Moderate Fields, Maximum Potential: Achieving High Records with Temperature‑Stable Energy Storage in Lead‑Free BNT‑Based Ceramics

The increasing awareness of environmental concerns has prompted a surge in the exploration of leadfree,high-power ceramic capacitors.Ongoing efforts to develop leadfree dielectric ceramics with exceptional energystorage performance(ESP)have predominantly relied on multicomponent composite strategies,often accomplished under ultrahigh electric fields.However,this approach poses challenges in insulation and system downsizing due to the necessary working voltage under such conditions.Despite extensive study,bulk ceramics of(Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.5))TiO_(3)(BNT),a prominent lead-free dielectric ceramic family,have seldom achieved a recoverable energy-storage(ES)density(Wrec)exceeding 7 J cm^(−3).This study introduces a novel approach to attain ceramic capacitors with high ESP under moderate electric fields by regulating permittivity based on a linear dielectric model,enhancing insulation quality,and engineering domain structures through chemical formula optimization.The incorporation of SrTiO_(3)(ST)into the BNT matrix is revealed to reduce the dielectric constant,while the addition of Bi(Mg_(2/3)Nb_(1/3))O_(3)(BMN)aids in maintaining polarization.Additionally,the study elucidates the methodology to achieve high ESP at moderate electric fields ranging from 300 to 500 kV cm^(−1).In our optimized composition,0.5(Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.4)K_(0.1))TiO_(3)–0.5(2/3ST-1/3BMN)(B-0.5SB)ceramics,we achieved a Wrec of 7.19 J cm^(−3) with an efficiency of 93.8%at 460 kV cm^(−1).Impressively,the B-0.5SB ceramics exhibit remarkable thermal stability between 30 and 140℃ under 365 kV cm^(−1),maintaining a Wrec exceeding 5 J cm^(−3).This study not only establishes the B-0.5SB ceramics as promising candidates for ES materials but also demonstrates the feasibility of optimizing ESP by modifying the dielectric constant under specific electric field conditions.Simultaneously,it provides valuable insights for the future design of ceramic capacitors with high ESP under constraints of limited electric field.

Unveiling a giant electrocaloric effect at low electric fields through continuous phase transition design

The reported electrocaloric(EC)effect in ferroelectrics is poised for application in the next generation of solidstate refrigeration technology,exhibiting substantial developmental potential.This study introduces a novel and efficient EC effect strategy in(1-x)Pb(Lu_(1/2)Nb_(1/2))O_(3)-xPbTiO_(3)(PLN-xPT)ceramics for low electric-fielddriven devices.Phase-field simulations provide fundamental insights into thermally induced continuous phase transitions,guiding subsequent experimental investigations.A comprehensive composition/temperature-driven phase evolution diagram is constructed,elucidating the sequential transformation from ferroelectric(FE)to antiferroelectric(AFE)and finally to paraelectric(PE)phases for x=0.10-0.18 components.Direct measurements of EC performance highlight x=0.16 as an outstanding performer,exhibiting remarkable properties,including an adiabatic temperature change(ΔT)of 3.03 K,EC strength(ΔT/ΔE)of 0.08 K cm kV-1,and a temperature span(Tspan)of 31℃.The superior EC effect performance is attributed to the temperature-induced FE to AFE transition at low electric fields and diffusion phase transition behavior contributing to the wide Tspan.This work provides valuable insights into developing high-performance EC effect across broad temperature ranges through the strategic design of continuous phase transitions,offering a simplified and economical approach for advancing ecofriendly and efficient solid-state cooling technologies.

