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Author Rivera Julio, J. url  openurl
  Title Cálculos ab initio de sistemas 2D y de baja dimensionalidad Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages 137 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:176996 Serial 6718  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhao, H.; Li, C.-F.; Yong, X.; Kumar, P.; Palma, B.; Hu, Z.-Y.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Siahrostami, S.; Larter, S.; Zheng, D.; Wang, S.; Chen, Z.; Kibria, M.G.; Hu, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Coproduction of hydrogen and lactic acid from glucose photocatalysis on band-engineered Zn1-xCdxS homojunction Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication iScience Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 24 Issue 2 Pages 102109  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Photocatalytic transformation of biomass into value-added chemicals coupled with co-production of hydrogen provides an explicit route to trap sunlight into the chemical bonds. Here, we demonstrate a rational design of Zn1-xCdxS solidsolution homojunction photocatalyst with a pseudo-periodic cubic zinc blende (ZB) and hexagonal wurtzite (WZ) structure for efficient glucose conversion to simultaneously produce hydrogen and lactic acid. The optimized Zn0.6Cd0.4S catalyst consists of a twinning superlattice, has a tuned bandgap, and displays excellent efficiency with respect to hydrogen generation (690 +/- 27.6 mu mol.h(-1).g(cat).(-1)), glucose conversion (similar to 90%), and lactic acid selectivity (similar to 87%) without any co-catalyst under visible light irradiation. The periodic WZ/ZB phase in twinning superlattice facilitates better charge separation, while superoxide radical (center dot O-2(-)) and photogenerated holes drive the glucose transformation and water oxidation reactions, respectively. This work demonstrates that rational photocatalyst design could realize an efficient and concomitant production of hydrogen and value-added chemicals from glucose photocatalysis.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000621266700080 Publication Date 2021-01-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2589-0042 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:176744 Serial 6720  
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Author Herzog, M.J.; Gauquelin, N.; Esken, D.; Verbeeck, J.; Janek, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Facile dry coating method of high-nickel cathode material by nanostructured fumed alumina (Al2O3) improving the performance of lithium-ion batteries Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Energy technology Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 9 Issue 4 Pages 2100028  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Surface coating is a crucial method to mitigate the aging problem of high-Ni cathode active materials (CAMs). By avoiding the direct contact of the CAM and the electrolyte, side reactions are hindered. Commonly used techniques like wet or ALD coating are time consuming and costly. Therefore, a more cost-effective coating technique is desirable. Herein, a facile and fast dry powder coating process for CAMs with nanostructured fumed metal oxides are reported. As the model case, the coating of high-Ni NMC (LiNi0.7Mn0.15Co0.15O2) by nanostructured fumed Al2O3 is investigated. A high coverage of the CAM surface with an almost continuous coating layer is achieved, still showing some porosity. Electrochemical evaluation shows a significant increase in capacity retention, cycle life and rate performance of the coated NMC material. The coating layer protects the surface of the CAM successfully and prevents side reactions, resulting in reduced solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation and charge transfer impedance during cycling. A mechanism on how the coating layer enhances the cycling performance is hypothesized. The stable coating layer effectively prevents crack formation and particle disintegration of the NMC. In depth analysis indicates partial formation of LixAl2O3/LiAlO2 in the coating layer during cycling, enhancing lithium ion diffusivity and thus, also the rate performance.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000621000700001 Publication Date 2021-01-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2194-4296; 2194-4288 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited 25 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors would like to thank Erik Peldszus and Steve Rienecker for the support with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The Qu-Ant-EM microscope and the direct electron detector were partly funded by the Hercules fund from the Flemish Government. N.G. and J.V. acknowledge funding from GOA project “Solarpaint” of the University of Antwerp. Funding from the Flemish Research Fund (FWO) project G0F1320N is acknowledged.; Open access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:176670 Serial 6724  
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Author Li, C.-F.; Zhao, K.; Liao, X.; Hu, Z.-Y.; Zhang, L.; Zhao, Y.; Mu, S.; Li, Y.; Li, Y.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Sun, C. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Interface cation migration kinetics induced oxygen release heterogeneity in layered lithium cathodes Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Energy Storage Materials Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 36 Issue Pages 115-122  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract The irreversible release of the lattice oxygen in layered cathodes is one of the major degradation mechanisms of lithium ion batteries, which accounts for a number of battery failures including the voltage/capacity fade, loss of cation ions and detachment of the primary particles, etc. Oxygen release is generally attributed to the stepwise thermodynamic controlled phase transitions from the layered to spinel and rock salt phases. Here, we report a strong kinetic effect from the mobility of cation ions, whose migration barrier can be significantly modulated by the phase epitaxy at the degrading interface. It ends up with a clear oxygen release heterogeneity and completely different reaction pathways between the thin and thick areas, as well as the interparticle valence boundaries, both of which widely exist in the mainstream cathode design with the secondary agglomerates. This work unveils the origin of the heterogenous oxygen release in the layered cathodes. It also sheds light on the rational design of cathode materials with enhanced oxygen stability by suppressing the cation migration.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000620584300009 Publication Date 2020-12-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:176654 Serial 6730  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Skorikov, A. openurl 
  Title Fast approaches for investigating 3D elemental distribution in nanomaterials Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages 143 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:178855 Serial 6795  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author van der Jeught, S.; Muyshondt, P.G.G.; Lobato, I. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Optimized loss function in deep learning profilometry for improved prediction performance Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication JPhys Photonics Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 3 Issue 2 Pages 024014  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Single-shot structured light profilometry (SLP) aims at reconstructing the 3D height map of an object from a single deformed fringe pattern and has long been the ultimate goal in fringe projection profilometry. Recently, deep learning was introduced into SLP setups to replace the task-specific algorithm of fringe demodulation with a dedicated neural network. Research on deep learning-based profilometry has made considerable progress in a short amount of time due to the rapid development of general neural network strategies and to the transferrable nature of deep learning techniques to a wide array of application fields. The selection of the employed loss function has received very little to no attention in the recently reported deep learning-based SLP setups. In this paper, we demonstrate the significant impact of loss function selection on height map prediction accuracy, we evaluate the performance of a range of commonly used loss functions and we propose a new mixed gradient loss function that yields a higher 3D surface reconstruction accuracy than any previously used loss functions.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000641030000001 Publication Date 2021-03-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2515-7647 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:178171 Serial 6797  
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Author Pedrazo Tardajos, A. openurl 
