Biomass-enhanced Janus sponge-like hydrogel with salt resistance and highstrength for efficient solar desalination

Interfacial solar-driven evaporation technology shows great potential in the field of industrial seawater desalination, and the development ofefficient and low-cost evaporation materials is key to achieving large-scale applications. Hydrogels are considered to be promising candidates;however, conventional hydrogel-based interfacial solar evaporators have difficulty in simultaneously meeting multiple requirements, including ahigh evaporation rate, salt resistance, and good mechanical properties. In this study, a Janus sponge-like hydrogel solar evaporator (CPAS) withexcellent comprehensive performance was successfully constructed. The introduction of biomass agar (AG) into the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)hydrogel backbone reduced the enthalpy of water evaporation, optimized the pore structure, and improved the mechanical properties. Meanwhile, by introducing hydrophobic fumed nano-silica aerogel (SA) and a synergistic foaming-crosslinking process, the hydrogel spontaneouslyformed a Janus structure with a hydrophobic surface and hydrophilic bottom properties. Based on the reduction of the evaporation enthalpy andthe modulation of the pore structure, the CPAS evaporation rate reached 3.56 kg m^(-2) h^(-1) under one sun illumination. Most importantly, owingto the hydrophobic top surface and 3D-interconnected porous channels, the evaporator could work stably in high concentrations of salt-water(25 wt% NaCl), showing strong salt resistance. Efficient water evaporation, excellent salt resistance, scalable preparation processes, and low-costraw materials make CPAS extremely promising for practical applications.

The Effect on Germination and Seedlings of Wheat under Different Salt Stresses

[Objective] Wheat is the major grain crop in China. Salinization as an abi- otic stress has become an important limiting factor of wheat output. It has great sig- nificance to ensure the food security by improved the production of wheat in salin- ization of soil. [Method] This research is reference to previous study to be estab- lished by germination rate and seeding plants changes under salt stress to deter- mine the ability of salt tolerance of different wheat varieties. Under 300 mM NaCI to count germination rate and measuring the height, root length and root number of seeding in 200 mM and 400 mM NaCI to evaluated wheat varieties resistant to salt. [Result] Under this method, we found 3 grade-1 salt-tolerant varieties, 3 grade-2 salt-tolerant varieties, 5 grade-3 salt-tolerant varieties. [Conclusion] This study re- duced the work of salt-tolerance of wheat germplasm identification in salt pool. What＇s more, this study enriches the salt-tolerance of wheat germplasm resources, and provides a theoretical and technical support of wheat salt-tolerance breeding.

Alleviative effects of Bacillus coagulans strains on irritable bowel syndrome-unraveling strain specificity through physiological and genomic analysis

The high intraspecies heterogeneity of Baciillus coagulans leads to significant phenotypic differences among different strains.Thus,6 B.coagulans strains were tested in the present study using an irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)animal model to determine whether the IBS-alleviating effects of B.coagulans strains are strain-specific.The results of this study showed that the ingestion of B.coagulans GBI-30,6086,and B.coagulans CCFM1041 significantly alleviated IBS symptoms in mice.In contrast,other B.coagulans strains showed no or limited alleviating effects on IBS symptoms.According to our experimental results,the two main common features of these strains were as follows:1)The resistance of vegetative cells to bile salts,and 2)ability to synthesize specific lipids and secondary metabolites.Screening strains based on these two indicators may greatly reduce costs and provide a basis for mining new functional B.coagulans strains.Our results also suggest that administration of B.coagulans could significantly regulate microbiota dysbiosis in animal models.Moreover,the close relationships between the gut microbiota,gut microbiota metabolites,and IBS were further confirmed in this study.

Effect of Salt Spray Corrosion on Tribological Properties of HVOF Sprayed NiCr-Cr3C2 Coating with Intermediate Layer

The objective of the present work was to determine the influence of the neutral salt spray corrosion on the wear resistance of HVOF sprayed NiCr-Cr3C2 coating with intermediate layer. Ni-Zn-Al2O3 coatings as interlayers were prepared by low pressure cold spray（LPCS） between NiCr-Cr3C2 cermet coatings to form a sandwich structure to enhance the corrosion resistance properties. The tribological properties were examined using the UMT-3 fricition and wear tester by line-contact reciprocating sliding under dry and salt spray one week corrosion. The morphology, element distribution, and phase compositions of the coating and worn sufaces were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction respectively. The corrosion behavior of the coating was studied by the open-circuit potential, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization, and salt spray corrosion methods. It is found that the sandwich structured coating has better corrosion resistance than the single layer coating. The results show that under dry wear conditions, the wear mechanism is abrasive and adhesive wear, whereas under salt spray corrosion conditions it becomes corrosion wear. The friction coefficient of the sandwich structured coating after salt spray corrosion is slightly lower than the dry friction coefficient, but the weight of the wear loss is lower than that under dry condition.

