Charting the course to solid-state dual-ion batteries

An electrolyte destined for use in a dual-ion battery(DIB)must be stable at the inherently high potential required for anion intercalation in the graphite electrode,while also protecting the Al current collector from anodic dissolution.A higher salt concentration is needed in the electrolyte,in comparison to typical battery electrolytes,to maximize energy density,while ensuring acceptable ionic conductivity and operational safety.In recent years,studies have demonstrated that highly concentrated organic electrolytes,ionic liquids,gel polymer electrolytes(GPEs),ionogels,and water-in-salt electrolytes can potentially be used in DIBs.GPEs can help reduce the use of solvents and thus lead to a substantial change in the Coulombic efficiency,energy density,and long-term cycle life of DIBs.Furthermore,GPEs are suited to manufacture compact DIB designs without separators by virtue of their mechanical strength and electrical performance.In this review,we highlight the latest advances in the application of different electrolytes in DIBs,with particular emphasis on GPEs.

Dynamics and genetic regulation of macronutrient concentrations during grain development in maize

Nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), and potassium(K) are essential macronutrients that are crucial not only for maize growth and development, but also for crop yield and quality. The genetic basis of macronutrient dynamics and accumulation during grain filling in maize remains largely unknown. In this study, we evaluated grain N, P, and K concentrations in 206 recombinant inbred lines generated from a cross of DH1M and T877 at six time points after pollination. We then calculated conditional phenotypic values at different time intervals to explore the dynamic characteristics of the N, P, and K concentrations. Abundant phenotypic variations were observed in the concentrations and net changes of these nutrients. Unconditional quantitative trait locus(QTL) mapping revealed 41 non-redundant QTLs, including 17, 16, and 14 for the N, P, and K concentrations, respectively. Conditional QTL mapping uncovered 39 non-redundant QTLs related to net changes in the N, P, and K concentrations. By combining QTL, gene expression, co-expression analysis, and comparative genomic data, we identified 44, 36, and 44 candidate genes for the N, P, and K concentrations, respectively, including GRMZM2G371058 encoding a Doftype zinc finger DNA-binding family protein, which was associated with the N concentration, and GRMZM2G113967encoding a CBL-interacting protein kinase, which was related to the K concentration. The results deepen our understanding of the genetic factors controlling N, P, and K accumulation during maize grain development and provide valuable genes for the genetic improvement of nutrient concentrations in maize.

Rheological properties and concentration evolution of thickened tailings under the coupling effect of compression and shear

Cemented paste backfill(CPB)is a key technology for green mining in metal mines,in which tailings thickening comprises the primary link of CPB technology.However,difficult flocculation and substandard concentrations of thickened tailings often occur.The rheological properties and concentration evolution in the thickened tailings remain unclear.Moreover,traditional indoor thickening experiments have yet to quantitatively characterize their rheological properties.An experiment of flocculation condition optimization based on the Box-Behnken design(BBD)was performed in the study,and the two response values were investigated:concentration and the mean weighted chord length(MWCL)of flocs.Thus,optimal flocculation conditions were obtained.In addition,the rheological properties and concentration evolution of different flocculant dosages and ultrafine tailing contents under shear,compression,and compression-shear coupling experimental conditions were tested and compared.The results show that the shear yield stress under compression and compression-shear coupling increases with the growth of compressive yield stress,while the shear yield stress increases slightly under shear.The order of shear yield stress from low to high under different thickening conditions is shear,compression,and compression-shear coupling.Under compression and compression-shear coupling,the concentration first rapidly increases with the growth of compressive yield stress and then slowly increases,while concentration increases slightly under shear.The order of concentration from low to high under different thickening conditions is shear,compression,and compression-shear coupling.Finally,the evolution mechanism of the flocs and drainage channels during the thickening of the thickened tailings under different experimental conditions was revealed.