  Title Advanced graphene supports for 3D in situ transmission electron microscopy Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages 247 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is an ideal tool to investigate nanomaterials. The information from TEM experiments allows us to link the structure and composition of nanomaterials to their intrinsic physical properties. However, despite the significant evolution of the TEM field during the last two decades, major progress is still possible through the development of optimal TEM techniques and supports. The results presented in this thesis focus on the optimization of sample supports and their application. Among the different options, graphene has previously been reported as useful sample support for electron microscopy due to its unparalleled properties, for example, it is the thinnest known support and provides a protective effect to the sample under investigation. Unfortunately, commercial graphene grids show poor quality, in terms of intactness and cleanness, inhibiting their wide application within the field. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the application of optimized graphene TEM grids, obtained by transferring high quality graphene using an advanced procedure. This improvement on the transfer has enabled the visualization of materials with low contrast and high sensitivity towards the electron beam, such as surface ligands capping gold nanoparticles or metal halide perovskites. Furthermore, the implemented protocol is not only of interest for conventional TEM grids but also a major benefit for in situ TEM studies, where the sample is investigated in real time under certain stimuli. Hence, the same graphene transfer technology can be also applied to advanced in situ MEMS holders dedicated for both heating and gas experiments, where the thickness and insulating nature of the silicon nitride (Si3N4) support may hamper some applications. By engineering periodic arrays of holes in their Si3N4 membrane by focused ion beam, onto which the graphene is transferred, it has been possible to get proof-of-concept 3D in situ investigations of heat-induced morphological and compositional transformations of complex nanosystems. As an example, it has enabled the investigation of the possible phase-transition of metal halide perovskites upon heating using 2D and 3D structural characterization. Moreover, it has allowed the study of in situ three-dimensional nanoparticle dynamics during gas phase catalysis as well as the first steps that would lead towards the design and creation of the first Graphene Gas Cell. Consequently, implementation of the advanced graphene transfer technology described in this thesis is envisaged to impact a broad range of future experiments.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181143 Serial 6836  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Skorikov, A.; Heyvaert, W.; Albrecht, W.; Pelt, D.M.; Bals, S. doi  openurl
  Title EMAT Simulated 3D Nanoparticle Structures Dataset Type Dataset
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords Dataset; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract This dataset contains 1000 simulated nanoparticle-like 3D structures and noisy EDX-like elemental maps based on them. These data are intended to be used for quantitative analysis of data processing methods in (EDX) tomography of nanoparticles and training the data-driven approaches for these tasks. The dataset is structured as follows: voxel_data/clean 3D voxel grid representation of the simulated nanoparticles. Voxel intensities are adjusted so that the total intensity equals 103. All 3D structures have unique identifiers in 0..999 range. The data derived from a 3D structure preserves this unique identifier. sinograms/clean Tilt series of projection images obtained from the corresponding 3D structures over an angular range of -75..75 degrees with a tilt step of 10 degrees to simulate a typical tilt series used in EDX tomography. Total intensity in each projection image equals 103. sinograms/noisy Tilt series of projection images corrupted with Poisson noise and an additional spatially uniform background noise. projections/clean Projection images extracted from the clean tilt series at 0 degrees tilt angle. projections/noisy Projection images extracted from the noisy tilt series at 0 degrees tilt angle. images/clean Visualizations of the clean projections as PNG images with the intensity range adjusted to 0..255 images/noisy Visualizations of the noisy projections as PNG images with the intensity range adjusted to 0..255  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180615 Serial 6838  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Du, K. url  openurl
  Title In situ TEM study on the manipulation of ferroelectrics Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages 91 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract The strong correlated oxide systems attract a lot of attentions of scientists recently, the coexistence and interplay between various degrees of freedom, such as charge, spin and orbital, has been demonstrated to induce some fancy physical properties and phenomenon, including metal-insulator transition, high temperature superconductivity, colossal magnetoresistance. As a part of the strong correlated oxide systems, the ferroelectrics is abundant in both physical properties and application. First, if the electric dipole continuously rotating around a stable core then a topological structure is produced. If people could manipulate the topological structure and simultaneously observe the structure evolution, with external field applied on the topological structure, then it is very likely for such kind of ferroelectrics to be the next generation of storage, for it is reported to need low power input and produce high density of storage. In the other hand, in solids, charge polarity can one-to-one correspond to spin polarity phenomenologically, such as ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism, antiferroelectricity and antiferromagnetism, but ferrielectricity and ferrimagnetism kept telling a disparate story in microscopic level. The claimed “ferrielectrics” in existing research is equivalent to ferroelectric ones, thus the findings of such a real irreducible solids would complete the last piece of the ferroelectrics family. While solving the above two questions remain challengeable: the size of topological structure is small (typically below 10 nm), general characterization methods are insufficient for such high demand on space resolution, not to mention manipulating and observing its dynamic behavior at an atomic level. Here, employing the spherical aberration corrected electron microscope, we applied external field (heating and bias) on ferroelectrics. Combined with high-end characterization methods including the high-angle annular dark field (HAADF-STEM) image, Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) and integrated differential phase contrast (iDPC), the dynamic evolution of ferroelectrics are observed and analyzed. The main findings of this paper could be concluded as listed here: (1) PbTiO3(001)// SrTiO3(001) is grown on DyScO3 and SrRuO3 by pusled laser deposition, the atomical EDS mapping results reveal that the interface between PTO and STO is atomically sharp. Increasing the thickness of PTO from 1 uc to 21 uc, the topological structure wihtin PTO layer would transform from a/c domain to wave, vortex and finally flux closure domain. The geometric phase analysis results (GPA) reveal that above topological structures are corresponding to various strain. (2) Combined with in-situ biasing holder, the electric bias was applied on polar vortex, and it evolved from vortex (0 V) to polar wave (2 V) and finally polar down (5 V). EELS analysis was performed and we find that negative charge is gathered at vortex core, which turns the Ti4+ to Ti3+ there. The oxygen vacancy at negative polarization surface and the negative charge at the positive polarization surface realized the polarization screening of polar down domain. (3) Through the atomic inspection and analysis on lattice structure of BaFe2Se3, the near ladders within single unit are found to be different in degree of tetramerization, thus leading to a residual polarization along the a-axis. The further in-situ heating and biasing experiment was conducted on BaFe2Se3, and the strong and weak ladders are proved to be independent for their behavior under external field. This findings distinguishes ferrielectrics from ferroelectrics in solids.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:179310 Serial 6842  
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Author Prabhakara, V. url  openurl
