Current Status and Perspectives of Dual-Atom Catalysts Towards Sustainable Energy Utilization

The exploration of sustainable energy utilization requires the imple-mentation of advanced electrochemical devices for efficient energy conversion and storage,which are enabled by the usage of cost-effective,high-performance electro-catalysts.Currently,heterogeneous atomically dispersed catalysts are considered as potential candidates for a wide range of applications.Compared to conventional cata-lysts,atomically dispersed metal atoms in carbon-based catalysts have more unsatu-rated coordination sites,quantum size effect,and strong metal-support interactions,resulting in exceptional catalytic activity.Of these,dual-atomic catalysts(DACs)have attracted extensive attention due to the additional synergistic effect between two adja-cent metal atoms.DACs have the advantages of full active site exposure,high selectiv-ity,theoretical 100%atom utilization,and the ability to break the scaling relationship of adsorption free energy on active sites.In this review,we summarize recent research advancement of DACs,which includes(1)the comprehensive understanding of the synergy between atomic pairs;(2)the synthesis of DACs;(3)characterization meth-ods,especially aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron spectroscopy;and(4)electrochemical energy-related applications.The last part focuses on great potential for the electrochemical catalysis of energy-related small molecules,such as oxygen reduction reaction,CO_(2) reduction reaction,hydrogen evolution reaction,and N_(2) reduction reaction.The future research challenges and opportunities are also raised in prospective section.

Recent progress on earth abundant electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER) in alkaline medium to achieve efficient water splitting–A review

Developing earth-abundant-electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction is one of the promising ways to achieve efficient water-splitting for hydrogen production(a clean chemical fuel).This paper reviews the activity,stability and durability for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline medium of different types of recently reported potential electrocatalysts such as Ni,Co,NiCo,Fe,Cu,W,Mo,Se,Mn.Zn,V,and metal free based earth-abundant-electrocatalysts.Further,this paper reviews the strategies used to achieve the remarkably low overpotential(including r/i0:<35mV),high long term stability(including^:100 h)and high durability(including>5000 cycles)of potential earth-abundant-electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline medium and those are better or well comparable with the state-of-the-art,noble,Pt/C electrocatalyst.Finally,this paper summarizes the efficient strategies such as preparing porous structured materials,preparing nanostructured materials with superaerophobic surface,preparing nanostructured materials,preparing carbon composites/integrating electrocatalysts with carbon,preparing amorphous materials,preparing materials w让h oxygen vacancies/defects,preparing metal chalcogenides,preparing bimetallic/multi-metallic materials,doping metals or heteroatoms,preparing electrocatalysts with core-shell structure,decorating electrocatalysts with amines,preparing homojunction/heterojunction structured materials,preparing hollow structured materials,and preparing boronrich surface to enhance the activity,stability,and durability for HER.

Physical model test and numerical simulation on the failure mechanism of the roadway in layered soft rocks

To explore the failure mechanism of roadway in layered soft rocks,a physical model with the physically finite elemental slab assemblage(PFESA)method was established.Infrared thermography and a video camera were employed to capture thermal responses and deformation.The model results showed that layered soft roadway suffered from large deformation.A three-dimensional distinct element code(3 DEC)model with tetrahedral blocks was built to capture the characteristics of roadway deformation,stress,and cracks.The results showed two failure patterns,layer bending fracture and layer slipping after excavation.The layer bending fracture occurred at positions where the normal direction of layers pointed to the inside of the roadway and the layer slipping occurred in the ribs.Six schemes were proposed to investigate the effects of layered soft rocks.The results showed that the deformation of ribs was obviously larger than that of the roof and floor when the roadway passed through three types of strata.When the roadway was completely in a coal seam,the change of deformation in ribs was not obvious,while the deformation in the roof and floor increased obviously.These results can provide guidance for excavation and support design of roadways in layered soft rocks.

An Ethylene-inhibited NF-YC Transcription Factor RhNF-YC9 Regulates Petal Expansion in Rose

The speed of flower opening is closely related to their ornamental period.Ethylene functions as a negative regulator involved in the regulation of the petal expansion process.In this study,we isolated a NF-YC transcription factor gene,RhNF-YC9,fromrose petals.RhNF-YC9 expression was induced at the early stages of flower opening but was inhibited by ethylene treatment.Silencing RhNF-YC9 decreased the speed of petal expansion from stage 2 to stage 5.The expressions of 11 cell expansion-related genes involved in cell wall loosening,cell turgor modulation,and cytoskeleton remodeling were significantly down-regulated in RhNF-YC9-silenced petals.We also found that silencing RhNF-YC9 decreased the expression of gibberellin acid(GA)biosynthetic gene RhGA20ox while significantly increasing the transcripts of GA catabolic gene RhGA2ox,reducing the accumulation of GA4 and GA7.The influence of ethylene treatment on the expression of RhGA20ox and RhGA2ox showed the same trend.These results together suggested that RhNF-YC9 positively regulated the speed of petal expansion and mediated the crosstalk between ethylene and GA.Our findings revealed a new insight into the function of NF-YC transcription factors involved in ethylene-regulated petal expansion.