Characterization of salt tolerance and Fusarium wilt resistance of a sweetpotato mutant

The variant LM1 was previously obtained using embryogenic cell suspension cultures of sweetpotato variety Lizixiang by gamma-ray induced mutation, and then its characteristics were stably inherited through six clonal generations, thus this mutant was named LM1. In this study, systematic characterization of salt tolerance and Fusarium wilt resistance were performed between Lizixiang and mutant LM1. LM1 exhibited significantly higher salt tolerance compared to Lizixiang. The content of proline and activities of superoxide dismutase（SOD） and photosynthesis were significantly increased, while malonaldehyde（MDA） and H_2O_2 contents were significantly decreased compared to that of Lizixiang under salt stress. The inoculation test with Fusarium wilt showed that its Fusarium wilt resistance was also improved. The lignin, total phenolic, jasmonic acid（JA） contents and SOD activity were significantly higher, while H_2O_2 content was significantly lower in LM1 than that in Lizixiang. The expression level of salt stress-responsive and disease resistance-related genes was significantly higher in LM1 than that in Lizixiang under salt and Fusarium wilt stresses, respectively. This result provides a novel and valuable material for improving the salt tolerance and Fusarium wilt resistance of sweetpotato.

PHYSIOLOGY OF WOODY PLANT UNDER SALT CONDITION

Some advances in researches on the physiology of woody plants under salt condition are reviewed. The salt tolerant woody plants can be divided into two main groups. glycophytes and halophyes. They have different mechanisms for maintaining normal metabolism under salt condition. Halophytes usually are salt accumulators and glycophytes are salt excludors. However,the criteria for salt exclusion is not always coear. Although salt responses of different types of woody plants ard not the same some major changes are identilied identilied in net photosynthesis rate and in growth.Four mechamsms are proved to be related to the salt resitance of woody plants(1) Regulation of ion intake;(2) avoidance of toxicity; (3) maintaining meinbrane mtegrity and (4) ion compartmentation. Currently,conventional plant breeding and bioteclogy are both used to improve salt tolerance of woody plant.

Research Progress in Glycine Betaine Improving Plant Salty Stressful Tolerance

Many plants accumulate compatible solutes in response to the imposition of environmental stresses.Glycine betaine, which is one of compatible solutes in cell of plants,has been shown to have surviving ability for plant from salt stress.Effect of glycine betaine on improving plant salt resistance was discussed in plants under salt stress.The accumulation of glycine betaine protects plants against the damaging effects of stress.Strategies of glycine betaine against the damaging effects of stress were analyzed to clarify the roles of glycine betaine in salt stress tolerance of plants.

Laboratory Study on 210°C High Temperature and Salt Resistant Drilling Fluid

Combined with the current research status in this area at home and abroad, with the improvement of salt and high temperature resistance as the research goal, the laboratory research of salt and high temperature resistant drilling fluid system has been carried out, and lubricants, inhibitors and stabilizers have been optimized. The final drilling fluid formula is: water + 3% sepiolite + 0.3% Na2CO3 + 3% RH-225 + 3% KCOOH + 3% G-SPH + 3% CQA-10 + 1.5% ZX-1 + Xinjiang barite, density 2.2 g/cm3, using hot-rolling furnace, environmental scanning electron microscope, high temperature and high pressure plugging instrument and Zeiss microscopes and other instruments use core immersion experiments, permeability recovery value experiments, and static stratification index methods to perform temperature resistance, reservoir protection, plugging performance, and static settlement stability performance of the configured drilling fluid., Inhibition performance, biological toxicity, salt resistance, anti-pollution performance have been tested, and it is concluded that the temperature resistance is good under the condition of 210°C, and the salt resistance can meet the requirements of 20% NaCl + 0.5% CaCl2 concentration. It has a good reservoir protection effect, the permeability recovery value can reach more than 90%, the performance of restraining water dispersion and cuttings expansion is good, the heat roll recovery rate can reach more than 85%, and the SSSI value shows that its settlement stability performance is good;Its plugging performance is good under high temperature and high pressure. It laid the foundation for the next step to promote the field application of the drilling fluid system.

