Solar‑Driven Sustainability:Ⅲ–ⅤSemiconductor for Green Energy Production Technologies

Long-term societal prosperity depends on addressing the world’s energy and environmental problems,and photocatalysis has emerged as a viable remedy.Improving the efficiency of photocatalytic processes is fundamentally achieved by optimizing the effective utilization of solar energy and enhancing the efficient separation of photogenerated charges.It has been demonstrated that the fabrication ofⅢ–Ⅴsemiconductor-based photocatalysts is effective in increasing solar light absorption,long-term stability,large-scale production and promoting charge transfer.This focused review explores on the current developments inⅢ–Ⅴsemiconductor materials for solar-powered photocatalytic systems.The review explores on various subjects,including the advancement ofⅢ–Ⅴsemiconductors,photocatalytic mechanisms,and their uses in H2 conversion,CO_(2)reduction,environmental remediation,and photocatalytic oxidation and reduction reactions.In order to design heterostructures,the review delves into basic concepts including solar light absorption and effective charge separation.It also highlights significant advancements in green energy systems for water splitting,emphasizing the significance of establishing eco-friendly systems for CO_(2)reduction and hydrogen production.The main purpose is to produce hydrogen through sustainable and ecologically friendly energy conversion.The review intends to foster the development of greener and more sustainable energy source by encouraging researchers and developers to focus on practical applications and advancements in solar-powered photocatalysis.

Niobium addition effect in molds at last cooling step on EN-GJL250 gray cast iron: Microstructural changes and electrochemical behavior

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of niobium addition as an inoculation element on the microstructure and electrochemical properties of EN-FGL250 gray cast iron. Niobium additions are in a powder form and have a 0.5 mm particle size at dfferent proportions of 1 wt.% and 3 wt.%. The addition was done during casting of the metal in the mold at the last cooling step of the melt cast iron. These additions have a significant impact on the phenomenon of solidifi cation as the metal powder deposited in the sand molds creates new centers of germination and absorbs a lot of heat. The cooling rate directly affects the microstructure and electrochemical behavior. This is confirmed by SEM observations and electrochemical tests. Furthermore, the addition of niobium transforms the microstructure of gray cast iron from cellular structure into totally dendritic structure. As a consequence, the niobium addition affected the shape and size of graphite, thus considerably reducing the corrosion current density by increasing the polarization resistance Rp.

适合电子战要求的开关式高功率铁氧体器件

了解铁氧体技术使用情况以及使用这种技术有多大好处的用户几乎很少。本文讨论基于这项技术的几种器件以及它们的应用情况。

Pomegranate peel polyphenols alleviate insulin resistance through the promotion of insulin signaling pathway in skeletal muscle of metabolic syndrome rats

Insulin resistance(IR) has been considered to be an important causative factor of metabolic syndrome(Met S). The present study investigated whether pomegranate peel polyphenols(PPPs) could prevent the development of Met S by improving IR in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were fed high fat diet(HFD) to induce Met S and supplemented with different dosages of PPPs for 12 weeks. The results showed that HFD-induced insulin resistant rats had disordered metabolism of blood glucose, blood lipid, and terrible muscle fiber morphology when compared with normal diet-fed rats, but PPPs treatment at a dosage of 300 mg/kg·day significantly reversed these negative effects. Moreover, in skeletal muscle tissue of insulin resistant rats, PPPs treatments significantly increased the protein expressions of insulin receptor(Ins R) and phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS-1), stimulated peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma(PPARγ) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT/PKB) signaling pathway, and aggrandized the protein levels of phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β) and glucose transporter 4(GLUT4). Our results suggest that PPPs possess of the beneficial effects on alleviating IR by enhancing insulin sensitivity and regulating glucose metabolism.

