Current status of national integrated gasification fuel cell projects in China

Coal has been the main energy source in China for a long period.Therefore,the energy industry must improve coal power generation efficiency and achieve near-zero CO_(2) emissions.Integrated gasification fuel cell(IGFC)systems that combine coal gasification and high-temperature fuel cells,such as solid oxide fuel cells or molten carbonate fuel cells(MCFCs),are proving to be promising for efficient and clean power generation,compared with traditional coal-fired power plants.In 2017,with the support of National Key R&D Program of China,a consortium led by the China Energy Group and including 12 institutions was formed to develop the advanced IGFC technology with near-zero CO_(2) emissions.The objectives of this project include understanding the performance of an IGFC power generation system under different operating conditions,designing master system principles for engineering optimization,developing key technologies and intellectual property portfolios,setting up supply chains for key materials and equipment,and operating the first megawatt IGFC demonstration system with near-zero CO_(2) emission,in early 2022.In this paper,the main developments and projections pertaining to the IGFC project are highlighted.

Key CO_(2)capture technology of pure oxygen exhaust gas combustion for syngas-fueled high-temperature fuel cells

Integrated gasification fuel cells(IGFCs)integrating high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell technology with CO_(2)capture processes represents highly-efficient power systems with negligible CO_(2)emissions.Flame burning with pure oxygen is an ideal method for fuel cell exhaust gas treatment,and this report describes experimental and numerical studies regarding an oxy-combustor for treating the exhaust gas of a 10 kW IGFC system anode.The applied simulation method was verified based on experiments,and the key performance indices of the combustor were studied under various conditions.It was determined that 315 K was the ideal condensation temperature to obtain flame stability.Under these pure oxygen flame burning conditions,CO was almost completely converted,and the dry mole fraction of CO_(2)after burning was C 0.958 when there was up to 5%excess O_(2).Overall,5%excess O_(2)was recommended to maximize CO_(2)capture and promote other environmental considerations.Additionally,the optimal tangential fuel jet angle to control the liner temperature was approximately 25°.The total fuel utilization had to be high enough to maintain the oxygen flame temperature of the anode exhaust gas below 1800 K to ensure that the system was environmentally friendly.The results presented herein have great value for designing IGFCs coupled with CO_(2)capture systems.

Recent progress of inverted organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells

In recent years,inverted perovskite solar cells(IPSCs)have attracted significant attention due to their low-temperature and cost-effective fabrication processes,hysteresis-free properties,excellent stability,and wide application.The efficiency gap between IPSCs and regular structures has shrunk to less than 1%.Over the past few years,IPSC research has mainly focused on optimizing power conversion efficiency to accelerate the development of IPSCs.This review provides an overview of recent improvements in the efficiency of IPSCs,including interface engineering and novel film production techniques to overcome critical obstacles.Tandem and integrated applications of IPSCs are also summarized.Furthermore,prospects for further development of IPSCs are discussed,including the development of new materials,methods,and device structures for novel IPSCs to meet the requirements of commercialization.

Insights into the relations between cell wall integrity and in vitro digestion properties of granular starches in pulse cotyledon cells after dry heat treatment

Natural foods,such as whole pulses,are recommended in the dietary guidelines of the US and China.The plant cell wall structure in whole pulses has important implications for the nutritional functionalities of starch.In this study,garbanzo bean cells with varying degrees of cell wall integrity were subjected to dry heat treatment(DHT)and used to elucidate the food structure-starch digestion properties of pulse food.The morphological features suggested that all cell samples do not exhibit remarkable changes after being subjected to DHT.Molecular rearrangement and the crystallite disruption of starch granules entrapped in cells occurred during DHT as assessed by the crystal structure and thermal properties.DHT decreased the inhibitory effects of enzymes of both the soluble and insoluble components,but the digestion rate and extent of slightly and highly damaged cell samples did not exhibit significant differences compared with their native counterparts.We concluded that the starch digestion of pulse cotyledon cells is primarily determined by the intactness of the cellular structure.This study reveals the role of food structure on the ability to retain the desirable nutritional properties of starch after subjection to physical modification.