Ternary NiCoFe-layered double hydroxide hollow polyhedrons as highly efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction

With exhaustion of fossil fuels and the deterioration of global environment,widespread and intensive researches have been concentrated on clean and sustainable alternative energy sources,such as metal-air batteries[1],fuel cells[2]and water splitting devices[3].Electrocatalytic oxidation of water to O2(oxygen evolution reaction,OER)is a vital chemical process involved in energy storage and conversion from renewable sources in form of molecular fuels such as H2 via water electrolysis,which has attracted a great amount of research efforts in the past few years[4,5].Nowadays,RuO2 and IrO2 are widely used as typical excellent OER electrocatalysts.However,their high-cost and scarce nature restricts the broadly commercial application of those materials[6,7].Hence,there is an urgent demand to develop low cost,highly efficient,and superb stable OER catalysts.

Coupled trace element and SIMS sulfur isotope geochemistry of sedimentary pyrite:Implications on pyrite growth of Caixiashan Pb-Zn deposit

Colloform pyrite with core-rim texture is commonly deposited in carbonate platforms associated with the sulfide ores such as the Caixiashan Pb-Zn deposit.However,the genesis of colloform pyrite in Pb-Zn deposits,its growth controls and their geological implication are insufficiently understood.Integration of in-situ trace element and SIMS sulfur isotopes has revealed geochemical variations among these pyrite layers.These colloform pyrite occur as residual phases of core-rim aggregates,the cores are made up of very fine-grained anhedral pyrite particles,with some rims being made up of fine-grained and poorlycrystallized pyrite,while the other rims were featured with euhedral cubic pyrite.which are cemented by fine-grained calcite and/or dolomite with minor quartz.Sulfur isotope analysis shows that some wellpreserved rims have negative δ^34 S values(-28.12‰to-0.49‰),whereas most of the cores and rims have positive δ^34 S values(>0 to+44.28‰;peak at+14.91‰).Integrating with the methane and sulfate were observed in previous fluid inclusion study,we suggest that the 34 S depleted rims were initially formed by bacteria sulfate reduction(BSR),whereas the positive δ^34 S values were resulted from the sulfate reduction driven by anaerobic methane oxidation(AOM).The well-developed authigenic pyrite and calcite may also support the reaction of AOM.Combined with petrographic observations,trace element composition of the colloform pyrite reveals the incorporation and precipitation behavior of those high abundance elements in the pyrite:Pb and Zn were present as mineral inclusion and likely precipitated before Fe,as supported by the time-resolved Pb-Zn signal spikes in most of the analyzed pyrite grains.Other metals,such as Hg,Co and Ni,may have migrated as chloride complexes and entered the pyrite lattice.Arsenic and Sb,generally influenced by complex-forming reactions rather than substitution ones,could also enter the pyrite lattice,or slightly predate the precipitation of colloform pyrite as mineral inclusions,which are controlled by their hydrolysis constant in the ore fluids.The colloform pyrite may have grown inward from the rims.The successive BSR reaction process would enrich H^32/2S in the overlying water column but reduce the metal content,the nucleation of these pyrite rims was featured by strongly negative sulfur isotopes.The following AOM process should be activated by deformation like the turbidity sediment of the mudstone as the sulfide deposition are associated with fault activities that caused the emission of methane migration upward and simultaneously replenishing the metal in the column.The higher AOM reaction rate and the higher metal supply(not only Fe.but with minor other metals such as Pb and Zn) caused by sediment movement enhanced the metal concentration within the pyrite lattice.