  Title Strain measurement for semiconductor applications with Raman spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages 149 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Scaling down the size of transistors has been a trend for several decades which has led to improved transistor performance, increased transistor density and hence the overall computation power of IC chips. The trend slowed in recent years due to reliability and power consumption issues at the nanoscale. Hence strain is introduced into transistor channels that has beneficial effects on improving the mobility of charge carriers, providing an alternative pathway for enhancing transistor performance. Therefore, monitoring strain is vital for the semiconductor industry. With the recent trend of decreasing device dimensions (FinFETS ~ 10-20nm) and strain modulation being used throughout, industry needs a reliable and fast method as quality control or defect characterisation. Such a universal strain measurement method does not exist, and one relies on a combination of quantitative in-line methods and complex off-line approaches. In this thesis, I investigated TEM and Raman spectroscopy-based methodologies for strain measurement. In terms of TEM methodologies, advancements are made for the STEM moiré imaging, targeting strain spatial resolution enhancement. I introduce advanced quadrature demodulation and phase stepping interferometry applied to STEM moiré that greatly enhances the spatial resolution while providing enhanced field of view and sensitivity for strain measurement. We introduce ways to reduce scan distortions in strain maps using an alternative scan strategy called “Block scanning” and the non-linear regression applied for strain extraction. Prospects for 3D strain analysis using high-resolution tomography is also investigated which gives direct access for the full second order strain tensors calculation. Finally, we compare strain measurements from TEM techniques with inline techniques like Raman spectroscopy. Raman stress measurement involves sensitive identification of the TO and LO phonon peaks. Raman spectrum of strained Ge transistor channel consists of strongly overlapping peaks within the spectral resolution of the spectrometer. Hence, the process of deconvolution of the two peaks is rather challenging. Hence, we explore new polarisation geometries like radially polarised incoming light which was shown to ease the deconvolution problem resulting in improved precision for Raman stress–strain measurements.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:182261 Serial 6847  
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Author Velazco Torrejón, A. url  openurl
  Title Alternative scan strategies for high resolution STEM imaging Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages 131 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Currently, a large variety of materials are studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as it offers the possibility to perform structural and elemental analysis at a local scale. Relatively recent advances in aberration correctors and electron sources allow the instrument to achieve atomic resolution. Along with these advances, a state-of-the-art technology has been reached in TEM. However, the instrument is far from being perfect and imperfections or external sources can make the interpretation of information troublesome. Environmental factors such as acoustic and mechanical vibrations, temperature fluctuations, etc., can induce sample drift and create image distortions. These distortions are enhanced in scanning operation because of the serial acquisition of the information, which are more apparent at atomic resolution as small field of views are imaged. In addition, scanning distortions are induced due to the finite time response of the scan coils. These types of distortions would reduce precision in atomic-scale strain analysis, for instance, in semiconductors. Most of the efforts to correct these distortions are focused on data processing techniques post-acquisition. Another limitation in TEM is beam damage effects. Beam damage arises because of the energy transferred to the sample in electron-sample interactions. In scanning TEM, at atomic resolution, the increased electron charge density (electron dose) carried on a sub-Å size electron probe may aggravate beam damage effects. Soft materials such as zeolites, organic, biological materials, etc., can be destroyed under irradiation limiting the amount of information that can be acquired. Current efforts to circumvent beam damage are mostly based on low electron dose acquisitions and data processing methods to maximize the signal at low dose conditions. In this thesis, a different approach is given to address drift and scanning distortions, as well as beam damage effects. Novel scan strategies are proposed for that purpose, which are shown to substantially overcome these issues compared to the standard scan method in TEM.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180973 Serial 6852  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Roegiers, J. file  openurl
  Title Development of combined photocatalytic and active carbon fiber technology for indoor air purification based on Multiphysics models Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages XXX, 197 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remains a major public health concern. Indoor VOC concentrations typically far exceed outdoor levels due to a variety of emission sources and the stringent insulation measures that are imposed today. Many attempts have been made to use photocatalysis for indoor air purification. In an ideal situation, photocatalysis is capable of complete mineralization of VOCs to H2O and CO2, without any byproduct formation. Moreover, the process can take place at standard atmospheric conditions, i.e. ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. However, successful exploitation is still impeded due to low conversion efficiency, significant pressure loss (and hence a high energy consumption) and byproduct formation. In the first part of this thesis an attempt was made to tackles these problems by designing a novel type of photocatalytic (PCO) reactor. The PCO device consists of a cylindrical vessel filled with TiO2-coated glass tubes and equipped with UV fluorescence lamps. It was investigated in terms of fluid dynamics, coating properties, UV-light distribution and photocatalytic activity. Experimental data was later used to develop and calibrate a Multiphysics model. The model proved to be a useful tool for designing and upscaling the PCO reactor. Consequently, an optimized prototype reactor was constructed and tested according the CEN-EN-16846-1 standard for VOC removal. Although the prototype showed promising results for lab-scale conditions, it struggled with byproduct formation when purifying ppb-level VOCs. In the second part of this thesis, activated carbon adsorption was investigated in order to combine it with photocatalysis. Activated carbon fiber was opted for its fast kinetics, high adsorption capacity and thermo-electrical regeneration. The filter was studied in detail regarding the adsorption of polar and apolar VOCs at indoor air concentration levels and regeneration capabilities. Experimental data was used to develop a Multiphysics model for activated carbon adsorption as well. Consequently, a novel type of ACF filter was developed using the Multiphysics model, which was equipped with electrodes in the tips of the pleats for effective thermal regeneration. In the last part, the combination of both ACF and PCO was studied using a realistic case study. Based on the Multiphysics model, the feasibility of a so-called hybrid air purification device could be investigated. The Multiphysics model shows promising results for this hybrid PCO-ACF system and hence, a demo setup was constructed for future research.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
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  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181137 Serial 6860  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De wael, A. url  openurl
  Title Model-based quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy for measuring dynamic structural changes at the atomic scale Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages xiv, 146 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Nanomaterialen kunnen uiterst interessante eigenschappen vertonen voor een verscheidenheid aan veelbelovende toepassingen, gaande van zonnecrème tot batterijen voor elektrische auto’s. Een nanometer is een miljard keer kleiner dan een meter. Op deze schaal kunnen de materiaaleigenschappen volledig verschillen van bulkmaterialen op grotere schaal. Bovendien hangen de eigenschappen van nanomaterialen sterk af van hun exacte grootte en vorm. Kleine verschillen in de posities van de atomen, in de grootte-orde van een picometer (nog eens duizend maal kleiner dan een nanometer), kunnen de fysische eigenschappen al drastisch beïnvloeden. Daarom is een betrouwbare kwantificering van de atomaire structuur van kritisch belang om de evolutie naar materiaalontwerp mogelijk te maken en inzicht te verwerven in de relatie tussen de fysische eigenschappen en de structuur van nanomaterialen. Daarnaast kan de atomaire structuur van nanomaterialen ook veranderen in de loop van de tijd ten gevolge van verschillende fysische processen. Het onderzoek dat in deze thesis gepresenteerd wordt, maakt het mogelijk om de dynamische structuurveranderingen van nanomaterialen betrouwbaar te kwantificeren op atomaire schaal door gebruik te maken van raster transmissie elektronenmicroscopie (STEM). Ik heb dit gerealiseerd door methodes te ontwikkelen waarmee ik het aantal atomen “achter elkaar” kan tellen in elke atoomkolom van een nanomateriaal, en dit op basis van beelden opgenomen met een elektronenmicroscoop. Een belangrijk verschil met telmethodes voor de analyse van een enkel beeld is het schatten van de kans dat een atoomkolom atomen zal verliezen of bijkrijgen van het ene naar het andere beeld in de tijdreeks. Deze kwantitatieve methode kan het ontrafelen van de tijdsafhankelijke structuur-eigenschappen relatie van een nanomateriaal mogelijk maken, wat uiteindelijk kan leiden tot efficiënter design en productie van nanomaterialen voor innovatieve toepassingen.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:179514 Serial 6870  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Jannis, D. url  openurl
