{"title":"Bias-Correction of Diffuse Solar Irradiance Modeled Through Parametric Models","authors":"Robert Blaga","doi":"10.2478/awutp-2022-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/awutp-2022-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In this paper, a bias-correction of clear-sky models in prediction of the diffuse solar irradiance is presented. High quality ground date from two networks is used for model input and validation: aerosol optical depth from AERONET and diffuse solar irradiance from BSRN. Four established clear-sky models are tested: REST2, Yang, PS and MAC2. Two types of bias-corrections are developed: i) a correction for multiple aerosol scattering (MSC), accounting for extinction at high turbidity, and ii) a general regression on the model errors as a function of Sun elevation angle (h) and turbidity (β) correction (MOS). While the impact of MSC proves marginal, the MOS correction shows good results. Two versions of MOS are developed, one on the global dataset and a site-specific adaptation. Both versions bring significant improvements over the original implementation of the models, while the site-specific version reduces the errors with a few additional percentage points. The aggregate nRMSE of the REST2 model is reduced from 17.8% (no correction) to 11.3% (global MOS) and 9.4% (site-specific MOS).","PeriodicalId":31012,"journal":{"name":"Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84136340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Gharbi, A. Zeddouri, A. Gherfi, Kamal Bouchemaa
{"title":"Elaboration and Characterization of the Mechanical Properties and Moisture Buffer Value of a Composite Based on Lime and Date Palm Petiole Fibre","authors":"A. Gharbi, A. Zeddouri, A. Gherfi, Kamal Bouchemaa","doi":"10.2478/awutp-2022-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/awutp-2022-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This study concerns a new ecological material, bio-sourced and with reduced environmental impact. The material in question is a composite made from date palm fibers and lime. For the development of this material, we were inspired by the techniques used for the manufacture of hemp concrete. The latter is widely used especially in France for the thermal insulation of buildings. The idea is to design an insulation material from the natural resources of the southern Algerian region. The material made is a lightweight concrete that could provide both thermal and acoustic insulation. By its porous morphology, it also has the ability to absorb water vapor when it is in an environment with high relative humidity and to release the vapor if the environment is dry. It could therefore play the role of a water regulator. Experimental investigations revealed interesting mechanical and hydrous properties. Measurements of the moisture buffer value (MBV) reveal that according to the current standard, the material is classified between good and excellent. As regards the mechanical strength, the material produced has an acceptable compressive strength.","PeriodicalId":31012,"journal":{"name":"Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74965546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Boutahar, A. Benamrani, Z. Er, N. Bioud, Z. Rouabah
{"title":"Elastic Constants of Tetragonal Cu2ZnSnS4 Semiconductor: AB-Initio Calculation","authors":"L. Boutahar, A. Benamrani, Z. Er, N. Bioud, Z. Rouabah","doi":"10.2478/awutp-2022-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/awutp-2022-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In this work, an ab-initio calculation is used to investigate the elastic constants and some other mechanical and thermal parameters of tetragonal Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) quaternary semiconducting bulk material in Kesterite (KS) and Stannite (ST) phases. The Quantum Espresso code within the Ultra Soft pseudo potentials (USPP) and the local density approximation (LDA) approach were used in the calculation. Firstly,, studies are started with the prediction of the elastic stiffness constants Cij and the normal and shear anisotropy factors. Then some other mechanical moduli, especially the isotropic bulk modulus B, the shear modulus G, the Young modulus E, the Poisson’s ratio ν, and the Pugh’s criteria (G/B) are delivered. The analysis of the mechanical stability criteria at equilibrium shows that our elastic stiffness constants Cij of CZTS material obey all the stability conditions. Additionally, some other parameters of the CZTS semiconductor, especially: the Vickers hardness HV, the sound velocity, the Debye temperature θD and the melting temperature Tm were also calculated. The obtained values of the elastic constants Cij and other mechanical and thermal parameters agree well with experimental and other theoretical results of the literature. The Debye temperature θD of the KS phase was found at around 332.7 K, and that of the stannite phase was found equal to 329.1 K, respectively.","PeriodicalId":31012,"journal":{"name":"Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78231474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Bendjilali, A. Chahed, H. Rozale, M. Bousahla, Y. A. Khachai
