle analyses of organic photovoltaics : a review Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2013 Publication Energy & Environmental Science Abbreviated Journal Energ Environ Sci
Volume 6 Issue 11 Pages 3136-3149
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract This paper reviews the available life cycle analysis (LCA) literature on organic photovoltaics (OPVs). This branch of OPV research has focused on the environmental impact of single-junction bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells using a P3HT/PC60BM active layer blend processed on semi-industrial pilot lines in ambient surroundings. The environmental impact was found to be strongly decreasing through continuous innovation of the manufacturing procedures. The current top performing cell regarding environmental performance has a cumulative energy demand of 37.58 MJp m(-2) and an energy payback time in the order of months for cells having 2% efficiency, thereby rendering OPV cells one of the best performing PV technologies from an environmental point of view. Nevertheless, we find that LCA literature is lagging behind on the main body of OPV literature due to the lack of readily available input data. Still, LCA research has led us to believe that in the quest for higher efficiencies, environmental sustainability is being disregarded on the materials' side. Hence, we advise the scientific community to take the progress made on environmental sustainability aspects of OPV preparations into account not only because standard procedures put a bigger strain on the environment, but also because these methods may not be transferrable to an industrial process. Consequently, we recommend policy makers to subsidize research that bridges the gaps between fundamental materials research, stability, and scalability given that these constraints have to be fulfilled simultaneously if OPVs are ever to be successful on the market. Additionally, environmental sustainability will have to keep on being monitored to steer future developments in the right direction.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000325946400002 Publication Date 2013-10-11
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1754-5692; 1754-5706 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 29.518 Times cited 124 Open Access
Notes ; The authors are much obliged to both the INTERREG ORGAN-EXT project and FP7 MOLESOL project for their financial support, without which it would have been impossible to conduct this research. ; Approved Most recent IF: 29.518; 2013 IF: 15.490
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127548 Serial 6223
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De Schepper, E.; Van Passel, S.; Manca, J.; Thewys, T.
Title Combining photovoltaics and sound barriers : a feasibility study Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2012 Publication Renewable Energy Abbreviated Journal Renew Energ
Volume 46 Issue Pages 297-303
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract In the light of global warming, renewables such as solar photovoltaics (PV) are important to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. An important issue regarding implementation of solar panels on large scale, is the limited available area. Therefore, it can be interesting to combine PV with alternative applications, as a ways of not requiring “additional” space. One example is a photovoltaic noise barrier (PVNB), where a noise barrier located along a highway or railway is used as substructure for PV modules. Even though a PVNB is not a novel concept, the absence of economic assessments in literature can be a barrier to their wider implementation. In this paper, a feasibility study of a PVNB in Belgium is conducted, using a cost benefit analysis including a Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis. Besides purely economic aspects, also ecological benefits are monetized. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the ecological benefit of noise reduction, which is valuated using a noise sensitivity depreciation index applied to real estate prices, is of major importance in determining the net present value of the case study. On the contrary, the impact of reducing CO2 emissions seems to be negligible when expressed in monetary terms. The results suggest that the PVNB as a whole and also its separate components -.e. the PV array and the noise barrier can be profitable projects, when ecological benefits are included. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000305169400036 Publication Date 2012-04-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0960-1481 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.357 Times cited 12 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.357; 2012 IF: 2.989
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127555 Serial 6170
Permanent link to this record