Analyzing Engineering Journal Article, Essay Example

Introduction

Within the field of engineering there are several multifaceted and stimulating subjects that are being studied and explored, in which shed light on complex problems or concepts. In analyzing engineering articles, “Non-Traditional Light Sources for Solar Cell and Module Testing” written by J.C Bisaillon, J.R. Cummings, J.S. Culik, J.D. Lesko, P.E. Sims, and J.A. Rand provides an examination of their research on the performance of solar cells and modules. The authors’ main purpose for this study is to explore the alternative capabilities of using quartz-tungsten-halide (QTH) lamps, a reliable and low-cost light source in high volume manufacturing, as opposed to filtered xenon arc lamps as a sunlight simulator. The performance testing of solar cells and modules is a significant factor for use in high volume manufacturing facilities. Nor does it help in mimicking the solar intensity but also the solar spectrum.  The purpose of the research is to test out the best artificial light source, in regards to their cost, maintenance, and the quality of illumination. The intended audience for this study is concentrated toward manufacturing individuals, as well as those that work in high volume facilities that are dependent on using lamps for sunlight simulations. In examining the authors’ research, the overall conclusion of its readability and scientific methodology is fair. The readability of the article is presented by first providing a structured abstract which allows readers to get a short synopsis on the information they will be reading. This helped in presented a short outline of the article, which focused on the problem, the reason this is being explored, and an overall conclusion. In examining the scientific methodology imposed by the authors, they draw on several scientific tools and terms that paints a clear picture of what they are testing, and what they are trying to conclude in their research. The information organized in the research provides a clear understanding of their purpose, as well as it chooses not to oversaturate with stuffed scientific or complex terms to overstimulate the reader. Their use of scientific methodology, in choosing not to insert research questions, did not hinder the understanding of what the purpose of the research was intending to be. While they do not utilize a standard scientific methodology normally used in researching and testing ideas, it did not hinder the understanding of their research.

Readability of the Article

Much like many engineering reports and research, the characteristics of technical writing is fundamental in communicating with their intended audience. More importantly, the purpose of using technical language in their research is to present unbiased facts, experiments, and conclusions gathered from their results. In looking at the characteristics as well as the structure of this article, one of the most important aspects was the preliminary research conducted. Stated in their introduction, and their abstract, the authors had already a preliminary understanding on the material they wanted to communicate. For example in the introduction, “Significant spectral differences exist between QTH lamps and the solar spectrum. The QTH lamps with dichroic reflectors (80V, 1 1 OV applied) lack both short and long wavelength output.” (Basillon, Cummings, Culik, Lesko, Sims, Rand, 2000, pg. 1498) This information is presented early in the introduction as an indication that much research has already been conducted in order to vindicate the purpose of testing the subject. The organization of the introduction provides a forward presentation of the purpose, the problem, and the steps taken in their research. The introduction of the article does not contain any superfluous material that would be irrelevant or redundant to purpose of their research. The rest of the article is organized in the correct sections such as the methodology which provides the elements of the experiment design, which is provided with visual material, as well as the results sections which is explained with the use of tables to explain their analyzed data, and the discussion and conclusion which provides a clear summary.

In understanding the technical characteristics of the article, the authors provided a fact-based style in order to communicate the technical process and information in a clear and efficient fashion. Looking at the diction used throughout, the article is useful in consistently providing names for the process, the subject, and the algorithm used in their design. For example referring to their experimental design as a model throughout their article, as well as using “high volume manufacturing” as opposed to high capacity, or mass volume manufacturing to directly target in on their intended audience. In no parts of the article did the authors used vague diction in describing their material, but instead provided literal and metaphoric descriptions in describing their research. For their intended audience of individuals that work within a high volume manufacturing environment, the scientific terms used is familiar, as well as factually provided for their comprehension.