Effect of Cadmium on Rat Leydig Cell Testosterone Production and DNA Integrity in vitro

Cadmium （Cd） is an elemental heavy metal with widely recognized toxicity. Its long-term use in industrial processes and daily activities has caused alarming levels of Cd contamination in the natural environment. According to the estimates by the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in the US, 25 000 to 30 000 metric tons of Cd is annually released to the environment . Results of previous studies have demonstrated that several organs are targets of Cd, but the most important of these targeted organs may be the testes.

Status of an MWth integrated gasification fuel cell powergeneration system in China

Abstract Here,we provide a status update of an integrated gasification fuel cell(IGFC)power-generation system being developed at the National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon in China at the megawatt thermal(MWth)scale.This system is designed to use coal as fuel to produce syngas as a first step,similar to that employed for the integrated gasification combined cycle.Subsequently,the solid-oxide fuel-cell(SOFC)system is used to convert chemical energy to electricity directly through an electrochemical reaction without combustion.This system leads to higher efficiency as compared with that from a traditional coal-fired power plant.The unreacted fuel in the SOFC system is transported to an oxygencombustor to be converted to steam and carbon dioxide(CO_(2)).Through a heat-recovery system,the steam is condensed and removed,and CO_(2) is enriched and captured for sequestration or utilization.Comprehensive economic analyses for a typical IGFC system was performed and the results were compared with those for a supercritical pulverized coal-fired power plant.The SOFC stacks selected for IGFC development were tested and qualified under hydrogen and simulated coal syngas fuel.Experimental results using SOFC stacks and thermodynamic analyses indicated that the control of hydrogen/CO ratio of syngas and steam/CO ratio is important to avoid carbon deposition with the fuel pipe.A 20-kW SOFC unit is under development with design power output of 20 kW and DC efficiency of 50.41%.A 100 kW-level subsystem will consist of 6920-kW power-generation units,and the MWth IGFC system will consist of 59100 kWlevel subsystems.

Performance test of a 5 kW solid oxide fuel cell system under high fuel utilization with industrial fuel gas feeding

As the demand for green energy with high efficiency and low carbon dioxide(CO2)emissions has increased,solid oxide fuel cells(SOFCs)have been intensively developed in recent years.Integrated gasification fuel cells(IGFCs)in particular show potential for large-scale power generation to further increase system efficiency.Thus,for commercial application of IGFCs,it is important to design reliable multi-stacks for large systems that show long-term stability and practical fuel gas for application to industrial equipment.In this work,a test rig(of a 5 kW SOFC system,with syngas from industrial gasifiers as fuel)was fabricated and subjected to long-term tests under high fuel utilization to investigate its performance.The maximum steady output power of the system was 5700 W using hydrogen and 5660 W using syngas and the maximum steady electrical efficiency was 61.24%while the fuel utilization efficiency was 89.25%.The test lasted for more than 500 h as the fuel utilization efficiency was larger than 83%.The performances of each stack tower were almost identical at both the initial stage and after long-term operation.After 500 h operation,the performances of the stack towers decreased only slightly under lower current and showed almost no change under high current.These results demonstrate the reliability of the multi-stack design and the prospect of this SOFC power-generation system for further enlarging its application in a MWth demonstration.

Recent trends,challenges,and perspectives in piezoelectric-driven self-chargeable electrochemical supercapacitors

The increasing demand for wearable electronic devices has resulted in tremendous progress in research on energy harvesting and storage devices/technologies.Energy storage devices require a power source to charge them,whereas energy harvesting devices require a storage compartment to store the harvested energy for sustainable delivery.Recently,a piezoelectrically driven self-charging supercapacitor power cell(SCSPC)was developed to harvest and store electrical energy in a solitary system to determine the potential impact of these two types of energy devices for wearable electronic applications.This review describes the recent advances in piezoelectric-driven SCSPCs in terms of device configuration,piezoelectric separator,electrolyte types,electrode materials,current collectors,and system integration.This review focuses specifically on the principles and mechanism of the self-charging process that occurred in the SCSPCs and the use of a promising piezo electrochemical spectroscopic tool to realize the piezo electrochemical energy transfer and storage process in the SCSPCs.Further,the current challenges and new perspectives for future developments in the emerging area of SCSPCs or integrated energy devices are discussed.

