A new method that uses a laser particle counter has been developed to measure the size of fat crystals. The fat crystals were suspended in isobutanol in the ratio of 1:25,000. The solid and liquid fat recovery after being in contact with isobutanol for 24 hr, fatty acid composition of the solid and liquid fractions, DSC melting behavior and polarized light microscopy proved that isobutanol did not affect the structural integrity of the fat crystals. The mean crystal size of commercial shortenings ranged from 5 to 9 pro. The isobutanol suspension method makes it possible to quantitatively separate the solid and liquid components of a fat. It also provides a convenient way of preparing fat crystals for scanning electron microscopy.

SummaryIn the present review article, we have focused our study on the novel improvements that have been brought about in the molecular design of various sensitizers for application in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The sensitizers based on noble metals such as ruthenium, osmium, and rhenium showed high efficiency, but their cost and complicated synthesis restrict their wide applications. Further, to reduce the cost of fabrication of DSSCs, researchers are focusing their interest in organic sensitizers. In this context, organic dyes have offered several possibilities, as by improving their molecular structure brings about improvement in the light harvesting ability of dyes, and with the help of such dyes, optimal DSSCs have been fabricated. Further, to reduce the cost of DSSCs, researchers are also focusing on natural sensitizers such as betacyanin and anthocyanin or chlorophyll, as natural sensitizers are easy to prepare, cost effective, and environmentally friendly. With the help of these natural sensitizers, eco‐friendly and more cost‐effective DSSCs can be fabricated. Thus, we found from our study that beside metal‐based sensitizers, organic and natural sensitizers also offer a vast potential for the optimization of efficiency in DSSCs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Out of the main challenge facing dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is the leakage and vaporization of liquid electrolyte limiting the long term durability of these cells. Therefore, solidification of electrolyte in DSSCs is a crucial research direction. In this work, DSSC was assembled using electrolyte system composed of Chitosan as host polymer, ethylene carbonate as plasticizer, LiI: I2 as redox couple and TiO2 as filler; TiO2 modified with WO3 photoanode to provide inherent energy barrier and anthocyanin as sensitizer. The obtained solar cell conversion efficiency was about 1.8% with fill factor 53% using an irradiation of 100 mW/cm2 at 25 °C. The prepared DSSC is not only stable but also eco friendly due to use of natural polymer and dye. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 630–634, 2019

Temperature cycling significantly reduced the solid fat content, peak force and firmness. The fats with the highest level of palmitic acid were the most stable in the β' polymorphic form. Those with the lower palmitic acid content changed to the β polymorphic form on isothermal storage as well as temperature cycling. In spite of these polymorphic changes, no dramatic change in other physical characteristics occurred.

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