Synthesis and Characterization of Photosensitive Poly(imide sulfonates) for Fuel Cell Application

The novel sulfonated polyimide membranes were successfully synthesized by thermal imidization with monomers of 4,4＇-（hexafluoroisopropylidene）diphthalic anhydride （6FDA）, 4,4＇-diamino- diphenyl ether-2,2＇-disulfonic acid （SODA） and 3,3 ＇-diaminochalcone （3DAC）. Photosensitive chalcone moiety was introduced to the main chain of copolymers, and the photocrosslinking of resulting copolymer in aqueous electrolyte was attempted. A series of sulfonated copolyimide precursors containing chalcone functional groups in the main chain were prepared with different sulfonation degrees by controlling the molar ratio of SODA, 6FDA and 3DAC. The polymer membranes were prepared from these sulfonated aromatic precursors by solution casting and subsequent thermal imidization. The crosslinking with UV irradiation was attempted in the presence or absence of distilled water. The characterizations of the resulting membrane such as the ion-exchange capacity, water absorption and ionic conductivity were performed with respect to the copolymer compositions and the photocrosslinking conditions.

Short-Time Preparation of NaOH-Activated Carbon from Sugar Cane Bagasse Using Microwave Plasma Heating

The microwave induced argon plasma was applied to the preparation of NaOH-activated carbon from sugar cane bagasse. The distinguished feature of the heating technique with this cold plasma is the short operation time. The carbonization and the activation process were finalized in one step within 3 min. The prepared activated carbon with NaOH ratio 3 to bagasse characterized using N2 adsorption of type IV (IUPAC classification) to give specific surface area of 1980 m2/g and mesopore volume of 0.73 ml/g. It also showed a higher specific capacitance of 201 F/g in 1 M H2SO4 solution (with standard three electrodes) than the corresponding one by the conventional heating, previously reported. The other features were the absence of oxygen groups and the presence of carbon centered stable radicals, detected by ESR spectra, on the surface.

Effect of Substrates on the Properties of ZnO Thin Films Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Polycrystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films have been deposited at 450°C onto glass and silicon substrates by pulsed laser deposition technique (PLD). The used source was a KrF excimer laser (248 nm, 25 ns, 5 Hz, 2 J/cm2). The effects of glass and silicon substrates on structural and optical properties of ZnO films have been investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that ZnO films are polycrystalline with a hexagonal wurtzite—type structure with a strong (103) orientation and have a good crystallinity on monocrystalline Si(100) substrate. The thickness and compositional depth profile were studied by Rutherford Backscattering spectrometry (RBS). The average transmittance of ZnO films deposited on glass substrate in the visible range is 70%.

COLLABORATIVE INTELLIGENCE FOR VEHICULAR INTERNET OF THINGS

Future vehicular Internet-of-Things(IoT)systems feature a large number of devices and multi-access environments where different types of communication,computing,and storage resources must be efficiently utilized.At the same time,novel services such as cooperative autonomous driving and intelligent transportation systems(ITS),that demand unprecedented high accuracy,ultra-low latency,and large bandwidth,are emerging.

Preparation of Langmuir-Blodgett Film of Oligophenylenevinylene at the Air/Water Interface and Study on its Fluorescence

Methoxy groups is favorable for film-forming property of oligophenylenevinylenes （OPVs） and the Langmuir-Blodgett film of 1,4-bis （3,4,5-trimetlaoxystyryl）-2,5-dimethoxybenzene （MOPV） was prepared. It might be the formation of H-aggregate of MOPV in the LB film that results in a 57 nm blue shift of λmax for the absorption and a 58 nm red shift of λmax for the fluorescence, respectively.