  Title Novel detection schemes for transmission electron microscopy Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages iv, 208 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Electron microscopy is an excellent tool which provides resolution down to the atomic scale with up to pm precision in locating atoms. The characterization of materials in these length scales is of utmost importance to answer questions in biology, chemistry and material science. The successful implementation of aberration-corrected microscopes made atomic resolution imaging relatively easy, this could give the impression that the development of novel electron microscopy techniques would stagnate and only the application of these instruments as giant magnifying tools would continue. This is of course not true and a multitude of problems still exist in electron microscopy. Two of such issues are discussed below. One of the biggest problems in electron microscopy is the presence of beam damage which occurs due the fact that the highly energetic incoming electrons have sufficient kinetic energy to change the structure of the material. The amount of damage induced depends on the dose, hence minimizing this dose during an experiment is beneficial. This minimizing of the total dose comes at the expense of more noise due to the counting nature of the electrons. For this reason, the implementation of four dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D STEM) experiments has reduced the total dose needed per acquisition. However, the current cameras used to measure the diffraction patterns are still two orders of magnitude slower than to the conventional STEM methods. Improving the acquisition speed would make the 4D STEM technique more feasible and is of utmost importance for the beam sensitive materials since less dose is used during the acquisition. In TEM there is not only the possibility to perform imaging experiments but also spectroscopic measurements. There are two frequently used methods: electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). EELS measures the energy-loss spectrum of the incoming electron which gives information on the available excitations in the material providing elemental sensitivity. In EDX, the characteristic x-rays, arising from the decay of an atom which is initially excited due to the incoming electrons, are detected providing similar elemental analysis. Both methods are able to provide comparable elemental information where in certain circumstances one outperforms the other. However, both methods have a detection limit of approximately 100-1000 ppm which is not sufficient for some materials. In this thesis, two novel techniques which can make significant progress for the two problems discussed above.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
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  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:182404 Serial 6872  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Psilodimitrakopoulos, S.; Orekhov, A.; Mouchliadis, L.; Jannis, D.; Maragkakis, G.M.; Kourmoulakis, G.; Gauquelin, N.; Kioseoglou, G.; Verbeeck, J.; Stratakis, E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Optical versus electron diffraction imaging of Twist-angle in 2D transition metal dichalcogenide bilayers Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication npj 2D Materials and Applications Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 5 Issue 1 Pages 77  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) materials can be vertically stacked with van der Waals bonds, which enable interlayer coupling. In the particular case of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) bilayers, the relative direction between the two monolayers, coined as twist-angle, modifies the crystal symmetry and creates a superlattice with exciting properties. Here, we demonstrate an all-optical method for pixel-by-pixel mapping of the twist-angle with a resolution of 0.55(degrees), via polarization-resolved second harmonic generation (P-SHG) microscopy and we compare it with four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D STEM). It is found that the twist-angle imaging of WS2 bilayers, using the P-SHG technique is in excellent agreement with that obtained using electron diffraction. The main advantages of the optical approach are that the characterization is performed on the same substrate that the device is created on and that it is three orders of magnitude faster than the 4D STEM. We envisage that the optical P-SHG imaging could become the gold standard for the quality examination of TMD superlattice-based devices.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000694849200001 Publication Date 2021-09-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2397-7132 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited 4 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This research has been co-financed by the European Union and Greek national funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call European R & T Cooperation-Grant Act of Hellenic Institutions that have successfully participated in Joint Calls for Proposals of European Networks ERA NETS (National project code: GRAPH-EYE T8 Epsilon Rho Alpha 2-00009 and European code: 26632, FLAGERA). L.M., G.Ko. and G.Ki. acknowledge funding by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “First Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant” (Project No: HFRI-FM17-3034). GKi, S.P. and G.M.M. acknowledge funding from a research co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund-ESF) through the Operational Programme “Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning 2014-2020” in the context of the project “Crystal quality control of two-dimensional materials and their heterostructures via imaging of their non-linear optical properties” (MIS 5050340)“. J.V acknowledges funding from FWO G093417N ('Compressed sensing enabling low dose imaging in transmission electron microscopy') from the Flanders Research Fund, EU. J.V. and N.G. acknowledge funding from the European Union under the Horizon 2020 programme within a contract for Integrating Activities for Advanced Communities No 823717-ESTEEM3. J.V. N.G. and A.O. acknowledge funding through a GOA project ”Solarpaint" of the University of Antwerp. Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181610 Serial 6877  
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Author Barbiellini, B.; Kuriplach, J.; Saniz, R. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Study of rechargeable batteries using advanced spectroscopic and computational techniques Type Editorial
  Year 2021 Publication Condensed Matter Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 6 Issue 3 Pages 26  
  Keywords Editorial; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Improving the efficiency and longevity of energy storage systems based on Li- and Na-ion rechargeable batteries presents a major challenge. The main problems are essentially capacity loss and limited cyclability. These effects are due to a hierarchy of factors spanning various length and time scales, interconnected in a complex manner. As a consequence, and in spite of several decades of research, a proper understanding of the ageing process has remained somewhat elusive. In recent years, however, combinations of advanced spectroscopy techniques and first-principles simulations have been applied with success to tackle this problem. In this Special Issue, we are pleased to present a selection of articles that, by precisely applying these methods, unravel key aspects of the reduction-oxidation reaction and intercalation processes. Furthermore, the approaches presented provide improvements to standard diagnostic and characterisation techniques, enabling the detection of possible Li-ion flow bottlenecks causing the degradation of capacity and cyclability.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000699368400001 Publication Date 2021-07-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2410-3896 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181630 Serial 6890  
