Abundant Resources Research Articles

3D Binder-Free Mo@CoO Electrodes Directly Manufactured in One Step via Electric Discharge Machining for In-Plane Microsupercapacitor Application

Cobalt oxide-based in-plane microsupercapacitors (IPMSCs) stand out as a favorable choice for various applications in energy sources for the Internet of Things (IoT) and other microelectronic devices due to their abundant natural resources and high theoretical specific capacitance. However, the low electronic conductivity of cobalt oxide greatly hinders its further application in energy storage devices. Herein, a new manufacturing method of electric discharging machining (EDM), which is simple, safe, efficient, and environment-friendly, has been developed for synthesizing Mo-doped and oxygen-vacancy-enriched Co-CoO (Mo@Co-CoO) integrated microelectrodes for efficiently constructing Mo@Co-CoO IPMSCs with customized structures in a single step for the first time. The Mo@Co-CoO IPMSCs with three loops (IPMSCs3) exhibited a maximum areal capacitance of 30.4 mF cm−2 at 2 mV s−1. Moreover, the Mo@Co-CoO IPMSCs3 showed good capacitive behavior at a super-high scanning rate of 100 V s−1, which is around 500–1000 times higher than most reported CoO-based electrodes. It is important to note that the IPMSCs were fabricated using a one-step EDM process without any assistance of other material processing techniques, toxic chemicals, low conductivity binders, exceptional current collectors, and conductive fillers. This novel fabrication method developed in this research opens a new avenue to simplify material synthesis, providing a novel way for realizing intelligent, digital, and green manufacturing of various metal oxide materials, microelectrodes, and microdevices.

The South Pacific: The New Global Geopolitical Battleground?

The dynamics of the strategic environment in South Pacific Region involving major powers in the world such as USA, Australia, China, Japan, India, New Zealand, make the world's eyes on the Region. The purpose of this study is to further explain why the South Pacific region is considered a new global geopolitical battleground. This research was developed using the literature study method. The results of the analysis show that this region has a strategic geographic location and has abundant natural resources that make major countries in the world compete to strengthen their influence and dominance in the region in order to achieve their national interests thus making the South Pacific region has become a new battleground in global geopolitics.

Effect of glycerin on the physical properties of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate blend

Because of the abundance of sodium resources, sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) offer a promising alternative electrochemical energy storage solution. One of the current roadblocks to the development of NIBs technology is a lack of electrode materials capable of reversibly storing/releasing sodium ions for a sufficiently long time. Thus, this work aims to study, theoretically, the effect of glycerin incorporation on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/sodium alginate (Na Alg) blend as electrode materials for NIBs. The electronic, thermal, and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) descriptors of polymer electrolytes based on a blend of PVA and Na Alg and glycerin are the main topics of this work. These properties are examined here using semi-empirical methods and the density functional theory (DFT). Bandgap energy (Eg) is examined because the structural analysis reveals details regarding the interactions between PVA/Na Alg and glycerin. The findings indicate that the addition of glycerin caused the Eg value to drop to 0.2814 eV. The molecular electrostatic potential surface, or MESP, shows the electron-rich and deficit regions throughout the electrolyte system as well as the distribution of molecular charges. Thermal parameters that are studied include enthalpy (H), entropy (ΔS), heat capacity (Cp), Gibbs’ free energy (G), and heat of formation. Additionally, the study examines several QSAR descriptors, such as total dipole moment (TDM), total energy (E), ionization potential (IP), Log P, and Polarizability. The results show that H, ΔS, Cp, G, and TDM increased with increasing temperature and glycerin content. Meanwhile, heat of formation, IP, and E decreased, improving reactivity and polarizability. Additionally, the cell voltage increased to 2.488 V due to glycerin addition. The overall DFT and PM6 calculations of cost-effective PVA/Na Alg based glycerin electrolytes indicate that they can partially replace lithium-ion batteries due to their multifunctionality, but requires further improvement and investigations.

Solar-enhanced DCMD: Dual-tank system for superior efficiency and viability

ABSTRACT This study investigates a novel solar-powered direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system designed to significantly enhance desalination efficiency and economic feasibility. The system features a dual-tank configuration integrated with a solar collector, which optimizes thermal energy storage and ensures consistent feedwater temperatures. Therefore, continuous operation is possible despite fluctuations in solar radiation. An assessment of the system's performance under various solar radiation conditions predicted an average daily permeate flux of 14.4 kg/m2 and a specific energy consumption of 1810 kJ/kg, indicating superior thermal efficiency. The economic analysis revealed a competitive levelized water cost of $25.75 per cubic meter, highlighting the system's potential as a viable alternative to conventional desalination technologies. These findings suggest that the proposed DCMD system is a leading technology in the pursuit of sustainable desalination. Considering its thermal management and cost-effectiveness, the system presents a transformative solution for sustainable freshwater production in regions with abundant solar resources.

Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis

South Sudan is one of the least electrified countries in the world, despite having abundant renewable energy resources that could be exploited to generate electricity. The country relies on imported diesel for electricity generation, besides having limited focus on renewable energy development. This policy brief sheds light on the potential of renewable energy as a solution to South Sudan’s ongoing electricity crisis. It examines the key factors hindering the development of renewable energy resources for electricity generation in the country. The brief also provides recommendations to the Government of South Sudan, policymakers, experts, and funding institutions on how to improve electricity access in the country. It is stressing on the importance of prioritising the development of diverse renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, and small hydropower, as an immediate solution to the electricity access challenges in the country.

Rational Design of 3D Hierarchical Fe3S4 for Superior Sodium‐Ion Battery Anode Material

AbstractAmong various transition metal sulfides, iron‐based sulfides have attracted wide attention due to their abundant resources, low cost, and non‐toxicity, showing considerable research value in the field of secondary batteries. Thereinto, Fe3S4 has a high theoretical specific capacity of 785 mAh g−1. However, at present, the research related to Fe3S4 anode for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) is still in its infancy, and it also suffers from severe volume expansion and limited preparation. Therefore, to further boost its sodium storage potential, the Fe3S4@rGO composite with hierarchical structure and carbonaceous network is proposed in this study. Beneficial from the ingenious hierarchitectures and flexible graphene coating, the Fe3S4@rGO anode exhibits outstanding sodium storage performance, which can deliver a high capacity of 603 mAh g−1 after 1500 cycles with a superior capacity retention of 98%. The micron flower‐like structure composed of 2D nanosheets can provide sufficient active sites and promote the rapid transport of Na+. Meanwhile, the 3D interconnected graphene carbon network makes a crucial contribution to alleviating volume changes and enhancing electrical conductivity. This work reveals the application potential of Fe3S4 as an anode electrode for SIBs and provides available insights for the development of other electrode materials.

Can Australia Become a Green Iron Powerhouse?

AbstractAs a country with an abundance of renewable resources, Australia has an opportunity to emerge as a global leader in the production of green iron rather than simply extracting and exporting iron ore around the world. While it makes sense to do so in the changing geopolitical environment, and to assist in achieving our commitments to dramatically reduce our carbon emissions, this paper sheds light on the complex technical and economic arguments for the creation of a green iron industry here in Australia. We argue that targeted government intervention coupled with industry commitment to transforming the sector could realistically result in the emergence of a nascent green iron industry in the medium term.

Deciphering the Impact of Lignin on Anaerobic Digestion: Focus on Inhibition Mechanisms and Methods for Alleviating Inhibition.

China has abundant lignocellulosic biomass resources. These resources are converted into biogas by anaerobic digestion (AD), which not only realizes the comprehensive utilization of waste resources but also obtains abundant biomass energy. However, the low biodegradability of lignocellulosic biomass caused by the complex structure has seriously hindered its utilization by enzymes and microorganisms, resulting in low biogas production and limited development of biogas engineering. The purpose of this work is to analyze the mechanism of lignin inhibiting AD and summarize the main methods for alleviating inhibition. Based on this, this review examines the factors influencing lignin's inhibition of methane production during AD from two key perspectives: (1) discussing lignin's biodegradability challenges, with a focus on its structure, functional groups, and the impact of lignin content in lignocellulosic biomass on its methanogenic potential, and (2) analyzing lignin's impact on each stage of AD. In addition, we provide insights into future research directions in this field.

Reduced lattice spacing of birnessite type manganese dioxide/ expanded graphite cathode for stable aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Manganese oxides (MnOx) have attracted much attention due to abundant resource, low cost and eco-friendliness. In this study, birnessite type manganese dioxide/expanded graphite composites (KMO/EG) with a reduced lattice spacing of nanoflower and nanowire heterostructure KMO have been synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. The morphology of KMO has transformed from nanoflower to nanowire with a reduced lattice spacing due to nucleation sites on the surface of EG. The KMO/EG achieves a specific capacity of 444.5mAh g−1 and remains at 387.9mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g −1 for Zn-ion battery. The enhanced specific capacity of KMO/EG is mainly attributed to the capacity contribution of EG and the good stability is related to the more stable structure of KMO caused by reduced lattice spacing.