Efficient desorption and reuse of collector from the flotation concentrate:A case study of scheelite

Flotation is the most common method to obtain concentrate through the selective adsorption of collectors on target minerals to make them hydrophobic and floatable.In the hydrometallurgy of concentrate,collectors adsorbed on concentrate can damage ion-exchange resin and increase the chemical oxygen demand(COD)value of wastewater.In this work,we proposed a new scheme,i.e.,desorbing the collectors from concentrate in ore dressing plant and reusing them in flotation flowsheet.Lead nitrate and benzohydroxamic acid(Pb-BHA)complex is a common collector in scheelite flotation.In this study,different physical(stirring or ultrasonic waves)and chemical(strong acid or alkali environment)methods for facilitating the desorption of Pb-BHA collector from scheelite concentrate were explored.Single-mineral desorption tests showed that under the condition of pulp pH 13 and ultrasonic treatment for 15 min,the highest desorption rates of Pb and BHA from the scheelite concentrate were 90.48%and 63.75%,respectively.Run-of-mine ore flotation tests revealed that the reuse of desorbed Pb and BHA reduced the collector dosage by 30%for BHA and 25%for Pb.The strong alkali environment broke the chemical bonds between Pb and BHA.The cavitation effect of ultrasonic waves effectively reduced the interaction intensity between Pb-BHA collector and scheelite surfaces.This method combining ultrasonic waves and strong alkali environment can effectively desorb the collectors from concentrate and provide“clean”scheelite concentrate for metallurgic plants;the reuse of desorbed collector in flotation flowsheet can reduce reagent cost for ore dressing plants.

Features of rare earth elements geochemistry in coals of Central Kazakhstan

This research presents the results of a comprehensive study of mineralogical and geochemical features of REE distribution in coals of Central Kazakhstan deposits—Karaganda coal basin and Shubarkol deposit,which have large hard coal reserves and are industrially important for the coal industry of Kazakhstan;the research is based on 205 samples of clayey interlayers and coal seams.It shows basic patterns of distribution and features of concentration for impurity elements,gives an estimate of the impurity elements concentration,including REE,defines conditions and factors of their accumulation,and studies features of their forms in coal and coal-bearing rocks,which allows estimating the mechanisms of their migration and conditions of accumulation.According to the results of geochemical indicators,the article establishes the factors of REE dislocation,reveals the composition of margin rocks that have influenced REE concentration in coal seams,and the presented latest data on mineralogy allowed to establish the ways of their transportation to the paleobasin during the synand epigenetic periods of formation of the coal deposits of Central Kazakhstan being researched.It was found that the coals are insignificantly enriched with heavy lanthanides from Ho to Lu.The distribution curves of UCC normalized REE values in the coals are similar and coincide,but they are less than the average value for world coal,and amount to only one-third of the UCC.It was found that the highest concentrations of all REE are characteristic of clayey interlayers and oxidized coals.The La/Yb ratio in this case increases upwards along the section,indicating mainly clastogenic mechanism of REE delivery to the coals.In coal and clay samples,the predominant mineral form of REE is light lanthanide phosphates.Identified particles of REE from minerals and their composition peculiarities suppose autigene nature of their formation.The formation of the bulk of autigene minerals occurred during the maturation of brown coals and their transformation into hard ones.

Failure Analysis of Dissimilar Metal Welds between Ferritic Heat Resistant Steels and Austenitic Stainless Steels in Power Plant

This study analysed the failure of dissimilar metal welds(DMWs)between ferritic heat resistant steels and austenitic stainless steels and investigated its influencing factors by means of numerical simulation,microstructure characterization and mechanical property test.Under the long-term high-temperature service condition in practical power plant,the DMW failure mode was along the interface between nickel-based weld metal(WM)and ferritic heat resistant steel,and the failure mechanism was stress/strain concentration,microstructure degradation and oxidation coupling acting on the interface.The numerical simulation results show that interface stress/strain concentration was due to the differences in coefficient of thermal expansion and creep strength,and the degree of stress/strain concentration was related to service time.The ferrite band formed at the WM/ferritic steel interface was prone to cracking,attracting the fracture along the interface.The interface crack allowed oxidation to develop along the WM/ferritic steel interface.During long-term service,the interface stress/strain concentration,microstructure and oxidation all evolved,which synergistically promoted interface failure of DMW.However,only under the long-term service of low stress conditions could trigger the interface failure of DMW.Meanwhile,long-term service would reduce the mechanical strength and plasticity of DMW.