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Author Mallick, S.; Khalsa, G.; Kaaret, J.Z.; Zhang, W.; Batuk, M.; Gibbs, A.S.; Hadermann, J.; Halasyamani, P.S.; Benedek, N.A.; Hayward, M.A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title The influence of the 6s² configuration of Bi³+ on the structures of A ' BiNb₂O₇ (A ' = Rb, Na, Li) layered perovskite oxides Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Journal of the Chemical Society : Dalton transactions Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 50 Issue 42 Pages 15359-15369  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Solid state compounds which exhibit non-centrosymmetric crystal structures are of great interest due to the physical properties they can exhibit. The 'hybrid improper' mechanism – in which two non-polar distortion modes couple to, and stabilize, a further polar distortion mode, yielding an acentric crystal structure – offers opportunities to prepare a range of novel non-centrosymmetric solids, but examples of compounds exhibiting acentric crystal structures stabilized by this mechanism are still relatively rare. Here we describe a series of bismuth-containing layered perovskite oxide phases, RbBiNb2O7, LiBiNb2O7 and NaBiNb2O7, which have structural frameworks compatible with hybrid-improper ferroelectricity, but also contain Bi3+ cations which are often observed to stabilize acentric crystal structures due to their 6s(2) electronic configurations. Neutron powder diffraction analysis reveals that RbBiNb2O7 and LiBiNb2O7 adopt polar crystal structures (space groups I2cm and B2cm respectively), compatible with stabilization by a trilinear coupling of non-polar and polar modes. The Bi3+ cations present are observed to enhance the magnitude of the polar distortions of these phases, but are not the primary driver for the acentric structure, as evidenced by the observation that replacing the Bi3+ cations with Nd3+ cations does not change the structural symmetry of the compounds. In contrast the non-centrosymmetric, but non-polar structure of NaBiNb2O7 (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1)) differs significantly from the centrosymmetric structure of NaNdNb2O7, which is attributed to a second-order Jahn-Teller distortion associated with the presence of the Bi3+ cations.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000706651100001 Publication Date 2021-10-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1477-9234 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:182584 Serial 6893  
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Author Lezaack, M.B.; Hannard, F.; Zhao, L.; Orekhov, A.; Adrien, J.; Miettinen, A.; Idrissi, H.; Simar, A. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Towards ductilization of high strength 7XXX aluminium alloys via microstructural modifications obtained by friction stir processing and heat treatments Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Materialia Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 20 Issue Pages 101248  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract High strength 7XXX aluminium series reach exceptional strength, higher than all other industrial aluminium alloys. However, they suffer from a lack of ductility compared to softer series. This work presents a procedure to improve the ductility of 7475 Al alloy in high strength condition, reaching a true fracture strain of 70% at full 500 MPa T6 yield strength. Using friction stir processing (FSP) and post-FSP heat treatments, 100% of industrial rolled material T6 yield stress is maintained but a 180% increase in fracture strain is measured for the processed material. This ductility improvement is studied by in-situ synchrotron X-ray tomography and is explained by the reduction of intermetallic particles size and the homogenization of their spatial distribution. Furthermore, the microstructure after FSP shows equiaxed refined grains which favour crack deviation as opposed to large cracks parallel to the elongated coarse grains in rolled plate. These results are paving the way to better formability and crashworthiness of 7XXX alloys.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000718127100006 Publication Date 2021-10-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2589-1529 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184145 Serial 6894  
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Author Lavor, I.R.; da Costa, D.R.; Covaci, L.; Milošević, M.V.; Peeters, F.M.; Chaves, A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Zitterbewegung of moiré excitons in twisted MoS₂/WSe₂ heterobilayers Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Physical review letters Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 127 Issue 10 Pages 106801  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract The moire pattern observed in stacked noncommensurate crystal lattices, such as heterobilayers of transition metal dichalcogenides, produces a periodic modulation of their band gap. Excitons subjected to this potential landscape exhibit a band structure that gives rise to a quasiparticle dubbed the moire exciton. In the case of MoS2/WSe2 heterobilayers, the moire trapping potential has honeycomb symmetry and, consequently, the moire exciton band structure is the same as that of a Dirac-Weyl fermion, whose mass can be further tuned down to zero with a perpendicularly applied field. Here we show that, analogously to other Dirac-like particles, the moire exciton exhibits a trembling motion, also known as Zitterbewegung, whose long timescales are compatible with current experimental techniques for exciton dynamics. This promotes the study of the dynamics of moire excitons in van der Waals heterostructures as an advantageous solid-state platform to probe Zitterbewegung, broadly tunable by gating and interlayer twist angle.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000692200800020 Publication Date 2021-08-31  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1079-7114 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited 4 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181599 Serial 6896  
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Author Saviuc, I.; Milis, K.; Peremans, H.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title A cross-European analysis of the impact of electricity pricing on battery uptake in residential microgrids with photovoltaic units Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 9 Issue 3 Pages 1080368  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract As decentralized electricity generation is supporting grid development into the prosumer era, this paper investigates the economic viability of adding batteries to residential microgrids powered by photovoltaic units, under various electricity pricing schemes. Batteries bring the benefits of grid-stabilization and congestion relief, and they are also becoming cheaper. The problem identified is that the main grid effectively acts as a lossless storage system, especially under the net-metering scheme, whereas using a battery involves investment costs and energy losses. This mismatch is addressed by analysing residential microgrid projects under seven tariff designs, each in seven countries of the European Union, and compare the economic viability of photovoltaic systems with and without batteries. The findings show that the conditions most favourable to batteries are given by a capacity tariff scheme allowing price arbitrage. Based on these findings, the paper discusses possibilities for further support in order to bring the economic viability of microgrids with batteries on par with that of microgrids without batteries.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000669453200005 Publication Date 2020-10-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1848-9257 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:179767 Serial 6910  
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Author Peeters, M. openurl 
  Title The added value of Smart Product-Service Systems to real estate developments Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages 117 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM); Internet Data Lab (IDLab)  
  Abstract Socially responsible investments can be defined as an investment process that integrates ethical values and environmental protection, improving social conditions, and good governance into a traditional investment decision. This integration is mainly a consequence of the growing importance that investors give to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, resulting in more sustainable development. Also, in the real estate sector, increased attention is being paid to the contributions made to integrate economic, environmental, and social factors into decisions. The ESG framework looks closely at how companies are managed, and the impact related to their market value. The factors for investors’ focus are summarized as environmental, social, and governance. The term ESG was coined in a 2004 United Nations (UN) report titled “Who Cares Wins,” aimed at raising awareness regarding the importance of environmental, social, and corporate governance issues in financial markets. The ESG criteria’s specific purpose is to guide investors in recognizing sustainable investments without evaluating how sustainable the asset is or the investment value represented by sustainability. It is essential to underline that ESG does not take specific economic interests into account. The rationale behind this apparent gap is that investors investigate the economic aspects before investing. However, by not explicitly linking ESG and economic criteria, attractive investments are often misjudged and not implemented. For example, investments that only show their value in the longer term or indirectly influence value by achieving a higher retention rate among incumbent tenants, reducing or eliminating friction costs. A product–service system (PSS) refers to a market proposition (business model) that builds on a product’s traditional functionality by incorporating additional services. Although services are already offered, the PSS function is to link the service to a product. The service thereby supports the operation of the product and generates additional benefits. It encompasses the integrated solutions of products and services to satisfy customers' needs and generate maximum value. According to Sutanto et al., a PSS is designed to focus on sustainability characterized in three dimensions. 