The New Molecular Entity Evolocumab, One Kind of PCSK9 Inhibitor, Reduce Plasma Small Size LDL-Cholesterol Levels by Using a New Standardized Method of Measuring LDL Size

Aims: There has been no evidence on the effects of evolocumab, protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, on small size LDL. We observationally investigated the efficacy and side effects of evolocumab on the LDL subfraction particle diameter using PAGE system for lipoprotein analysis. Methods: We defined 30 patients with high-risk hyperlipidemia. As for analysis of LDL subfraction profile, we used polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis three methods: 1) 3% nondenatured poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis method (3%PAGE), 2) 2% - 16% nondenatured poly-acrylamide gradient gel electro-phoresis method (2% - 16% GGE) and 3) 2.7% - 5% GGE. Evolocumab 140 mg/day administered together with statin significantly improved serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-dense lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and LDL-C after four-week treatment. Results: TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C levels were improved by, respectively, 33%, 20%, 10%, and 54%. The mean LDL size significantly increased from 25.6 ± 0.4 nm to 26.4 ± 0.8 nm. The small dense LDL-cholesterol (sdLDL-C), large buoyant LDL-cholesterol (lbLDL-C), and mid-band lipoprotein-cholesterol were reduced, respectively. Therefore, the preliminary study on this paper can be the first step into a new insight on the world of lipid metabolism. Conclusion: Short-term administration of evolocumab addedons to statin therapy, significantly reduced small size LDL levels.

Industry 4.0 Application in Manufacturing for Real-Time Monitoring and Control

Modern manufacturing aims to reduce downtime and track process anomalies to make profitable business decisions.This ideology is strengthened by Industry 4.0,which aims to continuously monitor high-value manufacturing assets.This article builds upon the Industry 4.0 concept to improve the efficiency of manufacturing systems.The major contribution is a framework for continuous monitoring and feedback-based control in the friction stir welding(FSW)process.It consists of a CNC manufacturing machine,sensors,edge,cloud systems,and deep neural networks,all working cohesively in real time.The edge device,located near the FSW machine,consists of a neural network that receives sensory information and predicts weld quality in real time.It addresses time-critical manufacturing decisions.Cloud receives the sensory data if weld quality is poor,and a second neural network predicts the new set of welding parameters that are sent as feedback to the welding machine.Several experiments are conducted for training the neural networks.The framework successfully tracks process quality and improves the welding by controlling it in real time.The system enables faster monitoring and control achieved in less than 1 s.The framework is validated through several experiments.

The Relationships between Executive Function and Problem Behavior of Preschool Children:Contextual Specificity and Gender Differences

This study utilized a longitudinal design to examine the relationships between the specific components of executive function(EF)and the internalizing and externalizing behavior across different genders and contexts in Chinese cultural background.Inhibition,cognitive flexibility,and working memory of EF based on 101 preschool children’s(48 boys and 53 girls)(M_(T1)=4.25,SD=0.76)performances were measured when completing tasks in NIH Toolbox.Twelve months later,boys’and girls’internalizing and externalizing behavior in home-and school-settings was assessed through mother’s feedback on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and teachers’reports of the Child Behavior Rating Scale.The results show that boys’inhibition,cognitive flexibility,and working memory negatively predict their externalizing behavior in the home context,while their cognitive flexibility negatively predicts externalizing behavior in the school context.Additionally,boys’inhibition positively predicts their internalizing behavior only in the school context.For girls,their cognitive flexibility positively predicts externalizing behavior only in the school context.No significant relationship is found among the girls between EF and problem behavior in the home context.These findings suggest that gender differences and a shift in contexts could alternate the relationship between EF and children’s problem behavior.This study sheds light on targeted preventions and interventions based on contexts and gender.

Exploring the merits of geographical diversification of solar PV power plants for a resilient PV-dominated electricity grid in India

India is highly dependent on solar photovoltaics(PV)to harness its vast solar resource potential and combat climate change.However,∼90%of the installed PV capacity in India is concentrated in the top nine states,with the remaining states lagging behind.The research reveals that during monsoons,heavy cloud cover and rain lead to high solar resource variability,intermittency and the risk of very low PV generation,which can result in reliability issues in future PV-dominated electricity grids.Although energy storage can help in overcoming high intermittency,there are multiple challenges associated with it.The novelty of this study lies in demonstrating the benefits of combining multiple PV sites in various regions to mitigate the risks of low PV generation and high variability.The variability of individual sites was found to be up to∼3.5 times higher than the variability of combined generation.During noon,prominent solar park sites like Bhadla and NP Kunta experience a decrease in power generation to values as low as∼10%of the rated PV capacity.However,the minimum generation of the large-scale dispersed PV generation is>30%.Furthermore,the research identifies other benefits of dispersing PV generation across the country,viz.,reduction of seasonal variability by adding PV capacity in the southern region,widening of the PV generation span,more room for PV capacity addition,reduction in storage and ramping needs,utilization of hydroelectric potential of the north-east and PV potential of Ladakh,and creating opportunities for sustainable development in rural agrarian regions through agrivoltaics.