Teleconnected Influence of the Boreal Winter Antarctic Oscillation on the Somali Jet： Bridging Role of Sea Surface Temperature in Southern High and Middle Latitudes

The teleconnection impact of the boreal winter Antarctic Oscillation（AAO） on the Somali Jet（SMJ） intensity in the following spring and summer is examined in this paper.The variability of the boreal winter AAO is positively related to the SMJ intensity in both spring and summer.The analyses show that the SST in southern high and middle latitudes seems to serve as a bridge linking these two systems.When the AAO is in strong positive phase,SST over the Southern Ocean cools in the high latitudes and warms in the middle latitudes,which persists into summer;however,the variability of SST in southern high and middle latitudes is also closely correlated to SMJ intensity.A possible mechanism that links SST variability with the AAO-SMJ relationship is also discussed.The AAO in boreal winter produces an SST anomaly pattern in southern high and middle latitudes through the air-sea coupling.This AAOrelated SST anomaly pattern modulates the local Ferrel cell anomaly in summer,followed by the regional Hadley cell anomaly in tropics.The anomalous vertical motion in tropics then changes the land-sea thermal contrast between the tropical Indian Ocean and the Asian continent through the variability of low cloud cover and downward surface longwave radiation flux.Finally,the land-sea thermal contrast anomaly between the tropical Indian Ocean and the Asian continent changes the SMJ intensity.The results from Community Atmosphere Model experiments forced by the SST anomaly in southern high and middle latitudes also confirm this diagnostic physical process to some extent.

Hybrid Satellite-UAV-Terrestrial Maritime Networks:Network Selection for Users on A Vessel Optimized with Transmit Power and UAV Position

The hybrid satellite-UAV-terrestrial maritime networks have shown great promise for broadband coverage at sea.The existing works focused on vessels collaboratively served by UAV-enabled aerial base station(ABSs)and terrestrial base stations(TBSs)deployed along the coast,and proved that data rate could be improved by optimizing transmit power and ABS’s position.In practice,users on a vessel can be collaboratively served by an ABS and a vesselenabled base station(VBS)in different networks.In this case,how to select the network for users on a vessel is still an open issue.In this paper,a TBS and a satellite respectively provide wireless backhaul for the ABS and the VBS.The network selection is jointly optimized with transmit power of ABS and VBS,and ABS’s position for improving data rate of all users.We solve it by finding candidates for network selection and iteratively solving transmit power and ABS’s position for each candidate.Simulation results demonstrate that data rate can be improved by collaborative coverage for users on a vessel.

Dissecting the membrane-microtubule sensor in grapevine defence

Specific populations of plant microtubules cooperate with the plasma membrane to sense and process abiotic stress signals,such as cold stress.The current study derived from the question,to what extent this perception system is active in biotic stress signalling.The experimental system consisted of grapevine cell lines,where microtubules or actin filaments are visualised by GFP,such that their response became visible in vivo.We used the bacterial elicitors harpin(inducing cell-death related defence),or flg22(inducing basal immunity)in combination with modulators of membrane fluidity,or microtubules.We show that DMSO,a membrane rigidifier,can cause microtubule bundling and trigger defence responses,including activation of phytoalexin transcripts.However,DMSO inhibited the gene expression in response to harpin,while promoting the gene expression in response to flg22.Treatment with DMSO also rendered microtubules more persistent to harpin.Paradoxically,Benzylalcohol(BA),a membrane fluidiser,acted in the same way as DMSO.Neither GdCl_(3),nor diphenylene iodonium were able to block the inhibitory effect of membrane rigidification on harpin-induced gene expression.Treatment with taxol stabilised microtubule against harpin but amplified the response of PAL transcripts.Therefore,the data support implications of a model that deploys specific responses to pathogen-derived signals.

Rational design of a highly active N-glycosyltransferase mutant using fragment replacement approach

