Effect of solvents on the morphology and structure of barium titanate synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method

Tetragonal barium titanate was synthesized from barium hydroxide octahydrate and titanium tetrachloride through a simple one-step hydrothermal method.The effect of different solvents on the crystal structure and morphology of barium titanate nanoparticles during the hy-drothermal process was investigated.Except for ethylene glycol/water solvent,impurity-free barium titanate was synthesized in pure water,methanol/water,ethanol/water,and isopropyl alcohol/water mixed solvents.Compared with other alcohols,ethanol promotes the formation of a tetragonal structure.In addition,characterization studies confirm that particles synthesized in methanol/water,ethanol/water,and isopropyl al-cohol/water mixed solvents are smaller in size than those synthesized in pure water.In the case of alcohol-containing solvents,the particle size decreases in the order of isopropanol,ethanol,and methanol.Among all the media used in this study,ethanol/water is considered the optimum reaction media for barium titanate with high tetragonality(defined as the ratio of two lattice parameters c and a,c/a=1.0088)and small aver-age particle size(82 nm),which indicates its great application potential in multilayer ceramic capacitors.

Battery Technologies for Grid-Level Large-Scale Electrical Energy Storage

Grid-level large-scale electrical energy storage(GLEES) is an essential approach for balancing the supply–demand of electricity generation, distribution, and usage. Compared with conventional energy storage methods, battery technologies are desirable energy storage devices for GLEES due to their easy modularization, rapid response, flexible installation, and short construction cycles. In general, battery energy storage technologies are expected to meet the requirements of GLEES such as peak shaving and load leveling, voltage and frequency regulation, and emergency response, which are highlighted in this perspective. Furthermore, several types of battery technologies, including lead–acid, nickel–cadmium, nickel–metal hydride, sodium–sulfur, lithium-ion, and flow batteries, are discussed in detail for the application of GLEES. Moreover, some possible developing directions to facilitate efforts in this area are presented to establish a perspective on battery technology, provide a road map for guiding future studies, and promote the commercial application of batteries for GLEES.

Carbon-based cathode materials for rechargeable zinc-air batteries: From current collectors to bifunctional integrated air electrodes

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries(ZABs)have attracted much attention as the next-generation energy conversion and storage devices due to the abundance and environmental friendliness of zinc(Zn)for anode materials,as well as the safety and low cost of aqueous electrolytes.However,rational design of nonprecious and low-cost integrated air cathode materials with a desirable bifunctional oxygen electrocatalytic performance remains a great challenge for the commercialization of rechargeable ZABs.In previous research studies,various cost-effective carbon-supported electrocatalysts and light-weight carbon-based current collectors for air cathodes have been developed,showing vast potential in the application of carbon-based materials.To improve the bifunctional performance and integration of air cathodes,efforts with respect to the design of morphology,defects,and synergistic effects of carbon-based materials have been made.In this perspective,the general understanding of the air cathode construction and the battery working mechanism is discussed.The recent progress in the design of carbon-based materials for air cathodes in rechargeable ZABs is summarized.Several possible future research directions and the expected development trends are also discussed,aiming to facilitate the commercialization of advanced rechargeable ZABs in our life.

Flexible Zinc-Manganese Dioxide Alkaline Batteries Based on Kelp Electrolytes

Flexible energy-storage devices play a critical role in the development of portable, flexible and wearable electronics. In addition, biological materials including plants or plant-based materials are known for their safety, biodegradability, biocompatibility, environmental benignancy, and low cost. With respect to these advances, a flexible alkaline zinc-manganese dioxide (Zn-MnO2) battery is fabricated with a kelp-based electrolyte in this study. To the best of our knowledge, pure kelp is utilized as a semi-solid electrolyte for flexible Zn-MnO2 alkaline batteries for the first time, with which the as-assembled battery exhibited a specific capacity of 60 mA·h and could discharge for 120 h. Furthermore, the as-assembled Zn-MnO2 battery can be bent into a ring-shape and power a light-emitting diode screen, showing promising potential for the practical application in the future flexible, portable and biodegradable electronic devices.

基于三维深度神经网络的大规模神经元形态表征与检索方法

高效准确的相似神经元检索方法是神经元形态分析的重要支撑.随着高精度显微成像、神经元示踪、人工智能等技术的发展,近些年出现了若干基于机器学习的神经元形态计算与分析方法,这些研究主要包括对传统神经元形态度量指标的统计分析,以及将神经元形态二维投影与深度学习结合的神经元量化表征方法,在神经元的特征提取、分类、相似检索等任务中均取得了不错的效果.不过随着越来越多的三维神经元数据被重建出来,以上方法都无法满足当前背景下对大规模神经元形态数据的细粒度表征、检索与分类需求.为此,本文提出了基于三维深度神经网络的大规模神经元形态表征与检索方法.首先,为了将神经元的三维空间拓扑结构转换成适用于深度神经网络的形式,我们设计了神经元空间形态的体素转换方法,将原始的神经元重构文件转换成三维体素的形式,极大地保留了神经元的三维空间拓扑结构.随后,考虑到当前神经元数据缺乏精细的分类标准,本文设计了基于三维卷积自动编码器的神经元形态表征算法,应用深度神经网络无监督地学习神经元体素数据的结构特点,得到神经元形态的量化表征,并以此设计端到端的相似神经元快速检索算法.最后通过实验验证本文所提出的方法,在9万余神经元数据中检索形态相似的神经元,实验结果显著优于其他基于神经元量化表征的检索方法.实验表明,本文方法可以更高效准确地检索相似神经元,为神经元的形态学分析、神经元单细胞分类等相关研究的关键问题提供支持.

Advances in the development of power supplies for the Internet of Everything

The Internet of Everything(IoE),which aims to realize information exchange and communications for anything with the Internet,has revolutionized our modern world.Serving as the driving force for devices in the IoE network,power supply systems play a fundamental role in the development of the IoE.However,due to the complexity,multifunctionality and wide-scale deployment of diverse applications,power supply systems face great challenges,including distribution,connection,charging technologies,and management.In this review,some challenges and advances in the development of both power supply systems and their units are presented.In the overall system-level field,establishing sustainable and maintenancefree power supply systems through wireless connections,efficient power management and integrated energy harvesting and storage systems is highlighted.Additionally,the main performance metrics of power supply units are discussed,including energy density,service life,and self-power ability.In addition,some directions of power quality assessment for both the system and unit levels of power supply systems are presented,aiming to provide insight into the future development of high-performance power supply systems for the IoE.