H2 Stimulated Raman Scattering in a Multi-pass Cell with a Herriott Configuration

Stimulated raman scattering （SRS） is an effective method for expanding the spectral range of high power lasers, especially in the regime of near IR and middle IR. We report the SRS of high pressure H2 with a multiple-pass cell configuration. The SRS with the multiple-pass cell configuration is found to be very efficient for reduction of threshold of the first Stokes （S1）. Due to the coherent SRS （CSRS） process, the multiple-pass cell configuration is more effective for reduction of the threshold for the second Stokes （S2） SRS and for increasing the conversion efficiency of S2. This contributes to the relatively low conversion efficiency of S1 for the multiple-pass cell configuration. Multiple-pass cell SRS is also found to be very effective for improving the beam quality and the stability of S1.

CFD simulation of effect of anode configuration on gas–liquid flow and alumina transport process in an aluminum reduction cell

Numerical simulations of gas–liquid two-phase flow and alumina transport process in an aluminum reduction cell were conducted to investigate the effects of anode configurations on the bath flow, gas volume fraction and alumina content distributions. An Euler–Euler two-fluid model was employed coupled with a species transport equation for alumina content. Three different anode configurations such as anode without a slot, anode with a longitudinal slot and anode with a transversal slot were studied in the simulation. The simulation results clearly show that the slots can reduce the bath velocity and promote the releasing of the anode gas, but can not contribute to the uniformity of the alumina content. Comparisons of the effects between the longitudinal and transversal slots indicate that the longitudinal slot is better in terms of gas–liquid flow but is disadvantageous for alumina mixing and transport process due to a decrease of anode gas under the anode bottom surface. It is demonstrated from the simulations that the mixing and transfer characteristics of alumina are controlled to great extent by the anode gas forces while the electromagnetic forces(EMFs) play the second role.

Zinc–Bromine Rechargeable Batteries:From Device Configuration,Electrochemistry,Material to Performance Evaluation

Zinc–bromine rechargeable batteries(ZBRBs)are one of the most powerful candidates for next-generation energy storage due to their potentially lower material cost,deep discharge capability,non-flammable electrolytes,relatively long lifetime and good reversibility.However,many opportunities remain to improve the efficiency and stability of these batteries for long-life operation.Here,we discuss the device configurations,working mechanisms and performance evaluation of ZBRBs.Both non-flow(static)and flow-type cells are highlighted in detail in this review.The fundamental electrochemical aspects,including the key challenges and promising solutions,are discussed,with particular attention paid to zinc and bromine half-cells,as their performance plays a critical role in determining the electrochemical performance of the battery system.The following sections examine the key performance metrics of ZBRBs and assessment methods using various ex situ and in situ/operando techniques.The review concludes with insights into future developments and prospects for high-performance ZBRBs.

The rising star in photovoltaics-perovskite solar cells: The past, present and future

Perovskite solar cell(PVSC), after its invention since 2009, has attracted tremendous attention from both academia and industry, because of its low cost, ease of manufacturing features and the sky-rocketing efficiencies being achieved within such a short period of time. Currently, the new efficiency record has reached 21.0%, comparable to that of the commercialized PV technologies developed for decades, such as multi-crystalline Si, CIGS and Cd Te thin film solar cells. It is very possible that PVSCs would one day step over the threshold of marketization, share or even overturn the current PV market dominated by crystalline-Si solar cells. However, there are still several obstacles to be overcome on the road towards PVSC industrialization. This paper has reviewed the brief developing history and the current research status of PVSCs, and explained: Why PVSCs are so important in the next-generation solar cells, why organometal halide perovskites work so well as light absorbers, and what the inherent differences are among different cell configurations. The prospects on how to realize scale-up industrialization of PVSCs have also been given in the sequence of efficiency, stability, cost, toxicity, and short-term objectives. Resolutions to the remaining challenges according to their orders of technical difficulty and importance have also been discussed.

Recent Advances in High‑Efficiency Electrocatalytic Water Splitting Systems

Electrocatalytic water splitting driven by renewable energy input to produce clean hydrogen(H_(2))has been widely considered a prospective approach for a future hydrogen-based society.However,the development of industrial alkaline water electrolyzers is hindered due to their unfavorable thermodynamics with high overpotential for delivering the whole process,caused by sluggish kinetics involving four-electron transfer.Further exploration of water electrolysis with low energy consumption and high efficiency is urgently required to meet the ever-growing energy storage and portfolio demands.This review emphasizes the strategies proposed thus far to pursue high-efficiency water electrolysis systems,including from the aspects of electro-catalysts(from monofunctional to bifunctional),electrode engineering(from powdery to self-supported),energy sources(from nonrenewable to renewable),electrolytes(from pure to hybrid),and cell configurations(from integrated to decoupled).Critical appraisals of the pivotal electrochemistry are highlighted to address the challenges in elevating the overall efficiency of water splitting.Finally,valuable insights for the future development directions and bottlenecks of advanced,sustainable,and high-efficiency water splitting systems are outlined.