The modularity of carbohydrate-active enzymes facilitates that enzymes with different functions have similar fragments.However,because of the complex structure of the enzyme active sites and the epistatic effects of various mutations on enzyme activity,it is difficult to design enzymes with multiple mutation sites using conventional methods.In this study,we designed multi-point mutants by fragment replacement in the donor-acceptor binding pocket of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae N-glycosyltransferase(ApNGT)to obtain novel properties.Candidate fragments were selected from a customized glycosyltransferase database.The stability and substrate-binding energy of the three fragment replacement mutants were calculated in comparison with wild-type ApNGT,and mutants with top-ranking stability and middle-ranking substrate-binding energy were chosen for priority experimental verification.We found that a mutant called F13,which increased the glycosylation efficiency of the natural substrate by 1.44 times,the relative conversion of UDP-galactose by 14.2 times,and the relative conversion of UDP-xylose from almost 0 to 78.6%.Most importantly,F13 mutant acquired an entirely new property,the ability to utilize UDP-glucuronic acid.On one hand,this work shows that replacing similar fragments in the donoracceptor binding pocket of the enzyme might provide new ideas for designing mutants with new properties;on the other hand,F13 mutant is expected to play an important role in targeted drug delivery.

Insights into multisource sludge distributed in the Yangtze River basin, China: Characteristics,correlation, treatment and disposal

Sludge is the by-product of wastewater treatment process. Multisource sludge can be defined as sludge from different sources. Based on the sludge properties of five typical cities in the Yangtze River basin, including Jiujiang, Wuhu, Lu’an, Zhenjiang and Wuhan, this study investigated and summarized the characteristic variations and distribution differences of multiple indicators and substances from municipal sludge, dredged sludge, and river and lake sediments. The results demonstrated pH of multisource sludge was relatively stable in the neutral range. Organic matter and water content among municipal sludge were high and varied considerably between different wastewater treatment plants. Dredged sludge had an obviously higher sand content and wider particle distribution, which could be considered for graded utilization depending on its size. The nutrients composition of river and lake sediments was usually stable and special, with lower nitrogen and phosphorus content but higher potassium levels. The sources of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants in multisource sludge were correlated, generally much higher among municipal sludge than dredged sludge and river and lake sediments, which were the most important limitation for final land utilization. Despite various properties of multisource sludge, the final fate and destination have some overall similarities, which need to be supplemented and improved by standards and laws. The study provided a preliminary analysis of suitable technical routes for municipal sludge, dredged sludge, river and lake sediments based on their different characteristics respectively, which was of great significance for multisource sludge co-treatment and disposal in the future of China.

Ferroelectric-to-relaxor transition and ultrahigh electrostrictive effect in Sm^(3+)-doped Pb(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))O_(3)-PbTiO_(3)ferroelectrics ceramics

Rare-earth Sm^(3+)-doped Pb(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))O_(3)-0.25PbTiO_(3)(PMN-0.25PT)ferroelectric ceramics with doping amounts between 0%-3%were developed via a conventional solid-state method.The doping effect of Sm^(3+)ions on the PMN-0.25PT matrix was systematically investigated on the basis of the phase structure,temperature-dependent dielectric,ferroelectric,and electrotechnical properties.Due to the disruption of long-range ferroelectric order,the addition of Sm^(3+)ions effectively lowers the Tm(temperature corresponding to maximum permittivity)of the samples,leading to enhanced relaxor ferroelectric(RFE)characteristic and superior electric field-induced strain(electrostrain)properties at room temperature.Intriguingly,a considerable large-signal equivalent piezoelectric coefficient d∗_(33)of 2376 pm/V and a very small hysteresis were attained in the PMN-0.25PT component doped with 2.5 mol.%Sm^(3+).The findings of piezoelectric force microscopy indicate that the addition of Sm^(3+)increases the local structural heterogeneity of the PMN-0.25PT matrix and that the enhanced electromechanical performance is due to the dynamic behavior of polar nanoregions.Importantly,strong temperature-dependent electrostrain and electrostrictive coefficient Q33 are observed in the critical region around Tm in all Sm^(3+)-modified PMN-0.25PT ceramic samples studied.This work elucidates the phase transition behavior of Sm^(3+)-doped PMN-0.25PT and reveals a critical region where electrostrictive properties can be greatly improved due to a strong temperature-dependent characteristic.