Comparison of Rapeseed Cultivars in Saline Soils

[Objective] The aim was to screen out high-quality, high-yield and salt-tol- erant rapeseed varieties suitable for cultivating in saline soils. [Method] Comparison test of rapeseed variety was conducted on Jiangsu coastal beach during 2013- 2014, involving overwintering traits, biological characters, yield components and ion content under moderate saline soil environment. [Result] Suxinyou series varieties had strong growth potential and more branches in saline soils, and yield was significantly higher than that of the rest; K＋ content in root, stem and leaf of Suxinyou 141 and Suxinyou 703 were significantly higher; Na＋ and Cl- contents in root, stem and leaf of Suxinyiu 141 were significantly higher. [Conclusion] Suxinyou series vari- eties are salt tolerant and suitable for growth in saline soil, especially for Suxinyou 141.

VISCOSITY BEHAVIOR OF AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF CMC PRODUCED IN TWO PHASE MEDIUM C 6H 6 C 2H 5OH

This study is focused on the viscosity behavior of the aqueous solution of the CMC prepared in a two phase medium C 6H 6 C 2H 5OH H 2O.The effects of properties such as the degree of substitution,molecular weight,distribution of substituent along the molecular chain or at positions C 2,C 3 and C 6 on viscosity are investigated respectively.The difference of the CMC synthesized in medium benzene ethanol and ethanol is studied.The addition of benzene is beneficial to improve the viscosity and stability of CMC solutions.The CMC with homogeneous distribution of substituent along the chain and the high substitution at position C 6 possess a good compatibility with organic acids and excellent resistance to alkali,salts and acid.

A study of the properties of hydrophobically associating water-soluble polymers used in drilling fluids

Hydrophobically associating water-soluble polymers (HPAP) have been synthesized from acrylamide(AM), acrylate (AA), 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and hydrophobic monomer (AP) in aqueous solution by radical polymerization. New polymer drilling fluids are made up of HPAP, which is used as viscosifiers and encapsulation agents. Properties of this system are reported in this paper. Results indicate that this system has a high value of yield point to plastic viscosity (YP/PV≥0.7), high viscosity at a low-shear rate (LSRV≥30000mPa·s), excellent shear thinning behavior, good solid-carrying behavior, resistance to shear, good thermal stability (as high as 140℃) and salt resistance. The system has excellent behavior in high-density solution of NaCl and in calcium and magnesium rich saline solutions. Hence, HPAP also can be used in saltwater polymer drilling fluids.

Synthesis and Solution Properties of Comb-like Acrylamide Copolymers

A comb-like acrylamide copolymer （HCJ-1） was synthesized by using aqueous free radical polymerization of acrylamide （AM） as main monomer and ether carboxylate as functional monomer. The copolymers were characterized with FT-IR and SEM. The SEM results show that the molecular structure of copolymer is extended in salt water. It is proved that the copolymer shows good salt resistance.The solution properties of HCJ-1 were studied and compared with those of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide （HPAM）. The experimental results show that the obtained HCJ-1, compared with HPAM, exhibits a dramatic enhancement in the salt-resistant properties. The apparent viscosity retention rate of 1.5 g/L HCJ-1 aqueous solution and salt solution after 180 days at 60 ℃ are 70.6% and 64.5%, respectively, exhibiting good thermal stability. In addition, HCJ-1 solution also displays the excellent shearing resistance. In a word, the experimental results show the HCJ-1 is a promising profiling agent for high salinity reservoir.