Achievable hole concentration at room temperature as a function of Mg concentration for MOCVD-grown p-GaN after sufficient annealing

Relationship between the hole concentration at room temperature and the Mg doping concentration in p-GaN grown by MOCVD after sufficient annealing was studied in this paper.Different annealing conditions were applied to obtain sufficient activation for p-GaN samples with different Mg doping ranges.Hole concentration,resistivity and mobility were characterized by room-temperature Hall measurements.The Mg doping concentration and the residual impurities such as H,C,O and Si were measured by secondary ion mass spectroscopy,confirming negligible compensations by the impurities.The hole concentration,resistivity and mobility data are presented as a function of Mg concentration,and are compared with literature data.The appropriate curve relating the Mg doping concentration to the hole concentration is derived using a charge neutrality equation and the ionized-acceptor-density[N-(A)^(-)](cm^(−3))dependent ionization energy of Mg acceptor was determined asE_(A)^(Mg)=184−2.66×10^(−5)×[N_(A)^(-)]1/3 meV.

New process for treating boron-bearing iron ore by flash reduction coupled with magnetic separation

Boron is an important industrial raw material often sourced from minerals containing different compounds that cocrystallize,which makes it difficult to separate the mineral phases through conventional beneficiation.This study proposed a new treatment called flash reduction-melting separation(FRMS)for boron-bearing iron concentrates.In this method,the concentrates were first flash-reduced at the temperature under which the particles melt,and the slag and the reduced iron phases disengaged at the particle scale.Good reduc-tion and melting effects were achieved above 1550℃.The B_(2)O_(3) content in the separated slag was over 18wt%,and the B content in the iron was less than 0.03wt%.The proposed FRMS method was tested to investigate the effects of factors such as ore particle size and tem-perature on the reduction and melting steps with and without pre-reducing the raw concentrate.The mineral phase transformation and morphology evolution in the ore particles during FRMS were also comprehensively analyzed.

Solar fuel production through concentrating light irradiation

The climate crisis necessitates the development of non-fossil energy sources.Harnessing solar energy for fuel production shows promise and offers the potential to utilize existing energy infrastructure.However,solar fuel production is in its early stages of development,constrained by low conversion efficiency and challenges in scaling up production.Concentrated solar energy(CSE)technology has matured alongside the rapid growth of solar thermal power plants.This review provides an overview of current CSE methods and solar fuel production,analyzes their integration compatibility,and delves into the theoretical mechanisms by which CSE impacts solar energy conversion efficiency and product selectivity in the context of photo-electrochemistry,thermochemistry,and photo-thermal co-catalysis for solar fuel production.The review also summarizes approaches to studying the photoelectric and photothermal effects of CSE.Lastly,it explores emerging novel CSE technology methods in the field of solar fuel production.

Long-term operation optimization of circulating cooling water systems under fouling conditions

Fouling caused by excess metal ions in hard water can negatively impact the performance of the circulating cooling water system(CCWS)by depositing ions on the heat exchanger's surface.Currently,the operation optimization of CCWS often prioritizes short-term flow velocity optimization for minimizing power consumption,without considering fouling.However,low flow velocity promotes fouling.Therefore,it's crucial to balance fouling and energy/water conservation for optimal CCWS long-term operation.This study proposes a mixed-integer nonlinear programming(MINLP)model to achieve this goal.The model considers fouling in the pipeline,dynamic concentration cycle,and variable frequency drive to optimize the synergy between heat transfer,pressure drop,and fouling.By optimizing the concentration cycle of the CCWS,water conservation and fouling control can be achieved.The model can obtain the optimal operating parameters for different operation intervals,including the number of pumps,frequency,and valve local resistance coefficient.Sensitivity experiments on cycle and environmental temperature reveal that as the cycle increases,the marginal benefits of energy/water conservation decrease.In periods with minimal impact on fouling rate,energy/water conservation can be achieved by increasing the cycle while maintaining a low fouling rate.Overall,the proposed model has significant energy/water saving effects and can comprehensively optimize the CCWS through its incorporation of fouling and cycle optimization.