1. The economic dimension 2. The environmental dimension 3. The social dimension When discussing sustainability in this thesis, we use the criteria listed above related to socially responsible investments. The link between PSS and ESG is that a PSS focuses on creating a sustainable system, and ESG makes sustainability more visible to investors. Therefore, when PSS are recognized and implemented in buildings, they must be evaluated using ESG analysis methods. Product-Service Systems (PSS) try to find a way to offer services on top of a product. The product is essentially secondary to the result that is delivered from the services. For example, the modem (product) that a cable company provides will be of secondary importance to the connectivity (service). Alternatively, it will be less critical how heat is made (product) than the intended set point is achieved in the building. PSSs transform the supply of products into services. In doing so, the responsibility shifts from delivering a product (once only) to continuous service delivery. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the service provider to deliver the outcome of the service as efficiently (read: lowest cost) as possible. A direct consequence of this is that the service provider will want to use the product as efficiently as possible and as long as possible to reduce his costs. Therefore, the supplier will also want to recover and maximize the reuse of his product based on the same rationale. A positive impact on the environment and the used raw materials is thus to be expected. The whole process of servitization (transforming products into services) in real estate will positively impact the Economic, Environmental and Social factors. Therefore, demonstrating this proposition is the main objective of this thesis. Smart PSS is the same idea as Product-Service systems but in which the digitization of the services plays a key role. It will be shown that by digitizing services, a broader range can be offered. It will be demonstrated that products that provide services at the building level can, through their interconnectedness, also provide services to external systems (e.g. electricity grid, urban planning, mobility, ...). At the same time, digitizing the products and services will also underpin trust in the systems and allow for proper remuneration. In this PhD, different standard systems in a building, such as the reservation system, the water heater, or the fire detection system, are equipped with additional services. A PSS is often specifically designed to focus on economic, social, and environmental dimensions. These dimensions correspond to the investor’s examination as part of the ESG analysis before investing. As the PSS is often specifically designed to integrate sustainability, there is a close link between the sustainability performance of the PSS and the ESG criteria evaluated by the investor. Throughout the work, the owner is considered to be the user of the building. It is not the case that only an owner-user can generate cash flow. In essence, if they have sufficient rights to the underlying product, any building user can activate services that generate cash flow. In today's market, it is logical that this is viewed in the owner-user context as they will usually choose the products to be installed in larger technical installations. They may have previously used a PSS or choose to move to one. However, a building’s tenant could choose to lease out their meeting rooms if they are not contractually prohibited from doing so since, in practice, contracts have begun to prohibit certain services. For example, rental contracts that actively prohibit renting out a property through platforms such as Airbnb. Thus, the user’s function could potentially impact how the PSS is designed. This work does not explicitly explore the impact of this aspect. The owner-user is assumed throughout this manuscript. The second chapter describes the state of affairs concerning PSSs in a broad framework evolving towards focusing on the real estate sector. After which, in the second chapter, ESG and the link to real estate and how smart real estate (smart buildings) is missing from this evaluation are discussed in more detail. Chapter 3 shows from a fire alarm system, which was extended with an evacuation support system, the usefulness, and the risk of data. Further work was done to demonstrate the added value in terms of Economic, Environmental and Social factors of standard installations in buildings. In Chapter 4, a simple sanitary hot water boiler is extended with a service that allows controlling this boiler according to the status of the electricity grid (surplus or shortage of energy). The supply and demand of energy on the power grid must be equal at all times. By equipping a classic water heater (product) with additional intelligence (service), it becomes possible to adjust the energy use to the grid's needs. The grid operators are prepared to pay for this. This payment can be linked to different energy markets (long term market, spot market, ...). This study looked at the fee that would have to be paid when the adjustment of the energy use can be made instantaneously so that the fee must be settled according to the prices on the imbalance market. In chapter 5, we look at the impact of the service to rent out free spaces as co-working places on a broad market (external to the building), compared to a regular reservation system. By renting out unused workplaces on a broad market, the utilization of the existing patrimony will be higher. The demand for new square meters with the same function will decrease as the supply-demand curve changes, and so will the price. This makes it less interesting to build new buildings. Less construction of new buildings will result in fewer resources being used, which will positively affect the environment. In addition, fewer new buildings with an office function will leave more space for buildings with another function. Also, the city's infrastructure will be less burdened (roads, sewerage, electricity grid,...). In The Hague, the decreasing need for new square meters of office buildings can lead to more space for affordable housing, for which the city has a great need. Chapter 6 will frame the valuation of service as a real options method that gives an impetus to a general valuation methodology to value the flexibility that Smart PSS inherently has. Finally, this thesis demonstrates that (smart) PSSs impact real estate profitability, while positively influencing environmental and social factors. Further research and the limitations of the studies conducted are documented. This PhD concludes that Product-Service systems should break the silos between different stakeholders, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership of buildings in the longer term. This can only be achieved if the valuation of Product-Service systems is done correctly and is recognized by every stakeholder in the real estate process.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:183415 Serial 6912  
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Author Chekol Zewdie, M.; Moretti, M.; Tenessa, D.B.; Ayele, Z.A.; Nyssen, J.; Tsegaye, E.A.; Minale, A.S.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Agricultural technical efficiency of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia : a stochastic frontier approach Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Land Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 10 Issue 3 Pages 246  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract In the past decade, to improve crop production and productivity, Ethiopia has embarked on an ambitious irrigation farming expansion program and has introduced new large- and small-scale irrigation initiatives. However, in Ethiopia, poverty remains a challenge, and crop productivity per unit area of land is very low. Literature on the technical efficiency (TE) of large-scale and small-scale irrigation user farmers as compared to the non-user farmers in Ethiopia is also limited. Investigating smallholder farmers' TE level and its principal determinants is very important to increase crop production and productivity and to improve smallholder farmers' livelihood and food security. Using 1026 household-level cross-section data, this study adopts a technology flexible stochastic frontier approach to examine agricultural TE of large-scale irrigation users, small-scale irrigation users and non-user farmers in Ethiopia. The results indicate that, due to poor extension services and old-style agronomic practices, the mean TE of farmers is very low (44.33%), implying that there is a wider room for increasing crop production in the study areas through increasing the TE of smallholder farmers without additional investment in novel agricultural technologies. Results also show that large-scale irrigation user farmers (21.05%) are less technically efficient than small-scale irrigation user farmers (60.29%). However, improving irrigation infrastructure shifts the frontier up and has a positive impact on smallholder farmers' output.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000633846200001 Publication Date 2021-03-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2073-445x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177647 Serial 6913  