Achieving high dielectric energy-storage properties through a phase coexistence design and viscous polymer process in BNT-based ceramics

In the last few decades,dielectric capacitors have gotten a lot of attention because they can store more power and charge and discharge very quickly.But it has a low energy-storage density(Wrec),efficiency(h),and temperature stability.By adding Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3(PMN)and(Bi0$1Sr0.85)TiO3(BST)to a nonstoichiometric(Bi0$51Na0.5)TiO3(BNT)matrix,the goal is to change the phase transition properties and make the material more relaxor ferroelectric(RFE)by lowering the remnant polarization Pr and keeping the maximum polarization Pmax.A viscous polymer process(VPP)is used to improve the electric breakdown strength,which is also a key part of being able to store energy.By working together,ceramics with the formula 0.79[0.85BNT-0.15PMN]-0.21BST(BP-0.21BST)are made.The phase structure has been changed from a rhombohedral phase to a rhombohedral-tetragonal coexisted phase.This is beneficial for RFE properties and gives a Wrec of 6.45 J/cm^(3) and a h of 90%at 400 kV/cm.Also,the energy-storage property is very temperature stable between 30 and 150C.These results show that process optimization and composition design can be used to improve the energy storage properties,and that the dielectric ceramic materials made can be used in high-powder pulse dielectric capacitors.

The behavior of deep convective clouds over the warm pool and connection to the Walker circulation

As the deep convective clouds(DCCs) over the western Pacific and Indian Ocean warm pool may play different roles in the climate system, variations in DCC properties over these two sectors are investigated and compared. The DCC intensity and area varies more significantly in the Indian Ocean than the western Pacific sector, while the DCC frequency is comparable in both sectors at the seasonal scale. Although the Indian Ocean sector is strongly dominated by the seasonal evolution, the interannual variations in the two sectors are comparable for all three DCC properties(frequency, intensity, and area). Besides,Walker circulation is closely correlated with the interannual variability of DCCs in both sectors. The Walker circulation strengthens(weakens) as the DCCs shift eastward(westward) over the Indian Ocean sector and westward(eastward) over the western Pacific sector. When more or stronger DCCs occur over the Indian Ocean sector(western Pacific sector), the Walker circulation becomes stronger(weaker) and shifts westward(eastward). Interestingly, the response of the Walker circulation to DCC variability over the warm pool is asymmetry. The asymmetry response of the Walker circulation to the negative and positive DCC anomaly may be related to the non-linearity internal variability of the atmosphere. DCCs over the Indian Ocean sector have a much weaker nonlinear correlation with the Walker circulation than DCCs over the western Pacific sector.

Interannual variations in length of day and atmospheric angular momentum, and their seasonal associations with El Ni^o/Southern Oscillation-like sea surface temperature patterns

This study examines the seasonal connections between the interannual variations in LOD （length of day）/ AAMglobe （the relative atmospheric angular momentum for the whole globe） and the ENSO-like SST （El Nifio/ Southern Oscillation-like sea surface temperature） pattern and corresponding zonal and vertical circulations. Consistent with previous studies, the ENSO-like SST impact the following season LOD/AAMglobe, with the strongest correlations in DJF （December, January, and February）, when it is likely to be the peak E1 Nino/La Nifia period. Lag correlations between the interannual variations in LOD/AAMglobe and surface temperature, and the interannual variations in LOD and both zonal circulation and vertical airflow around the equator, consistently indicate that the LOD/AAMglobe reflect the potential impacts of variations in the Earth＇s rotation rate on the following season＇s sea surface temperatures （SST） over the tropical central and eastern pattern is located）. Pacific （where the ENSO-like SST Moreover, the centers of strongest variation in the AAMcolumn （the relative atmospheric angular momentum for an air column and the unit mass over a square meter） are located over the mid-latitudinal North Pacific in DJF and MAM （March, April, and May）, and over the mid-latitudinal South Pacific in JJA （June, July, and August） and SON （September, October, and November）. This suggests that the AAMcolumn over the mid-latitudinal Pacific around 30°N （30~S） dominate the modulation of Earth＇s rotation rate, and then impact the variations in LOD during DJF and MAM （JJA and SON）.