{"title":"Structural, Electronic, Elastic, Mechanical, Optical and Thermoelectric Properties of the Chalcogenide Double Perovskites A2GaNbS6 (A = Ca, Sr and Ba): Insights From Density Functional Theory Calculations","authors":"H. Bendjilali, A. Chahed, H. Rozale, M. Bousahla, Y. A. Khachai","doi":"10.2478/awutp-2022-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/awutp-2022-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Recently, the lead-free double perovskite compounds have been evinced to be promising candidate for thermoelectric and optoelectronic technologies. In this paper; we have probed a theoretical works on the different physical properties: Structural, electronic, elastic, optical and thermoelectrical properties of the chalcogenide double perovskites A2GaNbS6 (A=Ca, Sr and Ba) within the instructions of density functional theory. The calculations have incorporated using the full potential linearized augmented plane waves (FP-LAPW) method within gradient generalized approximation (GGA) and the modified Becke-Johnson potential (mBJ) to describe the exchange-correlation potential as embodied in the WIEN2K code. The computed structural results show that the non-magnetic structure state is energetically the most stable structure in the cubic Fm3̄m (225) configuration, also the elastic and mechanical properties indicate that A2GaNbS6 (A=Ca, Sr and Ba) have a ductile nature. According to the electronic plots the three compounds have a semiconducting behavior with indirect (pseudo-direct) band gap of 1.21, 1.28 and 1.32 eV. Important optical responses of studied chalcogenide double perovskites are found in the visible and ultraviolet energy ranges. Finally, the thermoelectric effectiveness of the three compounds have been probed by computing parameters like Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and figure of merit with semi-classical Boltzmann theory and constant relaxation time approximation as implemented in BoltzTrap code, the obtained results show that the chalcogenide double perovskites could be a good candidate for thermoelectric applications.","PeriodicalId":31012,"journal":{"name":"Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87336942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Mezouar, N. Bioud, H. Rekab-Djabri, N. Beloufa, Z. Rouabah
{"title":"Theoretical Prediction of Mechanical Properties of BxAl1−xSb Ternary Semiconducting Alloys","authors":"R. Mezouar, N. Bioud, H. Rekab-Djabri, N. Beloufa, Z. Rouabah","doi":"10.2478/awutp-2022-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/awutp-2022-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The present work aims to predict the elastic constants and other significant properties of ordered BxAl1-xSb (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) ternary semiconducting alloys. We report the initial results of the elastic stiffness constants, the bulk modulus, the aggregate shear modulus, the Cauchy ratio, the aggregate Young’s modulus, the Born ratio, the isotropy factor, the fracture toughness and the longitudinal, transverse and average sound velocities. The Debye temperature and the melting point were also predicted using two different empirical expressions. Except the Cauchy ratio, which decreases with enhancing boron content x, all other physical quantities of BxAl1-xSb alloys increase gradually and monotonically with increasing of boron concentration x in the range 0-1. Our obtained data for BSb and AlSb binary semiconducting compounds are discussed and analyzed in comparison with experimental and other theoretical values of the literature. Generally, our data for BSb and AlSb are in good agreement with other results reported previously in literature. Indeed, our obtained value (335.82 K) of the Debye temperature for AlSb compound overestimates the result (328.6 K) reported by Salehi et al. by around 2.03%, while that (1520 K) of the melting point for BSb overestimates the result (1500 K) reported recently by Bioud et al. by around 1.34%. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, no theoretical or experimental data were reported in the literature on the elastic constants and other properties for BxAl1-xSb alloys to compare with them.","PeriodicalId":31012,"journal":{"name":"Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87964052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. B. Bensassi, Edhawya Hameurlaine, M. Guezzoul, M. Bouslama, Abdallah Ouerdane, A. Belaidi, Amira Derri, M. Bedrouni, A. Baizid, M. Abdelkrim, B. Kharoubi
{"title":"A Comparative Study of Un-Doped ZnO and in Doping ZnO Thin Films with Various Concentrations, Subjected to Appropriate UHV Treatment and Characterized by Sensitive Spectroscopy Techniques XPS, AES, Reels and PL","authors":"K. B. Bensassi, Edhawya Hameurlaine, M. Guezzoul, M. Bouslama, Abdallah Ouerdane, A. Belaidi, Amira Derri, M. Bedrouni, A. Baizid, M. Abdelkrim, B. Kharoubi","doi":"10.2478/awutp-2022-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/awutp-2022-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In this study, we use complementary and sensitive experimental techniques XPS (X-rays Photoelectron Spectroscopy), AES (Auger Electron Spectroscopy, REELS (Reflection Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy) and PL (photoluminescence) to investigate and compare the chemical, structure, electronic and optical properties of Un-doped ZnO (UZO) and Indium-doped ZnO (IZO) (4% In; 6% In) thin films. Spray method is used for the growth of these thin films on Si substrate. A treatment process UHV (Ultra-High -Vacuum: Ar+ sputtering followed by checked successive heating until 650°C) is performed. XPS and AES results allow to confirm the clean state of samples and the incorporation of indium into the ZnO matrix to form chemical species of (In-O-Zn) type. The recorded REELS spectra at different primary energies and the PL measurements justify that the UHV treatment plays an important role to improve the physical structure of IZO (6% In).","PeriodicalId":31012,"journal":{"name":"Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87691190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Gharbi, S. Benramache, Lahcen Fella, Aziez Zedouri