In the aspects of looking at the sentence structure used throughout the article, each section is stated in the simplest of words in which clearly communicate to the intended audience of manufacturing engineers. The punctuation used is standard. There are largely no viewed spelling or grammar errors made throughout the article. More importantly, there were any use of clichés or figures of speeches that would be utilized in complicating the concepts, or purpose of the article. Much of the sentence structure used throughout the article are complete sentences that present the central points followed by a subordinate clauses. For example, “For high volume manufacturing it is necessary to test solar cells under an artificial light source” (Basillon, Cummings, Culik, Lesko, Sims, Rand, 2000, pg. 1498) Like in many documents, the addition of loose sentences, periodic sentences, and balanced sentences is presented throughout the article to convey the information in a consistent and concise manner. The appearance of the article is standard in most research conducted with the use of models or experiments designed in using graphs, visual materials, and tables to illustrate the process, and record the results. The readability of the article is structured in an understandable fashion that didn’t manipulate the data or mislead their audience with the use of slang, double negatives, or parentheticals.

The Scientific Validity

In looking at the article, the organization of the article, is presented following the engineering design process in which they followed a series of stages, in order to find a conclusive solution. From the introduction they defined the problem at hand, “Filtered xenon arc lamps closely imitate the AM1.5G spectrum and have been traditionally used” (Basillon, Cummings, Culik, Lesko, Sims, Rand, 2000, pg. 1498). They conducted background research, as indicated, specified the requirements for testing out their problem, and brainstormed in choosing the best solution.  This is seen in their methodology, where the design process is explained much like in using a traditional scientific method, however, the model was created by the authors in testing out their research problem. The authors also did not provide a hypothesis to their research, but instead presented an overall conclusion in their introduction, to support their conclusive statement made. They provided a short background on the two subjects being tested, and advanced to setting up their methodology of testing their statements through a conducted experiment to analyze their data.

Examining the design process described in their methodology, the authors produced a model that was utilized in categorizing the differences of the generated currents used in testing out the different cells. From their research, the team conducted thirty two different cases, using four different solar cell spectra response curves, and two different solar cell types. (Basillon, Cummings, Culik, Lesko, Sims, Rand, 2000, pg. 1498) The design process included categorizing the spectral responses in to four types, in which a model was produced for each category. This process was completed for each crystal. The design process then computed the currents for each model, and the process was repeated for the second light source. When they were confronted with errors they tested it out through their formula, in which they recorded the results presented in their tables, and graphs. The authors followed the engineering design process by creating their own model, in which they consistently tested, and when calculated errors, improve d by running a formula to redesign the model. In the last step of the process, they accurately communicated the results through the depiction of tabular and graph forms for comprehension through visual images.

Conclusion

This article was presented in an understandable and clear style that while intended for a certain audience, was readable across all fields of engineering. The overall presentation of the research is presented as standard research document that provides and introduction that states the purpose, as well as, supportive information as why the intended audience would need this information. While they do not rely on the standard scientific process, which is the case in most engineering research, their engineering design is fitted to detail their work in trying prove their main claim in the introduction. The research is then sectioned into the discussion which provides the most useful information on how this research is relevant to the audience, as well as what this research can add to the field of solar cells and modules. The conclusion is short, but provides a summarization of why the choice of the light source is integral for the manufacturing industry.

The information is useful in testing solar cells and modules, because they provide cost-effective, and beneficial information in understanding light source of sunlight simulators. The use of sunlight simulators goes beyond the field of engineering, and is useful in scientific testing, laboratories, and useful in several industries. The recommendation for this article is to provide more conclusive information in how this could add to the field of engineering, as well as how this information could go beyond the audience of high volume manufacturing.

References

Basillon, J.C., Cummings, J.R., Culik, J.D., Lesko, P.E., Sims, Rand, J.A. (2000). Non-traditional light sources for solar cell and module testing. Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2000. Conference Record of the Twenty-Eighth IEEE. Pg. 1498-1501.