Comparative metabolic profiling of Vitis amurensis and Vitis vinifera during cold acclimation

Vitis amurensis is a wild Vitis plant that can withstand extreme cold temperatures.However,the accumulation of metabolites during cold acclimation(CA)in V.amurensis remains largely unknown.In this study,plantlets of V.amurensis and V.vinifera cv.Muscat of Hamburg were treated at 4℃ for 24 and 72 h,and changes of metabolites in leaves were detected by gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry.Most of the identified metabolites,including carbohydrates,amino acids,and organic acids,accumulated in the two types of grape after CA.Galactinol,raffinose,fructose,mannose,glycine,and ascorbate were continuously induced by cold in V.amurensis,but not in Muscat of Hamburg.Twelve metabolites,including isoleucine,valine,proline,2-oxoglutarate,and putrescine,increased in V.amurensis during CA.More galactinol,ascorbate,2-oxoglutarate,and putrescine,accumulated in V.amurensis,but not in Muscat of Hamburg,during CA,which may be responsible for the excellent cold tolerance in V.amurensis.The expression levels of the genes encodingβ-amylase(BAMY),galactinol synthase(GolS),and raffinose synthase(RafS)were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR.The expression BAMY(VIT_02s0012 g00170)and RafS(VIT_05s0077 g00840)were primarily responsible for the accumulation of maltose and raffinose,respectively.The accumulation of galactinol was attributed to different members of GolS in the two grapes.In conclusion,these results show the inherent differences in metabolites between V.amurensis and V.vinifera under CA.

Atomically Dispersed Fe-N_4 Modified with Precisely Located S for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction

Immobilizing metal atoms by multiple nitrogen atoms has triggered exceptional catalytic activity toward many critical electrochemical reactions due to their merits of highly unsaturated coordination and strong metal-substrate interaction.Herein,atomically dispersed Fe-NC material with precise sulfur modification to Fe periphery(termed as Fe-NSC) was synthesized,X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis confirmed the central Fe atom being stabilized in a specific configuration of Fe(N3)(N-C-S).By enabling precisely localized S doping,the electronic structure of Fe-N4 moiety could be mediated,leading to the beneficial adjustment of absorption/desorption properties of reactant/intermediate on Fe center.Density functional theory simulation suggested that more negative charge density would be localized over Fe-N4 moiety after S doping,allowing weakened binding capability to *OH intermediates and faster charge transfer from Fe center to O species.Electrochemical measurements revealed that the Fe-NSC sample exhibited significantly enhanced oxygen reduction reaction performance compared to the S-free Fe-NC material(termed as Fe-NC),showing an excellent onset potential of 1.09 V and half-wave potential of 0.92 V in 0.1 M KOH.Our work may enlighten relevant studies regarding to accessing improvement on the catalytic performance of atomically dispersed M-NC materials by managing precisely tuned local environments of M-Nx moiety.

Redox chemistry of N_(4-)Fe^(2+)in iron phthalocyanines for oxygen reduction reaction

A precise understanding of the redox chemistry of Nm-Mn+(like N4-Fe^(2+))systems is essential for fundamental studies and rational design of Nm-Mn+-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR).Herein,three different iron phthalocyanines(FePcs)adsorbed on carbon nanotubes((NH2)4FePc@CNTs,(t-Bu)4FePc@CNTs,and FePc@CNTs)were evaluated to demonstrate the effect of the electron donating power of the substituents on the Fe^(3+)/Fe^(2+)redox potential of FePc@CNTs and the role of these composites as ORR mediators in alkaline media.The Fe^(3+)/Fe^(2+)redox potential of the FePcs was found to shift towards the cathodic region upon substitution with electron-donating groups.This up-field shift in the eg-orbital leads to a lower overlap between the onset potential of the Fe^(3+)/Fe^(2+)redox couple and that of the ORR,and thus,the ORR activity decreased in the following order based on the substitution of FePc:-H>-t-Bu>-NH2.

High throughput screening of single atomic catalysts with optimized local structures for the electrochemical oxygen reduction by machine learning

Single atomic catalysts(SACs),especially metal-nitrogen doped carbon(M-NC)catalysts,have been extensively explored for the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction(ORR),owing to their high activity and atomic utilization efficiency.However,there is still a lack of systematic screening and optimization of local structures surrounding active centers of SACs for ORR as the local coordination has an essential impact on their electronic structures and catalytic performance.Herein,we systematic study the ORR catalytic performance of M-NC SACs with different central metals and environmental atoms in the first and second coordination sphere by using density functional theory(DFT)calculation and machine learning(ML).The geometric and electronic informed overpotential model(GEIOM)based on random forest algorithm showed the highest accuracy,and its R^(2) and root mean square errors(RMSE)were 0.96 and 0.21,respectively.30 potential high-performance catalysts were screened out by GEIOM,and the RMSE of the predicted result was only 0.12 V.This work not only helps us fast screen high-performance catalysts,but also provides a low-cost way to improve the accuracy of ML models.