Genotypic Variation in Nutrient Selectivity in Populus under NaCl Stress

We used a salt-resistant poplar genotype Populus euphratica and two salt-sensitive genotypes, Populus 'popularis 35-44' (P. popularis) and the hybrid P. talassica Kom x (P. euphratica + Salix alba L.) to examine genotypic differences in nutrient selectivity under NaCl stress. One-year-old seedlings of P. euphratica and one-year-old hardwood cuttings of P. popularis were used in a short-term study (24 hours), while in a long-term study, up to 4 weeks, two-year-old seedlings of P. euphratica and the hybrid P. talassica Kom x (P. euphratica + Salix alba L.) were compared. In the short-term study, K+ concentration in the xylem sap ([K+]xylem) of P. euphratica significantly increased after salt stress was initiated, and maintained 1-2 fold higher than control levels during the period of salt stress (24 hours). Xylem Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]xylem, [Mg2+]xylem) in P. euphratica resembled the pattern of K+ despite a lesser magnitude in elevation. However, [K+]xylem, [Ca2+]xylem and [Mg2+]xylem in P. popularis exhibited a transient increase at the beginning of salt treatment, thereafter, they all returned to control levels at 4 hours and no further rise was observed in the following hours. Xylem Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/Mg2+ in P. popularis increased sharply upon NaCl stress and steadily reached the maximum at 24 hours. In contrast, xylem Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/Mg2+ in NaCl-treated plants of P. euphratica did not significantly increase during the period of salt stress (24 hours). Noteworthy, Na+/K+ markedly declined after the onset of stress. These results suggest that P. euphratica had a higher nutrient selectivity in face of salinity. A same trend was observed in a 4-week study. Xylem Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/Mg2+ in salinised plants of the hybrid abruptly increased after 4 days of stress, and then continuously increased to reach the highest level at day 8 or day 15. In comparison, the magnitude of Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/Mg2+ elevation in the xylem of P. euphratica was much lower during the observation period. In conclusion, salt-tolerant genotype P. euphratica maintained a higher nutrient selectivity under saline stress, as compared to the two salt-sensitive genotypes. The high capacity for nutrient uptake and transport presumably contributes to the salt tolerance of P. euphratica in a longer term.

In-situ synthesis of high thermal stability and salt resistance carbon dots for injection pressure reduction and enhanced oil recovery

Carbon dots(CDs)show great potential as a new type of oil-displacing agent for unconventional oil and gas development.However,the instability and easy aggregation epitomize the challenges that accompany the application of CDs in high temperature and high salinity(HT/HS)reservoirs.In this research,novel benzene sulfonate-modified carbon dots(BS-CDs)with remarkable thermal stability and salt resistance were fabricated through an in-situ electrochemical exfoliation method.Molecular simulation verifies that the introduction of benzene sulfonate groups substantially strengthens the electrostatic repulsion between BS-CDs,leading to outstanding dispersibility and stability even at a temperature of 100℃ and salinity of 14×10^(4) mg/L.Core flooding tests show that 0.05 wt.%BS-CDs nanofluid can significantly reduce the water injection pressure by 50.00%and enhanced oil recovery(EOR)to 68.39%under HT/HS conditions.According to the atomic force microscopy(AFM)scanning results,the adhesion force between the core(after BS-CDs treatment)and oil decreased by 11.94 times,indicating that the hydrophilicity of the core surface was increased.In addition,the distribution of the adhesion force curve is more concentrated,which means that the micro-scale wettability of the core changes from oil-wet to more homogeneous water-wet.This study provides a feasible way for the development and application of good thermal stability and salt resistance CDs in unconventional reservoir development.

Resistance to Adversity of New Poplar Clones

With four poplar clones, namely 84-323 (Populus deltoides cv. ?4-323?, 84-324 (Populus deltoides cv. ?4-324?, 79-35 (Populus ?euramericana cv. ?9-35?, and I-69 (Populus deltoides cv. 慙ux?I-69/55) as a control, researches on cold, drought and salt resistance of the clones were conducted. Electrolyte permeability under a series of low temperatures, relative water loss rate of detached leaves with time series and survival rate and growth performance in salt soil were measured. The results showed that 84-323, 84-324 and 79-35 were resistant to cold as same as I-69 (CK) and more resistant to drought and salinity than I-69 (CK).

Perspective Plant Species for Stabilization of Sand Dunes on the Exposed Aral Sea Bed

A new salty and sandy desert of ca 5 million ha has emerged on the exposed Aral Sea bed. Every year, 170-200 tons of salt and dust rise into the air and fall on the territory of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. A number of experiments have been cond.ucted in order to study the salt tolerance of plants and select drought- and salt-resistant plant species, which show a wide ecological range, to fix quick-sand dunes on the exposed Aral Sea bed. Among the studied species of Calligonum genus C. caput-medusae Schrenk was the most resistant to the saline solution. At the end of the vegetation experiment, the survivability of individuals constituted 44.1% at the concentration of 1.0% of sodium chloride. Artemisiaferganensis Krasch. ex Poljak. and Salsola richteri （Moq.） Kar. ex Litv. showed a good resistance to the concentration of saline solution as high as 150 ram, at which no dried plants were recorded. As the concentration grew to 300 mM, the survivability of Artemisiaferganensis dropped to 40.0% while 66.7 Salsola richteri individuals were developing successfully. An almost similar result was obtained during the experiment on Nitraria schoberi L.. The survivability ofKrascheninnikovia ewersmanniana （Stschegl. ex Losinsk.） Grub. individuals significantly decreased at the concentration of 200 mm （33.4%）, while for Agropyron cristatum the concentration of 300 mm was threshold, at which the survivability of individuals was below 3.3%. The most resistant to the deflation of sands on the exposed bed were Salsola richteri and Calligonum caput-medusae, whose survivability on the sandy dunes was 17%-41%.