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Author Ghorbani, A.; Mousazadeh, H.; Taheri, F.; Ehteshammajd, S.; Azadi, H.; Yazdanpanah, M.; Khajehshahkohi, A.; Tanaskovik, V.; Van Passel, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title An attempt to develop ecotourism in an unknown area : the case of Nehbandan County, South Khorasan Province, Iran Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Environment, development and sustainability Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 23 Issue 8 Pages 11792-11817  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract This study is an attempt to develop ecotourism in Nehbandan County, in the South Khorasan Province, Iran, by representing unknown areas that have tourism potential. The most important obstacle in the development of tourism industry is the lack of strong marketing plans, tourism management, accommodations for overnight and long stays, and medical and health clinic in the desert. This is a qualitative, exploratory case study investigating the status of environmental, sociocultural, and economic impacts of ecotourism development on the native people's livelihood in Nehbandan County in Iran. The methodology is based on field observations, secondary data sources, and field survey. It is an interpretive approach that avoids numbers but focuses on issues linked to culture and nature. In the present study, the grounded theory was used to perform data analysis. Based on the findings, ecotourism has undoubtedly proven to be an effective environmental conservation tool in the study site and enables local people to increase their livelihood security through employment in activities relating to ecotourism and the development of rural livelihood.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000604534700011 Publication Date 2021-01-04  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1387-585x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:174994 Serial 6914  
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Author Saviuc, I. openurl 
  Title Assessment of electric residential microgrids in the EU context : role of energy storage, interactions with the main grid, and policy scenarios Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages 158 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract As decentralized electricity generation plays an important role in the reform of the energy system in the EU, electric residential microgrids merit an assessment of their position and potential. The work on this dissertation focuses on the synergy between the development of microgrids that are powered by PV panels, and the adoption of energy storage, with the aim to identify shortcomings and propose solutions. Techno-economic assessment indicates that, for a microgrid that aims to maximize its self-consumption, the electricity pricing mechanisms that are current practice across the EU are detrimental to the economic viability of using energy storage. Case studies and simulations in Belgium, Greece, Denmark, Italy, Finland, Spain and Germany show conclusively how existing tariff structures (Net-Metering, Time-of-Use, Feed-in Tariff, with or without the option of a Capacity tariff) are suitable for stimulating renewable generation, but not storage. Another underlying reason that affects the economic viability of a residential microgrid in the current context relates to the technology losses, which cannot be compensated by electricity pricing mechanisms. Having established the need for a different approach in order to improve the economic viability of microgrids with storage, this work investigated whether a form of direct support to the microgrid operator can be envisioned. A cost-benefit analysis revealed that the benefits coming from decentralized energy generation toward the main electricity grid can be compared with the cost of including and operating energy storage, and therefore a direct support from the network operator and the public can be justified in order to attain the economic viability of a microgrid with storage. This way, the electricity network can benefit from an increased number of flexible, enriched microgrids within the system, the microgrid operators are incentivized to include energy storage, and the society contributes towards a sturdier energy supply with more engaged prosumers and less polluting emissions. Entrepreneurial diversity: a career motives’ perspective – Ilse D  
  Address  
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  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177112 Serial 6915  
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Author Sebhatu, K.T.; Taheri, F.; Berhanu, T.; Maertens, M.; Van Passel, S.; D'Haese, M. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Beyond focus : exploring variability of service provision of agricultural cooperatives Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Annals of public and cooperative economics Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 92 Issue 2 Pages 207-231  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The wide array of services provided by agricultural cooperatives for their members is often not considered in academic studies. Addressing this gap in the literature, our paper explores the wide array of services provided by agricultural cooperatives and how these extend beyond those they were initially intended to provide. We study the extent and characteristics of service portfolios from 511 agricultural cooperatives in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Results from two-limit Tobit models confirm that government and NGO-initiated cooperatives have a wide service portfolio compared to member-initiated cooperatives. In many of the studied cooperatives, the services they provide and their portfolios are more diverse than expected. Cooperatives seem to go beyond their focal areas of intervention. Also, those cooperatives that are more outward-oriented and where the chair has contact with other cooperatives or businesses, have a wider service portfolio. These results may help to explain the mixed findings on the impact of cooperative membership.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000583855500001 Publication Date 2020-10-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1370-4788; 1467-8292 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:173574 Serial 6916  
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Author Berihun, D.; Van Passel, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Climate variability and macroeconomic output in Ethiopia : the analysis of nexus and impact via asymmetric autoregressive distributive lag cointegration method Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Environment, development and sustainability Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Ethiopia showed a rapid, yet, a none resilient economic growth much threatened by climate variability. In Ethiopia, the adverse effects of climate variability are stipulated among the significant factors constraining its economic development. There are relatively few studies about the adverse effects of climate variability on the Ethiopian macroeconomy. In this context, little is known about the exact effects of the ongoing climate variability on Ethiopian macroeconomic growth. This study intends to examine whether climate variability factors, for instance rainfall and temperature, have an effect on the macroeconomic output of Ethiopia. An asymmetric autoregressive distributive lag cointegration method is used to investigate time-series data for the years 1950-2014. Diagnostic tests show the relevance of the applied method and robustness of our results. The study finds climate variability affects Ethiopia's economic growth in the long run. Rainfall and temperature fluctuation induce significant negative impacts. A percentage annual temperature variability for instance decreases the Ethiopian annual gross domestic yield (GDP) up to 4.5 percent. In the short run, climate variability particularly rainfall and temperature changes also have a profound effect on Ethiopia's economic output. Within such confirmed climate change impacts, Ethiopia should carry out more on adapting and mitigating the impacts as it is presented on its climate-resilient economic growth policies and strategies. In spite of the policy contribution of the results, the study will motivate further research and will also serve as a benchmark for the coming Ethiopian studies.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000670722100001 Publication Date 2021-07-07  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1387-585x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:179837 Serial 6917  