Energy absorption characteristics of novel high-strength and hightoughness steels used for rock support

Nowadays,the development of novel metallic materials for rock support have attracted research interests since they can significantly improve the deformation and energy absorption capacities of rock bolts.Although previous studies proved the importance and mechanical advantages of utilizing high-strength and high-toughness(HSHT)steels in rock support,there is no systematic analysis to reveal the essential energy absorption parameter and the guidelines for further development of metallic rock support materials.This paper analyzes the energy absorption characteristics of novel HSHT steels(negative Poisson’s ratio(NPR)and twinning-induced plasticity(TWIP)steels)in comparison with conventional rock support materials.A physically based crystal plasticity(CP)model was set up and calibrated to study the effect of strain hardening rate(SHR).Meanwhile,the roles of underlying physical mechanisms,i.e.the dislocation density and twin volume fraction,were studied.The results show that the improvement of energy absorption density(EAD)is essential for further development of rock support materials,besides the increase of energy absorption rate(EAR)for previous development of conventional rock support materials.The increase of EAD requires increases of both strength and deformation capacity of materials.For HSHT steels,the decrease of SHR has a positive effect on the improvement of EAD.In addition,the increase of EAD is followed by the increase of twin volume fraction and the decrease of plastic Poisson’s ratio which can promote deformation plasticity of materials.Meanwhile,the increase of EAR is correlated with the accumulation of dislocation density,which can increase the strength of materials.This paper provides the theoretical basis and guidelines for developing rock support materials in deep underground engineering and other related fields.

Catalytic applications of single-atom metal-anchored hydroxides:Recent advances and perspective

Developing isolated single atomic noble metal catalysts is one of the most effective methods to maximize noble metal atom utilization efficiency and enhance catalytic performances.Layered double hydroxides(LDHs)are two-dimensional nanoarchitectures in which M^(3+) and M^(2+) sites are atomically isolated due to static repulsions,providing special anchoring sites for single noble metal atoms and enabling the tuning of catalytic activity.Herein,a comprehensive review of the advances in LDHs supported single-atom catalysts(M/LDH SACs)is presented,focusing on the synthetic strategies,structure characterization,and application of M/LDH SACs in energy devices.Strong electronic coupling between single atomic noble metal atoms and corresponding anchoring sites of LDHs determines not only the catalytic activity of M/LDH SACs but also the stability during catalytic reactions.Furthermore,a perspective is proposed to highlight the challenges and opportunities for understanding the reaction mechanism and development of highly efficient M/LDH SACs.

Adaptive Quasi-PID Control Method for Switching Power Amplifiers

Quasi-PID control method that is able to effectively inhibit the inherent tracking error of PI control method is proposed on the basis of a rounded theoretical analysis of a model of switching power amplifiers (SPAs). To avoid the harmful impacts of the circuit parameter variations and the random disturbances on quasi-PID control method, a single neuron is introduced to endow it with self-adaptability. Quasi-PID control method and the single neuron combine with each other perfectly, and their formation is named as single-neuron adaptive quasi-PID control method. Simulation and experimental results show that single-neuron adaptive quasi-PID control method can accurately track both the predictable and the unpredictable waveforms. Quantitative analysis demonstrates that the accuracy of single-neuron adaptive quasi-PID control method is comparable to that of linear power amplifiers (LPAs) and so can fulfill the requirements of some high-accuracy applications, such as protective relay test. Such accuracy is very difficult to be achieved by many modern control methods for converter controls. Compared with other modern control methods, the programming realization of single-neuron adaptive quasi-PID control method is more suitable for real-time applications and realization on low-end microprocessors for its simple structure and lower computational complexity.

Progress of laser and light treatments for lower eyelid rejuvenation

Laser and light treatments have recently become popular owing to its efficacy in treating laxity,rhytids,hyperpigmentation of the lower eyelids,and drooping of septum fat.For several decades,our department has explored the application of laser and light treatment for eye rejuvenation.This paper summarizes common treatment methods and analyzes the published literature on the indications and outcomes of multiple laser and light treatments for lower eyelid rejuvenation.An extensive survey of peer-reviewed literature was performed using PubMed,with the search terms“noninvasive treatment”,“infraorbital”,“palpebral bags”,“lower eyelid”,“radiofrequency(RF)”,“laser”,“nonsurgical skin tightening”,and“noninvasive fat reduction”.The results showed that the use of lasers,intense pulsed light(IPL),monopolar RF,bipolar RF,AdipoLASER rejuvenation(ALJ),and fractional RF microneedling are safe and effective treatments for palpebral bags.We conclude that using Qswitched lasers,IPL,RF,ALJ,and fractional RF microneedling is safe and effective for lower eyelid rejuvenation,with minimal complications and quick recovery.Further research and development of optoelectronic therapy may encourage breakthroughs in lower eyelid treatment,such as simplified complex surgery and noninvasive methods.

