Facile and Scalable Preparation of Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Multifunctional Applications

The synthesis of fluorescent nanomaterials has received considerable attention due to the great potential of these materials for a wide range of applications, from chemical sensing through bioimaging to optoelectron- ics. Herein, we report a facile and scalable approach to prepare fluorescent carbon dots （FCDs） via a one-pot reaction of citric acid with ethylenediamine at 150 ℃ under ambient air pressure. The resultant FCDs pos- sess an optical bandgap of 3.4 eV and exhibit strong excitation-wavelength-independent blue emission （λEm = 450 nm） under either one- or two-photon excitation. Owing to their low cytotoxicity and long fluorescence lifetime, these FCDs were successfully used as internalized fluorescent probes in human cancer cell lines （HeLa cells） for two-photon excited imaging of cells by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy with a high-contrast resolution. They were also homogenously mixed with commercial inks and used to draw fluo- rescent patterns on normal papers and on many other substrates （e.g., certain flexible plastic films, textiles, and clothes）. Thus, these nanomaterials are promising for use in solid-state fluorescent sensing, security labeling, and wearable optoelectronics.

Short-circuit Analysis in Large-scale Distribution Systems With High Penetration of Distributed Generators

In this paper a short-circuit computation(SCC) procedure for large-scale distribution systems with high penetration of distributed generators based on contemporary technologies is proposed. The procedure is suitable for real-time calculations.Modeling of modern distributed generators differs from the modeling of traditional synchronous and induction generators.Hence, SCC procedures found on the presumption of distribution systems with only traditional generators are not suitable in nowadays systems. In the work presented in this paper, for computation of the state of the system with short-circuit, the improved backward/forward sweep(IBFS) procedure is used.Computation results show that the IBFS procedure is much more robust than previous SCC procedures, as it takes into account all distribution system elements, including modern distributed generators.

Electrochemical Introduction of Active Sites into Super-long Carbon Nanotubes for Enhanced Capacitance

Electrochemical cyclic voltammetric（CV） scan was applied to inducing the partial oxidation and defects of carbon nanotubes（CNTs）.The electrochemically induced functional groups and physical defects were demonstrated to show positive effects on the nanotube capacitance,as exemplified by super-long CNT arrays as model for the easy fabrication of CNT electrodes.Specifically,the initial hydrophobic nanotube surface becomes hydrophilic and a ten-time enhancement in capacitance is observed with respect to the pristine CNT sample.Thus,the electrochemical CV pretreatment can be used as an effective approach to activate the CNT surface for an enhanced electrochemical performance in capacitors,and many other advanced devices beyond capacitors,such as electrochemical sensors and batteries.

Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Foam as a Metal-Free Catalyst for Reduction Reactions under a High Gravity Field

Herein,we report on the effect of a high gravity field on metal-free catalytic reduction,taking the nitrobenzene(NB)reduction and methylene blue(MB)degradation as model reactions in a highgravity rotating tube reactor packed with three-dimensional(3D)nitrogen-doped graphene foam(NGF)as a metal-free catalyst.The apparent rate constant(kapp)of the metal-free catalytic reduction of NB in the rotating tube reactor under a high gravity level of 6484g(g=9.81 m s-2)was six times greater than that in a conventional stirred reactor(STR)under gravity.Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)simulations indicated that the improvement of the catalytic efficiency was attributed to the much higher turbulent kinetic energy and faster surface renewal rate in the high-gravity tube reactor in comparison w让h those in a conventional STR.The structure of the 3D metal-free catalysts was stable during the reaction process under a high gravity field,as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)and Raman spectra.In the other model reaction,the rate of MB degradation also increased as the high gravity level in creased gradually,which aligns with the result for the NB catalytic reduction system.These results demonstrate the potential to use a high-gravity rotating packed tube reactor for the process intensification of metal-free catalytic reduction reactions.

