Advances in Photonics and Electronics

The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer a compelling substitute owing to their straightforward fabrication process, minimal material demands, and capability to function effectively in low light conditions. Conventionally, platinum (Pt) serves as the counter electrode (CE) in high-performance DSSCs. However, the relatively high cost of Pt remains a concern, necessitating the exploration of cost-effective CEs that can match or exceed the conversion efficiency of Pt-based CEs. This study focuses on the synthesis of various low-cost CEs, such as candle flame, and carbon shoot (CS) for high-performance DSSCs, with Pt-based CE used as a benchmark for comparison. The working electrode (WE) comprised TiO₂ deposited onto Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates. The resulting DSSCs utilizing different carbon shoot CEs exhibited an efficiency of 3.3%, nearly comparable to that of Pt-based CEs. Additionally, the low series resistance positively impacted the fill factor, contributing to an overall improvement in conversion efficiency. These findings suggest that low-cost carbon-based CEs possess the potential to enhance conversion efficiency and may emerge as viable alternatives to Pt-based CEs.

Solar cells offer a promising avenue for sustainable energy production. Solar cells leverage the photovoltaic effect in a P–N junction diode, converting light energy into electrical energy. Traditional dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) utilize titanium dioxide (TiO₂), and toxic ruthenium-based dyes as a light-absorbing material. Biosensitized solar cells on the other hand make use of biochemical light-absorbing materials like bacteriorhodopsin (bR) protein that produce an effect similar to DSSCs but are more environmentally friendly. In the present work, this protein is extracted from a haloarchaeon Halobacterium noricense MITWPU HA6. The haloarchaeon was isolated and characterized for bR production correlating with the growth pattern. Maximum bR production was seen in the late log phase. The bacteriorhodopsin production was characterized by studying its voltage production after sunlight exposure which showed a total millivolt production of 64.8 mV.

The fixed inclination and unbending structure of traditional conventional solar panels exhibit defects in dynamic environments, including automobiles and mobile devices. There is a growing demand for solar devices capable of autonomously tracking the direction of light. The proposed system is an innovative solar tracking system that dynamically adjusts the panel orientation, optimising energy capture without compromising mobility. Sensors are used to check the direction of sunlight, and a motor is used to change the orientation of solar panels towards the direction of sunlight using Arduino Uno. The proposed system aims to revolutionise solar energy utilisation, extending its application to power mobile devices and vehicles. By eliminating restrictions associated with stationary solar panels, this technology offers a versatile solution for harnessing solar energy in diverse and dynamic scenarios. The research presented herein contributes to the ongoing discourse on efficient solar energy utilisation, with potential implications for a broad spectrum of mobile applications. The proposed system is an excellent agreement between sunlight and the direction of solar panels.

This research is centered on the development of lead-free double perovskite solar cells (DPSCs). Following a concentrated period of study, the double perovskite structure incorporating a blend of metals has emerged as the preferred choice over single-metal perovskite structures due to its superior performance characteristics. The most notable efficiency achieved by lead-free double perovskite solar cells stands at 19.89%. This investigation integrates a direct bandgap copper-antimony halide perovskite (Cs₄CuSb₂Cl₁₂) absorber material to assess the efficacy of perovskite solar cells. To facilitate analysis, simulations have been conducted utilizing SCAPS-1D and PVsyst software tools. With this, the performance of the proposed solar cell was optimized for variations of absorber bulk defect density and interfacial defect density. After optimization, impressive PSC performance results have been achieved with V_OC of 0.9 V, J_SC (22.5 mA/cm²), FF (86.35%), and η (17.49%). Module-level analysis has been done with the PVsyst. PVsyst is a widely used software tool for photovoltaic system design and analysis. After cell level optimization using SCAPS-1D, a 1 MW AC/1.2 MW DC photovoltaic (PV) system has been designed using 60 double perovskite solar cells per module. In this work, the influence of the parametric variation on the PV module has been investigated using PVsyst. The proposed study will provide projections on energy production and solar system performance for researchers and PV manufacturers.