Integrated kinetic modeling of acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation by Clostridium saccharoperbutilacetonicum N1-4: Co-utilization strategy with cane molasses, biomass-derived sugars, and furaldehydes

Sugar-based byproducts such as molasses and bagasse are abundant resources for large-scale biobutanol commercialization. This study presents a comprehensive kinetic model to analyze ABE (acetone-butanol-ethanol) fermentation by C. saccharoperbutilacetonicum N1-4, emphasizing diverse carbon sources and furaldehyde co-utilization. By leveraging sensitivity analysis against models in the literature and the proposed model as well as parameter optimization using Scilab®, the potential for the simultaneous utilization of sugarcane molasses and bagasse-derived sugars alongside furfural and HMF for butanol synthesis was assessed. These findings revealed that despite the microbial preference for hexose sugars, the incorporation of up to 25% pentose sugars did not significantly hinder butanol production. However, furaldehydes perturbed butyric acid assimilation and acetyl-CoA consumption while enhancing acetone-butanol-ethanol synthesis. The simulation highlighted the peak concentrations of furfural and HMF (0.33 mmol L−1 and 0.03 mmol L−1, respectively), underscoring their conversion to less toxic alcohols, thereby augmenting metabolism. Sensitivity analysis underscores the necessity of enhancing butyric acid assimilation, providing critical insights for optimizing ABE fermentation and advancing biobutanol production from sugar-based byproducts.

Paddy straw biochar amended sediment enhances pond productivity, growth and physiological profile of Penaeus vannamei cultured in inland saline nursery ponds.

The growing interest in commercial Inland saline aquaculture has taken momentum across the globe due to the available technologies for aquaculture and the abundant resources of saline groundwater. However, the critical problems in inland saline ponds are degraded soil and imbalanced or deficient nutrients. To address these issues, a 75-day experiment was conducted to explore the effects of Paddy Straw Biochar (PSB) as a sediment amendment on sediment quality, water characteristics, growth parameters, and the well-being of Penaeus vannamei reared in inland saline environments. PSB was applied to the nursery ponds at 1 ton/hectare (Treatment, T1) and 2 ton/hectare (Treatment, T2). The findings of water quality parameters showed a significant increase in K+ and Mg++ with a decrease in ammonia-N levels in biochar-applied ponds. Similarly, the addition of biochar to ponds (T2) resulted in improved sediment characteristics with enhanced water holding capacity (24.75%), increased soil organic carbon content (77.94%), pH levels (0.37 units), cation exchange capacity (43.15%), available potassium (16.3%), and lower bulk density (12.61%) compared to ponds subjected to control conditions at the end of the experiment. Over the experiment, improvements in sediment and water quality parameters followed the T2 > T1 > control trend. Growth characteristics showed a significant rise in the percentage of weight gain (12.398 ± 0.12), SGR (11.80 ± 0.01% day-1) and PER (2.39 ± 0.01) with reduced FCR (1.19 ± 0.00) in biochar-treated ponds (T2), followed by T1 and control. The digestive enzyme activity (amylase) and metabolic enzymes like hepatopancreatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and muscle ALT activities were significantly higher in shrimps raised in the biochar-applied ponds. On the other hand, the oxidative stress enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in gills, muscles, and hepatopancreas (HP) exhibited lower values, suggesting reduced oxidative stress due to the biochar amendment of the pond sediment. Overall, the study recommends incorporating PSB at a rate of 2 t/ha into nursery pond sediment to enhance water quality, physiological status, and the growth of P. vannamei juveniles. Moreover, this approach improves soil and water characteristics in saline soils, making it an effective culture practice in degraded environments.

Bioactive Molecules from Lignocellulose‐derived Platform Chemicals

The ever‐increasing prevalence of diseases and inadequate resources on Earth are threats to society. Biomass is an abundant resource, and bioactive compounds produced from biomass are environmentally benign in contrast to conventional chemical synthesis methods, which frequently depend on non‐renewable resources. In addition, the functionalized monomers from biomass allow the atom economical synthesis of bioactive molecules. This review aims to provide insight into the synthesis of bioactive molecules from the lignocellulose‐derived platform chemicals. Existing methodology and catalytic systems are summarized for the synthesis of targeted bioactive molecules from cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin‐derived platform chemicals. The biological activities of bioactive molecules obtained from biomass, such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer properties, are discussed.