MINIMIZERS OF L^(2)-SUBCRITICAL VARIATIONAL PROBLEMS WITH SPATIALLY DECAYING NONLINEARITIES IN BOUNDED DOMAINS

This paper is concerned with the minimizers of L^(2)-subcritical constraint variar tional problems with spatially decaying nonlinearities in a bounded domain Ω of R~N(N≥1).We prove that the problem admits minimizers for any M> 0.Moreover,the limiting behavior of minimizers as M→∞ is also analyzed rigorously.

Physical mechanism of secondary-electron emission in Si wafers

CMOS-compatible RF/microwave devices,such as filters and amplifiers,have been widely used in wireless communication systems.However,secondary-electron emission phenomena often occur in RF/microwave devices based on silicon(Si)wafers,especially in the high-frequency range.In this paper,we have studied the major factors that influence the secondary-electron yield(SEY)in commercial Si wafers with different doping concentrations.We show that the SEY is suppressed as the doping concentration increases,corresponding to a relatively short effective escape depthλ.Meanwhile,the reduced narrow band gap is beneficial in suppressing the SEY,in which the absence of a shallow energy band below the conduction band will easily capture electrons,as revealed by first-principles calculations.Thus,the new physical mechanism combined with the effective escape depth and band gap can provide useful guidance for the design of integrated RF/microwave devices based on Si wafers.

Identifying the Hydrochemical Characteristics,Genetic Mechanisms and Potential Human Health Risks of Fluoride and Nitrate Enriched Groundwater in the Tongzhou District,Beijing,North China

Fluoride and nitrate enriched groundwater are potential threats to the safety of the groundwater supply that may cause significant effects on human health and public safety,especially in aggregated population areas and economic hubs.This study focuses on the high F^(−)and NO_(3)^(−)concentration groundwater in Tongzhou District,Beijing,North China.A total of 36 groundwater samples were collected to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics,elucidate genetic mechanisms and evaluate the potential human health risks.The results of the analysis indicate:Firstly,most of the groundwater samples are characterized by Mg-HCO_(3) and Na-HCO_(3) with the pH ranging from 7.19 to 8.28 and TDS with a large variation across the range 471-2337 mg/L.The NO_(3)^(−)concentration in 38.89%groundwater samples and the F^(−)concentration in 66.67%groundwater samples exceed the permissible limited value.Secondly,F^(−)in groundwater originates predominantly from water-rock interactions and the fluorite dissolution,which is also regulated by cation exchange,competitive adsorption of HCO_(3)−and an alkaline environment.Thirdly,the effect of sewage disposal and agricultural activities have a significant effect on high NO3-concentration,while the high F^(−)concentration is less influenced by anthropogenic activity.The alkaline environment favors nitrification,thus being conducive to the production of NO_(3)^(−).Finally,the health risk assessment is evaluated for different population groups.The results indicate that high NO_(3)^(−)and F^(−)concentration in groundwater would have the largest threat to children’s health.The findings of this study could contribute to the provision of a scientific basis for groundwater supply policy formulation relating to public health in Tongzhou District.

The tri-band high spectral resolution spectrometer with gratings in tandem for the charge-exchange recombination spectroscopy diagnostic system on HL-2A tokamak

Charge-exchange(CX) recombination spectroscopy is a powerful tool monitoring ion temperature and plasma rotation with good temporal and spatial resolutions. A compact, new design for a high-throughput, tri-band high spectral resolution spectrometer has been developed for the charge-exchange recombination spectroscopy measurement on the HL-2A tokamak. The simultaneous measurements of He II(468.57 nm), C VI(529.1 nm), and Dα(656.1 nm accompanied by beam emission spectra) with an acquisition frequency up to 400 Hz are achieved by vertically binning the spectrum from each fiber in experiments. Initial results indicate that the system can provide radial profiles of not only ion temperature and rotation velocity,but also concentration of carbon. For the case of helium, the measurements for the ion temperature and rotation velocity are straightforward but the apparent concentration associated with the observed CX intensity is obviously too high. Modeling of the active He II CX feature including plume contributions needs to be carried out to extract the true helium concentration.The spectrometer could become a prototype for the ITER charge-exchange recombination spectroscopy diagnostic and the pilot experiments, as presented here, demonstrate the possibility of impurity concentrations measurements based on the combined measurement of local beam emission and charge-exchange recombination spectroscopy spectra.