Development of catalytic combustion and CO_(2)capture and conversion technology

Changes are needed to improve the efficiency and lower the CO_(2)emissions of traditional coal-fired power generation,which is the main source of global CO_(2)emissions.The integrated gasification fuel cell(IGFC)process,which combines coal gasification and high-temperature fuel cells,was proposed in 2017 to improve the efficiency of coal-based power generation and reduce CO_(2)emissions.Supported by the National Key R&D Program of China,the IGFC for nearzero CO_(2)emissions program was enacted with the goal of achieving near-zero CO_(2)emissions based on(1)catalytic combustion of the flue gas from solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC)stacks and(2)CO_(2)conversion using solid oxide electrolysis cells(SOECs).In this work,we investigated a kW-level catalytic combustion burner and SOEC stack,evaluated the electrochemical performance of the SOEC stack in H2O electrolysis and H2O/CO_(2)co-electrolysis,and established a multiscale and multi-physical coupling simulation model of SOFCs and SOECs.The process developed in this work paves the way for the demonstration and deployment of IGFC technology in the future.

Harvesting Microalgae Biomass Using Sulfonated Polyethersulfone(SPES)/PES Porous Membranes in Forward Osmosis Processes

This study was performed to investigate the availability of forward osmosis(FO)for microalgae harvesting using sulfonated polyethersulfone(SPES)/PES porous membranes.In FO process,porous membranes(<25.0 L m^−2 h^−1)exhibited more superior water flux than TFC FO membranes(<2.6 L m^−2 h^−1).Furthermore,the incorporation of SPES has been demonstrated to enhance membrane performance.The effects of SPES content on pore structure and separation performance were investigated.Compared with pure PES porous membranes,porous membranes with 40%SPES yielded an improved hydrophilicity and greater porosity.It exhibited two times higher water fluxes than the pure PES porous membrane.For microalgae harvesting,AL-FS mode(active layer facing the feed solution)was more favourable than AL-DS mode(active layer facing the draw solution)because less deposited microalgae on the active layer mitigate the membrane biofouling.FO operation combined with SPES/PES porous membranes is conducive to preserving microalgae cell integrity under the mild condition.In addition,FO membrane can be cleaned by a simple water rinse.Potential implications were highlighted as a sustainable method for microalgae harvesting because of no pressure input and less chemical cleaning demand.

Recent advances in perovskite/organic integrated solar cells

The integrated perovskite/organic solar cell(IPOSC) is widely concerned as an effective approach to broaden the spectrum of perovskite solar cell(PerSC) by utilizing near-infrared light of lower bandgap organic semiconductor. Compared to tandem solar cells, the IPOSCs eliminate the preparation of the intermediate layer and simplify the manufacturing process, but retain the advantages of wide light harvesting. Meanwhile, the IPOSCs can maintain the open-circuit voltage as high as PerSCs. This review summarizes the recent developments of perovskite materials and low-bandgap organic conjugated materials applied in solar cells. Then, the working mechanism of IPOSCs and the recent developments of IPOSCs based on low-bandgap donor and acceptor materials are highlighted. Besides, the study of charge dynamic in IPOSC is summarized. Finally, the potential of IPOSCs and approach to improve device performance are also envisaged.

Cell Wall, Cytoskeleton, and Cell Expansion in Higher Plants

To accommodate two seemingly contradictory biological roles in plant physiology, providing both the rigid structural support of plant cells and the adjustable elasticity needed for cell expansion, the composition of the plant cell wall has evolved to become an intricate network of cellulosic, hemicellulosic, and pectic polysaccharides and protein. Due to its complexity, many aspects of the cell wall influence plant cell expansion, and many new and insightful observations and technologies are forthcoming. The biosynthesis of cell wall polymers and the roles of the variety of proteins involved in polysaccharide synthesis continue to be characterized. The interactions within the cell wall polymer network and the modification of these interactions provide insight into how the plant cell wall provides its dual function. The complex cell wall architecture is controlled and organized in part by the dynamic intracellular cytoskeleton and by diverse trafficking pathways of the cell wall polymers and cell wall-related machinery. Meanwhile, the cell wall is continually influenced by hormonal and integrity sensing stimuli that are perceived by the cell. These many processes cooperate to construct, maintain, and manipulate the intricate plant cell wall--an essential structure for the sustaining of the plant stature, growth, and life.