Modeling challenges and potential solutions for integration of emerging DERs in DMS applications: power flow and short-circuit analysis

We aim to systematically review challenges imposed by emerging distributed energy resources(DERs)to model in two basic distribution management system(DMS)online applications—power flow and short-circuit analysis,as well as to offer a systematic review of potential solutions.In the last decade,electronically coupled DERs became increasingly popular.DERs can employ a wide range of control strategies for power,current,or voltage control,in both normal and faulted conditions.Therefore,DERs cannot be modeled with the traditional PQ(load or generator bus)or PV(generator bus)bus types used for modeling synchronous and induction machines in online power flow calculations.Moreover,since fault currents of DERs are limited to predefined maximal values,electronically coupled DERs cannot be represented with traditional voltage source behind impedance models for online short-circuit calculation(SCC).However,most of the DMS software packages still use the traditional models to represent all DER types,including those that are electronically coupled.This paper shows that there will be large calculation errors in such practice,which make the system model an inadequate representation of the system.This will lead to serious errors in the management,control,and operation of distribution systems.Nonetheless,potential solutions to the challenges are systematically reviewed.Finally,the calculation results on a distribution test system with all DER types are used to prove the claim.

Charge transfer of carbon nanomaterials for efficient metal‐free electrocatalysis

Recently,carbon-based metal-free electrocatalysts(C‐MFECs)have drawn considerable research attention because of their attractive physicochemical characteristics,cost-effectiveness,and ability to convert and store energy efficiently.Efficient intramolecular charge transfer among different parts of the carbon electrocatalyst and/or intermolecular charge transfer between elec-trocatalyst and electrolyte dictate the ultimate energy conversion performance.Experimental results and theoretical analyses have demonstrated that rational design of metal-free carbon nanomaterials,coupled with proper in-tramolecular charge transfer through heteroatom doping,incorporation of Stone-Wales defects,and/or intermolecular charge transfer through adsorp-tion of appropriate molecules/moieties,can promote efficient electrocatalysis.In this article,we will first provide the related theoretical principles and then present an overview on the rational design and development of C-MFECs for efficient charge transfer,followed by elucidating charge-transfer processes for different electrocatalytic reactions related to renewable energy conversion and environmental remediation technologies.Finally,the current challenges and future perspectives in this exciting field will be discussed.

Recent progress in carbon-based electrochemical catalysts:From structure design to potential applications

Advances in research and development of carbon-based metal-free electrocatalysts(C-MFECs)have provided potential alternatives to precious metal catalysts for various reactions important to renewable energy and environmental remediation.This timely but critical review provides an overview of recent breakthroughs(within the past 5 years or so)on C-MFECs in all aspects,including the design and regulation of intrinsic catalytic active sites,design and synthesis of carbon composite and hybrid carbon catalysts,mechanism understanding,and potential applications in clean energy storage and energy/chemical conversion.Current challenges and future opportunities in the field of metal-free carbon electrocatalysis are also discussed to provide forward-looking opportunities for their potential applications in various catalytic processes of practical significance.

Hexagonal boron nitride nanomechanical resonators with spatially visualized motion

Atomic layers of hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN)crystal are excellent candidates for structural materials as enabling ultrathin,two-dimensional(2D)nanoelectromechanical systems(NEMS)due to the outstanding mechanical properties and very wide bandgap(5.9 eV)of h-BN.In this work,we report the experimental demonstration of h-BN 2D nanomechanical resonators vibrating at high and very high frequencies(from~5 to~70 MHz),and investigations of the elastic properties of h-BN by measuring the multimode resonant behavior of these devices.First,we demonstrate a dry-transferred doubly clamped h-BN membrane with~6.7 nm thickness,the thinnest h-BN resonator known to date.In addition,we fabricate circular drumhead h-BN resonators with thicknesses ranging from~9 to 292 nm,from which we measure up to eight resonance modes in the range of~18 to 35 MHz.Combining measurements and modeling of the rich multimode resonances,we resolve h-BN’s elastic behavior,including the transition from membrane to disk regime,with built-in tension ranging from 0.02 to 2 N m−1.The Young’s modulus of h-BN is determined to be EY≈392 GPa from the measured resonances.The ultrasensitive measurements further reveal subtle structural characteristics and mechanical properties of the suspended h-BN diaphragms,including anisotropic built-in tension and bulging,thus suggesting guidelines on how these effects can be exploited for engineering multimode resonant functions in 2D NEMS transducers.