In this experimental work, we report the synthesis of doped and undoped ZnO via the sol–gel method. From the obtained precursor solutions, the thin film on silica substrates was deposited by using the low-cost doctor blade method. In this work, Sn metal with different percentages of doping, i.e., 2 and 4% in ZnO, were prepared and compared. The implication of Sn doping into ZnO was systematically analyzed using XRD, FESEM, and UV-vis-spectroscopy, respectively. The planar Schottky diode structure was fabricated by depositing silver and aluminum contact on undoped and doped film. Later the electrical characteristics of the device were examined by using a semiconductor parameter analyzer. The device showed a good response to UV light. The above findings for Sn-doped ZnO thin films shed new promising applications in optoelectronic devices.

In the present study, Tin sulfide nanoparticles (SnS-NPs) were synthesized via hydrothermal method in the temperature range of 150–180 ℃. XRD, SEM_EDS, and optical analysis (UV–Vis) by Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) method were employed to characterize the samples. Analysis of XRD data recommends the synthesized grains of SnS-NPs have a preferred orientation of (0 1 3) plane having orthorhombic structure. The average crystallite size, lattice strain, and dislocation density of SnS-NPs are also estimated for all the reflection peaks of XRD patterns. The SEM images revealed agglomerated spherical-like morphologies of SnS nanoparticles. The elemental composition of SnS-NPs investigated using EDS revealed the formation of tin sulfide. The energy bandgap of SnS-NPs synthesized at 170 °C was estimated by analyzing diffuse reflectance spectra 1.27 eV.

Today speckle is just not a noise anymore; it is now recognized as the signal that carries information regarding the surface of the material under investigation. However, getting this information from the signal is not trivial and hence it needs proper mathematical analysis. Static speckle interferograms are easier to handle than dynamic as the surface information is constantly changing in the latter case. Time-dependent speckle interferograms can be captured and used for further mathematical analysis. Here, we have studied thermal deformation in a metal using the principle component analysis (PCA) technique. The aim of this study is to know whether intense regional thermal deformation can be highlighted more distinctively and prominently using this method. We will try to answer this question in this paper.

A rough surface when illuminated by a monochromatic source of light produces a speckle pattern. Pattern contains a large number of dark and bright spots, due to constructive and destructive interferences of light waves reflected from the surface under observation. Surface deformation of any kind can cause changes in the phase of reflected light waves. This will change the speckle pattern accordingly. Hence, deformations can be quantitatively analyzed if the corresponding phase change is known. However, qualitative information regarding the object under study can be gathered by calculating speckle parameters such as speckle contrast. Speckle contrast is a degree of speckleness of the image. Any modifications in the surface even if it is tiny can lead to fluctuations in the speckle pattern. Hence by observing changes in these speckle patterns, we can monitor surface activities provided we monitor a statistical parameter related to the speckleness of the pattern. In this paper, we demonstrate the interesting application of speckle contrast monitoring in the field of agriculture sciences which corresponds to static modifications in the surface and to monitor rotational motion which corresponds to dynamic modifications in the surface.

Fabrication of all-optical logic gates is gaining significance due to the quest for all-optical computers is gaining importance. However, in most of the cases realization of all-optical logic gates requires non-linear optics. Building the standard optical logic gates using a combination of linear interferometers was proposed and realized by researchers. Utilization of double slit interference setup is proposed for making standard and non-standard all-optical logic gates is proposed in this paper. Logic gate type of behavior is seen at three locations on the screen corresponding to one XNOR gate (standard gate) and two non-standard gates having asymmetric truth tables.

This work examined the asymmetric thermal transport behavior across the interface between InGaN and GaN layers in order to better understand the thermal rectification capabilities of InGaN/GaN heterostructures. For different compositions of indium, we calculated the phonon transmission coefficient (\(\Gamma\)) for InGaN/GaN contacts. When it comes to the material's customized thermal boundary resistance (TBR) and thermal conductivity (k), which are crucial for heat conduction through the material, Γ is a critical parameter. The theoretical value of Γ is observed to be smaller in the direction of the GaN to InGaN layer than in the opposite direction, where Γ declines in InGaN/GaN SLs as an indication of Indium composition. This type of interface displays the thermal rectifier indicator, which can be used in a variety of electronic and photonic devices for thermal isolation and heat control.