Study on the spatial and temporal evolutionary characteristics of ozone concentration and the impact of human activities in China in 2019

Ozone(O_(3))pollution has a profound impact on human health,vegetation development,and the ecological environment,making it a critical focus of global academic research.In recent years,O_(3)pollution in China has been on a steady rise,with ozone emerging as the sole conventional pollutant to consistently increase in concentration without any decline.This study conducted a quantitative analysis of O_(3)concentrations across 367 Chinese cities in 2019,examining spatial autocorrelation and local clustering of O_(3)levels,and investigated the diverse relationships between human activity factors and O_(3)concentration.The seasonal fluctuation of O_(3)exhibited the“M-type”pattern,with peak concentrations in winter and the lowest levels in summer.The center of O_(3)pollution migrated southeastward,with the area of highest concentration progressively shifting south along the eastern coast.Moreover,O_(3)concentration showed a strong positive correlation with population density,road freight volume,and industrial emissions,suggesting that human activities,vehicle emissions,and industrial operations are significant contributors to O_(3)production.The results provide comprehensive information on the characteristics,causes,and occurrence mechanism of O_(3)in Chinese cities that can be utilized by global government departments to formulate strategies to prevent and control O_(3)pollution.

Study on concentration distribution and detonation characteristics for non-axisymmetric fuel dispersal

The study of non-axisymmetric fuel dispersal and detonation can provide reference for the prevention of industrial cloud explosion accidents and the design of fuel air explosive(FAE).The concentration and detonation fields of 85 kg cylindrical and fan-shaped fuel are investigated by experiments and numerical simulations.A dynamic model of the whole process for fuel dispersal and detonation is built.The concentration distribution of fuel is used as the initial condition to calculate the detonation stage,thus solving the initial value problem of detonation field.The phase and component changes of fuel cloud at different locations are compared.The fuel cloud is divided into directions of 0°,90°,135°and 180°.The results show that the maximum cloud radius is 20.94 m in 135°and the minimum is 12.04 m in 0°.The diameter of the detonation fireball is 53.6 m,and the peak temperature is 3455 K.The highest peak overpressure is 3.44 MPa in 0°and the lowest is 2.97 MPa in 135°.The proportion of liquid phase in 0°is22.90%,and the fuel loss is 11.8% and 9% higher than that in 135°and cylindrical charge,respectively.The stable propagation distance of blast wave in 135°is 42.50% longer than 0°and 28.37% longer than cylindrical charge.

Different concentrations of hyaluronic acid eye drops for dry eye syndrome: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

AIM:To compare high or low concentration of hyaluronic acid eye drops(HY)for dry eye syndromes(DES).METHODS:Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)comparing various concentrations of HY were searched in PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,Cochrane,SinoMed,CNKI,Wanfang Database,CQVIP,and Chinese journals databases between inception and July 2023.Pooled standardized mean differences(SMD)or weighted mean difference(WMD)with 95%confidence intervals(CI)from RCTs evaluating Schirmer’s I test(SIT),corneal fluorescein staining score(CFS),tear breakup time(TBUT),DES score(DESS),and Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI)were calculated.Sensitivity analysis,Egger’s test and Meta-regression analysis were performed for all indicators.RESULTS:We conducted a Meta-analysis of 10 RCTs that met the inclusion criteria,involving 1796 cases.High-concentrations group significantly improved the outcome of CFS according to random effects modelling(SMD,-3.37;95%CI,-5.25 to-1.48;P=0.0005).The rest of the results were not statistically significant,including indicators such as SIT,TBUT,DESS and OSDI.CONCLUSION:For dry eyes with positive corneal staining,a high concentration of HY is recommended,whereas in other cases,a high concentration of HY does not offer a more pronounced advantage over a low concentration of HY in the treatment of dry eyes.