{"title":"Investigation of the Temperature on the Thin Layers of Cobalt Oxide Produced by the Spray Pyrolysis Method Using a Solar Oven","authors":"A. Gharbi, S. Benramache, Lahcen Fella, Aziez Zedouri","doi":"10.2478/awutp-2021-0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/awutp-2021-0012","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Thin films of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) were prepared on glass substrates by the spray pyrolysis method using a solar concentrator (oven) manufactured in our laboratory. We used different processing temperatures (300° C, 350° C and 400° C). The structural, optical and electrical properties of the different samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy and the Hall effect measurement system. X-ray diffraction observations revealed that cubic crystals are created in all films produced, and the film structure is that of a single phase created with preferential orientation along the (311) axis in films at low temperatures, and the axis (111) for high temperatures. The grain sizes of our products vary between (22.62nm and 66.19nm), depending on the processing temperature. The optical band gap of the crystals obtained was measured. The results of the optical forbidden bands of the crystals obtained, indicated two bands of the values for each element (Eg1 and Eg2). We observed that the values of the effective optical forbidden bands increase by 2.547eV and 3.0731eV with the increase in the production temperature., In addition the film produced experiences a decrease in the Urbach parameters which vary between 162.20meV and 360.81meV depending on the increase in production temperatures. Finally, the films produced have electrical conductivity values of (1.090 [(Ω.cm)−1] to 1.853 [(Ω.cm)−1] and electrical resistivity values of 1.431 (Ω.cm) at 1.853 (Ω.cm), depending on the variation in the production temperature.","PeriodicalId":31012,"journal":{"name":"Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75214586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Retraction of: Hamada Khelifa, Djaafri Tayeb - Ferromagnetic half-metal for spintronic applications: Ab-initio calculation. - Annals of West University of Timisoara, Vol. 63, 2020, No. 1, pp. 14-25 (DOI: 10.2478/awutp-2021-0002).","authors":"","doi":"10.2478/awutp-2021-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/awutp-2021-0013","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":31012,"journal":{"name":"Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78658716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Spectral Characteristics of Solar Radiation in Timisoara, Romania","authors":"Sergiu Hațegan, M. Paulescu","doi":"10.2478/awutp-2021-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/awutp-2021-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This study deals with the spectral distribution of solar radiation in Timisoara, Romania. Solar spectrum at the ground level was estimated based on Leckner’s spectral solar irradiance model and measured atmospheric parameters over the years 2019-2020. The average photon energy index (APE) was used to capture the characteristic signature of the solar radiation spectrum. The results emphasize considerable differences between the solar radiation spectrum in Timisoara and the standard AM1.5G spectrum. During 2019-2020, APE has taken values between 1.841 eV and 1.929 eV, indicating both red- and blue-shift from the standard AM1.5G spectrum. To our best knowledge this is the first study which discusses the signature of solar radiation spectrum in terms of APE for a location in Romania.","PeriodicalId":31012,"journal":{"name":"Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77057251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Scattering of Fermions by a Magnetic Dipole Field","authors":"Sergiu Hațegan, Cosmin Crucean","doi":"10.2478/awutp-2021-0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/awutp-2021-0010","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In this paper we study the problem of fermions scattering by the field of a magnetic dipole in Minkowski space-time. The amplitude and differential cross section for scattering of massive fermions are obtained using the exact solution of the Dirac equation written in the helicity basis. We found that the most probable transitions are those that scatter the fermions perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field and we consider only the transverse momenta in our analysis. The differential cross section behavior in terms of scattering angle and energy is graphically analysed and we perform a comparative study with the Coulomb scattering.","PeriodicalId":31012,"journal":{"name":"Annals of West University of Timisoara Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76142227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}