Comprehensive Treatment with Chinese Medicine in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multicenter, Prospective, Cohort Study

Objective： To determine whether additional Chinese medicine（CM） could prolong survival and improve the quality of life（QOL） in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer（NSCLC） compared with Western medicine（WM） alone. Methods： This was a multicenter, prospective cohort study. A total of 474 hospitalized patients with stage Ⅲ–Ⅳ NSCLC were recruited and divided into 2 groups. Patients in the WM group received radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and optimal supportive therapy according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network（NCCN） guidelines. In the integrative medicine（IM） group, individualized CM（Chinese patent medicines and injections） and WM were administered. The primary end point was overall survival, and the secondary end points were time to disease progression, adverse events, and QOL. Follow-up clinical examinations and chest radiography were performed every 2 months. Results： The median survival was 16.60 months in the IM group and 13.13 months in the WM group（P〈0.01）. The incidences of loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting in the IM group were significantly lower than those in the WM group（P〈0.05）. The QOL based on Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung in the IM group was markedly higher than that in the WM group at the fourth course（P〈0.05）. Conclusions： Additional CM may prolong survival and improve the QOL patients with NSCLC. The adverse effects of radio-and chemotherapy may be attenuated as CM is used in combination with conventional treatments.

Novel broad spectral response perovskite solar cells:A review of the current status and advanced strategies for breaking the theoretical limit efficiency

Perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have revolutionized photovoltaic research.The power conversion efficiency(PCE)of PSCs has now reached 25.7%,which is comparable to current state-of-the-art silicon-based cells.However,PSCs can only utilize light of 300-850 nm,resulting in wasted near-infrared(NIR)light,which occupies 45%-50%of entire solar spectrum,which is one of the main reasons limiting the development of efficiency.Related strategies to broaden NIR spectroscopy to break the theoretical limit efficiency of PSCs have recently attracted extensive attention.This review firstly outlines theoretical basis for improving the NIR spectroscopy,then systematically summarizes some key strategies and research progress to improve NIR spectroscopy of PSCs.We firstly provided a comprehensive overview of historical research experiments on narrow-gap perovskite absorber layers,rare earth up-conversion,tandem devices,and integrated perovskite/organic solar cells and given constructive suggestions for exceeding limit efficiency of PSCs.Finally,based on the development status of PSCs with NIR utilization,the current issues,solutions and future development directions of important aspects to improve NIR utilization of PSCs are systematically discussed.This review lays the foundation for the efficiency of PSCs beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit,and provides a certain development prospect.

Shenyi Capsule(参一胶囊) plus Chemotherapy versus Chemotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:A Systematic Review of Overlapping Meta-Analyses

Objective：To assist decision-makers interpret and choose among conflicting meta-analyses,as well as to offer treatment recommendations based on current best evidence by performing a systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses regarding Shenyi Capsule（参一胶囊,SC） plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer（NSCLC）.Methods：A literature search was conducted to select systematic reviews comparing SC plus chemotherapy with chemotherapy for NSCLC.Meta-analyses only composed of randomized controlled trials（RCTs） met the inclusion criteria.Two authors individually estimated the quality of meta-analysis and extracted data.The Jadad decision algorithm was applied to guarantee which meta-analysis provided the best original evidence.Results：A total of 5 meta-analyses were included.All the studies composed of RCTs or quasi-RCTs and were regarded as level-Ⅱ evidence.The scores of the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews ranged from 3 to 6（median 4）.A high-quality meta-analysis with more RCTs was chosen,which suggested that SC plus chemotherapy could increase incidence of short-term efficacy,improve the quality of life and survival rate in comparison to chemotherapy.However,there was no statistically significant difference between SC plus chemotherapy and chemotherapy regarding chemotherapy-induced side effect,such as liver and kidney function obstacle,leukopenia,hemoglobin decrement and gastrointestinal adverse reaction.Conclusions：Based on the best available evidence,treatment effect of SC plus chemotherapy was better than chemotherapy and did not increase side effects.Therefore,SC plus chemotherapy may be superior to chemotherapy for treating NSCLC.However,due to some limitations,SC plus chemotherapy should be cautiously considered,and further high-quality meta-analyses are needed.