Iodine Nutrition, Thyroid-stimulating Hormone, and Related Factors of Postpartum Women from three Different Areas in China: A Cross-sectional Survey

Objective Studies on the relationship between iodine,vitamin A(VA),and vitamin D(VD)and thyroid function are limited.This study aimed to analyze iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)status and their possible relationships with VA,VD,and other factors in postpartum women.Methods A total of 1,311 mothers(896 lactating and 415 non-lactating)from Hebei,Zhejiang,and Guangxi provinces were included in this study.The urinary iodine concentration(UIC),TSH,VA,and VD were measured.Results The median UIC of total and lactating participants were 142.00µg/L and 139.95µg/L,respectively.The median TSH,VA,and VD levels in all the participants were 1.89 mIU/L,0.44μg/mL,and 24.04 ng/mL,respectively.No differences in the UIC were found between lactating and non-lactating mothers.UIC and TSH levels were significantly different among the three provinces.The rural UIC was higher than the urban UIC.Obese mothers had a higher UIC and a higher prevalence of excessive TSH.Higher UICs and TSHs levels were observed in both the VD deficiency and insufficiency groups than in the VD-sufficient group.After adjustment,no linear correlation was observed between UIC and VA/VD.No interaction was found between vitamins A/D and UIC on TSH levels.Conclusion The mothers in the present study had no iodine deficiency.Region,area type,BMI,and VD may be related to the iodine status or TSH levels.

Potassium and calcium channels in different nerve cells act as therapeutic targets in neurological disorders

The central nervous system, information integration center of the body, is mainly composed of neurons and glial cells. The neuron is one of the most basic and important structural and functional units of the central nervous system, with sensory stimulation and excitation conduction functions. Astrocytes and microglia belong to the glial cell family, which is the main source of cytokines and represents the main defense system of the central nervous system. Nerve cells undergo neurotransmission or gliotransmission, which regulates neuronal activity via the ion channels, receptors, or transporters expressed on nerve cell membranes. Ion channels, composed of large transmembrane proteins, play crucial roles in maintaining nerve cell homeostasis. These channels are also important for control of the membrane potential and in the secretion of neurotransmitters. A variety of cellular functions and life activities, including functional regulation of the central nervous system, the generation and conduction of nerve excitation, the occurrence of receptor potential, heart pulsation, smooth muscle peristalsis, skeletal muscle contraction, and hormone secretion, are closely related to ion channels associated with passive transmembrane transport. Two types of ion channels in the central nervous system, potassium channels and calcium channels, are closely related to various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy. Accordingly, various drugs that can affect these ion channels have been explored deeply to provide new directions for the treatment of these neurological disorders. In this review, we focus on the functions of potassium and calcium ion channels in different nerve cells and their involvement in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, epilepsy, autism, and rare disorders. We also describe several clinical drugs that target potassium or calcium channels in nerve cells and could be used to treat these disorders. We concluded that there are few clinical drugs that can improve the pathology these diseases by acting on potassium or calcium ions. Although a few novel ion-channelspecific modulators have been discovered, meaningful therapies have largely not yet been realized. The lack of target-specific drugs, their requirement to cross the blood–brain barrier, and their exact underlying mechanisms all need further attention. This review aims to explain the urgent problems that need research progress and provide comprehensive information aiming to arouse the research community's interest in the development of ion channel-targeting drugs and the identification of new therapeutic targets for that can increase the cure rate of nervous system diseases and reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions in other systems.

Effects of Different Concentrations of Sulfate Ions on Carbonate Crude Oil Desorption:Experimental Analysis and Molecular Simulation

Low salinity water containing sulfate ions can significantly alter the surface wettability of carbonate rocks.Nevertheless,the impact of sulfate concentration on the desorption of oil film on the surface of carbonate rock is still unknown.This study examines the variations in the wettability of the surface of carbonate rocks in solutions containing varying amounts of sodium sulfate and pure water.The problem is addressed in the framework of molecular dynamics simulation(Material Studio software)and experiments.The experiment’s findings demonstrate that sodium sulfate can increase the rate at which oil moisture is turned into water moisture.The final contact angle is smaller than that of pure water.The results of the simulations show that many water molecules travel down the water channel under the influence of several powerful forces,including the electrostatic force,the van der Waals force and hydrogen bond,crowding out the oil molecules on the calcite’s surface and causing the oil film to separate.The relative concentration curve of water and oil molecules indicates that the separation rate of the oil film on the surface of calcite increases with the number of sulfate ions.