Since ancient times, Sunlight has been the main source of heat energy. Alternative energy sources, commonly termed non-conventional or renewable energy sources, are naturally available like Solar, Wind, and Hydro. It is used as an alternative source of energy in place of fossil fuels, which cause pollution. This paper describes how we designed and built a solar-powered grass cutter. By incorporating solar panels, the machine harnesses sunlight as its main energy source. The main objective of developing the Prototype model of the grass cutter is to create an eco-friendly solution for lawn maintenance that reduces greenhouse emissions and minimizes the usage of fossil fuels. This prototype is designed so that it is controlled remotely by using Arduino UNO. After developing the prototype model, the system analysis is accomplished, and based on the results, the solar grass cutter's reliability with the system's high efficiency is compared with previous studies. This project aims to showcase solar-powered technology in practical applications to inspire the adoption of non-conventional energy sources in everyday tasks.

In this paper, the development of an Indoor Autonomous Mobile Bot has been introduced by leveraging an Ultrasonic Sensor and Infrared Sensor, in tandem with a Controller. The Ultrasonic Sensor records the obstacle distance data, while the Infrared Sensor measures the velocities of both wheels. Within this investigative framework, three Machine Learning (ML) algorithms—Adaptive Stochastic Gradient Descent Linear Regression (ASGDLR), Adaptive Coordinate Descent Logistic Regression (ACDLoR), and Adaptive Stochastic Gradient Descent LARS Regression (ASGDLARS)—are implemented for the explicit objective of negotiating obstacles within constrained spatial confines. The findings encapsulate simulation outcomes that scrutinize diverse facets of the Confusion Matrix, alongside the computational derivation of obstacle avoidance percentages in the context of singular obstacle scenarios across varying locomotive speeds.

Enhancement of an hearing aid (HA) is the most needed task for people with hearing problems. The conventional filtering module doesn't provide a better filtering report and needs much duration for the filtering function. So, the current research article has discovered a novel CatBoost-based Variable-Bandwidth filter (CbVBwF) to enrich the noise removal process and filter the noise features in the trained audio signal. Primarily, the audio signals are trained using the training features of CatBoost. Consequently, the boosting parameters in the novel CbVBwF offered a better signal filtering function within a short duration, which has helped to earn less delay score and matching flaw rate. Henceforth, the designed framework is evaluated in the MATLAB platform, and the chief metrics were validated with other past studies. The novel CbVBwF scored less matching flaw score of 1.2 dB than the compared techniques.

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) represent an aggregation of storms extending hundreds of kilometers. MCSs are one of the significant factors for precipitation over tropical and subtropical regions of the Earth. They also cause severe weather conditions such as floods. Therefore, the identification and prediction of such events can be useful for informing people about their occurrences. MCSs are made up of cold convective clouds representing infrared brightness temperature below 220֠K. One of the important steps to get the location of these convective clouds is to get the center of the detected clouds. A cloud is a deformable object that changes its shape, which is irregular, leading to a non-convex polygon. So, getting its location is a challenging task. In the proposed work, two techniques for getting cloud center location are implemented: approximation by regular shapes fitting and moments-based technique. Infrared Brightness Temperature (BT) data from the Kalpana-1 satellite is used for the study. In the first technique, different shapes, such as rectangles, ellipses, and inner circles are fitted. In the second technique, spatial moments of the contours are used to get the center of the clouds. The accuracy obtained by an inner circle fitting, ellipse, and rectangle is 80, 91 and 92% respectively. The accuracy obtained by spatial moments of the contours is 94%. Performance comparison of the results showed that spatial moments of the contours outperformed shape-fitting techniques for the detection of cloud location.