Suppression of Zinc Dendrite Growth by Enhanced Polyacrylamide Gel Electrolytes in Zinc-Ion Battery.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries have become a promising energy storage battery due to high theoretical specific capacity, abundant zinc resources and low cost. However, zinc dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution reaction limit their application. This study aims to improve the cycling performance and stability of aqueous zinc-ion batteries by improving the gel electrolyte. Polyacrylamide (PAM) is selected as the base material of the gel electrolyte, which has good stability and safety, but the water retention capacity, Zn2+ migration number, and ionic conductivity of PAM are low, which affects the long-term stability of the battery. In response to these problems, we optimized PAM by chemical cross-linking method, and formed an enhanced PAM gel by adding disodium citrate dihydrate (SC). Experimental results show that the introduction of an appropriate amount of SC in the enhanced PAM gel electrolyte can significantly improve its electrochemical performance. The zinc-ion symmetric battery achieved a stable cycle of more than 2100 hours at a current density of 0.5 mA cm-2, which is mainly attributed to the inhibitory effect of the enhanced PAM gel on zinc dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution reaction. This study provides a new direction for the development and application of flexible zinc-ion batteries.

The Impact of Globalization on World Nations: A Study on Protection, Welfare, and Producer Gain

This paper examines the effects of globalization on nations, focusing on economic, social, and cultural dimensions. It analyzes the roles of protectionism and globalization in shaping consumer welfare and producer earnings through qualitative methods and the Customs Union theory framework. The study discusses the benefits and drawbacks of globalization in the context of World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations. The findings indicate that globalization has intensified financial flows between countries, which can exacerbate economic crises. Countries with abundant human resources can capitalize on the international division of labor to specialize in high-value sectors, while those with limited resources risk falling behind in the digital landscape. This division of labor fosters specialization and improves production efficiency through targeted education. However, multinational corporations often impede cost-effective production in developing nations, underscoring the necessity to restructure research and development to facilitate technology adoption in underdeveloped areas. This restructuring can help close the technological gap and encourage equitable participation in the global economy. Jel code Classification: D6: Welfare economics, Fo1 Global outlook, F40: General F4: Macroeconomics aspects of international trade and finance

Texas trade in forest products industry

Texas boasts abundant forest resources, providing substantial economic and ecological benefits statewide. This study examines the trends in forest product trade within Texas over the past two decades, focusing on key disruptions during this period. The analysis categorizes the forest products industry into two main markets: solid wood and paper and pulp, further dividing the industry into five core sectors. The findings indicate that Texas operates as a net importer of solid wood and wood furniture products while serving as a net exporter of wood pulp and, paper and paperboard products. Both import and export values have generally shown a gradual increase over time. Notably, Mexico emerged as Texas’s primary trade partner for both imports and exports in 2023. Additionally, Texas ranks as the second-largest exporter of paper and paperboard products nationally while also being the second-largest importer of solid wood products and wood furniture products. The study highlights the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response on Texas’s trade dynamics, emphasizing the crucial need for ongoing monitoring of trade policies and international relationships. These factors have the potential to exert significant influence on Texas’s trade landscape in the foreseeable future.

Melt Polycondensation Strategy to Access Unexplored l-Amino Acid and Sugar Copolymers.

Biodegradable polymers from bioresources are highly in demand for the development of sustainable polymer platforms for commodity plastics and in the biomedical field. Here, an elegant one-pot synthetic strategy is developed, for the first time, to access unexplored hybrid polymers from two naturally abundant resources: carbohydrates (sugars) and l-amino acids. A bottleneck in the synthetic strategy is overcome by tailor-making d-mannitol-based six- and five-membered bicyclic acetalized diols, and their structures are confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and 2D NMR spectroscopy. l-Amino acids are converted into ester-urethane functional monomers, and they are polymerized with sugar-diols under solvent-free melt polycondensation to yield biodegradable poly(ester-urethane)s. Acid-catalyzed deprotection yielded amphiphilic polymers having exclusively alternating residues of sugar and l-amino acid in the polymer backbone. The polymer is self-assembled into 200 ± 10 nm sized nanoparticles that can encapsulate fluorescent dyes, are nontoxic to cells up to 250 μg/mL, and are readily endocytosed for lysosomal enzymatic biodegradation at the cellular level.

CoFe2O4 with the In-Situ Formed Oxygen Vacancies and Co Particles as an Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst for Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries.