Kansei Engineering Analysis of Purple-clay Teapot Based on Online Comment Data

Product form has become an important communication medium between designers and consumers.Therefore,the collection and analysis of consumer evaluation of products can provide an important reference index for product form design.In this paper,purpleclay teapot was taken as an example and comments of Tmall consumers were collected through web crawler,and the product image vocabulary was extracted to analyze the needs of users.Using the research method of Kansei Engineering,the semantic space of the modeling and image of purple-clay teapot was established,and the relationship between the modeling elements and the image of purple-clay teapot was searched,which could provide valuable reference for the modeling design of purple-clay teapot.

Pyrolysis-free formamide-derived N-doped carbon supporting atomically dispersed cobalt as high-performance bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst

Non-precious metal-nitrogen-carbon(MNC)electrocatalysts have gained tremendous attention as promising electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER).However,the most applicable strategies for the synthesis of MNC materials heavily rely on pyrolysis treatment,which may easily lead to metal aggregation and subsequent degradation of catalytic performance.Herein,we developed a pyrolysis-free strategy for preparing MNC materials,which was demonstrated by achieving ultrathin cobalt-nitrogen-carbon(Co NC)layer with dense atomically dispersed cobalt sites depositing on graphene oxide(GO)via simple treatment of Co salt and GO in formamide.The formamide-derived Co NC layer deposited on GO(termed as f-Co NC/GO)could be controlled in 1-2 nm thick.Remarkably,the f-CoNC/GO composite without pyrolysis exhibited excellent bifunctional performance toward ORR and OER,which was attributed to the dense atomically dispersed Co-Nxsites and improved conductivity by GO substrate.Furthermore,the f-CoNC/GO-assembled rechargeable Zn-air battery showed highly efficient and stable performance,demonstrating our pyrolysis-free method to be straightforward,cost-effective,and feasible for the scalable production of MNC electrocatalysts.

Biomaterial Scaffolds for Improving Vascularization During Skin Flap Regeneration

Over the past few decades,biomaterials have made rapid advances in tissue engineering.In particular,there have been several studies on vascularization during skin flap regeneration for plastic surgery.From the perspective of function,the biomaterials used to improve the vascularization of skin flaps are primarily classified into two types:(1)electrospun nanofibrous membranes as porous scaffolds,and(2)hydrogels as cell or cytokine carriers.Based on their source,various natural,synthetic,and semi-synthetic biomaterials have been developed with respective characteristics.For the ischemic environment of the flap tissue,the therapeutic effect of the combination of biomaterials was better than that of drugs,cytokines,and cells alone.Biomaterials could improve cell migration,prolong the efficacy of cytokines,and provide an advantageous survival environment to transplanted cells.

Fault Waveform Regenerator and Its Digital Closed-Loop Modification Technique

In order to provide a novel and more effective alternative to the commonly used relay protection testing device that outputs only the sinusoidal testing signals, the concept of fault waveform regenerator is proposed in this paper, together with its hardware structure and software flow chart. Fault waveform regenerator mainly depends on its power amplifiers (PAs) to regenerate the fault waveforms recorded by digital fault recorder (DFR). To counteract the PA’s inherent nonlinear distortions, a digital closed-loop modification technique that is different from the predistortion technique is conceived. And the experimental results verify the effectiveness of the fault waveform regenerator based on the digital closed-loop modification technique.

Analysis on Sensitivity of Power System Stability to Generator Parameters

The sensitivity of power system stability (including transient and dynamic stabilities) to generator parameters (including parameters of generator model, excitation system and power system stabilizer) is analyzed in depth by simulations. From the tables and plots of the resultant simulated data, a number of useful rules are revealed. These rules can be directly applied to the engineering checking of generator parameters. Because the complex theoretical analyses are circumvented, the checking procedure is greatly simplified, remarkably promoting the working efficiency of electrical engineers on site.

An Overview on Piezoelectric Power Generation System for Electricity Generation

Coal, petroleum and natural gas will still be the basis of economic development for a long time. However, with a rapider consumption speed, these fossil fuels will be exhausted in the near future. In addition, the usage of these fossil fuels can also cause environmental pollution and greenhouse effect. To deal with energy security and environmental crisis, it is wise to work towards three directions: energy saving and emission reduction, energy recovery, exploration of new renewable energy. Currently, the electricity generation technology using piezoelectric material to recover the compressional or vibrational energy begins to draw attention. However, most of the researches are devoted to designing small self-powered devices. This paper presents an overview of the feasibility of piezoelectric power generation system for electric power system, in which the fundamentals of piezoelectric power generation and the feasible structure of the system are discussed.