With the increasing demand for efficient transportation systems, the development of advanced vehicle tracking solutions has become imperative. This paper presents a novel approach to vehicle location tracing utilizing the ESP32 microcontroller platform. The proposed system harnesses the power of ESP32's capabilities, including integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, to create a versatile and intelligent vehicle tracing system. The system employs a combination of GPS and sensor data, seamlessly integrated with the ESP32, to provide real-time and accurate vehicle location information. The ESP32 is a great option for extended operation in automotive settings because of its low-power consumption and strong performance capabilities. The integration of ESP32 allows for cost-effective implementation and scalability, making it suitable for various applications, from individual vehicle tracking to fleet management. The proposed system presents an ESP32-based vehicle location tracing system that combines hardware efficiency with intelligent software solutions. The system's versatility and real-time capabilities contribute to the advancement of smart transportation systems, paving the way for more effective and responsive navigation in urban and rural environments

In a broad variety of multimedia applications, the accuracy of perceptual quality evaluation is crucial. The purpose of image quality assessment is to mimic human subjective visual perception and to automate the process of image quality inference. In contrast, current NR-IQA systems judge quality simply on the distorted picture, rather than taking into account the influence of the environment on human perception. The no-reference quality evaluation aims to automatically evaluate the perceived quality of the final result when a single picture is created by fusing together a number of band images. This research provides a novel no-reference image quality evaluation approach for satellite image fusion methods. The measure leverages regressor-based autoencoders throughout the assessment process. In the suggested technique, features are derived using the relationship metric and parameters that relate the quality from the pixel of the fused picture by the fine-tuned encoder. Finally, in order to assess and quantify picture quality decline, these components are regressed to quality scores and concatenated. The experimental findings proved that the proposed NR-IQA technique outperforms the existing state of the art on a broad range of NR-IQA datasets, making it suitable for satellite image classification and distortion-type identification tasks.

The goal of this research paper is to propose an ESP32-based MAX30100 Pulse Oximeter Webserver, which will enhance distant health monitoring capabilities. Utilizing the MAX30100 sensor and the ESP32 development board, the system computes oxygen saturation and heart rate (BPM) (SpO2). Real-time data is received by the web interface. Simple connections are used in the circuit assembly to emphasize replication simplicity. Faultless data transport is ensured by the software implementation by setting up the ESP32 as a web server. This paper contributes to the expanding collection of Internet of Things-based health solutions with its scalable and user-friendly approach to remote patient monitoring. With its emphasis on repeatability and simplicity, the circuit assembly is a great option for three-person health monitoring because it is easy to operate. Sensible transmission of vital health data is also made possible.

The incorporation of the Internet of Things (IoT) with Fifth Generation (5G) networks offers extensive opportunities for connectivity and data exchange, yet poses significant security challenges. This research conducts a thorough analysis of protocols, architectures, and security measures for safeguarding IoT devices in the dynamic 5G landscape. A literature review highlights current IoT security states in 5G, identifying gaps. The work explores communication protocols, focusing on Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) and Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP), evaluating efficiency, scalability, and security for reliable IoT connectivity. Various network architectures, including centralized, decentralized, and hybrid models, are examined for their impact on IoT communication and security. Security challenges in 5G IoT, along with existing measures like authentication and encryption, are assessed to guide enhancements. Practical experiments validate theoretical findings, offering insights into real-world applicability. The research concludes with recommendations to fortify IoT connectivity in 5G and anticipates future developments in sixth-generation (6G) networks, emphasizing a trustworthy IoT ecosystem. This work endeavors to establish a groundwork for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to tackle the urgent requirement of securing IoT devices amidst the advent of 5G technology, thereby nurturing a robust ecosystem for various applications.

This paper discusses the Threat model design of the onboard controller of Cubesatellite. The threat model design proposed in the paper is based on ARM-Platform Security Architecture (ARM-PSA) with the foundation of Common Criteria (CC) standard ISO/IEC 15408 and Microsoft’s STRIDE framework addressing critical security principles such as Authentication, Authorization, Repudiation, Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) Triad. The intention behind the selection of the ARM-PSA framework for designing the threat model is to address embedded security challenges such as threats to the micro-controller, embedded communication, hardware, firmware, and other peripherals associated with the onboard controller of cubesatellite. The minimalist hardware architecture for the onboard controller of a cubesatellite considered in the scope consists of a microcontroller, memory, and sensors. To counter the threats identified during threat modeling, the paper proposes security objectives against each threat, followed by a threat entry vector. This paper also addresses threats by side-channel attacks and fault injection attacks. The paper also proposes hardware exploit security threats not mentioned in ARM-PSA and adds hardware defense as a security objective to counter the same. Thus, it provides better coverage of threats in the ARM-PSA framework.