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries (RZABs) are considered as one of the most promising clean energy device due to their abundant resources, low cost and environmental friendliness. However, their energy efficiency and cycle life are far from satisfactory due to the poor activity and stability of bi-functional electrocatalyst in air cathode. In this work, an efficient bi-functional catalyst (rGO-CoFe2O4/Co) was derived from its precursor (rGO-CoFe2O4) through a simple annealing process. Electrochemical measurements prove that rGO-CoFe2O4/Co with the in-situ formed Co nano particles and rich oxygen vacancies appears excellent oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction catalytic activity compared to its counterpart. Its half-wave potential is 0.81 V (vs RHE) and the OER overpotential is only 310 mV (vs RHE). In addition, rechargeable zinc-air batteries assembled with rGO-CoFe2O4/Co show the highest peak power density (128.9 mW cm-2) and cycling stability compared to rGO-CoFe2O4 and commercial Pt/C-RuO2 catalysts. This work provides a simple strategy for the design of advanced bifunctional catalysts.

Is Africa Jinxed? Exploring the Challenges of Technology Access and Adoption in Africa

Purpose-Africa, as a continent with an abundance of human and mineral resources, should have been among the superpowers of the world and have no business being poor. However, despite its richness, it is still considered a developing continent, while many of the countries in Africa are classified among developing nations, emerging economies, or least developed nations because they lag in all ramifications, technology inclusive. This paper critically examined the challenges faced in Africa concerning technology access and adoption specifically in agriculture, education, health and transport sectors. Methodology/Approach This is purely a conceptual paper. However, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was employed in this study. Findings: Many factors are responsible for Africa’s downward trend in technology access and adoption. Infrastructure is a major challenge common to all the sectors considered though there are other challenges like computer literacy, lack of adequate training, low income, culture, and electricity. Interestingly, In Africa today, uptake poses a greater challenge than coverage. The disparity in adoption rates is most pronounced among elderly individuals, economically disadvantaged women, and households residing in rural areas. Additionally, informal enterprises and rural settings exhibit higher levels of this discrepancy. Research Limitations/Implications: Though the four sectors examined in this research are the primary sectors of the economy, sectors like banking, manufacturing, hospitality, real estate and others are open for research. This research, however, adds to the body of literature and should spur African governments and policymakers to ensure that Africa is moved forward with concise policies as many of the challenges highlighted have been in existence from time memorial.

Barrier Effect of Existing Building Pile on the Responses of Groundwater and Soil During Foundation Pit Dewatering

In regions with abundant groundwater resources, pre-excavation dewatering on deep foundation pits often leads to the deformation of the enclosure wall and settlement of the surrounding ground. Based on a series of engineering measurements, we conducted a series of numerical simulations to investigate the behaviors of wall and soil during pre-excavation dewatering with and without the existing pile foundations and under different distances between the existing pile foundations and foundation pits (D). Numerical results indicated that when the foundation pit is adjacent to existing building pile foundations, the soil was restricted by the pile foundations (i.e., soil-blocking effect). When D ≤ 40 m, the soil-blocking effect grows stronger as D gets smaller; while when D > 40 m, the soil-blocking effect is significantly weakened and the water-blocking effect (i.e., the blockage of groundwater seepage by the building pile foundation) gradually appears, which intensifies the ground surface settlement. The maximum settlement position of the soil behind the pile foundation of the existing building is farther away from the foundation pit as the soil-blocking effect becomes stronger. The coupling effect of soil-blocking and water-blocking on the ground deformation should be considered in the design of the foundation pit project to get a more reasonable support and dewatering scheme.

Exploring the potential of two-dimensional MB4 (M=Cr, Mo, and W) monolayer as a high-capacity negative electrode material for Al-ion batteries

Rechargeable metal-ion batteries can employ two-dimensional transition metal tetraboride monolayers because of their numerous accommodating sites, high specific surface area, and layered structure. Li-ion batteries (LIBs) can be efficiently replaced by aluminum ion batteries (AIBs) because aluminum is a cheap and abundant resource. In this work, the density functional theory approach has been used for Al-ion batteries to predict MB4(M= Cr, Mo, W) monolayers performance as anode material. We analyze these monolayers' structures, which are mechanically, thermally, and dynamically stable. Utilizing the energy-efficient adsorption of six Al-atom layers and their lightweight properties, with large storage capacities of 5066 mA h g−1, 3466 mA h g−1, and 2124 mA h g−1, with relatively low average open circuit voltages of 0.18 V, 0.15 V, and 0.11 V for CrB4, MoB4, and WB4, respectively, these monolayers show significant superiority over other 2D anode materials. Likewise, MB4 monolayer showed faster Al ion mobility as seen by the low activation barriers of 0.95 eV, 0.83 eV, and 0.49 eV for CrB4, MoB4, and WB4, respectively. Additionally, even after the full content of Al ions was adsorbed, the metallic characteristics of the materials were mostly retained. These traits suggest that monolayer CrB4, MoB4, and WB4 are promising anode materials for AIBs, with impressive rate capacities.