Design and simulation of a novel GaN based resonant tunneling high electron mobility transistor on a silicon substrate

For the first time, we have introduced a novel GaN based resonant tunneling high electron mobility transistor （RTHEMT） on a silicon substrate. A monolithically integrated GaN based inverted high electron mobility transistor （HEMT） and a resonant tunneling diode （RTD） are designed and simulated using the ATLAS simulator and MATLAB in this study. The 10% Al composition in the barrier layer of the GaN based RTD structure provides a peak-to-valtey current ratio of 2.66 which controls the GaN based HEMT performance. Thus the results indicate an improvement in the current-voltage characteristics of the RTHEMT by controlling the gate voltage in this structure. The introduction of silicon as a substrate is a unique step taken by us for this type of RTHEMT structure.

A new modeling approach of pressure waves at the inlet of internal combustion engines

This paper presents a new model used to describe the propagation of pressure waves at the inlet systems of internal combustion engine. In the first part, an analogy is made between the compressible air in a pipe and a mechanical ideal mass damper spring system. A new model is then presented and the parameters of this model are determined by the use of an experimental setup (shock tube test bench). With this model, a transfer function is defined in order to link directly the pressure and the air mass flow rate. In the second part, the model is included into an internal combustion engine simulation code. The results obtained with this code are compared to experimental ones which are measured on a one-cylinder engine test bench. This last one is driven by an electric motor in order to study only the effect of the pressure waves on the engine behavior. A good agreement is obtained between the experimental results and the numerical ones and the new approach is an alternative method for modeling the pressure wave phenomena in an internal combustion engine manifold.

Removal of hexavalent chromium from water by Z-scheme photocatalysis using TiO_(2)(rutile)nanorods loaded with Au core-Cu_(2)0 shell particles

All-solid-state Z-scheme photocatalysts,containing Cu_(2)O,TiO_(2)(rutile),and Au as the elec-tron mediator,were prepared and applied to the reduction of Cr(Ⅵ)in aqueous solutions.The Cu_(2)O-Au-TiO_(2) composites were prepared by loading Au core-Cu_(2)O shell hemisphere particles on TiO_(2)(rutile)nanorods using a two-step photocatalytic deposition process.Un-der ultraviolet-visible(UV-vis)light illumination,the Cu_(2)O-Au-TiO_(2) composites exhibited higher photocatalytic Cr(Ⅵ)reduction activities than those exhibited by single TiO_(2)(rutile)and Cu_(2)O.In this reaction,a precipitate containing Cr,which was considered to be Cr(OH)_(3),was deposited site-selectively on the Au core-Cu_(2)O shell particles of the composites,indi-cating that the reduction site of the composite was Cu_(2)O,and the reaction proceeded accord-ing to the Z-scheme.The Cu_(2)O-Au-TiO_(2) composites also exhibited photocatalytic activity under visible light illumination.The oxidation state of Cu in the Cu_(2)O-Au-TiO_(2) composite gradually changed from Cu(Ⅰ)to Cu(Ⅱ)during the photocatalytic Cr(Ⅵ)reduction.However the composite maintained its high photocatalytic performance even after oxidation.The role of Au in the Cu_(2)O-Au-TiO_(2) composite was examined by comparing the properties of the Cu_(2)O-Au-TiO_(2) composite with those of the Cu_(2)O-TiO_(2) composite prepared via direct Cu_(2)O deposition on TiO_(2).