Effect on Life Span and Membrane Protein in Red Blood Cells by Integrated Medicine Therapy on Chronic Aplastic Anemia

Objective: To explore the mechanism ofintegrated traditional Chinese and Westernmedicine (TCM--WM ) therapy on chronicaplastic anemia (CAA). Methods: The RBClife span of 30 normal human subjects and 30patients with CAA were measured by sir labelled technique before and after TCM--WMtherapy. The morphology and distribution ofRBC membrane protein granules were observed by freeze fracture etching and transmission electron microscope. Results: The halflife of erythrocytes (RBC TI/2)was shortenedin CAA cases and there was a significant difference compared to healthy control (P <0. 01). After therapy, the RBC life span prolonged and approached the normal level. Before treatment, there existed abnormal in morphology, decrease in amount and uneven indistribution of protein granules in protoplasmicface (PF) and extracellular face (EF) of RBCmembrane. After treatment, the protein granules of RBC membrane was improved and approached to control. Conclusions: The morphology, amount, quality and distribution ofRBC membrane protein granule were closelyrelated to its life span. The therapeutic effectof TCM--WM was better than that of WMalone and it had a function both in stabilizingmembrane protein and extending the RBC lifespan.

The regeneration factors ERF114 and ERF115 regulate auxin-mediated lateral root development in response to mechanical cues

Plants show an unparalleled regenerative capacity,allowing them to survive severe stress conditions,such as injury,herbivory attack,and harsh weather conditions.This potential not only replenishes tissues and restores damaged organs but can also give rise to whole plant bodies.Despite the intertwined nature of development and regeneration,common upstream cues and signaling mechanisms are largely unknown.Here,we demonstrate that in addition to being activators of regeneration,ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 114(ERF114)and ERF115 govern developmental growth in the absence of wounding or injury.Increased ERF114 and ERF115 activity enhances auxin sensitivity,which is correlated with enhanced xylem maturation and lateral root formation,whereas their knockout results in a decrease in lateral roots.Moreover,we provide evidence that mechanical cues contribute to ERF114 and ERF115 expression in correlation with BZR1-mediated brassinosteroid signaling under both regenerative and developmental conditions.Antagonistically,cell wall integrity surveillance via mechanosensory FERONIA signaling suppresses their expression under both conditions.Taken together,our data suggest a molecular framework in which cell wall signals and mechanical strains regulate organ development and regenerative responses via ERF114-and ERF115-mediated auxin signaling.

Arabidopsis pollen-specific glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase-like genes are essential for pollen tube tip growth

In angiosperms,pollen tube growth is critical for double fertilization and seed formation.Many of the factors involved in pollen tube tip growth are unknown.Here,we report the roles of pollenspecific GLYCEROPHOSPHODIESTER PHOSPHO DIESTERASE-LIKE(GDPD-LIKE)genes in pollen tube tip growth.Arabidopsis thaliana GDPD-LIKE6(At GDPDL6)and At GDPDL7 were specifically expressed in mature pollen grains and pollen tubes and green fluorescent protein(GFP)-At GDPDL6 and GFP-At GDPDL7 fusion proteins were enriched at the plasma membrane at the apex of forming pollen tubes.Atgdpdl6 Atgdpdl7 double mutants displayed severe sterility that was rescued by genetic complementation with At GDPDL6 or At GDPDL7.This sterility was associated with defective male gametophytic transmission.Atgdpdl6 Atgdpdl7 pollen tubes burst immediately after initiation of pollen germination in vitro and in vivo,consistent with the thin and fragile walls in their tips.Cellulose deposition was greatly reduced along the mutant pollen tube tip walls,and the localization of pollen-specific CELLULOSE SYNTHASE-LIKE D1(CSLD1)and CSLD4 was impaired to the apex of mutant pollen tubes.A rice pollen-specific GDPD-LIKE protein also contributed to pollen tube tip growth,suggesting that members of this family have conserved functions in angiosperms.Thus,pollen-specific GDPDLIKEs mediate pollen tube tip growth,possibly by modulating cellulose deposition in pollen tube walls.