Study on Plugging Technology in Oil Test

In view of the shortcomings of poor temperature resistance, poor pumpability and poor pressure-bearing capacity of commonly used gel plugging materials, polyacrylamide (HPAM) and N,N-methylene bisacrylamide (BIS) were selected for crosslinking and compounding to make a new type of gel plugging material with high temperature and pressure resistance. The compressive strength and yield stress were measured by inverted observation method to evaluate the gel strength. The anti-temperature, anti-pressure, anti-dilution and gel-breaking properties of the gel were evaluated. Finally, 71 type high temperature and high pressure water loss instrument and high temperature and high pressure filter with slit plate were used to evaluate the plugging capacity of gel plugging agent. The experimental results show that the new gel plugging system between 100°C - 120°C, gelation time can be controlled at about 5 h;it has strong temperature resistance, compression resistance, dilution resistance and gel breaking performance. In the face of permeability and fracture leakage simulation experiments, when the ambient temperature below 120°C, pressure within 5 MPa, the filter loss of gel plugging agent is far less than the market two conventional plugging agent, has excellent plugging performance.

Study on a Polyamine-Based Anti-Collapse Drilling Fluid System

In complex strata, oil-based drilling fluid is the preferred drilling fluid system, but its preparation cost is high, and there are hidden safety risks. Therefore, the new progress of high-performance anti-collapse water-based drilling fluid at home and abroad is analyzed. It is difficult to prevent and control the well collapse. Once the well wall instability problem occurs, it will often bring huge economic losses to the enterprises, and the underground safety accidents will occur. In order to ensure the stability of the well wall and improve the downhole safety, the key treatment agent of water-based collapse drilling fluid is selected, the anti-collapse drilling fluid system is formulated, the evaluation method of drilling fluid prevention performance is established, and a set of water-based drilling fluid system suitable for easy to collapse strata in China is selected to ensure the downhole safety. The development trend of high performance anti-collapse water-based drilling fluid is expected to provide a reference for the research of high performance anti-collapse water-based drilling fluid system and key treatment agent.

Salt freezing resistance improvement of cement-based materials incorporated with calcined layered double hydroxide

Salt freezing damage has severe impacts on durability of cement-based materials(CBMs).Calcined layered double hydroxide(CLDH),as an efficient environmental-friendly adsorption material,can impart excellent salt freezing resistance to CBMs.In this work,salt freezing resistance improvement of CBMs incorporated with CLDH was experimentally evaluated by chloride binding capacity,mass loss rate,relative dynamic elastic modulus,setting time,compressive strength,and micro structure tests.Beside these,the salt freezing damage model was established to effectively express the quantitative relationship between influencing factors and evaluation indexes of the salt freezing resistance of CBMs.Results show that CLDH can reconstruct its original layered structure to form reconstructed layered double hydroxide(RLDH).RLDH combines with chloride ions to form RLDH-Cl recrystallization,which can improve chloride binding capacity and pore structures of CBMs to relieve the salt freezing damage.The salt freezing damage model indicates that the suitable CLDH content can evidently alleviate the salt freezing damage,which facilitates the quantitative analysis of the effect of CLDH on the salt freezing resistance of CBMs.

Tuning on passive interfacial cooling of covalent organic framework hydrogel for enhancing freshwater and electricity generation

Developing an efficient freshwater and electricity co-generation device(FECGD)can solve the shortage of freshwater and electricity.However,the poor salt resistance and refrigeration properties of the materials for FECGD put big challenges in the efficient and stable operation of these devices.To address these issues,we propose the covalent organic framework(COF)confined co-polymerization strategy to prepare COF-modified acrylamide cationic hydrogels(ACH-COF),where hydrogen bonding interlocking between negatively charged polymer chains and COF pores can form a salt resistant hydrogel for stabilizing tunable passive interfacial cooling(TPIC).The FECPDs based on the TPIC and salt resistance of ACH-COF display a maximum output power density of 2.28 W m-2,which is 4.3 times higher than that of a commercial thermoelec-tric generator under one solar radiation.The production rate of freshwater can reach 2.74 kg m-2 h-1.Our results suggest that the high efficiency and scala-bility of the FECGD can hold the promise of alleviating freshwater and power shortages.