Formation of intermetallic compound at interface between rare earth elements and ferritic-martensitic steel by fuel cladding chemical interaction

The intermetallic compounds formation at interface between rare earth elements and clad material were investigated to demonstrate the effects of rare earth elements on fuel-cladding chemical interaction （FCCI） behavior. Mischmetal （70Ce-30La） and Nd were prepared as rare earth elements. Diffusion couple testing was performed on the rare earth elements and cladding （9Cr2W steel） near the operation temperature of （sodium-cooled fast reactor） SFR fuel. The performance of a diffusion barrier consisting of Zr and V metallic foil against the rare earth elements was also evaluated. Our results showed that Ce and Nd in the rare earth elements and Fe in the clad material interdiffused and reacted to form intermetallic species according to the parabolic rate law, describing the migration of the rare earth element. The diffusion of Fe limited the reaction progress such that the entire process was governed by the cubic rate law. Rare earth materials could be used as a surrogate for high burnup metallic fuels, and the performance of the barrier material was demonstrated to be effective.

Flexible ultraviolet photodetectors based on ZnO–SnO_2 heterojunction nanowire arrays

A ZnO–SnO_2 nanowires（NWs） array, as a metal oxide semiconductor, was successfully synthesized by a near-field electrospinning method for the applications as high performance ultraviolet photodetectors. Ultraviolet photodetectors based on a single nanowire exhibited excellent photoresponse properties to 300 nm ultraviolet light illumination including ultrahigh I_（on）/I_（off） ratios（up to 10~3）, good stability and reproducibility because of the separation between photo-generated electron-hole pairs. Moreover, the NWs array shows an enhanced photosensing performance. Flexible photodetectors on the PI substrates with similar tendency properties were also fabricated. In addition, under various bending curvatures and cycles, the as-fabricated flexible photodetectors revealed mechanical flexibility and good stable electrical properties, showing that they have the potential for applications in future flexible photoelectron devices.

Glassy carbon microneedles-new transdermal drug delivery device derived from a scalable C-MEMS process

Because carbon is the basic element of all life forms and has been successfully applied as a material for medical applications,it is desirable to investigate carbon for drug delivery applications,as well.In this work,we report the fabrication of a hollow carbon microneedle array with flow channels using a conventional carbonmicroelectromechanical system(C-MEMS)process.This process utilizes the scalable and irreversible step of pyrolysis,where prepatterned SU-8 microneedles(precursor)are converted to glassy carbon structures in an inert atmosphere at high temperature(900°C)while retaining their original shape upon shrinkage.Once converted to glassy carbon,the microneedles inherit the unique properties of hardness,biocompatibility,and thermal and chemical resistance associated with this material.A comparative study of hardness and Young’s modulus for carbon microneedles and SU-8 microneedles was performed to evaluate the increased strength of the microneedles induced by the C-MEMS process steps.Structural shrinkage of the carbon microneedles upon pyrolysis was observed and estimated.Material characterizations including energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX)and Raman spectroscopy were carried out to estimate the atomic percentage of carbon in the microneedle structure and its crystalline nature,respectively.Our investigations confirm that the microneedles are glassy in nature.Compression and bending tests were also performed to determine the maximum forces that the carbon microneedles can withstand,and it was found that these forces were approximately two orders of magnitude higher than the resistive forces presented by skin.A microneedle array was inserted into mouse skin multiple times and was successfully removed without the breakage of any microneedles.

Prediction of Nitrogen Diffusivity in α-ferrite Based on Thermodynamics

A thermodynamic based equation to predict the diffusivity of nitrogen in α-ferrite was investigated in consideration of the equilibrium nitrogen concentration. The temperature-dependent jump distance calculated from the lattice parameter of ferrite was used to derive the frequency factor as a function of temperature. The calculation accuracy for nitrogen diffusivity using the proposed thermodynamic based equation was improved by comparing the calculation results using previous empirical equations based on Arrhenius type relationship with measured diffusivity of nitrogen for α-ferrite at different temperatures.