A domain decomposition method for two-phase transport model in the cathode of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell

Using Kirchhoff transformation, we develop a Dirichlet–Neumann alternating iterative domain decomposition method for a 2D steady-state two-phase model for the cathode of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) which contains a channel and a gas diffusion layer (GDL). This two-phase PEFC model is represented by a nonlinear coupled system which typically includes a modified Navier–Stokes equation with Darcy’s drag as an additional source term of the momentum equation, and a convection–diffusion equation for the water concentration with discontinuous and degenerate diffusivity. For both cases of dry and wet gas channel, we employ Kirchhoff transformation and Dirichlet–Neumann alternating iteration with appropriate interfacial conditions on the GDL/channel interface to treat the jump nonlinearities in the water equation. Numerical experiments demonstrate that fast convergence as well as accurate numerical solutions are obtained simultaneously owing to the implementation of the above-described numerical techniques along with a combined finite element-upwind finite volume discretization to automatically control the dominant convection terms arising in the gas channel.     

Impact of melting heat transfer in the time-dependent squeezing nanofluid flow containing carbon nanotubes in a Darcy-Forchheimer porous media with Cattaneo-Christov heat flux

This study aims to investigate the time-dependent squeezing of nanofluid flow, comprising carbon nanotubes of dual nature, e.g. single-walled carbon nanotubes, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes,between two parallel disks. Numerical simulations of the proposed novel model are conducted,accompanied by Cattaneo-Christov heat flux in a Darcy-Forchheimer permeable media. Additional impacts of homogeneous–heterogeneous reactions are also noted, including melting heat. A relevant transformation procedure is implemented for the transition of partial differential equations to the ordinary variety. A computer software-based MATLAB function, bvp4c, is implemented to handle the envisioned mathematical model. Sketches portraying impacts on radial velocity, temperature, and concentration of the included parameters are given, and deliberated upon. Skin friction coefficient and local Nusselt number are evaluated via graphical illustrations. It is observed that the local inertia coefficient has an opposite impact on radial velocity and temperature field. It is further perceived that melting and radiation parameters demonstrate a retarding effect on temperature profile.     

Thickness study of Al:ZnO film for application as a window layer in Cu(In1−xGax)Se2 thin film solar cell

Structural, electrical and optical properties of Al doped ZnO (Al:ZnO) thin film of various thicknesses, grown by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering system were studied in relation to the application as a window layer in Cu(In_1−xGa_x)Se₂ (CIGS) thin film solar cell. It was found that the electrical and structural properties of Al:ZnO film improved with increasing its thickness, however, the optical properties degraded. The short circuit current density, J_sc of the fabricated CIGS based solar cells was significantly influenced by the variation of the Al:ZnO window layer thickness. Best efficiency was obtained when CIGS solar cell was fabricated with electrically and optically optimized Al:ZnO window layer.