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Author Birhanu, T.; Deressa, S.B.; Azadi, H.; Viira, A.-H.; Van Passel, S.; Witlox, F. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Determinants of commercial bank loan and advance disbursement : the case of private Ethiopian commercial banks Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication International journal of bank marketing Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 39 Issue 7 Pages 1227-1247  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Purpose This paper aimed to investigate the determinants of loans and advances from commercial banks in the case of Ethiopian private commercial banks. Design/methodology/approach The study randomly selected seven commercial banks to represent the population stratified on their asset, deposit and paid-up capital amounts. The study utilized an unbalanced panel data model as each bank started operation at a different period of time and considered the period 1995-2016 for secondary details. Findings The findings showed that the deposit size, credit risk, portfolio investment, average lending rate, real gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation rate had significant and optimistic effects on the lending and advancement of private commercial banks. On the contrary, liquidity ratio had significant and negative effects on private commercial bank loans and advances. Finally, the study forwarded a feasible recommendation for concerned organs to focus on deposit size, credit risk, portfolio investment, average lending rate, real GDP, inflation rate and liquidity ratio. The results of this study will help banking industry policymakers and planners understand how to minimize inflation and unemployment by improving development and sustainable economic growth. Originality/value The findings of this study can also affect the general attitudes of a society by increasing knowledge and improve the quality of life for the general public.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000670351700001 Publication Date 2021-07-07  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0265-2323 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:179858 Serial 6919  
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Author Esguerra, J.L. url  isbn
openurl 
  Title Developing strategies for improved economic performance and reduced climate impact of landfill mining in Europe Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume Issue Pages xiv, 99 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Landfill mining refers to the re-circulation of resources from the previously deposited wastes–integrating resource recovery with traditional site remediation. Several resources that can be recovered include scrap metals, combustibles, and inert materials. In addition, land can be recovered or landfill void space can be liberated for future wastes. At present, landfill mining is still an emerging concept with few project implementations. Consequently, the assessments of its economic and climate implications are case study-specific, limiting the understanding of its potential in a wider geographical scope. This thesis aims to assess the economic performance and climate impact of landfill mining in Europe towards the development of sound strategies for implementation. Different project setups are assessed in relation to varying factors at the site level such as waste composition and landfill settings, and at the system level such as policy and market conditions and background material and energy. In doing so, a factor-based method is developed and applied to generate multiple scenarios (531, 441 scenarios per project setup) and determine the underlying important factors and their interrelations that drive the results. Such understanding is used to develop and discuss strategies for improvement by addressing relevant questions for specific stakeholders, including project investors (i.e., which landfill sites to prioritize?), landfill mining practitioners (i.e., how to set up such projects?), and policymakers (i.e., which policy instruments can effectively support such projects?). Results show that landfill mining is preferable in terms of climate than economy. Possible improvements are shown by internalizing thermal treatment of combustibles and extending fines residue utilization as construction aggregates. In relation to the choice of project setups, preferable site and system-level conditions are identified in general but it is also discussed that the plausibility of finding such conditions may be difficult at present. This steers the development of more tailored strategies on what can be done now by the landfill practitioners in terms of setting up projects under current policy and market conditions in specific regions, or what can be done by the policymakers in terms of implementing various policy instruments that can drive such changes at the system level. Through this thesis, the future of landfill mining research is guided towards addressing key challenges and potential solutions for improvement. Furthermore, this thesis highlights the role of assessment as a tool for learning and guiding the development of emerging concepts such as landfill mining.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN 978-91-7929-056-6 Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:183155 Serial 6920  
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Author Sebhatu, K.T.; Gezahegn, T.W.; Berhanu, T.; Maertens, M.; Van Passel, S.; D'Haese, M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Exploring variability across cooperatives : economic performance of agricultural cooperatives in northern Ethiopia Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication The international food and agribusiness management review Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 24 Issue 3 Pages 397-419  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The number of agricultural cooperatives increased quickly in Ethiopia since the 1990s. While many papers studied the impact of membership of Ethiopian cooperatives, not much is known on their performance. This study takes a cooperative-level perspective which is unique in an African context. It compares the economic performance proxied by sales revenue and profit of a wide range of agricultural cooperatives in northern Ethiopia. Data were collected from 511 agricultural cooperatives in 12 districts of Tigray. The contributing factors of the performance are analyzed with Ordinary Least Squares regression (OLS) and Heckman selection models. Our results underscore the importance of membership size, total assets, presence of conflict among members, and union membership. Chairperson characteristics and the internal organization of a cooperative seem to be less correlated to performance.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000645416400002 Publication Date 2021-03-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1096-7508; 1559-2448 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:179025 Serial 6923  
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Author Girma, H.; Huge, J.; Gebrehiwot, M.; Van Passel, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Farmers' willingness to contribute to the restoration of an Ethiopian Rift Valley lake : a contingent valuation study Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Environment, development and sustainability Abbreviated Journal (up)  
  Volume 23 Issue 7 Pages 10646-10665  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Lakes provide considerable social, economic, and ecological benefits. However, lakes are shrinking and the water quality is declining, due to human pressures such as water withdrawal and land use change, particularly in the developing world. Despite this, information regarding the economic impact of lake level reduction and local willingness to support restoration programs is lacking. This study employed a contingent valuation method to estimate willingness to pay and to contribute labor to Lake Ziway restoration program, Ethiopia. Face-to-face interviews were administered to 259 randomly selected respondents. Our findings revealed that about one-third of the respondents are willing to pay and about two-third are willing to contribute labor to restore the lake. From the interval regression models, the annual mean willingness to pay was estimated about 21.0 USD for the status quo scenario (the program works to keep water levels constant at current levels) and 31.1 USD for the improvement scenario (the program works to increase the water levels permanently). The annual mean willingness to contribute labor was estimated about 27.7 man-days for the status quo and 39.3 man-days for the improvement scenarios. 'Farm income' positively influenced the willingness to pay together with 'farm plot area.' Similarly, labor contribution was positively influenced by 'farm plot area' and 'education' and negatively by 'farm plot distance.' The economic values derived from this study reflect societal preferences and can form a significant input for policymakers, in support of informed and evidence-based decision-making regarding lake management and restoration in developing countries like Ethiopia.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000590038300001 Publication Date 2020-11-16  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1387-585x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:174271 Serial 6926  
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